ZENIT in Roswell, Georgia, United States for Sunday, 26 June 2016 "Pope Bids Farewell to Armenia After Visit Marked by Symbols of Unity..."

ZENIT in Roswell, Georgia, United States for Sunday, 26 June 2016 "Pope Bids Farewell to Armenia After Visit Marked by Symbols of Unity..."
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Pope Bids Farewell to Armenia After Visit Marked by Symbols of Unity by Kathleen Naab

Christian unity is one of Pope Francis’ great passions, and he often reminds the faithful that it is not an optional cause, but a clear mandate of Our Lord. He also likes to recall that those who persecute Christians often don’t care what denomination their victims belong to, and this is the case in so many regions of persecution today.
His just-concluded visit to Armenia gave the Holy Father a chance to emphasize these points at the side of Catholicos Karekin II, leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The Armenian Apostolic Church doesn’t recognize the fifth-century Council of Chalcedon and has been separated from the Catholic Church since then. However, the last few decades have seen an increase in collaboration and friendship, under both Francis’ and Karekin’s predecessors.
Today Francis and Karekin promulgated a “common declaration,” and from the Monastery of Khor Virap, simultaneously sent a pair of doves off in the shadow of Mount Ararat. They also together lit a candle in the monastery.
From the common declaration:
[We] raise our minds and hearts in thanksgiving to the Almighty for the continuing and growing closeness in faith and love between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church in their common witness to the Gospel message of salvation in a world torn by strife and yearning for comfort and hope.
[R]eligious and ethnic minorities have become the target of persecution and cruel treatment, to the point that suffering for one’s religious belief has become a daily reality. The martyrs belong to all the Churches and their suffering is an “ecumenism of blood” which transcends the historical divisions between Christians, calling us all to promote the visible unity of Christ’s disciples.
The two spiritual leaders also joined forces in addressing certain issues in society:
[W]e ask the faithful of our Churches to open their hearts and hands to the victims of war and terrorism, to refugees and their families.
The Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church share the same vision of the family, based on marriage, an act of freely given and faithful love between man and woman.
They concluded, affirming that what already unites the Churches is significant, and looking forward to the path of full communion:
We gladly confirm that despite continuing divisions among Christians, we have come to realize more clearly that what unites us is much more than what divides us. This is the solid basis upon which the unity of Christ’s Church will be made manifest, in accordance with the Lord’s words, “that they all may be one” (John 17.21). Over the past decades the relationship between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church has successfully entered a new phase, strengthened by our mutual prayers and joint efforts in overcoming contemporary challenges. Today we are convinced of the crucial importance of furthering this relationship, engaging in deeper and more decisive collaboration not only in the area of theology, but also in prayer and active cooperation on the level of the local communities, with a view to sharing full communion and concrete expressions of unity.
Text of Common Declaration: https://zenit.org/articles/common-declaration-of-francis-and-karekin-ii/
‘May We Follow God’s Call to Full Communion and Hasten Towards It,’ Says Pope by Deborah Castellano Lubov

“Just as on Easter morning the Apostles, for all their hesitations and uncertainties, ran towards the place of the Resurrection, drawn by the blessed dawn of new hope (cf. Jn 20:3-4), so too on this holy Sunday may we follow God’s call to full communion and hasten towards it.”
Pope Francis said this following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy he participated in this morning in the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral. The Holy Father gave an address following that of Catholicos of all Armenians, Karekin II.
The Holy Father had begun his final day of his 14th Apostolic Visit abroad in Armenia, July 24-26, with a private Mass in a chapel prepared for the occasion in the Apostolic Palace of Etchmiadzin, where the Holy Father has been residing during his pastoral visit to the nation. Armenia was the first nation ever to adopt Christianity as the state religion. After the Mass, Francis privately met with Armenia’s 14 Catholic bishops and 12 priests before heading to the liturgical celebration.
In his address, the Pope noted this visit to Armenia was greatly desired and is one”already unforgettable” for him. He thanked His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and said they have met “as brothers.”
One Beating Heart
“We have felt as one her beating heart, and we believe and experience that the Church is one,” he said. “Our meeting comes under the aegis of the holy Apostles whom we have encountered. Saints Bartholomew and Thaddeus, who first proclaimed the Gospel in these lands, and Saints Peter and Paul who gave their lives for the Lord in Rome and now reign with Christ in heaven, surely rejoice to see our affection and our tangible longing for full communion.
For all this, Francis expressed, saying, “I thank the Lord, for you and with you: Park astutsò! (Glory to God!).”
“May the Armenian Church walk in peace and may the communion between us be complete,” he said, ” May an ardent desire for unity rise up in our hearts, a unity that must not be ‘the submission of one to the other, or assimilation, but rather the acceptance of all the gifts that God has given to each.'”
Achieving this, Francis pointed out, will show the entire world the great mystery of salvation accomplished by Christ.
Let us …
“Let us respond to the appeal of the saints, let us listen to the voices of the humble and poor, of the many victims of hatred who suffered and gave their lives for the faith. Let us pay heed to the younger generation, who seek a future free of past divisions,” he said. “From this holy place may a radiant light shine forth once more, and to the light of faith, which has illumined these lands from the time of Saint Gregory, your Father in the Gospel, may there be joined the light of the love that forgives and reconciles.”
Before concluding, Pope Francis asked His Holiness Karekin II to bless him and the Catholic Church, as well as their path together toward full unity.
After the Liturgical Celebration, the Pontiff had an ecumenical lunch with the Catholicos, archbishops and bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic bishops, and the cardinals and bishops of the papal entourage in the Apostolic Palace before partaking in the rest of the final day’s events.
***
On Zenit’s Webpage
Pope’s Address at Conclusion of Divine Liturgy in Armenian Apostolic Cathedral: https://zenit.org/articles/popes-greeting-at-conclusion-of-divine-liturgy-in-armenian-apostolic-cathedral/
Message of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos Of All Armenians, During Divine Liturgy: https://zenit.org/articles/message-of-his-holiness-karekin-ii-catholicos-of-all-armenians-during-divine-liturgy/
Common Declaration of Francis and Karekin II by ZENIT Staff

Pope Francis and Catholicos Karekin II today signed a common declaration, at the end of the Pope’s three-day visit to Armenia.
Here is the full text of the Common Declaration of Pope Francis and Catholicos Karekin II at Holy Etchmiadzin, Republic of Armenia
Today in Holy Etchmiadzin, spiritual center of All Armenians, we, Pope Francis and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II raise our minds and hearts in thanksgiving to the Almighty for the continuing and growing closeness in faith and love between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church in their common witness to the Gospel message of salvation in a world torn by strife and yearning for comfort and hope. We praise the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for enabling us to come together in the biblical land of Ararat, which stands as a reminder that God will ever be our protection and salvation. We are spiritually gratified to remember that in 2001, on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the religion of Armenia, Saint John Paul II visited Armenia and was a witness to a new page in warm and fraternal relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church. We are grateful that we had the grace of being together, at a solemn liturgy in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome on 12 April 2015, where we pledged our will to oppose every form of discrimination and violence, and commemorated the victims of what the Common Declaration of His Holiness John-Paul II and His Holiness Karekin II spoke of as “the extermination of a million and a half Armenian Christians, in what is generally referred to as the first genocide of the twentieth century” (27 September 2001).
We praise the Lord that today, the Christian faith is again a vibrant reality in Armenia, and that the Armenian Church carries on her mission with a spirit of fraternal collaboration between the Churches, sustaining the faithful in building a world of solidarity, justice and peace.
Sadly, though, we are witnessing an immense tragedy unfolding before our eyes, of countless innocent people being killed, displaced or forced into a painful and uncertain exile by continuing conflicts on ethnic, economic, political and religious grounds in the Middle East and other parts of the world. As a result, religious and ethnic minorities have become the target of persecution and cruel treatment, to the point that suffering for one’s religious belief has become a daily reality. The martyrs belong to all the Churches and their suffering is an “ecumenism of blood” which transcends the historical divisions between Christians, calling us all to promote the visible unity of Christ’s disciples. Together we pray, through the intercession of the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, for a change of heart in all those who commit such crimes and those who are in a position to stop the violence. We implore the leaders of nations to listen to the plea of millions of human beings who long for peace and justice in the world, who demand respect for their God-given rights, who have urgent need of bread, not guns. Sadly, we are witnessing a presentation of religion and religious values in a fundamentalist way, which is used to justify the spread of hatred, discrimination and violence. The justification of such crimes on the basis of religious ideas is unacceptable, for “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (I Corinthians 14:33). Moreover, respect for religious difference is the necessary condition for the peaceful cohabitation of different ethnic and religious communities. Precisely because we are Christians, we are called to seek and implement paths towards reconciliation and peace. In this regard we also express our hope for a peaceful resolution of the issues surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh.
Mindful of what Jesus taught his disciples when he said: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Matthew 25: 35-36), we ask the faithful of our Churches to open their hearts and hands to the victims of war and terrorism, to refugees and their families. At issue is the very sense of our humanity, our solidarity, compassion and generosity, which can only be properly expressed in an immediate practical commitment of resources. We acknowledge all that is already being done, but we insist that much more is needed on the part of political leaders and the international community in order to ensure the right of all to live in peace and security, to uphold the rule of law, to protect religious and ethnic minorities, to combat human trafficking and smuggling.
The secularization of large sectors of society, its alienation from the spiritual and divine, leads inevitably to a desacralized and materialistic vision of man and the human family. In this respect we are concerned about the crisis of the family in many countries. The Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church share the same vision of the family, based on marriage, an act of freely given and faithful love between man and woman.
We gladly confirm that despite continuing divisions among Christians, we have come to realize more clearly that what unites us is much more than what divides us. This is the solid basis upon which the unity of Christ’s Church will be made manifest, in accordance with the Lord’s words, “that they all may be one” (John 17.21). Over the past decades the relationship between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church has successfully entered a new phase, strengthened by our mutual prayers and joint efforts in overcoming contemporary challenges. Today we are convinced of the crucial importance of furthering this relationship, engaging in deeper and more decisive collaboration not only in the area of theology, but also in prayer and active cooperation on the level of the local communities, with a view to sharing full communion and concrete expressions of unity. We urge our faithful to work in harmony for the promotion in society of the Christian values which effectively contribute to building a civilization of justice, peace and human solidarity. The path of reconciliation and brotherhood lies open before us. May the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth (cf. John 16:13), sustain every genuine effort to build bridges of love and communion between us.
From Holy Etchmiadzin we call on all our faithful to join us in prayer, in the words of Saint Nerses the Gracious: “Glorified Lord, accept the supplications of Your servants, and graciously fulfil our petitions, through the intercession of the Holy Mother of God, John the Baptist, the first martyr Saint Stephen, Saint Gregory our Illuminator, the Holy Apostles, Prophets, Divines, Martyrs, Patriarchs, Hermits, Virgins and all Your saints in Heaven and on Earth. And unto You, O indivisible Holy Trinity, be glory and worship forever and ever. Amen”.
Holy Etchmiadzin, 26 June 2016
His Holiness Francis His Holiness Karekin II
Researcher Explains Holy See’s Attempts to Stop ‘Great Evil’ by Salvatore Cernuzio

Much has been written on the tragedy that decimated the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th century. However, there are still unpublished aspects, such as the role played by the Holy See during this dark page of contemporary history.
A ray of light comes now with the book “The Holy See and the Extermination of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire,” published recently by Italian Publisher Cantagalli. The book details historical research carefully extracted from the Vatican’s Secret Archive that, in addition to offering the reader extensive documentation on the killing, enables him to enter in the event, revealing names, faces and actions of those who in Rome tried to put an end to the “Great Evil.”
The authors are Ormar Vigano and Valentina Karakhanian, up to now Assistant of the Ambassador of Armenia in Italy, and at present Postulator of the Cause of Saints in Rome’s Pontifical Urbanian University, researcher in the Vatican’s Secret Archives and the Historical Archive of the State Secretariat. ZENIT interviewed her before Pope Francis’ trip to Armenia.
* * *
ZENIT: The objective of your book is to analyze the role played by the Holy See during the genocide perpetrated at the beginning of the 20th century. A role, states the book, that after a century continues in “the shade”; in what sense?
Karakhanian: In the studies of the annihilation of the Armenian people, with few exceptions little or nothing is said about the Holy See. However, the letters on the extermination that are found in the Vatican Archives have been amply available to scholars since 1985. And we are not speaking of a few documents, but of folders full of notes, telegrams, reports and letters. Documents that because of their great importance, quantity, variety and temporal continuity are a valuable resource to reconstruct all that happened in Turkey during <the time> of the two last Sultans.
Above all, they show the incessant activity of the Holy See and its representatives in Constantinople to halt the massacre underway – not only of the Armenians but also of the Melkites, Maronites, Syrians, Chaldeans: all victims of a violent persecution against Christianity.
ZENIT: A persecution that still meets with difficulties when it is described as “genocide” …
Karakhanian: It’s not the intention of this work to enter into the definition of genocide applied to the “Great Evil.” In fact, in my opinion the word isn’t pertinent. And I explain why here: thanks to a broad and well-founded selection, the documents kept in the Vatican Archives speak about how the history of the oppression of the Armenians followed a program that began in 1915 until the end of the Great War.
However, it’s good to point out that those who describe the tragedy of the Armenians during their deportation leave no doubt about the fact that the writers of the documents and their recipients had very clear the measure and magnitude of what was happening in Anatolia and Syria: deportations, massacres, murders, destruction, shedding of blood, violence, killings, forced conversion, abductions. Words that, aligned next to one another perhaps will give more life to the sensation of horror about what was carried out 100 years ago.
In this connection, the term genocide is irrelevant: in addition to being a neologism, it’s a category of interpretation that is more centered on the responsibility of those that committed the crimes rather than on the crimes themselves. From this point of view, the genocide, instead of saying too much, says little.
ZENIT: We are speaking about the work carried out by the Holy See during the extermination. What did you find in your research?
Karakhanian: In the first place, it must be remembered that the Catholic Church — as opposed to the various nations that, thanks to their Embassies and Consulates had a privileged position at that moment from which to observe the events – had from Palestine to Syria, from the Bosphorous to the Caucasus, missionaries of Europe and religious of the different Oriental Churches, divided in dioceses and parishes. A capillary <effect> that is lost today, but that in the depth of the Vatican’s Archives was crystalized in a unique patrimony of testimonies. The Vatican’s documents speak, in fact, of the different attempts of the Church’s representatives to halt the killing being done.
From the moment the extermination was perceived, the Holy See tried all possibilities to halt and contain the fury against defenseless populations and take spiritual and material aid to the survivors dispersed and deprived of everything.
From the protests of the Apostolic Delegate in Constantinople, Monsignor Angel Maria Dolci, to the request that Benedict XV wrote by hand to the Sultan; from the collection of funds for poor Armenians, to the project of ships with humanitarian aid with the Vatican’s flags, much work but almost solitary in the plaster casted international context of alliances. And that, as we have said, is there for the scholars today.
ZENIT: In addition to Benedict XV, Eugenio Pacelli also appears in the work. What did the future Pope Pius XII do in this tragic context?
Karakhanian: During the “Great Evil,” Pacelli was Apostolic Nuncio in Munich. What emerged from our studies especially was his great experience and capacity to mediate, in addition to his great desire to support persecuted persons. In particular, the then Nuncio Pacelli obtained the collaboration of his colleague Monsignor Dolci, one of the principal protagonists of the Vatican’s action. Both carried out a real strategy to save the people, to enable them to flee or send them material aid through Germany, Austria and Hungary.
ZENIT: Do you see a common thread between the work carried out by the different Popes in favor of Armenia?
Karakhanian: Without a doubt, there was always tireless work that the Holy See carried out in favor of the last, the persecuted and the needy. It’s what was done in the time of Benedict XV, and with Pius XII after the genocide, for an independent Armenia. How can we forget John Paul II’s trip and the signing of the Joint Declaration with Karekin? All this long history of friendship, solidarity, fraternity is being sealed again with Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia.
ZENIT: What do you expect from Pope Francis’ visit?
Karakhanian: I can only rejoice … When I gave my book to the Holy Father I gave him the greeting that we Armenians use: “Let your foot bless this land.” This trip is fundamental for me and for my people, which is really awaiting him with open arms.
Moreover, to have heard him say with his characteristic humility: “I’m going to visit that land as a pilgrim,” simply helps us to value our faith. The Armenian people identifies with its faith; therefore, my desire is that this Pope’s visit may help us to rediscover it and live it better. There is also the hope that in this difficult moment, due to the war of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Pope’s presence will bring a message of peace and consolation that can take root in that martyred land. And that those two doves that Francis will release towards Mount Ararat, may be a message of peace to the world, to Armenia and each Armenian of the diaspora, who dreams of his homeland, of his native land.
[Translation by ZENIT]
Message of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos Of All Armenians, During Divine Liturgy by ZENIT Staff

Below is the Vatican-provided translation of the message Of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos Of All Armenians, given during the Divine Liturgy this morning in the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Etchmiadzin during the last day of his 14th Apostolic Visit abroad in Armenia, July 24-26:
***
When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd;
and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.
John 13:34
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Yours Holiness, beloved brother in Christ,
Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Armenia,
Beloved spiritual brothers and faithful people,
Over the course of the past few days we have been experiencing an abundance of spiritual joy and joint prayer while glorifying God in Holy Etchmiadzin. Today we have gathered for the celebration of Divine Liturgy, joined in prayer by the Pontiff of Rome, our beloved brother, Pope Francis.
It is symbolic that today’s reading of the Scripture, during the celebration of Divine Liturgy, was the story of the multiplication of bread. The Evangelist tells us that when Christ secluded himself, knowing this, the multitude of people followed Him, and when the Lord saw the gathered crowd, He had compassion for them and healed the sick. In the evening the apostles asked the Lord to set the people free so that they could find food for themselves. Christ commanded them to feed the people. However, there was a shortage of food, and the Lord blessed it and the bread, which had miraculously multiplied, was enough for the apostles to feed the entire multitude.
The essence of this miracle, which became one of the important missions of Christ’s Holy Church, is the satisfaction of empty spirits by the Lord-given teachings and the support of the needy through compassion. The Lord urges His followers to rejuvenate faith by works, to conjoin prayer and worship with compassion, and to give alms; through which, by the appeasement of hardship and tribulations, we are co-workers with God, according to the words of the apostle (1 Corinthians 3:9). Through this vision, numerous prophesying Church fathers, graceful patriarchs, brave and good shepherds, countless witnesses of faith and devout believers have for centuries depicted the pages of the history of Christ’s Church with the devout preaching of the Word of God and the great works of giving alms and fostering; so that the people may be strengthened by faith, and through the works of faith they may secure the presence of God in the lives of humanity.
Today, faith in God is being tempted and human souls are being hardened during times of hardship and difficulties as well as during times of wealth and lavishness, when they are disengaged with the concerns of those who long for daily bread and are in pain and suffering. Faith is put to the test by extremism and other kinds of ideologies; xenophobia, addictions, passions and self-centred profits. The processes of secularism are intensifying, spiritual and ethical values and views are distorted, and the family structure, established by God, is being shaken. The root of evil in modern life is in trying to build a world without God, to construe the laws and commandments of God which bring forward economic, political, social, environmental and other problems, that day by day deepen and threaten the natural way of life.
Nevertheless, the world does not cease from being the center of God’s love and care. The Lord continues to say, “I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). The one who has tasted the delightful teachings of the Lord stoops to raise the fallen, to increase hope and faith in the hearts of men, and to repeat the miracle of the multiplication of the bread through supporting and consoling the needy, the sick, and the sorrowful. Goodness will prevail in the world and current challenges will be overcome by these commands of God, and by utilizing spiritual and moral values. All good works express God’s care towards humanity and the world, according to the words of the Lord, “behold the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21), and as an affirmation of this, the churches of the world bring their service.
Dear ones, during these days together with our spiritual brother, Pope Francis, with joint visits and prayers we reconfirmed that the Holy Church of Christ is one in the spreading of the gospel of Christ in the world, in taking care of creation, standing against common problems, and in the vital mission of the salvation of man who is the crown and glory of God’s creation. The inseparable mission of the Church of Christ is the strengthening of solidarity among nations and peoples, reinforcing of brotherhood and collaboration, and a witness to this is the participation in this Divine Liturgy today of the ethnic minorities in Armenia: the Assyrians, Belarus, Greeks, Georgians, Jews, Yezidis, Kurds, Germans, Poles, Russians and Ukrainians who in brotherly coexistence with our people bring their assistance towards the development of our country and the progress of social life.
On this graceful day we are appreciative for another opportunity to thank Pope Francis on the occasion of his brotherly visit. We and our people will always pray for you, beloved brother, and for your efforts made towards peace and prosperity of humanity and towards the advancement of the Church of Christ. May God give you strength, bless and keep firm our Churches in love and collaboration and may He grant us new opportunities for witness of brotherhood. In your daily prayers remember the Armenian people, the Armenian statehood and the Armenian Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
With a prayerful spirit we ask for the protection and support of the Holy Right Hand of Almighty God to shelter those suffering from wars and terrorism, as well as those who are in starvation, poverty and other kinds of afflictions. We also beseech the Lord to pour abundant graces of heaven upon our lives and the whole world. Amen[Vatican-provided translation]
Pope’s Address at Conclusion of Divine Liturgy in Armenian Apostolic Cathedral by ZENIT Staff

Below is the Vatican-provided translation of the address Pope Francis gave at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy this morning in the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Etchmiadzin during his 14th Apostolic Visit abroad in Armenia, July 24-26:
***
Your Holiness, Dear Bishops,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the end of this greatly-desired visit, one already unforgettable for me, I join my gratitude to the Lord with the great hymn of praise and thanksgiving that rose from this altar. Your Holiness, in these days you have opened to me the doors of your home, and we have experienced “how good and pleasant it is when brothers live in unity” (Ps 133:1). We have met, we have embraced as brothers, we have prayed together and shared the gifts, hopes and concerns of the Church of Christ. We have felt as one her beating heart, and we believe and experience that the Church is one. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Eph 4:4-6). With great joy we can make our own these words of the Apostle Paul! Our meeting comes under the aegis of the holy Apostles whom we have encountered. Saints Bartholomew and Thaddeus, who first proclaimed the Gospel in these lands, and Saints Peter and Paul who gave their lives for the Lord in Rome and now reign with Christ in heaven, surely rejoice to see our affection and our tangible longing for full communion. For all this, I thank the Lord, for you and with you: Park astutsò! (Glory to God!).
During this Divine Liturgy, the solemn chant of the Trisagion rose to heaven, acclaiming God’s holiness. May abundant blessings of the Most High fill the earth through the intercession of the Mother of God, the great saints and doctors, the martyrs, especially the many whom you canonized last year in this place. May “the Only Begotten who descended here” bless our journey. May the Holy Spirit make all believers one heart and soul; may he come to re-establish us in unity. For this I once more invoke the Holy Spirit, making my own the splendid words that are part of your Liturgy. Come, Holy Spirit, you “who intercede with ceaseless sighs to the merciful Father, you who watch over the saints and purify sinners”, bestow on us your fire of love and unity, and “may the cause of our scandal be dissolved by this love” (Gregory of Narek, Book of Lamentations, 33, 5), above all the lack of unity among Christ’s disciples.
May the Armenian Church walk in peace and may the communion between us be complete. May an ardent desire for unity rise up in our hearts, a unity that must not be “the submission of one to the other, or assimilation, but rather the acceptance of all the gifts that God has given to each. This will reveal to the entire world the great mystery of salvation accomplished by Christ the Lord through the Holy Spirit” (Greeting at the Divine Liturgy, Patriarchal Church of Saint George, Istanbul, 30 November 2014).
Let us respond to the appeal of the saints, let us listen to the voices of the humble and poor, of the many victims of hatred who suffered and gave their lives for the faith. Let us pay heed to the younger generation, who seek a future free of past divisions. From this holy place may a radiant light shine forth once more, and to the light of faith, which has illumined these lands from the time of Saint Gregory, your Father in the Gospel, may there be joined the light of the love that forgives and reconciles.
Just as on Easter morning the Apostles, for all their hesitations and uncertainties, ran towards the place of the resurrection, drawn by the blessed dawn of new hope (cf. Jn 20:3-4), so too on this holy Sunday may we follow God’s call to full communion and hasten towards it.
Now, Your Holiness, in the name of God, I ask you to bless me, to bless me and the Catholic Church, and to bless this our path towards full unity.[Original Text: Italian] [Vatican-provided translation]
Gospel for Sunday, June 26 by ZENIT Staff

Once when Jesus was praying by himself,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist;
others, Elijah;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
He scolded them
and directed them not to tell this to anyone.
He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
Then he said to all,
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
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