Russian Catholics Pray for Jetliner Victims

Zenit News Agency, Italy
May 6 2006

MOSCOW, MAY 5, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Catholics in Russia will unite
their prayers for the some 113 passengers of an Armenian jetliner
that crashed into the Black Sea.

Catholics will dedicate today and Sunday to pray for those who died
Wednesday when Armenian Airbus A-320 crashed near Sochi, Russia. The
majority of those on board were Armenians returning to their country,
or going to visit relatives.

Today has also been declared a joint day of mourning by Russia and
Armenia.

Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of the Archdiocese of the Mother of
God in Moscow, in statements to ZENIT, expressed his profound
sympathy for the Armenian and Russian community “over the death of
their loved ones.”

Armenian faithful hold an important place within the Christian
community of Russia, not only because of their number — around
54,000 — but because they have kept their own ancient liturgical
rite.

Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official
religion in the early fourth century.

The Catholic community and parishes of the Armenian Apostolic Church
worldwide will offer a Requiem Mass for the dead.