Strengthening of Armenia’s independence is sacred obligation of any Armenian: Aram I

ANTELIAS, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS:At the Mother Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator of Antelias His Holiness Aram I,the Catholicos of Cilicia sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia held on September 21. As Armenpress was reported by the Press Department of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Aram I stated that prayers should be made in all the churches on the occasion of the Independence Day, so that God keeps and protects our homeland.

“The strengthening of the Armenia’s independence is the sacred obligation and duty of any Armenian. The improvement of the economic life of the native people is the guarantee for the strengthening of the Armenia’s independence. The Armenian authorities, our church and the Diaspora should work in that direction to suspend the emigration from Armenia and ensure the further development of the Republic”, - stated His Holiness Aram I,the Catholicos of Cilicia.

On September 21 the Republic of Armenia and the Armenians of the entire world celebrated the 22nd anniversary of the Independence Day of Armenia.

Born in 1947, in Beirut, Lebanon, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I studied at the Armenian Theological Seminary, Antelias, Lebanon and the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Geneva, Switzerland. He received his M.Div. from the Near East School of Theology, his S.T.M. jointly from the American University of Beirut and Near East School of Theology, and his PhD from Fordham University in New York. He also holds several honorary degrees. His major areas of specialization are philosophy, systematic theology, and Near Eastern church history.

Catholicos Aram I was ordained as a celibate priest in 1968 and obtained the title of Vartabed (Doctor of the Armenian Church) in 1970. In 1979, after serving for one year asLocum Tenens, he was elected Primate of the Armenian Orthodox Community in Lebanon; the next year he received Episcopal ordination. In June 1995, His Holiness was elected Catholicos (the Head of the Church) by the Electoral Assembly of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia (35 clergy and 115 lay representatives), and was consecrated one week later.

Called to serve as Primate of the Armenian Community of Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War, His Holiness reorganized parishes and schools, restructured and reactivated church-related institutions, and renewed community leadership.

For many years His Holiness Catholicos Aram I has regularly lectured on Armenological, theological, and ecumenical subjects at the Armenian Seminary and Haigazian University in Beirut. He has also given numerous public lectures in various universities, academic and cultural centers, and at public events and international gatherings.

His Holiness was appointed in 1972 as the Catholicosate’s representative for ecumenical relations and he served in this position until 1995. His Holiness has played a major role in the world-wide ecumenical movement.

As a strong supporter of inter-religious relations, dialogue and co-operation, His Holiness Aram I has played a significant part in promoting common values, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence among religions.