On Monday, April 12, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received the Fund for Armenian Relief’s executive director Garnik Nanagoulian and FAR’s Armenia country director Bagrat Sargsyan at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
His Holiness Karekin II congratulated FAR on its accomplishments and its effort to alleviate the numerous social hardships that impact Armenians in the motherland.
He was especially pleased with FAR’s collaboration with the parishes of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, as well as the Dioceses in Armenia. FAR is working actively to build on these relationships. Since its establishment under the umbrella of the Eastern Diocese, the organization has become one of the leading American NGO's working in Armenia. FAR’s staff members are now working to establish an effective framework that will develop and maintain productive and mutually beneficial partnerships between FAR and the parishes in the Eastern Diocese.
In the future, FAR plans to further a dialogue with young people. FAR’s Hayastani Kidak Society already works closely with parishes in the Diocese to help young Armenians to discover their own Armenia. FAR has been hosting events in conjunction with local parishes and their ACYOA Senior members to introduce young people to the trip.