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:

THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF
THE LORD TO THE TEMPLE (DEYARNENTARACH) CELEBRATED IN ANTELIAS

The pre-festal evening service marking the Holiday of Jesus Christ’s
presentation to the temple, Deyarnentarach, was held in St. Gregory the
Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias on February 13. His Holiness Aram I
presided over the service, during which faithful parents brought their
children to the altar, where members of the Cilician Brotherhood presented
them to God as an analogy to what happened with Jesus Christ.

At the end of the service, the Pontiff praised the faithful gathered at the
Cathedral and specially the young parents, for their adherence and
commitment to their Church’s and nation’s traditions. In their children’s
presentation to the Church, the Pontiff saw the spreading of God’s blessings
on them. Following the service, the Cilician Brotherhood members and
Seminary students walked in procession headed by the Catholicos towards the
courtyard of the Cathedral where the traditional bonfire ceremony was to be
held.

The faithful gathered around the fire, which was started by His Holiness
with the flame brought out of the church. The Seminary students spread
enthusiasm and faith by performing religious hymns and national songs.
According to the traditions of this holiday the faithful turned around the
fire three times and returned home with their lit candles, symbolizing the
"light" which is Christ the Lord.

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View the photo 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.