Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – After his visit to the Holy Sepulchre, on May 15, the Holy Father Benedict XVI traveled to the Armenian Patriarchal Church of St. James. “Our meeting today, characterized by an atmosphere of cordiality and friendship, is another step along the path towards the unity which the Lord desires for all his disciples. In recent decades we have witnessed, by God’s grace, a significant growth in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church,” the Pope said in his address. “In a spirit of gratitude to the Lord, I wish also to express my appreciation of the unwavering commitment of the Armenian Apostolic Church to the continuing theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches. This dialogue, sustained by prayer, has made progress in overcoming the burden of past misunderstandings, and offers much promise for the future.”
Among the various “signs of hope” the Pope mentioned the recent document on the nature and mission of the Church produced by the Mixed Commission and presented to the Churches for study and evaluation, and invited all to join in entrusting the work of the Mixed Commission “to the Spirit of wisdom and truth, so that it can bear abundant fruit for the growth of Christian unity, and advance the spread of the Gospel among the men and women of our time.”
Recalling the illustrious history of the Armenian community in Jerusalem, “marked not least by an extraordinary flourishing of monastic life and culture linked to the holy places and the liturgical traditions which developed around them,” the Pope said: “I pray that your community will constantly draw new life from its rich traditions, and be confirmed in its witness to Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection in this Holy City. I likewise assure the families present, and particularly the children and young people, of a special remembrance in my prayers. Dear friends, I ask you in turn to pray with me that all the Christians of the Holy Land will work together with generosity and zeal in proclaiming the Gospel of our reconciliation in Christ, and the advent of his Kingdom of holiness, justice and peace.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 16/5/2009)
