STEPANAKERT—During their first joint pontifical visit to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia on Wednesday visited the Central Military Hospital in the Artsakh capital, accompanied by Speaker of the Artsakh National Assembly, Ashot Ghoulyan.

The hospital director Zori Saghyan briefed the pontiffs on the condition of the Defense Army servicemen wounded as a result of the military actions unleashed by Azerbaijan, as well as the course of their recovery.

Following the briefing, the two church leaders accompanied by the medical staff, visited the hospital wards, and offered their blessings and encouraging words to the wounded soldiers.

The Catholicoi expressed their gratitude to the hospital staff for their dedication and the care provided to the brave soldiers.

On Wednesday evening, the pontiffs were joined by Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian on a tour of Stepanakert’s Renaissance Square. The president briefed them on recent urban development projects, emphasizing the increase in government efforts for municipal improvements.

Sahakian also attended a Divine Liturgy on Friday at Surp Ghanchetsots Church in Shushi, where the two pontiffs officiated.

Catholico Karekin II and Aram I arrived in Stepanekert Wednesday and met with President Sahakian, before visiting the military hospital.