THE FORMER AMBASSADOR OF THE USA VISITS ANTELIAS
His Holiness Aram I received Simon Karam, Lebanon’s former ambassador to the USA. The main purpose of the visit was to discuss the recent developments of the delayed Lebanese presidential election.
His Holiness Aram I received Simon Karam, Lebanon’s former ambassador to the USA. The main purpose of the visit was to discuss the recent developments of the delayed Lebanese presidential election.
On Thursday, March 30th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Executive Board of Project Watan consisting of Board President MP Neemat Frem, and members Dr. Habib Malek, Hassan Al-Husseini, Dr. Asaad Eid, Antoine Kalaydjian, Eddy Khalaf Esq., Antoine Kalaydjian, and Tanie Tabet. Project Watan is an initiative aimed at building a country…
On Tuesday, March 28th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received MP Gebran Bassil, the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, accompanied by two MPs from FPM, to discuss the delayed Lebanese presidential election. MP Hagop Pakradouni, head of the Armenian parliamentary bloc, was also in attendance.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Armenian Church University Students Association ACUSA. 60 years ago, a group of Lebanese Armenian university students, led by His Holiness Karekin I Sarkissian, gathered under the roof of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and organized themselves around the values of the Armenian church and culture,…
With the blessing of His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, I had the privilege to participate in KAICIID (The International Dialogue Centre) Fellows Institutional Network Launch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 17-18 March 2023. This was my first time participating in a KAICIID event and I had no expectations. My…
On Sunday, March 26th, a group of Armenian physicians from Fresno, who have arrived in Lebanon on a special mission and will be assisting the medical needs of the Armenian community, visited His Holiness Aram I. The delegation was headed by Fresno’s Honorary Consul of Armenia Berj Apkarian. On Monday, March 27th, the Ambassador…
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, V. Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian—Dean of the Armenian Theological Seminary, participated in the KAICIID’s Fellows Programme for promoting a culture of interreligious dialogue (IRD) and fostering intercultural cooperation on institutional level, which took place on March 17th and 18th, in Malaysia. Fr. Barouyr presented the…
In preparation for a special event commemorating the 850th anniversary of the passing of St. Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali) in the Vatican, a meeting was held on March 21st, in the Vatican, between H.E. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, representing the Catholicosate of All Armenians, H.E. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, representing the Catholicosate of the Holy See of…
The Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Decent of St. Gregory the Illuminator into the Pit on the Sixth and final Sunday of Great Lent, known as the Sunday of Advent (Kalsdyan Giragi). On this day, the Holy See of Cilicia also marks the Catholicosate’s Pilgrimage Day. St. Gregory the Illuminator is…
On the occasion of the Catholicosate’s Pilgrimage Day, March 25th, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by a group of Cilician brothers, headed to the Cilicia Museum and took out sacred relics. His Holiness placed the relics in a reliquary coffer, which will be revealed to the faithful on Sunday during the Divine Liturgy.
On Thursday, March 23rd, 2023, Boutros Asaker and Ziad Mikati, representing the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to discuss the delayed presidential election. Boutros Asaker is the diplomatic advisor to PM Mikati, and Ziad Mikati is the Social Development Advisor to PM Mikati.
On Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received a delegation representing the Diocesan Executive Council of the Armenian Prelacy of Kuwait and its neighboring countries, headed by the Pontifical Vicar of the Prelacy V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manouelian, to invite His Holiness to Kuwait for a pontifical visit, between May 9-13, 2023.…
A meeting was held between His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Rai in Bkerki to discuss the delayed presidential election. In attendance was Lebanese Armenian MP Hagop Pakradouni and Vicar General of the Maronite Patriarchate Archbishop Paul Sayah. Patriarch Rai visited the Catholicosate two months ago to consult with Catholicos…
On Tuesday evening, March 21st, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Representative of Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai Archbishop Paul Sayah. The aim of the visit was to consult on behalf of Patriarch Rai on the efforts made regarding the Lebanese presidential election. His Holiness shared his thoughts and stressed the imperative…
On Monday, March 20th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the pontifical delegation visited the Armenian Nareg School in Nicosia. A special ceremony was prepared by the students who performed songs and poetry to honor the visit, and the principal took the stage to welcome His Holiness and presented briefly the Nareg schools…
A meeting took place between His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and His Beatitude Archbishop Georgios III of Cyprus at the Archbishopric Palace of the Greek Orthodox church in Nicosia, on Monday, March 20th, 2023. The meeting was an opportunity to give a general overview of the historical relationship between the two churches and their…
On Monday, March 20th, 2023, an hour long meeting took place between His Holiness Aram I and the newly-elected President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. They discussed issues pertaining to the Armenian Community in Cyprus, the Artsakh blockade, Armenia, Lebanese presidential election, and the role of Cyprus in the Middle East. The meeting concluded with an exchange…
On Sunday, March 19th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the head of the Theology Department of the University of Nicosia, Professor Christos Economou, accompanied by faculty members. The meeting was an opportunity to learn more about the program of the Department, as well as discuss theological matters.
On Sunday, March 19th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Archbishop of Maronites in Cyprus Salim Sfeir, at the Armenian Prelacy of Cyprus. Arch. Sfeir talked about the Maronite community in Cyprus and shed light on the close and fraternal relations between the Maronite and Armenian churches. His Holiness, in turn, highly…
On March 11th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was officially received at the Athens International Airport by a group of Armenian and Greek dignitaries, including the Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Greece, Archbishop Kegham Khacherian; the Consul General of Armenia in Greece, Tigran Vardanyan; the Ambassador of Lebanon to Greece, Ghadi al-Khouri; the…
On Saturday, March 11th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I departed for Greece for a pontifical visit and will proceed to Cyprus on March 17th. During his visits, His Holiness will hold meetings with diocesan and ecumenical leaders and representatives, state officials, and local organizations. It is noteworthy that the pontifical delegation consists…
A delegation consisting of six cardinals and bishops from the USA visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on Friday, March 10th, 2023, to learn about the current situation in Lebanon and the works of the Christian communities. His Holiness offered an overview of the situation of the Christians in the Middle East and their…
The High Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Zareh Sinanyan, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on Friday, March 10th, 2023. During the two-hour visit, Sinanyan briefed His Holiness on his recent tour of the Armenian Communities, outlined his assessments, and underlined the imperative of further strengthening the Armenia-Diaspora relations. …
On Thursday, March 9th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Representative of Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai Archbishop Paul Sayah to discuss the progress of the gatherings in Bkerki regarding the delayed Lebanese presidential election. In attendance was MP Hagop Pakradouni, head of the Armenian parliamentary bloc. It is noteworthy that in January…
On March 8th, 2023, the Cilician Brotherhood, the seminarians and the Catholicosate staff gathered in the atrium of the Catholicosate to celebrate His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s birthday. Warm speeches were made by H.E. Arch. Gomidas Ohanian—on behalf of the brotherhood, Chancellor Khatchig Dedeyan—on behalf of the staff, and Deacon Serge Keoshgerian—on behalf of the…
On Saturday, March 4th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received Dr. Hratch Kouyoumjian—Chair of the Supreme Council of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar) in Antelias. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss issues concerning Armenia, Artsakh, and the diaspora. They emphasized the importance of uniting the strengths of the nation and the role…
On Friday, March 3rd, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Executive Director of Adyan Foundation Dr. Elie Al Hindy, accompanied by Projects Manager Fadi Badran. Adyan is a foundation for managing diversity, promoting solidarity, and safeguarding human dignity in the Middle East based in Lebanon. Dr. Al Hindy briefed His Holiness…
At the invitation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and with the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, three young priests: V. Rev. Fr. Ardavazt Sharoyan, V. Rev. Fr. Yeghia Malkhasian, and Fr. Movses Shannakian, participated in the Oriental Orthodox Churches’ study visit to the Vatican on behalf of the Armenian Church, Holy…
A remembrance ceremony for Jirayr Tanielian and the launching of the book dedicated to his legacy was held at the Catholicosate of Cilicia, presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. Speakers Prof. Yervant Der Khatchadourian, Dr. Yervant Kassouni, and Garo Hovhanessian honored his memory, chancellor Khatchig Dedeyan made the opening remarks, and His Holiness Catholicos…
On Saturday, February 18th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s AYF Junior Organization in Lebanon, headed by its committee and directors, and accompanied by the ARF Lebanon Central Committee Chair MP Hagop Pakradouni. The aim of the visit was to receive His Holiness’ blessings and launch the centennial anniversary of the…
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the already devastated areas of Turkey and Syria on Monday, February 20th, 2023, and shook, largely, Antioch, Alexandretta (Hatay), Kessab, Aleppo, and Latakia regions. This has caused further damage to the Holy Mother of God Church and many houses in Kessab. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I remains in…
Sheikh Muhammad Salim Al-Lababidi, General Secretary of the Islamic Center for Media and Guidance visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on February 20th, 2023, and presented the Catholicos with a souvenir plaque as a token of appreciation for Aram I’s solidarity with the Palestinian cause. His Holiness expressed his appreciation for the gesture and…
The Continental Synodal Assembly of the Catholic Churches of the Middle East convened on Monday, February 13th, 2023, in Harisa. On behalf of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, H.E. Arch. Gomidas Ohanian and V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian participated in the event.
It is customary for the Sunday School students of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, headed by their director, adorned with their “Poon Paregentan: costumes to visit His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on the Eve of the Great Lent. As such, on February 19th, 2023, following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness received the children in the…
During his solidarity and a pontifical visit to Syria, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the pontifical delegation paid condolence visits to the Governor of Aleppo Hussein Diab and Party Leader Ahmad Mansour, respectively.
During his pontifical and solidarity visit to Aleppo, His Holiness met with the Armenian community and listened to their concerns and needs, and promised his unwavering paternal support and blessings. In his speech, His Holiness congratulated the Prelate of Aleppo H.G. Bishop Magar Ashkarian for his election and expressed his commendation for his dedication…
On February 16th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I paid a pontifical visit to Aleppo in solidarity with the Armenian Community amid the devastating earthquakes on the border of Syria and Turkey. The pontifical delegation was welcomed at the entrance of the Holy Mother of God Church by the Heads of the Armenian Orthodox,…
On Thursday evening, February 16th, 2023, during his pontifical visit to Aleppo, His Holiness gave an inspection tour of the areas damaged by the earthquake, starting with the Armenian School Cilicia Djemaran. In his speech, the Catholicos assured that the Armenians of Aleppo are determined to rebuild their homes and revitalize their lives. Although…
The Board of Trustees of the Birds’ Nest Orphanage, headed by Director V. Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Thursday, February 9th, 2023, and gave a detailed report on their many programs and activities. In turn, His Holiness expressed his high commendation for the social services provided in the…
On Monday, February 14th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received Dr. Joanna Wronecka, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss issues concerning Lebanon’s situation, the Paris gathering, which was held recently by representatives from the USA, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar in an effort to end the…
On Monday, February 13th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Ambassador of Lebanon to the Vatican Dr. Farid el-Khazen. During the meeting, they discussed the importance of holding the Lebanese presidential election as soon as possible, especially in light of the recent initiative taken by the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
Presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Monday, February 13th, 2023, the eve of the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Temple was celebrated at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. During the special service, Antasdan (Blessing of the Four Corners of the World), presenting the children to…
Every year, on the Sunday of St. Sahag Bartev’s commemoration, a requiem service is held in memory of the deceased catholicoi and clergy of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, to honor their memory and legacy. Subsequently, following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 12th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the service at the…
On Friday, February 10th, 2023, a gathering was held in Beirut in solidarity with the Syrian people and called for the urgent lifting of the sanctions imposed on Syria. The event was organized by the National Media Association in Lebanon and Islamic institutions. In attendance were representatives from religious and political institutions, civil rights…
On Friday evening, February 10th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai held a meeting in Bkerki to follow up on the January 27th meeting in Antelias, where they decided to invite Christian leaders and Christian members of the parliament to Bkerke, to work on reaching a common approach and…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the news with deep sorrow that the recent earthquake has left a trail of destruction in Al-Yacoubiyah village in Syria, including St. Anna Armenian Church. His Holiness closely follows the situation with the prelate of Aleppo H.G. Bishop Magar Ashkarian, and the lay leaders of the community, who confirmed that…
On Tuesday, February 6th, 2023, the president of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan held a phone conversation with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and briefed him on the humanitarian and socioeconomic crises in Artsakh due to the Lachin corridor blockade by Azerbaijan, and on the efforts of the authorities. In turn, His Holiness…
Under the patronage and encouragement of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, during the past few years, the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the National Archives of Armenia have embarked on a successful cooperation.. To further the collaboration, a memorandum of understanding and cooperation was signed on Monday, February 6th, 2023, in the Cilicia Library of the Catholicosate.…
The 19th Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches was held from January 30th until February 5th, 2023, in Cairo. With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, H.G. Bishop Magar Ashkarian, Prelate of Peria (Syria), participated in the meeting on behalf of the Armenian Church,…
On Tuesday, February 7th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I offered condolences to the President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al Assad, on behalf of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia. The Catholicos conveyed his deep sorrow for the victims of the deadly earthquake and expressed his solidarity with Syria in overcoming the…
On Monday, February 6th, 2023, following the devastating earthquake, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I remained in constant contact with the spiritual and lay leadership of the Armenian community in Syria to closely follow the aftermath and updates. – According to the latest update, the Armenian community in Aleppo has 4 casualties. It also bears…
A massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the Middle East on February 6th, 2023, with its epicenter in Eastern Turkey. The quake spread out towards the northeast, bringing devastation to central Turkey and Syria. The tremors were also felt in Lebanon, Cyprus, and nearby countries. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I immediately contacted the spiritual and lay…
Fortunately the damages in the Jazira region are limited to structures, and there are no human casualties. The Forty Martyrs Cathedral in Aleppo suffers from structural damages.
The Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, with its Catholicos Aram I and the Cilician Brotherhood expresses its deep sorrow over the huge loss of lives and property caused by the recent earthquake, and affirms its full solidarity with the people.
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Wednesday, February 1st, 2023, the Order of the Last Rites for Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian was conducted at St. Mary’s Armenian Church in Glendale, California. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church in the USA, celebrated the Divine Liturgy. …
A meeting of Lebanese spiritual heads was held in Bkerke on Wednesday evening, February 1st, 2023, to discuss the delayed Lebanese presidential election. This meeting was the result of the discussions which took place between His Holiness Aram I and the His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Rai in Antelias a week before. …
The Qatari ambassador to Lebanon Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Sahlawi visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on Wednesday afternoon, February 1st, 2023. During the two-hour meeting, they discussed matters related to the mission of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, the current situation in Lebanon, the Lebanese presidential election, and the Armenian Community in Qatar.…
On Saturday, January 28th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the newly appointed director of the Jinishian Memorial Program, Ms. Christine Tanielian-Sarkissian, accompanied by the chairperson of the Advisory Committee of the program in Lebanon, Ms. Aline Deirmendjian. His Holiness blessed and warmly greeted the appointment of Ms. Tanielian-Sarkissian, as well as commended…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s work visit to the Armenian Genocide Orphans’ “Aram Bezikian” museum and the Birds’ Nest Orphanage, in Byblos.
The head of the Maronite Church His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Rai paid a visit to His Holiness Catholicos Aram to discuss the delayed presidential election in Lebanon. In attendance at the meeting were H.E. Arch. Shahe Panossian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy in Lebanon, Stepan Der Bedrossian and Krikor Mahseredjian, Co-chairs of the Lay Council…
On January 26th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, accompanied by Ms. Seta Hadeshian, Associate General-Secretary, and Dr. Jean Salmanian, member of the Executive Council. The aim of the visit was to consult with His Holiness on a number of…
H.G. Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian, Prelate of the UAE and Qatar, and V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manouelian, Pontifical Vicar of Kuwait and neighboring countries participated, on behalf of the Armenian Church Holy See of Cilicia, in the annual meeting of the Gulf Churches Fellowship, which was held in Ras el Khaimah, UAE, on 23rd and 24th…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the Cilician Brotherhood announce with great sorrow the passing of one of its most senior members, H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian (1941-2023) that occurred on Saturday, January 21st, 2023, in Los Angeles. Details of the funeral and the final consecration order will be announced soon. …
On Thursday, January 19th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received Father Andraos Al Anthouny, Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon and Syria, and the representative of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II. Fr. Andraos conveyed the fraternal greetings of Pope Tawadros and shared about issues pertaining to the Coptic community in the…
On Thursday, January 12th, 2023, the “Matenadaran” Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan, Armenia, held a launching ceremony for “Proceedings of the Executive Council of the Diocese of Adana (starting 2 march 1905, ending 10 April 1915).” a volume jointly published by the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the “Matenadaran.” With the blessing of His…
On Tuesday, January 17th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received Vahagn Atabekyan, the Ambassador of the Armenian Republic to Lebanon. The Ambassador briefed on the situation in Armenia and Artsakh, especially regarding the efforts of ending the Lachin corridor blockade. In turn, His Holiness communicated his initiatives of establishing contacts with foreign…
On Wednesday, January 18th, 2023, a delegation representing the council of Sunni and Shiite religious leaders met with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The delegation expressed solidarity with the Artsakh Armenians and stressed the imperative of ending the Lachin Corridor blockade, on humanitarian grounds. The delegation also expressed their commendation to His Holiness for…
On Monday, January 16th, 2023, the board of Khatchig Babigian Publication Fund met in Antelias, presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. In attendance were: Yervant Pamboukian, Prof. Ashod Melkonian, Shahan Kandaharian, Khatchig Dedeyan, and Khatchig Der Ghougasian joined online. His Holiness Aram I made a general evaluation of the latest publications by…
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Lebanon commenced on Sunday, January 15th, 2023, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bsalim. With the Blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, H.E. Arch. Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy in Lebanon, and V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian participated in the service. The…
The defence of Artsakh is a critically urgent pan-Armenian imperative today; tomorrow may be too late. The Armenians of Artsakh have repeatedly expressed their collective will for self-determination. The protection of the right of self-determination of the Armenians of Artsakh, and the support of their socio-economic well-being is the sacred duty of every…
On Thursday morning, January 12th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received Archbishop Paolo Borgia, the recently appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon. This was the first meeting of the Apostolic Nuncio with His Holiness, hence the Catholicos offered a brief account on the history of the Holy See of Cilicia, its ecumenical and interreligious relations,…
On Wednesday, January 11th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea, accompanied by Guy Lee, Deputy Ambassador and Human Rights Officer. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss issues concerning the situation in Lebanon, specially in regards to the presidential election and the economic crisis.
On Monday, January 9th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mujtaba Amani, accompanied by the Deputy Ambassador. Two pressing issues were discussed during the meeting: the Lebanese Presidential election; and the urgency of reopening the Lachin Corridor. Regarding the elections, His Holiness and the Ambassador expressed the imperative…
Christmas Vigil service, consisting of the Vespers and the Divine Liturgy, was celebrated in St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ, on Thursday, January 5th, 2023. At the end of the…
In his condolence letter, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I praises the lifelong dedication of the late Emeritus Pope Benedictus XVI and mentions his contribution as one the greatest theologians of the Catholic Church who has played a key role in the formation and development of the theological approaches of the Catholic Church with his clear…
On the occasion of the New Year and Christmas, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received greeting letters and phone correspondences from state and religious officials. Among these visits, His Holiness received Arthur Khandjian—Deputy Mayor of the Issy-les-Moulineaux, France, Serop Ohanian—Director of the Karagheusian Association in Lebanon, accompanied by Janine Tanielian, and the staff…
On Monday, January 2nd, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI, the patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. He was accompanied by Bishop Kevork Assadourian. In attendance was also Arch. Gomidas Ohanian and Arch. Nareg Alemezian. The meeting was an opportunity to exchange Christmas and New Year’s greetings. They…
The Paulinus-Verlag publishing house has released the German translation of His Holiness Aram I’s “The Armenian Church.” Note that the book is also available in Arabic, Persian, Russian and French, while the Greek and the Chinese translations will be available soon.
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the 2023 pocket liturgical calendar of the Armenian Church has been released, prepared by V. Rev. Fr. Bsag Tepirjian.
Under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the feast of St. Stephen the protodeacon and protomartyr was commemorated at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias, on Sunday, December 25th, 2022. H.E. Arch. Shahan Sarkissian, director of the Cilicia Library, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and was assisted by the deacons of the Armenian…
On Wednesday, December 21st, 2022, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the President of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, held a phone conversation during which Harutyunyan briefed His Holiness on the unfolding situation in Artsakh due to the Lachin corridor blockade by Azerbaijan and the efforts towards preventing the worsening of the humanitarian crisis. In turn,…
On Tuesday, December 20th, 2022, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Lebanon Walid bin Abdallah Bukhari visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The Catholicos spoke with the Ambassador about the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan that has caused a precarious humanitarian condition to the indigenous people of Artsakh and asked for the…
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the relics of Saint Jacob of Nisibis were brought out of the Cilicia Museum and placed in St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral during the Vespers service on Friday, December 16th, 2022, which was led by H.E. Arch. Shahan Sarkissian.
The Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia condemns, in the strongest possible terms, Azerbaijan’s blockade of the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia—the Lachin Corridor. The Lachin Corridor is a patent lifeline for the Armenians of Artsakh, secured by the Trilateral Statement of 10 November 2020, to provide them unfettered access to and from Armenia. …
During the three-day plenary meetings of the World Assembly, convened on 7-9 December 2022, presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, each Prelacy’s delegation, headed by their prelates, held special meetings with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and discussed matters concerning their communities.
During the World Assembly, convened on December 7-9, 2022, presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, His Grace Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church in the USA, made the following announcements: 1. In Syria, the Prelacy will sponsor the tuition fees of 100 Armenian students attending the Armenian…
The World Assembly dedicated the second day of its three-day plenary meetings to discussing pressing issues pertaining to the Armenian Diaspora. Consequently, reports were presented on the Armenian family, identity, youth, participation of the Diaspora in the strengthening of Armenia and Artsakh, and revitalization of the Diaspora. These presentations were followed by extensive discussions and…
With a great joy we announce that benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Alecco and Ani Bezikians have generously allocated 200 000 USD towards the tuition fees of students from underprivileged families that attend schools of the Armenian Prelacy. The Bezikians were invited to attend the World Assembly, but were excused absence, hence, they extended a…
“The revitalization of the church, preparation of human agency, reiteration of values, reorganization of the diaspora, assisting the Lebanese and Syrian Armenian communities, participating in the strengthening of Armenia and Artsakh should be our immediate priorities” His Holiness Catholicos Aram I On Wednesday, December 7th, 2022, around 125 delegates from the prelacies of the…
PRO ORIENTE and the Institute for Ecumenical Studies of the Angelicum organized an international ecumenical conference entitled “Listening to the East” with the purpose of exploring the synodal traditions within the different Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches. The conference was held at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), in Rome on November 22-27, 2022.…
Presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the World Assembly of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, will be held on December 7th till 8th, 2022, in Antelias. The World Assembly is the supreme legislative body of the Church and convenes quadrennially. Delegates, elected by the Diocesan National Representative Assemblies, prelates as ex-officio…
On Friday, December 2nd, 2022, the 172nd session of the Diocesan National Representatives Assembly of the prelacy of Peria (Syria) concluded with the election of H.G. Bishop Magar Ashekian as their Prelate. At the request of the prelacy, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I had provided them with a three-name list of candidates. Following reading…
On November 28th and 29th, 2022, the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held in person meeting for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic, in Deir Saydet al Bir in Bkennaya, Lebanon. V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian and Dr. Jean Salmanian attended the meeting on behalf of the…
On Saturday, November 26th, 2022, the newly elected Regional Committee of the Social Democrat Hunchag Party visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to receive the pontifical blessing for their work and mission for the upcoming year. His Holiness congratulated their election and underlined the imperative of giving new impetus to the internal cooperation of…
On Thursday, November 24th, 2022, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received Ali Abdul Karim Ali, Syria’s Ambassador to Lebanon, in his office at the headquarters of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, in Antelias. In attendance was also Lebanese Armenian MP and the head of the Armenian parliamentary bloc Hagop Pakradounian. His Holiness…
On Saturday, November 19th, 2022, a meeting was held between His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI. During the meeting they discussed the commemoration of the 850th anniversary of St. Nerses the Gracious (Nerses Shenorhali), Armenian-Diaspora relations and Lebanese presidential election.
Thursday, November 17th, 2022, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, headed by chairperson Hagop Der Khatchadourian. During the over one-hour meeting, they discussed matters concerning Armenia and Artsakh and underlined the imperative of overcoming the crisis and strengthening the countries with unity and collaboration.
On Wednesday, November 16th, 2022, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Central Committee (CC) visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The ARS, an international humanitarian NGO, and the Holy See of Cilicia have always had close cooperation, especially in the areas of social service, humanitarian and educational aid. Chair of the ARS CC Nayiri Derderian…
The Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions held its yearly meeting from November 7th to the 11th, 2022. This was the first meeting to occur in-person since the last gathering in 2019. Participants gathered from around the globe in Vancouver, Canada, and were hosted by the Pentecostal World Fellowship. The ecumenical officers of…