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:
HIS HOLINESS GRANTS MEDALS OF HONOR TO ARMENIANS DEDICATED
TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND CHURCH IN TEHRAN
His Holiness Aram I visited the “Sassoun” Armenian-populated neighborhood of
Tehran and granted medals to Armenians who have been dedicated to and worked
hard for the community for many years.
Aram I delivered a sermon in the “Serpots Tarkmantchats” church of Sassoun
and conveyed the spirit of the brave Armenians of Sassoun to them. His
Holiness considered faith, hope and love as essential pillars for a nation’s
healthy life and its will to survive.
“We often face difficulties, conflicts, suffering and sadness in our
personal and collective lives. These are natural phenomena in humans’ lives.
The strongest means to defeat and overcome all these are faith, hope and
love, which brighten up our lives with new dreams, a new life and a new
vision,” said His Holiness.
His Holiness held a discussion with the youth in the hall of the school
after the service. His Holiness emphasized the important role of the
Armenian Church and highlighted the contribution of the Seminary of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in the formation of Armenian clergymen.
V. Rev. Krikor Chiftjian spoke about the mission of the seminary and
highlighted the main achievements of His Holiness during his 10-year tenure
as the Catholicos of Cilicia.
His Holiness also emphasized the important role reserved to the youth in the
life of Armenian Church and advised the attendants to actively participate
in the activities of the church. The meeting turned into a discussion
between His Holiness and the youth, who expressed their concerns and put
forth new proposals and plans.
Members of the church and diocese committees, representatives of the women’s
committee and the clerks, as well as philanthropists attended in the dinner
held in the church’s hall in honor of His Holiness.
Towards the end of the dinner, His Holiness granted medals of honor to a
number of philanthropists, who have dedicated their money or their time to
the community and the church. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian and the committee
of the diocese had requested that His Holiness grant the medals.
Mrs. Serpouhi Parseghian, Mr. Sebouh Amirkhanian, Mr. George Mardirossian,
Mr. Saro Pagoumian and Dertad Tavtian, who have worked hard for the diocese
in the educational, cultural and publishing fields, received the St. Mesrob
Masdots Medal.
Mr. Varoujan Asoian, Mr. Varoujan Hovhannessian, Mr. Khetchoum Khetchoumian
and Mr. Yesayi Aprahamian, who have actively participated in the
administrative, humanitarian and building projects of the Prelacy, were
granted the Medal of Cilician Knight.
His Holiness praised all on this occasion and specially blessed the primate
of the diocese of Tehran, saying that during the Archbishop’s tenure
“spiritual and moral education, publishing, construction projects and other
fields of activity flourished and took on new vigor.”
He also spoke about the dedicated mission of Antelias especially in the
Diaspora and emphasized that Armenians should unite their efforts to
flourish the lives of their dioceses despite the many difficulties.
His Holiness visited the “Zeitoun” Armenian-populated neighborhood on May 22
and was greeted by a large number of believers in the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church. V.Rev. Krikor Chiftjian presided over the Holy Liturgy.
His Holiness delivered a sermon
During which he highlighted the Armenians’ will to survive as evident in
their history. The believers then kissed the right hand of His Holiness and
received his blessings.
A similar public reception was also held in the St. Vartananats Church of
“Sartarabad” neighborhood on May 17.
May 22 was the last of His Holiness’ official visit to the Diocese of
Tehran. He traveled to the Diocese of Isfahan the same day.
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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 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.