Rome, Italy

On Thursday, the 22^nd of April 2010, at 6:30 PM, the Chief of Republic of Armenia police Mr. Alik Sargsyan and his convoy accompanied by the Armenian Ambassador to Italy Mr. Ruben Karapetyan, came to the Armenian Levonian Pontifical College.

At first, Mr. Alik Sargsyan and his convoy visited St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church and then they went to the college guest room where they were welcomed by His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Catholicos Patriarch. During this official visit, Mr. Alik Sargsyan granted to the Most Reverend Spiritual Father the citizenship of the Republic of Armenia and an Armenian passport. By becoming a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, the Most Reverend Spiritual Father took an oath on the Holy Bible to maintain the Constitution as well as the laws of the Republic of Armenia and to conserve the independence of the Republic of Armenia as well as the integrity of its territories. He also vowed to respect the official language, the national culture and the customs. On this occasion, Mr. Alik Sargsyan also offered the Spiritual Father an illustrated picture book entitled «Armenia», in three languages: Armenian, Russian and English. He also offered a painting that represents the sights of Armenia, a DVD entitled « This is Armenia », a bottle of wine prepared on the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the police of the Republic of Armenia, as well as a carved medal carrying the three principal Apostolic churches of Armenia which are Holy Echmiadzin Cathedral, Saint Hripsimé Church, Holy Shoghagat Armenian Church. The Spiritual Father was thankful to the President of the Republic of Armenia, especially to Mr. Alik Sargsyan whom he invited to visit the ancient convent of Bzommar Congregation with its museum, library and place for manuscript materials. Then, he offered Mr. Alik Sargsyan the medal of the 1700^th anniversary of the Christianization of Armenia.

After the ceremony, all the present guests went to the dining room of the College where a dinner was made in their honor.