|
LRAPER - PATRIARCHATE CELEBRATES 539TH ANNIVERSARY
|
ISTANBUL, 7 June ("Lraper" Church Bulletin) -
The Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul celebrates the 539th
anniversary of her foundation on 9 - 11 June, 2000.
The first connection of Byzantium with Armenian church history
is believed to be the exile of Catholicos Saint Nersess the Great
to the Princes' Islands in the late 4th century. The inventor of
the Armenian alphabet, Saint Mesrob Mashdotz came to the
capital city of the Byzantine Empire circa 410, to obtain
permission from Patriarch Atticus of Constantinople to teach
the new script to the Armenian colonies that had been established
west of the River Euphrates. The disciples of Saint Mesrob came
to further their studies in Constantinople; the Armenian Bible previously
translated from the Syriac Peshitta was re-edited in accordance
with the best codices of the Septuagint in Greek. From then until
now, an Armenian community residing in Byzantium/Constantinople/
Konstantiniye/Istanbul is almost always mentioned by historians.
Armenians rose to high positions in the Byzantine Empire.
Twelve fully or partly Armenian commanders were enthroned
as Byzantine emperors, the most celebrated being Leo V in
the 9th century during whose tenure the iconoclastic controversy
was rekindled to violent measures. The founder of the famous
Haghia Triada monastic complex on the Island of Chalki, Patriarch
Photios, was an Armenian on his mother's side. The mother of
the German Emperor Otto III, Theophanou, was a Byzantine
princess of Armenian descent.
During the last centuries of the Byzantine Empire, the spiritual leader
of the Armenians in Western Asia Minor resided in Broussa (Bursa).
The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Galata, in
the Venetian quarter of Constantinople, was under the jurisdiction
of the Armenian Archbishop of Brussa. Eight years after the conquest
of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II, the Armenian Bishopric of
Broussa was transferred and established in the Psamatia (Samatya)
district of Constantinople within the city walls. A firman issued by
the Conqueror counted the honours and rights conferred upon Bishop
Hovagim, reputed to be the first Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople
in 1461. The present incumbent of the patriarchal see, His Beatitude
Patriarch Mesrob II is the 84th Armenian Patriarch of the historic
city.
Apart from Istanbul, the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church has
three other patriarchal sees in Jerusalem, Antelias (near Beirut) and
Etchmiadzin (near Yerevan) respectively. The Holy See of the Apostles
Thaddeus and Bartholomew, and of Saint Gregort the Illuminator, the
church centre in Holy Etchmiadzin is the historic Mother See of the
Armenian Church and the headquarters of the Supreme Patriarchate
and Catholicossate of All Armenians.
In this holy year of the Bi-Millennial Anniversary of the Holy Nativity of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob II
will preside over the following schedule of events marking the 539th
foundation year of the Armenian Patriarchal See in Istanbul:
9 June 2000 Friday at 19:00 hours - dinner reception at the Hilton Hotel
gardens in Harbiye, Istanbul, for municipal and gubernatorial officers, the
ecumenical and inter-faith communities, the diplomatic corps, the academic
community, artists, and members of the Armenian community (those who
would like to attend can obtain invitation cards from the Chancellery of
the Patriarchate, at +90-212-517-0970).
10 June 2000 Saturday at 11:00 hours - solemn visit to the tombs of
the Patriarchs in the Armenian cemetery in Sisli, Istanbul; laying of
the wreaths and memorial service.
10 June 2000 Saturday at 18:00 hours - procession from the Armenian
Patriarchate to the Holy Mother-of-God Patriarchal Church; solemn
vespers; thanksgiving prayers.
11 June 2000 Pentecost Sunday at 10:30 hours: Solemn Patriarchal
Divine Liturgy at the Holy Mother-of-God Patriarchal Church, followed
by a special service of prayers for the Patriarchal See.
|
|