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LRAPER - SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE US TRAGEDY
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SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE US TRAGEDY
Patriarch voiced sympathy with the American people
ISTANBUL, 11 September 2001 ("Lraper" Church Bulletin) -
His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey,
offered special prayers for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the
United States.
In his letters to US President George Bush, US Ambassador in Ankara Mr
Robert Pearson and US Consul General in Istanbul Mr Frank Urbancic, the
Patriarch expressed his solidarity with the people of the United States and
offered prayers of comfort as the American people attempt to deal with this
horrific national disaster.
Upon hearing the news, the Patriarch immediately called His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America in New York, and expressed his solidarity with the Armenian Church
and community in America at this difficult time.
His Beatitude learnt about the dreadful events in New York and Washington
while on the Island of Leandros in the Sea of Marmara, where he was leading
a one-day spiritual retreat with members of the Brotherhood of the Istanbul
Patriarchate.
The Patriarch said there will be special prayers offered this Sunday for the
victims of this tragedy, their families and friends, and for the leaders and
authorities in the United States, so that they may be guided with wisdom at
this time of intense shock, grief and trial.
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