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:

THE PRIMATE OF LEBANON AND THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY AUTHORITIES VISIT ANTELIAS

A delegation of 50 representatives from all the bodies of the Diocese of
Lebanon headed by Primate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian visited His Holiness
Aram I on March 21.

The purpose of the visit was to thank His Holiness on behalf of the Armenian
community of Lebanon and to express its gratitude at the end of his second
term as moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the first
extension ever in the history of WCC.

Bishop Khatcherian spoke about the course of His Holiness Aram I’s
ecumenical work during the last 30 years, first as Vartabed Aram, then as
Bishop and later as Catholicos Aram I. His Holiness’ constant efforts in
this field came first as a representative of the Armenian Church and then as
the moderator of this international organization.

The Primate pointed out that due to His Holiness’ dedication and important
contribution, the Armenian Church gained honor and the respect of the
various churches of the world. “His Holiness’ efforts and work concentrated
on simultaneously introducing our church, pursuing the Armenian Cause in
international circles and opening up our Church’s and nation’s values to
other churches and nations,” said Bishop Khatcherian.

His Holiness Aram I said that his life has one course and one purpose:
service. He said that both in the Armenian Church and WCC he has served holy
purposes, such as cooperation between churches.

His Holiness stated that he has done all he can during the last three
decades to introduce the Armenian Church’s and nation’s values to the
various churches of the world. He also assured that he will continue his
involvement in ecumenical work by various means and functions. He stressed
on the field of inter-religious cooperation taking into consideration the
current world’s concerns and challenges.

His Holiness also spoke about the Armenian community of Lebanon. He
expressed his happiness for the participation of the community, through its
three political parties, in the dialogue the aim of which is securing the
country’s unity.

The Pontiff emphasized the important role of the Armenian community in the
Diaspora. He said it was imperative to give a new drive to Armenians. His
Holiness expressed the support of the Catholicosate of Cilicia as well as
his personal support for the Armenian Community Authorities of Lebanon,
announcing that he will be taking important initiatives in this regard in
the next few months.

His Holiness then answered a number of questions related to ecumenical and
inter-religious issues as well as the political life in Lebanon.

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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 dioceses 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.