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:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I VISITS THE ARMENIAN ELDERLY AND ORPHANS
His Holiness Aram I and Cilician Brotherhood members attended Christmas and
New Year celebrations in the National Old People’s Home for Armenian elderly
and the "Birds’ Nest" orphanage, spreading joy and warmth to the hearts of
the young and old sheltered Armenians. A delegation from the Cilician
Brotherhood also visited the Azounieh National Sanitarium and Armenian
prisoners.
PONTIFICAL VISIT TO THE NATIONAL OLD PEOPLE’S HOME
The Armenian Catholicos visited Thursday the Armenian National Old People’s
Home in Bourdj Hammoud, where director Kevork Karaboydjian, the members of
the Board of Trustees and the sheltered elderly put on a very warm welcome.
A tangible expression of the Christian Church’s humanitarian service
mission, the Pontiff’s visit aimed at spreading the joy of the holidays to
those in his flock in need of love and care. His Holiness was welcomed and
cheered amidst joyous smiles and heart-spoken wishes.
Mr. Karaboyadjian delivered the opening remarks of the luncheon organized on
this occasion, stressing that in addition to his annual visits, His Holiness
‘ continued support is a driving force for the institution’s senior and
junior employees to further service and commitment.
The elderly expressed their happiness by singing and performing special
poems. Others spoke words of gratitude to the Catholicos and the managers of
the institution.
At the end of the luncheon, His Holiness addressed the elderly with warm
wishes on the occasion of Christmas and for the New Year. "You have done all
you can for our nation and now our nation is doing what it can for taking
care of your health and providing you with a safe shelter," the Pontiff
reassured the elderly. He praised the institution’s director, members of the
Board of Trustees, staff and all those who voluntarily commit themselves to
the service of the sheltered. Finally, he commended all the contributors and
philanthropists, named and unnamed, for their continued financial support to
the welfare of the Armenian elderly.
THE CATHOLICOS VISITS ARMENIAN CHILDREN
In the afternoon of the same day, His Holiness shared the joy of Christmas
with Armenian children sheltered in the "Birds’ Nest" orphanage under the
direct care of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The Pontiff’s care for these
institutions spreads throughout the whole year with the cooperation of its
Board of Trustees and a special committee he has established himself.
The Dean of the "Birds’ Nest", Rev. Paren Vartanian briefed His Holiness on
the activities carried out by the institution and its future plans. They
plant Singing hymns
The Armenian spiritual leader then attended the Christmas and New Year
celebration, patiently listening to songs and poems of the innocent
children, as well as their wishes and dreams for 2007 in their second home
and shelter.
Compared to international humanitarian institutions, this small house of the
Armenian nation is a relatively modern shelter for orphaned Armenian
children and those from unfortunate families. It is one of the important
dimensions of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s mission, embodying the Church’s
humanitarian nature.
In his fatherly words to the Armenian children, the Catholicos called on
them to be good human beings, exemplary Armenians, hard-working students and
honest and decent citizens. He also praised all the philanthropists and
Armenian supporters who hold the "Birds’ Nest" close to their hearts both
financially and morally supporting the Armenian orphans.
VISIT TO THE ARMENIAN NATIONAL SANITARIUM
Members of the Cilician Brotherhood visited the Azounieh Armenian National
Sanitarium congratulating the Christmas and New Year of the sheltered. They
planted spiritual satisfaction among the elderly and the ill by singing
hymns, reciting the gospels and performing a number of beautiful songs.
The brotherhood members also visited the rooms of those confined to bed,
praying for them and talking with them and thus consoling those suffering
from physical pains and distanced from their families.
VISIT TO ARMENIAN PRISONERS
His Holiness Aram I also delegated Cilician Brotherhood members to bring the
joy of the season to the cells of Armenian prisoners across Lebanon. They
performed short church service for the spiritual satisfaction of the
prisoners, listened their confessions, the difficulties they faced and
provided them guidance.
The Brotherhood members also met with the managers of the prison, presenting
their proposals for the betterment of living conditions in the prison
specially for Armenian prisoners.
Christmas gifts were distributed in all the above institutions and the
Armenian prisoners corresponding to the individual needs of each of the
sheltered.
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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.