Commission on Theological Dialogue between Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches

His Eminence Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios (Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church), His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukian, and Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan (Armenian Apostolic Church: Catholicosate of all Armenian) Photo Credit: Rev. Dn. Aby Raju

Etchmiadzin,30 January, 2014: On January 28, the eleventh meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches was convened in Kerala, India. Representing the Armenian Apostolic Church from the Catholicosate of All Armenians were His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manoukian, Primate of the Artik Diocese, Director of the Inter- Church Relations Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; and Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan, Director of the Publications and Official Press Departments of the Mother See. His Eminence Archbishop Narek Alamezyan was representing the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia.

During the five-day commission meeting, issues relating to the tradition of the services and pilgrimages of the Early Church will be discussed.

On January 28, the commission members held a separate meeting and discussed general issues. Bishop Hovakim presented the events organized for the 100th anniversary of the Armenia Genocide in the Mother See, also reflecting on the role of the Catholicos of All Armenians as one of the Presidents of the World Council of Churches.

His Eminence Archbishop Narek Alemezyan and Cardinal Kurt Koch; President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, presided over a plenary session, where Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan presented the work “Jerusalem between Service and Pilgrimage: Study of the Armenian Tradition”.

On January 29, the members of the commission were received by His Holiness Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II, Catholicos–Patriarch of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, at a dinner.

The commission members will also attend an event celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Malankara Orthodox Church in India.

Source: Information Service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin