“The Catholicosate of Cilicia remains true to its vocation of upholding spiritual, moral and national values, building a common Armenian belonging, and demanding justice and restitution of our rights stemming from the Genocide,” Said Aram I

On Wednesday 12 June 2013, the General Assembly began its deliberations under the presidency of His Holiness Aram I. Following the elections of the Officers of the Assembly, Catholicos Aram I addressed the session, stating that the Church must respond to the high expectations of its members. The Catholicos said that the Church faces three challenges in particular: it must reorganize the Diaspora, educate the youth according to the spiritual values of the Church and the ethical and cultural values of the nation, pursue justice by seeking to restore the rights of the Genocide survivors. The Catholicos pointed out that the Catholicosate “has inherited these legacies from Catholicos Sahak, who was deported from the See of Cilicia by the Ottomans, and his successors.” The Catholicosate stated that “we must renew these legacies with vision and commitment.”

Starting the second session, the delegates received the reports of the Central Committee and its Councils. The report of the Executive Council was followed by the report of the Religious Council. The Assembly welcomed proposals regarding Christian education and youth formation. The members were then briefed on the forthcoming meeting of the bishops of the Armenian Church, to be presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians, Holy See of Etchmiadzin and Catholicos Aram I, Holy See of Cilicia. One of the major issues on the agenda will be the reformation of the Armenian Church. After hearing reports on the ecumenical and interfaith activities of the Church, the Assembly affirmed the important role of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in making the Church known internationally.