ARMENIAN CHURCH PARTICIPATES IN THE THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES

ArmRadio.am
06.02.2007 17:27

The fourth meeting of the International Joint Commission for
Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental
Orthodox Churches took place in Rome, at the new offices of the
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Joining the delegates from the Catholic Church were representatives
of the following Oriental Orthodox Churches: Coptic Orthodox Church,
Syrian Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church-Catholicosate
of All Armenians, Armenian Apostolic Church-Holy See of Cilicia,
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and
Eritrean Orthodox Church.

The Catholicosate of All Armenians was represented by Archbishop
Mesrob Krikorian, (Primate of Vienna and Patriarchal Delegate for
Central Europe and Scandinavia) and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
(Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the USA). On behalf of the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan (Prelate of the
Eastern Prelacy in the USA) and Bishop Nareg Alemezian (Ecumenical
Officer) participated in the meeting.

The members of the international commission were received in audience
by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. His Eminence Anba Bishoy (Co-chair)
greeted His Holiness the Pope on behalf of the members of the dialogue
and thanked him for his efforts to promote dialogue with the Oriental
Orthodox. Addressing the group, Pope Benedict said, "Your meeting
concerning the constitution and mission of the Church is of great
importance for our common journey towards the restoration of full
communion. The Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches
share an ecclesial patrimony stemming from apostolic times and the
first centuries of Christianity." The Pope also expressed his concern
for the situation of Christians in the Middle East, calling upon them
to be " courageous and steadfast in the power of the Spirit of Christ."