His Holiness Catholicos Aram I Begins Pontifical Visit to Cyprus
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), arrived in Cyprus on the evening of Friday, December 5th, commencing a Pontifical visit at the invitation of the Armenian Diocese of Cyprus.
Upon arrival at the airport, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was warmly received by a delegation led by the Pontifical Vicar, His Eminence Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian. The welcoming group included Armenian Representative in the Cypriot Parliament Vartkes Mahdessian, Very Rev. Fr. Hovhannes Saghdedjian (Pastor of Limassol), Rev. Fr. Momig Habeshian (Pastor of Nicosia), Diocesan Council Chairman Vahan Aynedjian, Diocesan Executive Council Chairman Hagop Kazandjian, and council members.
On the morning of Saturday, December 6th, His Holiness visited the Armenian Prelacy in Nicosia, where a Canonical Prayer was celebrated at the Holy Mother of God Cathedral.
In his welcoming remarks, His Eminence Archbishop Ohanian extended a heartfelt welcome to the Catholicos, describing the visit as historic. He highlighted the Cypriot Diocese’s readiness to celebrate with great enthusiasm the 30th anniversary of His Holiness’s enthronement.
Following the Service, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I delivered his Pontifical blessing. He greeted the clergy, the leadership of the Prelacy, and representatives of Armenian community organizations. His Holiness emphasized the historic and central importance of the Cyprus Diocese within the Catholicosate of Cilicia. He called upon the community to act with renewed awareness and commitment, working together to plan for its future.
After the Church Service, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I met with representatives of Cypriot Armenian organizations and the church bodies in the Prelacy atrium. During this meeting, the Catholicos stressed the imperative of reorganizing and revitalizing the community structures and addressed questions on various related issues.
Subsequently, His Holiness received a delegation of heads of Christian communities in Cyprus. The Ecumenical Leaders commended His Holiness Catholicos Aram I for his significant role in Ecumenical relations and offered their congratulations on the upcoming 30th anniversary of his enthronement. In response, His Holiness underscored the critical need to strengthen cooperation among churches, especially in the current challenging times…
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This news was originally published on the Website of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias. Please click here to read the full text.