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:

GABR IEL CHEMBERDJIAN DONATES HALF A MILLION DOLLAR TO THE CATHOLICSATE
OF CILICIA

His Holiness Aram I awarded the Medal of "Cilician Prince" to Gabriel
Chemberdjian from the Syrian Armenian community and his wife, Dr. Angela,
during a ceremonious event organized in the hall of the Veharan on May 27.

Members of the Cilician Brotherhood, the Primates of the Dioceses of
Lebanon, Tehran and Aleppo, Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Vahan Der
Ghevontian, community leaders and a large public attended the event.

His Holiness underlined the worldwide mission of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia, in the various spheres of community life. He also praised all those
who in one way or another, actively participate in the people oriented
witness of our church.

The Catholicos then mentioned the numerous services Mr. And Mrs. Gabriel
Chemberdjian have carried out in Syria, Lebanon and Armenia with his
blessing, contributing immensely to the Armenian nation’s spiritual,
educational and cultural progress. On this occasion His Holiness also
announced that Gabriel Chemberdjian has donated half a million dollar for
general renovations of the Veharan in Antelias. Several parts of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia were renovated during the last few years. However,
upon the decision of His Holiness, the renovation of the Veharan was
purposely left to the end.

"Highly praising this couple he awarded the Prince Medal of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia. "We are confident that the Chemberdjian family
will continue to support our religious, culture and educational projects
with the same commitment," the Cathholicos said.

His Holiness’ Encyclical was read by Primate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian.

The Catholicos then presided over a luncheon, during which speeches were
delivered by Pontifical Vicar Archbishop Terterian, Archbishop Gomidas
Ohanian, Primate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Communications Officer V. Rev.
Krikor Chiftjian and former Seminary student Sahag Aboyan from Damascus.

In his concluding remarks, the Pontiff once more highly praised the couple
and particularly their love and dedication towards the Catholicosate of
Cilicia.

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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.