HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES A HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION
FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
08/26/2008
His Holiness Aram I received a 7-member high-level delegation from the Presbyterian Church in the St. Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfaya on August 26.
The Pontiff and his guests met for about an hour discussing various issues related to the activities of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). As President of the MECC, His Holiness briefed the delegation members on the various aspects related to the Council’s work.
Another topic on the agenda was the Christian-Muslim dialogue. His Holiness spoke in detail about the engagement of the churches in the Middle East in general and the Armenian church in particular in different dialogue activities on regional and international levels.
The two sides also discussed the “Djinishian Memorial” humanitarian service, which is also supported by the Presbyterian Church. His Holiness expressed his praise to the Church for its systematic support, which he added, encouraged the Djinishian center’s staff to serve those in need in the various sectors of social life.
THE REPRESENTATIVE OF PATRIARCH ZAKKA I VISITS HIS HOLINESS
08/19/2008
Patriarch Zakka Iwas I of the Syrian Orthodox Church delegated Archbishop Daniel to pay His Holiness Aram I a visit on August 19. Archbishop Daniel presented a letter from Patriarch Zakka to the Armenian Pontiff, and consulted him on a number of issues on behalf of the Patriarch.
The Patriarch’s representative and His Holiness also discussed new avenues of cooperation between the two Churches. Archbishop Daniel, who recently replaced Archbishop Efrem as the Syrian Orthodox Primate of Beirut, invited His Holiness to preside over the Holy Mass to be held on the occasion of his election to the mentioned post.
The Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and the Catholicosate of Cilicia enjoy friendly relations and warm cooperation.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF MECC
08/19/2008
His Holiness Aram I received the General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Church (MECC) in his office on August 19. The Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian also attended the meeting.
Saleh consulted His Holiness Aram I, the President of the MECC, on a number of issues related to the Council, including the agenda of the MECC executive council’s meeting to be held towards the end of September in Cyprus.
Since the establishment of the MECC, the Catholicosate of Cilicia has been a member of the council and brings its active contribution to all its administrative activities by assigning its representatives to important responsibilities in the council’s various divisions.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER
08/19/2008
His Holiness Aram I received a delegation representing the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, His Excellency Nabih Berri, in Bikfaya on August 19. The delegation was headed by Sheikh Hassan El-Masri and Abdallah Mousa. Attending the meeting from the Armenian side were the Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Bishop Norayr Ashekian and Dr. Jean Salmanian, a member of the Christian-Muslim dialogue committee of Lebanon.
The members of the delegation passed on a message from Berri to the Armenian Pontiff and discussed with him the positive developments evident in the Lebanese political arena and their impact on strengthening the internal unity of the country.
His Holiness Aram I stressed that the strength of Lebanon is based on the internal unity of the country, which in turn is dependant on mutual respect and trust between the country’s political leadership.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE REPRESENTATIVE
OF SHEIKH KABALAN
08/18/2008
His Holiness Aram I received the representatives of the Shiite Spiritual Leader Sheikh Kabalan in the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s summer residence in Bikfaya on August 18. Sheikh Kabalan’s son, the director of the Imam Mousasader Foundation, and the Mufti of the Shiite community of Baalbeck met with the Armenian Pontiff as well the Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Bishop Norayr Ashekian and Dr. Jean Salmanian (a member of the Lebanese Christian-Muslim Dialogue committee).
A special event will be held in Lebanon soon to mark the memory of Imam Mousasader. Sheikh Kabalan’s representatives invited His Holiness to personally attend the event and deliver a speech.
Both sides engaged in a discussion of the Christian-Muslim dialogue, turning the meeting itself into a dialogue based on mutual respect and trust between the two religions. They stressed the importance of dialogue and reassessed the activities carried in this respect for the sake of ensuring cohabitation and cooperation between the communities of Lebanon.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES FORMER MINISTER RIZK
08/11/2008
His Holiness Aram I received the former Minister of Justice on Lebanon, Charles Rizk, in Antelias on August 11.
The Armenian Pontiff and Minister Rizk reviewed issues related to the situation in Lebanon. After assessing the work of the former government, Rizk spoke about the challenges facing the newly formed cabinet.
His Holiness stressed the need to use all means to support the new Lebanese government in its attempts to open a new page in the history of Lebanon. His Holiness and the former minister also spoke about the role of the Armenian community in this respect and its contribution to the internal political life of Lebanon.
On Monday also, His Holiness received the mayor of Byblos, Joseph El-Shami and the committee of the municipality. His Holiness and the delegation discussed projects related to decorating the historic city of Byblos, where the “Birds’ Nest”, the orphanage that is supported by the Catholicosate of Cilicia, is found.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT OF AGBU
08/10/2008
His Holiness Aram I received the President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Berdj Setrakian, in Bikfaya on August 10. Hagop Ateshian, a member of the Central Committee of the Catholicosate, also attended the meeting.
His Holiness and his guest discussed issues of interest to the Armenian nation worldwide, as well as projects underway both in Armenia and the Diaspora under the auspices of AGBU.
The Pontiff praised the AGBU’s efforts particularly in the educational and cultural fields. His Holiness also reminded Mr. Setrakian that AGBU, as an organization of Pan-Armenian character, must also support the projects of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE AMBASSADOR OF IRAN
08/05/2008
His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammed Rida Shibani, in the Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia on August 5. The Ambassador and his three advisers met with His Holiness for about two hours before his departures to Iran.
Ambassador Shibani presented to the Pontiff his evaluation of the internal situation in Lebanon and his country’s approach towards various issues in this respect. He positively evaluated the current political developments, underlining the contribution of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the negotiations between various Lebanese political groups in Qatar. Ambassador Shibani also briefed His Holiness on the developments between Iran and the United States on the issue of uranium enrichment.
His Holiness stressed the contribution of the Armenian community of Iran to the development of the country and expressed his satisfaction for the inclusion of three Armenian monasteries in Iran (including the Monastery of Saint Tate) in UNESCO’s list of international heritage sites. He praised the position of the Iranian government and the Ministry of Culture in particular towards Armenian sanctuaries.