Contrary to what most people suppose, there is a Christian colony left in Angora. It is mostly Armenian, though there are still many Greeks. The community nevertheless calls itself, and always gives as its legal nationality, "Catholic"; a delicate way of avoiding difficult questions.
Mass is said on Sunday three times, partly in Armenian, which many of the Armenians do not understand, and the rest in Turkish. All the Armenians wear fezes, and prayers are said for Turkey. The little chapel is primitive and picturesque; never, however, has one heard such strange Ave Marias or Glorias or Agnus Deis as those sung in their Turkish setting.
During my Christmas visit to the head of the Armenian Church at Angora, I asked him what message he wished me to give the Pope on his behalf. I told him the Pope was anxious about the Christians; and he might tell me, in confidence, if he was not happy in Turkey.
For my visit the Armenian orphans had put their home in festere altere. They had made cakes and sweets to be served with coffee and tea.
Then it was that I had the pleasure of speaking to them about the wonderful personality of the Pope as I had seen him in Rome; and of telling them that, above all, their Father in Christ stood for loyalty to their State. The Turks had never hampered their loyalty to their Church, and the Pope would never hamper the loyalty and obedience they owed to the Sovereign State.
Then the dusky-skinned orphans, boys and girls together, were marched before me, each taking my hand, kissing it and raising it to their forehead.
As I said afterwards to Colonel Mougin: "I wish it were possible to supplement the meagre funds with which Father Babadjanian is maintaining this little colony of poor children."
"Tell the Holy Father," said Father Babadjanian, "that we are perfectly happy with the Turks. They are trying to send us away from Angora for economical
