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
PATRIARCHS HAZIM AND ZAKKA IN DAMASCUS
His Holiness Aram I met with the Spiritual Head of the Greek Orthodox
Church, Patriarch Hazim IV, and the Spiritual Head of the Syrian Orthodox
Church, Patriarch Zakka I, during his official visit to Damascus yesterday.
The meeting with Patriarch Hazim was held in the Patriarchate, at the
entrance of which the Patriarch greeted His Holiness surrounded by Bishops.
Welcoming the Armenian Pontiff, Patriarch Hazim recalled the strong ties of
love and cooperation that bind the Greek Orthodox Church and the
Catholicosate of Cilicia. He also emphasized his long-standing friendship
and collaboration of over thirty years with His Holiness Aram I particularly
in ecumenical circles.
His Holiness Aram I expressed his happiness for being, once again, at the
Greek Patriarchate. He too stressed the years-old ties and cooperation
between the two churches at local, regional and international levels. His
Holiness emphasized that in the Middle East this cooperation should continue
particularly with respect to the Christian-Muslim dialogue. Patriarch Hazim
then hosted a luncheon in honor of His Holiness.
Visiting the Greek Orthodox Patriarch with His Holiness was a delegation,
which included the Primate of the Diocese of Aleppo, Bishop Shahan
Sarkisian, Deputy Sounboul Sounboulian, Mr. Tsolag Tutelian from the Central
Committee, Chairman of the Lay Council of the Diocese of Aleppo, Mr. Daron
Avedissian, Mr. Levon Yedalian and Mr. Zareh Poladian from the council, Mr.
Harout Vartanian from Der-Zor, the representative of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia in Damascus Mr. Mesrob Shirinian, Mr. Noubar Melikian from Damascus
and staff-bearer Father Mesrob Sarkisian.
On the same evening His Holiness and the delegation visited Patriarch Zakka
I Iwas in the Syrian Church’s summer residence. The Synod of Syrian Bishops
is underway presently. Upon his arrival, His Holiness was received by the
Patriarch and the Bishops.
Patriarch Zakka I warmly welcomed the Pontiff underlining the friendly
relations between the two churches. The Patriarch recalled the Fellowship
between the Coptic and Syrian Churches and the Catholicosate of Cilicia, set
up by the efforts of His Holiness Aram I 12 years ago.
Making a brief overview of the relations between the Armenian and Syrian
Churches, His Holiness Aram I said: "Our two churches have had the same
theological approach and have together against all external heretical
movements. We must further strengthen our cooperation in a world in which we
are facing many challenges patching the daily life of our communities. He
called upon the Bishops to continue the strong cooperation between the two
churches with the same spirit particularly at the level of the Dioceses.
The meeting was followed by a reception during which Syrian Bishops asked
His Holiness questions about theological and ecumenical issues.
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Photos here:
c/Photos/Photos308.htm
http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos309.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.