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The President Robert Kocharian received the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I, who was on a visit to Armenia in October 2002. The holy father was accompanied by the Armenian Catholicos, His Holiness Garegin II and other high-ranking clergy. Having welcomed the Patriarch’s visit to Armenia, Robert Kocharian said that the Armenia Church has had an extremely important contribution and role in the life of the Armenian nation. According to him, the Armenian Church has always supported the Armenian state.
The Patriarch of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church highly praised the
cooperation between sister-churches and emphasized that the friendship between
the two nations and the two Churches dates back to the earliest years of
Christianity. The Armenian Catholicos emphasized the importance of the
Patriarch’s visit and said that such visits are mutually enriching. The
Catholicos particularly emphasized the importance of close cooperation between
spiritual leaders of Churches with similar beliefs.
On Tuesday October 22, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas,
Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian
Orthodox Church, accompanied by bishops from both churches, visited the
Vazkenian Theological Seminary of Sevan. The Very Rev. Fr. Bagrat Vartabed
Galsdanian, Dean of the Seminary, greeted and received the entourage as they
entered the complex. His Holiness Zakka I was led on a walking tour of the
seminary by His Holiness Karekin II, who introduced him to the clergymen,
instructors 
and seminarians. Fr. Galsdanian presented brief remarks on the
history of the ancient Monastery of Sevan, and the new seminary which was
founded in 1990.
The seminarians presented a musical program for the enjoyment of the guests, upon conclusion of which, Patriarch Zakka I addressed his message to them. He stated in part, "This seminary is not only the future of your Church, but also her hope. His Holiness Karekin II, when yet still Vicar General (of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese), had the foresight and wisdom to found this establishment on the banks of this serene lake, with the blessing of Catholicos Vazken I, after whom your seminary is now named. May you all learn well, heeding your dean and instructors, so that we may proudly look upon you one day as the leaders of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church."
Following their visit to the seminary at Lake Sevan, the two Pontiffs returned to the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin for a farewell dinner. The dinner was the final event in a four-day schedule of activities during which His Holiness Karekin II and the entire Armenian Church hosted the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church on an official visit to Armenia.
The Holy Father with the Catholicos of All Armenians H.H. Garegin II
Sources:
1. The official site of the President of Armenia (URL: http://news.president.am/eng/?sub=news&id=616&year=2002)
2. AZG Armenian Daily (URL: http://www.azg.am/_EN/20021024/2002102412.shtml )
3. http://www.suryoyo-online.org/