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:
THE 10TH ANIIVERSARY OF HIS HOLINESS’ ENTHRONEMENT CELEBRATED
IN ANTELIAS WITH WISHES OF WELL-BEING AND A FRUITFUL SERVICE
A special “Pontifical Prayer” service was held after Holy Mass in the St.
Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral on June 26. The service was dedicated to
the 10th anniversary of His Holiness Aram I’s enthronement and was meant to
wish him success. Representatives of several Armenian organizations, MP
Hagop Pakradouni and a huge crowd of believers attended the service.
Archbishop Ardavazt Terterian, Catholicosal Vicar, presided over the
service, in which the members of the Cilician Brotherhood presided. Special
sections related to the relationship between a spiritual leader and his
followers, as well as to the characteristics of a brave shepherd were
recited from the Bible. They were dedicated to His Holiness Aram I.
Prayers special to the “Pontifical Prayer” represented the history of the
Cathoilcosate of Cilicia, the suffering it endured with its people during
the Genocide, and then its rebirth and in Lebanon. The numerous services the
Armenian Church and the Catholicosate of Cilicia provide to their nations
were also remembered.
The first part of the main prayer was a praise of God, the second part
included the history of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, the third part was a
wish for the Armenian Church and all its Sees to remain strong, and the
fourth was a prayer for the well-being of His Holiness Aram I.
The prayer has been written by the late Catholicos Papken I in 1933. It
calls upon God to protect Christ’s Church and keep it safe from satanic
assaults, so the church can progress and grow.
Rev. Keghart Kusbekian conducted the service and spoke about the 10 years of
service by His Holiness Aram I during his sermon. After the service, Deacon
Trasdamad Donoian read a decree on behalf of the seminary students, wishing
productive service and well-being to the Catholicos.
His Holiness Aram I expressed his gratitude for all the wishes made for his
well-being, and assured that all the achievements during his 10-year tenure
were accomplished due to the collective efforts and dedication of the
Cilician brotherhood, the seminary and the Dioceses.
“We have one steady purpose: to serve God and our people. There rest our
glory, integrity and strength. We will work with faith and determination”
concluded His Holiness.
The event concluded with “Cilicia” and “I Veh Partsants.” The attendants
then congratulated His Holiness and wished for his well-being, kissing his
right hand.
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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 history and
the mission 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.