1 January 2014. At the end of the Holy Liturgy, celebrating the New Year at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, the clergy and laity went to the residence of Catholicos Aram I to hear his message and receive his blessings.
In his message, the Catholicos reminded the gathering that the New Year and the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus is a message of transformation and renewal through faith, hope and determination. He asked Armenians everywhere, whether individuals or communities with their organizations, to renew themselves by turning to Jesus so that they might become strengthened as righteous and responsible stewards of God’s creation. His Holiness then emphasized that Armenians must remain attached to their roots, stating that affirmation of identity should go hand in hand with transformation and renewal.
In the second part of the message His Holiness referred to 2015 as the 100th anniversary commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. He invited everyone to advocate for and work towards the restitution of the cultural artefacts and properties belonging to the Church and the people, which were seized by Turkey during the Genocide of over a million martyrs.
His Holiness concluded the message by reaffirming the commitment of the Catholicosate of Cilicia to remain at the forefront of demanding from Turkey the restitution of all the belongings and properties of Armenians.
