The State of the Kessab Refugees Remains Grave

His Holiness Aram I and the Executive Council of the Catholicosate of Cilicia have announced that they are monitoring the situation in Kessab and its uprooted population closely and that they are deeply concerned over the deep political, national and humanitarian implications of the displacement.   Accompanied by community leaders, Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian continues to…

“Armenians do not want sympathy or mercy from the Turkish authorities; they demand the recognition of the Genocide and Reparations,” Said His Holiness Aram I

24 April 2014. On Thursday, following the Holy Liturgy at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, the faithful attended the requiem service in memory of the martyrs in front of the Memorial Chapel.   His Holiness Aram I presided over the service and, addressing the people, he delivered the following message:   The…

The 12th General Assembly of the Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of Cilicia was held in Antelias 3-4 April 2014 “Taking the Church to the people and building the church of the people is our mission,” said His Holiness Aram I

The members of the Brotherhood met at the Meeting Hall of the Gulbenkian Museum in Antelias under the leadership of His Holiness Aram I. Following the election of the officers of the Assembly, in his opening message, the Catholicos Aram I reminded the clergy that such meetings were times to take account, to assess, to…

His Holiness Aram I receives the Baroness Valerie Amos , the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief

2 April 2014. On Wednesday evening the UN-Undersecretary Baroness Valerie Amos, who was on a one-day visit to Lebanon to discuss the status of Syrian refugees, met with His Holiness Aram I in Antelias.   His Holiness Aram I welcomed the Under-Secretary and expressed his appreciation to her for including the situation in Kessab in…

Kurt Cardinal Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity visits His Holiness Aram I

29 March 2014. On Saturday morning, Cardinal Kurt Koch, accompanied by his staff and the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Gabriele Giordano Caccia, visited His Holiness Aram I. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate, was also present at the meeting.   The Cardinal and His Holiness covered a wide range of issues, starting…

We shall overcome the current crisis in Kessab through our unity in faith and solidarity as a community, Said His Holiness Aram I

26 March 2014. On Wednesday Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by clergy and the seminary students, attended the Lenten Sunrise Service (Arevakal) at the St. Nishan Church in Beirut upon the invitation of the Prelate and the Church Council.   After giving thanks for the invitation, Catholicos Aram I addressed the faithful, quoting the Biblical text…

The President of Armenia Serge Sarkissian and His Holiness Karekin II Express their concern about the events in Kessab to His Holiness Aram I

24 March 2014 – On Monday President Serge Sarkissian called Catholicos Aram I asking for information about the bombing and militia attacks from Turkey on Friday and Saturday on the Armenian town of Kessab and its surrounding villages.   The President promised the Catholicos to appeal to all political entities in order to protect the…

His Holiness Aram I presides over the presentation of the “Commemorative Publication” honoring the print media specialist, Ardashes Der Khatchadurian

20 March 2014. On Thursday evening the presentation of the “Commemorative Publication” was held at the Cilicia Museum Hall. The event was organizated by the committee of the Hask Quarterly, a publication of the Catholicosate and the Seminary.   Rev. Shenohk Ashekian welcomed everyone and referred to the celebration of this ‘Commemorative Publication’ as the…

Celebrating 2014, Year of the Elderly, one hundred elderly women and men invited guests for lunch with His Holiness Aram

14 March 2014. On the occasion of 2014, the Year of the Elderly, instituted by Catholicos Aram I, one hundred elderly people visited Antelias. They first attended the Lenten Sunrise service (Arevakal) at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral and then met with His Holiness Aram I. After welcoming them, His Holiness said, “After the tragic…

The Ambassador of Canada visits His Holiness Aram I

On Tuesday 24 February 2014, Ambassador Hilary Childs-Adams, accompanied by the Trade and Economic Affairs Attaché of the Embassy Jean-Philippe Tashjian, visited Catholicos Aram I.   His Holiness described the history of the Catholicosate and its mission in the Diaspora, the contribution of the Armenian community to the politics of peaceful coexistence in Lebanon and…

Commemoration Of The Departed Catholicoi And Sumgait Massacre Victims At St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias

On Sunday 23 February 2014, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Holy Liturgy and the Memorial Service celebrating the lives of the departed Catholicoi and clergy and offered prayers for the victims of the Sumgait massacre (1988).  In his sermon, the priest who celebrated the liturgy spoke of the lives of the departed catholicoi…

Representatives of European Non-Governmental Organizations meet with His Holiness Aram I

On Friday 14 February 2014, representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) from Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom met with His Holiness Aram I. These NGO’s are engaged in humanitarian work in Syria and are particularly concerned with the presence of Christians in the region. Prior to travelling to the region, they met…

“The Armenian mother is the first foremost educator of the child” Stated His Holiness Aram I on the eve of the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Dyarentarach)

Friday 14 February 2014. On Thursday evening, a large number of parents with their children gathered at the to St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral to attend the evening service prior to the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. His Holiness Aram I presided over the ceremony and preached. After recounting the story…

The Representative of the Armenian Orthodox Church, Catholicosate of Cilicia attends Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches.

The newly appointed Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches met at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey, 7-12 February 2014. The main agenda was to study the decisions and recommendations of the 10th Assembly held in Busan (South Korea).  Archbishop Nareg Alemezian as a member of the Executive committee and its Programme Executive committee Committee…

Representatives of the Catholicosate of Cilicia discuss the 100th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide with the Moderator and General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC)

11 February 2014. On Monday, around the meeting of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches held in Geneva, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian member of the Executive Committee and Ms. Teny Pirri-Simonian, member of the Central Committee, met with the Moderator Dr. Agnes Abuom and General Secretary Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit to discuss the…

The decision of the European Court of Human (UCHR) condones ‘negationism,’ wrote His Holiness Aram I to the Federal Counselor Simonetta Sammaruga

10 February 2014. In a letter to the Federal Counselor of the Department of Justice and Police, Simonetta Sammaruga, His Holiness Aram I shared the indignation of Armenians with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on the Perençik case condemning Switzerland. The Catholicos wrote,” legitimization of negationism of the Armenian Genocide by…

“Armenians reject the recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the denial of the Armenian Genocide,” states His Holiness Aram I

On Friday 7 February 2014, His Holiness Aram I met with the Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon Her Excellency Ruth Flint. During the meeting, the Catholicos expressed his indignation at the decision of the ECHR on the Perinçek case of December 2013. His Holiness stated that this ruling not only questions the truth of the Armenian…

The Armenian Orthodox Church Participates in the Eleventh Meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches in India.

2 February 2014. The Joint international commission met in Pampakuda Kerala, India upon the invitation of H.H. Basilius Mar Paulose II, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The Armenian Orthodox Church was represented by Bp. Hovaguim Manoukian and Rev. Shahé Ananian (Holy See Etchmiadzin) and Archbishop Nareg Alemezian (Holy See Cilicia).  Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and Cardinal Kurt…

“THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT IS IN SEARCH OF NEW IDENTITY AND SELF-ARTICULATION” H.H. ARAM I

On Monday 27th January, His Holiness Aram I gave a lecture on “The challenges facing the ecumenical movement” at the Near East School of Theology. Hereunder the outline of the lecture.- PART I A) What are the challenges of the Ecumenical movement?…  Ecumenism is essential for “being church”: 1) it reminds the interrelatedness of churches;…

The Central Committee of the Catholicosate of Cilicia sets priorities for 2014

25 January 2014. Following the meeting of the Council of Religion, the Council of Laity met under the Presidency of His Holiness Aram I. The members reviewed the programmes and budgets proposed by the General Assembly and approved the following priorities for 2014: Construction projects, preparatory activities for the 100th anniversary commemoration of the Genocide,…

Christians in the Middle East must preserve their past and protect their present and future stated Aram I

20 January 2014. During the Ecumenical and International Consultation on Syria organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) 15-17 January in Geneva, participants also discussed the problem of emigration of Christians from the Middle East.   His Holiness Aram I shared his concern by reminding the participants that the conflicts and consequent violence of…

His Holiness Aram I at the Ecumenical and International Consultation on Syria organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC)

15-17 January 2014, Catholicos Aram I took part in the consultation held at the WCC in Geneva Switzerland. The participants included religious leaders from Syria and the Middle East Council of Churches, representatives from churches from countries of the Action Group for Geneva I, and other international ecumenical organizations.  The General Secretary of the WCC,…

His Holiness Aram I meets with the President of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Switzerland

On 16 January 2014, Rev. Dr. Gottfried Locher, President of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FEPS), and Rev. Serge Fornerod, Director of International and Ecumenical Relations of FEPS, met with His Holiness Aram I in Geneva. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian and Ms. Teny Simonian, President of ARMENOFAS, the Swiss-Armenian Foundation, were also present. His Holiness…

Officials visiting His Holiness Aram I on Armenian Christmas discuss the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East

According to the established tradition, religious and political officials, as well as representatives of civil society and interreligious associations visit Antelias to express their good wishes to Catholicos Aram I and the Armenian community. The visit this year was also an opportunity for the leaders to discuss with His Holiness the situation in Lebanon, specifically…

“The Revival of the Armenian Community in Syria is a priority for All Armenians,” States His Holiness Aram I in His Christmas Message

On Monday 6 January His Holiness Aram I celebrated the Holy Liturgy and gave his Christmas message to the faithful at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral. His Holiness stressed the theme of peace, following the message of Jesus the Prince of Peace in his parables and his blessing of the peacemakers. The Catholicos remarked that…

Live television broadcast of Christmas Mass via satellite from Antelias – January 6th, 2014

LIVE TELEVISION BROADCAST OF CHRISTMAS MASS VIA SATELLITE FROM ANTELIAS – JANUARY 6TH, 2014 The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) will broadcast LIVE via satellite the Christmas Mass presided over by His Holiness Aram I, from St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, on Monday 6 January 2014, beginning from 8:00 am UTC (GMT). For…

“Humanitarian Service is integral to the vocation of the Church,” states His Holiness Aram I during his Pre-Christmas Pastoral visits

1.- Meeting with the children at the Birds Nest Orphanage/School in Byblos    On Monday 23 December 2013, Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by members of the clergy, visited the Birds Nest. The sisters of the Kayanian Order, the members of the Board, the director, faculty and staff, greeted the Catholicos. After watching a special programme,…

The 50th Anniversary of the Armenian University Students Association (ACUSA) should inspire new members to join it His Holiness Aram I

On Wednesday 18 December 2013 The Committee of ACUSA, Rev. Nechan Lakhoyan, the spiritual advisor to the committee, and his predecessor, Rev. Ghevont Pentezian, met with His Holiness Aram I.  After expressing his appreciation for all the events organized around the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Association, Catholicos Aram I invited the committee to assess…

His Holiness Aram I receives Former Minister and Vice-President of the Walid Bin Talal Foundation Leila Riyad Solh

On Tuesday 17 December 2013, Leila Riyad Solh, accompanied by the Director of the Foundation Walid Bin Talal and Armenian Member of Parliament Hagop Pakradouni, met with His Holiness Aram I. After Catholicos Aram I’s welcome, Vice President Mrs Leila Riyad Solh discussed the educational and humanitarian activities of the Foundation in Lebanon. His Holiness…

His Holiness Aram I Receives the Representatives of the Armenian Educational and Benevolent Union (AEBU)

On Monday 16 December 2013, the President of the AEBU, Aram Malian, and committee members met with His Holiness Aram I to thank him for his presence at a dinner celebrating the 90th anniversary of Sahakian-Meguerditchian College. Parliamentarian Sebouh Kalpakian accompanied the delegation. As always, such visits provide the opportunity for the guests and His…

Where is the Armenian Family Today?

A round table presented by the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA) Alumni. On Friday 13 December 2013, His Holiness Aram I presided over a round table at the Cilicia Museum of the Catholicosate to discuss the problems, concerns and challenges facing the Armenian family today. The event was organized by the ACUSA Alumni. The…

Old and New members of the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA) celebrate its 50th Anniversary

On Friday 6 December 2013, the ACUSA members residing in Lebanon celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Association at Hotel Royal in Beirut. ACUSA, which was founded in 1963 by the Very Rev. Karekin Sarkissian (later Catholicos) and a group of motivated university students, has been blessed with consistent support down through the years by the late…

“Nelson Mandela will remain the great architect of the Rainbow Nation”

The President, General Secretary And Member Churches of the South Africa Council of Churches   “Nelson Mandela will remain the great architect of the Rainbow Nation”                                                 Aram I     Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The passing of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela has left the people of South Africa fatherless and world without a…

Lebanon will issue commemorative stamps with the picture of the Genocide Monument to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

On Friday 6 December 2013, Nicolas Sahnawi, Lebanon’s Minister of Telecommunications visited His Holiness Aram I. During the visit, His Holiness spoke of the Genocide and explained the meaning of the monument erected in 1965 commemorating its 50th anniversary. Catholicos Aram I then expressed his gratitude to the people of Lebanon for their solidarity at…

His Holiness Aram I meets representatives of countries and institutions at the European Union (EU) in Brussels

On the occasion of his presence in Brussels to address the 3rd Conference of the Armenian Genocide Committees in Europe, Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia had the opportunity to meet the representatives of countries and institutions at the EU during formal dinners.   At a luncheon offered by the Ambassador of Lebanon to Belgium, the…

“We must join hands to promote our common values and respond to our common challenges”, said His Holiness Aram I in Brussels

During the closing dinner of the conference organized by the Armenian Genocide Committee in Brussels, His Holiness Aram I addressed the President of Karabagh, the President of the National Assembly of Armenia and the delegates. He said, “the values we cherish as a nation and our common challenges should outweigh our differences and provide the…

“Turkey must return the Armenian churches to their rightful owners”, said His Holiness Aram I in his opening remarks to the 3rd Convention of the European Armenians

In his opening remarks to the 3rd Convention of the European Armenians, His Holiness Aram I urged Turkey to “return the Armenian churches to their legitimate owners, the Armenian people”.                 Speaking about the Armenian people’s struggle for justice, he said that “Numerous studies, publications, lectures, seminars and conferences, substantiated by historical evidences and eye…

“Reparation must become the focus of our claim”, Aram I

Addressing the Conference of the Armenian Communities and Organizations of Europe, His Holiness Aram I stressed the need “to move from the stage of recognition to reparation in our struggle for justice”.                 The main item on the agenda of the conference was the Armenian Genocide.                 Catholicos Aram I expressed his high appreciation to…

His Holiness Aram I will address the consultations on the Armenian Genocide organized by the Brussels Committee

13-15 October 2013 the Armenian Genocide Committee in Brussels is holding two meetings to discuss the just cause of the Armenians, organized by the Armenian Cause (Hay Tad) committee in Brussels.   The first consultation will address the Armenian representatives of the Hay Tad committees in Europe and will then expand to include non-Armenian jurists…