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 AND HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI
MEET PUBLICLY FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE CONTEXT OF HIS FORMER VISIT TO THE
VATICAN
During a public meeting in the presence of thousands of pilgrims coming from
different parts of the world, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI welcomed His
Holiness Catholicos Aram I. He said: "This morning I greet with great joy
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenians, together with
the distinguished delegation accompanying him, and the Armenian pilgrims
from various countries. This fraternal visit is a significant occasion for
strengthening the bonds of unity already existing between us, as we journey
towards that full communion which is both the goal set before all Christ’s
followers and a gift to be implored daily from the Lord". He then recalled
the important role of Aram I in the ecumenical movement saying "I wish to
express my particular gratitude for your constant personal involvement in
the field of ecumenism, especially in the International Joint Commission for
Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox
Churches, and in the World Council of Churches".
Responding to the welcoming address of the Pope Benedict XVI, Catholicos
Aram I said that the world of today urges all the churches to work together,
in spite of our differences. Then he said: "our two Churches have apostolic
origin. Apostolicity is not a mere mark of the Church, a sheer
ecclesiological legacy that should be preserved intact. Apostolic origin
must be transformed into apostolic vocation". Emphasizing the crucial
importance of re-evangelism, Catholicos Aram I said: "marginalization of
Christian values, distortion of Christian identity, and increasing invasion
of secularistic and materialistic values into our family and community life,
urge the churches to engage in re-evangelism". His Holiness welcoming the
zeal and commitment of Pope Benedict XVI called the churches to unite their
efforts in spiritual transformation of societies.
At the end of greetings, the spiritual leaders exchanged kiss of peace in
front of the thousand pilgrims, who have came to Vatican from different
parts of the world.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos338.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.