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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
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January 20, 2007
His Holiness Karekin II Condemns Assassination of Hrant Dink
Requiem Service to be offered in all Armenian Churches
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
sent a letter today to His Beatitude Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian
Patriarch of Constantinople, on the tragic assassination in Istanbul
yesterday of journalist Hrant Dink, editor of the Agos weekly newspaper. On
behalf of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Supreme Spiritual
Council of the Armenian Church, His Holiness expressed his sympathies to
Patriarch Mesrob, the family and friends of Hrant Dink, the editorial staff
of Agos weekly and all Armenians living in Turkey.
His Holiness’ letter states in part: "We learned of Hrant Dink’s
assassination yesterday with deep sorrow. His untimely and tragic death has
shocked us all. We and all our people grieve the loss of yet another
intellectual who has become an innocent victim. In the strongest of terms,
we condemn this clandestine assassination which took from our people a
graceful and courageous son, who faithfully brought his service with his pen
for the love of a just, free and peaceful life and better world. We also
expect that the authorities of Turkey will uncover and punish the
individuals responsible for this crime to the fullest extent of the law."
By order of the Pontiff of All Armenians, following the Divine Liturgy on
Sunday, January 21, a special Repose of Souls service will be offered in the
Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin and all Armenian Church dioceses
throughout the world, asking for rest for the soul of Hrant Dink of blessed
memory.
Blessed be the memory of the righteous.