From February 22nd to 26th, 2024, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I hosted a delegation from the Mesrob Mashdots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, Armenia, also known as Madenataran, in Antelias. The delegation, led by Director Ara Khzmalyan, included Deputy Director Vahe Torossian and Advisors to Director Kourken Kasbarian and Mihran Minassian. Throughout the visit, the…
On Monday, February 26th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Lebanese ambassador to the Vatican, Dr. Farid el-Khazen. Dr. el-Khazen updated His Holiness on the ongoing Vatican discussions concerning Lebanon, especially regarding the delayed Lebanese presidential election, the socioeconomic crisis, and the Gaza war. They also discussed internal Lebanese affairs and…
Pan-Armenian fundraising for the Center for the Preservation of Artsakh’s cultural heritage was initiated on February 20th, 2024 and will continue until March 23rd, 2024. The center was established in response to Azerbaijan’s occupation of Artsakh and the destruction of its centuries-old cultural and spiritual heritage. In an address on this occasion conveyed by…
On February 23rd, 2024 a delegation of SEMAS Bourdj Hamoud students visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to seek his blessings for their first-place victory in the SEMAS Lebanon National Competition. SEMAS, which stands for Soroban Education Mental Arithmetic System, was initially introduced to Lebanon by the Kendirjian family. Currently, Sevan Kendirjian-Sherbetjian directs and…
The Permanent Christian Conference paid a visit to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024. Their purpose was to seek His Holiness’s insights and opinions on their intention to establish ecumenical cooperation among various Lebanese sects. During the meeting, the delegation presented the outcomes of their efforts in areas such as…
Presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, the final unction and funeral service for V. Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Mandjigian was conducted by HE Arch. Gomidas Ohanian, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias. During the eulogy, Arch. Gomidas quoted Colossians 1:25, emphasizing the dedicated service of the…
On Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, a phone conversation took place between His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and Dr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the first prosecutor of the New and Permanent International Criminal Court. They emphasized that, in accordance with legal principles and relevant international laws, Azerbaijan’s genocidal policy against the people of Artsakh was a deliberate…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I welcomed the directors of the Jinishian Memorial Foundation (JMP) from Lebanon, Syria, and Armenia, led by Eliza Minasyan, the Executive Director/Coordinator. Commending their efforts and acknowledging the achievements and challenges of JMP, His Holiness bestowed his pontifical blessings. Later that day, Catholicos Aram I received Louis Lahoud, the General…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Rector of St. Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) R.F. Dr. Salim Daccache and Director General of Hôtel-Dieu De France Nassib Nasr. In attendance were Chair of the Armenian Sanitorium of Azounieh, Hagop Ladoyan, Chancellor of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, V. Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian and Doctor Hampig…
On Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Qatari Ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani. During the meeting, His Holiness referenced the discussions he had with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Qatar approximately a month ago, following the latter’s invitation. Notably,…
V. Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Mandjigian was born with the given name Ara in 1942 in the Karadouran village of Kessab, Syria. His family later moved to the Armenian neighborhood of Bourdj Hamoud in Beirut, Lebanon, where he attended the Armenian Forty Martyrs School. His passion for theological studies led him to the Armenian Theological Seminary…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the Cilician Brotherhood announce with great sorrow the passing of one of its most senior members, V. Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Mandigian (1942-2024) that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, in Lebanon. The funeral and the final consecration order will be held on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024…
Recent online sessions of the Cilicia Analytical Platform, under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, focused on preparations for a conference addressing Azerbaijan’s genocidal policy against Armenians. The conference is set to take place in April, on the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, at the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in Antelias, with the participation…
Under the high auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the 50th anniversary of the Shnorhali Choir was marked on Saturday, February 17th, 2024, at Center Emile Lahoud for Culture and Congress. The concert, which was initially scheduled for the previous year but had to be postponed due to the situation in Artsakh, was conducted…
The concluding conference of the series commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA) took place on Saturday, February 17th, 2024, under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. High school students and young, engaged members of community organizations assembled in the Cilicia museum hall for the conference titled “Homeland…
On Friday, February 16th, 2024, the Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) party in Lebanon visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. During the meeting, they discussed topics related to Lebanon and the Lebanese Armenian community. The committee expressed gratitude for His Holiness’ unwavering support in addressing the socio-economic challenges facing the…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I bestowed the prestigious St. Mesrob Mashdots insignia upon sculptor Vartan Avessian and guitarist Megerdich Mikayelian in a special ceremony organized by the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA) on Thursday, February 15th, 2024, at the Hall of the Cilicia Museum. ACUSA member Gali Avakian delivered the opening remarks, while…
Presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the Eve of the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Temple (Diaruntarach) was solemnly celebrated on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. During the special service, Antasdan (Blessing of the Four Corners of the World), presenting the…
On Thursday evening, February 8th, 2024, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received MP Hagop Pakradouni, the Head of the Armenian Parliamentary Bloc, and Ishkhan Saghatelyan, chair of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Supreme Council of Armenia. The discussion centered on Armenian internal affairs, emphasizing the necessity to safeguard the integrity and security of…
At the invitation of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and with the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, V. Rev. Fr. Avedik Der Garabedian, V. Rev. Fr. Kevork Karageozian, both serving as assistant of the Armenian Theological Seminary Dean, along with and Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian, the pastor at Sourp Sarkis Church in…
As one of the earliest battles for Christianity, the Battle of Avarayr in 451 played a crucial role in defending Armenians’ faith. St. Vartan Mamigonian, leading the Armenian army against the larger Sassanid Persian Army, symbolizes the unwavering commitment of the Armenian people to their religious beliefs. The Feast of Saint Vartan and his companions…
On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the newly appointed Ambassador of Greece to Lebanon, Despina Koukoulopoulou. His Holiness briefed the ambassador on the mission and structure of the Holy See of Cilicia, addressing the current situation in Lebanon, focusing on the economic crisis and efforts toward the presidential election.…
On January 22 and 23, 2024, The Gulf Churches Fellowship (GCF) convened its annual meeting in Dubai, with the participation of V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manuelian, Pontifical Vicar of Kuwait, representing the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia. Notably, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I addressed the conference on the first day, when he was…
Every year on the first Sunday of February, the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, observes a traditional requiem service to honor the memory of its departed catholicoi and clergy. As such, on February 4th, following the Divine Liturgy, the pontifical procession and the faithful moved to the Zarehian Mausoleum, next to St. Gregory the…
A formal banquet in honor of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was held in Dubai, graced by 400 attendees, including dignitaries like the Ambassador of Armenia in the UAE, Garen Krikorian, and the Consul General of Lebanon in Dubai, Assaf Doumat. The event featured successive addresses from Christine Yepremian-Tossounian—member of the Diocesan Executive Council—Varoujan…
