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[iso-8859-1] Antelias: His Holiness Aram I addresses World Public Fo

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  • [iso-8859-1] Antelias: His Holiness Aram I addresses World Public Fo

    Press Release
    Catholicosate of Cilicia
    Communication and Information Department
    Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
    Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
    Fax: (04) 419724
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Web: http://www.cathcil.org/

    PO Box 70 317
    Antelias-Lebanon

    Armenian version: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Armenian.htm


    &quo t;THE DIALOGUE OF CIVILIZATIONS, CULTURES AND RELIGIONS
    IS AN IMPERATIVE NECESSITY"

    Says His Holiness Aram I addressing the
    World Public Forum "Dialogue of Civilizations"

    The World Public Forum for the "Dialogue of Civilizations" has organized its
    third conference in the Greek island of Rhodes. Over 500 intellectuals,
    political scientists, university professors, government representatives,
    spirituals and theology experts participate in the ongoing conference.

    Archbishop Yeznig Bedrossian represented the Catholicosate of All Armenians
    at the conference and Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian and Mrs. Teni Simonian
    represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia.

    His Holiness Aram I was invited to deliver a lecture in person to the
    conference attendants. Being busy and unable to attend, His Holiness
    prepared an address to the conference, read by Archbishop Sebouh.

    In his speech, the Catholicos first and foremost emphasizes that
    civilization is a comprehensive reality, which encompasses religion,
    culture, traditions and values. He explains the internal connectedness of
    these various components of civilization.

    The Catholicos then highlights three main points:

    "1.- Dialogue of civilizations is essentially dialogue of religions.
    Religion is at the heart of civilizations. It touches almost all aspects and
    spheres of a society. It articulates the beliefs, traditions and values of a
    community. The growing public role of religion gives a new dimension to
    dialogue of civilizations, a spiritual dimension and a new language: the
    language of love, compassion and humility.

    2.- Dialogue of civilizations is fundamentally dialogue of values.
    Spiritual, intellectual, economic, political and social values are genuine
    expressions of a community's self-understanding. Through values people
    become community. Through values a community affirms its identity,
    safeguards its integrity and ensures its strength, based on respect for the
    other.

    3.- Dialogue of civilizations is basically dialogue of people. In fact,
    civilizations, religions and their values are both gifts of God and human
    achievements. Their purpose is to create relationships between humanity,
    creation and Transcendent. The human being has a particular place and
    vocation in the created order. According to Christianity, he or she is the
    steward of creation and accountable to God."

    Concluding, the Catholicos stresses the imperative of dialogue in this
    globalized world as the only factor of preserving the existence of humanity
    and creativity, waiving the difficulties mankind faces and establishing
    justice and peace.

    ##
    The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
    the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
    activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
    the Catholicosate, http://www.cathcil.org/ The Cilician Catholicosate, the
    administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
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