ATCHANEH, Lebanon — As part of ongoing pastoral and reciprocal visits between the heads of Eastern Churches aimed at strengthening ecumenical relations, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia Aram I on Wednesday at the patriarchal headquarters in Atchaneh.
The Armenian delegation included Director of the Department of Ecumenical Relations Archbishop Nareg Almazian and Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian.
Representing the Syriac Orthodox Church were Patriarchal Vicar for Zahleh and the Beqaa Mor Justinus Boulos Safar, Metropolitan of Beirut Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies Mor Severius Roger Akhrass, and Patriarchal Assistant Mor Joseph Bali.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the current situation in Syria, Lebanon, and the broader Middle East, with particular focus on the condition of Christians in the region amid the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. They also addressed the repercussions of the conflict on Christian communities, their livelihoods, and their continued presence in the region.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides affirmed their commitment to continuing mutual visits between the two Churches, as well as with other churches, for the benefit of Christian communities throughout the Middle East.
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