It is with profound sorrow that I have learnt of the death of His Holiness Karekin 1, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin. On behalf of the Churches of the Anglican Communion I offer condolences to the faithful of the Churches of Etchmiadzin and Cilicia and to Armenian Christians everywhere.

The People of God have lost a dynamic and visionary leader whose spiritual and theological influence extended well beyond the Armenian Apostolic Church. His contribution to the ecumenical movement has been outstanding, through decades of committed work with the Middle East Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches. A close friend of the Churches of the Anglican Communion, His Holiness had been an Observer at the Lambeth Conference of 1968. He met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, most recently in November 1997, and with other Anglican leaders several times throughout his fruitful ministry. The dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, including the Armenian Apostolic Church, received the constant personal support and encouragement of His Holiness. The long-standing bonds of trust and friendship between the Anglican Communion and the Armenian Apostolic Church was deepened through his commitment to this historic relationship.

In one of his writings, His Holiness, reflecting on the time of genocide and dispersion of the Armenian people, mentions the spirit of endurance, the inner strength stemming from God's gift of Christian faith, that helped his people overcome trials, past and present. This inner strength sustained His Holiness over a long illness which he endured with much grace. With thanksgiving for his life and example, Anglicans pray that the servant of God, Karekin I, be received into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.

The Reverend Canon John L Peterson
Secretary General
The Anglican Communion
157 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8UT