Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS WITH THE SPIRITUAL LEADERS OF THE ARMENIAN
CATHOLIC
AND ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES
His Holiness Aram I met with the spiritual leaders of the Armenian Catholic
and Evangelical Churches in two separate meetings on October 30. V. Rev. Fr.
Norayr Ashekian, V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian and Mr. Tsolag Tutelian from
the Central Executive Council of the Catholicosate accompanied His Holiness.
The meeting with Patriarch Nerses Bedros Tarmouni XIX was held in the
presence of several Armenian Catholic Bishops and priests. His Holiness then
met Rev. Meguerditch Karageozian, President of Armenian Evangelical Churches
in the Near East. The President of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul
Haidostian as well as several Evangelical pastors and community leaders also
attended.
The main focus of the talks was the relationship between Armenia and the
Diaspora particularly in light of the Third Armenia-Diaspora conference held
this summer in Yerevan. The three spiritual leaders also discussed the
importance of strengthening the Diaspora and reviving Armenian schools in
particular. They reiterated the crucial importance of preserving the
internal unity of the Armenian community of Lebanon.
On these and other issues, all three highlighted the role of close
cooperation between the Armenian Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Churches
and the adoption of united stands towards issues of national concern.
Following these two meetings, His Holiness made the following statement:
"The main purpose of our meetings was the reinforcement of our internal
national unity. There might be difference in our approaches and evaluations,
but we consider that a natural phenomenon in the life of any nation.
However, it is essential that our communities, our nation become united in
basic issues affecting our life. Today more than ever, it is imperative that
we gather around pan-national projects and visions."
"The Armenian community of Lebanon should concretely prove that it has a
unique role and place in the life of our nation in general and the Diaspora
in particular. Therefore, the energizing of our institutions and in this
context the revival of the Armenian school, the backbone of the Armenian
community of Lebanon, should become a priority for all of us. The stronger
an Armenian school becomes, the stronger an Armenian community becomes."
"The Catholicosate of Cilicia and We personally in cooperation with the
"Gulbenkian", "Lincy" and "Khatchig Babikian" Foundations, are striving to
keep the Armenian school strong in its educational mission. Financial
assistance alone, however, is not enough. It is our expectation that
Armenian parents send their children to Armenian schools. An Armenian school
becomes truly an Armenian School when it is filled with Armenian students;
when it conveys the Armenian language, religion and history as a spirit,
faith and commitment to Armenian students, making them the pillar of
Christian Armenian formation. Therefore, Christian education and Armenian
education for us, are closely interconnected; they are two dimensions of one
process", said His Holiness Aram I.
The Pontiff concluded by calling on the Lebanese Armenian Members of
Parliament, parties and community leaders to work together for safeguarding
the rights of the Lebanese Armenian community and for preserving the
integrity and independence of Lebanon.
##
View photos here:
*****
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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
