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ANN/GROONG - Patriarch Mesrob of Istanbul Presides over Gathering of Ecumenical Leaders at Diocesan Center in NYC
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Patriarch Mesrob of Istanbul Presides over Gathering of Ecumenical Leaders
at Diocesan Center in NYC
His Beatitude Archbishop Mesrob II Mutafyan, the 84th Armenian Patriarch of
Istanbul, arrived in the United States on the evening of Monday, September
27, to begin his first official visit to the country since his election as
patriarch nearly a year ago.
Among his activities during his two-week stay, the Patriarch will visit the
Eastern and Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church of America to raise
funds for the Istanbul Patriarchate's humanitarian relief effort to the
victims of the August 17 Marmara earthquake.
Upon his arrival, the Patriarch was met by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the
Diocesan Primate, the visiting Archbishop Anania Arapajian, Primate of
Armenia's Gegharkouniatz diocese, Fr. Krikor Maksoudian and Mr. Berc Araz,
chairman of the October 1 benefit concert scheduled for St. Vartan Cathedral.
On the following morning at the St. Vartan Cathedral Complex in New York
City, the Patriarch was guest of honor at an ecumenical luncheon. About 30
prominent religious figures from throughout the area accepted the Primate's
invitation to meet Patriarch Mesrob, and to be briefed on the situation in
Istanbul in the weeks after the earthquake.
After a short prayer service in the cathedral sanctuary, the group
adjourned to the formal reception room for lunch. (A list of attendees
appears below.)
Patriarch Mesrob, who is fluent in English and holds a degree from the
University of Memphis, led a lively discussion on the relief work being
done in Istanbul. He remarked that, having consulted with experts on such
matters, the best way charitable organizations could help the victims at
this point was to provide waterproof, winterized tents, to house the many
people who lost their dwellings in the disaster.
Formal greetings were also offered to the Patriarch by several of the
visiting dignitaries. Roman Catholic Bishop Francisco Garmendia,
representing John Cardinal O'Connor, read a message from the Cardinal
welcoming the Patriarch to New York, and expressing his regret that health
considerations kept him from the gathering.
Metropolitan Joseph of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Fr. Leonid Kishkovsky
of the Orthodox Church of America, Rev. Nishan Bakalian and the Rev. James
Park Morton were also among those offering formal messages.
Patriarch Mesrob appeared especially touched when several of the visiting
clergymen made donations to the Patriarchate's relief effort.
During his own comments Rabbi Arthur Schneier of the Appeal of Conscience
Foundation remarked on the large number of religious figures who had turned
out for the occasion. "The ecumenical movement is not quite as vital as it
used to be," he said, "but it always seems to be the Armenian Diocese that
somehow manages to bring so many of us together."
On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 29, members of the Diocesan clergy
had an opportunity to meet the Patriarch during a similar function at the
Diocesan Center. Later that same day, Patriarch Mesrob presided over a
press roundtable with members of the Armenian media, where he fielded a
number of questions on the upcoming catholicossal election at Holy
Etchmiadzin. On the evening of Friday, October 1, he will preside over a
benefit concert for earthquake relief at St. Vartan Cathedral.
--9/30/99
Ecumenical dignitaries attending the luncheon with Patriarch Mesrob
Mutafyan on September 28, 1999
Rt. Reverend Bishop Richard F. Grein (representing Bishop Griswold)
Canon Backus
Reverend Movses B. Janbazian
His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph
His Eminence Archbishop Mar Cyril Aphrem Karim
Very Reverend John Meno
Very Reverend Father Leonid Kishkovsky
His Eminence Archbishop Abune Matthias
Very Reverend James Parks Morton
Bishop Francisco Garmendia (representing Cardinal O'Connor)
His Grace Bishop Antoun (representing Metropolitan Phillip Saliba)
Rabbi Arthur Schneier
His Eminence Archbishop Mor Nicholovos Zachariah
His Grace Bishop Suriel
Father Jacob Ghaly
Reverend L. Nishan Bakalian
Thom May (representing Dr. Eugene Habacker)
John Erickson (representing Father Thomas Hopko)
Reverend Father Robert Kondratick (representing Metropolitan Theodosius)
Reverend Father James F. Loughran
Most Reverend Archbishop Peter
David Schneider
Philip Jenks (representing Rev. Jean Stromberg)
Reverend Dr. Nicholas B. Van Dyck
His Grace Philotheos of Meloa (representing Abp. Demetrios)
Rt. Reverend Bishop Paul
His Eminence Abp. Dimitri (with Bishop Paul)
Very Rev. Samuel Agdemer
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