International conference on Saint Nerses Shnorhali

On the occasion of the 850th anniversary of the death of St Nerses Shnorhali (1102 - 1173), an international conference entitled "Plenitude of Grace. Plenitude of Humanity: St Nerses Shnorhali at the Juncture of Millennia" was held at the Pontifical Oriental Institute from 30 November-1 December.

The conference, opened by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, brought together about twenty experts and theologians from different Churches. The presentations emphasized the ecumenical dimension of the thought and work of St Nerses, who, as Catholicos of the Armenian Church, worked for the reconciliation of the Churches.

At the beginning of the conference, the Rev. Fr Hyacinthe Destivelle, Official of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian unity, greeted the participants on behalf of the Dicastery and expressed the hope that the commemoration of St Nerses Shnorhali will help to make this precursor of the ecumenical movement better known.