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ANTELIAS: HH Aram I receives the reps of the Focolare Movement

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  • ANTELIAS: HH Aram I receives the reps of the Focolare Movement

    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: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/

    PO Box 70 317
    Antelias-Lebanon

    Armenian version: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Arme nian.htm

    "THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH RESIDES IN ITS SERVICE"

    SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

    "The Church is not only an institution, a hierarchy, or a body of dogma and
    rites. While the former are the Church's means of expressing itself, in its
    true identity the Church is service. The founder of the Church, Jesus Christ
    himself became the servant of humanity. In the words of the Gospel, He came
    to the world not to be served, but to serve. Therefore, the source of the
    church's strength and authority is service. Today more than ever the Church
    should serve the multiple needs of humanity in the example of Jesus Christ,"
    said His Holiness in his welcoming address to the representatives of the
    Focolare Movement.

    The Pontiff added: "The priorities and methods of the Church's service may
    change and should change relative to time and changing circumstances.
    However, the Church's primary calling should remain the same. The Focolare
    Movement has given voice to the church's service and continues to do so."

    His Holiness then spoke about the current stage of the ecumenical movement
    and made several comments in this respect. He talked about the historic ties
    between the Armenian and Catholic Churches and the activities of the
    Catholicosate of Cilicia in ecumenical and inter-faith circles.

    His Holiness also responded to a number of questions on the presence and
    witness of Christianity in the Middle East, the Christian-Muslim dialogue
    and the Ecumenical movement.

    The Focolare Movement is one of the important movements of the Catholic
    Church. The movement's representatives and its supporters organize annual
    conferences around the world. This year, the movement's conference was held
    in Lebanon. The delegation visiting His Holiness in Bikfaya included over 70
    representatives, 38 of which were Bishops. The delegation was headed by the
    Cardinal of the Czech Republic.

    The Cardinal spoke at the start and the end of the meeting. He expressed his
    joy at His Holiness' thorough knowledge of the Focolare Movement and its
    late President Ms. Chiara Lubich. The Cardinal also expressed his deep
    appreciation for His Holiness' great contribution to the ecumenical movement
    and the advancement of cooperation between churches.

    ##
    Photos here:
    http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/do c/Photos/Photos312.htm
    http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos313.htm
    *****
    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, http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org The Cilician
    Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
    Antelias, Lebanon.
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