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 MEETS WITH ARMENIAN STUDENTS
“THE LANGUAGE OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN
ARMENIANS SHOULD BE ONLY ARMENIAN”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
As part of His Pontifical visit to Canada, His Holiness Aram I met with the
young Armenian students of Toronto on September 30. The students of the
“Koloyan Elementary-Secondary School of the Armenian Relief Society (ARL)”,
as well as those of the “Babayan Kindergarten” prepared a special program to
commemorate the 1600th anniversary of the Consecration of the Armenian
Alphabet.
His Holiness first visited the “Babayan Kindergarten” with Prelate
Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, V Rev Fr Meghrig and the delegation accompanying
him from Lebanon. The youngest representatives of the new Armenian
generation put out a well-prepared performance in honor of the Catholicos.
The ceremony in ARL’s elementary and secondary school started with the
welcoming remarks of teacher Moushegh Karakashian, followed by a speech by
Haroutioun Shitilian, chairman of the educational committee.
The latter drew out a connection between the 1600th anniversary of the
consecration of the Armenian Alphabet, the 75th anniversary of the Seminary’
s establishment and the 10th anniversary of His Holiness’ enthronement.
Shitilian pointed out that the prominent individuals who have contributed to
the school’s success in the past and do so in the present are all graduates
of the Antelias Seminary.
The students then took to the stage, with representatives from the eleventh
and twelfth grades delivering speeches in Armenian and English about His
Holiness’ activeness and the achievements of his 10 year tenure.
“Nightingales of Kantsasar”, a children’s choir composed of students from
the second and third classes, entertained the audience with enthusiastic
songs.
Prelate Archbishop Hagopian delivered a speech outlining His Holiness’
international efficacy, particularly in the international ecumenical,
inter-faith and political fields.
His Holiness then delivered a lecture on the 1600th anniversary of the
Consecration of the Armenian Alphabet. He highly praised the students, the
administration, teachers and the board of trustees, emphasizing the
importance of remaining loyal towards Mesrob Mashdots and his work.
“Being an Armenian first and foremost means speaking in Armenian, reading
Armenian, writing in Armenian, singing in Armenian and opening to our
cultural values. Our nation receives its spiritual and national nourishment
from the Armenian language and culture,” said His Holiness.
“Therefore, the only language of conversation between us, Armenians, should
be Armenian. We will speak in various languages with foreigners, but we will
speak in Armenian with one another. Otherwise what value does this building,
which has been erected for you with such huge sacrifices, have? You give
life to this building with your pure Armenian language. Mesrob Mashdots
lives in this building when you speak with each other in Armenian,” he
continued.
His Holiness then blessed over 350 students with “Bahbanitch”.
His Holiness gave a press conference to the local Armenian and Canadian
media on the morning of September 30. The Catholicos focused on the role of
the church and the importance of finding better means of attracting the
youth.
Answering the questions of reporters, His Holiness also spoke about
advancing cooperation in the meeting places of religions and cultures in
multi-religious societies, in order to fight against globalization and its
threat to identities with united efforts.
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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.