Showing Solidarity with Armenian Christian Brethren

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Bishop Thomas J. Tobin participated in a Service for the Prayer of Peace at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church in Providence on Thursday, Nov. 12, which the pastor, Father Shnork Souin, organized “in response to the horrific outcomes of the war waged by Azerbaijan and Turkey on the Republic of Artsakh.” Bishop Tobin, together with local Catholic clergy, friends of the parish and many members of the RI Orthodox Clergy Fellowship prayed the Hour of Peace according to ancient monastic rites of the Armenian Orthodox Church. They also participated in a program about the history of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and the current situation there. Bishop Tobin closed the program with an inspiring message of hope and support for Armenians living in the U.S and in Armenia, and offered a generous gift in support of relief efforts on behalf of all Catholics in Rhode Island. He offered the final blessing, giving everyone a sense of hope for the future security of Armenia and Armenians and inspiring hope that Christ will lead the way to peace. Pictured above, from left: Deacon Megrdichian, Father Joseph Santos, Father Nerses Jebejian, Father Nick Lanzourakis, Father Andrew George, Father Shnork Souin, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, Father Kapriel Nazarian, Father Adam Young, Rev. Hagop Manjelikian, Deacon Michael Sabounjian, SDn. Aren Dawood. The participants wore masks for the service, removing them briefly for the photo.