PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
Website: 
January 30, 2007

Armenian Church Participates in Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the
Vatican

ROME:  The Roman Catholic Church has organized and hosted the "Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity" for the past number of years.  This year, on
January 25, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI presided during an ecumenical
service at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, which was the closing event
of the Week of Prayer.

The Armenian Church was a participant in the service alongside many clergy
and laymen from the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Ancient Orthodox and
Anglican Churches.  Representing the Armenian Church this year was Very Rev.
Fr. Aren Shahinian, pastor of the Italian-Armenian community and member of
the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.  He was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Geghard
Vahuni, Rev. Fr. Moushegh Babayan and Rev. Fr. Ruben Zargarian, all
currently continuing their theological educations in institutions of higher
learning in Rome.

At the conclusion of the service, Fr. Shahinian extended the warm fraternal
greetings and best wishes of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

Also on January 25, an ecumenical service took place in Milan with the
participation of members of the Armenian community of Milan and the
"Norahrash" choir and deacons of the Armenian Church of the Forty Martyrs. 
During the ecumenical service, all present observed a moment of silence in
memory of Hrant Dink, the recently assassinated human rights activist and
editor of the "Agos" Weekly newspaper of Istanbul.