The Mass in Vardanants Square in Gyumri, Armenia, has started.
Thousands of faithful have gathered in the central square of Gyumri.
In his address, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II said that Gyumri is one of the historical towns of Armenia, where centuries-old Christian values were prospering and the history and culture of Armenian people were interweaved with the affectionate spirit of hospitality. "The residents of Gyumri have a deep faith and love for church. They also bear the beautiful Christian tradition of brotherly co-existence. The presence of the adherents to the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches, as well as other Christian denominations is direct evidence of it. In Soviet times, when the churches in Armenia were being destroyed and closed, it was only the resistance of our faithful people that made the doors of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and few churches open," he said.
Karekin II stressed that the Gyumri Church of Seven Plagues became a shelter and a place of prayer for the Christians from the northern provinces of Armenia and near-border villages of Georgia regardless of their nationality and Christian denomination.
Karekin II also recalled that in the early XX century, when Armenian people suffered genocide, Gyumri also experienced the hard blows of the devastating policy of the Ottoman Empire. Today, it faces a closed border, which is a reminder of the genocide committed 100 years ago and the continuous denial policy of Turkey.
It was reported earlier that in Gyumri, Pope Francis and Karekin II are going to hold a Mass in Vardanants Square. Then they will pay a visit to the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral of the Seven Plagues. Afterwards, the Pope and the Catholicos will visit the Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Holy Martyrs. In the evening, Pope Francis will return to Yerevan and will hold an ecumenical meeting and prayer for peace in the Republic Square in Yerevan.