ANTELIAS: HH Aram I: Revival os Syrian Armenian Community a Priority

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

“The Revival of the Armenian Community in Syria is a priority for
All Armenians,” States His Holiness Aram I in His Christmas Message

Antelias – On Monday 6 January His Holiness Aram I celebrated the
Holy Liturgy and gave his Christmas message to the faithful at
St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral. His Holiness stressed the theme
of peace, following the message of Jesus the Prince of Peace in his
parables and his blessing of the peacemakers. The Catholicos remarked
that the peace of Jesus was built on justice and mutual love, and that
the Church is called to make peace the core of its vocation.

His Holiness Aram I addressed the major conflicts within and between
the countries of the world and, particularly, those in the Middle
East. In the spirit of the message of peace that is central to the
teachings of the two great monotheistic religions of Islam and
Christianity, the Catholicos asked Christians and Muslims to denounce
violence. His Holiness then reminded the faithful that although
co-existence between the two religions has not always been easy,
Christian-Muslim relations have nevertheless been sustained. The
current violence, he continued, is the result of irresponsible actions
by extremists, denounced by Muslims and Christians alike. He then
urged Christians to remain attached to their roots and not to
emigrate, but to grasp their responsibilities and stand up for their
rights.

His Holiness described Lebanon as the ideal model for
Christian-Muslim conviviality, a victim of regional conflicts and, at
the same time, a bridge between the East and the West. He then urged
the Armenian community to remain united and to help protect Lebanon’s
independence and integrity.

The Catholicos concluded His message by addressing the suffering
community in Syria. He told the faithful that they must go beyond
simply thinking of or praying for the suffering Armenian community;
they should seek to help them materially until the day when they
recover from the current tragedy and rebuild their lives.

His Holiness Aram I appoints Patriarchal Vicars for Kuwait and the
United Arab Emirates

Antelias – On the eve of the New Year and Christmas feasts,
Catholicos Aram I confirmed the appointments of Rt. Rev. Masis
Choboyan (born 1975 and ordained 1997) as the Vicar in Kuwait and
Rev. Mesrob Sarkissian (born 1983 and ordained 2006) as the Vicar of
the United Arab Emirates.

His Holiness Aram I receives donations from Mr. and Mrs. Hagop
Chilinguirian

Antelias – On the eve of the New Year, Mr. and Mrs. Hagop
Chiliguirian donated US $ 200,000 in appreciation for the witness and
outreach of the Catholicosate of Cilicia to the community.

In consultation with His Holiness Aram I, the couple allocated US $
100,000 as seed money for the Shenorhali Choir Trust Fund, and another
US $ 100,000 to equip the Radio and Television section of the Office
of Information of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.

##

http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
http://armenianorthodoxchurch.org/gallery-2