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: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS AFFIRMS THAT ARMENIANS LIVE WITH SPIRITUAL
AND MORAL VALUES IN THE IRANIAN HOMELAND
His Holiness arrived to Tehran on an official visit on May 11. Upon his
arrival at the airport he was greeted by the president of the ecumenical
department of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iriaki, senior Iranian
officials, the primates of the three Dioceses of Iran, Archbishop Sebouh
Sarkisian (Tehran), V. Rev. Papken Tcharian (Isphahan), and V. Rev. Neshan
Topuzian (Tabriz), as well as the ambassadors of Lebanon and Armenian to
Iran and representatives from the Armenian Community.
His Holiness expressed his happiness for the cooperation established between
the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Catholicosate of Cilicia, through the
Christian-Muslim dialogue. His Holiness also talked about the centuries-old
history of the Iranian Armenians and their contribution to various fields in
the country.
“We are full citizens in this country and as a nation that has centuries-old
roots on this Iranian land, we will do everything we can to contribute to
this homeland’s rise,” said His Holiness.
Iriaki welcomed the Catholicos saying: “Your visits to Iran have always been
high-level visits that have included meetings with the most senior officials
in the country. Your international efficacy, especially as the chairman of
the World Council of Churches, is known to all and has had its positive
effect particularly on the ecumenical field.”
Iriaki also underlined the importance of the Christian-Muslim dialogue and
the role reserved to the Catholicosate of Cilicia in this matter.
On the next day, May 12, His Holiness entered the St. Sarkis Church, where
the primate is seated. A huge crowd of believers, gathered from all over
Tehran, greeted His Holiness there. Also present were the ambassador of
Armenian to Iran, Iranian-Armenian deputies.
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkisian welcomed His Holiness in his opening remarks.
Afterwards, the Pontiff delivered a speech, emphasizing the need to stay
loyal to “God and national values.”
“Loyalty to God, loyalty to the nation, loyalty to the homeland; as a
nation, we should consider our loyalty to these our primary obligation,”
said His Holiness.
The believers then came forth to kiss the right hand of His Holiness.
His Holiness also visited Imam Khomeini’s grave, where he paid his respect
and placed a wrath in the presence of senior government officials.
The newly established choir of the Diocese of Tehran gave a recital during
the evening. Under the direction of Elibs Masehian, the choir delivered a
collection of Armenian religious hymns. His Holiness, to whom the recital
was dedicated, praised the choir and underlined the importance of preserving
Armenian religious hymns and culture as guarantor to preservation of the
Armenian national identity in the Diaspora.
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Pictures here:
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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 history and
the mission 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.