Tweet
Catholic News Agency, CO
May 6 2008
Pope seeks Christian unity, welcomes head of Armenian Apostolic Church
Vatican City, May 6, 2008 / 10:38 am (CNA).- Continuing his efforts to
build Christian unity, Pope Benedict XVI will be welcoming His
Holiness Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, for a
three day visit, May 6-9.
Karekin II's trip is one that will include several liturgical
celebrations and opportunities for dialogue with the Roman Catholic
Church. Throughout his visit, he will be accompanied by an entourage
of 18 bishops as well as 75 faithful from Armenia and other countries
in the region.
The schedule for the visit is packed with events.
On Wednesday, after having prayed at the tomb of St. Peter and visited
the statue of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the saint who converted
Armenia to Christianity, Karekin II will be welcomed by Pope Benedict
at the beginning of the general audience in St. Peter's Square.
In the afternoon, the Catholicos will receive a doctorate "honoris
causa" in "the theology of youth pastoral care" from the Pontifical
Salesian University. Patriarch Karekin is known for his use of
technology, especially television broadcasts, as a tool of
evangelization and outreach, according to the Armenian Church of
America's web site.
On Thursday, the Patriarch will visit the Pontifical Armenian College
and, during the afternoon, participate in an academic congress being
held at the Pontifical Oriental Institute on "holy sacrifice in the
Armenian tradition".
His Holiness Karekin II and those accompanying him will visit the
offices of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity on
Friday morning.
Benedict XVI will then meet privately with Karekin II in the Vatican
Apostolic Palace. After the private meeting between the two leaders,
the 18 Armenian Apostolic bishops will be received in audience by the
Pope.
Later in the day on Friday, the two church leaders will jointly
preside over a celebration of the Word with the Armenian Apostolic
delegation.
The Catholicos and his entourage will conclude their visit by praying
Vespers at the papal basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls.
Karekin II has had good relations with the Roman Catholic Church since
his election in October 1999. A statement issued announcing the visit
describes past joint declarations signed between the Pope and the
Catholicos as significant, since they deal with `questions of great
ecumenical importance in the historical, theological and pastoral
fields.'
http://www.catholicnewsagency. com/new.php?n=12557
May 6 2008
Pope seeks Christian unity, welcomes head of Armenian Apostolic Church
Vatican City, May 6, 2008 / 10:38 am (CNA).- Continuing his efforts to
build Christian unity, Pope Benedict XVI will be welcoming His
Holiness Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, for a
three day visit, May 6-9.
Karekin II's trip is one that will include several liturgical
celebrations and opportunities for dialogue with the Roman Catholic
Church. Throughout his visit, he will be accompanied by an entourage
of 18 bishops as well as 75 faithful from Armenia and other countries
in the region.
The schedule for the visit is packed with events.
On Wednesday, after having prayed at the tomb of St. Peter and visited
the statue of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the saint who converted
Armenia to Christianity, Karekin II will be welcomed by Pope Benedict
at the beginning of the general audience in St. Peter's Square.
In the afternoon, the Catholicos will receive a doctorate "honoris
causa" in "the theology of youth pastoral care" from the Pontifical
Salesian University. Patriarch Karekin is known for his use of
technology, especially television broadcasts, as a tool of
evangelization and outreach, according to the Armenian Church of
America's web site.
On Thursday, the Patriarch will visit the Pontifical Armenian College
and, during the afternoon, participate in an academic congress being
held at the Pontifical Oriental Institute on "holy sacrifice in the
Armenian tradition".
His Holiness Karekin II and those accompanying him will visit the
offices of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity on
Friday morning.
Benedict XVI will then meet privately with Karekin II in the Vatican
Apostolic Palace. After the private meeting between the two leaders,
the 18 Armenian Apostolic bishops will be received in audience by the
Pope.
Later in the day on Friday, the two church leaders will jointly
preside over a celebration of the Word with the Armenian Apostolic
delegation.
The Catholicos and his entourage will conclude their visit by praying
Vespers at the papal basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls.
Karekin II has had good relations with the Roman Catholic Church since
his election in October 1999. A statement issued announcing the visit
describes past joint declarations signed between the Pope and the
Catholicos as significant, since they deal with `questions of great
ecumenical importance in the historical, theological and pastoral
fields.'
http://www.catholicnewsagency. com/new.php?n=12557