ETCHMIADZIN, OCTOBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. On October 2, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians received Leonid Gulyako, the Minister of Culture of Belarus and a delegation headed by him, accompanied by Gagik Gyurjian, the RA Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Issues, and Ambassadors of the two countries. Welcoming the Minister's visit to the Mother See, Catholicos of All Armenians expressed satisfaction with the Cultural Days of Belarus being held in Armenia attaching importance to organization of such cultural initiatives which support making closer and strengthening of relations and traditions having been created between the two people for dozens of years. His Holiness attached importance to the role of the two Ambassadors in all these. The Armenian Catholicos appreciated the Belarusian authorities' careful and kind attitude towards the Armenian community as well as the land allocation for building an Armenian church. His Holiness also passed his frateral love and wishes to Metropolitan Filaret by the help of the Minister. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information Center of the Mother See, Leonid Gulyako touched upon the warm reception in Armenia, presented events implemented and envisaged within the program of the Cultural Days of Belarus in Armenia. The Minister also mentioned that according to the agreement reached, Days of Culture of Armenia will be held in Belarus the next year. Difficulties arisen before the Armenian Apostolic Surb Church and warm relations present between the two churches were also touched upon at the meeting.

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