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: nian.htm
Watch the video summary here:
eos/New%20Year%20visit.wmv
His Holiness Aram I’s New Year’s video message:
eos/New%20Year%20message.wmv
CATHOLICOS ARAM I VISITS
THE NEEDY DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Catholicos Aram I and a number of Cilician Brotherhood members recently
attended several celebrations sharing the joy of the New Year and Christmas
with the needy children of the Armenian community.
HIS HOLINESS WITH ARMENIAN ORPHANS
His Holiness welcomed the New Year on December 26 with Armenian orphans
sheltered in "Birds’ Nest". This institution, which functions under the
umbrella of the Catholicosate of Cilicia is subject to the constant care of
Catholicos Aram I, who has appointed V. Rev. Yeghishe Manjikian and a Board
of Trustees.
During the celebration, the Catholicos listened with fatherly love to the
songs and poems recited by the innocent children and their wishes for the
New Year. He praised all the donors and Armenians who remember the orphans
of "Brids’ Nest" on various occasions.
Photos: os/Photos68.htm
IN THE OLD PEOPLE’S HOME
In the footsteps of the Church’s humanitarian mission, His Holiness visited
the Home of the Elderly in Bourdj Hammoud on December 27 to spread the joy
of the season with those in need of love and care.
The sheltered elderly expressed their happiness by singing and reciting
poems with an amazingly good memory. Some of them addressed the Catholicos
with words of gratitude because despite his busy agenda the Catholicos never
fails to remember them.
The Spiritual Leader also conveyed his wishes for the New Year and
Christmas, assuring the elderly Armenians that the nation has provided them
a secure roof where they could live happily.
Photos: os/Photos70.htm
THE AZOUNIYEH NATIONAL SANATORIUM
On December 28 the Catholicos visited the Azouniyeh National Sanatorium in
Shouf, bringing with him the good cheers of the New Year and the joyous news
of the birth of Christ. The Cilician Brotherhood Members conveyed spiritual
satisfaction to the sheltered by singing hymns.
Some of the elderly voluntarily sang and said some poems they remembered.
The Pontiff also visited the hospitalized patients and prayed for them.
Photos: os/Photos71.htm
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch. org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos72.htm
WITH ARMENIAN PRISONERS
A group of Cilician Brotherhood members visited the "Roumye" prison on
behalf of Catholicos Aram I to take the joy of the season to Armenian
prisoners. The Brotherhood members provided spiritual satisfaction to those
jailed by performing a short church service. They also gave Holy Communion
to those who wished to receive it, listened to the prisoners’ difficulties
with patience and gave appropriate advice.
***
His Holiness Aram I also attended the celebrations organized by the
Christian Education Department and the Armenian Church University Students
Association (ACUSA).
THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
The Armenian women’s Bible Study session took place in the Saint Gregory the
Illuminator Cathedral on the morning of December 25. Over 150 women attended
the session, which was followed by a Christmas celebration presided by His
Holiness. The attendants together sang the hymn "Khorhourt Medz". The
director, Rev. Torkom Donoyan gave a brief report about the department’s
activities during the year.
His Holiness then delivered his Pontifical address to the attendants. He
underlined the true meaning and understanding of living a spiritual life. A
small reception was organized and the attendants exchanged their well wishes
on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas.
Photos: os/Photos69.htm
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ARMENIAN YOUTH
On the evening of the same day, ACUSA members gathered around the Catholicos
on occasion of the New Year and Christmas. After spending time with the
Armenian elderly, orphans, patients and the needy people in these joyous
times, the Catholicos also accepted the invitation of the Armenian Youth to
celebrate the New Year together.
Addressing the members of this association, the Catholicos advised them to
remain loyal to our Church’s teachings and traditions and to transform the
coming year, declared the "Year of Christian Education" by the Catholicosate
of Cilicia, into a year for spreading the values of the Armenian Church and
nation.
Photos: os/Photos73.htm
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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.