Patriarch Maşalyan is accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Hovagim Seropyan, Fr. Şirvan Mürzyan, and Fr. Nathan Arabyan. The Patriarch and his accompanying delegation first traveled to Kayseri on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
On the same day, the Patriarch paid courtesy visits to the Mayor of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality, Dr. Memduh Büyükkılıç, and the Governor of Kayseri, Gökmen Çiçek. Following these visits, Patriarch Maşalyan toured the city’s library, accompanied by the Director of the Tourism Office.
The building in question was formerly the Holy Mother of God Church, the seat of the city’s Armenian Archbishopric. Used for various purposes over the years, the building was restored by the municipality and opened as a public library.
Patriarch Maşalyan then visited the Surp Krikor Lusavoriç (St. Gregory the Illuminator) Church in Kayseri, entering the church to the sound of ringing bells. After performing a pilgrimage prayer, he received information about the church from members of the local Armenian community.
The final stop of the day was Mount Erciyes. After the snowy visit, the Patriarch and his group returned to their hotel. That evening, the Patriarch attended a dinner held in his honor.
As part of his itinerary, Patriarch Maşalyan will also visit Vakıfköy in Hatay to attend a liturgy and will initiate the restoration work for the Karasun Manuk (Forty Martyrs) Church in İskenderun. The Karasun Manuk Church had been damaged during the February 6 earthquakes.
(Patriarchate press release, Agos)
