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:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I ARRIVES IN JEZIREH AMID
A POPULAR WELCOME
Ending his Pontifical visit to Aleppo, His Holiness Aram I headed on May
23 to the second leg of his trip, Jezireh, Syria, in a convoy including the
Primate of the Diocese of Aleppo, Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, members of the
Cilician Brotherhood and members of the Diocesan assemblies of Aleppo.
At the borderline of Jezireh, The Catholicos was welcomed by soldiers who
honorably accompanied him to Kamishli. Along with the city’s thousand of
Armenians, local Arabs and Kurds also filled the streets to welcome the
Armenian Pontiff, who was accompanied by Primate Bishop Shahan, Archbishop
Gomidas Ohanian (former Vicar of Jezireh), Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian
(Primate of the Diocese of Tehran), V. Rev. Fr. Vahan Berberian, current
Vicar of Jezireh Rev. Fr. Massis Zobouyan, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian,
priests and members of several Diocesan units.
Walking through the ranks of scouts and while rice was being thrown from
the balconies as a sign of welcome, His Holiness headed towards the Church.
Following the prayers held in the Church the Pontiff delivered his
Pontifical addresses in the Church’s front yard.
Government officials from the region, the head of Ashirets, the primates
of all the churches in Jezireh and a huge crowd threw an honorable welcome
to the Catholicos, who came on his second official visit to the region. The
Primates of sister churches welcomed the Armenian Catholicos on behalf of
their Patriarchs.
In his welcoming remarks, Primate Bishop Shahan Sarkissian remembered His
Holiness’ first visit to the region as a newly ordained Catholicos 11 years
ago. Referring to the cheerful welcome of the faithful after 11 years from
that first visit, the Bishop praised the community’s attachment to its
Mother Church, the Holy See of Cilicia and His Holiness Aram I. He also
commended the Pontifical Vicar to Jezireh and the region’s organizations,
stressing the importance of mutual relations between the Pontiff and
believers.
Greatly pleased with the honest welcome, the Pontiff highlighted the local
Armenian community’s traits: love towards the Church and attachment to
traditions. He praised their attachment to both, and saw in their life
loyalty towards the Church’s sanctities, rituals and traditions. He also
observed their determinations to protect and preserve national traditions
and national roots. In this respect, His Holiness considered Jezireh to be
an exemplary community and announced that he will inaugurate a new church to
become the community’s heart. "We have come to lay the first stone of the
new church, which in itself is evidence of your faith and commitment towards
the Armenian Church," said His Holiness.
The sermon was followed by an Achahampouyr with faithful approaching the
Pontiff in unending queues until late at night to receive his blessings.
Parents brought their children and newborns to receive the blessings of the
Pontiff.
His Holiness held a number of meetings with government officials in the
Prelacy of Jezireh on the following day. Committees from all the churches in
the region, representatives from all the unions, the administrative staff of
Sunday Schools and the Ladies Guilds of churches also visited the Pontiff.
##
View the photos here: m
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses 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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
