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
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN AN
INTERNATIONAL INTERFAITH DIALOGUE CONFERENCE
The International Islamic League organized an international inter-faith
dialogue conference on July 16-18 in Madrid under the auspices of the King
of Saudi Arabia, Abdallah Ben Abd-el Aziz Al-Saoud.
The first ever such initiative by Saudi Arabia, the conference brought
together the representatives of all the main religions and ecumenical
organizations in the world. As one Spiritual Head who has taken the lead in
several interfaith initiatives, His Holiness Aram I was also invited to
participate in the conference. Given his busy schedule, the Pontiff
delegated the Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian,
to attend the conference on his behalf.
The kings of Saudi Arabia and Spain chaired the opening ceremony of the
conference, which was held in the medieval mansion of the King of Spain.
Also attending the ceremony was Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero. Both kings,
as well as the General Secretary of the International Islamic League, Dr.
Abdullah Abd El-Mohsen El-Turki, delivered speeches during the ceremony.
Bishop Kegham read out His Holiness Aram I’s address to the conference, a
brief speech which engaged in a critical examination of the nature of
interfaith dialogue. Based on his vast experience in the international
ecumenical arena as well as the daily experience of coexistence in the
Middle East, His Holiness presented the depths of interfaith dialogue in a
lively manner and discussed the potential for its future development.
The conference included five sessions, each of which featured presentations
by four representatives from different religions from around the world. The
presentations touched on various aspects of inter-faith dialogue.
At its conclusion, the conference adopted an official press release praising
the role of the Saudi king in organizing this unprecedented initiative. The
press release also suggested continuing the dialogue and organizing a new
conference under the auspices of the United Nations.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos295.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.