Under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and organized by the Christian Education Department of the Holy See of Cilicia, students from the Sunday school of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon gathered at the Catholicosate in Antelias on the morning of Saturday, December 2^nd. They participated in the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by the director of the Christian Education department, V. Rev. Fr. Stepanos Pashayan, followed by a meeting with His Holiness.

This assembly follows a customary practice, aligning with the celebration of Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew, the patron saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the first enlighteners of Armenia. Additionally, this event is recognized as “Sunday School Day.”

The Naregatsi children’s choir, led by V. Rev. Fr. Zareh Nadjarian, sang the Divine Liturgy. The altar was attended to by the deacons and acolytes of Sourp Harootyoun Church (Holy Resurrection) in Jounieh.

Subsequently, led by Fr. Stepanos, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Sarkissian from the Prelacy of Lebanon, and the director of the Catholicosate’s Sunday School, Ms. Janin Tanielian-Markarian, the students ascended to the Veharan, the pontifical residence. Arin Markarian, Sunday School teacher at the Catholicosate, delivered the opening address. The students then presented a showcase that included hymn singing and psalm recitations.

His Holiness expressed appreciation and bestowed his paternal blessing upon the children. He expressed joy at observing a gathering of children at the Catholicosate every Sunday, immersing themselves in the teachings of God and enriching their spiritual lives. Finally, the Sunday school teachers and children planted an evergreen tree symbolizing the steadfastness of their faith, in the garden of the Catholicosate.