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:
HIS HOLINESS PAYS HIS FIRST VISIT TO ARAK
For the first time in the history of the past few centuries of Iran’s
Armenian community, an Armenian Catholicos visited Arak, a town which
lies at a distance of approximately 275 Km from Tehran and where the
few remaining Armenians have still preserved their church and school.
His Holiness went on a Patriarchal visit to Arak on May 16,
accompanied by the Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, primate of the
Diocese of Tehran. His Holiness was greeted by policemen, a huge
number of believers, scouts and students.
After a regular service held in the Armenian Church of Arak, Archbishop
Sarkissian welcomed His Holiness and presented to him the Armenians
of Arak, who though small in numbers, have a strong will to preserve
their Armenian identity.
Delivering his first-ever speech to the Armenians of Arak, His Holiness
praised their will efforts to enrich their lives with national and
religious values. His Holiness emphasized the Armenian Church’s
devotion to its people.
“I come to Arak from far away Antelias to be with you, to bring the
love and care of the Armenian Church, so that living in this isolated
place, far from large Armenian communities and distant from the center
of the Diocese, you wouldn’t remain deprived of our church’s spiritual
and moral support and encouragement,” said His Holiness.
The Armenians of Arak had organized a luncheon for His Holiness. The
community’s scouts and the school’s choir entertained the attendants
with national and patriotic songs.
Amazed by the high organization of the Arak Armenians and inspired
by the songs of the scouts, His Holiness said: “I came and saw the
Armenian community of Arak and I take it with me with its Armenian
vigor, to testify that a community living so far from Armenian centers
has succeeded in keeping its Armenian identity, traditions and songs,
poems and Armenian language in its surroundings.”
His Holiness praised the director of the Armenian school of Arak and
granted her the St. Mesrob Mashdots Medal of Honor. He also praised
the members of the church’s and the school’s boards of trustees and
all the Armenians of Arak for their dedication to the community. His
Holiness commended the primate of Tehran who has paid special attention
and care to Arak.
Archbishop Sarkissian, Armenian members of the Iranian parliament
and Ararat Keshishian also delivered remarks. Afterwards, the crowd
of believers approached His Holiness to kiss his right hand.
His Holiness also received the town’s police chief. He visited the
St. Hagop Armenian Church, built in 1718 and located in the formerly
Armenian-populated village of Kalava. His Holiness said a short prayer
and then visited the village’s Armenian cemetery, which is rich with
Khatchkars (crosses of stone).
The Syrian Ambassador to Iran had organized a luncheon in honor of
His Holiness a day earlier, on May 15. The primate of Tehran and
the ambassadors of Bahrain, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Palestine
and a number of other countries attended the luncheon in the Syrian
embassy. The Syrian ambassador and His Holiness emphasized the historic
ties between Lebanon and Syria, as two neighboring countries.
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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.