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:

HIS HOLINESS ADDRESSES THE THIRD ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE

"WE SHOULD WORK FOR A STRONG NATION AND MOTHERLAND"

declares HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

His Holiness Aram I called on working for a strong Armenian nation and a
strong Armenia in an address to a large number of Armenians from every
corner of the world during the opening session of the third Armenia-Diaspora
Conference in Yerevan on September 18.

At the beginning of an impressive and strongly worded speech, His Holiness
Aram I highlighted the important role of the conference in the life of the
Armenian nation, church and motherland. He considered this conference, the
third of its kind, to be a more conscious approach towards collective
belonging and one dictated by the Armenian nation’s collective history.
Having said this, the Pontiff divided his speech into four parts.

First, His Holiness showed the true path to the future through
self-criticism. "The first condition of success and progress is
self-criticism and then self-correction," he said, adding that attempts to
veil difficulties and downplay the seriousness of certain situations lead to
undesired consequences.

Secondly, His Holiness Aram I spoke in detail about the approach that would
yield positive results if adopted towards major national issues and
concerns. Talking about the way these issues should be discussed, brought to
the table and solved, he stressed the importance of taking into
consideration the Pan-Armenian factor.

"The Pan-Armenian factor should become the spirit and basis of our thoughts
and plans; it should become our viewpoint and perspective. This factor,
however, should not be confused with a monopole way of thinking and a
centralized functioning. In its correct understanding, the Pan-Armenian
factor does not deny the presence of difference; on the contrary, it makes
them useful and enriching. This is what is demanded from all of us today
both in Armenia and the Diaspora. Any attempt to transform our differences
into a confrontation and pollute relation between our nation’s two poles is
unacceptable,’ assured the Catholicos.

Moving on to his third point, His Holiness Aram I reiterated the importance
of state and national priorities. "Armenia, as a state has its priorities
that are always subject to review based on the region’s geopolitical and
economic circumstances and Armenia’s chief interests."

Aram I then talked about a number of important national issues that should
be discussed on a Pan-Armenian level with a clear separation in the roles of
the Armenian government and the Diaspora. In this context he particularly
mentioned the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, the situation in Javakhk, and the issues of dictation and dual
nationality. He added that collective discussion on these issues
"strengthens and channels Pan-Armenian thought in our life."

Aram I then proposed the establishment of a small body from the various
state, spiritual and political entities that would meet with the president
of Armenia at least once a year to discuss Pan-Armenian issues.

In his fourth point, the Catholicos placed the relationship between Armenia
and the Diaspora on a cooperation level, away from emotional dimensions and
the concept of financial aid. He stressed the importance of preserving
national values in the current wave of globalization.

"The cooperation between Armenia and the Diaspora should not be conditioned
by financial standards only and should not be limited to narrow economic
boundaries. In other words, the Diaspora should not be satisfied with
financing projects in Armenia; it has much more to give to Armenia with its
manpower and experience. Armenia in its turn, should not only organize
Pan-Armenian conferences; it also has a lot to offer to the Diaspora
particularly in the fields of culture and Armenology. Our church and
intellectuals have an important role to play in this respect," he added.

Concluding his speech, His Holiness Aram I reaffirmed the dedication and
commitment of the Catholicosate of Cilicia to the construction of the
homeland. One tangible expression of this is its construction of the "New
Cilicia" village in Karabakh. In this and other future projects, the
catholicos saw the imperative of halting migration, a task in which all
Armenians bear responsibility.

"Let’s walk together with a powerful Armenia towards a strong future with a
firm belief, a united course and committed participation. Here is our
strength; this is our path. Blessings to eternal Armenia; Blessings to the
homeland building Armenian nation that is itself rebuilt and eternalized
with its homeland," called His Holiness to his audience.

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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
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.