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 ARRIVES IN THE VATICAN
FOR A VISIT OF THREE DAYS
VATICAN, ANTELIAS – His Holiness Aram I embarked Sunday afternoon on his
visitation program which will extended over three full days.
Arriving by a private plane at the Ciampino airport with his delegation
composed of Archbishops and Bishops, His Holiness was met by His Eminence
Cardinal Walter Kasper the president of the Pontifical Council for promoting
Christianity and the ambassador of Lebanon Mr. George El-Khoury. Present at
the airport to welcome His Holiness were also Bishops and other officials of
deferent departments of the Vatican.
Welcoming His Holiness Cardinal Kasper said that this is an important visit
for the Roman Catholic Church, because it will enhance the ecumenical
relations between the Catholic Church and the Armenian Church in general and
the Catholicosate of Cilicia in particular.
Responding to the Cardinal, His Holiness expressed his joy to be once again
in the Vatican. He said: "This is my second visit to the Holy See. My first
official visit was in 1997. In the last 11 years new areas of relation,
dialogue and collaboration opened before our Churches. We are living in a
world torn apart by so many crises. The Churches cannot remain indifferent
and silent. We must be faithful to our common calling. We must work
together; we must carry on our God-given mission together. Long standing
relations exist between the Holy See and the Holy See of Cilicia. I’m
confident that my meeting with His Holiness Benedict XVI and with the
authorities of Church of Rome will provide us a unique opportunity to assess
our ecumenical journey, with a firm commitment to broaden our relations,
strengthen our collaboration and deepen our theological dialogue".
On the same evening, His Holiness paid an official visit to the Embassy of
Armenia to Italy. A reception was organized in honor of His Holiness. Also
the pilgrims who have joined His Holiness coming from different parts of the
world attended the reception at the Armenian Embassy. In his remarks His
Holiness emphasized the importance of the Armenian Embassies as bridge
builders between the Armenian communities in Diaspora and Armenia. The
Catholicos also stressed the importance of nation building. He said: "All
the Armenians must take an active part in nation building process. A strong
Armenia implies a united and organized nation. A strong Armenia also
presupposes a strong Diaspora. They complement each other".
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos330.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.