His Holiness Catholicos Aram I hosted a delegation from the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, Armenia, also known as Matenadaran, on February 22-26 in Antelias. The delegation, led by the Director of the Matenadaran, Ara Khzmalyan, included deputy director Vahe Torossian and advisors to the director Gurgen Gasparyan and Mihran Minassian.
The Catholicos and the delegation explored opportunities for enhancing cooperation between the Holy See of Cilicia and the Matenadaran. They focused on the reassessment of the Armenian manuscript heritage, collaboration between manuscript centers, and initiatives related to the preservation, restoration, and digitization of manuscripts. A congress to address the current state and future goals of Armenian studies was also discussed. His Holiness expressed his profound admiration for the Matenadaran, acknowledging its significant role in the Armenian culture. He extended a warm welcome to Director Khzmalyan in his new role, wishing him success at the head of the institution. The Catholicos also commended the delegation for their fruitful meetings and offered his thoughts and comments on the projects presented to him.
The delegation’s itinerary included visits to various significant sites, including the Armenian Catholic Monastery in Bzoummar, where a memorandum of cooperation was signed. They also visited St. Mary’s Monastery and the Armenian Theological Seminary of the Holy See of Cilicia, as well as the Birds’ Nest Armenian Orphanage and the Armenian Genocide Orphans’ Aram Bezikian Museum in Byblos. The delegation also gave a talk at the Cilicia Museum Hall attended by the Cilician Brotherhood as well as representatives, teachers, and students of the Catholicosate’s Armenian Studies Center.