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 ADDRESSES THE SAINT’EGIDIO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
"ECUMENISM, CHRISTIAN UNITY AND PEACE AMONG NATIONS"

His Holiness Aram I addressed the Saint’Egidio international conference in
Cyprus during a special session dedicated to the ecumenical movement.

In the first part of his talk, His Holiness highlighted the challenges the
ecumenical movement faces today. He described the present ecumenical
landscape with the following words: uncertainty, restlessness, tiredness and
stagnation. He said that ecumenism needs to redefine itself, its identity,
its goals and vision. Focusing on the unity of the church, His Holiness
highlighted the major aspects of the work performed by the ecumenical
movement, by referring particularly to a number of models and concepts of
unity. Aram I said that for various reasons churches were not able to take
concrete steps on the way towards visible unity. He challenged the churches
to take the question of unity seriously and within this context he mentioned
two imperatives specifically: the mutual recognition of baptism and fixing a
common date for the Easter.

Towards the end of his talk, the Pontiff made a number of practical
proposals with a view to giving a new drive to relations and cooperation
between churches. He then answered questions from participants in the
conference.

Talks were also delivered in that session by the Greek Patriarch of
Alexandria, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Cardinal Walter Kasper, the
President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, and Dr. Mary Taner,
Co-president of the World Council of Churches.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos329.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.