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: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE YOUTH AND THE CHURCH
ACUSA ORGANIZES A TWO-DAY
SEMINAR IN JBEIL
The Armenian Church University Students’ Association (ACUSA) held its
annual conference in the Birds’ Nest building in Jbeil on April 14-15, under
the theme "the youth and the church". The conference brought together 40
participants who enjoyed both several useful lectures and a friendly social
atmosphere.
The first lecture was delivered by Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate
of Cilicia, Bishop Nareg Alemezian, on "Armenian and Christian sister
churches". The Bishop first talked about the family of Christian churches
and then explained the differences in rituals between the Armenian and other
churches. The lecture was very beneficial in providing knowledge on the
traditions of the Armenian Church. It shed light on a number of issues for
ACUSA members, who often participate in ecumenical youth conferences.
V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer and editor of "Hask"
(the official periodical of the Catholicosate), delivered the second
lecture, which was dedicated to the rituals of the Armenian Church. He spoke
about the pre-Christian origins of rituals as well as the origins of the
word itself. Highlighting the important role of rituals and collective
prayer, he emphasized the way the ritual is conducted and the impact its
quality has on the spirit of the believer. V. Rev. Fr. Chiftjian also spoke
about the Hours of the Armenian Church with its seven Vespers as well as its
Sacraments and the Holy Mass with its four parts.
Both lectures were followed by discussion periods during which ACUSA
members requested further explanations on various questions they had. The
participants in the conference also engaged in Bible study sessions, guided
by ACUSA spiritual adviser Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian.
The ACUSA committee then organized a quiz-contest on the information
provided during the lectures. The initiative was an important event both in
terms of the conference’s social and educational purposes.
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View the photo here: #3
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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 youth
activities 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.