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:

A MEETING WITH THE YOUTH

His Holiness Aram I met with the Armenian youth of Aleppo on May 21 as
part of his Pontifical visit to Syria. Meetings with the driving force
beyond community life, the youth, have always proved to be the highlight of
Pontifical visits. This meeting had a similar effect with about 1000 young
Armenians and university students with fresh ideas and future-oriented
mindsets attending it.

After a brief cultural entertainment program, Primate Bishop Shahan
Sarkissian underlined the importance of the meeting, focusing on the
creation of a direct link with the youth and His Holiness’ close interaction
with them generally.

The Pontiff then delivered a speech, outlining the current global
environment in which people have to live collectively. Talking on the new
reality created by globalization, he pointed to its economic, cultural,
spiritual and other areas of influence. Highlighting the consequences of
this situation, the Catholicos spoke about the general decline in values and
the increasing dominance of a new system of values in the world.

In the background of this general context, His Holiness focused on the
challenges the Armenian youth faces on the religious, cultural and national
fronts. Referring to the identity of being an Armenian Christian, he called
on the youth to remain attached to their national roots "to be able to find
our place in the big family of nations."

At the same time, however, based on his vast international experience, the
Catholicos encouraged the Armenian youth to open up to the world. "We can’t
live in a closed box. We can’t build walls around us. We should always be
engaged in a dialogue with our environment. That dialogue becomes enriching
when our roots are strong," he said. His Holiness then encouraged the youth
to acquaint themselves with Armenian history, the church and national
traditions, in other words with their roots.

After His Holiness’ introduction, the participants asked a series of
questions on issues related to the reform of the church, globalization,
inter-faith dialogue, Armenia-Diaspora cooperation and Armenian and
Christian education.

The meeting proceeded in a passionate atmosphere, contributing to the
strengthening of the direct link between the Armenian youth and its
Spiritual Leader, who demonstrated that he is also the loved and respected
Pontiff of the youth. The event ended with a collective singing of "Cilicia".

Prior to meeting the youth, the Catholicos had meetings throughout the day
with the community’s Executive Council, the Committee responsible for
organizing the Pontifical visit, as well as other unions.

The Diocese pf Aleppo also published a special book dedicated to His
Holiness’ Pontifical visit. The 300-page book encompasses thoughts expressed
by the Catholicos Aram I, during previous speeches and sermons. The chairman
of the committee organizing the Pontiff’s visit, Mr. And Mrs. Daron
Avedissian, funded the publication.

##
View the photos here: m
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission 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.