“THE CONFISCATION OF ARMENIAN PROPERTIES... by the Turkish Government said to be abandoned”

by Dr. Kevork K. Baghdjian

Translated and Edited by Dr. A. B. Gureghian

This book is the English version of the original one, in French, authored by Dr. Baghdjian, which investigates in great detail the juridical aspect of the question related to the confiscation of Armenian properties by Turkey following the Armenian genocide of 1915.

The important topic analyzed by Dr. Baghdjian is believed to be highly relevant to an eventual resolution of the Armenian nation’s financial and territorial claims from Turkey, i.e., a subject of crucial importance in the years ahead.

The publication of this book was made possible through the contributions from the K. Babikian Foundation of the Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia.

ST. NERSĒS THE GRACIOUS AND CHURCH UNITY

- A New book in English by His Holiness Aram I -

-For more information click here-

Because of its unique political, cultural and ethnic environment, the Cilician period of Armenian history presented the Armenian people with new horizons, perspectives, opportunities and concerns. The impact of this pluralist environment can be clearly seen in almost all aspects and spheres of Armenian life, including the Armenian Church. Church unity became one of the core issues and challenges facing the Armenian Church. The efforts towards unity (1165-1173) conducted by Catholicos Saint Nerses the Gracious, the Ecumenical Patriarch Michael and Byzantine Emperor Manuel are of critical importance within the broader context of the history of the church in the East. In this book, which was written as a dissertation for the degree of S.T.M. in 1974, His Holiness Aram I spells out the complex nature of church unity in its theological, ecclesiological, political and ecumenical implications. Hence, this study may significantly help the modern ecumenical movement in its continuous striving for visible unity. Further, it could open a new dimension in the context of bilateral theological dialogue among the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches.

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, is an internationally known spiritual leader and ecumenical figure. He served for two terms (1991-2005) as Moderator of the World Council of Churches. Since 2006 he has been a honorary president of the World Religions for Peace and a president of the Middle East Council of Churches.

BOOK LAUNCH DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN ARABIC

06/11/2010

Friday 11 June 2010, under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I, the book launch on Armenian Genocide in Arabic took place in the presence of a large audience.

His Grace Bishop Norayr Achekian welcomed the guests and reminded them of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s commitment to historical truth and the Armenian Genocide.

Following the introduction, the author Dr. Zahreddine took the floor. He said that the book was an expression of his respect to the Armenian people and the product of his long commitment to human rights and justice. The author thanked the Catholicosate in the person of His Holiness Aram I for sponsoring the publication of the book.

At the end of the ceremony, after a short cultural programme, Archbishop Komitas Ohanian read the message of His Holiness Aram I in Arabic, in which the Catholicos wrote: “This book in Arabic will be adding to the historical facts that confirm the Armenian genocide, and which the international community keeps denying by condoning impunity.”

PRESENTATION OF THE FACSIMILE OF

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS OF ST.GREGORY OF NAREG

05/27/2010

On Thursday 27 May 2010, His Holiness Aram I presided over the ceremony presenting to the public the facsimile of the manuscript of the “Book of Lamentations” by St. Gregory of Nareg written in 1173, in Cilicia. The manuscript that is currently at St. Mashdotz National Library in Erevan (Armenia) was reproduced through the financial support of Mr. Gabriel Chemberjian and his wife Dr. Angel Chemberjian.

The Director of the National Library Mr. Hratchia Tamrazian was the guest speaker. Mr. Tamrazian spoke of the deep spirituality of St. Gregory the monk and the way he transmits his spirituality through the Book. Mr. Tamrazian also spoke of the exceptionally beautiful miniatures in the book, which reflects the unique art form developed in Cilicia.

After thanking the sponsoring couple for making this limited edition of facsimile available to Armenian families, His Holiness Aram I declared that the income from the sale of this reproduction would become the basis of a new ‘Fund for the Seminary’.

The evening was concluded by a cultural evening during which the seminary students recited the poem His Holiness Aram I had written on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Gregory of Nareg.

“GIVING MEANING TO LIFE THROUGH VALUES”,

A NEW BOOK IN ARMENIAN BY HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

For more information click here

The latest book in Armenian by His Holiness Aram I, entitled “Giving Meaning To Life Through Values”, has just appeared. As the Catholicos writes in his introduction, “the book reflects the pastoral concern of a Church Leader”. In the book, His Holiness invites the reader to reflect upon moral and ethical values; it is both a message for a meaningful life and a challenge for transformation. The book was sponsored by the Gulbenkian Foundation.

The book provides a framework for Armenians in the 21^st Century. In its 492 pages and eight sections, His Holiness explores the following themes: living a God-centered life, seeking spiritual values, following the path of service - the path to faith and love, affirming rights and demanding compensation, nurturing gospel values, working for human development – the axis of the Armenian Community, and facing the challenges to staying Christian Armenian.

SPIRITUAL HYMNS OF HOLY WEEK OF THE

ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ON CD AND BOOK

Each year during the Great Lent, the faithful deepen their spiritual journey through the centuries old hymns of the Armenian Church. Recently, 8 CDs were released, which included spiritual hymns of the church starting with the Raising of Lazarus, including Palm Sunday, the Holy Week and concluding with Easter Sunday celebrations. Two former graduates of the Seminary, Deacons, Mark Shirin and Raffi Der Simonian sponsored the project.

The CDs were produced in harmony with the music book published in Antelias in 1991. The book and the CDs are meant to become resources in religious education classes, for church choirs and other church activities. The book and most importantly the CDs are expected to communicate the spirituality of the church to the faithful and accompany them in their daily lives.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I ANNOUNCES THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SERIES OF PUBLICATIONS IN ANTELIAS

03/17/2010

“Deepening The Communion With Our Church Fathers” is the title of the new series of publications of the Catholicosate. These new books will include the theological writings and interpretative works of Armenian Church Fathers translated from classical Armenian into modern Armenian. “Archbishop Sempat Lapadjian Fund” of the Catholicosate will sponsor the project. The aim of this project is to make available the Patristic literature of the Armenian Church to scholars and the laity who cannot read classical Armenian. When announcing the project, His Holiness Aram I said: “Our Patristic Literature is an important source of Christian edification of the faithful, and affirmation of the Spirituality of the Armenian church.

THE FIRST VOLUME OF THE SERIES OF PUBLICATIONS ON THE “ADANA TRAGEDY” APPEARS

During the commemorative events of the Adana massacres, His Holiness Aram I announced the publication and reprinting of documents on the tragedy in a special series. The first volume has just appeared. It is a reprint of the book, Cilician Tragedy, written by Souren Bartevian and published in Constantinople in 1909.

2009 YEARBOOK OF “HASK” ARMENOLOGICAL JOURNAL IS DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN CILICIA

This year’s issue is devoted to the proceedings of the International Conference commemorating the 100^th anniversary of massacres in Adana, organized by His Holiness Aram I. The volume includes documents on the geography, theology, culture, politics and military history of the period, published in their original languages.

The Gulbenkian Foundation made the publication of this volume possible.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I IN DIALOGUE WITH THE YOUTH

11/21/2009

Rev. Karnik Koyounian, the parish priest of St. Hagop Church in Montreal, presented His Holiness Aram I with the collection of his dialogues with the youth, published in a book in Armenian, English and French.

The book is a collation of the statements and letters His Holiness Aram I has written to the youth during the past two years in an attempt to respond to their concerns within the framework of ‘being church today’.

Rev. Koyounian said that the book explains to the youth the mission of the Armenian Church today.

THE TRADITIONAL ANNUAL BOOK FAIR OPENS IN ANTELIAS

“AS OF 2010 THE CHURCH WILL ORGANISE PAN-DIASPORA BOOK FAIR”

ARAM I

11/01/2009

On Sunday November 1 2009, after the Holy Liturgy the clergy and laity walked in procession from the Cathedral Gregory the Illuminator to the big tent erected in the middle of the Courtyard of the monastery housing the Annual Book Fair. Annually, Armenian publishers, organizations, media, producers of DVDs and CDs all over from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and other regions are invited to exhibit their books, documents, music and other cultural artefacts for a whole month. The Publishing House of the Catholicosate that publishes hundreds of volumes annually sponsors the Book Fair. This event is an occasion to sensitise the Armenian public on the spiritual, literary and cultural achievements of the Diaspora.

In His opening speech His Holiness Aram I welcomed the participating organizations and thanked them for their work in sustaining Armenian language and culture in the Diaspora. He then showed the first print of the book that included essays by Armenian Students in the Diaspora who had won the Essay competition. His Holiness had announced the competition during the Book Fair in 2008. At the end of his speech Catholicos Aram I announced that as of 2010 all the communities in Diaspora would be invited to take part in Book Fairs.

CATHOLICOSATE PUBLISHES SPIRITUAL RESOURCES

TO ACCOMPANY 2009 YEAR OF ARMENIAN YOUTH

07/21/2009

The declaration by His Holiness Aram I of 2009 as the Year of the Armenian Youth coincided with the crisis in the World Economic Order. Like youth everywhere, Armenian youth are facing the consequences of the credit crisis. Unemployment is a real threat to everyone. Youth are disillusioned with the concept of materialism as a ‘source of happiness,’ and many of them, particularly those in all religious traditions, are seeking spiritual enforcement.

The year of youth in the Armenian Orthodox Church is, therefore, not a declaration of intent; it is a task to be implemented in all dioceses in the diaspora with the cooperation of the clergy, laity and youth. While every century or decade has brought a new challenge to the Armenian Church and faithful, our religious literature, as a relevant source of spirituality, has always accompanied the nation during difficult periods.

The recently published religious education book, “The Road to Heaven,” is a vivid example. The book is a biblical interpretation of the meaning of Christian life. It was written by the scholar, Manouk Gagossian, in Gürün and printed for the fourth time in 1907. The book has been translated from classical Armenian to western Armenian by the young priest, Rev. Fr. Varant Kortmossian.

The Youth Department of the Catholicosate offers “The Road to Heaven” to Armenian youth, hoping that it will help them to understand Christian life and to view their lives from a new perspective.

THE LATEST VOLUME OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEXTBOOKS

FOR 14 YEAR OLD STUDENTS IS PUBLISHED

07/15/2009

Two years ago the Religious Council of the Catholicosate endorsed the Project of publishing religious education textbooks for Church related schools and Sunday Schools proposed by His Holiness Aram I. Since then the books for 8 and 12 year olds have appeared. Last week the book for 14-year-old students appeared. It includes introductions to: the Bible, the lives of Saints, the Feasts of the Church, and prayers. The book uses pedagogical approaches that make the topics comprehensible and learning a pleasant experience.

Two more volumes are under publication, those for 6-year and 10-year old students. These two books also include handbooks for the teachers.

THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ARMENIA

PRAISES THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

FOR ITS PUBLICATIONS PROJECT

07/10/2009

On 10 July 2009, the Armenian Writers’ Association and the National Library in Erevan jointly organized the book launch of the 68^th Kevork Melidentsi Award winning book published by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The launch of the book “Orhnerkoutium Medzazkanch” (Glorious Blessings) was held at the Main Hall of the National Library in the presence of more than a hundred members of the Association.

The Director of the Library, who is also a member of the Governing Board of the Association, welcomed the guests and praised the Catholicosate of Cilicia, and particularly His Holiness Aram I for sponsoring the publication of treasures of Armenian literature. He said that the Catholicos was not only publishing manuscripts, but he himself was contributing to the thinking of our time through his writings. He then continued: “In addition to the seventy volumes of literary treasures that the National Library had received, we just added two more books to our collection, “For a Church Beyond its Walls” and “Pour un Monde Transforé” both written by His Holiness.”

Following the speech of the Director, and after the book was introduced by several other speakers, the President of the Writers’ Association thanked the editor of “Orhnerkoutium Medzazkanch” Sarkis Guiragossian, who had done an excellent job in editing and arranging the book. He described the Lebanese Armenian writer as a bridge builder between Armenian and Diaspora authors. As a sign of their appreciation, he decorated him with the “Hagop Meghabard” prestigious Medallion.

In the end, the members of the Armenian Writers’ Association recommended that “Orhnerkoutium Medzazkanch” be reprinted in Armenia and made available to all teachers of armenian language and literature as a companion to their teaching materials.

KHATCHIK BABIKIAN FOUNDATION FOR PUBLICATIONS LAUNCHES ITS FIRST VOLUME

06/05/2009

On Friday 5 June 2009, in the evening the Foundation launched its first publication under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I. Mr. Yervant Pamboukian presented the book entitled “Ethnographic Study of the Religious and Cultural Achievements of Armenians within the Turkish Republic (1923-2005), a theses written by Garin Khanlarian from Iran.

After the presentation of the book, His Holiness Aram I thanked the members of the Board for their choice of the work, because he said: “Political Science was the preferred academic disciple of late Khatchik Babikian. Khatchik Babikian had bequeathed the Fund to the Catholicosate in order to promote scientific research on the Armenian people in this field. The current volume sets the precedence for the future work of the Board.

A NEW BOOK IN FRENCH BY HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM I:

“POUR UN MONDE TRANSFORMÉ” (FOR A TRANSFORMED WORLD)

12/24/2008

This new volume written by His Holiness treats issues pertaining to inter-church and inter-religious dialogue, ecumenism, church and society relations and human rights. Most of the articles included in the book have already appeared in Aram I’s previous volume, “For a Church Beyond Its Walls”. The preface of the book is written by Dr. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, President of the Conference of European Churches. The publication of this volume is made possible through a generous contribution from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

Hereunder some excerpts from the last chapter of the book:

Un autre monde est-il possible?

Un autre monde est possible lorsque les églises articulent concrètement leur fidélité aux impératifs de l'Évangile en détruisant tous “murs de séparation” (Eph. 2:14) et en devenant signe et anticipation de l'unité de l'humanité, au sein de la fragmentation et de la polarisation, lorsqu'ils deviennent un phare d'espérance dans un monde de désespérance et d'incertitude; lorsqu'ils se font l'écho, dans leur vie et leur témoignage, de la voix des sans voix, donnant des moyens aux impuis-sants et incarnant Jésus Christ comme Lumière et Vie du monde.

Un autre monde est possible lorsque la force ne prime pas le droit, lorsque les religions s'engagent les unes avec les autres dans un dialogue franc et une collaboration étroite; lorsqu'elles s'acceptent et se respectent mutuellement comme partie intégrante d'une seule humanité dans un seul monde; lorsqu'elles rejettent toutes expressions d'exclusion et tout fon-damentalisme, et embrassent la tolérance, consolidant la confiance mutuelle pour bâtir des communautés de diversités réconciliées; lorsqu'elles promouvoient la non-violence et les valeurs morales communes pour soutenir et gouverner la vie de nos sociétés.

Un autre monde est possible, lorsque les nations luttent contre l'injustice, la pauvreté et le racisme sous toutes leurs formes; lorsqu'elles investissent dans l'éducation plutôt que dans l'armement, dans les droits de l'homme plutôt que dans la sécurité nationale, dans le développement socio-économique plutôt que dans la consommation, dans des politiques de prévention multilatérales plutôt que dans des interventions militaires unilatérales; lorsqu'elles développent une gouvernance globale soutenue par des principes éthiques et par les droits de l'homme; lorsqu'elles travaillent ensemble pour une paix juste et complète enracinée dans la justice.

La transformation du monde appelle à la repentance et au pardon; elle appelle à une réconciliation basée sur l'acceptation de la vérité et la restauration de la justice.

Aram I

THE 30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF BOOK EXHIBITION HELD IN ANTELIAS

11/31/2008

The 30^th annual book fare of the Catholicosate of Cilicia was launched this Sunday in the Catholicosate’s headquarters in Antelias.

Following the Holy Mass in the Cathedral, the procession of Cilician Brotherhood members and Seminary students headed by His Holiness Aram I walked towards the Cilicia Museum’s surroundings, where the exhibition was set up a in huge tent put up for this purpose.

Religious officials, intellectuals, students and book lovers, a large number of believers and journalists attended the opening. The Catholicosate’s Seminary and Sunday School students delivered a beautiful cultural program venerating Armenian culture.

The exhibition includes several publications from Lebanese Armenian and foreign publishing houses, as well as individual authors and publishing houses within the Catholicosate.

In his opening remarks for the event, Lebanese Armenian poet, intellectual and Seminary professor Sarkis Giragossian spoke about the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s cultural mission of the past decades particularly in the field of supporting the publication and promotion of Armenian books.

In his address on this occasion, His Holiness spoke about the commitment Armenians should have towards their cultural values and particularly towards Armenian books. His Holiness stressed that the absence of Armenians from such cultural events is unacceptable and is a sign of their disengagement from their Armenian roots. The Pontiff praised the growing scope of the annual exhibition over time, adding that the preservation of Armenian culture in the Diaspora is an indivisible part of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s mission. His Holiness remembered that Armenian book fare launched for the first time by the late His Holiness Karekin II of Cilicia, who enthusiastically supported the recurrence of the event year after year.

Referring to the spiritual and intellectual values of Armenians, His Holiness considered the Armenian book to be our spiritual intellectual bread. In a graphical comparison, he spoke about the long queues that used form in front of bakeries, pointing out that the queues in front of the “value” bakeries have started to recede. The number of individuals reading Armenian books and concerned with the state of the Armenian book has decreased.

The Pontiff commended all the organizations and individuals supporting the Armenian book. He pledged that the Holy See of Cilicia will continue its mission with the same commitment not only in Antelias but also in all the dioceses, preserving Armenian cultural and spiritual values and the heritage of our ancestors.

The exhibition showcases spiritual, philosophical, literary, pedagogical books and books on the church, literary criticism, music and culture. The exhibition will remain open until December 21, 2008, from 9 AM in the morning till 7 PM in the evening.

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA RELEASES THE DVD

OF THE BLESSING OF MURON

09/01/2008

The Communications Office of the Catholicosate of Cilicia announced today it has released a DVD documenting the historic Blessing of the Muron (Muronorhnek) service held on 7 June 2008 in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias.

Attending the ceremony performed by His Holiness Aram I were the representatives of the Holy Sees of the Armenian Church- the Catholicosate of All Armenians in Etchmiyadzine, The Orthodox Seat in Jerusalem and the Patriarchate in Istanbul. Also present alongside the Pontiff were the Primates of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the members of the Cilician Brotherhood.

His Holiness Aram I addressed the entire Armenian nation during his Sermon on this holy occasion, greeting all Armenians worldwide from the Catholicosate’s Antelias headquarters. A huge crowd of believers attended the ceremony in addition to representatives from sister churches, as well as government and diplomatic officers.

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THE NEW CONTRIBUTION OF THE ANTELIAS PUBLISHING HOUSE:

A UNIQUE VOLUME ON THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE

04/08/2008

A new volume on Armenian Literature, “Orhnerkoutyoun Medzaskantchin” was published recently in Antelias as part of “Kevork Melidintsi” Literary Award administered by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Comprised of 632 pages, the book brings together several works of Armenian literature, including prose, poems and memos.

The volume, published on the occasion of the Year of the Armenian Language, was in press for some time as new writings were being added to it constantly. Works dedicated to the Armenian Language starting from the Golden Age until recent times and authors are included in this comprehensive book, which has been edited by Lebanese Armenian intellectual and teacher of Armenian Language and Literature at the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Seminary, Sarkis Giragossian. In his introduction to the book, Giragossian engages in a well-written praise of the Armenian Language from the Golden Age to present times.

Catholicos Aram I’s Pontifical message announcing 2006 as the “Year of the Armenian Language” is printed at the beginning of the book. An article by the Pontiff also looks at the various threats facing Eastern and Western Armenian today with a realistic and analytical approach. In addition to diagnosing the problem, His Holiness proposes solutions in the form of new projects to ensure the healthy survival of the Armenian Language as a precondition for the survival of the Armenian nation itself.

With this book Antelias places a goldmine of Armenian Language in the hands of Armenian teachers, students and the general Armenian public to enjoy and further strengthen their Armenian roots.

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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.