PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

INTERNATIONAL ECUMENICAL GUESTS VISIT

THE CATHOLCIOSATE OF CILICIA

International ecumenical guests visited the Catholicosate of Cilicia
on March 31 and April 1. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer,
welcomed the guests on behalf of His Holiness Aram I.

Among the visitors were Chris Ferguson and Jonathan Frerichs, officers
in the international affairs department of the World Council of
Churches. The purpose of their visit was to get closely acquainted
with the Middle East and inquire about its present situation from
Christian leaders.

Bishop Alemezian told the guests about the history of the Armenian
Church and the Catholicosate of Cilicia, as well as the present,
multifaceted mission of the Catholicosate. He focused on the recent
developments unfolding in Lebanon and the Middle East and answered
the guests’ questions about ecumenical relations, as well as the
process of Christian-Muslim cohabitation and peace.

The Bishop assured that the Armenian Church remains committed to
its role as a bridge between different parties. He stressed that
the Catholicosate of Cilicia firmly believes in the principle of
solving problems through dialogue and actively participates in all
the initiatives that contribute to the establishment of peace and
justice in the Middle East and the international community.

Richard Hoffman and Sona Hamalian from the “Catholic Aid Service”
organization also visited the Catholicosate. The guests presented
the social service projects being implemented by the organization
in Lebanon and Armenia. Bishop Nareg talked about the social service
activities of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The two sides discussed
prospects for future cooperation.

The “Catholic Aid Service” organization was established in 1943
and aims at contributing to the abolishment of poverty and the
establishment of social justice.

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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
Ecumenical activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer
to the web page of the Catholicosate, The
Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.