PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
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PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
The Lebanese Ambassador to Iran Holds a Dinner in Honor of His Holiness Aram I
Antelias – 22 October 2014. On Wednesday Ambassador, Fadi al Haj Ali
held a dinner in honor of His Holiness Aram I. In addition to the
Prelates of the Dioceses of Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz and the
representatives of the Diocesan Council, the Ambassador also invited the
Ambassadors of Russia, Syria and Palestine, and representatives of the
Iranian Foreign Ministry.
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Haj Ali spoke highly of the
contribution of the Armenian community to the political and cultural
life of Lebanon. Responding to the Ambassador, His Holiness Aram I
described Lebanon as the locus of the post-Genocide genesis of Armenians
in the Diaspora. He then told the Ambassador that the Armenian community
has not only contributed to the prosperity of Lebanon, but has also
advocated for its interests through its political and spiritual leaders,
irrespective of internal political pressures.
At the end of the lunch, the Catholicos, accompanied by the Armenian
delegation, visited two Armenian schools in Tehran and addressed the
students.
We should hold onto our Armenian Identity and historical legacy as
individuals and organizations
Aram I
Antelias – 23 October 2014. On Thursday His Holiness Aram I presided
over the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Ararat Sports Centre in
Tehran in the presence of the Prelates of the Dioceses of Tehran,
Isfahan and Tabriz, the Ambassadors of Armenia, Russia, the Minister of
Diaspora of Armenia, representatives of Church Councils, Armenian
organizations and around 2000 other members of the community.
The speakers all emphasized the role of the Ararat Sports Centre in
creating a vibrant community spirit in Iran. In his message, His
Holiness Aram I told the audience that the word `Ararat’ goes beyond
its literal meaning as the name of a mountain. It is the constant
reminder to Armenians of their Christian faith, the loss of their land
and the expression of their hope. He concluded, `Ararat should remain
the constant reminder of our stolen rights since the Genocide in 1915.’
Referring to the Ararat Sports Centre, he said that just as in the past,
it should continue its vocation of providing a space for the community
to stay together.
At the end of the celebration the Ambassador of Russia to Iran, Leon
Jaghazarian, who is of Armenian origin, met with His holiness Aram I and
the three Prelates and was the guest of the Catholicos for lunch.
His Holiness Aram I Meets the Families of Armenian Soldiers Who Died
during the Iran-Iraq War
Antelias – 22 October 2014. Upon the invitation of Archbishop Sebouh
Sarkissian, the families of the dead and maimed soldiers and former
prisoners of war met with His Holiness Aram I at the prelacy in Tehran.
The Archbishop welcomed everyone and praised them all for serving their
country. He then assured everyone of the continual accompaniment of the
Church. The Catholicos then prayed for the memory of the dead and
blessed the living.
His Holiness Aram I visits the Embassy of Armenia in Iran
Antelias – 23 October 2014. On Thursday morning, the Catholicos Aram
I, accompanied by the Prelates of Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz, visited
the Embassy where he was welcomed by the Ambassador Krikor Arakelian and
the Minister for Diaspora Mrs. Hranoush Hagopian. Following the official
speeches of the Ambassador and the Minister of Diaspora, His Holiness
Aram I said that Armenian Embassies everywhere are not only the
embassies of the State of Armenia; they are also reminders of the
Armenia we lost in the Genocide, and all Armenians should relate to them
in that spirit. The Catholicos then praised the existing relationship
between the Diocese of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Armenian
Embassy in Iran. He then said that the Catholicosate of Cilicia will
always seek to strengthen Armenia through its embassies and in its
direct relations with Armenia.
His Holiness Aram I meets the Heads of Christian Communities in Iran
Antelias – 23 October 2014. On Thursday afternoon, His Holiness Aram I
met with the Heads of Christian Communities in Iran at the Prelacy in
Tehran.
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian welcomed the guests and informed the
Catholicos that they meet often to consult and discuss their problems
and plans. He then invited the representatives to introduce their
communities and their work to Catholicos Aram I.
At the end of the meeting, Catholicos Aram I praised the fact that the
Heads of religious communities are allowed to freely hold prayer
services and organize religious education programmes, and he encouraged
them to continue meeting in prayer and sharing their experiences. He
then spoke of the urgency of Christians in the Middle East to be united
and referred to the important role of the Middle East Council of
Churches in the region.
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From: A. Papazian