Pope Leo XIV’s Visit to Istanbul Highlights Armenian Resilience and Church Unity Efforts
During a significant visit to Istanbul, Pope Leo XIV commended the Armenian people’s fortitude and faith. He addressed the Armenian Apostolic community in their cathedral, a symbol of perseverance amid historical adversities, including the genocide under the Ottoman Empire. The pope’s visit comes at a time when Armenian church leaders face increased scrutiny from their government.
Pope Leo, from the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, urged for renewed unity among Christian churches. Thanking God for the Armenian people’s “courageous Christian witness throughout history, often amid tragic circumstances,” he called for solidarity, as noted in his address.
Following a shared liturgical program with Patriarch Sahak II Mashalian, the head of the Armenian Patriarchate in Turkey, the pope marked the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. This event, which produced the Nicene Creed, serves as a foundation for unity efforts between the Church of Rome and “ancient Oriental Churches,” according to the Catholic News Agency.
Emphasizing that full communion does not mean absorption, Pope Leo highlighted the importance of mutual exchange of spiritual gifts. He invoked the legacy of Armenian Saint Nerses IV Shnorhali, commemorated recently on his 850th death anniversary, as a beacon for church unity.
The Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul remains spiritually tied to the Catholicos of All Armenians in Echmiadzin, Armenia, despite its independent operations. Although centered in Istanbul, Turkey’s Armenian community continues to hold onto its religious and cultural identity despite diminishing numbers over generations.
Later, the pope visited the Orthodox Patriarchal Church of St. George, participating in a divine liturgy for St. Andrew’s feast. He acknowledged the persisting divisions among Christian churches, stressing the importance of striving for unity. “There are still obstacles preventing us from achieving full communion. Nevertheless, we must not relent in striving towards unity,” he said, per CNA.
The service concluded with a joint ecumenical blessing with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. Pope Leo also addressed global challenges, urging for peace through prayer, shared technological responsibility, and action against ecological crises.
Before departing for Lebanon, Pope Leo attended a farewell lunch with Patriarch Bartholomew I, featuring traditional Turkish cuisine.
This visit coincides with turbulent times for the Armenian Apostolic Church in Armenia, as government pressure mounts. Recently, three senior clerics were arrested on various charges, including theft and plotting a coup. Human rights groups argue these actions are politically motivated, targeting church leaders critical of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s handling of the Azerbaijan conflict, especially after the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Among the arrested is Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, accused of attempting a governmental overthrow. Businessman Samvel Karapetyan, a church philanthropist, was also detained, facing scrutiny over his business holdings post-arrest.
Concerns over the Armenian Church’s autonomy were voiced at a Washington, D.C. briefing by the National Democratic Alliance. Jacqueline Halbig von Schleppenbach remarked on the risks to Armenia’s democratic standing, while Joel Veldkamp from Christian Solidarity International highlighted the danger to Armenia’s civil society and international alliances amid the ongoing crackdown.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
