Addressing a huge crowd of Armenians gathered at the St. Sarkis cathedral in Tehran, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, emphasized the vital importance of remaining faithful to Armenian-Christian traditions, values and aspirations.

Aram I stressed the role of the church in preserving the unity, the integrity and vitality of the Armenian community. He highly appreciated the service of the primate of the Diocese of Tehran in meeting the spiritual needs of the people.

His Holiness arrived in Tehran from Dubai and he was greeted at the airport by the Primate of Tehran Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, the Primate of Isfahan Bishop Papken Charian, the Primate of Tabriz V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftchian, the ambassadors of Lebanon and Armenia and the representatives of the Armenian community in Iran.

His Holiness will stay in Iran for three weeks and will visit the Armenian communities in Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz and other cities. He will also address a Christian-Muslim conference.