PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
Website: 
June 24, 2006

Pontiff of All Armenians Visits Churches and National Institutions in
Istanbul

On June 23, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians and His Beatitude Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch
of Constantinople, accompanied by the pontifical entourage, visited the
Church of St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) in Baklkyugh, Istanbul, as
well as the Dadian National Academy adjacent to the church.

Following the "Hrashapar" service in the sanctuary and His Holiness’ message
of blessing to the faithful, the Catholicos of All Armenians and the
Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople were escorted to the hall of the school
and enjoyed a program presented by the students of the Academy.  The St.
Astvatsatsin Church and the Dadian Academy are located in a section of
Istanbul which has the second highest Armenian population.

His Holiness Karekin II spoke to the 400 students, as well as the teachers,
administrators and hundreds of faithful, emphasizing the important role that
the Armenians of Istanbul have played in the life of the nation for more
than 500 years, noting that they have brought honor to the Armenian people
through their spiritual and cultural activities.  His Holiness also placed
great importance on the church and school being located adjacent to one
another, and commended the parish council, the teaching staff and
administration of the community for their efforts.  The Catholicos of All
Armenians also congratulated the students for their skills, devotion and
talents, and invited them to travel to Armenia and visit the Armenian Church
Youth Centers operating under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and the Armenian General Benevolent Union.

The entourage next traveled to the Holy Savior National Hospital, where they
were greeted by Mr. Bedros Shirinoghlu, chairman of the Pontifical Visit
Committee and a trustee of the hospital.  His Beatitude Mesrob introduced
the history of the hospital to the guests, informing them that it was
established more than 175 years ago and remains through the present day as
the largest Armenian national institution in Turkey.  His Beatitude also
noted that it was the first hospital founded in the Ottoman Empire, and
continues its mission of providing health care to the Armenian community of
the country.  The Holy Savior Hospital, in addition to providing health care
to children and adults, also operates a home for the aged and a center for
physically disabled children.

The Armenian Pontiff visited with the patients, met with the physicians and
health care staff, as well as the administrators and the trustees of the
medical center.  In the hospital’s chapel, His Holiness presided during a
requiem service offered in memory of all past benefactors of the
institution.

In his remarks, the Catholicos of All Armenians extended his words of thanks
and appreciation to the Patriarch and the trustees of the center, and noted
that the service provided by the hospital is the best expression of
Christian teaching and love.  His Holiness emphasized that every individual
is called to serve his fellow man, and that the Holy Savior Hospital,
through its humanity and philanthropy, is providing the best example of that
Christian mission of service.

The Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople next escorted His Holiness Karekin
II and the entourage on a tour of the hospital’s museum, following which the
guests were hosted to a lunch by the trustees. 

In the afternoon, the Pontiff of All Armenians visited the Church of St.
Gevork in Samatia, which until the year 1641, had been the headquarters of
the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.  His Holiness Karekin II
blessed the countless Armenians who had gathered to see him and kiss his
holy right hand, and extended his words of love and encouragement to the
faithful.  The Catholicos of All Armenians also visited the historic
Sahakian National Academy, which is located adjacent to the church, and met
with the students, teachers and administrators of the institution.

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