On Monday, January 20, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, departed for Lebanon to participate in meetings of the Holy See of Cilicia Central Religious and Executive Councils. The meetings were held at the Catholicosate headquarters in Antelias, presided over by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos. The plenary meeting of the Central Religious Council was held on Thursday, January 23, 2014. The council is comprised of thirteen Brotherhood members, residents of the Seminary and Prelates of various Prelacies.
Topics on the agenda included Christian Education, youth programs, ecumenical relations, church reforms, canonization, Seminary, Armenian Church University Students Association, Armenian Church University Alumni Association, guidelines, meeting of the Brotherhood in April, concerns and suggestions by Prelacies.
The meeting concluded with the Pontiff’s message, in which His Holiness stated that though the Armenian Church has many missions of great importance, the priority must be our youth and drawing them closer to our church. Speaking on Christian Education, His Holiness said that in this age of globalization, we must find new means of approaching our youth in particular, but the general population as well.
On Friday, the Central Executive Council met to discuss a wide range of topics, including Genocide centennial preparations, preserving the Western Armenian dialect, the activities of the Khacher Kalousdian Pedagogical Center, and others.
A joint meeting of the Central Religious and Executive Councils followed. Items on the agenda included Antelias-Etchmiadzin collaboration, evaluating by-laws of Prelacies, and aid to Syria. A great deal of attention was given to rebuilding the Armenian community of Syria.
In his message to the participants, His Holiness stated that “the Holy See of Cilicia believes in action, not words. The Holy See carries out an enormous amount and array of service, from spiritual, to educational, social, ecumenical, cultural, and other realms. We are not lacking in devotion, faith, or vision, but rather in financial means. We are confident, however, that our faithful people, trusting in the vital mission of our Holy See, will continue to lend their valuable support”, stated His Holiness.