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:
THE AMBASSADOR OF CYPRUS VISITS HIS HOLINESS
The Ambassador of Cyprus to Lebanon, Dr. Kyriakos Kouros, visited His
Holiness Aram I in Antelias on January 19. The Ambassador and the Armenian
Pontiff discussed several issues related to the Middle East, Cyprus and the
European Union. They talked extensively about Turkey’s accession to the EU,
its occupation of Cyprus, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the
recent developments in these areas.
The Catholicos stressed the importance of strengthening the cooperation and
friendship between Armenians and Cypriots as well as the governments of
Armenia and Cyprus considering the common concerns and priorities the two
nations share.
The Ambassador briefed His Holiness on the situation in the occupied
territories of Cyprus and the status of Armenian Churches in those areas.
The Armenian spiritual leader in his turn informed the Ambassador about the
work carried out by the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Armenian Prelacy of
Cyprus regarding the Armenian Churches in the occupied territories. They
agreed to coordinate future efforts with the Cypriot government.
As a recognition and appreciation of the Armenian Pontiff’s support of the
Cypriot Cause and his efforts in this field the President of the Republic of
Cyprus, H.E. Tassos Papadopoulos, decided to grant His Holiness the Cypriot
citizenship. On behalf of the President, Ambassador Kouros presented His
Holiness with a Cypriot passport.
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View the photo here:
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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
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.