85th Armenian Patriarch of Turkey His Beatitute Sahak II Mashalyan completed his first pastoral visits to the Armenian Apostolic parishes of Istanbul.
He started his pastoral visits, entering the Yenikapı Surp Tateos Partogomeos Armenian Apostolic Churche with the Hrashapar hymn, on Tuesday, February 11, and paid the last visit at the Feriköy Surp Vartanants, Kartal Surp Nışan and Kadiköy Surp Takavor churches on Thursday, February 20.
On the morning of February 20, the Patriarch and his accompanying delegation were welcomed at the Feriköy Surp Vartanants church at the door by the parish priest Rev. Tatul Anusyan. The Patriarch, who blessed the water, salt and bread at the door, entered the church with the hymn of “Hrashapar” which was performed by Vartanants choir under the conduction of Maestro Adruşan Hallaçyan.
His Beatitude the Patriarch attended here the Holy Mass.
Then the Patriarch and his accompanying delegation went to Kartal Surp Nışan church. After the celebration here, they went to Kadıköy Surp Takavor church. The Patriarch, who was welcomed with a trio in the garden at the entrance of this church, first blessed the water, bread and salt like in every other church, and then entered the church with the congregation singing the Hrashapar hymn. The hymn was performed by the church choir under the conduction of Maestro Sevan Şencan. After the short ceremony, the Patriarch ascended to the altar with the parish priest Rev. Harutyun Damatyan and briefly said:
“In the last church of my pastoral visits to the Armenian Apostolic churches of Istabul, I am grateful to God for these days. In this new era of the Armenians, we will unite in love, solve together our troubles and continue our journey in history together with God. In this period, I ask all of you to pray for God’s help in my work. May the Lord help us to solve the problems in our society and move forward for new and beautiful days, with our schools and institutions.”
After his speech, the congregation went to the church yard with the hymns and a collective photo was taken.
Then the Patriarch, met the public, accepted congratulations and good wishes.
