Catholicos of All Armenians Met Members of the Oriental Orthodox and Catholic Theological Dialogue Joint Commission
03.02.2018
On February 2, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received representatives attending the 15th meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox and Catholic Churches. The representatives were convening their meeting in the Mother See from January 30 to February 4.
About 30 representatives from different churches and countries discussed several issues on Church Study, focusing primarily on the mystery of repentance, ordination, and anointing the sick. His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America presented His Holiness the co-chairs and members of the commission.
Then, on behalf of the Committee, His Holiness Cardinal Kurt Koch, Chairman of the Christian Councils High Priesthood Council (Catholic Church) and Metropolitan Anba Bishoy of the Coptic Orthodox Church welcomed the Catholicos of All Armenians and conveyed information about the activity of the Committee. They also expressed their gratitude to His Holiness for the warm hospitality.
Afterwards, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, conveyed his patriarchal blessing and best wishes to the attendees. His Holiness welcomed the convening of the Committee in the Mother See, emphasizing that Holy Etchmiadzin is always willing to host Sister Churches' representatives.
His Holiness referred to meetings and discussions within the Eastern Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue, stressed the importance of such dialogues. His Holiness noted that dialogues promote to the mutual recognition between the Churches, and further strengthening of fraternal relations and common witness.
The Catholicos of All Armenians underlined the need for collaboration and efforts of churches in overcoming the challenges facing the mankind. In this regard, His Holiness expressed his concern about the retreat and distortion of spiritual-moral values recorded in public life as a result of secularization processes, which is the main reason and motive of tragedies and destructive phenomena in the world today.
Particularly referring to the difficult situation of Christians in the Middle East, His Holiness highlighted the unified consistent efforts of churches to protect the rights of Christian communities and the Christian presence in the region, praying for martyrs who were victims of extremist and terrorist attacks.
At the conclusion, wishing good luck to the activity of the committee, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his fraternal warm greetings to the spiritual leaders of the Sister Churches, and his prayers and blessings to the clergy and faithful. The Armenian Pontiff wished that God strengthens love and cooperation between the Churches.
The meeting concluded with a Patriarchal "Protector" prayer.
