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 ANOINTMENT OF A PICTURE OF THE VIRGIN MARY IN THE SEMINARY
A restored painting of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus was anointed in the
Sourp Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfaya on March 31.
The beautiful painting by an anonymous painter used to be hung for years in
the chapel above the candle light area. Many pilgrims have lit candles and
prayed in front of this holy painting; many believers have received the
answers for their prayers there.
Unfortunately, due to careless candle lighting, one section of the painting
was damaged by fire flames and smoke, rendering it unrecognisable.
In February 2006 the painting was completely renovated and placed in the
newly built altar at the entrance of the Seminary building to avoid similar
accidents in the future.
After the evening mass on March 31, a procession of the Seminary students
and the members of the Cilician Brotherhood walked towards the newly build
altar and held a canonical anointment of the restored painting. Father
Walter Raymond, the spiritual Dean of the Anglican Church’s Mother Cathedral
in Quebec, also attended the event. Father Raymond has been teaching at the
Seminary during the last few months.
The Seminary students read the Psalms and the members of the Brotherhood
read special prayers. The Seminary Choir accompanied with special hymns. The
painting was then anointed with Holy Chrism.
The painting’s front was first anointed and then its right and left sides
respectively. During the anointment of the painting’s front, prayers were
said for all the travellers, ill people, sinners and lost people, asking God
to help them all.
With the anointment of the painting’s right side, the painting was given the
ability to cure the sick and put a good word in for believers. During the
anointment of the left side, God was asked to strengthen the Armenian
nation, free all prisoners, defeat all non-believers and protect believers.
All the present spiritual officers and students then kissed the newly
anointed painting, to receive its blessings.
The restored painting placed in the newly built altar will distribute daily
blessings to the Seminary students for success in their lessons and future
spiritual work. The Holy paintings will also be a daily prayer for all those
philanthropists who support the Seminary with their generous contributions.
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View photos here:
es34.htm
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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 Theological
Seminary 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.