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:
ECUMENICAL SEMINAR IN BIKFAYA
The members of ecumenical committees of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s
various Dioceses participated in a one-day conference in Bikfaya on August
18. The conference was organized by the ecumenical relations committee of
the Catholicosate of Cilicia under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I.
Around 50 young men and women, who participate in several ecumenical
conferences and meetings by decision of their Dioceses or the Catholicosate
of Cilicia, participated in the conference from the various Dioceses in the
Middle East.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, director of the Catholicosate’s ecumenical
department, delivered the opening remarks and welcomed the participants.
His Holiness then delivered his message to the participants, emphasizing the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s insistence on delegating highly qualified
participants to ecumenical conferences and meetings.
“This is what has imposed respect towards our church and our seat in
general. Compared to others, we are a small church, but with our continuous
and high quality participation in ecumenical activities, we have brought an
important contribution to the movement’s mission and work,” said His
Holiness Aram I.
Nora Kabakian, the chairwoman of the committee, welcomed the participants
and called on them to make the conference a success through their
participation, exchange of views and experiences. She stressed the
importance of professionalism and self-preparation for a useful
participation in ecumenical conferences.
Bishop Alemezian then delivered a lecture on “The Catholicosate of Cilicia
and the ecumenical movement.” He pointed out that different approaches
should be adopted to involvement in the ecumenical movement on local,
regional and international levels.
Participants from different Dioceses talked about the conferences they have
attended during the last year and shared their experiences.
Teni Pirri Simonian, director of the World Council of Churches’ (WCC)
department for Church and Ecumenical Relations, then talked about the
challenges the WCC faces and talked about the 9th Assembly of the council,
to be held next year in Brazil.
Seta Khedeshian then talked about the Middle East Council of Churches and
the challenges it faces and Dr. Jan Salmanian delivered a lecture about the
Christian-Muslim Dialogue process and its current developmental phases.
Participants in the conference were given the chance to ask questions and
express viewpoints after each lecture. They later discussed the main
viewpoints expressed during the different sessions.
Bishop Alemezian praised the attendants and the level of their participation
at the end of the conference.
##
View pictures here:
*****
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.