Armenian catholicos stresses need for dialogue

Aram I Keshishian, the Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia, said that Christians in the Middle East oppose marginalization and praised efforts by President Michel Sleiman to push for dialogue among various Lebanese factions.

“The Middle East is the cradle of Christianity, thus, despite the difficulties and challenges the region is witnessing, particularly the sufferings of the Christian sects, these will remain attached to their historical roots and just rights,” said Keshishian during a Christmas Mass at the Armenian Patriarchate in Antelias.

The Armenian Orthodox sect in Lebanoncelebrated Christmas Sunday. He said he expects that the rights of Christians will be respected by the new groups that are coming to power in countries that are witnessing uprisings in the region. “To be a minority in a society does not mean at all to be marginalized.” Keshishian stressed the need to hold dialogue in Lebanon.

“Rather than trading barbs through audiovisual media outlets, we should resort to constructive dialogue and consider that Lebanon’s high interest come first.”