HIS HOLINESS ARAM I PAYS AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE VATICAN

Leading a high ranking delegation of Armenian clergy, His Holiness Aram I the Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, will have an official visit to the Pope Benedict XVI and the Church of Rome from November 23-27.

The visit of His Holiness Aram I will include private and public meetings with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, meetings with Pontifical Councils and departments of the Vatican, lectures at the universities of Rome, public hearings and press conferences.

The agenda of His Holiness’s talk will include issues related to enhancing ecumenical collaboration, bilateral theological and interfaith dialogue, Christian presence and witness in the Middle East.

Patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church His Holiness Abba Paulos visits His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of Syrian Orthodox

The Patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church His Holiness Abba Paulos visited His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas I at the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate in Damascus on a short visit - 20, 21st November 2008. Besides the Patriarch the Ethiopian Orthodox Church delegations consisted of 5 Bishops, 1 Monk, 1 Priest and 2 Lay officials of the church reached. This is the first time His Holiness Abba Paulos visits His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas I. On 20 November 2008 morning H.H Abba Paulos accompanied by our H.H Zakka Iwas I, visited the President of Syria, Dr. Bashar Al Assad, who welcomed them warmly.

Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches calls for greater understanding

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I, PATRIARCHS SHENOUDA III AND ZAKKA I CALL FOR A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CHURCHES OF JERUSALEM


Meeting in the Coptic Patriarchate of Cairo, His Holiness Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia and His Holiness Patriarch Shenouda III released a joint declaration with regard to the sad incident between Armenians and Greeks in Jerusalem recently. The Spiritual Leader of the Syrian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Zakka I expressed his support for the declaration.

In their joint declaration the spiritual leaders expressed sadness at the clashes between the two groups. They emphasized the respect for the historic rights of all churches in Jerusalem and the importance for resolving misunderstandings and sensitivities through mutual understand. The declaration also stressed the need to strengthen Christian unity in the Middle East.

His Holiness Aram I visited Cairo on a one-day trip to meet with Patriarch Shenouda II. He was accompanied by Bishop Nareg Alemezian.