21 October 2014. The conference dedicated to the 400 years of Armenian presence in New Julfa began at the Ararat Community Hall, in the presence of the Governor and Vice Governor of Isfahan, the Head of Religious Affairs, the President of Isfahan University and Professors of Yerevan University (Armenia).
In his opening message, His Holiness Aram I congratulated the organisers for the timely event on the theme, ” New Julfa, the Symbol of Conviviality among the Three Monotheistic Religions.”
Addressing the presence of Armenians in New Julfa, the Catholicos spoke of the rich experience of Armenians, which he said has been well documented in the literature. He added, however, that more scientific research should be encouraged in order to highlight the mutually enriching experience of the two people. Referring to the theme of the conference, His Holiness added, “the historical experience of the three Monotheistic religions should now move from coexisting together to working together.”
The opening message of Catholicos Aram I was followed by the greetings of the guests and thematic lectures. The morning session concluded with a lunch at which the Prime Minister of Armenia Hovig Aprahamian joined His Holiness and all the guests.