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: nian.htm
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE CELEBRATIONS
MARKING THE SECOND MILLENNIUM OF ETHIOPIA
The Orthodox Church of Ethiopia celebrated end of the second millennium of
Ethiopia during a series of ceremonies in Addis Ababa on September 26-27.
On this occasion, His Holiness Patriarch Paulos had sent an invitation to
Catholicos Aram I, who was not able to travel personally, given the
uncertain political situation in Lebanon. The Catholicos, however, delegated
Bishop Kegham Khatcherian (Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon) and Bishop
Nareg Alemezian (Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate) to participate in
the celebrations.
Representing the Catholicosate of All Armenians, St. Echmiadzine, were
Archbishop Vosgan Kalpakian (Pontifical Vicar of Greece) and Bishop Ashot
Menatsaganian (Primate of the Armenians of Egypt).
On Wednesday, 26 September, an international peace conference was convened
in the African headquarters of the United Nations. Around 500 religious and
lay participants attended the conference.
The conference addressed such urgent matters as the overcoming of violence,
the cessation of wars, the non-discriminated delivery of health care, the
establishment of social justice and the preservation and protection of
nature.
Prominent African and international political figures delivered lectures on
the above mentioned topics, stressing the role world governments should play
in making the world a better place for humanity.
The only head of church invited to deliver a lecture to the conference was
His Holiness Aram I, whose lecture was read out by Bishop Nareg. In his
keynote lecture the Pontiff developed his reflections on the above topics in
a deep theological analysis, highlighting the obligations of humans towards
God and Creation and stressing the imperative of inter-faith coexistence and
the God-given mandate of the human being to manage and steward the creation.
It is worth mentioning that the deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia and other
lecturers mentioned in their speeches the efforts of Catholicos Aram I that
led to the reconciliation between the Ethiopian and Coptic Churches in July
2007 and considered this event a historical achievement.
During the conference, Bishop Nareg gave interviews to local and
international news agencies and participated in the official press
conference.
On Thursday, September 27, Bishops Kegham and Nareg participated in the
public ceremonies of the feast of the Holy Cross, held in the main square of
Addis Ababa with the participation of thousands of faithful.
The two Bishops paid an official visit to Patriarch Paulos on the same day
and conveyed the Armenian Pontiff’s well-wishes to the Head of the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church. They also presented to him a hand-cross sent by Catholicos
Aram I as a souvenir.
The Bishops also met with the Ecumenical Patriarch His All Holiness
Bartholomew and His Holiness Paulose Milithios, the elected Catholicos of
the Indian Orthodox Church, who were in Addis Ababa for the same purpose.
They conveyed the brotherly greetings of His Holiness Aram I to the two
spiritual leaders.
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View photo here:
tos/Photos42.htm
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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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress