Catholicos Aram I Meets Patriarchs Kirill and Theophilos III in Astana

OCP News Service – 24/09/2025

ASTANA– Kazakhstan: His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, who was in Astana to attend a major international interfaith summit, held separate, significant bilateral meetings with both the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

The meetings, which occurred on September 23, addressed both inter-church cooperation and pressing political issues concerning the Armenian people.

Meeting with Patriarch Theophilos III

In a meeting between the two spiritual leaders, who share a long-standing friendship and history of cooperation within the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches, Catholicos Aram I stressed the need for further strengthening inter-Christian cooperation in Jerusalem.

His Holiness raised the current difficulties faced by the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, specifically related to the controversial “Cowyard” area land dispute. He emphasized that in such challenging situations, the various Christian Churches in Jerusalem should adhere to the spirit of mutual support.

Meeting with Patriarch Kirill

During his discussion with Patriarch Kirill, Catholicos Aram I focused on improving the historical relationship between the Armenian and Russian Churches.

Beyond religious matters, the discussion included a frank exchange of views on the relationship between Armenia and Russia, the occupation of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, the treatment of Armenian churches and cultural monuments in the region, and the ongoing imprisonment of Artsakh’s political and national figures held in Baku.

Catholicos Aram I stated that the Armenian people would be deeply grateful if both President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill would intervene with the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure the preservation of Artsakh’s religious and cultural structures and secure the early release of Armenian prisoners.

Both spiritual leaders were accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Sarkissian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the Surrounding Areas. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the international interfaith summit.

Source:

OCP News Service