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: info@armenianorthodoxchurch.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

PONTIFICAL CONGRATULATORY NOTE

His Holiness Aram I congratulated the newly elected President of Armenia,
Serj Sarksian during a phone conversation with him on February 20. The
Pontiff also sent the following Pontifical congratulatory note to His
Excellency the same day.

His Excellency Mr. Serj Sarksian
Newly elected President
Republic of Armenia
Yerevan

Dear Mr. President,

>From the Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia we welcome
your election as President of the Republic of Armenia.

Through the various responsible posts you have held during the nearly 20
years following the re-independence of Armenia, you have brought your active
contribution to the strengthening of statehood in Armenia, the establishment
of its institutions, the fortifying of its security and the improvement of
its economy. The trust expressed by our beloved compatriots in Armenia
towards yourself is- in addition to being a tangible expression of praise-
also an expectation for you to give more and do more for the strengthening
of the homeland.

We warmly greet your election. Knowing you well, we are sure that you will
continue to serve our homeland’s and nation’s collective and supreme
interests with renewed faith and a high level of responsibility.

We pray to God so he may strengthen you both physically and spiritually and
keep our homeland and nation in Armenia and the Diaspora strong and secure.

With Pontifical Blessings,

Aram I
Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia

20 February 2008
Antelias

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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 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.