The government will work towards strengthening the Church, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said in a meeting with Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and Cilician Catholicos Aram I on April 21, Panarmenian reported, citing information from the president’s press office.  Sargsyan said that a lot could be accomplished with the support of both Catholicoses. “The state will be in favor of strengthening the Church. The Armenian Apostolic Church was and will remain the pillar of the Armenian nation,” Sargsyan was quoted as saying.  As reported by the news source, Aram I said his visit to Armenia was aimed at congratulating Serzh Sargsyan on assuming the presidential post.  Both religious leaders expressed a willingness to support “all initiatives aimed at Armenia’s development.”

This information was originally published on April 21, 2008.  (www.panarmenian.net)