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

"THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN
AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR NATION’S LIFE THROUGH ITS SERVICE"

SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

The Catholicosate of Cilicia’s General Assembly concluded its sessions on
December 5, opening up new prospects and horizons for the Catholicosate’s
services.

Three topics were on the agenda of the fourth day of discussions: the youth
and the church, ecumenical relations and Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. Ms.
Asdghig Djamboulian (Lebanon) and Mr. Kevork Hagopdjanian (Syria) gave talks
on the challenges facing the youth today from the perspective of the
youth-church mutual relations. Moving on to the second topic, Dr. Nora
Bairakdarian-Kabakian (Lebanon) talked about the significant aspects of the
ecumenical work of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Mrs. Seta Khedeshian
(Lebanon) gave a talk about the Middle East Council of Churches. The
speakers on the third topic were Dr. Aida Hovhannisian (Iran) and Mr. Zohrab
Tazian (U.S.A.).

The participants in the Assembly comprehensively discussed these topics
during three consecutive issues, always basing their positions on the
supreme interests of our church and nation. An emphasis was put on finding
new ways of attracting the youth. The inter-faith and inter-church relations
were considered particularly important, especially given the Catholicosate
of Cilicia’s geographical position and its rich ecumenical experience and
its active involvement in Christian-Muslim dialogue. With respect to the
Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, the Assembly reaffirmed the Catholicosate of
Cilicia’s positive approach and firm commitment.

The final item on the agenda of the meeting was the election of the Central
Committee’s Religious and Lay Committee for the next four years. The
following were elected as members of the Religious Committee: Archbishop
Ardavazt Terterian, Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, Archbishop Varoujan
Hegelian, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian,
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Bishop Nareg
Alemezian, Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, Bishop Shahe Panossian V. Rev. Fr.
Krikor Chiftjian, V. Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Mandjigian and Father Masis
Tchobouyan.

Elected as members of the Lay Committee were Hagop Ateshian, Vicken
Kassabian, Dikran Djinbashian, Dr. Bedros Karadjerdjian, Dr. Hratch
Hadjetian, Dr. Vahe Yacoubian, Dr. Dertad Mangigian, Khajag Dikirdjian, Dr.
Jirayr Basmadjian, Hagop Yapoudjian, Dr. Levon Tavtian, Daron Avedissian and
Ara Denirdjian, representing the world-wide dioceses of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia.

Concluding the General Assembly, His Holiness Aram I addressed the
attendants and praised the dedication they demonstrated towards our church
and nation. His Holiness summarized that dedication in three words:
faithfulness, commitment and vision. The Pontiff then spoke about the
mission of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and its priorities for the next four
years on the national, church, inter-church, inter-faith and international
levels. "The Catholicosate of Cilicia will continue its ecumenical vocation.
Our Holy See will continue its cooperation with the Catholicosate of All
Armenians. It will continue supporting Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The
Catholicosate of Cilicia has always been at the forefront of our nation’s
life through its service, commitment and vision. This is the source of our
strength," said His Holiness.

At the end of his Pontifical address, His Holiness commended all the
delegates. Particular praise was paid to the Religious and Lay committees
ending their terms of service. Two members, Mr. Yervant Pamboukian and Mr.
Tsolag Tutelian, received special recognition for their active participation
in the life and mission of the church for over 50 years.

The Diocese of Lebanon organized a dinner in honor of the General Assembly’s
participants in the evening.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos346.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.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress