On September 3, within the framework of the celebration of the 655th anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Diocese in Poland, an Ecumenical Prayer was held in the Wawel Cathedral of Krakow by Metropolitan  Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski of Krakow, spiritual leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church Diocese in Poland, His Grace Bishop Markos Hovhannisyan and the Pontifical Legate of Western Europe, Representative of the Catholicos of All Armenians in Vatican His Eminence Archbishop Khajag  Barsamian.

Advisor of the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Wasko, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Poland Samvel Mkrtchyan, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Zabrze Hrachya Boyajyan, Director of the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration Andrzej Sosnowski and representatives of the Armenian community in Poland were present at the ceremony.

In his speech, His Eminence Archbishop Barsamian stated. “The presence of Armenians in Poland has a long history of almost 800 years. They were welcomed by the Polish people and integrated into society, contributing to the economic, political and cultural life of Poland. We pray today, that as in the past, they will keep their identity while blending into Polish society — while also contributing to the social and economic life of this historic but also modern European country. During this prayer service, we pray for Poland and Armenia as we do for peace in the World. May the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with all of us … and may He inspire and guide the leaders of the world to bring peace among nations and peoples”.

Metropolitan Archbishop  Marek Jedraszewski said. “During the reign of Casimir the Great, the Armenians and their church were met by the latter. Casimir the Great welcomed them and gave them the opportunity to develop their identity, granting them various privileges and acknowledging the uniqueness of the Armenian Church. Over time, Armenian communities were able to develop freely, have their own self-government and were governed by customary law. Armenians were present in many cities in Poland, and they were notable for their knowledge of Eastern languages. The Polish people were able to understand themselves differently and introduce themselves to other nations thanks to them, and many eastern elements were incorporated into Polish culture. Armenians who are exceptional figures of Polish culture include Simeon of Zamosc, Stefanos Rozka, brothers Jozef Bartlomiej and Szymon Zimorowic, and others”.

His Grace Bishop Markos Hovhannisyan greeted the attendees with the following words. “The language of prayer is the same, as God listens to us in Armenian (Grabar), Polish, Latin, and all other languages. The culture of our Armenian and Polish Christian peoples is built on the same source of divine love, no matter how different they are, but still understandable and related to each other. I thank God for giving us the chance to strengthen the ecumenical cooperation of our Christian churches, and to promote the spirit of peace and solidarity around the world.”

After the ceremony, the Advisor of the President of Poland A. Washko on behalf of President Duda, Ambassador S. Mkrtchyan of Armenia and Honorary Consul H. Boyajyan of Armenia laid wreaths on the grave of King Casimir the Great.