NEWS
PONTIFICAL LETTER CELEBRATING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL MOVEMENT
06/20/2010
On Sunday 20 June 2010, during Holy Liturgy, the celebrant read the Pontifical Letter of His Holiness Aram I celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Sunday School movement in the Armenian Orthodox Church, Catholicosate of Cilicia. The Letter reminded the faithful that that late Catholicoi Sahak II and Papken I of Cilicia began Sunday schools because they saw them as a process accompanying the Holy Liturgy in spiritual nurture. Today, Sunday Schools are part of the organizational structure of the Catholiosate, and the Department of Religious Education of the Catholicosate coordinates the activities of the Dioceses.
His Holiness Aram I concluded the Letter by affirming his continual support to Sunday Schools because of their important role in transmitting knowledge about the church, its tradition, its prayer life and spiritual values.
“II IS NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND AND LIVE THE HOLY BIBLE”
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
05/18/2010
On Tuesday morning, 18 May 2010, His Holiness Aram I met more than 200 Armenian women following Bible Study classes organized by the Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. His Holiness underlined that the truth, the values and the principles of the Holy Bible should guide our lives. His Holiness said, “It is not enough to simply study the Holy Bible, nor is it sufficient to be erudite with the Holy Bible or Christian belief and related topics, personalities and events. It is important to integrate our Christian belief into our thoughts, deeds and life. Faith is neither theory nor feeling, but quality of life; moreover, faith is to comprehend life and live it to reflect Christ’s presence among us. The Church should teach the Holy Bible, yet it is the Church’s duty to pass the message to the faithful to follow in Christ’s footsteps translating the principles and values that come to us through the Holy Bible.”
Then, His Holiness reflected on the life and mission of the Church, “The Armenian Church is both our spiritual and national abode. The spiritual and national are closely intertwined in the Church and its mission. Our Church has followed this path throughout our history. It is not possible to separate the spiritual from the national, but it is essential to differentiate between them. Our Church ought to emphasize the religious aspect; moreover, with regenerated vigour spread both spiritual and moral values into our lives. Meanwhile, the Church should not disregard the national on the contrary become the guardian of our traditions, culture and national aspirations.”
Following the Pontifical message, His Holiness answered questions which related to our Church and mission.
SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR IN ANTELIAS
03/20/2010
On Saturday 20 March 2010, after the Vesper service, during the vigil the students of Sunday Schools of the Diocese of Lebanon organized a spiritual evening around the life of Saint Gregory for the pilgrims. The youth choir “shoghagat” of the Diocese of Beirut chanted prayers written by the Saint and sang hymns for the day of the Saint. At the end, Archbishop Komitas Ohanian Grand Sacristan of the Catholicosate prayed with the pilgrims beseeching God to show His mercy to all those who had come to identify with the sufferings of the Saint while he was in the pit of Khor Virap.
REVITALIZING THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH
WAS THE THEME OF THE CONSULTATION IN KESSAB (SYRIA)
09/10/2009
Upon the initiative of His Holiness Aram I, the Department on Sunday Schools of the Catholicosate organized a consultation on the theme “Revitalizing the Sunday School”. It took place from 8-10 September 2009, at the Injejikian-Gulbenkian Centre in Kessab (Syria).
More than 25 Sunday School Directors, educators and curriculum experts from Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Iran, Kuwait and other Gulf countries took part. They discussed the relationship between home, church and the Sunday School in the growth of faith; new religious movements and their impact on the life of the church and society; church and spirituality. The consultation recommended that the Sunday school by-laws of dioceses be revised in view of the new challenges and identify new pedagogical methods to respond to the spiritual needs of the youth.
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY WOMEN COMPLETED THE 2009 RELIGIOUS STUDIES COURSE AT THE CATHOLICOSATE IN ANTELIAS
05/12/2009
For the past several years the Religious Education Department of the Catholicosate has been organizing lecture series for women with the aim of deepening their knowledge of the church, its theology and the place of the Bible in the Church. This year as well His Holiness Aram I met with the participants during the first and last sessions of the course. The theme of the course of this year was “Outstanding People in the Bible”.
On Tuesday 12 May 2009, the last day of the course, group met with His Holiness Aram I at the Main Hall of the Catholicosate. Referring to the people in the Bible His Holiness said: “God speaks to us either through special persons or events. God’s plan is to save humanity and help them build His Kingdom. The Church as the Body of Christ continues God’s work by making Salvation the goal of its mission. The church is the ‘people of God’. We are therefore commissioned by God to imitate the life of Jesus Christ and reflect through our lives the values he established through His Death on the Cross.
Catholicos Aram I expressed his satisfaction on the growing number of men and women taking part in the activities organized by Religious Education Department, because it was a sign of spiritual growth within Church. This spiritual growth would sustain when there is stronger relationship between the faithful and the clergy. It is therefore a joy to see women being enabled to contribute to this spiritual growth in the church.
HUNDREDS OF SEMINARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE
IN HOLY MASS IN ANTELIAS
11/29/2008
The Feast of St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew, the founding Apostles of the Armenian Church, was celebrated in Antelias on November 29 by a Holy Mass for students held in the Cathedral of the Catholicosate of Cilicia with the participation of the students of Sunday Schools of the Diocese of Lebanon. The Mass was organized by the directorship of the Sunday Schools and the Religious Assembly of Sunday Schools under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I.
The principle of Sunday Schools, Rev. Father Ghevont Penteznian officiated the mass. The students of the Sunday Schools sung the hymns. During the mass, hundreds of students received the Holy Communion.
After the Holy Mass, the students held a meeting with His Holiness Aram I. They sung to him and listened to his fatherly advice. The results of the painting competition organized by the directorship of the Sunday Schools were announced creating great enthusiasm among the students. The students received the Pontiff’s blessings, had a group photo taken and were offered food and beverages after which they returned home happily.
The “Day of Sunday Schools” without a doubt registered unforgettable memories in the minds of Sunday School children particularly that it was organized in the Year of Christian Education. Their meeting with His Holiness Aram I will no doubt leave lasting impressions in their minds.
THE DIOCESE OF CYPRUS OBSERVES WEEK OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I has declared 2008 to be the year of Christian Education. Consequently, events dedicated to Christian Education were organized throughout the week of 19-23 November in the Diocese of Cyprus due to the collaborative efforts of the Catholicosate’s Christian Education Department and the Religious Council of the Diocese of Cyprus. The events were held under the auspices of the Pontifical Vicar to the Diocese, Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian.
The director of the Catholicosate’s Christian Education Department, Father Torkom Donoyan, delivered lectures in three cities in Cyprus- Nicosia, Larnaca and Limasol- around the general theme “The Year of Christian Education; An opportunity to connect to the Gospel.” Father Donoyan also held discussions with the youth on “The Gospel, The Armenian Church and moral issues”. He visited the “Nareg” school and talked with the students about their Christian formation.
The “Week of Christian Education” concluded with the Sunday mass, which collided with the feast of the Presentation to the Temple of the Holy Mother of God.
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HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE KIDS OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS
IN THE VEHARAN
11/09/2008
Sunday school children attended the Holy Mass in the Cathedral in Antelias on Sunday on the occasion of the reconvening of Sunday schools after the summer break.
During his sermon the officiating priest spoke about the spiritual education and the moral instruction provided by Sunday Schools.
His Holiness Aram I received the students in the hall of the Veharan after the Mass. In his Pontifical address, His Holiness praised and encouraged the volunteer teachers for spending their time on early Sunday mornings on educating the children trusted to their care. The students also recited hymns and psalms, received His Holiness’ praise.
BIBLE READING SESSIONS ARE HELD IN BIKFAYA
08/20/2008
The Feast of Saint Mary was uniquely celebrated by the Catholicosate of Cilicia this year. In addition to the traditional blessing of the grapes service, the Catholicosate’s Christian Education department organized Bible reading sessions in the Saint Asdvadzadzine Chapel in Bikfaya under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I.
Under the title “The Theotokos and the Holy Bible”, the Cilician Brotherhood members presented the following topics to believers over a period of five days:
“Mary visits Elizabeth”- Father Sdepanos Pashayian (Monday, August 11th)
“The birth of Christ”- Father Mesrob Sarkissian (Tuesday, August 12th)
“The wedding of Gana”- Father Sahag Yemishian (Wednesday, August 13th)
“The Crusification of Christ”- Father Ghevont Pentezian (Thursday, August 14th)
“The use of the Eastern door”- Father Torkom Donoyian (Friday, August 15th)
The Bible readings inspired some 150 Christian Armenian women from the different parts of Lebanon to follow the path of St. Mary in three respects in particular: to obey God through the Church; to have a spirit of dedication to their environment; to have the courage to preach about God through their lifestyle.
In addition to the Bible readings, the faithful recited prayers and hymns in praise of the Virgin Mary, as an eternal mediator between God and people.
A WEEK OF PRAYERS IS OBSERVED IN BIKFAYA
ON THE EVE OF ST. ASDVADZADZINE
08/11/2008
A week of prayers will be observed in the summer residence of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, the Saint Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfaya, on August 11-15 as preparation for the grand Feast of Saint Asdvadzadzine. The prayers, held under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I and organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Christian Education Department, will start at 10 in the morning and include Bible studies, sermons, the singing of hymns and the reading of the Gospel.
This will be a unique opportunity for believers to participate in the prayers and meditation sessions, to embrace the spiritual experiences offered by the Armenian Church.
ARMENIAN YOUTH AND TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE TO BE ORGANIZED
IN ANTELIAS THIS SUMMER
05/27/2008
A conference of teachers of Armenian Language, Armenian history and religion will be convened in the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias on July 17-19 on the initiative of the Catholicosate’s Armenological-educational department.
The “Armenian Education Today” conference convened in Antelias in 2004 had decided to continue discussions on issues and concerns related to Armenian education with further depth and professionalism and to devise projects in line with these discussions.
The Armenian school, with its mission of formation-both of people and Armenians- is one of the important fields of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s mission. With this in mind, Catholicos Aram I continues organizing initiatives, in cooperation with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s Armenian Department, that bring to the fore issues related to the Armenian school.
It is in this context that the conference of Armenian history, Armenian Language and religion teachers will be convened as a follow-up the above mentioned pan-Diaspora conference four years ago. The conference will comprehensively discuss issues related to all three subjects: language, methodology, teachers, textbooks, curriculum, etc. Teachers in these subjects in Armenian schools throughout the Diaspora will participate in the conference. Those interested can contact the director of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Armenological-Educational Department, Mr. Sarkis Giragossian.
On August 14-16, 2008 a pan-Diaspora youth conference will be held in Antelias. The conference was planned two years ago but was postponed at the time due to the unstable political situation in Lebanon. Under the theme “The Armenian youth in front of the challenges of the 21st century” the conference will feature lectures, round tables and group discussions. Over 100 youths from the various Dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will participate in the conference. Those interested can contact the director of the Catholicosate’s Youth Department, Rev. Father Sahag Yemishian.
CATHOLICOS ARAM I MEETS WITH FAITHFUL ARMENIAN WOMEN
05/02/2008
Over 150 Armenian women, who attend the weekly prayer sessions in Antelias, visited Catholicos Aram I in the hall of the Veharan.
The first part of the meeting, which was organized by Catholicosate’s Christian Education Department, was dedicated to hymns and prayers. The women, who had brought companions with them on this special occasion increasing the total number of the group to about 200, sang hymns following the guidance of Fr. Torkom Donoyian and read specially chosen prayers.
During the second part of the meeting, Fr. Donoyian invited Catholicos Aram I to deliver his Pontifical address to the faithful Armenian women, who come to Antelias every Tuesday to engage in spiritual contemplation.
In his talk, the Pontiff focused on phenomena which may be rooted in our lives and hence direct our lives in one way or the other. He presented the viewpoints of our forefathers on sin and on ways to avoid sin and called on everyone to flourish the life of our church. Finally, the Catholicos stressed that the Church should not only be in a position to give order, but should also listen. In this respect, he gave the attendants the opportunity to present proposals and ideas for reforms. The women in turn presented their proposals and viewpoints on introducing novelty to the spiritual contemplation sessions next year.
A LECTURE ON THE FALSE TEACHINGS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
02/28/2008
The Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Christian Education Department and the Religious Council of the Diocese of Lebanon jointly organized a lecture entitled “Jehovah witnesses or witnesses of lies?” in the Chapel of Fanar on 28 February. Over 100 faithful, mostly young Armenians, had come despite their busy routines to learn more about this harmful sect and once again be enlightened by the true path of our church.
After the welcome words, all the attendants said prayers. The speaker was Father Torkom Donoyan, director of the Christian Education Department. In his lecture, which lasted over an hour and a half, the Father explained in detail the harmful and unintelligent concepts Jehovah’s witnesses preach in order to attract potential followers. He presented to the attendants the true teachings of the Church on the basis of the Bible. However, Father Donoyan warned of versions of the Bible that have been modified by Jehovah’s witnesses.
“Sects are anti-church movements, the purpose of which is to divide and destroy Christ’s Church. With false kindness, aid and “sweet” language, they are ready to trap spiritually unarmed and people who are generally unaware of the Church’s dogma. The Church is our boat of salvation and its captain is Christ himself. This is why the Turks and others were not able to change the course of the boat, despite creating several storms on our Church’s peaceful sea and even reverting to torture, massacres and deportation. And are we to complete their unfinished work by walking away from our Fathers’ faith and the Holy arches of our Church?”, wondered Father Donoyan in his conclusion.
The attendants were given an opportunity to ask questions after the lecture. The event concluded by “Bahbanitch” and the faithful returned home more enlightened about the Church true teachings.
ANTELIAS RELEASES CD AND DVD ON
“SUNRISE AND VESPERS HYMNS”
02/28/2008
The Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia has published a CD and DVD on “Sunrise and Vespers Hymns” for use during the Great Lent period.
The hymns, written and composed by Saint Nerses Shenorhali and Saint Gregory Naregatsi are a collection of highly popular religious songs that cause great satisfaction to the faithful.
Driven by the concern to preserve the purity of Armenian religious music, the Christian Education Department released these audiovisual materials thanks to the collective efforts of the Cilician Brotherhood members. The DVD also includes the lyrics of the hymns, providing an opportunity for those who would like to learn them through karaoke practices. A video clip has been prepared for one of the hymns with Sunday School children in mind. All the other hymns on the DVD are accompanied by slides of Armenian manuscripts and architectural monuments.
The CD and DVD can be obtained from the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s bookstore in Antelias.
MID-LENT IS CELEBRATED IN ANTELIAS
02/26/2008
The weekly prayer meetings of Armenian women held in Antelias received new vigor during the Great Lent period. On the occasion of Mid-Lent, the Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Women’s Committee of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral organized a gathering that brought together around 150 women for prayers and spiritual contemplation. The event was organized under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I.
The gathering started at 10:30 on the morning of 26 February with the welcoming words of Father Torkom Donoyan, who expressed his satisfaction for the large number of participants attending the meeting and the increasing interest in observing spiritual contemplation. He also expressed his gratitude to the Pontiff, under whose direct supervision the Catholicosate’s Christian Education Department is experiencing growth in its various fields of activity.
The Grand Sacristan of the Cathedral in Antelias, Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, addressed the attendants, talking about the meaning of fasting in the life of a Christian individual. He considered the 40-day Great Lent period to be a beautiful opportunity for self-concentration and spiritual purification. The Archbishop encouraged the participation of women in the Church’s rituals, particularly its Sunrise and Vespers services held during the Lent period. He also praised the Women’s Committee for its hard work to decorate the church.
This Mid-Lent gathering proved to be an event of enormous spiritual satisfaction to the Armenian women, preparing them for Easter and the Holy Resurrection of our Lord.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN CELEBRATE THE EVE OF THE GREAT FAST “POON PAREGENTAN” IN THE VEHARAN
02/03/2008
The Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia organized its first informal event on February 3, when Sunday School students performed a special program in the Veharan following the Holy Mass. The director of the Sunday School, Rev. Fr. Ghevont Pentezian presented the children to the Catholicos, who welcomed them with fatherly love.
As is customary on the Feast of Paregentan, the children were dressed up in beautiful, colorful costumes, some representing the heroes they envisioned, others in religious costumes. They excitedly recited the hymns and Psalms they had studied.
The Pontiff gathered the children under his arms like a father, blessed them and spread in their hearts love towards the Armenian Church and the Sunday School. Those moments became an unforgettable experience for the children.