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: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: nian.htm
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS WITH SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR ASSAD
His Holiness Aram I held a meeting with the President of Syria, Bashar
Al-Assad, in the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Tuesday.
The Pontiff and the President met for over an hour discussing issues related
to the Armenian community of Syria, the bilateral relations between Syria
and Lebanon, the Middle East peace process and interfaith dialogue.
His Holiness and President Assad expressed their viewpoints on these issues
advocating friendly relations and warm cooperation between nations based on
the principles of mutual respect and trust as well as recognition of each
other’s rights. The Syrian President praised the role of the Pontiff in the
ecumenical and interfaith spheres, encouraging more input from him in
bringing forth a mutual understanding between religions. The president
promised to visit the St. Karasnits Mangants Church of Aleppo in the
presence of His Holiness.
Also attending this important meeting between His Holiness Aram I and
President Bashar Al-Assad were Bishop Shahan Sarkissian (Primate of the
Diocese of Aleppo), Mr. Tsolag Tutelian (a member of the Central Committee),
Sounboul Sounboulian (Armenian deputy in the Syrian Parliament), Daron
Avedissian (Chairman of the Lay Council of the Diocese of Aleppo), Mesrob
Shirinian (the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s representative in Damascus) and
Father Mesrob Sarkissian (staff bearer).
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos307.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.