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:
A HISTORIC DAY IN JEZIREH
HIS HOLINESS INAUGURATES THE NEW
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF KAMISHLI
The Armenians of Jezireh, Syria, lived a historic day on May 24 when His
Holiness Aram I inaugurated the new church of Kamishli.
"For decades, the Armenian neighborhood church became the spiritual and
national home of our nation. After the Armenian Genocide, your fathers built
the church before building their houses. And today, driven by your
commitment towards the Armenian Church, you build a new one that will become
the bastion of your faith," said His Holiness during the inauguration
service.
The Vicar of Jezireh, Rev. Fr. Massis Zobouyan highlighted the importance
of this historic inauguration. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian and Primate of the
Diocese of Tehran, Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, who accompanied His
Holiness on his Pontifical visit, spoke as former servants of the Armenian
Church in Syria, about the dream the Armenians of Jezireh had kept for years
for building a church in their region.
Primate of the Diocese of Aleppo, Bishop Shahan Sarkissian once again
welcomed the Catholicos and considered that the well-wishing prayers of the
Armenians of Jezireh were the most valued gift presented to the Spiritual
Leader of the Armenian Church.
In his Pontifical address, the Catholicos praised the collective will and
unity of the Armenians of Jezireh, considering them as exemplary traits for
all the Armenian communities. He commended the people’s dedication, blessed
their lands and harvest and prayed to God that He watches over them.
An official dinner party was organized in honor of His Holiness in the
evening. A cultural entertainment program was carried out with poem
recitations, singing and a traditional Armenian dance performance. About 200
guests, including government officials, representatives from the Diocese,
Armenian unions and organizations, were present.
On this occasion, the Catholicos addressed the attendants, seeing all the
characteristics of a root community in the life of the Armenians of Jezireh.
He called on them to gather around the Church and school and to be
strengthened by them.
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View the photos here: m
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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.