Catholicos Karekin II Sends Blessings to Bishop Hovakim on his 50th birthday

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has sent his pontifical blessing and congratulations to His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the United Kingdom and Ireland, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

In a letter from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness reflects on Bishop Hovakim’s years of service to the Armenian Church, the Armenian people, and the homeland. He recalls his ordination to the priesthood during the jubilee year of 2001, when Armenia marked the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity as its state religion.

The Catholicos commends Bishop Hovakim’s dedicated work over approximately a decade in the Mother See’s Department of Interchurch Relations. The letter also recalls his episcopal consecration in 2010, in recognition of his faithful and devoted ministry.

Turning to his leadership in the United Kingdom and Ireland for more than a decade, His Holiness acknowledges Bishop Hovakim’s efforts to sustain the spiritual and national life of the Armenian community. He highlights the establishment of new communities in different towns and cities, together with the acquisition of a diocesan centre in west London, providing greater opportunities for the diocese’s ministry and activities.

His Holiness also recognises Bishop Hovakim’s work to strengthen relationships with churches, interfaith partners, public institutions and civil society. The letter commends his advocacy for the rights of the people of Artsakh as well as his support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The Catholicos concludes with a prayer that the Lord may protect Bishop Hovakim, grant him good health and bless his continuing episcopal ministry with renewed achievements, for the benefit of the faithful of his diocese and the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.