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:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EASTERN PRELACY
OF THE UNITED STATES AND THOSE OF TABRIZ AND ISFAHAN
His Holiness Aram I held separate meetings with the primates and diocesan
council representatives of the Eastern Prelacy of the United States, Diocese
of Tabriz and Diocese of Isfahan. The representatives arrived in Lebanon to
attend the ordination of Bishops in the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral on June 4.
The Pontiff listened to the reports of the representatives on the efforts
carried out in their dioceses, their new projects and concerns. His Holiness
then gave his advice to each diocese.
Stressing the importance of setting priorities, His Holiness highlighted the
role of the youth in our collective life and the importance of organized
work in the field of religious education.
The Pontiff praised the representatives of the Dioceses and their efforts,
expressing hope that the upcoming bishops’ ordination would bring new
activeness into the life of dioceses and their spiritual service.
##
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.

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:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS WITH THE NEW ARMENIAN
MP IN THE CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT
His Holiness Aram I received the newly elected Armenian MP in the Cypriot
Parliament, Vartkes Mahdessian in the Veharan on June 5. The MP visited
Antelias to receive the Pontiff’s blessings as a new MP. Archbishop Varoujan
Hergelian (Catholicosal Vicar to Cyprus) and Tsolag Tutelian (member of the
Central Executive Council) also attended the meeting.
The Catholicos congratulated Mahdessian on his election. He advised the MP
that as the representative of the entire Armenian community of Cyprus, he
should work with commitment to strengthen to comprehensiveness and internal
unity of the community. The Pontiff added that the MP should coordinate
efforts with the Catholicosal Vicar to Cyprus, to gather the
Cypriot-Armenians around the Church.
His Holiness advised that the government-Armenian community contacts should
be more organized always having the community’s collective interests in
mind. The MP promised to do his best in this direction in cooperation with
all the structures of the community.
##
View photo here: tm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
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.

From: Catholicosate of Cilicia
Subject: Antelias: A musical evening on the occasion of Armenian School year
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:
A MUSICAL EVENING ON THE OCCASION OF
“THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN SCHOOL”
On the occasion of “The Year of the Armenian School”, the Seminary of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia organized a musical evening in the “Siran
Manoukian” hall of Yeghishé Manoukian College on June 4. The event was
sponsored by His Holiness Aram I.
The choir of the Seminary, the “Shenorhali” Choir of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia and the “Gargatch” Choir of Hamazkayin participated in the
conference. The conductor of the last two choirs, Zakar Keshishian also
participated in the event, in addition to Sirvart Boyadjian on the piano.
The Seminary Choir kicked off the evening with performance of “Ov Der
Asdvadz” and “Aravod Lousaper”. “Orhnerk Yergrabahi” (lyrics by Souren
Mouradian, music by Robert Bedrossian) followed.
With the “Gargatch” Senior Choir Karig Pantourian’s “Nazank” and the
Lebanese song “Rousana” echoed in the hall. The choir’s senior group then
delivered “Alleluia” and “Ave Maria” by Mozart, as well as the
African-American “Koumdaya”.
The two groups of the choir then sang Jirayr Avedissian’s “Tebrotsin Zanke”
and Nansen Michaelian’s “Im Ousoutsitch”.
The last choir to perform during the evening was “Shnorhali”. The choir
performed Hratchya Hovhannisian’s “Hobina”, “Shorora yar” a collection of
folk songs, among which “Alakiaz yev kezi mernim” and “Katsek Desek”.
The three choirs joined voices at the end of the evening to sing Barouyr
Sevag’s “Yerevan, Erepouni” and Nahabed Rousinian’s “Cilicia”.
“How is it possible not to be filled with joy, how is it possible not to
become proud, how is it possible not to be touched in sight of this
beautiful scene that enchants our lives?” asked His Holiness after taking
the stage at the end of the recital.
Praising the organizers of the event and the members of the choirs, the
Pontiff said: “without our spiritual values and without our cultural
richness our life would become impoverished and it would wilt.” He added
that Zakar Keshishian is one of the best conductors of the Armenian
Diaspora.
Referring to the foreign minister of the Republic of Nagorno Karapagh,
Kevorki Bedrossian, who was present at the recital, the Catholicos said: “It
is true that we were not born in Karapagh, but Karapagh was born in us, has
remained in us and has been strengthened in us and the Diaspora today lives
and struggles with the spirit of Karapagh.”
The Pontiff then spoke about the Armenian community of Lebanon, pointing out
that “despite difficulties, the community has been able to remain active,
healthy and standing.”
##
View photos here: tm
*****
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 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.

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:
PRIM ATES MEET IN ANTELIAS
His Holiness Aram I presided over a meeting of diocesan Primates in the
Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia on June 5. The meeting
brought together a number of primates who had arrived in Lebanon on the
occasion of bishop ordination.
The Catholicos made a few reminders and passed on some information to the
Primates about issues related to Catholicosate-diocese relations, the
upcoming Armenia-Diaspora conference in Armenia in September, the upcoming
educational conference in the Catholicosate in August, as well as a number
of spiritual and administrative issues.
In the evening, His Holiness presided over a dinner with the participation
of the Cilician Brotherhood members and the Primates. The Pontiff grabbed
the opportunity to remind Primates of the need to serve the Armenian Church
and nation with more dedication.
##
View photo here: tm#3
*****
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.

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:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES ARMENIAN MPS
IN THE IRANIAN PARLIAMENT
His Holiness Aram I received Kevork Vartanian and Robert Peklarian, the
representatives of the Armenian community of Tehran in the Iranian
Parliament, in his office in Antelias on June 5. The MPs were accompanied by
the primates of the three Armenian dioceses of Iran: Archbishop Sebouh
Sarkissian (Tehran), Bishop Papken Charian (Isfahan) and Bishop Neshan
Topouzian (Tabriz).
The meeting lasted over an hour. The MPs and Primates informed His Holiness
of certain circumstances created as a result of recent developments. They
stressed that despite recent sensitivities, particularly those created by
Azeris in Tabriz, the three dioceses are well organized, active and are
carefully following the situation through constant contact. Internal
diocesan and inter-diocesan issues were also discussed.
His Holiness praised the service of the Primates and MPs for the Armenian
people. He advised vigilance and constant consultations for the sake of
protecting the Iranian-Armenian community’s interests at times like these.
##
View photo here: tm#2
*****
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.

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:
THE CATHOLIOCSATE OF CILICIA DONATES 100,000 U.S. DOLLARS
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CHURCH IN NAGORNO KARAPAGH
There are plans to construct a mother cathedral in the capital of Nagorno
Karapagh, Sdepanagerd and construction works have already started.
As a tangible expression to the comprehensiveness and unity of the Armenian
Church as well as the active contribution of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in
the construction of churches and the homeland, the Catholiocsate donated
100,000 U.S. dollars for the construction of the cathedral.
“Let us once again affirm the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s and Our personal
commitment to support all efforts that aim to the strengthening and
development of Armenia and Karapagh,” wrote the Pontiff in his letters
addressed to His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and Argati
Ghougassian, the president of the Republic of Nagorno Karapagh.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
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.

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:
17th anniversary of the death of
Imam Ruhollah Khomeini
“THE CURRENT SOCIETY SUFFERS FROM
A FALLBACK IN MORAL VALUES”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
His Holiness delivered the above message during an official commemoration
held in UNESCO Palace on June 6 on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of
the death of Imam Ruholla Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“One of the greatest conflicts of current society is the fallback in moral
values. We see this worrying phenomenon in families, in structures that
function within societies, in government institutions and in the current
world order in general. The health of a society does not rely on its
political, military or economic power, but on the existence of moral values.
Where moral values are absent, injustice, insecurity, violence, human rights
violations and all kinds of evil reign. Thus we consider the return of moral
values an imperative necessity,” wrote the Catholicos in his message.
The Pontiff’s message was read out by the Primate of the Diocese of Tabriz,
Bishop Neshan Topouzian. The representative of the Lebanese Parliament’s
speaker and the spiritual leaders of the country’s Christian and Muslim
communities also gave speeches during the event.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities 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.

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:
THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER OF NAGORNO KARAPAGH
VISITS ANTELIAS
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Nagorno Karapagh, Kevorki
Bedrossian visited Antelias, where he met with His Holiness Aram I on June
6. Serj Amirkhanian, the head of construction works in the republic and
Yervant Pamboukian, member of the Central Executive Council in Lebanon also
attended the meeting.
The Pontiff referred to the contribution of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s
dioceses in the efforts aimed at strengthening Nagorno Karapagh and
reassured of the Catholicosate’s commitment to this cause.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to reassess the internal situation
in Karapagh and the international negotiations for the resolution of the
conflict.
The minister was then invited to have lunch with the Catholicos.
##
View photo here: tm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
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.

SERGE WAS TOO LATE
Lragir.am
10 June 06
Everything seems to be changing in Armenia. Although the ruling regime
asserts that the divorce of the Orinats Yerkir Party and the coalition
cannot change anything in the country, it does not tend to believe it
either. It does not believe because it can see what is going on among
the political forcesat home.
First of all, the nervous expansion of the present axis of the ruling
regime – the Republican Party – is arousing more and more admiration.
Something is really happening with this corps of functionaries. They
launched the administrative terror against teachers, they started
`disseminating’ the state budget in the regions (only by pledges, of
course). They say they are evenlikely to give up the ideology of
Garegin Nzhdeh and adopt a liberal-democratic ideology.
The most admirable of all is that the Republicans are shouting louder
and louder where Serge Sargsyan might be and why he would not confirm
that he will ally with only this political party. In the meantime,
Serge Sargsyan keeps silent. He keeps silent because he knows that the
Republicans missed the train.
Moreover, he might be guessing where he might be after the year
2007. And he is right because the problem is not only the resignation
of Arthur Baghdasaryan.
For everybody can see that not only the opposition was missed. Gagik
Tsarukyan with his vast body occupies the rest of space of the
political sphere of Armenia. Gagik Tsarukyan will grab the rest from
Arthur Baghdasaryan. How about the Republicans. The Republican is
overboard. Why should Serge need them? Serge needs a lot of votes to
display his almightiness to Kocharyan. But where is he supposed to get
votes? This is not peanuts. What would Serge have to give his allies
in return? Nothing.
Only now did the `superminister’ realize, however, that he is nothing
without Robert Kocharyan. And he has always been nothing. If he allows
himto sit on the sofa, he will, if not, there will be nothing to do
but to weep. He is an authority and Fouchet for Hmayak, Kocharyan does
not accept anyone=80=99s authority except his. Kocharyan is interested
in those who can get votes by themselves, such as Tsarukyan. As well
as Arthur Baghdasaryan, whose votescan give him an unpleasant
surprise. As for Serge, let him inspire everyone that his hand can
reach anywhere. After all, Kocharyan knows the span of his arm better
then anyone else.
In fact, former allies Serge and Andranik realized too late what had
happened in Armenia. And people who keep enquiring `when Serge will
appear on the party ticket of the Republican’ failed to understand
anything. They failed to realize that from now on everything in
Armenia will be decided by another list, where the superminister will
be denied access without permit. Everyone wonders why. This is very
interesting. They do not tell anyone, even Serge.
What are the `strongmen’ of Armenia – the Superminister, the Attorney
General, etc. – going to do further on? Plant trees, watch chess,
draft a concept of national security, think up fish-breeding projects,
and all for a period of ten years. Yes, ten years of unfulfilled
dreams. Kocharyan may believe that these guys are worth anything. It
is too late, it appears to be=80¦ Whereas they say nothing changes in
Armenia.
MELIK YESAYAN
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
OSCE PA 15th Session to Be Held in July
09.06.2006 16:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On 29 and 30 May three members of the International
Secretariat paid a final preparatory visit to Brussels for the 15th
Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
to be held in the Belgian capital from 3 to 7 July. Deputy Secretary
General Vitaly Evseyev, General Services Officer Kurt Lerras and
Presidential Advisor Gustavo Pallarés met with the staff of the
Belgian Federal Parliament to review and finalize all aspects of the
Annual Session including the program and organizational
modalities. Under a unique arrangement with the Belgian Federal
Parliament, the Annual Session will be held on the premises of the
European Parliament. The Secretariat team visited the European
Parliament, which will provide excellent conditions for the Session.
During his visit to Brussels, President Hastings also met with the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office to discuss matters regarding the OSCE and the
PA, including preparations for the Assembly’s Winter Meeting in Vienna
and election monitoring activities. Minister de Gucht has appointed
President Hastings as his Special Coordinator for the Presidential
elections in Belarus and the Parliamentary elections in Ukraine. While
in Brussels President Hastings also met with the European Parliament’s
Election Co-ordination Group to discuss co-operation in future
election observation missions and with Mr. Edward McMillan Scott,
Vice-President of the EP. The members of the International Secretariat
met with the members of the Belgian Delegation Mr. Pieter de Crem and
Mr. Francois-Xavier de Donnea as well as with the Secretaries General
of both Chambers of the Belgian Parliament. They also had a meeting
with the Head of Protocol of the European Parliament. The Assembly’s
Annual Session in Brussels will coincide with the Belgian Chairmanship
of the OSCE in 2006, reported the OSCE press office.