PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
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PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Archbishop Vartan Demirdjian is laid to rest in Antelias

Antelias, Lebanon – Archbishop Vartan Demirdjian, who faithfully served
the Armenian Church for half a century, died Thursday, September 9,
2004, in Antelias, of a massive heart attack. His Eminence was 65
years old.

The Wake Service and the service of Final Unction took place Saturday,
during the Divine Liturgy, September 11, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral
in Antelias, and was placed in eternal rest in the Zareh I Mausoleum
of Antelias.

His Holiness Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy, with the
attendance of a large number of people including dignitaries
from various church denominations and communities. Also attending
were officials including the Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon, His
Excellency Arek Hovhannissian, deputies, representatives of political
parties, benevolent unions and educational institutions.

Archbishop Demirdjian has served the Armenian Church in various
capacities including several years of service in Iran and Greece. For
many years he has been a member of the religious council, a teacher
at the Cilician See’s Theological Seminary, and Director of the
Printing House. At the time of his death he was the Librarian at the
Catholicosate’s Library.

Catholicos Aram I eulogized Archbishop Vartan by vividly describing
his life of service. “His whole life was shaped by his dedication and
devotion. Vartan Srpazan was our nation’s faithful servant. He was
a hard-working and obedient member of the Cilician Brotherhood, loyal
to the principals of the Cilician See and author of many publications”.

With the ending of the service, the remains of Archbishop Vartan were
placed in his final resting place in the Zareh I Mausoleum of Antelias.

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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.