JERUSALEM, FEBRUARY 23, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, traveled to Jerusalem on Monday, February 15, where he presented His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, with the "Medal of St. Mesrob Mashdots". According to the report of Armenian Apostolic Church's Primate of the US Eastern Diocese, accompanying His Holiness were Archbishop Navasart Kjoyan, Primate of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese in Yerevan, Armenia, and Bishop Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan Legate, were invited by His Holiness Karekin II to attend the presentation ceremony as members of the Brotherhood of St. James of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Armenian President Serge Sargsian issued the medal to Patriarch Torkom on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Patriarch’s enthronement, and in recognition of his lifetime devotion to, and leadership of, the Armenian Church and nation. "We have come to this Holy City in order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the enthronement of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian as the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and to honor his 91st birthday," His Holiness Karekin II said. Concluding his remarks, he reflected on the need to pray together for peace in this region and in the world.

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