20 November 2016. Celebrations began on Sunday with special Liturgy held at the St Nichan Cathedral in Beirut. Bishop Shahé Panossian, the Prelate celebrating the Holy Liturgy accompanied by the Choir of the National Academy of Armenia conducted by Maestro Hovhannes Chekijian.

The Ambassador of Armenian to Lebanon, Samuel Meguerditchian, Represetatives of all Armenian political parties, Armenian members of the Lebanese Parliament, representative of Armenian civil society and the community attended the liturgy.

Before inviting the Catholiocs to preach the Sermon of the day, the Archbishop reminded the people of the inspiring leadership and the scope of service of the Catholicos. His Holiness said that the axis of Jesus Christ’s vocation was service, which the Catholicosate of Cilicia continues to fulfil. He then invited the community as one of the main seven communities in Lebanon to assume its role and serve the nation.

The liturgy ended with songs of praise and the Cilicia anthem and then the people moved to the main Hall of the Diocese for speeches by different representatives.