November 6, 2014

His Holiness Aram I Prays with the Faithful, Meets the Youth and Parishioners and Visits Organizations

24 – 26 October 2104. His Holiness Aram I spent his last weekend in Tehran meeting with members of the community and praying with them.

 

On Friday the 24th, he presided over the Holy Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church and preached on the Biblical verse, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). He said that human beings are called to live their God-given lives according to the principles and ethical values taught by Jesus.

 

On the same evening he joined St. Vartanantz parish in the neighborhood of Sardarabad for Canonical Prayers. Referring to John 10:15, where it is written that the good shepherd lays his life down for his sheep, he spoke of the importance of the relationship between the faithful and the servant church.

 

After the prayers, His Holiness met the faithful, discussed their questions and blessed them.

 

 

On Saturday 25 October, Caholicos Aram I visited all the Armenian schools in Tehran. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian introduced the Catholicos and spoke of his strong support for Armenian schools. After the students presented a programme of Armenian poetry and music, His Holiness spoke, referring to the Armenian school as the sustainer of Armenian culture and its values and urging parents to send their children to Armenian schools. At the end of the program, the Catholicos met and held discussions with the teachers.

 

After visiting the schools, the Catholicos went to the offices of ALIK, Armenian daily newspaper, where he met with the editorial board, representatives of the Armenian Cause committee and the representatives of the members of the Central Committee of Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Political Party.

 

His Holiness thanked the members of the Editorial Board of Alik and everyone who is working for the just cause of the Armenian people. He said, “We must go beyond writing and speaking now; it is time to take legal action against Turkey.”

The visit ended with a luncheon in honor of His Holiness.

 

 

After his visit to ALIK, the Catholicos and his entourage went to the Raffi Center, the Sipan Cultural Association, where they attended a presentation by the Pert Dance group from Armenia. His Holiness Aram I thanked all the organizations for their important work in safeguarding Armenian culture; he also thanked the members of the dance group for their presentation.

 

In the evening, the Catholicos joined the faithful for Canonical prayers at St. Tarkmanchatz Church. In his message, he spoke of the important historical role of the Armenian Church as the safe refuge for the people in difficult times and the source of moral and cultural values at all times. He then urged the faithful to go to Church regularly and shape their lives on these values. Once again he met with the faithful for discussion and to give them his blessings.

 

On Sunday 26 October, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in the Zeytoun neighborhood of Tehran.  Afterward, Bishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, introduced the community and their activities, and His Holiness spoke, emphasizing that faith and good works must go together. He concluded with the following words from the Gospel of James: What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? … is that faith able to save him? (James 2:14).

After meeting the faithful and blessing them, the members of the Parish Council held a luncheon honoring the Catholicos.

 

On Sunday afternoon, His Holiness Aram I met with the youth at the Prelacy of Tehran. After the youth introduced their activities, Catholicos Aram I expressed his confidence in the Armenian youth and in their ability to face difficult challenges. He then urged them to remain attached to the Armenian spiritual and cultural values and to participate in the life of the community. He concluded, “Our youth have a great contribution to make and they have a crucial role to play in our life as community.”

 

On same evening, he was the guest of honor at a farewell dinner offered by the Diocesan Council of Tehran. Speaking on behalf of the Armenian community in Iran, Mr. Eduard Papakhanian, President of the Council, said that the visit had invigorated the community and strengthened their ties with the Holy See of Cilicia. In his concluding message, His Holiness Aram I said, “Antelias belongs to the people, and the aim of the Catholicosate is to respond to the aspirations and needs of Armenians.” He then invited people to stay in the Church and share their concerns.

 

At the end of the dinner, His Holiness Aram I decorated Mr. Heno Der Ghougassian with the insignia of Knight of Cilicia for his contribution to the construction projects of St. Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya (Lebanon).

 

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