Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father 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:
HARUT SASSOUNIAN SPEAKS IN ANTELIAS AND IS HONORED
WITH THE "SAINT MESROB MASHDOTS" INSIGNIA
"California Courier" editor Harut Sassounian delivered a lecture on
"Armenians facing new challenges" during a special event held in the
"Gulbenkian" hall of the Catholicosate of Cilicia on the evening of November
7. Sassounian was also presented the insignia of "Saint Mesrob Mashdots" by
His Holiness Aram I. The event attracted a large number of people.
V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer, highlighted during his
opening remarks that in addition to its spiritual role, the Catholicosate of
Cilicia’s mission includes national, religious, educational, intellectual,
political, ecumenical and cultural initiatives.
The speaker briefly presented Sassounian, adding that he had come to Lebanon
as the special guest of His Holiness and the Catholicosate of Cilicia, "with
a heavy financial burden on his shoulders."
"A sacred duty, the target of which is again our nation, with its cause and
struggle, its existence, conflicts, daily concerns and the education and
development of its new generations," V Rev. Fr. Chiftjian said, referring to
the 4.5 million US Dollar donation to Armenian schools by the Lincy
Foundation. The donation is the primary purpose of Vice Chairman Sassounian’
s visit to Lebanon.
Zakar Keshishian and Camilla Keshishian entertained the attendants with
beautiful performances of a few songs.
Sassounian then took to the stage talking about the main challenges
Armenians face today and stressing that after 91 years of the Armenian
Genocide, a need for reevaluation of efforts is needed.
Assuring, with compelling arguments, that the United States will recognize
the Armenian Genocide, Sassounian emphasized that the Genocide is an
internationally recognized fact today, which constitutes a victory for the
Armenian nation.
"We should not wait for Turkey to acknowledge the Genocide before we press
our demands. We should go beyond recognition, to presenting our cause and
rights to regional, international and other courts," he said.
Sassounian then talked in detail about the work carried out in the United
States with respect to the Armenian Cause, focusing on the developments
following the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by former US Ambassador
to Armenia, John Evans.
The lecturer maintained that the Armenian Cause is an international issue
today, emphasizing that Armenians should be prepared to seize the day when
the right conditions arise for its pursuit.
In the following question and answer session Sassounian renounced the
presence of Turkish troops in Lebanon as part of the United Nations
peacekeeping force and shed light on the main purposes of the financial
contribution of the Pan-Armenian Fund to Armenian schools in Lebanon.
After Sassounian’s lecture, the Catholicos talked about the significance of
the Armenian Cause for the Catholicosate of Cilicia. "The Armenian Cause is
not just a regular aspect of the Catholicosate’s mission, it is a constant
part of this Holy See’s identity. It is the people of this Holy See that
were massacred, deported. It is this Holy See that was deported with its
people, extradited and destroyed. It is, therefore, the duty of this Holy
See to pursue its rights, our nation’s violated rights, its cause, our
collective just Cause by all means," he said.
"The truth should be revealed and rights should be pursued. It is with this
realization that we will continue our efforts with the participation of all
our structures," concluded the Pontiff.
The Catholicos then presented the "Saint Mesrob Mashdots" insignia of the
Catholicosate to Sassounian, in recognition of his mutli-faceted work and as
an incentive for his future efforts. The Pontifical Encyclical was read by
V.Rev. Fr. Norayr Ashekian.
The Catholicos advised Sassounian to invite Ambassador Evans to Lebanon on
his behalf, pointing out that the latter should be honored for having the
courage to tell and defend the truth.
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View the photos 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 history and
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.