Armenians throughout the world celebrate Christmas

Armenians throughout the world, parishioners of the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrate Christmas.

Festive services were held in Armenian churches all around the world and the main liturgy was held by Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II in the Echmiadzin Cathedral.

In his sermon, he said that "people should love each other and hatred in the heart should be eradicated." The Catholicos urged believers "to oppose such dangers as threat of war, terrorism and violence." The service was attended by Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, the Prime Minister, the speaker of the country's parliament, and foreign ambassadors.

In 2001, the Apostolic Armenian Church celebrated the 1700th anniversary of adoption of Christianity as Armenia's official religion. Armenia is regarded as one of the most ancient Christian churches in the world.

Good relations have been established between the Apostolic Armenian Church and the Russian Orthodox Church.

During his visit to Yerevan on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of adopting Christianity by the Armenians, Moscow Patriarch Alexis II said that the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church are brotherly churches.