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:
CHILDREN CELEBRATE PALM SUNDAY IN ANTELIAS
Thousands of Armenian children and their parents came to Antelias on April
1 on the occasion of Palm Sunday, which marks Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry
into Jerusalem.
A procession of children was formed during the Holy Mass, making a round
tour in the courtyard of the Catholicosate and returning to the Cathedral.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian conducted the Holy Mass and His Holiness Aram I
delivered his Pontifical address from the balcony of the Veharan, given the
large number of people present. He greeted all Armenian children around the
world, considering Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem to be the holiday of
the Armenian family and the Armenian child.
His Holiness then received the unending queue of children who went up to
the Veharan with their parents to kiss his right hand. He distributed gifts
to all children, filling their hearts with holiday joy.
The Pontiff had declared Palm Sunday the Day of Armenian Children 10 years
ago and ever since then, he presents gifts to all the children visiting the
Veharan, making the memory of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem an
unforgettable day for them.
Later in the afternoon, a service for the "Gate-Opening" was held. This is
an ancient Armenian liturgical ritual. During the forty days of lent the
curtain on the altar remains closed. On the afternoon of the Palm Sunday,
the priest kneels in the front of the closed curtain and asks for
compassionate forgiveness on behalf of the community gathered in the church.
The service was presided by His Holiness Aram I and conducted by Bishop
Nareg, who delivered a sermon on Jesus Christ’s second coming.
Thus, with the services of Palm Sunday and "Gate-Opening", the Armenian
Church entered the last week of Jesus Christ’s earthly life, the Holy Week,
during which the faithful live, liturgically, the events of the last week of
Christ’s life on earth and the torture he bore for the sake of saving
humanity.
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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
the 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.