On July 21, 2026, by the directive of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, two clergymen from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin arrived in Iraq to visit the Armenian Orthodox Diocese of Iraq and participate in the election of the Primate of the Diocese. The visiting clergy are Archimandrite Nerseh Khalatian and Archimandrite Antranik Kevorkian.
On the first day of their visit, the two Archimandrites visited the Diocese headquarters, where they were welcomed by His Grace Bishop Oshagan Gulgulian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Iraq. During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues concerning the spiritual and social life of the Armenian community in Iraq. The visiting clergy also toured the various departments of the Diocese.
They then visited St. Mary Armenian Church in Al-Midan, where they learned about its rich history, before touring several of Iraq’s historical, cultural, and prominent landmarks.
Later, the visiting clergy met with the chairman and members of the Central Administrative Committee, as well as the Executive Committee of the Homenetmen Armenian Athletic and Scouting Association. The meetings focused on the current state of the community’s social life and future programs and initiatives.
During the coming days, the two Archimandrites are scheduled to visit various provinces across Iraq, where they will meet with representatives of Armenian organizations and institutions, visit Armenian churches, preside over Divine Liturgies, and gain a closer understanding of the spiritual, national, and social life of the Armenian community in Iraq.
