On October 15, 2022, a Prayer and Spiritual Сoncert were organized in the Church of the Armenian Catholic Congregation of Mekhitarists as part of the 2022 Aurora Prize Ceremony events on San Lazzaro Island. Guests were greeted by members of the Armenian global Christian community, including Fr. Mesrob Lahian, Representative of the Mekhitarist Congregation.
“Your Beatitude, Your Eminency, Your Excellency, Most Reverend Fathers, dear guests, we, the Mekhitarist fathers, are happy to welcome you in this holy place and in the walls of our beautiful church – anteroom of heaven, a place of encounter with the infinite God who is the source of the true value of humanity and being human, and who laid the foundation of our mutual giving to each other through his divine commandment of love. It is the second time we are hosting Aurora's events here, and we are profoundly honored since Aurora's mission aligns with ours in almost perfect harmony.
The Abbot Mekhitar, at the beginning of the 18th century, in front of the desperate human situation and the collapsing ethnical, cultural, as well as spiritual conditions of his nation, gave up his quiet life to dedicate himself completely and all his community as well through the monastic life of ‘ora et labora’ – pray and work – to ease the pain of the most needy people who were ignored by many and were at the brink of annihilation physically, culturally, and spiritually. Over the three centuries, the founder of this abbey has set up the basis of our order to pursue the valuable aim of raising the spiritual and educational level of the Armenians and other nations as well in many continents.
Those universally acclaimed humanitarian, educational, cultural, and spiritual values are condensed and reflected in Aurora's movement. And tonight, we are celebrating them in this suggestive environment and unique location, which is our headquarters on San Lazzaro Island. Aurora Prize, right from the beginning, was open to the entire world and the whole of humanity. And today, it's already a universal event, followed by millions.”