Strengthen ecumenical movement: Catholicos Aram I

The Hindu Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM: Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, of the Armenian Apostolic Church, has stressed the importance of the ecumenical movement in the 21st Century.
Delivering his keynote address at the ecumenical meet held at the Orthodox Theological Seminary here on Thursday, the Catholicos reiterated his admiration for the multi-cultural and multi-religious society in India which has championed the cause of unity in diversity.


The Catholicos also recalled the contributions made by eminent scholars including the late Bishop Paulos Mar Gregorios and M.M. Thomas to the world ecumenical movement.


Catholicos-designate Paulos Mar Milithios of the Orthodox Church presided. Bishop Zacharias Mar Theophilos, Suffragan Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church inaugurated the function. CSI Bishop Thomas Samuel delivered the benedictory address.

Catholicos Aram I and Catholicos Baselius Mar Thoma Didymos I of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church will jointly offer prayers on Friday at Devalokam .



Source: The Hindu Friday, Feb 26, 2010

Photo: Malankara Orthodox Church.in

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"THE CHURCHES OF INDIA PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT" - HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

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Kochi : "The ecumenical movement owes a great deal to the churches of India. With their theological input, active participations in ecumenical discussions, and firm commitment to the ecumenical vision they played a significant role in the formation and expansion of the ecumenical movement", said His Holiness Aram I on his arrival to Cochin, India, on Wednesday 24 February.

Speaking about his visit to India, Aram I said that although he is invited by His Holiness Catholicos Moran Mor Baselios Marthoma Didymos I of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, he considers his visit ecumenical: "Ecumenism is not out there; it is a local reality. We must be ecumenical primarily on the local level. How can the churches manifest concretely the ecumenical spirit through joint ventures, by sharing their joy and problems, and addressing together common concerns? This must become a permanent concern and challenge for the churches" according to Aram I.

In response to a question regarding the prevailing conflict within the Indian Orthodox Church, Catholicos Aram I said that "he has not come to India with a mission of reconciliation". He also added that "he cannot remain indifferent in view of the division in the same church. Working for unity and reconciliation is at the heart of Christian vocation".

His Holiness stressed the vital importance of interreligious dialogue. In his view, "interreligious dialogue is no more an academic exercise, it is integral to our daily life in this globalized world. India is a model of a pluralist society in which dialogue is an existential reality. Hence, we must take this dimension of Christian life and witness very seriously". His Holiness, who has a rich experience in the area of interreligious dialogue, pointed out that Indian theologians have brought, out of their concrete experiences, a significant contribution to many initiatives of dialogue on the global level.

The visitation program of Aram I will include meetings with the leaderships of the churches of India, meeting with the holy synod of the Indian Orthodox Church, public lectures on ecumenical topics and visits to the churches and church-related institutions.

His Holiness is accompanied by H.E. Arch. Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, H.E. Nareg Alrmezian, Ecumenical officer, and his secretary V. Rev. Mesrob Sarkissian.

Armenian Orthodox Church. Org

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Visit of the Pontiff of All Armenians to Jerusalem

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Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: From February 15-16, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians paid a pontifical visit to Jerusalem. Upon arrival at the Ben Gurion International Airport of Tel Aviv, His Holiness and the pontifical delegation were met by members of the Brotherhood of St. James (Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem), Israeli authorities and representatives of the Armenian Community.



After a prayer service in the Chapel of St. Jacob, the Pontiff of All Armenians extended his blessings to the clergy, students of the St. Tarkmanchatz School and the faithful in attendance.


In the evening, the members of the St. James Brotherhood, led by the Catholicos of All Armenians, celebrated the 20th anniversary of Enthronement, 70th anniversary of priesthood and 91st birthday of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. Representatives from the Coptic, Latin and Greek Orthodox Churches of Jerusalem participated in the celebration.



During the celebration, a decree was read from the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsian, awarding His Beatitude the Medal of St. Mesrop Mashtots. His Holiness extended his blessings and appreciation to the commendable Patriarch and bestowed on him the medal.



On February 16 the Catholicos of All Armenians presided over a meeting of the Patriarchate. The Brotherhood members discussed issues concerning the preservation and management of the Armenian properties in the Holy Land as well as other challenges facing the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.


His Holiness and the members of his delegation visited the Church of the Holy Resurrection at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to bow and renew their oaths in front of the Lord’s Sepulchre.



Accompanying His Holiness to Jerusalem were: His Eminence Archbishop Datev Gharibian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil, His Eminence Archbishop Kissag Mouradian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Argentina, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Director of Inter-church Relations Department of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kjoyan, Primate of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See and Rev. Fr. Karekin Hambardzumian as Staff-Bearer to His Holiness.


Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services Feb 17, 2010

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Indian legacy testimony to religious harmony: His Holiness Catholicos Aram I

Catholicos Aram I and entourage on week-long visit to State


KOTTAYAM: His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, who is on a week-long visit to the State, has commended that the Indian legacy was testimony to inter-religious and inter-community cooperation and harmony.


The pontiff, who arrived at Devalokam, the headquarters of the Malanakra Orthodox Syrian Church on Wednesday evening, was welcomed by His Holiness Baselius Mar Thoma Didymos I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan of the Indian Orthodox Church.


All the Metropolitans of the Orthodox Church, Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil of the Syro-Malabar Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Thomas Samuel of CSI Madhya Kerala diocese, Yooyakim Mar Koorilos of the Kottayam diocese of Mar Thoma Church of Malabar, Joseph M. Puthusseri, MLA, and others were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Catholicos Aram I and his entourage who arrived at the Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery ( Kochi), were received by Catholicos designate of the Orthodox Church Paulos Mar Milithios and other s church dignitaries.


Ecumenical meet

The pontiff will address the ecumenical conference at the Orthodox Theological Seminary here on Thursday. Catholicos Aram I, founder of the World Religions for Peace movement, will speak on the Relevance of Ecumenical Movement in the 21st Century.

Source: The Hindu

Photo: Malankara Orthodox Church.in

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His Holiness Catholicos Aram I arrived at Kochi

Kochi : His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church arrived in Nedumbassery, Kerala at 8:00Am on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 with his delegation comprised of H.E. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, H.G. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer, and Rev. Fr. Mesroh Sarikissian Secretary to the Catholicos.


He was welcomed by H.B. Paulos Mar Milithios Metropolitan, Catholicos Designate, H.G. Gabriel Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, President of Department of Ecumenical Relations, H.G. Yuhanon Mar Meletius Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan, H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios Metropolitan, H.G. Yuhanon Mar Polycarpos Metropolitan, Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham Konat, Priest Trustee, Sri M.G. George Muthoot, Lay Trustee, Sri. George Joseph, Association Secretary, and many priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

H. H. Catholicos Aram I, the head of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will pay an apostolic visit to Malankara as per the invitation of H. H. Baselius Marthoma Didymus I, from 24th to 28th Feb 2010. Reception and Ecumenical Meeting at Orthodox Seminary.



Source: Malankara Orthodox.T V

Photo: Malankara Orthodox Church.in


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HIS HOLINESS ARAM I BEGINS FIVE-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH IN INDIA

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ANTELIAS: On Tuesday 23 February 2010, His Holiness Aram I left for India today in response to the invitation of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, the supreme head of the Orthodox Church of the East. His Holiness is accompanied by Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran (Iran), Bishop Nareg Alemizian (Ecumenical Officer) and Father Mesrob Sarkissian (Staff-Bearer).



While in India he will meet with Heads of Churches and other Communities. His Holiness will also lecture at the Kottayam Orthodox Theological Seminary and address clergy, theologians and academics in different institutions that he will be visiting.



On his way back Catholicos Aram will visit the United Arab Emirates and meet with Armenian communities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharja.



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Patriarch His Holiness Aram I to Visit Malankara

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DEVALOKAM: His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the head of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will pay an apostolic visit to Kerala as per the invitation of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church from 24th to 28th Feb 2010.

His Holiness Aram I, the head of one of the ancient oriental orthodox churches founded in the latter half of the 1st centaury, was elected twice as the moderator of World Council of Churches. His Holiness is well known as a spokesperson for world peace and interchurch and inter-religious amity.
H. H. is the President of the World Religions for Peace and the World Religions Museum Foundation.

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