26 August 2016. During the weekly summer workshops, the clergy meet to discuss church and society issues affecting Armenians in the homeland and the diaspora. Participants present their research on these issues, providing space for discussion and helping the clergy achieve consensus. Ā His Holiness Aram I moderates the workshops and shares his experience and…
Following his meeting with Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Syria, Catholicos Aram I met with representatives of organizations providing humanitarian assistance to the region and urged them to continue their support. His Holiness also met with Ms Teny Pirri-Simonian, President of the Swiss Armenian Foundation: ARMENOFAS. The Catholicos stressed the urgent need to…
Since his arrival in Geneva, His Holiness Aram I has been consulting with experts regarding the lawsuit asking from Turkey the Return of the historic Seat of the Catholicosate in Sis (Kozan). Discussions have focussed on the recent attempted coup in Turkey and its temporary suspension of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Catholicosate…
16 August 2016. On Tuesday afternoon, in Geneva, His Holiness Aram I met Staffan de Mistura, the UN mediator, and his two assistants. Very Rev Housig Mardirossian, Director of the Ecumenical Relations Department, and Ms Teny Simonian, the Ecumenical Representative in Switzerland, also attended the meeting. Ā In response to Catholicos Aram Iās concerns about…
13 August 2016. On Saturday evening after the Holy Liturgy dedicated to the Feast of St Mary, the Mother of God, in Bikfaya, His Holiness Aram I decorated Mr Anoushavan Nazarian with the āPrince of Ciliciaā insignia. Prior to the decoration, the Catholicos spoke of Mr Nazarianās valuable contribution to the construction of the church…
On Saturday 13 August, following the Holy Liturgy of Assumption at St Maryās Monastery in Bikfaya, His Holiness Aram I addressed the community and in the end shared his pain and concern regarding the recent events in Armenia and Karabagh. The following is a brief summary of his speech. Ā According to Catholicos Aram…
On Saturday evening, the pilgrimage to St Maryās Monastery concluded with the Holy Liturgy, presided by His Holiness Aram I, celebrated by Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian, and sung by the āShenorhaliā choir. The pilgrimage was established with the construction of St. Maryās Chapel in Bikfaya in 1952; over the past four years, under the initiative…
The one-week-long series of Bible Studies organized for women at St Maryās Monastery by the Christian Education department concluded with a meeting with His Holiness Aram I. Led by the members of the Brotherhood, the participants focused on the theme, āWalking on the Path of the Mother of Godā; they studied the Bible and the…
5 August 2016. On Friday morning His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador Samuel Mekertchian in the main Hall of St Maryās Monastery in Bikfaya. Ā After the Ambassador updated His Holiness on the recent events in Armenia, they discussed Armenia-Diaspora relations and the increasing economic ties between Armenia and Lebanon. Ā Ā
On 1 August 2016, the 7th Pan-Armenian Education consultation, organized by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Armenia, was held in Yerevan. The consultation assessed the quality of education in Armenia and the diaspora today and its response to the demands of todayās world. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of the Diocese…
The Feast of the Assumption of St Mary has a special place in the mind and witness of the church and in the life of Armenians. She is always present and is a source of inspiration for spiritual life and renewal for the people. Armenians have consecrated churches in her name, built shrines and organized…
28-29 July 2016. During the past five years of the conflict in Syria, the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, with the guidance of His Holiness Aram I, has accompanied the Armenian communities in Syria through prayers and messages, while providing humanitarian assistance and raising funds in the diaspora. All assistance to Armenians in Syria through the…
26 July 2016. On Tuesday morning, the members of the Assembly Planning Committee, the General Secretary, Rev Dr Michel Jalekh, and the Programme staff of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), met at St Maryās Monastery in Bikfaya to finalize the agenda and review the list of participants. His Holiness Aram I, a President…
