PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father 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 US COUNCIL OF CHURCHES VISITS
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

A high-ranking delegation from the US Council of Churches visited His
Holiness Aram I in the Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
on October 11. The delegation was accompanied by the General Secretary of
the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Dr. Georges Saleh. Other MECC
officials, including Ms. Seta Khedeshian, head of the "Life and Service"
department was also present. On the Catholicosate’s side, Bishop Nareg
Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer, attended the meeting.

During the meeting His Holiness gave a brief overview of the role of
churches in the coexistence of religions, nations, and people.

Speaking about recent regional and international developments and political
upheavals, The Catholicos stressed on the unique circumstances of the Middle
East, expressing his views on the centuries’ long experience of coexistence
between Christians and Muslims in the region. In this context, he also
talked about the necessity to provide impetus to the peace process in the
Middle East.

On the war in Lebanon, the resulting destruction particularly in the South
of the country and decisions of the UN Security Council regarding the
conflict, the Catholicos praised the humanitarian efforts of both local and
regional churches specially in the regions mostly affected by the conflict.

The members of the delegation, exceeding 15 in their number and many of them
personally acquainted with His Holiness, posed a series of questions about
the current situation in Lebanon.

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View the photo here:
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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.