PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
His Holiness Aram I Visits Iranian Officials
Antelias – 25 – 26 October 2014. On Saturday and Sunday His Holiness
Aram I, accompanied by the diocesan prelates and representatives of
church councils, met with Ali Larinjani, Chairman of the Parliament of
Iran, and Dr. Abuzar Ibrahimi, the Director of the Islamic Culture and
Relations Organization (ICRO).
During their one-hour meeting His Holiness and Mr. Larinjani discussed
the situation in the Middle East and Lebanon, and, together, they
condemned terrorism. The visit ended with Chairman Larinjani expressing
his appreciation of the contribution made by the Armenian community to
Iranian society.
At their meeting on Sunday, the Catholicos and Director General Ibrahimi
discussed the importance of interreligious dialogue and the important
contribution of the Armenian community. They then discussed the date of
their next dialogue meeting to be held in Lebanon.
At the end, His Holiness Aram I thanked the Director General for his
kind words, and suggested that all interreligious and intercultural
dialogues lead to cooperation and to a culture of living together.
His Holiness Aram I Prays with the Faithful, Meets the Youth and
Parishioners and Visits Organizations
Antelias – 24 – 26 October 2104. His Holiness Aram I spent his last
weekend in Tehran meeting with members of the community and praying with
them.
On Friday the 24th, he presided over the Holy Liturgy at St. Sarkis
Church and preached on the Biblical verse, `I came that they may have
life and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10). He said that human beings
are called to live their God-given lives according to the principles and
ethical values taught by Jesus.
On the same evening he joined St. Vartanantz parish in the neighborhood
of Sardarabad for Canonical Prayers. Referring to John 10:15, where it
is written that the good shepherd lays his life down for his sheep, he
spoke of the importance of the relationship between the faithful and the
servant church.
After the prayers, His Holiness met the faithful, discussed their
questions and blessed them.
On Saturday 25 October, Caholicos Aram I visited all the Armenian
schools in Tehran. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian introduced the
Catholicos and spoke of his strong support for Armenian schools. After
the students presented a programme of Armenian poetry and music, His
Holiness spoke, referring to the Armenian school as the sustainer of
Armenian culture and its values and urging parents to send their
children to Armenian schools. At the end of the program, the Catholicos
met and held discussions with the teachers.
After visiting the schools, the Catholicos went to the offices of ALIK,
Armenian daily newspaper, where he met with the editorial board,
representatives of the Armenian Cause committee and the representatives
of the members of the Central Committee of Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) Political Party.
His Holiness thanked the members of the Editorial Board of Alik and
everyone who is working for the just cause of the Armenian people. He
said, `We must go beyond writing and speaking now; it is time to take
legal action against Turkey.’
The visit ended with a luncheon in honor of His Holiness.
After his visit to ALIK, the Catholicos and his entourage went to the
Raffi Center, the Sipan Cultural Association, where they attended a
presentation by the Pert Dance group from Armenia. His Holiness Aram I
thanked all the organizations for their important work in safeguarding
Armenian culture; he also thanked the members of the dance group for
their presentation.
In the evening, the Catholicos joined the faithful for Canonical prayers
at St. Tarkmanchatz Church. In his message, he spoke of the important
historical role of the Armenian Church as the safe refuge for the people
in difficult times and the source of moral and cultural values at all
times. He then urged the faithful to go to Church regularly and shape
their lives on these values. Once again he met with the faithful for
discussion and to give them his blessings.
On Sunday 26 October, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Holy Liturgy
at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in the Zeytoun neighborhood of
Tehran. Afterward, Bishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran,
introduced the community and their activities, and His Holiness spoke,
emphasizing that faith and good works must go together. He concluded
with the following words from the Gospel of James: What good is it, my
brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? … is that
faith able to save him? (James 2:14).
After meeting the faithful and blessing them, the members of the Parish
Council held a luncheon honoring the Catholicos.
On Sunday afternoon, His Holiness Aram I met with the youth at the
Prelacy of Tehran. After the youth introduced their activities,
Catholicos Aram I expressed his confidence in the Armenian youth and in
their ability to face difficult challenges. He then urged them to remain
attached to the Armenian spiritual and cultural values and to
participate in the life of the community. He concluded, `Our youth
have a great contribution to make and they have a crucial role to play
in our life as community.’
On same evening, he was the guest of honor at a farewell dinner offered
by the Diocesan Council of Tehran. Speaking on behalf of the Armenian
community in Iran, Mr. Eduard Papakhanian, President of the Council,
said that the visit had invigorated the community and strengthened their
ties with the Holy See of Cilicia. In his concluding message, His
Holiness Aram I said, `Antelias belongs to the people, and the aim of
the Catholicosate is to respond to the aspirations and needs of
Armenians.’ He then invited people to stay in the Church and share
their concerns.
At the end of the dinner, His Holiness Aram I decorated Mr. Heno Der
Ghougassian with the insignia of Knight of Cilicia for his contribution
to the construction projects of St. Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya
(Lebanon).
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