Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II and Catholicos Aram I Discuss Syrian Crisis and Ecumenical Cooperation

OCP News Service and armenianorthodoxchurch.org – 11/01/2025

Antelias – Lebanon: His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Syrian Orthodox Church, paid a fraternal visit to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, at the Catholicosate headquarters in Antelias, Lebanon, on January 10, 2025.

The visit, which occurred on the evening of Saturday, January 10th, went beyond the exchange of Christmas greetings. A meeting took place between the two leaders, focusing on the critical situation in Syria and the importance of Christian unity and cooperation.

Patriarch Aphrem II was accompanied by Archbishops Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat. Catholicos Aram I was joined by Archbishops Nareg Almazian, Shahan Sarkissian, and Sarkis Vrd. Abrahamian.

During the meeting, the leaders emphasized the need for Christian communities in Syria to work together to address the challenges they face and to develop shared visions for the future. They also discussed ongoing preparations for the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, a significant event in Christian history.

This visit underscores the strong bond of brotherhood and inter-church relations between the Syrian Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox Churches, particularly in the face of shared challenges.

Source:

OCP News Service