  Pope's Armenia visit: Genocide memorial, ecumenical service May 13, 2016 - 18:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The press service of the Armenian President on Friday, May 13 unveiled the details ofPope Francis' upcoming visit to Armenia, ARKA says. The head of the Roman Catholic Church will begin the Armenia visit on June 24. After the official welcoming ceremony at Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport, the Pope will head to Holy Etchmiadzin, the seat of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. A welcoming ceremony will further be held at the Etchmiadzin Cathedral. On the same day, the Pope will meet with President Serzh Sargsyan at the presidential palace, with another meeting with of Armenian authorities, representatives of the country's society and the diplomatic corps to follow. The first day of the visit will be wrapped up by a meeting of Pope Francis with the head of the Armenian Church, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. In the morning of June 25, the Pope will visit the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, and the Genocide Museum. Then the Pope and the Catholicos will leave for Gyumri, where a Divine Liturgy will be served at Vardanants Square. In Gyumri, the Pope will visit the monastery of the Congregation of the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, as well as the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God (Seven Wounds) of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Afterwards, the pontiff will visit the Holy Martyrs Armenian Catholic Church. On the evening of the same day, an ecumenical ceremony will be held and a prayer for peace will be offered at the Republic Square in Yerevan. On June 26, the Pope will meet with the bishops of the Armenian Catholic Church, also set to take part in the holy liturgy and ecumenical dinner with Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, archbishops and bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic Church and representatives of the papal delegation. The pope will then meet with delegates and benefactors of the Armenian Church. The Pope and the Catholicos of All Armenians will sign a joint statement. The two heads of churches will also pray in the monastery of Khor Virap. On the same day, the Pope will leave Yerevan for Rome. Related links:   Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18.   Partner news |  Latest news Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24  U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says.CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.”Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |
