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CARD. RAVASI IN YEREVAN, THE HEART OF "FIRST CHRISTIAN NATION" IN THE WORLD
AsiaNews.it
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Card.-Ravasi-in-Yerevan,-the-heart-of-first-Christian-nation-in-the-world-21982.html
July 1 2011
Italy
A delegation led by the cardinal has visited Armenia, the first
officially Christian nation. He talks with the Armenian Patriarch and
Catholicos and the promises a cultural exchange with local politicians.
Yerevan (AsiaNews) Armenia "claims to be the first officially Christian
nation in the world. Here, in the hills surrounding Mount Ararat,
stopped the ark of Noah after the flood.
The visit of Cardinal Ravasi filled us with joy and inspires us
to improve cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic Church and
the Pontifical Council for Culture ". Fr Theodore Mascarenhas, who
accompanied the cardinal on an official visit to Yerevan, the capital
of Republic of Armenia told AsiaNews.
During the trip, Cardinal Ravasi met with the Catholicos of All
Armenians Garegin II and the bishops Hovakim and Nerses. With
the religious authorities "the meetings we had were very cordial,
friendly but frank, focusing on the preservation of the cultural
heritage of the Armenians and the possibility of cooperation in this
field between the local church and council led by the Cardinal. But
we also spoke about the restrictions on religious freedom suffered
by Armenian Christians. "
The local population of the Christian faith "like other minorities in
certain regions and neighbouring countries in fact suffer government
repression. There are technical problems, such as places of worship
which are the property of Catholics and Armenian Christians but, sadly,
are not granted to religion. Card. Ravasi has promised to bring this
issue to the attention of several forums and that of the Holy See. "
Particularly moving was the visit to the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin,
the "mother" of all Armenian churches and the seat of the Catholic
Patriarch. The Vatican delegation prayed inside the beautiful building
with Bishop Hovakim and hundreds of faithful gathered for the blessing.
The "political" side of the visit was also encouraging. The Armenian
Minister of Culture, Hasmik Poghosyan, spoke to Card. Ravasi of a
possible future cultural cooperation: the intention is to bring an
exhibit on Armenian art from San Lazzaro in Venice, where it will be
launched to other European capitals and the Vatican. The exhibition
will be dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, received the delegation
in order to emphasize the importance of faith and Christian values at
"the heart of bilateral relations" with the Vatican. Great interest
was expressed in the "Court of the Gentiles", the event organized by
Ravasi to promote encounter between believers and atheists. The prime
minister suggested it be brought to Yerevan especially "for the many
local young people who do not believe in God. Dialogue with the faith
is important". (NC)
AsiaNews.it
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Card.-Ravasi-in-Yerevan,-the-heart-of-first-Christian-nation-in-the-world-21982.html
July 1 2011
Italy
A delegation led by the cardinal has visited Armenia, the first
officially Christian nation. He talks with the Armenian Patriarch and
Catholicos and the promises a cultural exchange with local politicians.
Yerevan (AsiaNews) Armenia "claims to be the first officially Christian
nation in the world. Here, in the hills surrounding Mount Ararat,
stopped the ark of Noah after the flood.
The visit of Cardinal Ravasi filled us with joy and inspires us
to improve cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic Church and
the Pontifical Council for Culture ". Fr Theodore Mascarenhas, who
accompanied the cardinal on an official visit to Yerevan, the capital
of Republic of Armenia told AsiaNews.
During the trip, Cardinal Ravasi met with the Catholicos of All
Armenians Garegin II and the bishops Hovakim and Nerses. With
the religious authorities "the meetings we had were very cordial,
friendly but frank, focusing on the preservation of the cultural
heritage of the Armenians and the possibility of cooperation in this
field between the local church and council led by the Cardinal. But
we also spoke about the restrictions on religious freedom suffered
by Armenian Christians. "
The local population of the Christian faith "like other minorities in
certain regions and neighbouring countries in fact suffer government
repression. There are technical problems, such as places of worship
which are the property of Catholics and Armenian Christians but, sadly,
are not granted to religion. Card. Ravasi has promised to bring this
issue to the attention of several forums and that of the Holy See. "
Particularly moving was the visit to the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin,
the "mother" of all Armenian churches and the seat of the Catholic
Patriarch. The Vatican delegation prayed inside the beautiful building
with Bishop Hovakim and hundreds of faithful gathered for the blessing.
The "political" side of the visit was also encouraging. The Armenian
Minister of Culture, Hasmik Poghosyan, spoke to Card. Ravasi of a
possible future cultural cooperation: the intention is to bring an
exhibit on Armenian art from San Lazzaro in Venice, where it will be
launched to other European capitals and the Vatican. The exhibition
will be dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, received the delegation
in order to emphasize the importance of faith and Christian values at
"the heart of bilateral relations" with the Vatican. Great interest
was expressed in the "Court of the Gentiles", the event organized by
Ravasi to promote encounter between believers and atheists. The prime
minister suggested it be brought to Yerevan especially "for the many
local young people who do not believe in God. Dialogue with the faith
is important". (NC)