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 ARMENIANS OF TABRIZ GREET HIS HOLINESS
His Holiness Aram I moved from the Diocese of Tehran to the Diocese of
Aderbadagan on May 19. He was greeted at the Tabriz airport by the primate
of the Diocese, V.Rev. Neshan Topuzian, the deputy mayor of Tabriz, the
attaché of the ministry of culture and representatives from the Diocese.
His Holiness directly went to the St. Sarkis Armenian Church, the seat of
the primate, where the Armenians of Tabriz greeted him with joy. The primate
welcomed His Holiness in his opening remarks.
His Holiness Aram I expressed his joy for seeing the activeness of the
Diocese. “Your ancestors have built this centuries-old church and through
your active participation in this church’s life today, you become the
torch-bearers for our nations and church’s eternal journey,” said His
Holiness, praising the representatives and leaders of the Diocese, as well
as the Armenian community.
His Holiness then visited the “Nareg” housing complex, which was recently
constructed by the Diocese on the occasion of the “Family’s Year” as
announced by His Holiness. The building provides housing for 20 Armenian
families.
The opening of the building was done by His Holiness, who blessed the keys
of the 20 apartments in sight of their future occupants.
A special ceremony dedicated to the 10th anniversary of His Holiness’
enthronement and the 75th anniversary of the seminary’s establishment was
held in the evening in the “Vosganian” hall of the Armenian prelacy.
In his speech delivered to the public, His Holiness emphasized the
imperative of preparing manpower in order to fulfill the spiritual and
national values of the Armenian nation. In this context, His Holiness
highlighted the irreplaceable role of the Seminary.
“Material is transformed into spirit and the bullet into gold in the
Seminary. Man is that gold that is transformed into service through
dedication, life and work. This is what our Seminary has been and will be:
fulfilling the spiritual and national needs of our nation,” said His
Holiness.
The “Gomidas” Choir of the Diocese entertained the audience under the
direction of Vartan Vahramian. The ceremony came to its end with the
believers approaching His Holiness and kissing his right hand.
##
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.