LETTER OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PATRIARCH OF CILICIA FOR ARMENIANS  

To His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni
Catholicos-Patriarch
of Cilicia for Armenians

Your Beatitude, with great joy I received the Letter in which you inform me of your election to the patriarchal see of Cilicia for Armenians, and request ecclesiastical communion from me.

As I express my fraternal and most cordial congratulations to you, I assure you of my fervent prayers that Christ the Good Shepherd will sustain you in the accomplishment of the mission you have received.

Over the years, I have followed with special attention the way taken by the Armenian Catholic Church. I am certain that Your Beatitude, together with the venerable Synod Fathers, filled with the strength of the Risen One will be able to guide her with Gospel wisdom and lead her into the third millennium chothed in the glory of the saints and ready, like the Bride in the Book of Revelation, to meet her Bridegroom when he comes.

With sentiments of deep joy, I grant you, Your Beatitude, ecclesiastical communion according to the venerable tradition which expresses perfect unity in the faith and in ecclesial life.

I entrust Your Beatitude and your ministry to Christ the Lord and to the protection of his most holy Mother, as I do all the beloved children of the Armenian Catholic Church, her Bishops, priests, men and women religious and all the lay faithful.

From the Vatican, 13 October 1999.

JOHN PAUL II