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:
A DELEGATION FROM THE CHURCHES OF WALES VISITS ANTELIAS
A delegation representing the Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Churches of
Wales visited the Catholicosate of Cilicia on March 18. The delegation met
with His Holiness Aram I and delivered to him a letter from the Most
Reverend Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales. The delegation included
senior spiritual leaders and members of the European Parliament.
The purpose of the delegation’s visit to the region is to get closely
acquainted with the Churches of the Middle East. During their one-day stay
in Lebanon, the delegation members met with some of the country’s spiritual
leaders and politicians. The delegation will also visit Syria where they
will meet with President Bashar Assad.
His Holiness Aram I briefly reported on the situation in Lebanon and the
Middle East, encouraging discussions about the region’s political,
religious, social and economic circumstances. His Holiness focused on the
presence of Christianity in the Middle East and stressed the importance of
the Christian-Muslim dialogue. He also pointed out that Christians should
assume more active roles as rightful citizens of their respective countries.
His Holiness praised the Parliament and Churches of Wales for their
recognition of the Armenian Genocide in a special resolution last years and
thanked them for their support of the Armenian cause.
The delegation members commended His Holiness for his years’ long efforts in
the ecumenical field and expressed hope that he will continue his
contributions on an international level.
Towards the end of the meeting, the delegation invited His Holiness to
deliver a lecture in the University of Wales.
##
View photos here: tm
*****
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.