The Holy Father, Pope Francis sent a message to His Excellency, Grégoire Ghabroyan, Administrator of the Patriarchate of Cilicia for Armenians which was shared during the funeral for the Patriarch of Cilicia for Armenians, His Beatitude, Nersès Bédros XIX Tarmouni that took place yesterday afternoon in the Cathedral of Saints Gregory and Elias in Beirut. His Holiness' message was read aloud during the funeral by His Eminence, Leonardo Cardinal Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches.
His Excellency, the Most Reverend
Grégoire Gharboyan
Administrator of the Patriarchal Church of Cilicia for Armenians
It is with profound sadness that I learned the news of the return to the Father's house of our beloved brother in Christ, His Beatitude Nersès Bédros XIX Tarmouni, Patriarch of Cilicia for Armenians. I keep close to my heart the memory of my encounter with him, along with other bishops of the Synod and the faithful of the Patriarchal Church on the occasion of the commemoration of the victims of the Metz Yegern and of the proclamation of Saint Gregory of Narek as a Doctor of the Church. These events which took place close to the relics of the Apostle Saint Peter were the result of a long and faithful process undertaken by your Head and Master which gave rise to some of the characteristic aspects of his person.
Above all, he was profoundly rooted on the Rock who is Christ. He held the greatest treasure that a bishop is called to administer: the faith that comes from the apostolic preaching. His Beatitude spent his life without counting the cost in order to spread this good news, especially in promoting the ongoing formation of clergy so that, even in the most difficult contexts, the ministers of God were able to renew their commitment to Christ, the only hope and consolation for humanity.
He spared no effort to ensure the proper commemoration of the suffering endured by the Armenian people throughout its history and ensuring that this suffering might become a source of thanksgiving to God by considering the example of the martyrs as a witness to help us obtain from God the comfort of His consolation and reconciliation, which alone can heal the deepest wounds inflicted upon the souls of his people.
Patriarch Nersès could finally rejoice, along with all the Armenian people, at the elevation of Saint Gregory of Narek to the luminous title of Doctor of the Church. His Beatitude often wished that the spiritual radiance of this great saint could become an example for today's pastors and faithful, convinced that in Saint Gregory of Narek, they can know the marvels that the Lord can accomplish in the hearts that are open to Him, in day to day simplicity and modesty, thus becoming united to the human drama by unceasing intercession.
Invited to benefit from the triple inheritance that Patriarch Nersès has left us, we implore the Holy Spirit to continually renew the face of the Armenian Catholic Church, thanks to the commitment of the pastors and the faithful, and at the same time confiding to the Father of Mercies, all the fatigues related to the limits and fragilities of the pilgrim who is travelling the road toward the eternal Pasture.
Upon the family of His Beatitude and upon all those who take part in the funeral, I willingly impart the Apostolic Blessing, imploring the protection of the Mother of God and presenting to the Lord the soul of our brother Nersès Bédros with the words of Saint Gregory of Narek:
June 27, 2015
Francis
Message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the funeral of His Eminence, Nersès Bédros XIX Tarmouni
His Excellency, the Most Reverend
Grégoire Gharboyan
Administrator of the Patriarchal Church of Cilicia for Armenians
It is with profound sadness that I learned the news of the return to the Father's house of our beloved brother in Christ, His Beatitude Nersès Bédros XIX Tarmouni, Patriarch of Cilicia for Armenians. I keep close to my heart the memory of my encounter with him, along with other bishops of the Synod and the faithful of the Patriarchal Church on the occasion of the commemoration of the victims of the Metz Yegern and of the proclamation of Saint Gregory of Narek as a Doctor of the Church. These events which took place close to the relics of the Apostle Saint Peter were the result of a long and faithful process undertaken by your Head and Master which gave rise to some of the characteristic aspects of his person.
Above all, he was profoundly rooted on the Rock who is Christ. He held the greatest treasure that a bishop is called to administer: the faith that comes from the apostolic preaching. His Beatitude spent his life without counting the cost in order to spread this good news, especially in promoting the ongoing formation of clergy so that, even in the most difficult contexts, the ministers of God were able to renew their commitment to Christ, the only hope and consolation for humanity.
He spared no effort to ensure the proper commemoration of the suffering endured by the Armenian people throughout its history and ensuring that this suffering might become a source of thanksgiving to God by considering the example of the martyrs as a witness to help us obtain from God the comfort of His consolation and reconciliation, which alone can heal the deepest wounds inflicted upon the souls of his people.
Patriarch Nersès could finally rejoice, along with all the Armenian people, at the elevation of Saint Gregory of Narek to the luminous title of Doctor of the Church. His Beatitude often wished that the spiritual radiance of this great saint could become an example for today's pastors and faithful, convinced that in Saint Gregory of Narek, they can know the marvels that the Lord can accomplish in the hearts that are open to Him, in day to day simplicity and modesty, thus becoming united to the human drama by unceasing intercession.
Invited to benefit from the triple inheritance that Patriarch Nersès has left us, we implore the Holy Spirit to continually renew the face of the Armenian Catholic Church, thanks to the commitment of the pastors and the faithful, and at the same time confiding to the Father of Mercies, all the fatigues related to the limits and fragilities of the pilgrim who is travelling the road toward the eternal Pasture.
Upon the family of His Beatitude and upon all those who take part in the funeral, I willingly impart the Apostolic Blessing, imploring the protection of the Mother of God and presenting to the Lord the soul of our brother Nersès Bédros with the words of Saint Gregory of Narek:
We pray you, we implore you with tearful supplications,with all our souls, O glorious creating presence,Compassionate, indestructible, uncreated, eternal Spirit,interceding for us before the merciful Fatherwith sighs too deep.You protect the saints, purify and transform sinnersinto living temples as it pleases your most high Father.From the Vatican
June 27, 2015
Francis
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