APOSTOLIC LETTER: 1700TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA'S BAPTISM

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the Apostolic Letter, dated February 2, written by the Pope for the occasion of the anniversary of the Baptism of the Armenian People.

John Paul II recalled that the conversion of the Armenian people to Christianity occurred seventeen centuries ago. "It was an event which profoundly marked your identity; not only your personal identity, but that of the community as well. For this reason one can speak of the 'Baptism' of your nation, even if in reality the spreading of Christianity had already begun some time earlier in your land."

After a brief narration of the events which, according to tradition, were at the origin of the massive conversion of the Armenian people, the Pope writes: "The preaching of the Good News and the conversion of Armenia are above all founded on the blood of witnesses to the faith. ... The component of martyrdom constitutes an constant element in the history of your people. ... The entire culture and very spirituality of the Armenians are pervaded by the boldness of the supreme sign of the gift of life in martyrdom. ... One such emblem is the sacrifice of Vardan Mamikonian and his companions" who, facing attempts to impose mazdaism (zoroastrianism), "gave their life to remain faithful to Christ and defend the faith of the nation."

The Pope emphasized that since then similar events have been repeated, "up through the massacres suffered by the Armenians in the years spanning the 19th and 20th centuries and culminating in the tragic events of 1915, when the Armenian people suffered unspeakable violence, the painful consequences of which are still visible in the diaspora into which many of its sons have been constrained. It is a memory which cannot be lost."

Furthermore, the Holy Father recalled, these bloody events have compelled the Armenian people "to continual migrations throughout the world." But, he writes, "the Christian faith, even in the most tragic moments of Armenian history, has been the propulsive spring which has marked the beginning of the rebirth of this tried people."

Another element "of great value in your troubled history" is comprised of the "relation between evangelization and culture." From the term "'Illuminator,' as St. Gregory the Apostle of Armenia is named" is derived 'Illumination', a term which indicates that "through Baptism, the disciple ... is inundated by the splendor of Christ 'light of the world'." Such a term also indicates "the spreading of culture through teaching, entrusted in particular to the monk-teachers, who continue the evangelical preaching of St. Gregory."

The Pope then points to the "powerful force of faith, which prompts us not to give in to the temptations of power and of the world, and which enables us to resist atrocious sufferings as well as the most seductive flattery." When man distances himself from God, "he loses his own dignity, debasing himself, and thus becoming a prisoner of his own avidity." An important truth in all of this emerges, he says: "An absolute sacredness of power does not exist, and this doesn't mean to say that it is always justified in everything one does. One must, rather, recognize the personal responsibility of one's choices: if they are wrong, they remain such, even if a king makes them."

The Holy Father says he wants to express to the Lord "the gratitude of the entire Church for having inspired in the Armenian people a faith which is so firm and courageous and for having always supported them in their witness to it. ... I want to express my thanks to the Armenian people above all for their long history of fidelity to Christ, a fidelity which has known persecution and martyrdom."

"The Armenian people's patrimony of faith and culture has enriched mankind with treasures of art and talent, which are now spread throughout the world. ... Ambassadors of peace and industriousness, Armenians have travelled the world and, ... have offered a precious contribution to transforming it and making it closer to the Father's project of love."

John Paul II expressed "a special thought to all those who worked so that Armenia could rise from the sufferings of so many years of a totalitarian regime."

"I also fervently hope that the faithful will courageously continue their commitment and their already notable efforts so that the Armenia of tomorrow will bloom again in the human and Christian values of justice, solidarity, equality, respect, honesty and hospitality which are at the basis of human coexistence."

He underscores how "the already cordial relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church have had, in recent decades, a decisive thrust through meetings between the Pope and the highest authorities of that Church." In particular he cites the encounter with His Holiness Karekin II to whom he gave the relics of Gregory the Illuminator for the new cathedral in Yerevan.

Remarking on tomorrow's liturgy in the Armenian rite in St. Peter's Basilica, "with Armenians and for Armenians ... to praise God for the gift of faith they have received," the Pope writes: "It is my great hope that that sacred thanksgiving will embrace all Armenians, wherever they are."

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