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ANTELIAS: HH Aram I invited to attend an Ecumenical Conf in Seoul

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  • ANTELIAS: HH Aram I invited to attend an Ecumenical Conf in Seoul

    PRESS RELEASE
    Catholicosate of Cilicia
    Communication and Information Department
    Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
    Fax: (04) 419724
    E- mail: [email protected]
    Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/

    PO Box 70 317
    Antelias-Lebanon

    His Holiness Aram I is invited to attend an Ecumenical Justice and Peace
    Conference to be held in Seoul, South Korea


    Antelias - On Tuesday His Holiness Aram I received a delegation from
    South Korea. The newly appointed Ecumenical Officer, V. Rev. Housig
    Mardirossian also attended the meeting. The delegation invited the
    Catholicos to the international conference on justice and peace they
    are organizing in Seoul.

    The Catholicos welcomed the guests and their plan for the conference and
    said, `Presently, many people, like the Armenians, continue to demand
    their human rights. It is my firm conviction that there cannot be peace
    without justice.' He then invited religions to work for just peace
    through deeper involvement in interfaith dialogue and cooperation.

    The Prelate of Peria (Syria), briefs His Holiness Aram I on his pastoral
    visit

    Antelias - 30 July 2014. As reported last week, Archbishop Shahan
    Sarkissian, accompanied by clergy and the lay leadership of the
    community in Syria, visited the coastal towns where many families have
    sought refuge from the internal fighting. The Archbishop celebrated the
    liturgy in Tartous, Banias and Safita, organized meetings with the
    community, registered the displaced families and distributed material
    aid. The delegation then went to Latakia and met with the Church
    Council, the Board of the School and the Committees for Humanitarian
    Assistance.

    In the region of Kessab, their last destination, they consecrated the
    restored altar of St. Mary's Church in Karaduran village, desecrated
    by the rebels when they briefly occupied Kessab. On Sunday, 27 July,
    which was the Feast of Transfiguration, the Archbishop celebrated the
    Holy Liturgy, performed the ceremony of the blessing of the water and
    held a special memorial for the victims of the civil war. He concluded
    with special prayers of Thanksgiving for the return of the population to
    their homes in Kessab.

    Honorable Jason Kenny Canadian Minister of Multiculturalism meets with
    His Holiness Aram I

    Antelias - 28 July 2014. On Monday Hon. Jason Kenny and his delegation
    met with His Holiness Aram I. Rt. Rev. Housig Mardirossian, the
    Ecumenical Relations officer, was also present.

    The Minister is in the region on a special mission to assess the
    political situation and discuss the problems of Christian communities in
    the region. The Minister discussed the role of Canadian Armenian
    community in Canadian society, the commitment of Canadian authorities to
    the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and his government's
    perspectives on the conflict in the Middle East.

    His Holiness thanked Minister Kenney for Canada's support of the
    Armenian community and the Armenian cause, and he described and shared
    his concerns about the situation of Armenians in Syria and Lebanon. The
    Catholicos and the Minister discussed the 100th Anniversary
    commemorations of the Genocide and the negative attitude of Turkey
    towards the just cause of the Armenian people.

    Before leaving, the Minister and his delegation visited the Martyr's
    Chapel in Antelias and paid tribute to the memory of the victims.



    His Holiness Aram I announces appointments of clergy to new positions

    Antelias - 26 July 2014. On Friday, His Holiness Aram I announced the
    following new appointments:

    Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Pontifical Vicar, Diocese of Cyprus.
    Very Rev. Housig Mardirossian, Director, Office of Ecumenical Relations
    and Head of the office of Communication.
    Rev. Torkom Donoyan, Dean, of Theological Seminary.
    Very Rev. Paren Vartanian Grand Sacristan, St. Gregory the Illuminator
    Cathedral.
    Very Rev. Vaghinak Meloyan, Director, Programme for the Formation of
    married priests.


    His Holiness Aram I and His Holiness Ignatius Aphram II Patriarch Meet
    in Bikfaya

    24 July 2014. Catholicos Aram I and Patriarch Ignatius Aphram II of the
    Syriac Orthodox Church met in Bikfaya, at the Summer Residence of the
    Catholicosate.

    V. Rev. Paren Vartanian, and the Dean of the Seminary, Rev. Torkom
    Donoyan, were also present. The two spiritual leaders discussed the
    situation of Christians in Syria and Iraq, the forthcoming International
    Ecumenical Conference on the Middle East, issues related to the on-going
    bilateral theological dialogues with the World Anglican Communion and
    the Eastern Orthodox Churches and the imperative of strengthening the
    historical ties between the two churches.

    His Holiness Aram I monitors the Humanitarian Assistance and
    Rehabilitation Programmes for Armenians in Syria

    Antelias - Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of the Diocese of
    Peria (Syria) recently arrived in Antelias to brief His Holiness Aram I
    on the situation of Armenians in Aleppo, Damascus, Jezireh, Lattakia and
    Kessab. He also informed the Catholicos on the provision of humanitarian
    assistance and rehabilitation efforts.

    The Catholicos expressed his appreciation to the work of the committees
    and their courage in defending the rights of the vulnerable Armenian
    communities. Soon after the meeting, the Archbishop left for Tartous to
    meet with the clergy and the lay leadership and then to continue
    meetings in Lattakia, Kessab and other cities and towns in Syria.

    On Sunday, 27 July 2014, the Archbishop celebrated the Holy Liturgy in
    Kessab and anointed the newly restored altar of the Church. At the end
    of the Liturgy, Archbishop Shahan transmitted the blessings of His
    Holiness Aram I and assured the faithful of the support of the
    Catholicos and his determination to continuing to respond to their
    urgent needs.



    Youth are the life force of our Church and People

    Anthelia's - 24 July 2014. On Wednesday evening the Youth Committee
    of the Catholicosate, accompanied by Rev Barouyr Shernezian, director of
    the Youth Department, met with His Holiness Aram I.

    The committee presented its activity report and the findings of the
    survey they had carried out with its 50 members. The purpose of the
    survey was to identify the expectations of youth from the Church. It was
    decided that after the compilation of the report and identification of
    priorities, the committee would expand its study to all other dioceses
    of the Catholicosate.

    His Holiness thanked the members of the committee for the study and
    said, `the Armenian youth are the life force and future of our Church
    and society. They should not remain passive members, but should
    participate in and contribute to all aspects of our community life. He
    then told the committee that he was committed to empowering the youth
    who are ready to act in order to safeguard the memory, traditions and
    values of the Armenian people.

    # #

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