Pope Francis in Khor Virap: Doves to be released towards Ararat aim to herald peace

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. After the signing of a joint statement on the results of Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin, the Pope and Catholicos Garegin II visited on June 26 the most important sanctuary for the Armenian people and the Armenian Apostolic Church- Khor Virap.

After praying together, they will release doves towards Ararat.

After the ceremony the Pope will head to the airport for his return to Rome.

Khor Virap is one of the Armenian pilgrimage sites, linked with the name of Gregory the Illuminator.

Khor Virap (Deep pit) was a deep dungeon, filled with venomous snakes and insects, where prisoners were thrown into. Tiridates 3rd threw Gregory the Illuminator into the royal dungeon in Artashat, during the persecution of Christians, where he was kept about 14 years. After being released from Khor Virap, by the assistance of the King, Gregory the Illuminator makes Christianity the state religion.

Pope Francis arrived in Armenia on June 24. A welcoming ceremony was held in Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin. The Pope had a meeting with President Serzh Sargsyan in the Presidential Palace, where he made an announcement addressed to Armenian officials, foreign diplomats and representatives of the society.

On June 25 Pope Francis visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial, accompanied by President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Garegin II.

Pope Francis laid a wreath at the Memorial and prayed. The Pope laid flowers with the President and Catholicos Garegin II at the Eternal Flame, where clergymen performed an intercessional ritual for the canonized martyrs.

Pope Francis visited the Memory Park of the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, blessed the fir-tree planted under his name and afterwards signed the Honorary Guest Book of the Armenian Genocide Memorial-Institute.

The Pope then delivered a Holy Mass in Gyumri’s Vardanants Square.

During the day the Pope returned to Yerevan, where the most important and most open event for the society during his visit took place in the Republic Square.

A peace prayer was delivered, which was preceded and followed by a joint festive concert of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Choir – dedicated to Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia.

In the morning of June 26, a liturgy was held in Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin, which was delivered by His Holiness Catholicos Garegin II with Pope Francis.