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 RECEIVES THE CHAIRMEN OF THE THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION OF
THE TWO FAMILIES OF ORTHODOX CHURCHES

An important ecumenical meeting was held in the Catholicosate of Cilicia
in Antelias on April 17 between the chairmen of the Commission of the
theological dialogue between the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox churches –
Metropolitan Bishoy from the Coptic Orthodox Church (Oriental Orthodox) and
Metropolitan Emmanuel (Eastern Orthodox).

This dialogue between the two families of Orthodox Churches, initiated in
1983 in Geneva, had come to a halt in 1993 for several reasons. About a
month ago Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I sent a delegate to His Holiness
Aram I to discuss the possibility of renewing the dialogue. Based on his
vast experience in ecumenical relations, Catholicos Aram I had outlined the
necessary steps and the difficulties to restart the initiative.

After their meeting in Antelias, the two chairmen informed the Pontiff of
the result of their meeting. His Holiness assessed the outcome and provided
the appropriate advice.

His Holiness recently received phone calls from the General Secretary of
the World Council of Churches, Dr. Sam Kobia, and Patriarch Paulos I of the
Ethiopian Church regarding ecumenical issues.

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View the photos here: #3
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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.