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
THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE’S GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OPENS NEW HORIZONS FOR THE MISSION OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH
The General Assembly of the Catholicosate of Cilicia was launched in the
Catholicosate’s Antelias headquarters with the prayers of His Holiness Aram
I. The Pontiff’s opening message offered a comprehensive look at the current
state of the Armenian Church and nation, reflecting on those priorities and
challenges we need to consider for the coming years.
His Holiness developed his perspectives around three main points:
church-building; nation-building; homeland building. Catholicos Aram I said:
"In order for our Church to be able to realize its calling in an effective
way, it has an urgent need for renewal. We deeply believe that it is only
the Armenian Church, rich with centuries of experience yet in tune with the
challenges and demands of the 21st century, that can become the true apostle
of spiritual and moral values in the life of the Armenian nation. It is
essential, therefore, that the Catholicosate of All Armenians and the
Catholicosate of Cilicia together embark on this urgent task." Referring to
nation-building, His Holiness said: "In a growing and expanding Diaspora
that is subject directly to the threats of identity-changing, the role of
the Armenian school has become instrumental. The new lifestyle, brought
about by globalization, the new challenges generated by the multi-religious
and multi-cultural society surrounding us, urge the Armenian school to renew
and reorganize itself."
To meet all these challenges, the Pontiff strongly emphasized the need for
human resources. "The formation of the new generation should take place in
the life of the Armenian nation. Armenian formation should complete the
professional formation, which is imperative in the present world. Our Holy
See has set out to this sacred task through its Seminary, the Khatcher
Calousdian Pedagogical Center, through the educational and cultural
conferences it organizes on a regular basis. This extremely important task
should continue with renewed vigor," he observed.
The first two sessions of the meeting were dedicated to the presentation of
the report by the Religious Committee. The Assembly discussed a number of
issues pertaining to religious education, renewal of the church, youth,
women, participation of the laity in the life of the church. A special
attention was given to inter-religious dialogue. The Assembly also assessed
all those activities which open up our Church to other churches,
particularly in the field of ecumenical relations. The personal example set
by His Holiness Aram I has paved the way for a constructive process in this
respect, considered the Assembly. The meeting also discussed His Holiness
Aram I’s recent visit to the Vatican, highlighting the tangible results of
it and expressing its joy for the respect the Catholicosate of Cilicia
enjoys on an international level.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos343.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.