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:

&quo t;THE DIALOGUE OF CIVILIZATIONS, CULTURES AND RELIGIONS
IS AN IMPERATIVE NECESSITY"

Says His Holiness Aram I addressing the
World Public Forum "Dialogue of Civilizations"

The World Public Forum for the "Dialogue of Civilizations" has organized its
third conference in the Greek island of Rhodes. Over 500 intellectuals,
political scientists, university professors, government representatives,
spirituals and theology experts participate in the ongoing conference.

Archbishop Yeznig Bedrossian represented the Catholicosate of All Armenians
at the conference and Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian and Mrs. Teni Simonian
represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia.

His Holiness Aram I was invited to deliver a lecture in person to the
conference attendants. Being busy and unable to attend, His Holiness
prepared an address to the conference, read by Archbishop Sebouh.

In his speech, the Catholicos first and foremost emphasizes that
civilization is a comprehensive reality, which encompasses religion,
culture, traditions and values. He explains the internal connectedness of
these various components of civilization.

The Catholicos then highlights three main points:

"1.- Dialogue of civilizations is essentially dialogue of religions.
Religion is at the heart of civilizations. It touches almost all aspects and
spheres of a society. It articulates the beliefs, traditions and values of a
community. The growing public role of religion gives a new dimension to
dialogue of civilizations, a spiritual dimension and a new language: the
language of love, compassion and humility.

2.- Dialogue of civilizations is fundamentally dialogue of values.
Spiritual, intellectual, economic, political and social values are genuine
expressions of a community’s self-understanding. Through values people
become community. Through values a community affirms its identity,
safeguards its integrity and ensures its strength, based on respect for the
other.

3.- Dialogue of civilizations is basically dialogue of people. In fact,
civilizations, religions and their values are both gifts of God and human
achievements. Their purpose is to create relationships between humanity,
creation and Transcendent. The human being has a particular place and
vocation in the created order. According to Christianity, he or she is the
steward of creation and accountable to God."

Concluding, the Catholicos stresses the imperative of dialogue in this
globalized world as the only factor of preserving the existence of humanity
and creativity, waiving the difficulties mankind faces and establishing
justice and peace.

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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 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.