Patriarch Says John Paul II Has Been A Profound Influence In His Life

ISTANBUL (Lraper Church Bulletin - 02/04/2005) -
His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul
and All Turkey, said that His Holiness Pope John Paul II
has been a profound influence in his spiritual life.

The Patriarch of the largest Christian church community
in Turkey said that the dying Pope has made a tremendous
impression on religions worlwide with his outstanding
encyclicals on moral, inter-church and inter-faith issues.

"I was ordained a bishop in 1986 by Catholicos Vazgen I,
Patriarch Shnorhk I and Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, and
weeks after that ordination I met Pope John Paul II in Rome.
Since then, I have met him personally and with groups,
and had the opportunity to pray with him numerous times.
Last time I prayed with him was about one and a half years
ago when he celebrated the Eucharist in his private chapel.
He will always be remembered not only as the beloved 'Papa'
of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, but also,
regardless whether other denominations say it loudly or
not, as the leading pastor of Christendom worldwide.
He has been a good and courageous pastor who fought the
good fight. Patriarch Shnorhk of beloved memory and the
beloved Holy Father have indeed been the strongest
influences in my spiritual life. May the Lord grant
His servant peace and rest."

A vigil was held at the Holy Spirit chapel of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Istanbul for Pope John Paul II. The Pope
had visited the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul in
November 1979.

The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church has four hierarchical
sees in the world - in Etchmiadzin (Armenia), Antelias
(Lebanon), Jerusalem (the Holy Land) and Istanbul (Turkey)
respectively.

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LRAPER Church Bulletin 02/04/2005
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
Licensee: The Revd. Fr. Drtad Uzunyan
Editors: The Revd.Dr.Krikor Damatyan,
         Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Press Spokesperson: Attorney Luiz Bakar
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (533) 942-7019
E-mail: lraper@lraper.org
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