Pope Francis Donates Union Symbol Stone to a Armenian Church in Gyumri

March 9, 2016 By administrator

popefranciss YEREVAN (Panorama.am) — Pope Francis donated a symbolic stone to the Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Gyumri, Armenpress agency reports citing the Press Service of the Armenian Church.

According to the source Cardinal-Archpriest Angelo Comastri sent the stone symbolizing union and communion, along with a special letter.

In this letter, dated in 2015 December 8, Cardinal-Archpriest Angelo Comastri writes that Pope’s donated stone was placed in the door of St. Peter’s Cathedral, in 2000.

The stone was taken from St. Peter’s Basilica on the occasion of opening of the jubilee mercy year on December 8, 2015, during the Immaculate Conception Holy Day.

Pope Francis to visit Armenia in September, Mother See says

February 19, 2016 By administrator

Pope Francis is set to visit Armenia in September 2016, press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin reports.

The issue was discussed Wednesday, February 18 at the session of the Supreme Religious Council, chaired by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The Mother See currently coordinates the details of the visit with the Vatican.

Also, the session decided to convene the National Ecclesiastical Assembly in 2017 and hold an Ecclesiastical Representatives’ Assembly in October 2016.

Havana, historic Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis Embrace at First Meeting in 1,000 Years

February 12, 2016 By administrator

Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis met in Havana

Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis met in Havana, Cuba for a historic meeting between the two churches, pledging to come together for the future of Christianity.

“We spent two hours in an open brotherly discussion, with full understanding of responsibility for our churches, for faithful people, for the future of Christianity and the future of the human civilization,” Patriarch Kirill said. “It was a very constructive conversation that helped us understand each other and get a sense of each other’s positions.”

Following the meeting, Pope Francis said Patriarch Kirill was open and in the spirit of unity.

“We spoke as brothers, we have the same baptism, we are bishops, we spoke of our churches,” he said.

At the conclusion of their meeting, the two religious leaders signed a joint declaration which stated “We are not competitors but brothers, and this concept must guide our mutual actions as well as those directed to the outside world.”

The document also addressed the problems of capitalism.

“The unrelenting consumerism of some more developed countries is gradually depleting the resources of our planet. The growing inequality in the distribution of material goods increases the feeling of the injustice of the international order that has emerged.”

Both leaders expressed their concern over the decreasing significance of the traditional family, and stated their positions on euthanasia and abortion.

“The emergence of so-called euthanasia leads elderly people and the disabled begin to feel that they are a burden on their families and on society in general,” the statement reads. “We call on all to respect the inalienable right to life. Millions are denied the very right to be born into the world.”

Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis agreed that Europe should remain true to its Christian roots.

“While remaining open to the contribution of other religions to our civilization, it is our conviction that Europe must remain faithful to its Christian roots,” the document reads.

“In affirming the foremost value of religious freedom, we give thanks to God for the current unprecedented renewal of the Christian faith in Russia, as well as in many other countries of Eastern Europe, formerly dominated for decades by atheist regimes. Today, the chains of militant atheism have been broken and in many places Christians can now freely confess their faith.”

The document also addresses the crisis in Ukraine.

“We deplore the hostility in Ukraine that has already caused many victims, inflicted innumerable wounds on peaceful inhabitants and thrown society into a deep economic and humanitarian crisis. We invite all the parts involved in the conflict to show prudence, to show social solidarity and show action aimed at constructing peace.”

With the Syrian conflict threatening to push the world to the brink of war, the document calls on all Christians to pray for peace.

“We exhort all Christians and all believers of God to pray fervently to the providential Creator of the world to protect His creation from destruction and not permit a new world war.”

Friday’s meeting marks the first time that leaders of the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches have met in nearly 1,000 years. The two broke apart over theological differences in 1054, officially separating in 1438.

VATICAN: Pope Francis recalls the Christians with Iraqi Prime Minister

February 11, 2016 By administrator

arton121986-480x319 Pope Francis received Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, with whom he discussed the importance of maintaining the Christians and other minorities in the country, announced the Vatican.

“After discussing their good relations, the parties focused on the Church’s life and the situation of Christians like other minorities in Iraq, emphasizing the importance of their presence and the need to protect their rights” announced a short statement from the Holy See. “It was then question of the place of interreligious dialogue in society and the responsibility of religious communities in spreading tolerance and civil peace,” added the Vatican.

Mr. Abadi also met with Secretary of State of the Vatican, Monsignor Pietro Parolin and the two men “stressed the importance of the reconciliation process in progress” in Iraq and raised the thorny humanitarian issue throughout the region.

The Argentine pontiff, who had received late January Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in urging him to work for peace in the Middle East, had on Sunday launched a heartfelt appeal for the tens of thousands of civilians fleeing fighting in northern Syria .

Thursday, February 11, 2016,
Stéphane © armenews.com

Pope Francis Sees Putin as ‘Only Man’ to Defend Christians Around the World

February 9, 2016 By administrator

The upcoming meeting between Pope Francis and Russian Patriarch Kirill will not only be a historic religious event, but could also have major benefits to Christians around the world, the French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche reported.

In an attempt to defend Christians in the Middle East and other parts of the world where they’re being persecuted, Pope Francis wants to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin for help.

According to Pope Francis, Putin is “the only one with whom the Catholic Church can unite to defend Christians in the East.”

“It’s important to join efforts [with Russia] to save Christianity in all regions [of the world] where it’s oppressed,” Pope Francis said, as cited by Le Journal Du Dimanche.

With the help of Putin, Pope Francis hopes to reach out to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani and even the Chinese government elite and work out a plan to help Christians in these regions.

Pope Francis, Russia’s Kirill to address persecution of Christians

February 5, 2016 By administrator

205425 Pope Francis and the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church will meet in Cuba next week in a historic step to heal the 1,000-year-old schism that divided Christianity between East and West, both churches announced Friday, February 5, according to the Associated Press.

The meeting between Francis and Patriarch Kirill will be the first ever between the leaders of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches.

Francis is due to travel to Mexico Feb. 12-18. He will stop in Cuba on the way and meet with Kirill on Feb. 12 at the Havana airport, where they will sign a joint declaration.

The two churches split during the Great Schism of 1054 and have remained estranged over a host of issues, including the primacy of the pope and Russian Orthodox accusations that the Catholic Church is poaching converts in Russia, AP says.

Those tensions have prevented previous popes from ever meeting with the Russian patriarch, even though the Vatican has long insisted that it was ministering to the tiny Catholic community in largely Orthodox lands.

In November 2014, Francis had said he had told Kirill. “I’ll go wherever you want. You call me and I’ll go.”

The meeting, which was announced jointly at the Vatican and in Moscow, marks a major development in the Vatican’s long effort to bridge the divisions in Christianity.

In the joint statement, the two churches said the meeting “will mark an important stage in relations between the two churches. The Holy See and the Moscow Patriarchate hope that it will also be a sign of hope for all people of good will.

They invite all Christians to pray fervently for God to bless this meeting, that it may bear good fruits.”

Pope Francis may visit Armenia on 101st anniversary of Genocide

January 7, 2016 By administrator

203337 Visiting Armenia in April 2016, the 101st anniversary of the 1915 Genocide, is a possibility for the Pope, although this has not been absolutely confirmed, World Religion News reports.

He hopes to visit the country, but admits, “I am old and these trips are heavy.”

The Pope may also visit three South-American nations: Peru, Colombia and Venezuela. Argentina, Chile and Uruguay are also awaiting a visit from the Pope. It is speculated that these trips could be joined with his visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil, whose 300th anniversary he promised to celebrate in the country in 2017.

Pope Francis confirmed that he will be visiting Mexico in the first half of 2016 while celebrating Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe last December 12. The Holy See will begin in Mexico City, and then will go on to make two day trips: to Chiapas to meet indigenous individuals, and to the Morelia, a high-crime area, to meet young people. The Pope is scheduled to return to Rome via Ciudad Juárez on the Mexico-U.S. border. This will be his first time visiting the country and second time in the North American continent. His itinerary also includes a visit to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine.

USA: Philadelphia Armenians thank Pope Francis, for recognizing the #ArmenianGenocide.

September 22, 2015 By administrator

Armenians of Philadelphia thanked Pope Francis for recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

“Thank you Pope Francis for Recognizing Armenian Genocide. #NeverForget 2015” posters appeared on the streets of Philadelphia, the Armenian National Committee of America reported.

On Tuesday Pope will kick off his first visit to the United States where he will visit Washington, New York and Philadelphia. Pope is expected to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama and attend the joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“Thank You, Pope Francis” billboard installed in Massachusetts

July 9, 2015 By administrator

Peace of Art, Inc. is completing its Armenian Genocide Awareness Billboard Campaign, “100 Billboards for 100 Years of Genocide,” with one more billboard in Sharon, Mass., displaying displays a message of gratitude, and reads, “Thank You, Pope Francis, for Commemorating the Armenian Genocide Centennial,” the Armenian Weekly reports.

In April 2015, at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis called the Armenian Genocide “the first genocide of the 20th century.” The event was unprecedented because, for the first time in history, the Pope mentioned the Armenian Genocide in his liturgy.

“Pope Francis called on all states’ leadership, international organizations, and world peace-loving communities, to recognize the truth and to oppose such offenses,” said Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, the founding president of Peace of Art, Inc. “Such a brave statement by the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, definitely deserves high respect and appreciation.”

In January 2015, Peace of Art, Inc. launched the Armenian Genocide Awareness Billboard Campaign. Throughout the United States and Canada, Peace of Art, Inc. has displayed large electronic and stationary billboards dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, and in honor of the victims of all genocides of the last 100 years.

Photo: The Armenian Weekly

EU: Parliament set to vote on resolution to commemorate 1915 events as ‘genocide’

April 14, 2015 By administrator

Members of the European Parliament take part in a voting session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on March 11. (Photo: Reuters)

Following Pope Francis‘ remarks characterizing the slaughter of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War I as “the first genocide of the 20th century,” the European Parliament is set to vote during its plenary session on Wednesday on a resolution to officially commemorate the centennial anniversary of the “Armenian genocide,” in a move that would be perceived by Turkey as another slap in the face.

European parliamentarians in Brussels will debate the mass killings of Armenians under Ottoman rule in 1915 and then vote on a resolution to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the tragic events.

On Sunday, the pope uttered the word “genocide” to describe the 1915 events during Mass, prompting a strong reaction in Turkey.

Last week Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgiç told reporters that Turkey feels the European Parliament’s decision to vote on the Armenian resolution recognizing the 1915 events as “genocide” is wrong. Bilgiç said, “We are taking the necessary steps,” but did not elaborate.

It is widely expected that the European Parliament will adopt the resolution. The European Parliament’s annual human rights and democracy report last month called on EU member states to legally acknowledge the Armenian “genocide.”

An increasing number of EU members and national parliaments recognize the resolution, which states, “The year 2015 marks the centennial of the Armenian genocide perpetrated in the Ottoman Empire.” It also points out that Turkey and Armenia have embarked on a process of diplomatic normalization by signing protocols in 2009 in Zurich, stressing that “the importance of keeping alive the memories of the past is paramount, since there can be no reconciliation without the truth and remembrance.”

The resolution pays tribute to the “memory of the one-and-a-half million innocent Armenian victims who perished in the Ottoman Empire,” and calls on the European Commission and European Council to join the commemoration. It also condemns all crimes against humanity and genocide and strongly deplores any attempts at denying such crimes.

The European Parliament resolution also asks for the establishment of an “International Remembrance Day for Genocides” and stresses that the timely prevention and effective punishment of genocide and crimes against humanity should be among the main priorities of the international community and the EU.

“Genocide is genocide. It happened. We can understand Turkey is very sensitive. We, as Europe, struggle for human rights, human dignity as part of our priorities. We do not do these things in the name of being against Turkey. We have taken the same approach and applied it to self criticism. This is our history. Thousands of Armenians have been killed and this is part of our human history. There is no benefit to deny the Armenian genocide,” Tajani was quoted as saying.

source: zaman