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
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS PATRIARCHS IGNATIUS HAZIM IV AND ZAKKA I IWAS IN
DAMASCUS
The visit to Syria also included meetings with H.B. Patriarch Ignatius IV
(Hazim) of Antioch and all the East, and HH Patriarch Mor Ignatios Zakka I
(Iwas)Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.
In both places His Holiness Aram I and his delegation were received warmly.
H.B. Patriarch Hazim and the Catholicos discussed interchurch relations in
the region and the situation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
The Patriarch hoped that the MECC under the Presidency of His Holiness Aram
I will be reorganized and restructured so that it will serve the churches in
the region in their witness for peace.
The Catholicos met with Patriarch Zakka I Iwas at the St Thomas Monastery in
Saidnaya, near Damascus. The Catholicos and the Patriarch met in the
presence of the seminarians and the clergy. After a warm welcome, Patriarch
Zakka I introduced the Catholicos to the audience as the strong ecumenical
leader who Moderated the Executive and Central Committees of the World
Council of Churches for two terms and is a dynamic force in the meetings of
the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East and its
standing committee. The Patriarch then added that this cooperation has
strengthened the contribution of oriental orthodox churches in bilateral
dialogues on theological, dogmatic and other issues with Christian world
communions.
After thanking Patriarch Zakka I, Catholicos Aram emphasized the centuries
old strong ties between their two churches, which was rooted in common
christological dogmatic and theological principles. After responding to the
questions from the audience, the visit ended with a banquet organized in
honor of His Holiness Aram I and his delegation.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos410.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.