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: info@armenianorthodoxchurch.org
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: nian.htm
TEN ARMENIAN GIRLS EMBODY THE TEN MAIDENS
The first of the ceremonious services characteristic of the final week of
the Great Lent Period, the service dedicated to the memory of the Ten
Maidens, was held in the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias
on March 18. Based on the parable of the Ten Maidens told by Jesus Christ,
this service comes to remind humanity about the second coming of the Christ
and the destiny that awaits the world.
While the Bible was being read, ten Armenian girls from the Yeghishe
Manoukian College stood in the "Tas" area wearing church costumed and
holding candles in their hands. Having read the word "wise" in the papers
given to them, five of the ten girls left their candles lit. Those who had
the word "stupid" on their papers blew off their candles, signifying the two
groups of human society.
According to the story of the Ten Maidens, the wise maidens represented
those people who were ready to welcome Jesus Christ’s revelation, while the
rest signified indifferent people who lived their life away from Christian
principles.
At the end of the service, the Ten Maidens were guided by Deputy Sacristan
Father Sdepanos Pashayan to the Veharan, where His Holiness Aram I blessed
them and distributed gifts to them. The Pontiff praised their interest
towards the traditions of the Armenian Church and encouraged them to love
their Mother Church and follow the teachings of the Bible.
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View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos216.htm
http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos217.htm
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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.