People around the globe will be celebrating New Yearâs Eve amid the Corona Virus Pandemic and economic crisis. Adding fuel to the fire, Armenians are enduring the trauma of the Artsakh war due to Azeri aggressions on Artsakh.    Hence, based upon our Christian and national zeal, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I exhorts the…
In the presence of the Religious and Lay Councils of the Executive Council of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, we address our church and nation the following pontifical message: Â Â The Armenian people is in deep anguish: the sense of defeat has caused confusion and hopelessness. In fact, despite the heroic resistance of our army…
On Saturday evening, December 5th, 2020, a Cilician Brotherhood gathering was held in the hall of Cilicia Museum, in the presence of His Holiness Aram I, to discuss topics related to a) religion and science, and b) faith and religion. During this gathering, 5 Cilician brothers: V. Rev. Fr. Ardag Arabian, V. Rev. Fr.…
H.E. Audrey Azoulay Director-General UNESCO  Madame Director-General,   Re: Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakhâs Armenian historical, religious and cultural heritage   The World Council of Churches is a global fellowship of churches in over 120 countries and territories, representing an estimated 580 million people. Included among WCCâs more than 350 member churches are the Armenian Apostolic…
 The six weeks of bloody armed conflict that occurred a few weeks ago in Artsakh- Armenian name of Nagorno-Karabakh- ended with a ceasefire, in effect as of midnight November 9-10, as well as with a deal that leaves the region short of a clear and sustainable and long-lasting peace. It was an arrangement loose…
In his recent pontifical address, His Holiness Aram I appealed to the Armenian people to ârefuse the document signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan through the mediation of Russia, which clearly goes beyond a ceasefire agreement, and is full of uncertainties and ambiguities, as well as fraught with dangerous ramifications, and repercussions.â Â Â After exalting…
 On Friday, November 13th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Cilician brotherhood meeting, held at the Main Hall of the Catholicosate, where he briefed the situation in Artsakh and his thoughts on the matter, which he will publicly announce in the coming days.
On Friday, November 13th, 2020, a phone conversation was held between His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who suggested to His Holiness to declare Sunday, November 22nd, Remembrance Day for the fallen heroes in defense of the Motherland and to hold a memorial service for their souls in all…
On Thursday, November 5th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Homenetmen Central Committee accompanied by Arthur Khandjian, Deputy Mayor of the Issy-les-Moulineaux, France. Â At the initiative of the Deputy Mayor, a program to aid the Lebanese Armenians effected by the Beirut Blast with food and clothing had been implemented, and Arthur Khandjian…
This evening, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I met H.E. Joseph Spiteri and exposed to him the conflict of the Republic of Artsakh in its historical and political context. Â Speaking about the aggression of Azerbaijan against the peaceful population of Artsakh, His Holiness stressed the political-military support of Turkey to Azerbaijan, pointing out its far…
On Saturday morning, October 31st, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the meeting of Religious Council of Central Council of the National General Assembly held in Antelias. Â His Holiness commenced by briefing the Council on the latest developments in Artsakh War, and on his efforts in advocacy for the international recognition of…
The AnglicanâOriental Orthodox International Commission held a virtual meeting on October 27th, 2020, in lieu of its yearly gathering, due to the Coronavirus. V. Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate, and V. Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian, director of the Christian Education department, participated in the meeting on behalf of the Catholicosate of…
The annual Conference of Secretaries of World Christian Communions held a virtual meeting on October 20th to the 22nd, 2020, in lieu of its yearly gathering, due to the Coronavirus. V. Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate, participated on behalf of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Our churchâs report was offered to the…
On Wednesday, October 28th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received a delegation from the Lebanese Forces (LF) party composed of members of the Lebanese Parliament and former ministers. Â The aim of the visit was to express the solidarity of the LF party and its leader Samir Geagea to the Armenian people in the…
On Saturday, October 24th, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Hamazkayin Central Committee headed by Dr. Meguerditch Meguerditchian. During the meeting, they discussed the activities of the Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Society through its worldwide branches and the challenges they are facing, especially with relation to the existing situation due to the pandemic.…
On Monday, October 19th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I ratified the election of HG Bishop Torkom Donoyan  as the prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church in the USA in a Pontifical letter directed to the Diocesan National Representative Assembly and wished the newly elected prelate success in fulfilling the mission entrusted…
On Tuesday, October 20th, 2020, a national funeral service will be held for the chair of the National General Assembly of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and national benefactor, at the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Â Due to the coronavirus, condolences will be received via phone on + 961 3 51 30 61 and + 971 50…
On Friday, October 16th, 2020, His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of the Armenian Republic to Lebanon HE Mr. Vahagn Atabekyan. The two discussed the situation in Artsakh amid the ongoing Azeri-Turkish aggression on the Republic of Artsakh, despite the established ceasefire, for the second time, as well as the position of the International…
On Friday, October 16th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I honors the late Haroutioun Samuelian with the âKnight of Ciliciaâ Insignia. Samuelian has served as the vice-governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon for many years and has been an active member of the Lebanese Armenian Community.
On Sunday, October 11th, 2020, on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Translators, the opening of the 90th academic year of the Armenian Theological Seminary took place with a Divine Liturgy, which was presided by His Holiness Aram I and celebrated by the newly appointed Dean of the Seminary His Grace Bishop Meghrig…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the National General Assembly of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, the Religious and the Lay Councils of the Assembly, and the Cilician brotherhood mourn the passing of the Chair of the National General Assembly, member of the Finance Body of the Assembly, and the former Chair of the Chuch Councils in…
On October 4th, 2020, during the Sunday Divine Liturgy celebrated at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I offered prayers for Artsakh and the Armenian Army, who are fighting for their God-given right to live freely and independently on the frontlines of their homeland, and presided over the requiem service…
His Holiness Aram I sent letters of condolences to the family of the deceased Emir and the Prime Minister of Kuwait, on behalf of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, and personally, over the death of the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Â In his letter, Aram I talks about the important role played…
In an appeal calling Armenians worldwide to unite against Azerbaijani aggression, His Holiness Aram I stated that the recent attacks on the Armenian homeland, on Artsakh in particular, urges Armenians to show active solidarity to the Armenian army. His Holiness Aram I said that he is in constant contact with the state officials of…
His Holiness Aram I established contact with Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and expressed his solidarity to the Armenian Army amid the Azerbaijani aggression on the border of Republic of Artsakh. His Holiness then called upon the Armenians around the world to show solidarity to the homeland and its Army reminding that the whole nation…
In the recent days, His Holiness Aram I conducted online meetings with the Cilician brothers serving in our prelacies and pursuing their education abroad to learn about their progress in their mission and studies, and to give them his paternal blessings and guidance.
Throughout the year, His Holiness Aram I pays frequent visits to the Armenian Genocide Orphansâ âAram Bezikianâ Museum in Byblos to be updated about the Museumâs activities, and during his last visit, Aram I was contented to learn that despite the situation caused by the pandemic, many were visiting the museum. Â Â At the…
On Sunday, September 20th, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, and conducted Prayers of Thanksgiving for the Republic of Armenia and the blessing of the Armenian flag in front of the Independence Monument. Â In attendance were the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon…
On Wednesday, September 16th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Vahagn Atabekyan, in Bikfaya. They discussed the recent situation in Lebanon and issues pertaining to the visit of the Foreign Minister of Armenia to Lebanon. Â
The last of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church and the second of the four feasts of the Cross, The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, was solemnly celebrated on Sunday, September 13th, 2020, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. The Divine Liturgy was presided by His Holiness Aram…
On Wednesday, September 9th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Executive Director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Mr. Haykak Arshamyan, accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Lebanon H.E. Vahagn Atabekyan. Â They discussed the humanitarian aid supplied from the Republic of Armenian to Lebanon and especially to the Armenian community…
On September 7th, 2020, His Holiness Aram I paid a visit to the Armenian Theological Seminary, and addressed the students with his paternal message, where he reemphasized the mission of the Seminary which, besides education, includes formation of persons dedicated to serving God and the people. He stated that the Seminary graduates are fully equipped…
On August 28th, 2020, His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of Lebanon to Vatican Dr. Farid Elias Al-Khazen. They talked about the current economic, social and political situation in Lebanon and Vaticanâs approach and role in this regard. Â Â Â
On August 26th, 2020, His Holiness Aram I assigned HG Bishop Meghrig Parikian as the Dean of the Armenian Theological Seminary. By the ordinance of the Catholicos, V. Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian, who served as the Dean for the past four years, will be departing on a new mission on a diocesan level. Bishop…
A phone conversation was held between His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Aleppo Bishop Massis Zoboyan, during which the Catholicos inquired about the situation of the Aleppo Armenians and reaffirmed the solidarity of the Catholicosate of Cilicia to the Syrian Armenian community. His Holiness was content to…
By the ordinance of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, HE Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian initiated the reorganization of the departments of Manuscripts and Ancient Books of the Library of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. On Tuesday, August 18th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I visited the library for a briefing on the process, and commended the…
On Monday, August 17th, 2020, the representative of Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church visited His Holiness Aram I in St. Mary Monastery in Bikfaya. He transmitted the greetings of the Patriarch, as well as extended a letter of condolence on the occasion of the Beirut Blast. In the letter, Patriarch Kirill also…
On Sunday, August 16th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over a solemn Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by Bishop Magar Ashkarian, on the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. Â At the end of the Liturgy, His Holiness…
As recently announced, the Catholicosate of Cilicia has initiated a fundraising campaign, dedicated to the restoration of the Lebanese Armenian community. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I has appealed for all donations to be made to a special account opened for this purpose in Geneva. The collected funds will be transferred to the Lebanese Armenian Rehabilitation…
On Saturday, August 15th, 2020, His Holiness Aram I received the visit of the Executive Members of the Tekeyan Cultural Association Foundersâ Body composed of Ani Latchinian-Magarian and Dr. Hovig Vartanian, headed by the chairperson Hagop Kassardjian. Â They discussed the activities and future projects of the Association, as well as the concerns that the…
An increase in coronavirus cases have been recorded in Aleppo, including the Aleppo Armenian community. In this regard, His Holiness Aram I is closely following the situation, and held phone conversations with Bishop Masis Zoboyan, Prelate of Armenian Prelacy of Aleppo, and responsible bodies in the Armenian community.  Addressing the needs of the community,…
On Wednesday, August 12th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and PM of Armenia Mr. Nikol Pashinyan conducted a phone conversation, where the Catholicos highly commended the humanitarian aid sent to Lebanon over three consecutive days. Â Â Â Â Â On the evening of the same day, the ambassador of Armenia Mr. Vahagn Atapekyan visited His Holiness…
On Tuesday morning, August 11th, 2020, His Holiness Aram I visited the Armenian churches in Beirut and the suburbs to closely inspect the damages. He was accompanied by the prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon, members of the Diocesan Council of Lebanon and Cilician brothers. Â Upon his visit, Aram I encouraged the Armenian…
In response to the Beirut explosion on August 4th, the Lebanese Armenian Rehabilitation Commission was created, at the instigation of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The Commission will cater to the needs of the families effected by the blast, as well as by the economic crisis and the Covid-19 in Lebanon. Â The Prelate of…
On Sunday, August 9th, 2020, a phone conversation was held between His Holiness Aram I and Armenian PM Mr. Nikol Pashinyan. Pashinyan informed the Catholicos about the incoming humanitarian aid by the Republic of Armenia to both the Lebanese State and the Armenian community, while Aram I gave a general account on the casualties and…
Following the Sunday Divine Liturgy, on August 9th, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the visit of the delegation of the Republic of Armenia composed of the Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon Vahagn Atabekyan, Head of the Armenia-Lebanon Friendship Group Hrachya Hakobyan, High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, Chief of Staff to the Office…
His Holiness Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy celebrated on Sunday in St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, where in attendance were the delegation representing the Republic of Armenia, the representative of the Armenian bloc in the Lebanese Parliament, representatives of the three Armenian political parties in Lebanon. During the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Aram…
On Friday, August 7th, 2020, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the newly appointed committee of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party in Lebanon, headed by Avedis Dakessian. Â The committee expressed their total solidarity with His Holinessâ recovery initiatives and his pontifical message, and briefed the Catholicos on future perspectives of the party. Â In…
The devastating blast of 4 August 2020 at the Beirut port put Lebanon once more on the front pages of the global media. The citizens are outraged but count on the support of the international community. Coming on the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic and the mishandling of the economy by the countryâs corrupt leadership,…
Phone calls expressing solidarity following the Beirut explosion were received from the President of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Armen Sarkissian, the President of the Republic of Artsakh Mr. Arayik Harutyunyan, the former President of Armenia Mr. Serj Sarkissian, Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians, Archbishop Sahak II Patriarch of Constantinople, the prelates of the…
Immediately after the Beirut explosion, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by a few Cilician brothers, headed to the Armenian neighborhood in Bourdj Hamoud, where he toured the streets with the mayor and representatives of various community bodies, learned about the condition of the area, and visited and blessed the injured. Â Note that His…
During a phone call with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the Armenian PM Mr. Nikol Pashinyan expressed his concerns following the Beirut explosion and solidarity to the Armenian community in Lebanon, while His Holiness informed the PM on the situation in Beirut following the blast.
 The massive explosion today evening at the Port of Beirut resulted in damages to the Catholicosate of Cilicia. There was substantial damage to the doors, chandeliers and windows of the Cathedral, as well as the residences of the clergy and the Catholicos, the offices of the Catholicosate’s departments, and the Cilicia Museum.
On Tuesday, July 28th, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Armenian Theological Seminary, headed by Dean of the Seminary V. Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian, paid a congratulatory visit to His Holiness Aram I, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his enthronement, in his summer residence in Bikfaya. Â The Ladies Auxiliary consists of Ms.…
On Friday, July 24th, 2020, the Lebanese Diocesan National Representative Assembly unanimously elected Bishop Shahe Panossian as the prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon. Â The Representative Assembly informed His Holiness of the results of the election and the Catholicos ratified the election and on this occasion bestowed upon Bishop Shahe the rank of…
On Tuesday, July 21st, 2020, His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon HE Mr. Vahagn Atabekyan, accompanied by Arsen Kharatyan the editor in chief of the Georgian-Armenian news agency ALIQ MEDIA, at the Main Hall of St. Mary Cathedral, in. Bikfaya. The focus of the conversation during the meeting was especially…
On Monday, June 13th, His Holiness Aram I held a phone conversation with the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and the President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan. The Catholicos expressed concern over the situation in Artsakh and his blessing and support to the Armenian Army.
âTURKEY CONTINUES TO DESTROY VALUABLE HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND FLOUT INTERNATIONAL NORMSâ His Holiness Aram I The recent ruling of the Turkish Administrative court paves the way for the Turkish President to convert Istanbulâs iconic former cathedral into a mosque. Built in 537, the cathedral is considered a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. In 1453,…
Today, we mark the 25th anniversary of the election and consecration of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos. Various events had been planned for this occasion in the Mother Cathedral, in Antelias, and in the Armenian Prelacies across the Armenian Diaspora, but had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Pontifical Thanksgiving on…
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the election and enthronement of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Mr. and Mrs. Alecco and Ani Bezikian, in consultation with His Holiness have decided to make a donation of one million US dollar to be used as assistance to the Armenian needy families in Lebanon. The project…
As announced earlier, since its foundation 25 years ago, the Cilicia Museum of the Catholicosate of Cilicia underwent a complete renovation and reorganization, under the initiation of His Holiness Aram I and sponsored by Mrs. Garo and SossĂŠ Eshgiyan, church members from the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the USA. Â On…
It is with a great pleasure that we announce the release of Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian’s work âAgainst Jehovah‘s Witnesses” (in Armenian), published by the Armenian Church Christian Education Department, and with the generous sponsorship of the Armenian Prelacy of the Western United States of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
The Ambassador of Armenia in Lebanon Vahagn Atebekian visited His Holiness Aram I at St. Maryâs Monastery, in Bikfaya, and discussed matters pertaining to Armenia-Diaspora relations. Â His Holiness also received a phone call from Zareh Sinanyan, the High Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs in Armenia. Â
The Armenian Theological Seminary was founded in 1930, and during its 90 years of service, the Seminary, although in the Armenian Diaspora, has kept its Armenian religious, spiritual and cultural identity alive and well or the benefit of the new generations of our people. Â This year, we would have marked the 90th anniversary with…
On Thursday, June 4th, a meeting took place between His Holiness Aram I and U.S.A Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea at the headquarters of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias. The discussion covered issues related to the actual situation in Lebanon, namely, combating the coronavirus, the reformation initiated by the government, and the socio-economic…
On Monday morning, June 1st, 2020, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Religious Council of the National General Assembly. During the meeting, issues pertaining to the Armenian Church in general and the Holy See of Cilicia in particular were discussed including matters concerning rites, Christian education, publications, ecumenical relations, information and communication, and social…
On Monday, June 1st, 2020, a phone conversation was held between His Holiness Aram I and the PM of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. The Catholicos wished Pashinyan and his family a speedy recovery and inquired about the situation in Armenia, specifically regarding the pandemic.
The first Independence of the republic of Armenia, celebrated on May 28th, is simultaneously the name day of His Holiness Aram I, who was ordained on the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Armenia and named after the founder of the first Republic of Armenia, Aram Manougian. Â On May 28th, 2020, a gathering took…
On the occasion of the feast of Eid Al-Fitr, a major Muslim celebration, His Holiness Aram I warmly congratulates Muslim communities in Lebanon, in the Middle East, and in different parts of the world. Since the 7th century, Armenians and Muslims have lived together in Armenia, in Cilicia and in the countries of the Middle…
On Thursday, May 21st, 2020, His Holiness Aram I held a phone conversation with Bako Sahakyan, former President of the Republic of Artsakh, and Arayik Harutyunyan, the newly-elected President. Mr. Sahakyan and His Holiness reflected upon their close cooperation over the past years for the sake of more strengthening, safety and prosperity of Artsakh,…
The Arabic translation of âThe Armenian Church,â a book written by His Holiness Aram I with a brief but complete account of the history, theology, rites and rituals of the Armenian Church, is now available in the Arabic language. The translation was done by Dr. Houry Azezian from Aleppo. The same title is also…
Under the initiative of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity, May 14th was declared a Day of Prayer and an invitation was sent to His Holiness Aram I, to take part in this initiative. The purpose was to offer prayers to God in asking divine assistance for overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic. In response to this,…
Due to the current socio-economic challenges, for the past months, His Holiness Aram I had requested continuously from the prelacies of the Catholicosate of Cilicia to aid the less fortunate, and in turn, the Catholicosate has provided financial assistance to the Lebanese Armenian organizations, Crisis Committee, as well as the families in need. Â On…
On Tuesday, April 28th, 2020, a meeting took place with the Cilician Brotherhood members residing in Antelias, presided over by His Holiness Aram I. The meeting commenced with the Lordâs Prayer, after which the Catholicos briefly outlined the current situation of the world due to the Coronavirus outbreak, and focused on the Armenian Communities…
Armenians worldwide mark the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide annually on April 24th. On this occasion, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Shahe Panossian, Pontifical Vicar of the Armenian Prelacy in Lebanon, at St. Gregory Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, and delivered his pontifical message. Aram I commenced his…
His Holiness Aram I sends a letter of congratulation to Mr. Arayik Harutyunyan on his election as president of the Republic of Artsakh. Â In his letter, the Catholicos has stated that the strengthening of Artsakh and its army, as well as the development of its economy have always been a committed priority for the…
Jesus Christ tells us âDo not fear, for I am with you.â On Sunday, April 12th, 2020, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, His Holiness Aram I celebrated the Divine Liturgy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and delivered his sermon, where he exhorted the faithful, who were in quarantine during this…
The summary of the Easter message of His Holiness Aram I âTAKE COURAGE, I HAVE CONQUERED THE WORLDâ Jesus saw the fear and troubled hearts of the disciples before he was taken to Golgotha, and said: âIn the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33) …
On Sunday, April 5th, 2020, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Magar Ashkarian, and delivered his pontifical message. The faithful were able to follow through Cilicia TV, the online channel of the Catholicosate. Â Surrounded by the Cilician Brothers in front of St. Gregory the Illuminator…
As a response to the continuing dire economic situation in Lebanon, and the challenges facing our families, the Catholicosate once again provided food stuff through the Christian Education Department to 200 families.
On Tuesday, March 24th, His Holiness Aram I had a telephone conversation with Noubar Afeyan and expressed his highest appreciation to him. Mr. Afeyanâs biotech company is working tirelessly to find the coronavirus vaccine. Mr. Afeyan explained in details the work of his company which the Catholicos considered to be a universal mission. …
For two days now, His Holiness Aram I and Armeniaâs Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have been in contact, for a briefing concerning the Coronavirus and its implications. Â Pashinyan asked about the situation in Lebanon and the challenges facing the Catholicosate. In turn, His Holiness expressed his concerns with respect to the novel virus, and…
This is to inform our Church community, especially the Lebanese Armenians, that His Holiness Aram I has appointed Bishop Shahe Panossian as Pontifical Vicar of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon, while entrusting Archbishop Nareg Alemezian with another mission. Bishop Shahe will take office on Friday, March 13th, 2020. Â
On Saturday evening, February 22nd, 2020, the Khatchig Babikian Fundâs Interschool Competition commenced in the hall of the Yeghishe Manoukian College, under the auspices of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The director of the Competition Varoujan Tenbelian offered the welcoming remarks. Shedding light on the accomplishments of the Khatchig Babikian Fundâs Interschool Competition, which was…
Zartonk â On Wednesday, March 4th, 2020, a delegation from the Board of Trustees of the Tekeyan Cultural Association, headed by Hagop Kasardjian and consisted of Ani Latchinian-Magarian, Dr. Hovig Vartanian and Dr. Antranig Dakessian, visited His Holiness Aram I. Â During the meeting they discussed issues concerning Armenians in general and Lebanese Armenians in…
On Wednesday, March 4th, 2020, the Religious Council of the National General Assembly held its meeting, presided over by His Holiness Aram I. In attendance were the co-chairs of the council: Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, as well as members of the Council in residence. The meeting discussed topics concerning rites, ecumenical…
REPORT OF THE CONSULTATION Â This report is the product of a meeting of thirty veteran ecumenists, church leaders who have had long and deep commitment to the ecumenical cause, hosted in Antelias, Lebanon from January 31-February 2, 2020 by His Holiness Aram I. Participants came from Burundi, Finland, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya,…
On March 3rd, 2020, the Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Vahagn Atapekyan visited His Holiness Aram I, and they discussed issues related to Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. Â
Between February 29th and March 1st, 2020, the Coordinating Council of the Pan-Armenian Conference on Media and Press convened in Antelias to clarify the general direction of forthcoming projects, which include organizing conventions, conferences and workshops, at both local and international levels. The agenda of the three-day meeting of the Coordinating Council encompassed the…
On Sunday, March 2nd, 2020, His Holiness Aram I received entrepreneur and philanthropist Roupen Vartanian, who is one of the founders of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. Vartanian was in Lebanon from Moscow for a one-day visit, and was present at Sunday Mass celebrated in the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias. Mr. Vartanian…
On Sunday, March 1st, 2020, His Holiness Aram I received the Coordinating Council of the Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists composed of Satig Seiranian (Chairperson of Union of Journalists in Armenia, and Editor-in-Chief of 168 Jam), Dikaran Harutyunian ( Founder and director of âNoyan Tapanâ Information and Analysis Center, and President of the All-Armenian Media Association),…
On Tuesday, February 25th, 2020, His Holiness Aram I extended a letter to Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian and the newly-elected Armenian deputies in the Iranian parliament: Ara Shahverdian (Tehran and Northern Iran), and Robert Peklarian (Isfahan and Southern Iran) expressing his warmest congratulations on the occasion of their election. The two deputies are active in…
On Monday evening, February 24th, His Holiness Aram I received the committee of the Zvartnots Center for Special Education and Rehabilitation. Based in Bourdj Hammoud, the center caters for students with special needs lead by specialists and a committee composed of nine experts in the field headed by Tamar Der Bedrossian. The directorof the…
On Sunday morning, February 23rd, 2020, following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Aram I received the Sunday School students on the occasion of Poun Paregentan (the Eve of the Great Lent). Â Gathered in the Main Hall of the Catholicosate, the children were disguised in various costumes according to the tradition of âPoun Paregentan,â and…
On Tuesday February 18th, 2020, the feast of Sts. Ghevontiants was marked at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, with prayers offered during the Morning Service in memory of the clergy who were martyred at the Battle of Avarayr. Â Â In the evening, the celebration continued around a luncheon, where St Ghevontâs sermon on the…
On Sunday, Frebruary 16th, 2020, following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Aram I presided over the requiem service held in memory of the deceased catholicoi and clergy of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The requiem prayer was offered in the Zarehian Mausoleum, where the Cilician Brothers and the faithful gathered after mass. The commemorative service…
On February 15th, with the blessing of His Holiness Aram I, young members of the Cilician Brothehood: V. Rev. Fr. Hovhannes Saghdejian, V. Rev Fr. Barouyr Shernezian and V. Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian, traveled to Vatican, where they were joined by V. Rev. Fr. Bsag Tepirjian, to participate in the upcoming ten-day Theological Initiative between…
On Saturday, February 8th, 2020, the Religious Council of the National General Assembly held its meeting, presided over by His Holiness Aram I, at the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Â The council discussed topics including Christian education, parish priest formation, the Armenian Theological Seminary, the Summer Youth Academy, ecumenical and inter-religious relations, the professional development program…
On January 26th to February the 1st , a theological dialogue was held between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches at the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon. On behalf of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, HE Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Anaian, and on behalf of the…
