“Let the whole world witness that while Turkish armed forces commit massacres in Syria, the Armenian army is serving for peace in Southern Lebanon”

His Holiness Aram I

On Saturday, October 12^th, 2019, the Armenian Troop of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, headed by the Armenian Ambassador in Lebanon H.E. Vahagn Atabekyan, visited His Holiness Aram I.

Atabekyan gave a brief introductory remark and speaking to the soldiers he stated that the Catholicosate of Cilicia is the most important center for the preservation of the Armenian identity, and it plays a vital role not only for the Lebanese Armenian community but also for the Armenians around the world. Subsequently, he invited His Holiness to address his address.

The Catholicos expressed his joy of receiving them at the Catholicosate and stated that every Armenian soldier is a hero ready to sacrifice his life for the freedom of their homeland and that is in fact an expression of patriotism, faith and dedication. His Holiness commended the efforts of the Armenian Troop in Lebanon and stated that “Let the whole world witness that while Turkish armed forces commit massacres in Syria, the Armenian army is serving for peace in Southern Lebanon,” and concluded his address with prayer and gave them souvenirs.

The Troop also toured the Catholicosate, visited the Mother Cathedral, the Independence Monument, the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Chapel, as well as St. Mary Monastery, in Bikfaya, the Birds’ Nest Orphanage and the Armenian Genocide Orphans’ “Aram Bezikian” Museum, in Byblos, Haigaizan University, in Beirut, St. Savior (Surp Prgitch) Armenian Catholic Church, in Bourdj Hamoud and the Armenian Catholic Monastery, in Bzommar