PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS VISITS THE 400 YEARS-OLD ST. AMENAPERGITCH
MONASTERY IN ISFAHAN
His Holiness Aram I arrived at the airport of Isfahan on May 22 and was
greeted by V. Rev. Papken Charian, the primate of the Diocese of Isfahan,
the deputy governor of Isfahan, Mr. Hrair Shahnazarian, the chairman of the
diocese committee, Mr. Tatoul Ohanian and representatives of the Diocese.
His Holiness was accompanied by V. Rev. Krikor Chiftjian, Rev. Fr. Housig
Mardirossian and Iranian-Armenian MP Robert Beklarian.
The deputy governor welcomed His Holiness and expressed his joy on the
occasion of Aram I’s official visit. His Holiness said his meetings with
Iranian officials in Tehran had been fruitful and conveyed his impressions
about the level of care and attention that the Armenian Community of Iran
enjoys.
His Holiness visited the St. Amenapergitch Monastery, which was built four
centuries ago. A special reception, including recitations by the children’s
and adults’ bands of the “Gomidas Choir was organized in honor of His
Holiness.
His Holiness laid a wrath at the Armenian Genocide monument outside the
church, asking God to rest the souls of more than one and a half million
innocent martyrs in peace.
The primate of the Diocese welcomed His Holiness Aram I in the Diocese of
Isfahan. Speaking about the 10-year tenure of His Holiness as Catholicos of
Cilicia, the primate mentioned a number of achievements, which have been
turning points on both national and international levels, in the life of the
church and the public.
His Holiness considered the dedication and devotion of clergymen as the
pillar of the Church’s service. The Catholicos also spoke about the
90-year-long struggle of Armenians for justice. He considered that the will
of the Armenians of New Julfa to survive reflects the Armenian nation’s
determination of securing its rights.
The New Julfa Armenians celebrated the 400th anniversary of the
establishment of the community and the St. Amenapergitch Monastery two years
ago.
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses of
the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.