Latest news with #ArmenianOrthodoxChurch
OC Media
09-07-2025
- Politics
- OC Media
Armenian Catholicos of Cilicia offers to mediate in ‘shameful' feud between church and Yerevan
Sign in or or Become a member to unlock the audio version of this article Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence. For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out. Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today Become a member Armenian Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia has offered to mediate between the Armenian Church and the government in their ongoing conflict. Aram I's statement was published by the Armenian Orthodox Church's website on Wednesday. 'It is a shame, a thousand shames! The current unhealthy and anti-national atmosphere created in the life of our beloved Homeland, Armenia', said the Catholicos of Cilicia. 'Unfortunately, the words of the Armenian language are not enough to describe my pain'. Aram I is the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, the see responsible for Armenian communities in the Middle Eastern diaspora, functioning autonomously from the Mother See of Etchmiadzin in Armenia. 'The atmosphere that has recently emerged within the two nation-building and patriot-building structures of our nation, Holy Etchmiadzin and the National Assembly, is deeply shameful and condemnable to me', he said. Aram I goes on to say that 'mistakes, omissions, polarisations, and confrontations […] need to be discussed through specific processes and in a calm atmosphere, so that appropriate solutions can be reached'. He noted that he has not visited Armenia for about six years, and that he had 'thought a lot' about visiting to help 'calm the storm that has been created', but decided against it due to 'unfounded and ongoing statements' made in parliament that 'distort our moral, spiritual, and national values, as well as the arrests that are taking place'. Advertisement 'However, I remain committed to coming to the Homeland at any time and consulting with Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, and other responsible officials, so that we can seek viable solutions to get Armenia out of the difficult situation it has created.' Tensions between the Armenian Church's Holy See in Etchmiadzin and the government have been at an all-time high for months, with the two exchanging insults and accusations since late May, when Pashinyan claimed that churches in Armenia were being turned into 'storerooms'. The accusations further escalated, with Pashinyan, his wife, Anna Hakobyan, and senior members of the ruling Civil Contract party regularly accusing high-ranking clergy, including Catholicos Karekin II, of breaking their celibacy vows. Pashinyan has since regularly demanded that Karekin II admit that fathered a child. In June, at least 15 were detained as part of an alleged coup plot against the government, including two high-ranking clergymen — Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan. The authorities claim that Galstanyan's anti-government movement, Holy Struggle, spearheaded the plot to overthrow the government. He was arrested on 25 June for allegedly plotting 'terrorist attacks and a coup d'état'. Ajapahyan, who was wanted for making public calls for usurping powers, surrendered himself to the authorities on 27 June, after police attempted and failed to apprehend him at Etchmiadzin Cathedral as supporters of the church prevented them from reaching the archbishop.
Daily News Egypt
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Patriarchs of Eastern Orthodox Churches arrive in Cairo to commemorate 1700th anniversary of Council of Nicaea
Senior patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Churches arrived at Cairo International Airport on Friday evening to participate in the commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, a landmark event in the history of Christianity. Among the arriving dignitaries were His Holiness Mar Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and His Holiness Catholicos Aram I Keshishian, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Orthodox Church, based in Antelias, Lebanon. Accompanying them were His Grace Bishop Mar Awgin Al-Khouri Neemat, the Patriarchal Secretary; His Grace Bishop Mar Nicodemus Daoud Matti Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, and the Kurdistan Region; and His Grace Bishop Mar Justinus Paul Sfar, Bishop of Zahle and the Bekaa—all representing the Syriac Orthodox Church. The delegation's visit is centered on their participation in a celebratory Divine Liturgy organized by the Eastern Orthodox Family in the Middle East. This special service, to be held on Sunday morning, May 18, at the Great St. Mark's Cathedral in Abbasiya, will commemorate the historic First Council of Nicaea and will be presided over by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. In addition to the liturgy, the patriarchs will take part in the 14th meeting of the Permanent Committee of the Patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Churches in the Middle East, scheduled to be held at the Papal Headquarters in Anba Rouis. Upon their arrival, the delegation was warmly welcomed by a host of church leaders and representatives. Among those present to receive them were His Grace Anba Thomas, Metropolitan of Qousiya and Mir and a member of both the Permanent Committee and the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches; His Eminence Mar Ekleems Daniel Correa, Metropolitan of Beirut for the Syriac Orthodox Church; and His Grace Bishop Mar Timothy Matti Al-Khouri, Metropolitan of Homs, Hama, and Tartous, and Acting Patriarchal Vicar of Egypt. Also welcoming the guests were His Eminence Metropolitan Mar Nikolaos Matti Abd Al-Ahad, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Spain; His Eminence Metropolitan Narek Alemzian, Metropolitan of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon; and His Eminence Metropolitan Macar Ashkarian, Metropolitan of the Armenian Orthodox Diocese of Aleppo and its dependencies. Reverend Father Philips Issa, priest of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Cairo, Mr. Elias Shahrour, President of the Syriac Orthodox Council in Egypt, and Deacon Jamil Malouh, Deputy of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Cairo, were also present at the airport to greet the delegation. The visit highlights the unity and historical continuity of the Eastern Orthodox tradition in the region, and marks a significant moment of shared reflection on the theological and ecclesiastical legacy of the Council of Nicaea.
