The provocations of evil in our arena are varied and constant, and the path of bearing the cross of faith is thorny and rocky.

Father Mkhitar Aloyan has published a publication titled "From the Seminary Years to the Catholicosate: A Testimony from the Heart."

“In 1969, when I was admitted to the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary at the age of 14, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, was already a senior student. A year later, he was ordained a deacon, and in 1971, he graduated from the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary with excellent results. He served as a supervisor under the same roof for a year and watched over us, our hot-blooded youth, with love, care, and compassion. During that period, he was also the assistant to the Head of the Cathedral, and since he was soon to be ordained a celibate priest, he transferred the duties of the Head of the Cathedral to me. Despite being older than me, he lovingly and brotherly explained the responsibilities I would assume, taught me the order and canon of the rituals.

In 1983-1999, when His Holiness Karekin II of All Armenians was the Vicar of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese, I have been serving in the same diocese as a married priest since 1995. During those years, through his efforts and the support of benefactors, a large-scale program was implemented, within the framework of which about 15,000 orphaned children received financial assistance twice a year. He fought not only against material needs, but also against spiritual poverty, waging an uncompromising struggle against sectarian movements. He always stood by his priests, supporting each of their problems.

On October 27, 1999, the National-Ecclesiastical Assembly opened in the assembly hall of the Patriarchate, and a verification of the deputies took place, who, according to the voters, numbered about 450. Then, the deputies, who gathered before the Holy Table of the Descent of the Mother Cathedral, swore before Almighty God and the Holy Gospel to elect the most worthy. After a two-and-a-half-hour vote, Archbishop Karekin Nersisyan received 263 votes, Archbishop Nerses Pozapalyan received 176 votes, and 11 ballots were declared invalid. According to the overall results of the vote, the ringing of the Mother Cathedral's bells heralded the election of the 132nd Patriarch of All Armenians, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. the one who had withdrawn from the 1995 Catholicosate election, being the only competitor to Karekin I, and this time he came to succeed him as Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

I consider it important to remember these details, because of all the ancient churches of the Christian world, the Armenian Apostolic Church is the only one whose Patriarch is elected by a national and church assembly. The assembly is national because it is elected by the people, the Armenian people, in Armenia and the Diaspora. It is national because the assembled deputies come from all the countries where there are Armenian communities. It is national and church because it takes place in the homeland, in the Mother Cathedral built by St. Gregory the Illuminator and King Trdat, around the Holy Table of the Descent, and elects the Catholicos of All Armenians of the Armenian Church. That is why the newly elected Catholicos is called nationally elected.

After being elected Catholicos of All Armenians, the Armenian Patriarch raised his caring attitude and philanthropy to a new level. On his initiative, charity soup kitchens were established for needy families, and assistance with food, clothing, and other necessities became a firm tradition under the auspices of the Mother See. His Holiness has always encouraged young people, educating them in the Christian spirit and the Orthodox faith of the fathers of our church.

To satisfy the spiritual needs of our faithful people, he built numerous new churches, and the crowning achievement of his spiritual mission was the establishment of the Sevon Seminary, where new clergy are trained. With the outstanding activity of the Builder, Karekin II, the Patriarch of All Armenians, is the worthy successor of the Builder, Patriarch Nerses the Great.

The provocations of evil in our arena are diverse and constant, and the path of bearing the cross of faith is thorny and rocky. That is why I pray that the Patriarch of All Armenians will remain unwavering, walking steadfastly as a faithful successor to the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew, and the successor in the apostolic succession of the Second Enlightener of the Armenian world, Saint Gregory the Great, whose pontifical staff will always remain in the hands of the Most High.

As Hrant Matevosyan would say: "... your princely mind will be bright, your step will be sure, and your right hand will be strong - you will strike a scepter on this sacred land of Ararat, and the scepter will become a pillar of our native home, which will pour out light and warmth, love and trust, which will drive away, drive away the hour of the red nightmare from itself - far, far!"

"Lord, always keep unshakable the Mother See that You founded,

"Give long life to the Patriarch, long days to the Father of Armenia," Father Mkhitar noted.