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Pope Francis congratulates all Christians on Easter

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Pope Francis on Sunday encouraged people to hold fast in their “fearful hearts” to faith despite all the wars, sickness and hatred in the world, acknowledging on Easter Sunday that many wonder where God is amid so much evil and suffering.

Tens of thousands of faithful braved heavy security checks — and, later, a brief downpour from what had been sunny skies — to enter St. Peter’s Square where Francis celebrated Mass on the steps leading to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Francis on Easter Sunday gave his tradition Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) message from the central loggia of St Peter’s Basilica. In it he prayed that Risen Lord would walk beside those who are marginalized who are victimized by old and new forms of slavery. The Holy Father also prayed the Lord would bring peace to the Middle East, come to the aid of Ukraine, shed his blessing upon the continent of Europe and  build bridges of dialogue in Latin America.

Armenia President, attend Easter Vigil service playing easter egg.

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President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan attended the Easter Vigil service held in St Sarkis Cathderal of Yerevan Saturday evening.

The service was held by Head of Araratian Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan.

By the end of the service, Archbisop Kchoyan conveyed the Easter message to the faithful: “Christ has risen from the dead. Blessed is the resurrection of Christ.”

Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan and Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan also attended the service.

According to the tradition, after the Easter Vigil, the faithful congratulate the President and Archbishop on Easter.

All the churches of Armenia held Easter Vigil service Saturday.

 

Pope delivers Easter message of hope after grim week of terror

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pp.thumbPope Francis preached an Easter message of hope after a grim week in Europe, calling on Christians not to let fear and pessimism “imprison” them, the BBC reports.

Speaking amid tight security at the Vatican, the Pope said: “Let us not allow darkness and fear to distract us and control our hearts.”

His message followed a condemnation on Friday of the Brussels terror attacks.

Islamist violence is expected to be a prominent theme of his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” Easter message.

Many pilgrims cancelled their planned trips to Rome in the wake of the violence in Brussels, but St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican was packed when Pope Francis celebrated mass on Saturday evening.

The Pontiff entered a darkened basilica with just a single candle guiding him. As he reached the altar, the basilica’s floodlights came on to symbolise the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Delivering his homily, Francis said: “Today is the celebration of our hope. It is so necessary today.”

The lengthy vigil service also included a papal baptism for 12 adults hailing from China, South Korea and other countries around the world.

On Sunday morning, Francis will preside over Easter Mass and offer his annual Easter blessing.

On Friday, he denounced the “terrorist acts committed by followers of some religions which profane the name of God and which use the holy name to justify their unprecedented violence”.

Meanwhile, Vatican officials distributed sleeping bags to 100 homeless people.

The police presence in the streets around the Vatican has been stepped up this year, as more pilgrims than usual are expected after Francis declared a jubilee year for the Catholic Church, calling it a “Holy Year of Mercy”

Tourists and faithful Armenians will be on the island of Akhtamar Easter Sunday

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Nearly 100 years after the genocide, Armenians have the opportunity to celebrate Easter in the Armenian church Surb Khach (Holy Cross) on the island of Akhtamar in Lake Van. The founder of “Narégavank tower” based in arton99015-335x200Yerevan, Armen Hovhannisyan says “we ensure the presence of Armenians in Akhtamar April 20. There will be no Mass for the Armenian Archbishop of Constantinople makes only one religious service per year in the church Surb Khach Akhtamar. But we will conduct prayers in Armenian. “For the few who are on Akhtamar island on Easter Sunday.” Places provide a beautiful backdrop! All trees on the island will be in bloom and opposite the church we have the vision of the chain of mountains of the Armenian Taurus which is completely covered in snow, “said Armen Hovhannisyan. First-time visitors come to Akhtamar Saturday, April 19. Recall that the Armenian Patriarchate is authorized by the Turkish authorities to carry out the church Surb Khach Akhtamar one religious service per year, on September 2.

Krikor Amirzayan