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
THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OBSERVES THE FEAST OF SAINT MARY
"WE WILL COLLECTIVELY FIGHT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF SPIRITUAL AND MORAL
VALUES"
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
The Catholicosate of Cilicia ceremoniously observed the Feast of Saint Mary
on August 16 during the Holy Mass officiated by His Holiness Aram I on a
special altar built for this purpose outside the St. Asdvadzadzine Monastery
in Bikfaya.
Armenian believers take unique spiritual relish in this traditional feast
held annually in the Monastery in Bikfaya, which they visit in large numbers
on this occasion.
The Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian performed
the Holy Mass. The believers sung the hymns led by the Seminary choir.
According to the traditions of the Armenian Church, His Holiness Aram I
performed the blessing of grapes, which symbolizes the presentation to God
of the earth’s harvest and the prayers of its people. After the service, His
Holiness delivered his sermon to the believers, among which the number of
youth was noticeable. Also attending the service were several young
Armenians who were participating in the Catholicosate’s youth conference
from various corners around the world.
The message was delivered by His Holiness Aram I. The main theme of the
message was the crucial importance of spiritual and moral values. In his
introductory remarks His Holiness pointed out the meaning and importance of
moral and spiritual values that must govern our individual and community
life. He said: "These values give substance and identity to our life. These
values ensure the quality of our life. They come to us from the Bible and
our church fathers. As Christians, we must respond positively to these
values with the profound sense of faithfulness and responsibility".
After these general remarks, with a more specific approach, His Holiness
first focused his attention on family by stressing the unique role of family
in Christian life. "Family is the backbone of a society and the heart of
Christian community. It is in the family that a child is grown up and formed
with Christian values and teachings. In a world in which the family is
exposed to the kind of trends which this integrate the family life and
jeopardize its Christian values, we must pay a particular attention to
family life, safe guarding its integrity and morality".
The second point of emphasis of His Holiness was the actual state of
Christian education on Armenian schools. Catholicos Aram I "reminded the
crucial importance of Christian education. For us, Christians, there is only
one education: Christian education. Our approaches, methodologies and
perspectives may be change in the course of time and in different contexts,
but the essence of Christian education based on Biblical teaching and values
must remain the same. Our schools must integrate Christian education, beyond
being a learning process as a formation process, in there curriculum and
activities". His Holiness also reminded the faithful that a few weeks ago a
conference was held with his initiative specifically on reorganizing
Christian education in the Armenian schools.
His Holiness gave a special attention in his message to the youth. He said
that a pan-Diaspora Armenian Youth conference is taking place at the
Catholicosate. He expressed his joy about the active and serious
participation of young people from different parts of the world. His
Holiness said "This is the time that we start listening what the youth are
saying. We must engage in dialogue with them. A meaningful interaction with
the youth is crucial for the progress and wellbeing of our church and
communities. Youth should not remain on the periphery of our life. They must
become active participants in all aspects of our church and community life.
This is the message that I gave to youth".
The Pontiff raised his prayers to St. Mary for her mediation with her
God-given Son to grant peace, love, unity, harmony and progress to the
Armenian nation.
Until late in the evening, believers stayed in the Monastery, renewing and
strengthening their faith on this occasion. They returned home with the
modest spirits of pilgrims and the kind feeling of benevolence. A number of
pilgrims had attended the Vespers Service the night before and spent the
night in the Monastery in preparation for the next day.
Holy Mass was also held in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral on
Sunday marking the Feast of St. Mary. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian officiated
the Mass and performed the blessing of the grapes.
The following day, Monday August 18, was Remembrance Day for the dead. Holy
Mass was also held on this occasion in the Asdvadzadzine Chapel in Bikfayya,
where the nation’s dead were remembered alongside the benefactors of the
Chapel Mr. and Mrs. Yervant and Alice Demirdjian. Prayers were recited and
incense was burnt in their memory.
At noon, the Cilician Brotherhood members, the members of the women’s
committee of Antelias and Seminary student joined His Holiness in the
Seminary’s lunch hall over the now traditional table of love.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos303.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.