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 ARAM I STARTS HIS THIRD PONTIFICAL VISIT
C A N A D A
A HUGE CROWD OF BELIEVERS GREETS HIS HOLINESS IN MONTREAL
Antelias, Lebanon – His Holiness Aram I arrived, on his third Pontifical
visit, to Canada on September 22. The Pontiff ventured on the visit
responding to the invitation by the prelate of the Prelacy of Canada,
Archbishop Khajag Hagopian and officials from the diocese.
His Holiness was greeted at the “Trudo” airport in Montreal by Archbishop
Hagopian, Archbishop Souren Kataroian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian, as
well as representatives form the diocese and the Armenian community of
Montreal.
His Holiness met with a large crowd of believers in the evening in the St.
Hagop Church in Montreal, seat of the Prelate of Canada, where a traditional
blessing of salt and water was held.
Prelate Archbishop Hagopian welcomed His Holiness in Canada and spoke about
the Pontiff’s achievements the during his 10-year tenure. The Archbishop
then invited Aram I to deliver his sermon to the believers.
His Holiness greeted the religious officials, community leaders and
representatives as well as the large number of believers who had come to
meet and welcome their religious leader. He spoke about unity within the
diocese of Canada and the entire Armenian nation.
“Cooperation is a basic imperative for our nation. As every other place,
here as well our nation’s children should gather around each other and live
their lives in collaboration,” said His Holiness.
His Holiness then considered the words of the Armenian poet “Towards the
source of light” the theme of his Pontifical visit to the three dioceses of
Northern America. He emphasized the importance of working together for a
bright future.
“This is the only path for our people. We follow this path in spite of our
differences,” said His Holiness.
Following the sermon, the believers approached His Holiness to kiss his
right hand. Then His Holiness visited the newly built Prelacy accompanied by
religious officials and representatives of the diocese.
The Pontiff’s visit to the three dioceses of Northern America falls in the
sphere of the ceremonies celebrating the 10th anniversary of His Holiness’
enthronement and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Seminary.
All the dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will mark these
anniversaries with special ceremonies.
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View 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 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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress