CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA STARTS HIS PATRIARCHAL VISIT TO IRANIAN
ARMENIANS

TEHRAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Catholicos of Cilicia Aram I arrived in
Tehran at midnight, May 12, on his Patriarchal visit to Iranian
Armenians. Among those who met Aram I at the Presidential hall of
Tehran Airpost were RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to
Iran Karen Nazarian and Chairman of the Organization on Islamic
Communication and Culture of Iran Hojatoleslam Mohammadi Eraghi. In
his welcoming speech, Catholicos Aram I underlined the inseparability
of close links between the Iranian Armenians, the Catholicosate of
Cilicia and the Islamic Republc of Iran. He stressed the strategical
importance of the meeting since Iran and Armenia are good neighbors,
maintain friendly relations, and lebanon also has close links with
Iran. The main purpose of the visit is the 75th anniversary of the
foundation of Dprvank of the Catholocosate of Cilicia and the 10th
anniversary of the Catholicos’ enthronement. According to Catholicos
of Cilicia, the Iranian Armenians have their unique place and role in
the life of the Armenian nation in general and the Diaspora in
particular. “This colony is distinguished by its inseparable linkage
with our cultural, spiritual and national values and aspirations, as
well as by deep faith. I liken this small colony to a small Armenia,
this is a colony that lives and acts, struggles and dreams by our
values, for our Homeland and nation. I welcome this colony with such
feelings,” Catholicos of Cilicia stated.