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:
ANTELIAS SEMINARY CONCLUDES ITS ACADEMIC YEAR WITH ITS 76TH ANNUAL CEREMONY
The Theological Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia marked the
end of its 76th academic year in a ceremony held at Bikfaya on June
23 under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I.
The program of the ceremony included readings from the Bible and
"Nareg" as well as a performance of a musical poem by the Seminary’s
choir on the occasion of the year of the Armenian School.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian expressed
his gratitude to the Pontiff, the Seminary’s management and staff
for their role in his and his classmates’ spiritual formation.
V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian read the year-end report that included
details on the work of the Seminary’s management and staff, the
religious, educational and social aspects of the Seminary’s life and
this academic year ‘s graduates.
Congratulating the students with the highest grades and the highest
records of good behaviors, V. Rev. Fr. Chiftjian invited the Catholicos
to distribute the diplomas and pass on his pontifical blessings to
the graduates.
Praising the work of all those involved in the Catholicosate
of Cilicia’s Seminary, His Holiness said: "We do not speak about
our work; let the nation itself be the judge. We will increase our
carefulness, particularly in the face of misleading phenomena our
approach will be clear and tough. We have the courage to say "no"
to personal and on-the-side interests in the face of our nation’s
and church’s collective interests."
Addressing the graduates, His Holiness then said: "a person is a
value in as much as he serves the collective values of the church
and nation. It is with this spirit and commitment that we formed
you under this roof to send you off to our people. Whether you serve
as spiritual or as secular men, you will pretend to hold on to the
Bible, but you will live it and bring it to life in the lives of the
faithful. Go and take with you what you received in the Seminary,
put it in the service of our people through yourselves."
A reception followed at the end of the ceremony.
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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 Theological Seminary of the 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.