CATHOLICOS ARAM I CONGRATULATES NEW PRESIDENT OF LEBANON

On Monday, January 20, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and a delegation of 18 members of the brotherhood of the Great House of Cilicia paid a congratulatory visit to the newly elected President of Lebanon, General Joseph Aoun, on behalf of the Lebanese Armenian Orthodox Community. The Prelate of Lebanon, His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Panossian, and the representative of the Armenian bloc in the Lebanese Parliament, MP Hagop Pakradounian, were in the delegation.

In welcoming President Aoun’s election, His Holiness said that a new chapter is opening in Lebanon’s history. The president’s inauguration speech reflected a wise and courageous attitude, which inspired hope among the people, the Catholicos said. He stressed that the President’s efforts should be seen as a mission to save Lebanon in these challenging times.

His Holiness also briefed the President on the mission of the Holy See of Cilicia, both in Lebanon and worldwide, through its prelacies and affiliated structures.

President Aoun expressed his gratitude to the Catholicos and the Armenian community for their love and good wishes. He highlighted the importance of the Armenian community’s participation in the government and the rebuilding of Lebanon, highlighting the need for all communities to collaborate in leading Lebanon towards prosperity.

His Holiness presented President Aoun with a copy of the “Gospel of Partserpert.” After the meeting, His Holiness and MP Pakradounian had a separate consultation with the President about the formation of the new government.