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:
Watch the recorded video here:
anSchoolevent.wmv
CEREMONY DEDICATED TO THE ARMENIAN SCHOOL
“THE ARMENIAN SCHOOL, THE SACRED TREASURE OF OUR LIFE,
SHOULD BE KEPT STRONG AND ACTIVE”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
The Educational Committee of the Armenian Executive Council of the Diocese
of Lebanon organized a public ceremony dedicated to the Armenian schools in
the “Emile Lahoud” Hall on May 24. Held under the patronage of His Holiness
Aram I, the event was organized on the occasion of “The Year of the Armenian
School” and formed part of the Catholicos’ pontifical visit to the Diocese.
Primate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, priests, ministers and deputies, the
mayor of Bourj Hammoud Mr. Antranig Meserlian, the Ambassador of Armenia to
Lebanon Mr. Vahan Der Ghevontian, representatives of the Executive Council,
Armenian political parties, organisations and unions, principals of schools,
teachers and parents as well as a large number of people attended the event.
After the Lebanese and Armenian anthems were played, a video about the
Armenian schools of Lebanon was screened. Sebouh Mandjian then delivered the
opening remarks, stressing that the ceremony was not just a regular event,
but a conscious, yet humble contribution to the Armenian school.
“The builder of Armenianness and the school of Mashdots will thrive with
music and dance, which will prove once again that the Armenian school is not
only an educational institution, but a source of life and the strong rock of
our collective’s existence,” said Mandjian.
A group of students from Armenian national colleges then took to the stage
reciting the poem entitled “Mesrobadon” by Zareh Khrakhouni. The “Gargatch”
Choir of Hamazkayine and conductor Zakar Keshihian then entertained the
audience with performances of “My Teacher”, “Orhnerk Yergrabahi” and
“Haigagan Joghovertayin Yerkashar.”
The keynote speaker of the event, Mr. Garo Hovhannesian stated: “The school
before everything else, the school above everything else and the school, the
only indispensable institution.”
Hovhannesian pointed out that the Armenian school has an essential role to
play in the revival of the Armenian community of Lebanon. He said issues
related to the Armenian school should be discussed within the general
context of the community’s organization and strengthening and not considered
from a solely educational perspective.
Assessing the educational status of the Armenian school and focusing on the
difficulties Armenian education faces, the speaker stated that all Armenian
saints and heroes have been born from Armenian schools.
“Armenia is not only located in Armenia. Armenia is also found wherever
there are Armenians. It is the obligation of each Armenian to keep the flag
of Armenia and Armenians raised in his own world,” he said, adding that in
the circumstances of the Diaspora “the Armenian motherland should be felt in
Armenian schools.”
Talking about the difficulties Armenian schools face today, Hovhannisian
assured that when the Armenian schools are in trouble, the Armenian
community in general is in trouble.
“If we don’t have the atmosphere that lights fires in the spirits of the
young generation and creates storms in their veins, we should urgently
produce it if our intentions for the future of the Armenian school are real.
No efforts should be spared for the creation of this atmosphere,” concluded
the speaker.
The “Kayiane” dance ensemble of Hamazkayin then performed the dance entitled
“Lernayin Aghtchigner”.
Primate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian defined the Armenian school: “The Armenian
school means conscious teaching and a conscious generation.” The Bishop
assured that the role of the Lebanese-Armenian community as a leader
community of the Armenian Diaspora would be fully realised if the Armenian
schools continue in their mission.
The Pontiff delivered his message at the end of the event. “There are values
and sanctities in the lives of nations and they form the richness of these
nations, guarantee their identities. In other words, those values guarantee
the eternity of a nation,” he said.
“Those values have persisted in our life and have kept our nation through
the storms of history. These values are the Motherland, the Church, Culture,
national struggle and the School,” His Holiness added.
The Catholicos stated that the Armenian school is the institution that forms
true Armenians. He pointed out, however, that the Armenian school faces
difficulties today and has started to lose its comprehensiveness. The
Pontiff stressed that the time has come to praise the Armenian school and
remind of its values and importance.
“The Armenian school is not only textbooks and a building; it’s a spirit.
That spirit should be reassessed not only with words, but by correct
diagnosis of the problem and adequate solution to it,” he concluded.
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View photos here: tm
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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.