PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
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"THE CHURCHES OF INDIA LIVE AS ONE FAMILY IN A BROADER MULTI-RELIGIOUS
COMMUNITY"
Said His Holiness Aram I
Concluding his visit to the Indian Orthodox church, His Holiness Aram I said
that "The Churches of India live as one family with a strong sense of
togetherness as integral part of a broader inter-religious community". He
warmly welcomed the Churches growing commitment to working together and
moving forward to the visible unity of the church: "The Churches of India
share a common tradition and values. They all venerate ST. Thomas as the
founder of Christianity in India. This sense of belonging to the same
tradition must become a driving force in the churches endeavors to give
fuller manifestation to the communion of faith" said His Holiness Aram I.
Aram I was speaking at the farewell diner given in his honor by His Holiness
Dydimos I. Attending the diner were the bishops of the Indian Orthodox
Church, representatives of the churches, state ministers and deputies and
representatives of civil society.
Catholicos Aram I also stressed the vital importance of living together as a
community with other religions, considering India "a model of community of
inter- religious diversities". He said that "a community of inter-religious
diversities must be built on common values and sustained by tolerance and
mutual trust".
According to His Holiness, globalization is a "hope and progress", at the
same time it may become a source of "evil if its values are taken blindly".
He said that we must have "a critical and realistic approach to
globalization. The local traditions and identities must not be destroyed by
the forces of globalization. Religions have a special role to play in this
respect".
The concluding remarks of Aram I was preceded by the greetings of Catholicos
designate of the Indian Orthodox Church, metropolitan Gregory of Trivandrum
Dr. Ninon Koshi, the former director of the World Council of Churches
International Affairs Department and minster of cultural and education.
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View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos448.htm
http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos448-.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 Ecumenical
activities 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.