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:
ARAM I EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESUMPTION OF
ORIENTAL-EASTERN ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE
The representative of His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel yesterday was received in a private
audience by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia. The Ecumenical
Officer of the Armenian Catholicsoate of Cilicia also attended the meeting.
His Eminence was delegated by the Ecumenical Patriarch to explore with the
Catholicos Aram the possibilities of resuming the theological dialogue
between the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox families that was started
in 1985 and had its last meeting in 1993.
Welcoming the readiness of the Ecumenical Patriarch to continue the
theological dialogue between the two Orthodox families, Catholicos Aram I
emphasized the unique importance of this dialogue considering it essential
for the common Orthodox witness in the world today. He said: "The solid
foundation of common basis was already laid down in this theological
dialogue. Basic Christological issues have been discussed, but there is
still a long way to go. We need more discussion in respect to a number of
matters pertaining to our theology, liturgy, canons and traditions. I
understand that in both families there are few churches who have still some
reservations concerning this theological rapprochement between our two
families. We must take their approaches and concerns seriously and proceed
carefully".
His Holiness Aram I, who was one of the founding members of this
theological dialogue, shared with Metropolitan Emmanuel, co-Moderator of
this dialogue, his personal perspectives in respect to the agenda and
procedure for the coming phase of the dialogue.
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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.