Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Armenian Patriarch of Turkey Sahak II on the occasion of the Holy Resurrection Feast. The visit took place in the Armenian Patriarchate. Deputy Patriarch Senior Father Krikor Damadyan, Inter-Church Relations Officer Senior Father Drtad Uzunyan, Father Harutyun Damadyan, Father Hovagim Seropyan and Father Şirvan Mürzyan were also present at the meeting.
The statement made on the Facebook page of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey regarding the visit is as follows:
”His Beatitude the Patriarch Sahak II. hosted His Beatitude the Greek Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Patriarchate on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 11:00 am. The Greek Patriarch was accompanied by the new Metropolitan of Kadıköy Emanuil Adamakis and the new Deputy Patriarch Priest Theodoros. Deputy Patriarch Senior Father Krikor Damadyan, Inter-Church Relations Officer Senior Father Drtad Uzunyan, Father Harutyun Damadyan, Father Hovagim Seropyan and Father Şirvan Mürzyan were also present at the meeting.
His Beatitude the Patriarch Bartholomew was greeted by the clergy at the entrance of the Patriarchate and went to the reception hall. Here, the two spiritual leaders greeted each other and the Greek Patriarch celebrated the Holy Resurrection Festival of the Armenian Church. During the conversation, Patriarch Bartholomew first introduced the new Metropolitan of Kadıköy and the new Deputy Patriarch. On the occasion of the visit, Metropolitan Emanuil presented His Beatitude the Patriarch an episcopal medallion.
He reminded that in the shadow of the restrictions during the pandemic process, it is difficult to make mutual visits, and therefore visits could not take place on the Holy Nativity Feast. On the other hand, he stated that he would like to personally convey his brotherly congratulations to the Armenian Patriarch on the occasion of the Holy Resurrection. During the conversation, both spiritual leaders stated that the church life was interrupted due to the pandemic. On the other hand, churches continued to provide services, even under limited conditions. On this occasion, they wished that the pandemic would lose its effect as soon as possible and that the churches would continue their services more actively as in the past.
His Beatitude the Patriarch Sahak II. thanked His Beatitude Patriarch Bartholomew on the occasion of his visit. In the difficult circumstances of the pandemic, it was a great blessing to feel the presence of a brother in Jesus Christ. His Beatitude the Patriarch said that this year, the ceremonies in Armenian churches in Istanbul took place close to public. On the other hand, the fact that ceremonies could be held was a source of great joy. He stated that this year, especially as an achievement of our Patriarchate’s “Lraper” social media service, all ceremonies were broadcast live on our Patriarchate’s social media channels. The fact that these broadcasts reached thousands of people was one of the most pleasing and promising news in this troubled process.
Our Spiritual Leader made a surprise to His Beatitude the Patriarch on the occasion of this visit. Recently, a memoir was prepared about His Beatitude the late Patriarch Mesrob II within the body of our Patriarchate and that this book contained the writing and pictures of His Beatitude Bartholomew, he presented one of the first copies of the new book to His Beatitude the Patriarch. On this occasion, both patriarchs commemorated His Beatitude the late Patriarch Mesrob II with great longing and love.
At the end of the visit, His Beatitude the Patriarch Bartholomew thanked the Patriarch Sahak II, for his hospitality and then left the Patriarchate with his companions.”
