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 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS HOLINESS’ ENTHRONEMENT AND THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE SEMINARY’S ESTABLISHMENT CELEBRATED IN TEHRAN
His Holiness Aram I presided over a special ceremony held on May 13 in
Tehran’s “Ararat” sports’ complex and dedicated the 10th anniversary
of his enthronement and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of
the Seminary.
On this occasion His Holiness said: “I renew my vow to continue
the mission of Antelias dedicated to the church, our nation and
our homeland.”
His Holiness Aram I highlighted four major fields of the
Catholicosate’s mission, saying that Antelias is a place where
individuals are formed and spiritual formation is enhanced; it’s also
an expression of the will to build a homeland and a pioneer in the
fight for justice.
“Jubilees are nothing without man’s readiness for devotion. The
Catholicosate of Cilicia, with its brotherhood, seminary, dioceses
and structure, flourished the lives of our church and nation during
the last 75 years. One of the first victims of the Armenian Genocide,
the Catholicosate of Cilicia prepared new manpower and formed spirits
as a response to the inhumanness of the perpetrator and in place of
the ruins and destruction,” said His Holiness.
The ambassador of Armenia to Iran, Iranian deputies, representatives
of organizations and unions, as well as a large number of Iranian
Armenians were present at the ceremony.
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkisian, primate of the Diocese of Tehran,
delivered the opening remarks, outlining the simultaneous occurrence
of the two jubilees and considering one as the continuation of the
other. The Archbishop considered that the seminary’s existence has
been a blessing for the Diaspora, adding that “without it, the church
and the Armenian Diaspora would have been underprivileged.”
The first lecture was delivered by Dr. Harmig Tavtian, who highlighted
the indispensable role of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and His Holiness
Aram I in the lives of the Armenian nation and church. He commended
His Holiness international efficacy, particularly in the inter-church
and ecumenical spheres.
Kevork Kandaharian, a professor in the seminary for over 50 years,
emphasized the imperative of man’s spiritual and intellectual
formation, especially in light of the challenges of today’s constantly
changing world.
The choirs of several Armenian organizations entertained the audience
with a collection of national and patriotic songs, as well as poems.
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Pictures here:
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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.