LRAPER Church Bulletin 02/04/2005
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
Licensee: The Revd. Fr. Drtad Uzunyan
Editors: The Revd.Dr.Krikor Damatyan,
Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Press Spokesperson: Attorney Luiz Bakar
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (533) 942-7019
E-mail: lraper@lraper.org

ISTANBUL (Lraper Church Bulletin – 02/04/2005) – His Beatitude Mesrob
II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey, said that His
Holiness Pope John Paul II has been a profound influence in his
spiritual life.

The Patriarch of the largest Christian church community in Turkey said
that the dying Pope has made a tremendous impression on religions
worlwide with his outstanding encyclicals on moral, inter-church and
inter-faith issues.

“I was ordained a bishop in 1986 by Catholicos Vazgen I, Patriarch
Shnorhk I and Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, and weeks after that
ordination I met Pope John Paul II in Rome. Since then, I have met
him personally and with groups, and had the opportunity to pray with
him numerous times. Last time I prayed with him was about one and a
half years ago when he celebrated the Eucharist in his private chapel.
He will always be remembered not only as the beloved ‘Papa’ of the
worldwide Roman Catholic Church, but also, regardless whether other
denominations say it loudly or not, as the leading pastor of
Christendom worldwide. He has been a good and courageous pastor who
fought the good fight. Patriarch Shnorhk of beloved memory and the
beloved Holy Father have indeed been the strongest influences in my
spiritual life. May the Lord grant His servant peace and rest.”

A vigil was held at the Holy Spirit chapel of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Istanbul for Pope John Paul II. The Pope had visited
the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul in November 1979.

The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church has four hierarchical sees in
the world – in Etchmiadzin (Armenia), Antelias (Lebanon), Jerusalem
(the Holy Land) and Istanbul (Turkey) respectively.