On Tuesday, July 9th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received the committee of the Compatriotic Union of Hadjin in Lebanon and the commission of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Hadjin. The visitors consisted of Paul Yacoubian, Aram Malian, Jirayr Tanielian, Dr. Antranig Dakessian and Haig Oghoulloukian. The aim of the visit…
On Saturday, July 6th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Krikor Mahseredjian, the co-chair of the Central Council of the National General Assembly. During the meeting, they discussed matters pertaining the mission of the Catholicosate, and projects of the prelacies in United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Based in Abu Dhabi, Mahseredjian is an…
On Friday, July 5th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Rev. Krikor Youmoushakian and Dr. William Emilson. Rev. Youmoushakian talked about the Armenian Community in Australia and issues concerning the ecumenical relations. Dr. Emilson talked about matters pertaining theological and Christian-Muslim relations. Greeting their visit, the Catholicos focused on the imperative of inter-church collaborations…
On Friday, July 5th, 2019, a meeting was held in Bikfaya between His Holiness Aram I and the Central Committee of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, consisted of Yervant Azadian, Hagop Vartivarian, Dr. Hratch Kouyoumjian and Ardavazt Melkisetegian. The former three had participated in the Pan-Armenian Conference on Armenian Media and Press, organized by and…
On Wednesday, July 3rd, His Holiness Aram I sent a letter of condolence to Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah, over the death of his son, Sheikh Khaled bin Sultan Al-Qasimi. In his letter, the Catholicos expresses his sorrow, and prays God to bless and strengthen the family and friends through this difficult…
Organized by the Information and Communication Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, an Armenian Culture Dance Night took place on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019, at 8:00pm, at the vicinity of St. Mary Monastery in Bikfaya. The dance troupes of the three Lebanese Armenian cultural associations: “Arek” from Nor Serount, “Knar” from Hamazkayin and “Arin”…
On Sunday, June 30th, Pontifical Prayers and blessings on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the election and consecration of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos was conducted during the Divine Liturgy, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias, under the auspices of His Holiness. During the thanksgiving prayers priests read Biblical passages…
On the evening of Friday, June 28th, during his one-day-visit to Cyprus, His Holiness Aram I conducted a work meeting with Archbishop Khoren Doghramadjian, the Pontifical Vicar of Cyprus, the Diocesan National Representative Assembly and the Diocesan Executive Council. After hearing their reports, His Holiness commended the work of the prelacy, as well as…
On Friday, June 28th, a meeting was held between His Holiness Aram I and Archbishop Chrysostomos II of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, at the Archbishop’s residence, in Nicosia. Present at the meeting were also Archbishop Khoren Doghramajian, Pontifical Vicar Cyprus, Armenian MP of Lebanon Hagop Pakradouni, Armenian MP of Cyprus Vartkes Mahdessian, as…
On Friday, June 28th, 2019, a meeting was held between His Holiness Aram I and the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, at the presidential palace in Cyprus. Present at the meeting were also Archbishop Khoren Doghramajian, Pontifical Vicar Cyprus, Armenian MP of Lebanon Hagop Pakradouni, Armenian MP of Cyprus Vartkes Mahdessian, as well as Rev.…
On Monday, June 24th, 2019, the Central Committee of Hamazkayin, headed by the chair of the committee Dr. Megerditch Megerditchian, visited His Holiness Aram I, in Bikfaya. They briefed His Holiness the recent activities of Hamazkayin in Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora. The Catholicos commended their work and express his endorsement to their activities.
On Saturday, June 22nd, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Vahagn Atabekyan, Ambassador of Armenia in Lebanon. They discussed matters related to Armenia-Diaspora collaboration, as well as about the upcoming pan-Armenian conference on Armenia and Press to be held in Antelias. Ms. Anna Hagopian, wife of Armenia PM, will be present at the conference.
On Friday, June 21st, 2019, the 89th commencement ceremony of the Armenian Theological Seminary was held at St. Maty Monastery, in Bikfaya, presided over by His Holiness Aram I. This year’s ceremony was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Armenian renowned composer Gomidas. After the pontifical entrance and the Alma Mater, Rev.…
On Wednesday, June 19th, the end of the school year faculty meeting was held at the Armenian Theological Seminary, in Bikfaya. The head of the faculty, His Holiness Aram I chaired the meeting. Student assessment and program evaluation was on top of the agenda of the meeting, as well as preparation for the forthcoming school…
On Tuesday, June 18th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received in his summer residence in Bikfaya Serop Ohanian, the Field director of Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation in Lebanon. Ohanian briefed His Holiness on the latest social-assistance and healthcare programs of the Center, as well as on the upcoming programs of the Foundation, to which His…
According to the tradition of the Armenian Church, newly ordained priests spend forty days in seclusion praying, fasting, and reading the Bible. Only after the period is over they are invited to commence their service with their first Holy Mass. On Monday, June 17th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I invited the newly ordained members…
The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is holding its annual Board of Trustees meeting in Yerevan. The Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, who called for the meeting, will preside over the meeting. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian will participate at the assembly on behalf of the Catholicos and the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Note that V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manuelian…
On Monday, June 17th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Lebanese Armenian writer Boghos Shahmelikian. Now residing in Los Angeles, Boghos Shahmelikian visited His Holiness with his family and accompanied by Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian. The aim of the visit was to express his gratitude for the publication of his latest book “A Journey in the…
On Friday, June 14th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received a group of painters from Artsakh. Appreciating their activities achievements in Artsakh, His Holiness commended them and took the opportunity to underline the importance of reviving the Armenian culture everywhere, be it in Armenia, Artsakh or the Diaspora. He also discussed the impact of…
On the evening of Saturday, June 15th, during the service, Deacon George Aprahamian, Deacon Moushegh Karageozian and Deacon Shahe Yacoubian started their journey to priesthood by approaching the Holy Altar on their knees, where they anathematized the heretics, accepted to abide by the teachings of the Church Fathers, recited the Creed and read the Charter…
On Saturday, June 15th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received the following guests respectively, in Bikfaya: Dr. Alex Moukarzel. Dr. Moukarzel extended an official invitation to His Holiness Aram I for a conference to be held in the coming weeks in the USA. Dr. Kohar Krikorian-Savari. Dr. Krikorian-Savari is visiting the Archives Department…
On Friday, June 14th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I honored the late Bedros Adjemian with the “Knight of Cilicia” insignia. The insignia was accepted by Ani Adjemian, his widow, and in the presence of their children. Bedros Adjemian, who has been the ordination godfather of His Holiness in 1968, was one of the architects…
On Friday, June 14th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received a group of lecturers and PhD students coming from various universities in Germany. The aim of the visit was to listen to His Holiness’ lecture on the relationship between religion and politics. In his lecture, the Catholicos focused on the evlution of monotheism in…
On Thursday, June 13th, His Holiness Aram I received Lebanon’s ambassador in Argentine, Mr. Johnny Ibrahim, accompanied by Lebanon’s honorary consul of Fresno Mr. Harry Najarian. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss about the Armenian communities in Argentine and the USA, since Mr. Ibrahim had also served as Consul in Los Angeles. They…
On Wednesday, June 12th, 2019, His Holiness received Harry Nadjarian, Lebanon’s Honorary Consul General to Fresno, in Bikfaya. The consul briefed the Catholicos on the projects he had worked on, especially in regards to the collaboration between Fresno and Anjar, the Armenian Village in Lebanon. Nadjarian also discussed with His Holiness issues pertaining the California…
On Tuesday, June 11th, 2019, the Women’s Bible Study of the Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia concluded this year’s sessions. On this occasion and according to the tradition, the last session was conducted by His Holiness Aram I. The welcoming remarks were delivered by the director of the above mentioned department…
On Monday morning, June 10th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received the famous Armenian-Canadian painter Krikor Agopian, who presented the Cilicia Museum with his new work on the Armenian letter “AYP.” Krikor Agopian, based between Lebanon and Canada, has been in the painting scene for around 50 years. His Holiness Aram I will bestow…
On June 9th, 2019, on the occasion of the feast of Pentecost, acolytes and sub-deacons ordination was conducted at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. His Holiness Aram I presided over the Holy Liturgy, Bishop Magar Ashkarian performed the ordination and Rev. Fr. Oshin Chvalertanian served as Patron of the Living. In his…
On the first week of June, His Holiness Aram I held several meetings. 1. Accompanied by Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Prelate of Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I met with the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Yohanna X. His Holiness participated with…
On Thursday, June 6th, 2019, a group of Armenians, headed by the Chair of the Central Committee of the Catholicosate Stepan Der Bedrossian, visited the grave of the Armenian hero Kevork Chavush and paid their respect to his legacy. On this occasion, they placed the Armenian prayer book of St. Gregory of Narek on behalf…
On Wednesday, June 5th, His Holiness Aram I received Mireille Aoun, daughter and one of the senior advisors of President Michel Aoun, in Bikfaya. Present at the meeting was also Souren Vartanian, a benefactor of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. During the meeting, they discussed the current situation in Lebanon and its economic and social challenges.…
On Monday evening, June 3rd, 2019, the Armenological Center of the Educational-Armenological Department held its graduation ceremony for the second year, at the Cilicia Museum of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in Antelias. The event was presided over by His Holiness Aram I. The director of the Department Jirayr Tanielian delivered the welcoming remarks. He…
On Monday, June 3rd, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Armenians from Greece and Cyprus, accompanied by Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian. The guests had visited Lebanon to participate in a conference on the Armenian communities in Greece and Cyprus, organized by the Haigazian University. The meeting was an opportunity to present His Holiness…
His Holiness Aram I presided over the award ceremony of the Annual Interschool Competition of the “Khatchig Babigian” Fund organized by the Educational-Armenological Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, on Sunday, June 2nd, 2019, at the Main Hall of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in Antelias. The director of the department Jirayr Tanielian delivered the…
On Friday evening, May 31st, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received the Armenological department students of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in Bikfaya. The students had gathered to listen to His Holiness’ talk on contemporary theological matters. In his remarks, His Holiness stated that it is not possible to give a brief analysis on theological…
On Friday evening, May 31st, 2019, the Armenian Alumni Association (AAA) had organized a talk by Alain Balian, former Central Bank vice-governor, about the current Lebanese economic situation. Rev. Bedros Manuelian, the spiritual advisor of the Association, Rev. Fr. Levon Yeghiayan, AAA members and friends were present at the event. Hagop Handian, the…
On Thursday, May 30th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received the Armenian General Benevolent Union’s President Berge Setrakian in Antelias. They discussed matters pertaining the current situation in Armenia and the challenges it faces, as well as issues and strategies concerning the forthcoming phase of the Armenia-Diaspora relations
On Sunday, May 26th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I decorated two ARMENOFAS Board members Rev. Rudolf Renfer and Attorney François Payot with the “Knight of Cilicia” insignia as a token of appreciation for their more than 40 years of service to the Armenians through ARMENOFAS Foundation. Prof. Teny Pirri-Simonian, the Chair of the Foundation,…
On Sunday, May 26th, 2019, the 101st anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia was marked at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. His Holiness Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy and conducted the thanksgiving prayers for the Armenian Republic, blessing of the flag, as well as a requiem service for the souls…
On May 25th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I presided over the annual meeting of ARMENOFAS Foundation held at the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in Antelias. Items on the agenda included organizational, financial, administrative and service matters, among others. His Holiness Aram I delivered the welcome remarks and stressed three main points: ARMENOFAS should continue its…
On Friday, May 24th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Roupen Vartanian and Levon and Noubar Afeyans. The meeting was an opportunity to exchange point of views on issues pertaining Armenians, Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian Diaspora.
Under the patronage of the Ambassador of Denmark in Lebanon Merete Juhl and the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Atabekyan, and organized by the Municipality of Byblos, a tribute to the Danish missionary Maria Jacobsen “Mama” was held on May 21st, 2019, in front of her tomb in the vicinity of the Armenian…
On Monday, May 20th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I held a phone conversation with the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The two exchanged their concerns and perspectives regarding the recent situation in Armenia, and stressed the importance of respecting the constitutional order in Armenia.
On Saturday evening, May 18th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Zavarian Student Association members, who were visiting to receive His Holiness’ pontifical advice and blessings. Mher Kavlakian, Chair of the Association, thanked His Holiness on behalf of the ZSA for the warm reception and briefly introduced their recent…
On Friday, May 17th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Rev. Megerditch Karageozian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, and Rev. Berdj Djambazian, Minister to the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America (AEUNA). The meeting was an opportunity to discuss matters related to Armenia-Diaspora…
On Tuesday evening, May 14th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I and his delegation visited the embassy of Armenia in Damascus and were received by the Ambassador Dikran Kevorkian and the staff of the embassy. The Ambassador warmly greeted His Holiness and thanked him for his visit. In turn, the Catholicos expressed his pleasure and…
On Saturday, May 11th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Vahagn Atapekyan, Ambassador of the Armenian Republic to Lebanon. Among others, they talked about the forthcoming pan-Armenian conference on Armenian Media in Antelias, and the upcoming visits of several Ambassadors to the Birds’ Nest Orphanage in Byblos. On the previous day, His Holiness Aram…
Following the National General Assembly’s Religious and Lay Councils meetings, the Joint Assembly convened on Thursday, May 9th, 2019, under the presidency of His Holiness Aram I. The Executive Council, comprised of 16 members from each Council, discussed issues pertaining the relations with the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh, and collaborations with Etchmiadzin, as…
On Wednesday, May 8th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I presided over the meeting of the Lay Council of the National General Assembly. Topics related to administrative, financial and communication spheres were discussed during the meeting. Special attention was given to the re-organization of Prelacies, Diaspora-Armenia-Artsakh cooperation and the role of the Catholicosate in this…
On Tuesday, May 7th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I presided over the meeting of the Religious Council of the National General Assembly. Cilician Brothers serving in Antelias and in the Prelacies of the Catholicosate around the world participated in the meeting. His Holiness Aram I delivered the opening remarks. He stressed the imperative of…
In light of the recent situation in Venezuela, His Holiness Aram I is in constant communication with the Vicariate of Venezuela and the leadership of the Armenian community. The parish priest V. Rev. Vahridj Gharakhanian briefed His Holiness regarding the unfolding situation and the condition of the Armenian flock. His Holiness Aram I…
His Holiness Aram I received Michel Pazoumian, vice chairman of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s French affiliate. On behalf of the Chair Bedros Terzian, Pazoumian briefed His Holiness on the Fund’s recent projects in Armenian and Artsakh and talked about its aid to the Syrian Armenian Community. In turn, Aram I commended the Hayastan All-Armenian…
His Holiness Aram I received Toufic Baaklini, the president of the “In Defense of Christianity” advocacy organization. Present were also the communication director of the organization with the White House and the representative of the organization in Lebanon. Baaklini briefed His Holiness on the recent projects of the organization, as well as invited him…
On Friday, April 26th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received the UNIFIL Armenian Troop headed by the Ambassador of Armenian Republic to Lebanon Vahakn Atabekyan. Present at the meeting were also Prelate of Lebanon Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Secretary of the Embassy Tavit Alaverdyan and Defense Attaché Colonel Aleksan Museghian, as well as philanthropists Alecco and…
These three words were the foci of the message of His Holiness Aram I delivered on 24 April to thousands of people who were gathered at the Catholicosate in Antelias after a long march from Bourdj Hamoud. “24th April is not a mere tragic date that reminds the genocide that was perpetrated against…
On Sunday, April 21st, 2019, His Holiness Aram I celebrated the Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias, and “Naregatsi” children’s choir chanted the hymns, led by Rev. Fr. Zareh Najarian. Alongside the faithful, present at the service were also ambassadors, ministers, deputies, representatives of…
On Saturday evening, April 20th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Easter Vigil Service (Jrakaluyts), at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias. After the service, the Catholicos lit a candle from the Altar, signifying Christ’s Light, from which the faithful lit their candles and took with them to their homes. …
“THROUGH HIS SACRIFICIAL DEATH ON THE CROSS, THE SON OF MAN PAVED THE WAY TO SALVATION” HIS HOLINESS ARAM I On Good Friday, April 19th, His Holiness Aram I presided over the commemoration of the Passion of Jesus and delivered his sermon, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias. In his message,…
“WE SHOULD APPLY THE MESSAGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S LOVE TO OUR PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY LIVES” His Holiness Aram I On Maundy Thursday evening, April 18th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Washing of the Feet Service at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias. The service commemorates the act…
“Armash” choir of the Armenian Theological Seminary had prepared a very special concert on this Holy Week, dedicated to the final days of Jesus Christ before His triumphal resurrection. On Holy Wednesday, April 17th, 2019, St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral reverberated the beautiful voices of around 20 Seminarians, led by Rev. Fr. Zaven Najarian …
On April 16th, 2019, Holy Tuesday service was conducted at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, commemorating the Parable of the Ten Maidens. Ten young girls, who are Sunday School students, stood before the altar holding lanterns. As the priest read the Gospel of Matthew, five of the girls extinguished their lanterns, while…
His Holiness Aram I expresses his deep sorrow over Notre Dame Cathedral fire to Pope Francis, the French government and its people.
On Palm Sunday, April 14th, the Catholicosate of Cilicia was crowded with its faithful, who had gathered there to mark the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. On this occasion, Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian celebrated the Divine Liturgy. After the traditional procession led by the Archbishop and the Seminarians and followed by a large number…
On Saturday, April 13th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received the Canadian Armenian painter Bedros Arslanian and flutist Hampartsoum Djabourian, accompanied by philanthropist Krikor Djabourian. Arslanian had come to Antelias to present a painting to the Cilicia Museum dedicated to the memory of his father Armenag Arslanian, an Armenian Genocide survivor and one of…
On Thursday, April 11th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Gerard Tufenkjian, Chair of the Armenian General Benevolent Union’s District Committee of Lebanon. The meeting was an opportunity to talk about the imperative to further expand the cooperation between the Catholicosate of Cilicia and AGBU.
His Holiness Aram I warmly welcomed the Italian Parliament’s resolution that called on the Italian Government to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. He stated that this step is the victory of justice against denialism and disinformation campaigns led by Turkey that aims to distort the truth. His Holiness continued that human rights should not be…
On Wednesday, April 10th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received a group of the Armenian Orhodox Church organizers of the diverse committees of the Taize International Ecumenical Conference. His Holiness Aram I commended their active participation at the gathering and talked about the role of the youth in the community and church life and…
On the evening of Wednesday, April 10th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of the Armenian Republic to Lebanon Vahagn Atabekyan. They discusses issues pertaining the current situation in Armenia, Artsakh, Armenia–Diaspora relations, and Lebanon, as well as the recent pontifical visit His Holiness had made to Aleppo.
On Tuesday, April 9th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received the Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari. Present at the meeting were MP Hagop Pakradouni, the mayor of Bourdj Hamoud Mardig Boghossian, the director of the Information and Communication Department of the Catholicosate V. Rev. Bedros Manouelian and the Chancellor of the Catholicosate Khatchig Dedeyan,…
On Monday, April 8th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Vanik Berberian, the president of the Association of Rural Mayors of France (AMRF). Berberian was on a business trip to Lebanon heading a delegation to establish cooperation with the top five Lebanese villages. This was Vanik Berberian’s first visit to Lebanon. He is the…
On Saturday, April 6th, 2019, the Cilicia Museum in Antelias and the Armenian Genocide Orphans’ “Aram Bezikian” Museum in Byblos, participated in the “Night of the Museums, Lebanon 2019,” which was organized by the Ministry of Culture of Lebanon. More than 1200 people visited these two museums and toured in the footsteps of the Armenian…
On Sunday, April 7th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy commemorating the Feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Descent into the “Khor Virab” Dungeon, at the Cathedral in Antelias. The Holy Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian, the Catholicosal Vicar in United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Following the service,…
On Saturday, March 6th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Vigil service held on the eve of the feast commemorating the descent of St. Gregory the Illuminator into the dungeon, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. On this feast, many faithful make a pilgrimage to Antelias, and it is solely on…
On Friday, April 5th, 2019, a high-level delegation representing the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark visited the Catholicosate of Cilicia and met with His Holiness Aram I. The delegation consisted of the Bishop of Copenhagen, the Chair of the Ecumenical Relief Committee and the Representative of the Danish Church in the Middle East. The…
On Friday, April 5th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received members of the Hamazkayin “Sos Sargsyan” State Theater Company from Armenia, who were invited to Lebanon by the Hamazkayin Lebanon to perform. His Holiness commended the Theater Company for their significant role in the fields of Armenian culture and art through theater. Having known…
On Thursday, 28 March 2018, His Holiness Aram I welcomed the Secretary General of the International Dialogue Center KAICIID Mr. Faisal Bin Mouammar, accompanied by Arab Region Fellows who are representing diverse religions, denominations and cultures in the region. “King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna has a crucial role…
Friday, March 29th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I departs for Aleppo to perform the reconsecration of the recently rebuilt Forty Martyrs Cathedral. Cilician Brothers and representative of the National Central Committee will accompany His Holiness on his four-day visit, during which he will also have several meetings and visits.
On Wednesday, March 27th, His Holiness Aram I received representatives of the three Armenian political parties in Lebanon: the Social Democrat Hunchagian Party, the Armenian Revolutionary Party and the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, who briefed His Holiness about their consultative meeting held the previous day regarding the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. In turn,…
According to the established tradition, and in response to the invitation of the Prelate and members of the Church Council of the Prelacy of Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Mid Lent Service at St. Nishan Church in Beirut. The Seminarians who accompanied the Catholicos chanted the Service. At the end of…
On Monday, March 25th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Lebanon’s ambassador to Vatican Farid Al-Khazen. During the meeting, they discussed the current relations between Lebanon and Vatican. The Ambassador saluted His Holiness’ personal relations with Vatican’s high ranking officials and the cooperation between the Catholicosate and Vatican. The Ambassador also consulted His Holiness…
The International Ecumenical Youth Meeting gathered more than 1600 young participants from over 44 countries around the globe. It took place from March 22nd to the 26th, and was organized through the collaboration of the MECC, the churches in Lebanon, and the Taizé Ecumenical Community. Rev. Father Hrant Tahanian, Ecumenical Officer of the…
On Monday, March 25th, His Holiness Aram I received senior citizens for a Mid-Lent luncheon organized by the Christian Education Department. The luncheon hosted around 100 elderly coming from the Armenian Elderly Home in Bourdj Hamoud, the Armenian Sanitorium of Azounieh and the Social Work Department of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon. Before the…
On Sunday March 24th, participants of the International Ecumenical Youth Meeting, organized by the Taize Community in collaboration with the Churches in Lebanon and the Middle East Council of Churches, attended Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. Following the Mass, they had the opportunity to meet with His Holiness Aram…
Many pilgrims from Armenia visit Lebanon and pay visits to various Lebanese and Lebanese Armenian pilgrimage sites, among many: the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Armenian Genocide Memorial Chapel in Antelias, St Mary Cathedral and the Renaissance statute in Bikfaya, the Armenian Genocide Orphans’ “Aram Bezikian” museum and the Birds’ Nest Orphanage in Jbeil, Our…
On Saturday, March 23rd, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Archimandrite Jack Yacoub, Representative of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, and Vartkes Mahdessian, the representative of the Armenian Community in the Cyprus House of Representatives, respectively. The first meeting was an opportunity to talk about the centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and…
On Friday, March 22nd, 2019, His Holiness Aram I presided over the meeting of the newly formed Ecumenical Relations Committee of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in Antelias. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, was the chair, and V. Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian, Director of the Ecumenical Relations Department, was the secretary of the meeting. …
On Thursday, March 21st, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received H.E. Metropolitan Emmanuel of France and Western Europe, Special Representative of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, accompanied by the Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Athens. The visit aimed at discussing, on behalf of All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch, the present challenges and difficulties faced by…
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gomidas Vartabed, Armenian composer, ethnomusicologist, researcher and singer. The “Shnorhali” choir of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will celebrate this event with a concert dedicated to the renowned composer in the month of October.
On Monday, March 18th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I received Grigori Martirosyan, State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, accompanied by Gagik Martorosyan, Head of Shahumyan regional administration. Present at the meeting were also Vahagn Atabekyan, Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon, Peniamin Bchakjian, representative of Artsakh Roots Investment (ARI), Garo Kebabjian, Representative of the Republic of…
On Saturday, March 16th, 2019, the 10th Inter-school Competition of the Khatchig Babigian Fund organized by the Educational-Armenological Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia commenced at the Cilicia Museum. 45 students competed in the first round in Poetry Recitation. The second and final round for this category will be concluded on April 6th. This…
On Sunday, March 17th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I presided over a requiem service for the soul of Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan, the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople. Requiem services were also held in all our churches, where His Holiness’ letter of condolence was read. Note that, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Prelate of Lebanon, and Bishop Magar Ashkarian,…
On Tuesday March 12th, 2019, a press conference was held for the official launching of the International Ecumenical Youth Meeting, that is organized through the collaboration of the MECC, the churches in Lebanon, and the Taizé Ecumenical Brotherhood. The meeting will take place between March 22nd and 26th, and is expecting over 1500 youth participants…
On March 12th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I receives the President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union Berge Setrakian. They talked about the situation in the Republic of Armenia, as well as issues pertaining the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation.
On Monday, March 11th, His Holiness Aram I received Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau Chair Hagop Der Khatchadourian and ARF Bureau member Peniamin Bchakjian. They talked about issues pertaining the Armenian Diaspora, the Armenia-Diaspora relations, the Armenian Cause and Artsakh.
The 56th meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) took place on February 24-28, 2019, in Bali, Indonesia. Prof. Nora Bayrakdarian Kabakian, member of the CCIA representing the Holy See of Cilicia, participated at the five-day meeting. Dr. Bayrakdarian Kabakian partook in the discussions especially through…
His Holiness Aram I received the news of the passing of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan on Friday noon with deep sorrow. His Holiness and the Cilician Brotherhood offered their condolences to the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchate, the Brotherhood, the Religious Council and the Armenian community in Turkey.
The 1st meeting of 2019 of the Executive Committee of KAICIID, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, was held on March 1st and 2nd in Lebanon. The Catholicosate of Cilicia participated at this meeting with its representative Prof. Jean Salmanian. Following the two-day meeting, the ExCom agreed upon…
On Tuesday, March 5th, 2019, the architects of the Catholicosate held a work meeting at the Cilicia Museum to plan its renovation and it was chaired by His Holiness Aram I. Note that Garo Eshkiyan will fund the renovation.
Under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I and organized by the Christian Education Department, a “Sacred Concert” dedicated to the late His Eminence Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian took place on Sunday Evening, March 3rd, 2019, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. “Shnorhali” and children’s “Naregatsi” choirs, led by Rev. Fr. Zaven Najarian,…
