His Holiness Aram I and the Staff Leadership of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Discuss the Future of Christian Communities in the Middle East

28 December 2015. On Monday morning, Catholicos Aram I met with Rev Dr Michel Jalkh, the General Secretary of the MECC, Mr Elias Halabi, the Associate General Secretary, and directors of the media and other programmes of the Council to discuss the international community attempts to put into place conflict-resolution strategies in the area and…

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CONTINUES HIS ANNUAL MEETINGS WITH THE RESIDENTS OF ARMENIAN SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN LEBANON

His Holiness Aram I visits the Home for the Elderly and the Institution for the Blind in Bourj Hammoud   26 December 2015. On Saturday His Holiness Aram I continued his visit to the social institutions sponsored by the Catholicosate of Cilicia, accompanied by Bishop Shahé Panossian, the Prelate of Lebanon, and priests of the…

His Holiness Aram I visits the Staff and Residents of the Azounieh Hospital

24 December 2015. On Thursday morning, Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by the members of the brotherhood, arrived at the Azounieh hospital in Chouf, Lebanon. The director and medical staff welcomed His Holiness and the clergy, and held a private meeting with the Catholicos. After hearing a report on the institution, its activities and future plans,…

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I BEGINS HIS ANNUAL MEETINGS WITH THE RESIDENTS OF ARMENIAN SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN LEBANON

His Holiness Aram I invites the Children, Teachers, Personnel, Board Members and the Kayanian Sisters to Anetelias   23 December 2015. On Wednesday, unlike other years when he visited the children and all the members of the institution, His Holiness Aram I received them at the Catholicosate in Antelias. The children presented a programme with…

Press Conference in Istanbul explains the lawsuit submitted by The Catholicosate of Cilicia to the Constitutional Court of Turkey

9 December 2015. On Wednesday at the “Jazair” conference centre in Istanbul, the Turkish members of the Legal Team of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, Mr Cem Sofuoglu, Esq. and Dr Taner Akçam, held a press conference to explain the lawsuit. They were accompanied by Very Rev Housig Mardisrossian the Ecumenical officer, and Rev Bedros Manuelian,…

His Holiness Aram I opens the Christmas Fund-Raising Bazaar of the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA)

11 December 2015. On Friday evening, His Holiness Aram I opened the Christmas Bazaar in Antelias. The purpose of the bazaar was to raise funds and share the joy of Christmas with families in need by distributing food parcels and toys to children. The articles for sale revived the Armenian cultural and culinary tradition.  …

The lawsuit by the Catholicosate of Cilicia claiming ownership of its historical Seat in Sis from the Constitutional Court of Turkey sets a legal precedent

11 December 2015. On Friday morning the head of the Middle East Office of the German newspaper, Allgemeine Zeitung, interviewed His Holiness Aram I in Antelias on the question of the lawsuit and the situation of Armenians in Aleppo.   In response to the question on the lawsuit claiming ownership of its historical Seat in…

His Holiness Aram I inaugurates the 2015-2016 term of Armenian Studies Course

20 November 2015. On Friday evening Catholicos Aram I inaugurated the new annual session of the Armenian Studies Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in the presence of the members of the clergy, the director of the department, Mr Jirayr Tanielian, the faculty and the thirty new students.   In his opening speech His Holiness…

His Holiness Aram I receives the General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches

20 November 2015. On Friday Dr Michel Jalekh met with His Holiness Aram I in Antelias. The General Secretary first thanked the Catholicos and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for taking the time to attend the Executive Committee meeting and moderating sessions of the MECC in Egypt. Catholicos Aram I spoke…

His Holiness Aram I decorates Vartan Melkonian, an orphan of Birds’ Nest and a conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra based in London

19 November 2015. On Thursday evening, Vartan Melkonian conducted the Beirut Symphony Orchestra at a concert jointly organized by the Baalbek International Festival Committee and the Pan Armenian Committee of the 100th Anniversary Armenian Genocide Commemoration in Lebanon. His Holiness Aram I was joined at the concert by various heads of different religious communities in…

His Holiness Aram I meets the group registered for the course on the theology and art of Holy Icons

16 November 2015. On Monday evening at the “Cilicia Museum,” His Holiness Aram I met with the students enrolled in the course on Icons, which is being organized by the Catholicosate for the second year. After welcoming them and thanking Rev Hovsep Ashkarian for helping the students learn the art of painting of Icons, the…

Representatives of the Catholicosate of Cilicia attend the conference on The Ecumenical Movement and the East Churches in French Journals of Theological

12-13 November, 2015. Rev Housig Mardirossian the Ecumenical Officer and Dr. Jean Salmanian, Member of the Ecumenical Committee represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia at the conference organized by the Faculty of Theology of St Joseph University in Beirut, in cooperation with the journal Proche-Orient Chrétien and the publishing House Centre de Recherche et de Publications…

9 Նոյեմբերի Շնորհահանդէսին Ընթացքին Արտասանուած Խօսքերը

Ն.Ս.Օ.Տ.Տ. ԱՐԱՄ Ա. ՎԵՀԱՓԱՌ ՀԱՅՐԱՊԵՏԻՆ ՑԱՒԱԿՑԱԳԻՐ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ ՈՒՂՂՈՒԱԾ ՖՐԱՆՍԱՅԻ ՆԱԽԱԳԱՀ Ն.Վ. ՖՐԱՆՍՈՒԱ ՀՈԼԼԱՆՏԻՆ

                                                                                   Անթիլիաս 14 Նոյեմբեր 2015   Նորին Վսեմութիւն Ֆրանսուա Հոլլանտ Նախագահ Ֆրանսայի Հանրապետութեան Փարիզ  …

Ն.Ս.Օ.Տ.Տ. ԱՐԱՄ Ա. ՎԵՀԱՓԱՌ ՀԱՅՐԱՊԵՏԻՆ ՑԱՒԱԿՑԱԳԻՐ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ ՈՂՂՈՒԱԾ ՖՐԱՆՍԱՅԻ ՆԱԽԱԳԱՀ Ն.Վ. ՖՐԱՆՍՈՒԱ ՀՈԼԼԱՆՏԻՆ

                                                                                   Անթիլիաս 14 Նոյեմբեր 2015 Նորին ՎսեմութիւնՖրանսուա ՀոլլանտՆախագահ Ֆրանսայի ՀանրապետութեանՓարիզ   Յարգելի՛ Պրն. Նախագահ,         …

The Catholicosate of Cilicia celebrates the launch of three books commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

9 November 2015. On Monday evening His Holiness Aram I presided over the presentation of the books in the presence of the Syriac Catholic Patriarch, Ignatius Youssef III Younan, representatives of Churches, government ministers, members of parliaments, ambassadors, representatives of Armenian organizations and over 200 other guests.   Very Reverend Housig Mardirossian read Catholicos Aram…

His Holiness Aram I decorates Prof. Dr Seta Dadoyan with the Insignia of St. Mesrob Mashdotz for her contribution to Armenian Philosophical Thought

8 November 2015. On Sunday morning, following the Holy Liturgy, His Holiness Aram I received Dr Seta Dadoyan and guests at the Main Hall of the Catholicosate in Antelias. The Chancellor, Mr Khatchik Dedeyan, highlighted the achievements of Dr Dadoyan, an expert on Armenian philosophical thought and Islam, who, during her academic career, has taught…

His Holiness Aram I and His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria meet during the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

8 November 2015. While in Egypt to Chair the Executive Committee meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches, His Holiness Aram I met with the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, and Metropolitan Amba Bishoy of Damiet, the ecumenical relations officer. They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two churches and…

His Holiness Aram I Chairs the Executive Committee Meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches held in Cairo

3 November 2015. On Monday morning, the members of Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches began their deliberations at the Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral Compound.   His Holiness Aram I welcomed the members of the Executive Committee. He said that, because the churches form an inherent part of the Middle East…

Donation for the Armenian Community in Syria

 3 November 2015. In response to His Holiness Aram I’s request, the Tina and Richard V Carolan Foundation donated 125,000 US dollars to assist Armenian victims of the current on-going conflict in Syria.   The Catholicosate of Cilicia thanks the Carolan family for always responding positively to their requests.

His Holiness Aram I receives The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau

2 November 2015. On Monday evening the Chairman of the Bureau of ARF, Mr Hrant Markarian, and other members visited His Holiness Aram I. During the meeting they assessed the evolution of priority concerns: Armenia-Karabagh, Armenia-Diaspora relations, and the need of the Armenians in Syria for assistance.  

His Holiness Aram I decorates the Founder of the ‘Kohar Choir,’ Mrs Kohar Khatchadourian, with the Insignia of Mesrob Mashdotz

  2 November 2015. On Monday morning, around 200 members of Kohar Choir, accompanied by Mrs Kohar Khatchadourian and her family, met with His Holiness Aram I at the main hall of his residence.   After welcoming and thanking everyone, His Holiness spoke of the vocation of the Choir and its impact on the life…

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany meets with His Holiness Aram I

28 October 2105. On Wednesday evening Ambassador Martin Huth visited His Holiness in Antelias, in the presence of Dr Bedros Karajerjian, President of the Executive Council of the Catholicosate.   After an overview of the situation in Syria and Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I drew the attention of the Ambassador to the Armenian community in…

His Holiness Aram I receives the Members of the Central Committee of the Social Democratic Hunchak Party  

  28 October 2015. On Wednesday the Chairperson of the Central Committee, Mr Hagop Tigranian, met with His Holiness Aram I. He was accompanied by Vice- Chairperson and Member of Lebanese Parliament, Sebouh Kalpakian, and Mr Yeghig Jerejian, a member of the Central Committee.   During the meeting they discussed Armenia-Diaspora relations and the situation…

Middle East Council of Churches sponsors Armenian Church University Organization (Youth Department) Conference on ‘Reconciliation and Prevention of Genocides’

24 October 2015. On Saturday, the one-day conference was held in Antelias with the participation of youth from church organizations and movements in Lebanon. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Armenian Genocide and draw lessons for future action by youth.   In his opening speech, His Holiness Aram I congratulated members of…

His Holiness Aram I invited to join the commemoration of the Chaldean Martyrs of 1915

24 October 2015. Upon the invitation of the Bishop of the Chaldean Diocese of Beirut, Michel Kassarji, His Holiness Aram I took part in the special prayers remembering the Chaldean victims of the Ottoman massacres. During the ceremony, speakers addressed the Ottoman atrocities with reference to the Armenian Genocide.   The message of His Holiness…

His Holiness Aram I receives the members of the Board of the Howard Karaguezian Foundation

23 October 2015. On Friday morning the members of the Board and the General Director of the Foundation from New York, Mrs Irina Lazarian, met with His Holiness Aram I at the Main Hall of his residence.   Mrs Lazarian first thanked Catholicos Aram I for his support of the Howard Karaguezian foundation over the…

His Holiness Aram I’s meetings along the Conference in Athens

18-22 October 2015. On the occasion of the conference organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, his Holiness Aram I held side meetings with representatives of the Assyrian Parliamentarians in Sweden, the President of Christian Parliamentarians in Iraq, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, and Presidents of other Faith Organizations…

His Holiness Aram I Prays with the Armenian Community at the St. Garabed Church in Neos Kozmos – Fix

21 October 2015. On Wednesday evening His Holiness visited St. Garabed Church in Fix for canonical prayers, accompanied by the Prelate, Archbishop Khoren Toghramadjian, and Very Rev. Housig Mardirossian, the Ecumenical Officer. The members of the Church Committees and the community welcomed the Catholicos at the entrance and accompanied him to the Church.   At…

The Current Middle East Crisis Requires a Political Solution, Stated His Holiness Aram I

22 October, 2015. In his address to Christian and Muslim leaders, representatives of different countries and international governmental and non-governmental organizations during the recent conference organized by the Greek authorities in Athens on the “Religious and Cultural Pluralism and Peaceful Coexistence in the Middle East,” His Holiness Aram I said that the blame for the…

His Holiness Aram I meets with The President of Greece

19 October 2015. On Monday His Holiness Aram I, accompanied by Archbishop Toghramadjian, the Prelate of Greece, and Mr Ara Mangoian, President of the Church Council, met with His Excellency Prokopis Pavlopoulos, the President of Greece.   The Catholicos thanked the President for his long-standing and faithful support of the Armenian cause, and he praised…

His Holiness Aram I leaves for Athens

18 October, 2015. On Sunday evening His Holiness Aram I left for Athens upon the invitation of the government of Greece to take part in the conference on “Religious and Cultural Pluralism & Peaceful Coexistence in the Middle East” with the participation of Christian and Muslim leaders.   Catholicos Aram I arrived in Athens with…

His Holiness Aram I’s message to the conference organized by the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia

15 October 2015. During the opening of the conference entitled “Armenian Genocide: From Recognition to Compensation,” following the opening welcome of His Excellency President Serge Sarkissian and the message of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, Bishop Krikor Chiftjian, Prelate of the Diocese of Aderbadagan in Iran, read the message of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I.…

His Holiness Aram I inaugurates the 36th Book Fair of the Catholicosate of Cilicia

11 October 2015. Following the Sunday Liturgy of the Feast of Holy Translators, His Holiness Aram I, the clergy and the faithful went in procession to the pavilion where the Catholicos inaugurated the fair. Each year, the exhibition brings together Armenian publishers, writers, teachers and students in Lebanon, in order to express their commitment to…

The Life of Papa Künzler was the expression of power of love in action, Concluded His Holiness Aram I in Walzenhausen

30 September 2015. On Saturday 26 September, the commemoration,”100 years of solidarity between Armenian and Swiss people,” was concluded with two events: a visit to Hundwil, where Jakob Künzler was born, and a ceremony in Walzenhausen, where he had spent his youth.   The ceremony was held at the Reformed Church in Walzenhausen. Upon his…

His Holiness Aram I sends his Condolences to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani

30 September 2015. In a letter addressed to President Rouhani, His Holiness Aram I expressed the sorrow and sympathy of the Armenian community to the government and people of Iran upon the death of their beloved ones while on pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

His Holiness Aram I was the Guest of Honour at a Dinner with Swiss Political and Religious Personalities

30 September 2015. On Friday 25 September, following ecumenical prayers at the Bern Cathedral, the President of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FEPS), Dr. Gottfried Locher, offered a dinner in honour of His Holiness Aram I. The guests included the Ambassador of France to Switzerland, the Roman Catholic and Old Catholic Bishops, the Chargé…

His Holiness visits the Papa Künzler exhibition in his native town of Hundwil

30 September 2015. On Saturday 26 October His Holiness went to Hundwil, accompanied by his delegation, comprising of Archbishop Khoren Toghramadjian, Primate of the Diocese of Greece, Very Rev. Housig Mardirossian, the Ecumenical Relations Officer, Rev Bedros Manuelian, Head of the Audiovisual Department, Mr Hagop Pakradouni, a member of the Lebanese Parliament, Mrs Teny Pirri-Simonian,…

His Holiness Aram I addresses the Pan Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee

26 September 2015. In a message addressed to the Presidents of the Republics of Armenia and Karabagh, His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, the Catholic and Protestant leaders, His Holiness Aram I transmitted his pontifical blessings, expressed his brotherly love and apologized for his absence. He reminded the Committee that his visit to Switzerland with the…

“My visit to Switzerland reinforced the solidarity between our two peoples and buttressed the solidarity of Switzerland towards our cause,” Stated His Holiness Catholicos Aram I

  26 September 2015. On Saturday evening His Holiness Aram I met with Dr Gottfried Locher, President, of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches, at his hotel in Berne, accompanied by Pasteur Serge Fornerod, Director of External Relations of the Federation.   After a private meeting between His Holiness Aram I and Dr. Locher, the…

Ecumenical Prayer Service at the Münster Cathedral in Berne

On Friday evening an ecumenical prayer of thanksgiving for the ‘100 Years of solidarity Between the Swiss and Armenians’ was held at the Cathedral in Berne, in the presence of Holiness Aram I and his delegation consisting of: Archbishop Khoren Toghramadjian, the Ecumenical Officer Very Rev Housig Mardirossian, Rev Bedros Manuelian, Member of Parliament Hagop…

His Holiness meets with the President of the Swiss Council of States, Claude Hêche

25 September 2015. On Friday morning His Holiness Aram I met with Claude Hêche, the President of the Swiss Council of States. His Holiness was accompanied by Dr. Gottfried Locher, President, of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches Mr Hagop Pakradouni, member of the Lebanese Parliament, Mrs Teny Pirri-Simonian, President of ARMENOFAS Swiss-Armenian Foundation and…

“After 100 years we shall continue to remember our orphans who came to Begnins and Geneva and the compassionate Swiss people and their love for Armenians,” Stated His Holiness Catholicos Aram I

24 September 2015 evening. One hundred years after the Genocide, His Holiness Aram I expressed his gratitude to the people of the town of Begnins on behalf of the Armenian Church and people for receiving Armenian orphans of the Genocide and helping them settle in Switzerland. He declared, “In the history of friendship between the…

His Holiness Aram I and his delegation visit the Headquarters of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches

23 September 2015. On Wednesday in the afternoon, His Holiness and his delegation arrived in Berne and went to the headquarters of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches. They were met there by the president, Dr Gottfried Locher, and the directors of different departments. Dr Locher welcomed the Catholicos and assured him and the delegation…

His Holiness Aram I left Beirut for Switzerland

19 September 2015. His Holiness Aram I left for Switzerland upon the invitation of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Switzerland (FEPS) and ARMENOFAS, the Swiss-Armenian Foundation. The theme of the visit is “100 years of friendship between the people of Switzerland and Armenians.” His Holiness will preside over the special events in Begnins (Vaud…

Despite attempts by Turkey to eradicate Armenia and exterminate Armenians we survived because of our heroes and martyrs                                                 Stated His Holiness Catholicos Aram I  

  12 September 2015. On Saturday, His Holiness Aram I arrived in Anjar (Lebanon) to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the resistance of Musa Dagh. The Catholicos was accompanied by Bishop Shahé Paossian, Prelate of the Diocese of Lebanon, and was met by the Mayor of Anjar, Garo Pamboukian, representatives of Armenian civil society organizations,…

His Holiness Aram I concludes his visit in Athens with private meetings

  4 September 2015. On Friday His Holiness met with several Muslim & Christian Religious leaders and political personalities attending the conferencet; he also met with the representatives of the Diocese of Greece, Archbishop Toghramadjian, the Church Council and other related organizations.   His Holiness also spoke to the international and national media.

His Holiness Aram I meets His Beatitude Hieronymos II, Primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece

  2 September 2015. On Wednesday morning, Catholicos Aram I was met at the Athens airport by Metropolitan Meliton and government officials.   In the afternoon His Holiness met His Beatitude Hieronymos II at his residence in the presence of several high-ranking clergy. After the official welcoming speech of the Archbishop, His Holiness spoke of…

At the Inter-Christian Summit His Holiness Aram I insists on the urgency of electing a Presidential

31 August 2015. On Monday, His Holiness Aram I attended the Inter-Christian summit at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and state a common position on the current street protest and its consequences. In his intervention, Catholicos Aram I said that it is urgent that Lebanon elect a…

The martyr of one Church is a martyr of all Churches, Stated His Holiness Aram I

  29 August 2015. On Saturday Catholicos Aram I, attended the Holy Mass at the St Mary’s Syriac Catholic Monastery to celebrate the beatification of Flaviano Michel Melki by Pope Francis. The martyr Bishop was killed for his Christian faith during the same period as the Armenian Genocide in 1915.   At the end of…

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS ARAM I FROM THE SIS CATHOLICOSATE

A delegation representing the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia held a Requiem Service at the site of the historic Sis Catholicosate on August 22. The service was held in memory of the deceased Catholicoi who lived and served at the Sis Catholicosate from 1293-1915. His Holiness Aram I’s pontifical message was read during…

His Holiness Aram I welcomes the new Ambassador of Greece to Lebanon

On Wednesday morning Catholicos Aram I received the recently appointed Ambassador of Greece to Lebanon H.E. Theodore Passas at St. Mary’s Monastery.   After welcoming and congratulating the ambassador, His Holiness explained the history, mission and vocation of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the present situation of the Armenian diaspora.   They also discussed the…

Demand of Catholicosate of Great House of Cilicia Voiced in Sis Catholicosate

On August 22 a delegation representing the brotherhood of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia left for the Sis Catholicosate with the blessing of His Holiness Aram I. A requiem service was held in Sis for the blessed souls of deceased Catholicoi who lived and served at the Catholicosate of Sis from 1293-1915.…

His Holiness Aram I receives Mar Ignatius Joseph III Younan: Patriarch of Antioch for the Syriac Catholic Church

22 August 2015. On Saturday morning the Patriarch visited his Holiness Aram I at St. Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya. The two spiritual leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East, the plight of Christian communities in the region and issues related to the Middle East Council of Churches.   The Patriarch also informed His Holiness…

The Pilgrimage to St Mary’s Monastery on the Feast of the Assumption ends in Bikfaya

“The Holy See of Cilicia, which was a Refugee a hundred years ago, today thrives and affirms its vocation and dedication to serve the Armenian Church, the homeland and the diaspora,” said His Holiness Aram I     Antelias – 22 August 2015. After participating in the activities organized around the feast of the Assumption,…

Christian Muslim dialogue an imperative in Globalization His Holiness Aram I

  10 August 2015. On Monday morning His Holiness Aram I received Sheikh Hussein Ahmed Chehadeh, General Secretary of “Encounter between Religions,” and committee members of the organization. The V. Rev. Housig Mardirossian, Director of Ecumenical Relations Office, and Dr Jean Salmanian, member of the Ecumenical Relations Committee of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, were also…

St. Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya has become a destination for pilgrims

The Feast of Mary the Mother of God and the related pilgrimage to St. Mary’s monastery in Bikfaya takes on a special meaning this year. Pilgrims from all over the world are arriving to celebrate the feast at the newly renovated monastery, which has been embellished with monuments dedicated to the 1915 Armenian Genocide and…

His Holiness Aram I receives representatives of the Middle East Council (MECC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC)

  On Friday morning the General Secretary of the MECC, Dr. Michel Jalekh, and Dr. Michel Nseir, from the WCC, met with His Holiness Aram I to discuss matters linked to the two Councils and the region. In connection with issues related to the strengthening cooperation between the two Councils, they discussed the possibility of…

Pilgrims from Uruguay visit St. Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya

On Thursday morning, 50 pilgrims from Uruguay arrived at St. Mary’s monastery in Bikfaya. After visiting the newly constructed Genocide Memorial, they met with His Holiness Aram I. The Catholicos welcomed the pilgrims and spoke fondly of his first visit to Uruguay. He also expressed once more his gratitude to the people of Uruguay for…

His Holiness Aram I receives the Ambassador of Cyprus to Lebanon

On Wednesday morning Ambassador Homer Mavrommatis met with His Holiness Aram I at St. Mary’s Monastery in Bekfaya. During the meeting they discussed issues related to the Armenian community in Cyprus, activities linked to the 100th anniversary commemorations of the Armenian Genocide, as well as issues related to the situation in Cyprus, Lebanon and the…

His Holiness Aram I speaks to Young Theologians participating in an Ecumenical Formation course organized by the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) Middle East

25 July 2015. On Saturday morning, at St. Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya, His Holiness Aram I received 50 theology students from Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan and a number of European countries. He lectured on the topic, “The Ecumenical Movement: Historical Overview and Present Challenges.” The lecture was part of the programme on Ecumenical Formation organized…

His Holiness Aram I Receives the President of the Olympic Committee of Armenia, Mr Gaguik Dzaroukian

25 July 2015. On Friday evening, after visiting the Catholicosate of Cilicia, Mr Dzaroukian met with His Holiness Aram I in the evening at St. Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya. The meeting took place in the presence of the prelates of Lebanon and Peria (Syria), members of the Executive Council of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and…

His Holiness Aram I and Abune Matthias Patriarch of the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church Hold a Working Meeting

21 July 2015. Following the commemorative events of the weekend, on Tuesday morning Catholicos Aram I and Abuna Matthias held a working meeting in Antelias. The Ambassador of Ethiopia and several bishops accompanied the Patriarch; Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Prelate of Cyprus, Very Rev. Housig Mardirossian, the Ecumenical Officer, Chancellor Khatchik Dedeyan and Trustee Mr Vahé…

His Holiness Aram I and Guests attend a concert dedicated to the 100th Anniversary Commemorations of the Armenian Genocide

19 July 2015. The commemorative events concluded Sunday evening with a concert at the monument of the Armenian Genocide Martyrs compound in Bikfaya, led by Maestro Harout Fazlian, the artistic director and principal conductor of the Beirut Symphony Orchestra; soprano Hasmig Babyan and tenor Parsegh Toumanian were the feature singers.   The concert was held…

Holy Liturgy and Ecumenical Prayers in Memory of the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide are held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias

19 July 2105. On Sunday morning, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in the presence of the visiting patriarchs, ecumenical and political representatives, the Armenian pilgrims arriving from different parts of the world and the local faithful.   His Beatitude Pope Tawadros II, Coptic Orthodox Church…

His Holiness Aram I blesses the Holy Muron in front of the Genocide Memorial at St. Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya

18 July 2015. In the Armenian Church the Holy Muron is prepared and blessed every seven years. The ceremony this year acquired a special meaning because it symbolized the anointment of the one-and-a-half million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and the recommitment of Armenians to the cause of demanding justice on their behalf.   The…

His Holiness Aram I inaugurates the “Aram Bezikian” Museum, dedicated to the Orphans of the Armenian Genocide”

18 July 2015. On Saturday morning, His Holiness Aram I, accompanied by a large number of international and local guests, arrived in Byblos to inaugurate the newly established museum at the Birds Nest Orphanage. The official guests included heads of Churches, ecumenical representatives, prelates of the dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Diaspora, Maronite…

His Holiness Aram I receives the Patriarchs and Representatives arriving for the Blessing of the Holy Muron

On Friday, until late in the evening, patriarchs, spiritual heads, general secretaries and representatives of ecumenical organizations, and other guests continued to arrive in Beirut from abroad.   During the day His Holiness Aram I held private meetings with the following hierarchs and representatives: Abuna Mathias I, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Theodoros II,…

Live television broadcast via satellite – July 18th, 2015

On the occasion of the Blessing of the Holy Muron (Holy Chrism), the Noursat Broadcast will be broadcasting LIVE via satellite the Holy Mass presided over by His Holiness Aram I. Place: St. Mary Monastery, Bikfaya, Lebanon Time corresponding UTC (GMT): Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 5:00 pm To watch live via internet click here:…

His Holiness Aram I receives Ignatius Aphrem II Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church

11 July 2015. On Saturday evening, Patriarch Aphrem II accompanied by clergy from Syria and Lebanon visited His Holiness Aram I at the St. Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya. The Patriarch thanked the Catholicos for his presence at the conference commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Syriac Genocide in Turkey, and then they discussed ways for…

The Catholicosate Of Cilicia Bestows Upon Thirteen Priests The First Four Ranks Of Vartabed (doctor in the dogma of the Church)

On Sunday, 12 July 2015, during the Holy Liturgy, His Holiness Aram I authorized the granting of the first four ranks of Vartabed to thirteen priests. Before the chanting of the Lord’s Prayer by the celebrant, Bishop Krikor Chiftjian, Prelate of the Diocese of Aderbadagan in Iran, Very Rev. Sipan Ketchejian, the Dean of the…

“The Acts of the Ottoman Empire against Armenians and other Christian Communities in 1915 can only be defined as Genocide,” stated His Holiness Aram I

On July 6 2015, a three-day conference on the Syriac Genocide, entitled “Martyrdom and Faith,” began at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon, in the presence of six Christian Religious Heads of the region. During the opening session, His Holiness Aram I spoke to the conference, addressing the following points:   In legal terms, the…

Program of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Events Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 July 2015

His Holiness Aram I Receives A Delegation Representing The Armenian Catholic Church

2 July 2015. On Thursday morning a delegation headed by the Locum Tenens Archbishop Krikor Garboyan, five archbishops and attorney Jack Choukhadarian visited His Holiness Aram I to thank him for having taken part in the funeral of late Patriarch Nesers Bedros the XIX Tamouni.   During their conversation they discussed issues related to the…

His Holiness Aram I receives Ms Hranoush Hagopian, Minister of Diaspora

30 June 2015. On Monday, Minister Hagopian, accompanied by ambassador Ashot Kocharian, visited His Holiness Aram I in Antelias. The meeting focussed on two issues: the recent popular protests in Yerevan against the energy price rise announced by the government and Armenia-Diaspora relations.

Thanksgiving Liturgy in Antelias Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Election and Consecration of His Holiness Aram I

  28 June 2018. On Sunday, during the Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedra, the Catholicosate of Cilicia celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the election and consecration of His Holiness Aram I. During his celebration of the Holy Liturgy, Bishop Torkom Donoyan, the Dean of the Seminary performed the special Thanksgiving ritual. In…

His Holiness Aram I receives the Ambassador of Switzerland to Lebanon

26 June 2015. On Friday morning, Ambassador François Barras met with His Holiness Aram I. His Holiness briefed him on the forthcoming events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Genocide in cooperation with the Swiss Churches in Switzerland and the Swiss-Armenian foundation, ARMENOFAS. His Holiness said that he would be presiding over three events to…

His Holiness Aram I receives the Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon

24 June 2015. His Holiness received Ambassador Ashod Kocharian and Mr Stephan Der Bedrossian, the vice president of the Committee organizing the pan-Armenian games. After discussing Armenia-Diaspora relations, the ambassador described the programme of the forthcoming torch-bearing ceremony to be held in front of the Martyrs memorial Chapel in Antelias.

The distribution of the Awards of Khatchik Babikian School competition and The Graduation of the students of Western Armenian Language Crash Course

  We must assume collective responsibility and safeguard our Armenian language and values Said Catholicos Aram I 21 June 2015. On Sunday a special ceremony for the distribution of awards and certificates was held under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I. The Main Hall of the Catholicossate was packed with the clergy, members of…

Ordination of Deacons in Antelias

21 June 2015. On Sunday during liturgy, with the blessing of His Holiness Aram I five proto deacons were ordained to become deacons. During the Holy Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian, Rev. Shenorhk Ashekian led the candidates to the Alter. The ordination began with presentation of the candidates and their oath to renounce worldly…

A delegation representing His Holiness Aram I attended the 100 Anniversary Commemoration of the Genocide of Syriac Orthodox Church

A delegation headed by Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian went to Damscus 13-14 June to represent His Holiness Aram I during the two-day commemorations in remembrance of the 100th anniversary of Martyrs of the Assyrian Genocide and the blessing of the Holy Muron. Among the many guests, the Armenian Church was present through the representatives of Catholicoi…

The representative of the Catholicosate of Cilicia Participate in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC)

Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, member of the Executive Committee of the WCC, participated in a meeting held in Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia from the 4th to the 7th of June 2015. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian of Holy Etchmiadzin also represented the Armenian Church. His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II welcomed the committee and thanked the WCC and its member…