HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II VISITS HISTORICAL ISLANDS IN THE SEA OF MARMARA

ISTANBUL, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On the morning of
June 22, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians; His All Holiness Bartholomew I, Archbishop of
Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch; and His Beatitude Mesrob
Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, visited Halki Island
in the Sea of Marmara, off the western coast of Turkey. The island
houses the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Monastery and the famous
Theological School of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The metropolitan
abbot of the monastery greeted the three hierarchs as they entered
the grounds and extended his message to His Holiness Karekin II,
noting that it was with great honor, respect and love that the
clergy and population of the island welcomed the Catholicos of All
Armenians to Halki. The abbot stated that the visit of the Pontiff
of All Armenians was a visible manifestation of the brotherly warmth
and love between the Greek and Armenian communities of Istanbul,
and thanked him for honoring them with the visit. His Holiness
expressed his thanks for the warm welcome, noting that he knows
how very important it is to prepare a new generation of young men to
serve the Church and people, and appreciates the wonderful opportunity
given to church leaders to train and educate individuals to dedicate
their lives to God. His Holiness stressed the importance of hope in
the struggle of life and in achieving the mission to which Christ
has called all of us. As the Greek seminary has been closed by the
orders of Turkish authorities since the 1970’s, the Catholicos of
All Armenians specifically noted that he prays for the re-opening of
the Theological Seminary located on the island and that the Armenian
Church stands alongside their sister Church in their difficulties. The
Armenian and Greek delegations then visited the historic library on
the island and toured the grounds of the monastery. According to the
Information Services of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, in the
afternoon, the entourage traveled to Kinali, an island with a high
Armenian population, and visited the Armenian church of St. Gregory
the Illuminator. Many Armenians had gathered in the church to greet
the arrival of His Holiness Karekin II, His All Holiness Bartholomew
I and His Beatitude Mesrob and to participate in the joint prayers
of the hierarchs. The Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople offered
his kind words of welcome to both the Catholicos of All Armenians and
the Ecumenical Patriarch and expressed his happiness for this first
Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II to Turkey. His Holiness
Karekin II noted that his presence in Turkey was through the joint
invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Armenian Patriarch, and
stressed his happiness for this unique opportunity to pray together and
strengthen the relationship between the Armenian and Greek Churches,
which will lead to greater cooperation and collaboration between
sister Churches. His Holiness extended his pontifical blessings
to the assembled Armenians and offered his prayers for peace and
love in the world. The Catholicos also noted his admiration for the
Armenian community of Istanbul, stating that they are well known
throughout Armenian life for their fidelity to the Mother Church,
to Holy Etchmiadzin, and their steadfast faith and love for national,
cultural and spiritual traditions. His Holiness spoke of the countless
contributions made by the Armenians of Istanbul throughout history,
and that today, they are the ones who help keep the Christian presence
of Istanbul alive. He concluded by exhorting them to remain steadfast
in their faith and hope, on the paths of serving our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Church and Armenian community. The Armenian Pontiff then invited
His All Holiness Bartholomew I to join him and Patriarch Mesrob at
the Holy Altar of the Church of St. Gregory, where they gave their
joint blessings to the faithful. Following the service, a reception
was hosted in the garden on the grounds of the church in honor of
the guests.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress