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Karekin II delivers address at Divine Liturgy offered by Pope Francis
15:18, 12 April, 2015
YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS. Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, attended in the Divine Liturgy dedicated
to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide offered by Pope
Francis in St. Peter's Basilica today. At the course of today's
ceremony, St. Gregory of Narek was proclaimed the Doctor of the
Universal Church.
The Information Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
informed "Armenpress" that Karekin II addressed the Pope of Rome and
pious people and particularly underscored:
"Your Holiness and Beloved Brother in Christ,
Through the merciful will of God, We visit Rome once again. We come
with the President of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Serzh Sargisyan;
with Our spiritual brother, Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of
Cilicia; and with the Bishops of the Armenian Church and the
representatives of the Armenian faithful worldwide. With the joy of
the Holy Resurrection and love of Christ, We bring Our fraternal
greetings and best wishes to Your Holiness, and bring Our prayerful
participation in the Holy Mass celebrated by Your Holiness in the
Basilica of Saint Peter, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide.
During this sacred service testifying to the friendship of Our two
sister Churches, to the contentment of Our people and to Us, one of
our Armenian Church Fathers - Saint Gregory of Narek - was declared by
Your Holiness, per the designation of the Catholic Church, a "Doctor
of the Church". In the tenth century, St. Gregory of Narek - the
teacher of prayers and bearer of the light of the universe - offered
incense to heaven through his supplication of penitence and confession
of all generations of mankind, by "Speaking with God from the Depths
of the Heart". This holy monk, with his "Living Book" revered by the
Armenian people, showed the way of salvation granted by the grace of
Christ: "for the guilty and the just, for the brazenly haughty and the
falsely modest, for the good and the evil" (Prayer 3), leading the
faithful of all times to God.
Our people who gave birth to Saint Gregory of Narek, have throughout
history endured countless horrors and faced calamities for their
Christian faith and national identity. One century ago, the brutal
crime of genocide was committed against our people in Ottoman Turkey.
With a deliberate plan, with horrific atrocities, one and a half
million Armenians were slaughtered. Our ancient people were uprooted
from their cherished cradle of life - their historic homeland - and
scattered over different countries. Our centuries-old Christian
legacy heritage was ruined, obliterated, and seized.
Nothing, however, no suffering, nor persecutions, not even death
caused our people to waiver or stray from their holy faith. The
greatness of the spiritual bravery of a nation's martyrdom which our
people displayed, is depicted before us today, once again proclaiming
the definition of our identity, which was decreed in the fifth
century: 'Christianity for us is not clothing we put on; it is the
color of our skin.' (Yeghishé the Historian).
By the mercy of our compassionate God, our people have straightened
their broken backs; new life has sprouted under the shelter of a
reestablished statehood on an eastern portion of Armenia and in the
communities of the Diaspora. Our people have created their path to
ascent, having faced many deprivations and difficulties. Today, our
people live under an illegal blockade implemented by Turkey and
Azerbaijan; struggle for the right of our people to live free in
Mountainous Karabagh, and with faith in the triumph of justice,
continue efforts for the sake of our rights - for the universal
recognition, condemnation, and just reparation for the Armenian
Genocide.
At the time, humanity was unable to prevent the genocide of the
Armenians, to eliminate its consequences, and witnessed the Holocaust
and genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur and more. Today also, due
to conflicts, wars, and terrorism, people and nations are in pain and
need; are persecuted and are paying for their faith with their very
lives. We believe that the universal recognition and condemnation of
the Armenian Genocide - as an effective example of the realization of
justice and establishment of rights - will benefit the creation of a
safe and just world. In this sense, the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide is an invitation to the world to not remain
indifferent to human suffering and contemporary martyrdoms, and to
invest greater efforts to stop and prevent crimes against humanity.
This is the fruit which shall grow from the roots of martyrdom.
During the celebration of this Holy Mass on the occasion of the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, before the cherished memories of
our martyrs, We reflect with gratitude that Your Holiness'
predecessors of blessed memory, Benedict XV, raised His voice of
protest against the genocide, and Saint John Paul II, in a joint
communiqué with Us in 2001, recognized and condemned the Armenian
Genocide. In this regard, the publication of historical documents by
the Vatican Archives plays an important role. Our people remember
with gratitude all those who not only spoke out and condemned the
Armenian Genocide, but also implemented humanitarian missions, by
caring for orphans, giving refuge to survivors, and helping them to
overcome countless difficulties.
On the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, on April 23rd of
this year, with the prayerful participation of sister Churches - among
them the representatives of Your Holiness - and high ranking guests
and thousands of our sons and daughters from throughout the world, our
innumerable victims who accepted the crown of martyrdom 'for faith and
homeland' will be canonized in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. We
will appeal for the intercession of our holy martyrs, now united with
the heavenly host, for divine peace to pour over the life of mankind,
and for the tragedy of genocides to no longer find a place in this
world.
Dear Brother in Christ,
We share Your view that martyrdom does not recognize the differences
of denominations. Indeed, the martyrs unite us as children and
servants of our one Lord Jesus Christ, to gather together and
implement unified efforts for the sake of the establishment of love,
justice, and peace in the world, and the promotion of dialogue between
civilizations and religions, as the Holy Bible exhorts us, "And let us
consider how to encourage one another to love and good works."
(Hebrews 10:24).
In this holy sanctuary of Saint Peter, let the prayers and
supplications that ascend from our hearts up to heaven, be heard by
our heavenly Father, to bless and guide on true paths all efforts that
are made aimed at peace on earth and the secure and prosperous life of
humanity. We pray for Your Holiness' health and the vibrancy of the
Roman Catholic Church, and appeal for the protection and blessings of
God for all of us, with the heartfelt words of Saint Gregory of Narek:
But you, who are capable of everything,
grant me the spirit of salvation,
the sheltering right arm,
the helping hand,
the command of goodness,
the light of mercy,
the word of renewal,
the cause of pardon,
and help of the staff of life.
For you are the hope of refuge, Lord Jesus Christ,
blessed with the Father and Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
Amen.
(Prayer 59)"
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/801420/karekin-ii-delivers-address-at-divine-liturgy-offered-by-pope-francis.html
15:18, 12 April, 2015
YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS. Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, attended in the Divine Liturgy dedicated
to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide offered by Pope
Francis in St. Peter's Basilica today. At the course of today's
ceremony, St. Gregory of Narek was proclaimed the Doctor of the
Universal Church.
The Information Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
informed "Armenpress" that Karekin II addressed the Pope of Rome and
pious people and particularly underscored:
"Your Holiness and Beloved Brother in Christ,
Through the merciful will of God, We visit Rome once again. We come
with the President of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Serzh Sargisyan;
with Our spiritual brother, Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of
Cilicia; and with the Bishops of the Armenian Church and the
representatives of the Armenian faithful worldwide. With the joy of
the Holy Resurrection and love of Christ, We bring Our fraternal
greetings and best wishes to Your Holiness, and bring Our prayerful
participation in the Holy Mass celebrated by Your Holiness in the
Basilica of Saint Peter, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide.
During this sacred service testifying to the friendship of Our two
sister Churches, to the contentment of Our people and to Us, one of
our Armenian Church Fathers - Saint Gregory of Narek - was declared by
Your Holiness, per the designation of the Catholic Church, a "Doctor
of the Church". In the tenth century, St. Gregory of Narek - the
teacher of prayers and bearer of the light of the universe - offered
incense to heaven through his supplication of penitence and confession
of all generations of mankind, by "Speaking with God from the Depths
of the Heart". This holy monk, with his "Living Book" revered by the
Armenian people, showed the way of salvation granted by the grace of
Christ: "for the guilty and the just, for the brazenly haughty and the
falsely modest, for the good and the evil" (Prayer 3), leading the
faithful of all times to God.
Our people who gave birth to Saint Gregory of Narek, have throughout
history endured countless horrors and faced calamities for their
Christian faith and national identity. One century ago, the brutal
crime of genocide was committed against our people in Ottoman Turkey.
With a deliberate plan, with horrific atrocities, one and a half
million Armenians were slaughtered. Our ancient people were uprooted
from their cherished cradle of life - their historic homeland - and
scattered over different countries. Our centuries-old Christian
legacy heritage was ruined, obliterated, and seized.
Nothing, however, no suffering, nor persecutions, not even death
caused our people to waiver or stray from their holy faith. The
greatness of the spiritual bravery of a nation's martyrdom which our
people displayed, is depicted before us today, once again proclaiming
the definition of our identity, which was decreed in the fifth
century: 'Christianity for us is not clothing we put on; it is the
color of our skin.' (Yeghishé the Historian).
By the mercy of our compassionate God, our people have straightened
their broken backs; new life has sprouted under the shelter of a
reestablished statehood on an eastern portion of Armenia and in the
communities of the Diaspora. Our people have created their path to
ascent, having faced many deprivations and difficulties. Today, our
people live under an illegal blockade implemented by Turkey and
Azerbaijan; struggle for the right of our people to live free in
Mountainous Karabagh, and with faith in the triumph of justice,
continue efforts for the sake of our rights - for the universal
recognition, condemnation, and just reparation for the Armenian
Genocide.
At the time, humanity was unable to prevent the genocide of the
Armenians, to eliminate its consequences, and witnessed the Holocaust
and genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur and more. Today also, due
to conflicts, wars, and terrorism, people and nations are in pain and
need; are persecuted and are paying for their faith with their very
lives. We believe that the universal recognition and condemnation of
the Armenian Genocide - as an effective example of the realization of
justice and establishment of rights - will benefit the creation of a
safe and just world. In this sense, the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide is an invitation to the world to not remain
indifferent to human suffering and contemporary martyrdoms, and to
invest greater efforts to stop and prevent crimes against humanity.
This is the fruit which shall grow from the roots of martyrdom.
During the celebration of this Holy Mass on the occasion of the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, before the cherished memories of
our martyrs, We reflect with gratitude that Your Holiness'
predecessors of blessed memory, Benedict XV, raised His voice of
protest against the genocide, and Saint John Paul II, in a joint
communiqué with Us in 2001, recognized and condemned the Armenian
Genocide. In this regard, the publication of historical documents by
the Vatican Archives plays an important role. Our people remember
with gratitude all those who not only spoke out and condemned the
Armenian Genocide, but also implemented humanitarian missions, by
caring for orphans, giving refuge to survivors, and helping them to
overcome countless difficulties.
On the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, on April 23rd of
this year, with the prayerful participation of sister Churches - among
them the representatives of Your Holiness - and high ranking guests
and thousands of our sons and daughters from throughout the world, our
innumerable victims who accepted the crown of martyrdom 'for faith and
homeland' will be canonized in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. We
will appeal for the intercession of our holy martyrs, now united with
the heavenly host, for divine peace to pour over the life of mankind,
and for the tragedy of genocides to no longer find a place in this
world.
Dear Brother in Christ,
We share Your view that martyrdom does not recognize the differences
of denominations. Indeed, the martyrs unite us as children and
servants of our one Lord Jesus Christ, to gather together and
implement unified efforts for the sake of the establishment of love,
justice, and peace in the world, and the promotion of dialogue between
civilizations and religions, as the Holy Bible exhorts us, "And let us
consider how to encourage one another to love and good works."
(Hebrews 10:24).
In this holy sanctuary of Saint Peter, let the prayers and
supplications that ascend from our hearts up to heaven, be heard by
our heavenly Father, to bless and guide on true paths all efforts that
are made aimed at peace on earth and the secure and prosperous life of
humanity. We pray for Your Holiness' health and the vibrancy of the
Roman Catholic Church, and appeal for the protection and blessings of
God for all of us, with the heartfelt words of Saint Gregory of Narek:
But you, who are capable of everything,
grant me the spirit of salvation,
the sheltering right arm,
the helping hand,
the command of goodness,
the light of mercy,
the word of renewal,
the cause of pardon,
and help of the staff of life.
For you are the hope of refuge, Lord Jesus Christ,
blessed with the Father and Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
Amen.
(Prayer 59)"
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/801420/karekin-ii-delivers-address-at-divine-liturgy-offered-by-pope-francis.html