February 12, 2013

The participants of the European Project for Interreligious Learning (EPIL) meet with His Holiness Aram I in Antelias

The last module of the third cycle of the ā€œRoaming Collegeā€ European Project for Interreligious Learning (EPIL) for Christian and Muslim women was held 2-11 February 2013, in Beirut Lebanon. 37 students, Academic Team and Board members, from Europe and the Middle East, accompanied by the two co-Directors Dr. Reinhild Traitler-Espiritu and Mag. Teny Pirri-Simonian had come to learn about ā€˜convivenciaā€™ ā€“ experiences of chrisitians and muslims living together in Lebanon.

 

The group spent its final day at the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias where they held the commencement ceremony at the Kalouste Gulbenkian conference room. The programme ended with a lunch offered by Catholicos Aram I.

 

Upon their arrival, the EPIL group met with His Holiness Aram I, who supported EPIL while he was Moderator of the World Council of Churches, 1991-2007, and has been since sponsoring. In his welcoming speech to the women, the Catholicos first expressed his appreciation of the two co-directors for their commitment and courage to run the course for three times despite all difficulties. He then said, ā€œEPIL aims at building community. Building community presupposes informed knowledge about oneā€™s neighbor and establishment of a common ground based on religious valuesā€. The Catholicos then continued, ā€œWhile we affirm our common values, we should recognize our differences and learn to respect them. Mutual trust is an important component of a healthy community and this cannot happen unless we reinforce our commonalities and respect our difference. ā€ In his conclusion, the Catholicos hoped that the EPIL project will continue and the EPIL women will continue building communities with identities formed on the commonalities and respect for difference.

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