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
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS
His Holiness Aram I paid an official visit to the President of Cyprus, His
Excellency Dimitris Christofias, on July 21. His Holiness was accompanied by
the Pontifical Vicar in Cyprus Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Hagop Ateshian
from the Central National Committee, Vartkes Mahdessian from the Armenian
community of Cyprus, Dr. Antranig Ashdjian, chairman of the Armenian
National Committee and Sebouh Tavitian, chairman of the committee.
The first ever meeting between President Christofias and the Armenian
Pontiff included several items on its agenda. In the first instance, His
Holiness congratulated the President on the occasion of his election.
Discussions revolved around several issues of interest to the Armenian
community of Cyprus. In light of the negotiations for the island’s
unification, His Holiness talked about the Monastery of Magar, the old
prelacy and the Armenian Quarter situated in the Turkish part of Cyprus. The
Cypriot President explained to His Holiness the details of these
negotiations.
Prior to his departure from Lebanon His Holiness held a phone conversation
with the President of Lebanon, His Excellency Michel Suleyman, whose
greetings the Pontiff later conveyed to the Cypriot President. The Pontiff
and the President also talked about the internal situation of Lebanon and
the prospects for the improvement of relations between the two churches.
President Christofias spoke in praise about the Armenian community of Cyprus
and welcomed the stabilization of political life in Lebanon. The
centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and Greek people was another
topic on the agenda.
Given the shared historical experiences between the two nations, His
Holiness stressed the importance of Cypriot support for the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos291.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 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.