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:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: nian.htm
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I VISITS NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT GENERAL MICHEL SULEIMAN
His Holiness Aram I paid an official congratulatory visit to the newly
elected President of Lebanon, Gen. Michel Suleiman in his presidential
palace in Baabda on June 9. The Pontiff headed a delegation of 17 Bishops
and Diocesan Primates.
His Holiness congratulated the President, whom he was meeting for the first
time after his election, and he said: "At this stage in the history of
Lebanon being a president is a great challenge and you took up this
challenge with an utmost sense of responsibility. Your speech during the
presidential swearing-in ceremony clearly demonstrated that you are
committed to the strengthening of internal unity in the country through the
coexistence of communities and to defend the country’s independence and
sovereignty.
His Holiness also spoke about the Diaspora and the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s
dioceses. "Our communities are well-organized in every sense and they bring
their full participation in their country’s political, cultural, social and
economic life."
The Pontiff likened the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Primate’s as Lebanon’s
ambassadors. "As Lebanese, they are defenders of the Lebanese cause in their
countries, of the Lebanon that became the basin for the rebirth of the
Armenian nation after the Genocide and the heart of the entire Diaspora," he
said.
Speaking about the Armenians of Lebanon, His Holiness said: "As one of the
seven main communities of Lebanon, the Armenians of Lebanon will continue to
actively participate with renewed vigor in the rebuilding of the country and
all those activities which aim at strengthening the country’s unity. The
Armenian community has always stood in support of the state. Supporting the
president, supporting the state means supporting the homeland, because as
President you represent Lebanon."
President Suleiman thanked the Armenian Pontiff for his thoughts and well
wishes. He welcomed the visit of Primates to Lebanon, assuring indeed that
they are ambassadors of Lebanon in foreign countries. The President talked
about the Armenians of Lebanon as exemplary citizens. He acknowledged that
the Armenian community brought its positive contribution the stability and
strength of Lebanon and expressed his confidence that the community will
continue along the same path.
The Pontiff and the President then held a brief private meeting.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos277.htm
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.