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: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENTHRONEMENT OF HIS HOLINESS AND THE 75TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SEMINARY ARE CELEBRATED IN NICOSIA
The 10th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Aram I and the 75th
anniversary of the establishment of the Seminary of the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia were marked during a special ceremony held under
the patronage of His Holiness on Saturday the 5th of March in Nicosia.

The opening remarks were delivered by Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian,
Catholicosal Vicar of the Diocese of Cyprus, who presented the unique
aspects of a decade of service by His Holiness as Catholicos of Cilicia. He
also highlighted the important role of the Seminary in the life and mission
of the Catholicosate.

Sebouh Tavitian focused on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the
Seminary, presenting its history and talking about the difficulties it faced
during the first years of its establishment. He emphasized that the Seminary
has been the heart of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and has carried out its
mission with this realization.

Vartan Tashdjian talked about the decade long services of Aram I. He said
that it is not possible to present His Holiness through a lecture, because
the Catholicosate’s expanding mission during the last ten years is a
testimony His Holiness’ extensive work. He highlighted some of aspects of
His Holiness’ work and person, focusing on the Pontiff, intellectual,
international ecumenical figure and constructor.

Archbishop Nourhan Manougian of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, who
had arrived in Cyrus to take part in the ceremony, also spoke during the
event. The Archbishop, once a classmate of His Holiness in the Antelias
Seminary, gave a personal testimony about the Catholicos, highlighting the
unique aspects of his services as Catholicos of Cilicia.

The “Shenorhali” choir of the Catholicosate also took part in the event,
delivering Armenian spiritual and classical songs, under the directions of
Fr Bartev Gulumian.

His Holiness Aram I delivered the closing remarks. The Catholicos thanked
the organizers of the event and emphasized two points during his speech.
First, the work being conducted in Antelias is a collective effort and
second, it is a mission that requires dedication, faith and vision. “It is
with renewed faith and vision that we will continue our mission through
Antelias for our entire church and people,” concluded His Holiness.

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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.