(Vatican Radio) During the afternoon of his second day in Armenia, Pope Francis’s schedule included a visit to the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and to the Armenian Catholic Cathedral in the city of Gyumri, the second most populous city of the Nation.
Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni :
After morning an open-air Mass in Gyumri’s central Square and lunch at a convent, the Pope travelled to the airport to board the plane taking him back to Yerevan for an event featuring an Ecumenical Encounter and a Prayer for Peace in the capital city’s Republic Square.
On the way, a first stop took him to the Apostolic Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God.
Here Pope Francis and Catholicos Karekin II were to be greeted by Armenian Apostolic Bishops and by a small group of disabled people and Syrian refugees.
After praying in silence before the Marian Icon of the Seven Wounds and venerating the Crucifix together with the Catholicos, the Pope was to impart his Apostolic Blessing.
The Apostolic Armenian Cathedral is known also as the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God. Located in Vartanants Square, it is the seat of the Diocese of Shirak .
The church is topped with a large dome at the center surrounded with 2 minor domes. Unlike other Armenian churches, the altar at the Holy Mother of God is unique for its multi-iconic decoration. The church remained active during the Soviet years. After the 1988 Spitak earthquake, the building was restored after independence thanks to the contribution of Armenian benefactors who had emigrated to Argentina. The two minor domes that fell down during the earthquake were replaced with new ones and tthe fallen domes are currently placed in the church yard.
The second Cathedral Pope Francis to receive the Pope’s visit on Friday afternoon is the Armenian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs.
Here, the Pope and the Catholicos are greeted at the main entrance of the church by Archbishop Raphael Francois Minassian, the Ordinary of Eastern Europe for Armenian Catholics and by the Parish Priest .
Awaiting them inside the small cathedral, a group of benefactors of the Armenian Catholic Church.
The Cathedral is the seat of the Ordinariate for Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern Europe of the Armenian Catholic Church. Construction for the building began in December 2010 and was completed in 2015.
The cathedral was originally to be named “Holy Cross”, but was changed to “Holy Martyrs” in effort to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Following celebration of Holy Mass in Varanans Square on Saturday morning, Pope Francis visited the convent and orphanage of Our Lady of Armenia – Boghossian Education Centre for lunch with around 60 hungry youngsters.
The orphanage is run by the Congregation of the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who also run the Diramyer Vocational School and a day-care center housed on the same campus.
At the end of the visit, a photo opportunity with the orphans helped by the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, benefactors, and several former residents of the orphanage along with their children provides a highlight to the event.
The History of Our Lady of Armenia Center
With the independence of Armenia, the dream of the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception to serve in the homeland became a reality. Following the horrible earthquake of 1988, the Sisters had already come to Armenia to console the grief of our nation. Today, the Order has an orphanage, a Vocational School and a day-care Center for the Elderly in Gyumri, a day-care Center in Tashir, a summer camp in Tsaghkadzor and a Convent in Javakhq, Georgia. The Sisters teach catechism and do pastoral work in many of the Catholic villages of the regions of Shirak, Tashir, and Southern Georgia.
Initially, the Sisters worked in Spitak. In 1992, the Covent was formally established in the village of Arevig and the apostolate of the Sisters consisted in teaching catechism and doing pastoral work in the villages or Arevig, Panik and Lantchig. At the end of 1993, the Sisters moved to Gyumri while continuing their service to the three villages. It was during their religion classes that the Sisters witnessed the deplorable state of many orphaned children. They had lost their parents either during the earthquake or the battle of Nagorno-Karabakh.
In an effort to provide a brief respite to these children, the Sisters organized a summer camp program in 1994. First, the Sisters used rented facilities in Hankavan and Byuragan until the Foundation Alliance Armenienne of Geneva, Switzerland, donated a complex in Tsaghkadzor. Some 850 children, ages 8 to 15 spend a 16-day vacation at the Diramayr Hayastani Jambar.
The success of the camp program is at the genesis of the Our Lady of Armenia-Boghossian Educational Center. It was the wish of Robert Boghossian & Sons family, that an educational Centre be established to house the orphans all year long.
Construction works began in 1996 and the beautiful complex was inaugurated on September 16, 1998. The whole complex is the gift of Fonds Robert Boghossian & Fils and the Sisters are deeply grateful to the generous benefactors who continue to partially fund the running expenses of the Center.
Recruitment of the children is done in different ways. Priority is given to abandoned children, orphans of both parents, children whose fathers have abandoned them and the mother is not capable of providing for the needs of the child.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) At the conclusion of Mass in Gyumri, Armenia on Saturday, Pope Francis took a moment to greet “all those who with such generosity and practical charity are helping our brothers and sisters in need.” In particular, the Pontiff recalled what is known as “the Pope’s Hospital” desired by Pope John Paul II himself and which opened 25 years ago in Ashotsk. “It was born of the heart of Saint John Paul II,” Pope Francis observed, “and it continues to be an important presence close to those who are suffering.”
Below, please find Pope Francis’ remarks upon conclusion of Holy Mass in Gyumri, Armenia:
At the conclusion of this celebration, I wish to express my deep gratitude to Catholicos Karekin II and to Archbishop Minassian for their gracious words. I also thank Patriarch Ghabroyan and the Bishops present, as well as the priests and the Authorities who have warmly welcomed us.
I thank all of you here present, who have come to Gyumri from different regions and from nearby Georgia. I especially greet all those who with such generosity and practical charity are helping our brothers and sisters in need. I think in particular of the hospital in Ashotsk, opened twenty-five years ago and known as “the Pope’s Hospital”. It was born of the heart of Saint John Paul II, and it continues to be an important presence close to those who are suffering. I think too of the charitable works of the local Catholic community, and those of the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and the Missionaries of Charity of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
May the Virgin Mary, our Mother, accompany you always and guide your steps in the way of fraternity and peace.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, Director of the Holy See Press Office, held a press briefing on Friday following the first day of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Armenia. Listen to the full press briefing:
In the briefing, Fr. Lombardi revisited the major events of Friday and looked ahead to the schedule for Saturday. He also specified the nature of Pope Francis’ use of the word ‘genocide’ for the Metz Yeghern, or ‘Great Evil’, of the Armenian people in 1915. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Speaking at Holy Mass Saturday in Gyumri, Armenia, Pope Francis recalled the “terrible devastation” wrought by the massive 1988 earthquake that killed tens of thousands of people and gave thanks “for all that has been rebuilt.” In his Homily, the Pope offered three “stable foundations upon which we can tirelessly build and rebuild the Christian life.” The first foundation, he said, is “memory:” to “recall what the Lord has done in and for us” and that “He has chosen us, loved us, called us and forgiven us.” “The memory of a people” like those in Armenia, also needs to be preserved the Pope added. “Even in the face of tremendous adversity,” he stressed, God has “remembered your faithfulness to the Gospel… and all those who testified, even at the price of their blood, that God’s love is more precious than life itself.” Faith, the Holy Father said, is the second foundation on which to build Christian life. But, he warned, “there is always a danger that can dim the light of faith and that is the temptation to reduce it to something from the past, something important but belonging to another age…to be kept in a museum.” The third foundation, the Pope added, “is merciful love:” “We are called above all to build and rebuild paths of communion, tirelessly creating bridges of unity and working to overcome our divisions.” Below, please find the full English translation of Pope Francis’ Homily at Holy Mass in Gyumri, Armenia: “They shall build up the ancient ruins… they shall repair the ruined cities” ( Is 61:4). In this place, dear brothers and sisters, we can say that the words of the Prophet Isaiah have come to pass. After the terrible devastation of the earthquake, we gather today to give thanks to God for all that has been rebuilt. Yet we might also wonder: what is the Lord asking us to build today in our lives, and even more importantly, upon what is he calling us to build our lives? In seeking an answer to this question, I would like to suggest three stable foundations upon which we can tirelessly build and rebuild the Christian life. The first foundation is memory . One grace we can implore is that of being able to remember: to recall what the Lord has done in and for us, and to remind ourselves that, as today’s Gospel says, he has not forgotten us but “remembered” us ( Lk 1:72). God has chosen us, loved us, called us and forgiven us. Great things have happened in our personal love story with him, and these must be treasured in our minds and hearts. Yet there is another memory we need to preserve: it is the memory of a people. Peoples, like individuals, have a memory. Your own people’s memory is ancient and precious. Your voices echo those of past sages and saints; your words evoke those who created your alphabet in order to proclaim God’s word; your songs blend the afflictions and the joys of your history. As you ponder these things, you can clearly recognize God’s presence. He has not abandoned you. Even in the face of tremendous adversity, we can say in the words of today’s Gospel that the Lord has visited your people (cf. Lk 1:68). He has remembered your faithfulness to the Gospel, the first-fruits of your faith, and all those who testified, even at the price of their blood, that God’s love is more precious than life itself (cf. Ps 63:4). It is good to recall with gratitude how the Christian faith became your people’s life breath and the heart of their historical memory. Faith is also hope for your future and a light for life’s journey. Faith is the second foundation I would like to mention. There is always a danger that can dim the light of faith, and that is the temptation to reduce it to something from the past, something important but belonging to another age, as if the faith were a beautiful illuminated book to be kept in a museum. Once it is locked up in the archives of history, faith loses its power to transform, its living beauty, its positive openness to all. Faith, however, is born and reborn from a life-giving encounter with Jesus, from experiencing how his mercy illumines every situation in our lives. We would do well to renew this living encounter with the Lord each day. We would do well to read the word of God and in silent prayer to open our hearts to his love. We would do well to let our encounter with the Lord’s tenderness enkindle joy in our hearts: a joy greater than sadness, a joy that even withstands pain and in turn becomes peace. All of this renews our life, makes us free and open to surprises, ready and available for the Lord and for others. It can happen too that Jesus calls us to follow him more closely, to give our lives to him and to our brothers and sisters. When he calls – and I say this especially to you young people – do not be afraid; tell him “Yes!” He knows us, he really loves us, and he wants to free our hearts from the burden of fear and pride. By making room for him, we become capable of radiating his love. Thus you will be able to carry on your great history of evangelization. This is something the Church and the world need in these troubled times, which are also a time of mercy. The third foundation, after memory and faith, is merciful love : on this rock, the rock of the love we receive from God and offer to our neighbour, the life of a disciple of Jesus is based. In the exercise of charity, the Church’s face is rejuvenated and made beautiful. Concrete love is the Christian’s visiting card; any other way of presenting ourselves could be misleading and even unhelpful, for it is by our love for one another that everyone will know that we are his disciples (cf. Jn 13:35). We are called above all to build and rebuild paths of communion, tirelessly creating bridges of unity and working to overcome our divisions. May believers always set an example, cooperating with one another in mutual respect and a spirit of dialogue, knowing that “the only rivalry possible among the Lord’s disciples is to see who can offer the greater love!” (JOHN PAUL II, Homily , 27 September 2001: Insegnamenti XXIV/2 [2001], 478). In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds us that the Spirit of the Lord is always with those who carry glad tidings to the poor, who bind up the brokenhearted and console the afflicted (cf. 61:1-2). God dwells in the hearts of those who love him. God dwells wherever there is love, shown especially by courageous and compassionate care for the weak and the poor. How much we need this! We need Christians who do not allow themselves to be overcome by weariness or discouraged by adversity, but instead are available, open and ready to serve. We need men and women of good will, who help their brothers and sisters in need, with actions and not merely words. We need societies of greater justice, where each individual can lead a dignified life and, above all, be fairly remunerated for his or her work. All the same, we might ask ourselves: how can we become merciful, with all the faults and failings that we see within ourselves and all about us? I would like to appeal to one concrete example, a great herald of divine mercy, one to whom I wished to draw greater attention by making him a Doctor of the Universal Church: Saint Gregory of Narek, word and voice of Armenia. It is hard to find his equal in the ability to plumb the depths of misery lodged in the human heart. Yet he always balanced human weakness with God’s mercy, lifting up a heartfelt and tearful prayer of trust in the Lord who is “giver of gifts, root of goodness… voice of consolation, news of comfort, joyful impulse… unparalleled compassion, inexhaustible mercy… the kiss of salvation” ( Book of Lamentations , 3, 1). He was certain that “the light of God’s mercy is never clouded by the shadow of indignation” (ibid., 16, 1). Gregory of Narek is a master of life, for he teaches us that the most important thing is to recognize that we are in need of mercy . Despite our own failings and the injuries done to us, we must not become self-centred but open our hearts in sincerity and trust to the Lord, to “the God who is ever near, loving and good” [ibid., 17, 2), “filled with love for mankind … a fire consuming the chaff of sin (ibid . , 16, 2). In the words of Saint Gregory, I would like now to invoke God’s mercy and his gift of unfailing love: Holy Spirit, “powerful protector, intercessor and peace-maker, we lift up our prayers to you… Grant us the grace to support one another in charity and good works… Spirit of sweetness, compassion, loving kindness and mercy… You who are mercy itself… Have mercy on us, Lord our God, in accordance with your great mercy” ( Hymn of Pentecost ). (from Vatican Radio)…