Tweet
PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
'THE MIDDLE EAST IS OSCILLATING BETWEEN FEAR AND HOPE, UNCERTAINTY AND
PROMISE'
Stated Aram I at the University of California, Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, ANTELIAS - On Saturday 15 October His Holiness Aram I spoke at
the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on the topic, "The future
of Christianity in the Middle East." The presentation was attended by
faculty members, students, representatives of local communities and
organizations and the public at large.
Catholicos Aram I stated that regime change will have a positive impact on
the lives of Christians only when democratic states are established and the
rights of Christian communities are fully recognized and respected.
Otherwise, he continued, "Christians will continue to emigrate."
In the second part of his speech, His Holiness spoke about the challenges
faced by the churches in the region. He stated that they must redefine their
self-understanding and reassess their witness in this region which is in
turmoil and transition because the church is a God-given vocation and not
simply an institution.
After sharing his view on the way the churches in the Middle East should
respond, Catholicos Aram I concluded: "Christians in the West should not
consider the churches of the Middle East as the remnants of Christian
history or mission lands, but as genuine partners; they should assist them
to remain in the Middle East, in their own lands. Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam must assume their prophetic roles at this critical moment of history,
and endeavor together to build a culture of life which promotes reconciled
diversities and a quality of life sustained by dignity, freedom, justice and
peace, as well as by tolerance and mutual trust. Especially at this time,
when the region is oscillating between uncertainty and promise, fear and
hope, the three monotheistic religions are called to respond to this
challenge."
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
'THE MIDDLE EAST IS OSCILLATING BETWEEN FEAR AND HOPE, UNCERTAINTY AND
PROMISE'
Stated Aram I at the University of California, Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, ANTELIAS - On Saturday 15 October His Holiness Aram I spoke at
the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on the topic, "The future
of Christianity in the Middle East." The presentation was attended by
faculty members, students, representatives of local communities and
organizations and the public at large.
Catholicos Aram I stated that regime change will have a positive impact on
the lives of Christians only when democratic states are established and the
rights of Christian communities are fully recognized and respected.
Otherwise, he continued, "Christians will continue to emigrate."
In the second part of his speech, His Holiness spoke about the challenges
faced by the churches in the region. He stated that they must redefine their
self-understanding and reassess their witness in this region which is in
turmoil and transition because the church is a God-given vocation and not
simply an institution.
After sharing his view on the way the churches in the Middle East should
respond, Catholicos Aram I concluded: "Christians in the West should not
consider the churches of the Middle East as the remnants of Christian
history or mission lands, but as genuine partners; they should assist them
to remain in the Middle East, in their own lands. Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam must assume their prophetic roles at this critical moment of history,
and endeavor together to build a culture of life which promotes reconciled
diversities and a quality of life sustained by dignity, freedom, justice and
peace, as well as by tolerance and mutual trust. Especially at this time,
when the region is oscillating between uncertainty and promise, fear and
hope, the three monotheistic religions are called to respond to this
challenge."