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Press Release
For Immediate Use - Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (+961- 4) 410001, 410003
Fax: (+961- 4) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
We demand Recognition of the Armenian Genocide and Reparation from Turkey
Stated His Holiness Aram I
Antelias - 12 April 2015. In the morning, a special Mass was
celebrated in Rome at St. Peter's Papal Basilica to mark the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. A number of clergy, members of the
diplomatic corps, the President of Armenia and a large number of
Armenians arriving from different continents attended the service.
Quoting a declaration signed in 2001 by Pope John Paul II and Karekin
Il, Pope Francis referred to the massacre of Armenians as the first
genocide of the Twentieth Century.
Speaking in Armenian then continuing in English, His Holiness Aram I
thanked His Holiness the Pope: `The Armenian Genocide,' said the
Catholicos, `is undeniable and unforgettable. It is documented in the
20th century annals of history and deeply rooted in the collective
memory of Armenians.'
Aram I went on to say, `This carefully planned act by Ottoman Turkey
is a crime against humanity, which not only claimed one and a half
million lives, but also destroyed and confiscated thousands of churches,
monasteries, community centres and spiritual and cultural treasures. On
the basis of international law, we reclaim justice, which is indeed the
martyrs' sacred legacy. Justice is a gift of God; violation of justice
is a sin against God. The Armenian people for one hundred years have
remained faithful to the legacy of its martyrs by demanding the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and reparation. This commitment for
justice will continue with renewed faith and resolve.'
Addressing the Pope, Aram I said, `Today, Your Holiness has proclaimed
Saint Gregory of Narek a doctor of the Church (Doctor Ecclesiae). We
express our spiritual joy for this decision of the Catholic Church. In
fact, St Narek is one of the great mystics of world Christendom. He is
an outstanding theologian; whole theology is not an intellectual
reflection on God, but a dialogue with God. With his BOOK OF
LAMENTATIONS, which is a human cry for meaning and salvation, St Gregory
of Narek remains our eternal contemporary.
His Holiness Aram I concluded by reminding all those at the Cathedral
that the Vatican has never been indifferent to the Armenian Genocide.
Pope Benedict XV wrote a strongly worded letter to the Sultan of Turkey
protesting the `massive crime' perpetrated against Armenians. In the
years following the Genocide, the Holy See extended its social and
humanitarian aid to the Armenian people.
During the Memorial Service following the Mass, His Holiness Karekin II
also spoke of the urgency to condemn and recognize the Armenian
Genocide. The Armenian Catholic Patriarch Nerses Bedros also addressed
the faithful.
His Holiness Aram I meets with Key members of the Vatican Curia
Antelias - 13 April 2015. On Monday, before leaving Rome, His Holiness
Aram I held three important meetings. He first met with Cardinal Pietro
Porolin, the Secretary of State, and thanked him for Pope Francis I's
courageous words on the Armenian Genocide, and for his contribution to
the statement. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Pontifical Delegate and
Prelate of Cyprus, accompanied the Catholicos.
Catholicos Aram I then met with the President of Promoting Christian
Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, and his assistant. The focus of their
conversation was the state of the ecumenical movement and the current
challenge to the churches. The Catholicos then discussed the situation
in the Middle East and the threats to Christians with Cardinal Leonardo
Sandri, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. The
meeting was attended by Archbishops Nareg Alemezian and Sebouh
Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, and Bishop Sahé Panossian, Prelate of
Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
For Immediate Use - Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (+961- 4) 410001, 410003
Fax: (+961- 4) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
We demand Recognition of the Armenian Genocide and Reparation from Turkey
Stated His Holiness Aram I
Antelias - 12 April 2015. In the morning, a special Mass was
celebrated in Rome at St. Peter's Papal Basilica to mark the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. A number of clergy, members of the
diplomatic corps, the President of Armenia and a large number of
Armenians arriving from different continents attended the service.
Quoting a declaration signed in 2001 by Pope John Paul II and Karekin
Il, Pope Francis referred to the massacre of Armenians as the first
genocide of the Twentieth Century.
Speaking in Armenian then continuing in English, His Holiness Aram I
thanked His Holiness the Pope: `The Armenian Genocide,' said the
Catholicos, `is undeniable and unforgettable. It is documented in the
20th century annals of history and deeply rooted in the collective
memory of Armenians.'
Aram I went on to say, `This carefully planned act by Ottoman Turkey
is a crime against humanity, which not only claimed one and a half
million lives, but also destroyed and confiscated thousands of churches,
monasteries, community centres and spiritual and cultural treasures. On
the basis of international law, we reclaim justice, which is indeed the
martyrs' sacred legacy. Justice is a gift of God; violation of justice
is a sin against God. The Armenian people for one hundred years have
remained faithful to the legacy of its martyrs by demanding the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and reparation. This commitment for
justice will continue with renewed faith and resolve.'
Addressing the Pope, Aram I said, `Today, Your Holiness has proclaimed
Saint Gregory of Narek a doctor of the Church (Doctor Ecclesiae). We
express our spiritual joy for this decision of the Catholic Church. In
fact, St Narek is one of the great mystics of world Christendom. He is
an outstanding theologian; whole theology is not an intellectual
reflection on God, but a dialogue with God. With his BOOK OF
LAMENTATIONS, which is a human cry for meaning and salvation, St Gregory
of Narek remains our eternal contemporary.
His Holiness Aram I concluded by reminding all those at the Cathedral
that the Vatican has never been indifferent to the Armenian Genocide.
Pope Benedict XV wrote a strongly worded letter to the Sultan of Turkey
protesting the `massive crime' perpetrated against Armenians. In the
years following the Genocide, the Holy See extended its social and
humanitarian aid to the Armenian people.
During the Memorial Service following the Mass, His Holiness Karekin II
also spoke of the urgency to condemn and recognize the Armenian
Genocide. The Armenian Catholic Patriarch Nerses Bedros also addressed
the faithful.
His Holiness Aram I meets with Key members of the Vatican Curia
Antelias - 13 April 2015. On Monday, before leaving Rome, His Holiness
Aram I held three important meetings. He first met with Cardinal Pietro
Porolin, the Secretary of State, and thanked him for Pope Francis I's
courageous words on the Armenian Genocide, and for his contribution to
the statement. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Pontifical Delegate and
Prelate of Cyprus, accompanied the Catholicos.
Catholicos Aram I then met with the President of Promoting Christian
Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, and his assistant. The focus of their
conversation was the state of the ecumenical movement and the current
challenge to the churches. The Catholicos then discussed the situation
in the Middle East and the threats to Christians with Cardinal Leonardo
Sandri, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. The
meeting was attended by Archbishops Nareg Alemezian and Sebouh
Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, and Bishop Sahé Panossian, Prelate of
Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress