Armenian Catholicos Congratulates Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians congratulated Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and the All East on the occasion of His Election and Enthronement.
"From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, extended a message of congratulations to His Beatitude Beshara Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, on the occasion of His Election and Enthronement, wishing him many years of productive service.
"You were elected and enthroned as the 77th Patriarch of the Maronite Church in this critical period of history of Lebanon. We are happy to state that Your Beatitude has already taken significant steps toward reconciliation and political dialogue in Lebanon", the congratulation message stated in part.
His Holiness reflected on the fraternal spirit of Lebanese society, a good majority of who are members of the Maronite Church, and their care of the Armenian people, uprooted as a consequence of the Armenian Genocide. That kindness served as a base to create one of the strongest Armenian communities in the Diaspora and to establish a close relationship between the Republic of Armenian and the Republic of Lebanon.
Reflecting on the life of Christian Communities in the Middle East as well as on the fraternal relationship between the Roman Catholic and the Holy Armenian Apostolic Churches, the Armenian Pontiff expressed his confidence that the relationship between the Armenian and Maronite Churches would contribute to new achievements for the benefit of the two constituencies and countries," reads the message.
