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 PRESIDENT OF THE CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR CHRISTIAN
AID VISITS ANTELIAS
The president of the newly established International Institution for
Christian Aid in Canada, Dr. Elie Kamal, visited His Holiness Aram I in
Antelias on January 18 with his aide.
Dr. Kamal explained to the Pontiff the aims and perspectives of the newly
established institution. Founded mostly by Christian immigrants from the
Middle East, the institution seeks to support the Christian communities of
the Middle East through fund-raising and other efforts with the goal of
strengthening Christian presence in the region.
The Armenian Pontiff highly praised the initiative, stressing the importance
of Christian presence in the Middle East as an indigenous element in the
region. "Christians belong to the Middle East; they are not new comers to
this region. They are integral and important part of the societies, cultures
and civilizations of the Middle East. Therefore, an appropriate
corresponding approach should be adopted towards Christianity. The policy of
the churches of the region is to stay here, to strengthen their community
life, to revitalize their activities and to reorganize their participation
in the total life of the societies", His Holiness said.
The Pontiff talked about the Muslim-Christian dialogue in the region and the
importance of coordinating efforts in this field. He stressed on preserving
the Christian identity of Jerusalem as the birthplace of Christianity.
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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.