Jerusalem church leaders remember Armenian genocide
An ecumenical delegation of bishops and priests of the different Churches of Jerusalem visited the Armenian Patriarchate on Wednesday, to extend Easter wishes to the Patriarch and his community.
Led by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Fouad Twal, the delegation was composed of the main leaders of the Churches of Jerusalem and the priests and pastors accompanying them. Anglican, Lutheran, Ethiopian, Coptic, Syriac, Melkite, Roman Catholics and others gathered at the Armenian Patriarchate. Each year during the feasts of Easter and Christmas, the Jerusalem Churches traditionally meet at one of their bishoprics, to exchange greetings and socialise.
The Latin Patriarch delivered a short speech on behalf of all the Church leaders, extending their Easter wishes to His Beatitude, Archbishop Manougian, and to the Armenian community.
In his remarks, Patriarch Twal highlighted how "all Christians are united in joy in the risen Christ." A week after the 101st anniversary of the Armenian genocide, (during which between 800,000 and 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Turkish forces) the Latin Patriarch assured his "Armenian brothers" of prayers for all Armenians facing the "terrible situation of suffering that they endured and continue to endure, in certain countries."
The Patriarch said: "We recall the events of the genocide and pray they will never be disregarded. Sadly, though we are told never to forget, many do..."
The Armenian Patriarch thanked the Church leaders and said Armenians would never forget the support and assistance given by the Latin Church and the Vatican during the genocide.
Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem