CATHOLICOS PRESIDES OVER PLENARY SESSIONS OF COUNCILS IN ANTELIAS, CALLS FOR RENEWAL
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the plenary sessions of the Religious and Executive Councils of the Central Executive Council of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia at the Holy See in Antelias from June 10 to 14. The sessions brought together all Prelates of the Catholicosate and representatives of the Prelacies’ Executive Councils. Directors and trustees of all institutions and endowment funds of the Catholicosate also participated to report on their work.
The agenda included matters and projects related to the Seminary, the Khoren I Center, the Birds’ Nest Orphanage, the Azounieh Armenian Clinic, the Nursing Home, Christian education, Bible translation, liturgical reform, inter-church and interfaith relations, the Cilicia Library and Museum, the Armenian Genocide Orphans’ Aram Bezikian Museum, the Cilicia Analytical Platform, the Communications and Youth departments, construction, financial and administrative affairs, cultural programs, priestly formation, the journal Hask, and the general activity of each diocese.
Also discussed were the reorganization of the Catholicosate’s Diaspora prelacies, the need for rejuvenation, the development of programs relevant to contemporary times, and the adoption of new methodologies.
Under the agenda item “Relations with the Patriarchal Sees and the Republic of Armenia,” the Assembly specifically discussed the aggressive conduct of the Armenian authorities toward the Catholicos of All Armenians and the high-ranking clergy of Holy Etchmiadzin. In this regard, the Assembly stated:
a) The relevant clauses of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia establish the principles of Church-State relations, primarily affirming their separation and, consequently, the independence of the Church. Promoting such interference is contrary to the Constitution.
b) Matters regarding the Church and clergy are governed by ecclesiastical canon law. Therefore, the State has no legal basis to intervene in Church-related issues.
c) The tone used in the public discussion of Church-related matters is strongly deplorable.
d) Faced with existential threats to the homeland and national security, purposeful efforts are called for to reject divisive actions.
e) Based on the principle of “One Nation, One Church,” the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, as always, reaffirms its solidarity with the Catholicosate of All Armenians, rejecting all encroachments against it.
The Assembly expressed satisfaction that the prelacies of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia are well-organized and vibrant. Despite events in the Middle East and severe security concerns, our historic prelacies in the region continue their active and community-oriented mission.
At the conclusion of the working sessions, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I emphasized the need—arising from ever-changing circumstances—to develop new conceptual approaches, adopt new methodologies, and especially to rejuvenate our institutional structures. He also highlighted the urgency of re-energizing the Diaspora through reorganization and revitalization. Finally, His Holiness stressed the need to unite around our supreme and shared values and ideals in the face of the crises confronting our homeland and nation, steering away from actions that deepen internal divisions.
Groundbreaking ceremony of Bezikian Center
During the Assembly, on Friday, June 13, the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bezikian Center was held in the courtyard of the Holy See, with the blessing and presidency of Catholicos Aram I. Attending the event were members of the benefactor family—Alecco Bezikian, his son Zareh, and granddaughter Ani—as well as members of the Religious and Political Councils, Prelates, and representatives of the National Councils of the prelacies.
In his blessing, the Catholicos recalled that Alecco and Ani Bezikian have been among the greatest benefactors of the Great House of Cilicia, and today their son Zareh continues in their footsteps with the same spirit. The late Ani Bezikian was a constant presence and a driving force behind all the family’s charitable works. Alecco Bezikian remains one of the Catholicosate’s loyal friends.
The Bezikian Center will include an auditorium, a multipurpose hall, dedicated spaces for conventions and meetings, guest rooms, and other adjacent sections, all equipped with the latest architectural and technological advancements.