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 PRESIDENT AHMADINEJAD OF IRAN

Within the context of his visitation programme to the Armenian Community of
Iran, His Holiness Aram I met president Ahmadinejad.

The discussion between the Catholicos and the President mainly focused on
inter-faith dialogue and particularly Christian-Muslim dialogue and
collaboration. The president stressed the importance of the role of religion
in a world dominated by wars, conflicts, poverty and injustice. Aram I
referred to the need of translating intellectual dialogue to a quality of
common life sustained by common values.

President of Iran expressed his great appreciation for the constructive role
of the Armenians in Iran. His Holiness said that the Armenians being
faithful citizens of Iran have their specificities. Welcoming the progress
made recently in cultural, educational and legal spheres of community life,
His Holiness reminded that he expects more in this respect from state
authorities.

His Holiness was invited to take part in the third meeting of the
Christian-Muslim Dialogue, which was initiated some eight years ago between
the Interfaith Dialogue Department of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia.

Aram I was accompanied with H.E. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian of Tehran,
H.G. Bishop Papken Charian of Isfahan, the Armenian deputies of the
parliament of Iran, Mr. Kevork Vartanian and Robert Peklarian.

The Armenians constitute the largest Christian community in Iran. More than
150.000 Armenians live in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, Urmi and other parts of
the country.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos325.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.