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:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AWARDS THE CILICIAN KNIGHT ORDER TO THE VARTANIAN
BROTHERS

His Holiness Aram I honored brothers Haroutioun and Souren Vartanian from
Der-Zor during a special event held in the Hall of the Catholicosate
following the Holy Mass in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in
Antelias on June 24. Members of the Cilician Brotherhood, representatives
from national political and cultural organizations, the former Ambassador of
Armenia to Syria Levon Sarkissian, philanthropist Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel
Chemberdjian as well as Armenians from Lebanon and Syria attended the event.

In addition to financing the construction and furnishing of apartments
specially designed for students of the parish priest program in the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, the Vartanian brothers have, over
decades, supported the Catholicosate’s mission on several occasions.

Praising the Vartanian family members who arrived in Antelias from
Der-Zor, the Catholicos highlighted their contributions to the life of the
Armenian nation and the Armenian community of Syria in particular. His
Holiness also pointed out that the Armenian Genocide Victims’ Chapel and
Monument in Der-Zor, a pilgrimage area for Armenians worldwide, is also
taken care of by the Vartanian brothers. Finally, he commended their
initiative to fund the construction of the new Department in Antelias.

Primate of the Diocese of Aleppo, Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, then read out
the Pontifical Encyclical, following which His Holiness awarded the
"Cilician Knight" orders to Haroutioun and Souren Vartanian.

It is worth noting that a special prayer was held the same day in the
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, praying to God for the
good health of the Armenian Pontiff.

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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.