February 2013 – Armenian Church Catholicosate of Cilicia

The Armenian Studies department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia organizes intensive courses for the perfection of the western Armenian language

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 25, 2013

After a series of consultations on the usage of the Western Armenian language today, His Holiness Aram I nominated a committee of specialists to study its current usage in the diaspora. The Committee, in cooperation with the Armenian Studies department of the Catholicosate announced the establishment of the first six-month intensive course which runs from…

His Holiness Aram I congratulates the new President of Cyprus

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 24, 2013

His Holiness Aram I sent a letter of congratulations to Nicos Anastiadis, the new President-elect of the Republic of Cyprus. In his letter, the Catholicos wrote, “Our churches share identical histories, similar traditions and common values. Both our churches and people advocate justice and human rights. The challenges addressed to our people and the world…

His Holiness Aram I receives ecumenical visitors

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 20, 2013

During the week His Holiness Aram I held meetings with ecumenical guests visiting Lebanon. He first met with Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, a former member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the current Chairperson of the international interreligious organization, ‘Religions For Peace’. Rev. Kishkovsky briefed the Catholicos, who is…

His Holiness Aram I congratulates President Serj Sarkissian upon his re-election

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 19, 2013

19 February 2013, in a letter addressed to President Serge Sarkissian, His Holiness Aram I congratulated him on his re-election for a second term. In his letter, His Holiness assured the President of the support of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in his endeavours to strengthen Armenia, reinforce Armenian-Diaspora relations and defend the just cause…

“Hrair and Maggy Soghomonian are the benefactors of the new brotherhood building in Bikfaya” announces His Holiness Aram I

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 19, 2013

Upon the request of His Holiness Aram I, Hrair and Maggy Soghomonian, residents of the United Arab Emirates, donated one-and-a-half million U.S. dollars for the construction of a new building at the seminary in Bikfaya. In his letter of appreciation, His Holiness wrote, “We are greatly moved by your generous bequest and its powerful acknowledgement…

His Holiness Aram I attends the enthronement of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, John X Yazigi

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 17, 2013

On Sunday, 17 February 2013, the newly elect Greek Orthodox Patriarch, John X Yazigi, was enthroned at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Beirut. The President, Prime Minister and all the Heads of religious communities in Lebanon were present at the Service. His Holiness Aram I attended the ceremony, accompanied by Archbishop Kegham…

His Holiness Aram I visits Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 16, 2013

On 16 February 2013, His Holiness Aram I visited the ailing Syrian Orthodox Patriarch, who is currently staying at the Atchane monastery in Lebanon. The Catholicos was accompanied by his assistant, Rev. Mesrob Sarkissian, and the ecumenical officer, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian. After a brief private session, four bishops from the monastery joined for a meeting…

His Holiness Aram I receives the Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 15, 2013

On 15 February 2013, Ashod Kocharian, the Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon met with His Holiness Aram I. He informed the Catholicos of the decision to hold a special requiem service on 3 March 2013, to honor the memory of the victims of the Sumkait massacres in 1988 by the Ariris. In the end of…

The Lebanon chapter ofthe Pan Armenian Fund transmits a check to His Holiness Aram I to assist the Armenian community in Syria

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 14, 2013

On 14 February the members of the Lebanon Chapter of the Fund met with Catholicos Aram I and handed him a check in the amount of USD 100,000- to provide humanitarian assistance the community in Syria. Upon receiving the check, His Holiness thanked the members of the Pan Armenian Fund for their initiative and…

The participants of the European Project for Interreligious Learning (EPIL) meet with His Holiness Aram I in Antelias

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 12, 2013

The last module of the third cycle of the “Roaming College” European Project for Interreligious Learning (EPIL) for Christian and Muslim women was held 2-11 February 2013, in Beirut Lebanon. 37 students, Academic Team and Board members, from Europe and the Middle East, accompanied by the two co-Directors Dr. Reinhild Traitler-Espiritu and Mag. Teny Pirri-Simonian…

His Holiness Aram I will preside over the lenten prayer services at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 11, 2013

11 February 2013 the faithful in the Armenian Orthodox Church began 40 days of Lent, a period of praying, self-inquiry and fasting. Prayer services will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays; His Holiness Aram I will preside over the service and the faithful will do the chanting. After the service, the clergy will lead Bible…

His Holiness Aram I receives the Sunday School children celebrating Paregentan (The Great Living Day) before Lent

Christian EducationBy admin February 10, 2013

On Sunday 10 February after the Holy Liturgy, the Sunday school children, disguised in carnival costumes, with their parents and teachers met His Holiness Aram I and received his blessings. He commended the lively Sunday Schools and noted that these schools in all the dioceses of the Catholicosate have been teaching religious education since their…

His Holiness Aram I meets with the Greek-Melkite Patriarch Gregoire II Laham

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 8, 2013

On Friday 8 February 2013, the two spiritual leaders met in Rabué. They discussed ways of reinforcing the unity of Christians in the region and strengthening the Middle East Council of Churches. They also discussed the possibility of celebrating Easter together and proposed organizing a meeting of the Heads of the Churches in the Middle…

Celebration of St. Vartanantz at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 7, 2013

“ST. VATANANTZ IS THE SYMBOL OF FAITHFULNESS TO OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH AND TO OUR HOMELAND” On Thursday, the Very Rev. Vaghinag Meloyan celebrated the Holy Liturgy of the feast. For Armenians, St. Vartanantz is the symbol of preserving their faith. It is the commemoration of the battle in 451 when the commander Vartan Mamigonian…

The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) meets under the presidency of His Holiness Aram I

Catholicosate News, Ecumenical & Inter-Religious RelationsBy admin February 5, 2013

Tuesday 5 February 2013. The Lebanese members of the Executive committee of the MECC, its General Secretary Bishop Paul Rouhana and the Executive staff held an extraordinary meeting presided over by His Holiness Aram I. During the meeting they discussed procedures for the election of a new General Secretary, studied the finances of the Council,…

A special memorial service is held for the deceased catholicoi and clergy of the Catholicosate of Cilicia

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 3, 2013

On Sunday 3 February, following the Holy Liturgy, the clergy and the faithful moved to the Mausoleum where His Holiness Aram I presided over the memorial service in honor of the seven deceased Catholicoi of Cilicia, since its re-establishment in Lebanon following the Armenian Genocide. They remembered Sahak I, Papken I, Bedros I, Karekin I,…

“Social work is essential component of the church’s life and witness”, said His Holiness Aram I

Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 1, 2013

On the occasion of the international day of social workers, the staff of Armenian institutions visited His Holiness Aram I on Friday 1 February 2013. On behalf of the group, Ms. Annie Boudjikanian reported on their work and shared their concerns. In his message, the Catholicos welcomed the group and thanked them for serving the…

His Holiness Aram I receives the members of the Lebanon chapter of the Armenian Genocide 100th Anniversary Committee

Armenian Cause, Catholicosate NewsBy admin February 1, 2013

1 February 2013. The members met with His Holiness Aram I in his office and reported on their activities and future plans. After listening to the committee’s plans and a brief discussion, the Catholicos proposed that the committee focus its work not only on commemoration but also on activities that would reclaim the stolen…