28.04.2014y. Diocesan youth met with Metropolitan Ambrosius, Bishop of the Finnish Orthodox Church

      On April 28, His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan, Vicar of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese, welcomed Metropolitan Ambrosius, Bishop of the Diocese of Helsinki and Holy Synod member of the Orthodox Church of Finland, who visited Armenia upon the invitation of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Accompanying him were His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manoukyan, Director of the Inter-Church Relations Department of the Mother See, Primate of the Artik Diocese, Mr. Antti Heikinheimo, Attorney; and Mr. Timo Kiteveyne, Deputy Head of the Union of the Finnish Municipality. The delegates from Helsinki met the young representatives of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese at the premises of the Diocese and were welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan. The ceremony started with the beautiful singing of the Lord’s Prayer by the youth choir “Ararat.” Afterwards Reverent Father Petros Malyan, the responsible of the Youth Association, briefly presented to the guests the activities of the diocesan youth, emphasizing their important role in the daily life of the Diocese and the Armenia Apostolic Church. 

         At his turn His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosius expressed his gratitude to His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan for the warm hospitality, and was thankful for the “angelic” singing of the “Ararat” Choir. Metropolitan Ambrosius also briefed on general overview regarding Orthodox Church of Finland, emphasized the importance and involvement of the youth. His Eminence also presented the ways of educating and attracting youth to become members of the Orthodox Church. After the speech His Eminence answered the wide range of intellectual and interesting questions rose by the diocesan youth, and expressed His satisfaction and appreciation for organizing such a meaningful meeting. His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosius also extended his appreciation and good will to establish exchange programs for the Armenian and Finnish youth, which will allow building stronger relations between two Churches in the future.

At the end of the meeting His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan once again expressed his appreciation to the Metropolitan Ambrosius for being hosted in the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese. “Finnish nation has a strong spirit that has been proved by the history. We and the present youth will always remember you, the Finnish Orthodox Church and Finnish nation in our prayers”, said Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan.