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June 6, 2014
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.westernprelacy.org
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I VISITS HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
On Tuesday, June 3, 2014, His Holiness Aram I arrived in the Vatican
to begin his official visit to His Holiness Pope Francis.
Last week, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, traveled
to the Vatican to join the delegation of His Holiness Aram I, which was
comprised of ten Prelates and eighty community leaders and sponsors from
various Prelacies worldwide.
The Western Prelacy delegation was comprised of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie
and Talin Amroyan, Mr. and Mrs. Vahan and Nora Bezdikian, Mr. and Mrs.
Alfred and Rima Boghossian, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Nune Sepetjian, and Mr.
and Mrs. Alex and Arda Yemenidjian.
On Wednesday, June 4, His Holiness Aram I addressed the staff of the
Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, emphasizing the
growing importance of bilateral theological dialogues as "the credible and
efficient way of leading the churches towards the visible unity".
His Holiness begun his talk by reminding the pivotal importance of
the ecumenical movement for "being church", because "it reminds the churches
of their ecclesial interrelatedness, emphasizes the urgency of healing the
brokenness of the church, calls for a deeper interaction between unity and
mission, and enhances the interconnection between the local and global".
Hence, in his view, "the ecumenical movement is not an option but an
imperative for staying together and being church".
Against the background of these introductory remarks, His Holiness
Aram I said that the present ecumenical landscape is marked by a shift "from
institutional to people-centered ecumenism, multilateral to bilateral,
Christ-centric to ecclesio-centric, fellowship-centered to non-committal,
multi-confessional to confessional, and global to local ecumenism". Hence,
according to the Armenian Catholicos, "the ecumenical movement has become
restless, in search of a new self-understanding, new self-articulation and a
new vision". The ecumenical agenda, too, steadily is shifting "from visible
unity to issues pertaining to church and society, from church-centered
ecumenism to inter-religious dialogue". These developments said Aram I are
the result of globalization and radical changes taking place in the life of
churches and societies at large.
His Holiness Aram I then identified some of the implications of
these emerging ecumenical realities for the life and witness of the World
Council of Churches (WCC). As a person who knows the WCC well having served
for fifteen years as the Moderator of its Central and Executive Committees,
the Catholicos pointed out that "visible unity has almost lost its
centrality, and reception-oriented processes, such as BEM, Apostolic Faith,
nature of the church etc. remain in the shelves of the Council". He said
that although the 10th Assembly called for "moving together", "pilgrimage of
justice and peace stressed by the Busan Assembly, may eventually push
visible unity to the periphery of the ecumenical moment". In his view the
inter-religious dialogue, a major ecumenical challenge of present times, has
become "an area of marginal importance; it needs serious attention". His
Holiness expressed his concern about the Orthodox participation and
contribution, "which have been signific antly reduced". As to WCC-Catholic
collaboration, His Holiness Aram I considered it a vital dimension of the
Council's work and called for "the broadening of its agenda and revising of
its methodology".
In the evening, His Holiness Aram I and delegation attended a
special prayer service organized by the St Egidio community at the St. John
the Lateran Church in Rome.
In his sermon, the Catholicos spoke of the theological and spiritual
meaning of martyrdom (martyria) and linked it to the Armenian Genocide in
1915, when one-and-a-half-million Armenians were massacred by Turkey. He
then spoke of the historical importance of St. John the Lateran Church and
the St. Egidio community, which began as a movement in 1968 following the
Vatican II Council. He then added, "In appreciation of the commitment of its
members to justice and peace, during my last visit to the community I
offered relics of Armenian martyrs from the Chapel of the Martyrs of
Genocide in Antelias."
At the end of the service, the leadership of St. Egidio held a
special reception to honor His Holiness Aram I and his delegation.
On Thursday morning, in a private meeting with His Holiness Pope
Francis, His Holiness Aram I briefly discussed the following issues: The
Christian presence in the Middle East, challenges and concerns facing the
churches in the region, the Syrian conflict and the problems facing the
Armenian community in Aleppo and Kessab, the centennial of the Armenian
Genocide, the bio lateral dialogue between the Catholic Church and the
Oriental Orthodox Churches, the presidential election in Lebanon.
Following the private meeting between the two Pontiffs, Pope Francis
I met with Catholicos Aram I and the delegation accompanying him. In his
speech the Catholicos noted that since 1997 he has had the opportunity to
meet Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and currently, His Holiness Francis
I.
Catholicos Aram I then spoke of the special relations between the
Roman Catholic Church and the Catholicosate of Cilicia both during the time
of the Kingdom of Cilicia and after the Genocide when it settled in
Antelias, Lebanon.
The Catholicos then expressed his appreciation of the Pope's effort
to take the church to the people, which he said is also at the heart of the
Armenian Orthodox Church and to which it is fully committed. He then invited
all churches to leave confessional differences aside and face together the
urgent challenges confronting humanity.
Speaking of the Middle East Aram I said that despite the current
violence in the region, Christians would continue to witness for their
faith, fulfill their duties and demand their rights as citizens of their
countries.
Addressing the 2015 Centenary of the Armenian Genocide, the
Catholicos thanked the Pope for his past positions towards the Armenian
cause and spoke of the one-and-a-half-million Armenians that had lost their
lives and of the churches, homes, sources of livelihood, spiritual and
cultural heritage that had been lost in the Genocide that had been
perpetrated upon the Armenians by the Ottoman Turks. The Catholicos paid
tribute to Pope Benedict XV who denounced the Armenian Genocide in a letter
to Sultan Mehmet V in 1915. In his conclusion Catholicos Aram I asked Pope
Francis I to continue advocating for the rights of the Armenian People.
In his response, Pope Francis said that "Commitment to the cause of
Christian unity is known to all. You have been especially active in the
World Council of Churches and you continue to be most supportive of the
Middle East Council Churches, which plays such an important role in
assisting the Christian communities of that region as the face numerous
difficulties. Nor can I fail to mention the significant contribution which
Your Holiness and the representatives of the Catholicosate of Cilicia have
made to the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic
Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. I am convinced that on our
journey towards full communion we share the same hopes and a similar sense
of responsibility as we strive to be faithful to the will of the Lord Jesus
Christ".
Referring to the Armenian Genocide, the Pope said that "the Armenian
people represent a part of the Christian world that is irrevocably marked by
a history of trials and sufferings courageously accepted for the love of
God. The Armenian Apostolic Church has had to become a pilgrim people; it
has experienced in a singular way what it means to journey towards the
Kingdom of God. The history of emigration, persecutions and martyrdom
experienced by so many of the faithful has inflicted deeps wounds on the
hearts of all Armenians. We must see and venerate these as wounds inflicted
on the very body of Christ, and for this very reason a cause for unfailing
hope and trust in the provident mercy of the father".
At the end of formal speeches, the two Pontiffs and the delegation
accompanying Catholicos Aram I, coming from Europe, the Middle East, North
and South Americas, attended a special service. Following the prayers, the
delegates were formally introduced to the Pope.
At the end of the meeting, Catholicos Aram I and the accompanying
Armenian clergy were the guests of Pope Francis I for lunch.
Later in the day His Holiness met with the Ambassadors of Armenia
and Lebanon. Lebanese ambassador General George Khoury stressed the
particular importance of His Holiness' visit to the Vatican, for the Middle
East in general and Lebanon in particular. He reminded that Pope Francis has
always showed his support for the Christians in the Middle East. His
Holiness in his turn emphasized the importance of unity and peace in Lebanon
as well as electing a president for the Lebanese republic as soon as
possible.
During his meeting with the Armenian ambassador Michael Minassian,
His Holiness mentioned that being in the Armenian embassy it feels like
being on an Armenian land. The Catholicos highlighted the important role of
the Armenian ambassadors around the word, in relaying the recognition and
reparation of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
His Holiness also met with the Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal
Parolini. They discussed issue related to the Middle East as well as major
concerns and challenges facing the Christian communities. The Armenian
Genocide was also discussed and His Holiness appreciated the support of the
Vatican.
On the other hand, Cardinal Parolini expressed his concerns
regarding the actual situation of Christians in the Middle East. He also
reminded that the Vatican continues its support of the Armenian cause.
Afterwards, His Holiness met with the President of the Eastern
Catholic Churches Department Cardinal Sandrini. The issue of Middle East was
brought up and they stressed on the importance of collaboration between the
churches.
The visit of His Holiness concluded on Friday, June 6.
***
BANQUET IN HONOR OF PROF. PETER COWE
Organized by the Friends of UCLA Armenian Language and Cultural
Studies, on Sunday, June 1st, a banquet was held celebrating the 45th
anniversary of the Narekatsi Chair at UCLA and the 30th anniversary of Prof.
Peter Cowe's scholarly career in Armenian Studies.
In response to an appeal by the organizing committee, the Prelate
had requested a Pontifical Letter of Blessing from His Holiness Aram I,
which was read at the banquet by Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian.
In the letter, His Holiness highly commended Prof. Cowe for his
three decades of meritorious service, noting that he has an important place
in the field of Armenian studies and has brought significant advancements in
the arena, and wished that he will continue his valuable work as a
researcher and educator with renewed dedication.
***
OFFICIAL OPENING OF HRANT DINK LECTURE HALL
On Wednesday, June 4, the official opening of the Hrant Dink Lecture
Hall was held at the Organization of Istanbul Armenian center in Winnetka,
with the presence of Rakel Dink. A lecture on the endeavors of the Hrant
Dink Foundation followed.
On behalf of the Prelate, Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian attended
and participated in the ceremony.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.westernprelacy.org
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I VISITS HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
On Tuesday, June 3, 2014, His Holiness Aram I arrived in the Vatican
to begin his official visit to His Holiness Pope Francis.
Last week, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, traveled
to the Vatican to join the delegation of His Holiness Aram I, which was
comprised of ten Prelates and eighty community leaders and sponsors from
various Prelacies worldwide.
The Western Prelacy delegation was comprised of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie
and Talin Amroyan, Mr. and Mrs. Vahan and Nora Bezdikian, Mr. and Mrs.
Alfred and Rima Boghossian, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Nune Sepetjian, and Mr.
and Mrs. Alex and Arda Yemenidjian.
On Wednesday, June 4, His Holiness Aram I addressed the staff of the
Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, emphasizing the
growing importance of bilateral theological dialogues as "the credible and
efficient way of leading the churches towards the visible unity".
His Holiness begun his talk by reminding the pivotal importance of
the ecumenical movement for "being church", because "it reminds the churches
of their ecclesial interrelatedness, emphasizes the urgency of healing the
brokenness of the church, calls for a deeper interaction between unity and
mission, and enhances the interconnection between the local and global".
Hence, in his view, "the ecumenical movement is not an option but an
imperative for staying together and being church".
Against the background of these introductory remarks, His Holiness
Aram I said that the present ecumenical landscape is marked by a shift "from
institutional to people-centered ecumenism, multilateral to bilateral,
Christ-centric to ecclesio-centric, fellowship-centered to non-committal,
multi-confessional to confessional, and global to local ecumenism". Hence,
according to the Armenian Catholicos, "the ecumenical movement has become
restless, in search of a new self-understanding, new self-articulation and a
new vision". The ecumenical agenda, too, steadily is shifting "from visible
unity to issues pertaining to church and society, from church-centered
ecumenism to inter-religious dialogue". These developments said Aram I are
the result of globalization and radical changes taking place in the life of
churches and societies at large.
His Holiness Aram I then identified some of the implications of
these emerging ecumenical realities for the life and witness of the World
Council of Churches (WCC). As a person who knows the WCC well having served
for fifteen years as the Moderator of its Central and Executive Committees,
the Catholicos pointed out that "visible unity has almost lost its
centrality, and reception-oriented processes, such as BEM, Apostolic Faith,
nature of the church etc. remain in the shelves of the Council". He said
that although the 10th Assembly called for "moving together", "pilgrimage of
justice and peace stressed by the Busan Assembly, may eventually push
visible unity to the periphery of the ecumenical moment". In his view the
inter-religious dialogue, a major ecumenical challenge of present times, has
become "an area of marginal importance; it needs serious attention". His
Holiness expressed his concern about the Orthodox participation and
contribution, "which have been signific antly reduced". As to WCC-Catholic
collaboration, His Holiness Aram I considered it a vital dimension of the
Council's work and called for "the broadening of its agenda and revising of
its methodology".
In the evening, His Holiness Aram I and delegation attended a
special prayer service organized by the St Egidio community at the St. John
the Lateran Church in Rome.
In his sermon, the Catholicos spoke of the theological and spiritual
meaning of martyrdom (martyria) and linked it to the Armenian Genocide in
1915, when one-and-a-half-million Armenians were massacred by Turkey. He
then spoke of the historical importance of St. John the Lateran Church and
the St. Egidio community, which began as a movement in 1968 following the
Vatican II Council. He then added, "In appreciation of the commitment of its
members to justice and peace, during my last visit to the community I
offered relics of Armenian martyrs from the Chapel of the Martyrs of
Genocide in Antelias."
At the end of the service, the leadership of St. Egidio held a
special reception to honor His Holiness Aram I and his delegation.
On Thursday morning, in a private meeting with His Holiness Pope
Francis, His Holiness Aram I briefly discussed the following issues: The
Christian presence in the Middle East, challenges and concerns facing the
churches in the region, the Syrian conflict and the problems facing the
Armenian community in Aleppo and Kessab, the centennial of the Armenian
Genocide, the bio lateral dialogue between the Catholic Church and the
Oriental Orthodox Churches, the presidential election in Lebanon.
Following the private meeting between the two Pontiffs, Pope Francis
I met with Catholicos Aram I and the delegation accompanying him. In his
speech the Catholicos noted that since 1997 he has had the opportunity to
meet Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and currently, His Holiness Francis
I.
Catholicos Aram I then spoke of the special relations between the
Roman Catholic Church and the Catholicosate of Cilicia both during the time
of the Kingdom of Cilicia and after the Genocide when it settled in
Antelias, Lebanon.
The Catholicos then expressed his appreciation of the Pope's effort
to take the church to the people, which he said is also at the heart of the
Armenian Orthodox Church and to which it is fully committed. He then invited
all churches to leave confessional differences aside and face together the
urgent challenges confronting humanity.
Speaking of the Middle East Aram I said that despite the current
violence in the region, Christians would continue to witness for their
faith, fulfill their duties and demand their rights as citizens of their
countries.
Addressing the 2015 Centenary of the Armenian Genocide, the
Catholicos thanked the Pope for his past positions towards the Armenian
cause and spoke of the one-and-a-half-million Armenians that had lost their
lives and of the churches, homes, sources of livelihood, spiritual and
cultural heritage that had been lost in the Genocide that had been
perpetrated upon the Armenians by the Ottoman Turks. The Catholicos paid
tribute to Pope Benedict XV who denounced the Armenian Genocide in a letter
to Sultan Mehmet V in 1915. In his conclusion Catholicos Aram I asked Pope
Francis I to continue advocating for the rights of the Armenian People.
In his response, Pope Francis said that "Commitment to the cause of
Christian unity is known to all. You have been especially active in the
World Council of Churches and you continue to be most supportive of the
Middle East Council Churches, which plays such an important role in
assisting the Christian communities of that region as the face numerous
difficulties. Nor can I fail to mention the significant contribution which
Your Holiness and the representatives of the Catholicosate of Cilicia have
made to the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic
Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. I am convinced that on our
journey towards full communion we share the same hopes and a similar sense
of responsibility as we strive to be faithful to the will of the Lord Jesus
Christ".
Referring to the Armenian Genocide, the Pope said that "the Armenian
people represent a part of the Christian world that is irrevocably marked by
a history of trials and sufferings courageously accepted for the love of
God. The Armenian Apostolic Church has had to become a pilgrim people; it
has experienced in a singular way what it means to journey towards the
Kingdom of God. The history of emigration, persecutions and martyrdom
experienced by so many of the faithful has inflicted deeps wounds on the
hearts of all Armenians. We must see and venerate these as wounds inflicted
on the very body of Christ, and for this very reason a cause for unfailing
hope and trust in the provident mercy of the father".
At the end of formal speeches, the two Pontiffs and the delegation
accompanying Catholicos Aram I, coming from Europe, the Middle East, North
and South Americas, attended a special service. Following the prayers, the
delegates were formally introduced to the Pope.
At the end of the meeting, Catholicos Aram I and the accompanying
Armenian clergy were the guests of Pope Francis I for lunch.
Later in the day His Holiness met with the Ambassadors of Armenia
and Lebanon. Lebanese ambassador General George Khoury stressed the
particular importance of His Holiness' visit to the Vatican, for the Middle
East in general and Lebanon in particular. He reminded that Pope Francis has
always showed his support for the Christians in the Middle East. His
Holiness in his turn emphasized the importance of unity and peace in Lebanon
as well as electing a president for the Lebanese republic as soon as
possible.
During his meeting with the Armenian ambassador Michael Minassian,
His Holiness mentioned that being in the Armenian embassy it feels like
being on an Armenian land. The Catholicos highlighted the important role of
the Armenian ambassadors around the word, in relaying the recognition and
reparation of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
His Holiness also met with the Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal
Parolini. They discussed issue related to the Middle East as well as major
concerns and challenges facing the Christian communities. The Armenian
Genocide was also discussed and His Holiness appreciated the support of the
Vatican.
On the other hand, Cardinal Parolini expressed his concerns
regarding the actual situation of Christians in the Middle East. He also
reminded that the Vatican continues its support of the Armenian cause.
Afterwards, His Holiness met with the President of the Eastern
Catholic Churches Department Cardinal Sandrini. The issue of Middle East was
brought up and they stressed on the importance of collaboration between the
churches.
The visit of His Holiness concluded on Friday, June 6.
***
BANQUET IN HONOR OF PROF. PETER COWE
Organized by the Friends of UCLA Armenian Language and Cultural
Studies, on Sunday, June 1st, a banquet was held celebrating the 45th
anniversary of the Narekatsi Chair at UCLA and the 30th anniversary of Prof.
Peter Cowe's scholarly career in Armenian Studies.
In response to an appeal by the organizing committee, the Prelate
had requested a Pontifical Letter of Blessing from His Holiness Aram I,
which was read at the banquet by Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian.
In the letter, His Holiness highly commended Prof. Cowe for his
three decades of meritorious service, noting that he has an important place
in the field of Armenian studies and has brought significant advancements in
the arena, and wished that he will continue his valuable work as a
researcher and educator with renewed dedication.
***
OFFICIAL OPENING OF HRANT DINK LECTURE HALL
On Wednesday, June 4, the official opening of the Hrant Dink Lecture
Hall was held at the Organization of Istanbul Armenian center in Winnetka,
with the presence of Rakel Dink. A lecture on the endeavors of the Hrant
Dink Foundation followed.
On behalf of the Prelate, Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian attended
and participated in the ceremony.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress