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PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
His Holiness Aram I Condemns the Destruction of the Armenian Genocide
Memorial Church in Der Zor (Syria)
Athens - 22 September 2014. On Monday, upon his arrival in Athens His
Holiness Aram I received the news of the destruction of the Armenian
Genocide Memorial Church in Der Zor (Syria).
The Catholicos said that the destruction of the Church, the Museum and
the compound, executed on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the
Genocide and on the day of the 23rd anniversary of the independence of
Armenia, was a premeditated crime. The Catholicos declared that although
the perpetrators destroyed the Memorial in Der Zor, they will not be
able to erase the symbol and meaning of the desert of Der Zor from the
minds of Armenians.
He then appealed to political and religious leaders to condemn the act
and draw it to the attention of the world.
His Holiness Aram I Is Welcomed in Athens
Athens - 22 September 2014. Upon his arrival at the Athens Airport,
Catholicos Aram I was met by the representative of the Head of the
Church of Greece, the Armenian Prelate Archbishop Khoren Toghtakadjian,
the representative of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
ambassadors of Armenia and Lebanon to Greece, as well as representatives
of the Armenian community.
After the reception at the airport, the Catholicos met with Archbishop
Ieronymos II, the Head of Church and Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.
In welcoming the Catholicos, the archbishop spoke of the contribution of
Catholicos Aram I to the ecumenical movement and to bilateral
theological dialogues. He then expressed his concern for the Churches in
the Middle East. At the end of his speech the archbishop referred to the
historical links between Armenian and Greek Churches and thanked the
Armenian community for their contribution to Greek society.
In his response, His Holiness Aram I thanked the archbishop for his warm
welcome and affirmed the importance of the historical ties between the
two churches, and said, `throughout our respective long histories, we
have remained united through our common convictions. We experienced the
Ottoman rule and their genocidal politics together and today we must
endeavor together for justice and human rights.' Catholicos Aram I
then thanked Archbishop Ieronymos II for his warm reception and the kind
words addressed to the Armenian community in Greece.
After exchanging gifts, the Catholicos and his delegation, including the
President of the Church Council and Mr. Boghos Choloyan, the coordinator
of His Holiness's programme, were the guests of the Archbishop of
Greece for lunch, in the presence of several Metropolitans.
His Holiness Aram I Meets with the Prime Minister of Greece
Antelias - 22 September 2014. On the day of his arrival, His Holiness
Aram I, his entourage, the Prelate Archbishop Khoren Toghtramadjian, as
well as representatives of the Armenian community, met with Prime
Minister Antonis Samaras.
The Catholicos Aram I thanked the Prime Minister for supporting the
Armenian cause. He said that the recent decision of the Greek Parliament
to criminalize Genocide denial by law brings to fruition Mr. Samaras's
1996 initiative in which he moved that the Greek parliament recognize
the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness then expressed his appreciation for
his efforts to redress the country's economic crisis.
In response to Mr. Samaras' request, His Holiness briefed him on the
visit of Middle East Patriarchs to Washington and their meeting with
President Obama.
At the end, in recognition of the Prime Minister's contribution to the
Armenian cause, the Catholicos decorated him with the insignia `Knight
of Cilicia.'
Later in the day, the General Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Mr.
Anastasios Mitsialis received Catholicos Aram I in the name of the
Foreign Minister, who was absent from the country.
# #
http://armenianorthodoxchurch.org/gallery-2
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
His Holiness Aram I Condemns the Destruction of the Armenian Genocide
Memorial Church in Der Zor (Syria)
Athens - 22 September 2014. On Monday, upon his arrival in Athens His
Holiness Aram I received the news of the destruction of the Armenian
Genocide Memorial Church in Der Zor (Syria).
The Catholicos said that the destruction of the Church, the Museum and
the compound, executed on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the
Genocide and on the day of the 23rd anniversary of the independence of
Armenia, was a premeditated crime. The Catholicos declared that although
the perpetrators destroyed the Memorial in Der Zor, they will not be
able to erase the symbol and meaning of the desert of Der Zor from the
minds of Armenians.
He then appealed to political and religious leaders to condemn the act
and draw it to the attention of the world.
His Holiness Aram I Is Welcomed in Athens
Athens - 22 September 2014. Upon his arrival at the Athens Airport,
Catholicos Aram I was met by the representative of the Head of the
Church of Greece, the Armenian Prelate Archbishop Khoren Toghtakadjian,
the representative of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
ambassadors of Armenia and Lebanon to Greece, as well as representatives
of the Armenian community.
After the reception at the airport, the Catholicos met with Archbishop
Ieronymos II, the Head of Church and Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.
In welcoming the Catholicos, the archbishop spoke of the contribution of
Catholicos Aram I to the ecumenical movement and to bilateral
theological dialogues. He then expressed his concern for the Churches in
the Middle East. At the end of his speech the archbishop referred to the
historical links between Armenian and Greek Churches and thanked the
Armenian community for their contribution to Greek society.
In his response, His Holiness Aram I thanked the archbishop for his warm
welcome and affirmed the importance of the historical ties between the
two churches, and said, `throughout our respective long histories, we
have remained united through our common convictions. We experienced the
Ottoman rule and their genocidal politics together and today we must
endeavor together for justice and human rights.' Catholicos Aram I
then thanked Archbishop Ieronymos II for his warm reception and the kind
words addressed to the Armenian community in Greece.
After exchanging gifts, the Catholicos and his delegation, including the
President of the Church Council and Mr. Boghos Choloyan, the coordinator
of His Holiness's programme, were the guests of the Archbishop of
Greece for lunch, in the presence of several Metropolitans.
His Holiness Aram I Meets with the Prime Minister of Greece
Antelias - 22 September 2014. On the day of his arrival, His Holiness
Aram I, his entourage, the Prelate Archbishop Khoren Toghtramadjian, as
well as representatives of the Armenian community, met with Prime
Minister Antonis Samaras.
The Catholicos Aram I thanked the Prime Minister for supporting the
Armenian cause. He said that the recent decision of the Greek Parliament
to criminalize Genocide denial by law brings to fruition Mr. Samaras's
1996 initiative in which he moved that the Greek parliament recognize
the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness then expressed his appreciation for
his efforts to redress the country's economic crisis.
In response to Mr. Samaras' request, His Holiness briefed him on the
visit of Middle East Patriarchs to Washington and their meeting with
President Obama.
At the end, in recognition of the Prime Minister's contribution to the
Armenian cause, the Catholicos decorated him with the insignia `Knight
of Cilicia.'
Later in the day, the General Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Mr.
Anastasios Mitsialis received Catholicos Aram I in the name of the
Foreign Minister, who was absent from the country.
# #
http://armenianorthodoxchurch.org/gallery-2