November 12, 2012
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Mr. and Mrs. Berge and Vera Setrakian Sponsor Renovation and Restoration of Old Pontifical Residence at Holy Etchmiadzin

On Sunday, October 21, 2012, following Divine Liturgy at Holy Etchmiadzin, a procession of AGBU's 87th General Assembly delegates, led by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, visited the Old Veharan, which had served as the pontifical residence of HH the late Catholicos Vasken Ist and his predecessors, and which is being renovated and restored. Following a brief blessing ceremony, which the Catholicos performed with the accompanying bishops and priests, His Holiness expressed his great appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Setrakian for their most generous donation toward this construction project of the 300-year old historical site, which, once completed, will house a pontifical museum dedicated to the memory of the late Catholicoi. The building will also comprise a guest house for the foreign high-ranking religious dignitaries when visiting Holy Etchmiadzin. With the Setrakians' donation, the building's unique archeological and architectural features will be preserved, while, at the same time, its facilities will be modernized. A newly discovered underground section, which is assumed to be a centuries-old antique tomb or prayer corner, will be preserved via a see-through glass floor.

To view photos from the visit to the Old Veharan, please click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/agbu/sets/72157631914295862/

To see additional photos from AGBU’s 87th General Assembly, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/agbu/collections/72157631913503978/

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