Catholicos Garegin Prepares for First Visit to Iran
Catholicos Garegin, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church worldwide, has announced his readiness for his first visit to Iran.
Mohammad Asadi-Mohaed, Cultural Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran, met with officials of the Etchmiadzin Church in Armenia, and during this meeting, ways to expand cultural and religious relations were discussed. At this meeting, Bishop Natan, responsible for international relations at Etchmiadzin Church, along with Mohammad Asadi, Iran’s Cultural Attaché, emphasized the continuation of cultural and religious cooperation between Iran and Armenia.
Bishop Natan, while referring to joint programs of the Etchmiadzin Church and Iran’s Cultural Attaché, expressed hope that these collaborations could be further developed in the future. Mohammad Asadi, while referring to the travel program of the organization’s leadership to Armenia and meetings with Catholicos Garegin II (the Primate and spiritual leader of Armenians worldwide), announced: “In the first round of cultural and interfaith dialogues held in Armenia, topics such as peace and peaceful coexistence were discussed from the perspectives of Islam and Christianity. The second round of these dialogues is scheduled to be held in Tehran.”
He further commented on Catholicos Garegin’s visit to Iran: “Iranian religious centers, including the Khorasan Seminary and the Astan Quds Razavi, are interested in Catholicos Garegin II visiting these centers. His visit to Tehran and Mashhad, given the spiritual status and religious capacities of Mashhad and the antiquity of the Khorasan Seminary, can play an effective role in deepening cultural relations between the two nations of Iran and Armenia and also have positive impacts for humanity.”
The Cultural Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran is interested in holding part of the cultural meetings in Armenia. These meetings could include topics such as the role of mosques and churches in strengthening the spiritual foundation of society, lifestyle, the role of religion and religious values in the lives of young people, and the status of women from the perspective of Islam and Christianity.”
Asadi-Mohaed also made suggestions for the second round of dialogues to be held in Tehran. He added in this regard: “It would be better to hold these meetings in the form of a conference and include 4 to 6 paper presentations, with half presented by Iranian representatives and the other half by Armenian representatives.”
Bishop Natan also said during this meeting and regarding the holding of the second round of dialogues in Iran: “Over the past four decades, none of the leaders of Armenians worldwide have visited Iran, but if the necessary preparations and protocols are provided, Catholicos Garegin II, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church worldwide, is ready to visit Iran for the first time.”
