CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS GAREGIN THE SECOND SENDS CONDOLENCES ON
THE OCCASION OF THE DECEASE OF POPE OF ROME JOHN PAUL II ON BEHALF OF
SAINT ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC
YEREVAN, April 4. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin the
Second sent on behalf of Saint Armenian Apostolic Church condolences on
the occasion of the decease of Pope of Rome John Paul II. According
to St. Etchmiadzin’s Press Department, in his message Catholicos of
All Armenians emphasized that he cherished in his memories meetings
with John Paul II in Vatican, as well as historic visit of the Pope
to Armenia in 2001. “During the last years of the Pope’s disease we
became witnesses of moral firmness and courage of our brother in
Christ, as the best example of belief and hope and rely on Devine
Intent”, as stated in the message. According to Garegin the Second,
during his 26 years on post, John Paul II became a defender of life
and advocate of justice. “Appeal of the Pope for peace between
the nations was based on moral convictions and love in humanity”,
he noted. According to Garegin the Second, for the last years due
to the activity of John Paul II “the spirit of brotherhood and
cooperation between our churches strengthened”. According to the
message, John Paul II was the first Roman high priest, who visited
Armenia. “He also was the first Archipastor of Catholic Church, who
acknowledged the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and condemned that awful
crime”. According to the press-release, after the Saint and Immortal
Liturgy in Sat. Etchmiadzin, the Seat of the Dominat Armenian Apostolic
Church, the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin the Second served the
private mass for John Paul II. According to Garegin the Second, the
death of John Paul II is a bereavement for the whole Christian world,
since he was preacher for peace and advocate of Christian values.
Garegin the Second emphasized that most significant were the visits of
Pope aimed at formation and strengthening of the spirit of solidarity,
cooperation and mutual understanding between the nations, states and
religions. “May God grant comfort to his pious congregation”, he said.