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
EASTER IN ANTELIAS
"OUR HOMELAND’S CONCERN IS THE CONCERN OF ALL ARMENIANS AND VICE VERSA"
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
The joyous resurrection of Jesus Christ was ceremoniously marked in Antelias
this Sunday with Holy Mass officiated by His Holiness Aram I. Heading the
procession that took off from the Veharan, the Catholicos entered the
Cathedral and passed through the ranks of the faithful under the sweet
tolling of the church bells.
In his Pontifical message the His Holiness inspired strength in believers
through the victory of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection. He spoke in particular
about the freedom achieved by Christ. His Holiness said that freedom is a
God-given value. Saved by Jesus Christ, humanity shook sin off itself and
embraced justice having gotten rig of the slavery of sin.
The Pontiff spoke about the same kind of freedom from the perspective of our
national life, particularly in relation to the freedom of our homeland. He
recalled with pain the recent developments in Armenia following the February
Presidential elections. Emphasizing the importance of our nation’s care
towards its homeland, His Holiness said: "During this feast of man’s
liberation achieved through Jesus Christ’s resurrection, we once again turn
our attention to our homeland. The Armenian nation, whether in Armenia or
the Diaspora is concerned about the tragic scenes that took place recently
in Armenia. It is not possible to remain indifferent in such situations.
Armenia is the homeland of all Armenians. Similar to our compatriots living
in Armenia, the children of our nation dispersed around the globe for
circumstances out of their control also have obligation and rights towards
their homeland. Driven by this sense of responsibility, the Diaspora
Armenians participate in building the homeland, at the same time denouncing
any attempt for the destruction of the homeland. They cherish the
independence of Armenia, at the same time cautioning the Armenians of
Armenia to avoid such processes that can endanger Armenia’s independence.
They remain loyal to the sacred value of freedom, at the same time taking a
position against efforts that can push back the realization of full
democracy by abusing freedom."
His Holiness Aram I conveyed his greetings on this occasion to the heads of
the hierarchal Sees of the Armenian Church, His Holiness Catholicos Karekin
II of All Armenians in Etchmiadzin, Patriarch Torkom Manougian of Jerusalem,
Patriarch Mesrob Moutafian of Turkey, as well as the President of Armenia
Robert Kocharian and President-elect Serj Sarkssian.
The Pontiff also talked about the political situation in Lebanon once again
emphasizing the role of the Armenian community as an active force in the
process of building the country and its integrity.
His Holiness Aram I received several congratulatory notes from Spiritual
leaders and government officials on the occasion of Easter. Following the
Holy Mass on March 23, several religious, government, diplomatic, and
community figures, as well as individual Armenians visited him in the
Veharan to convey their greetings to the Catholicos on the joyous occasion
of Easter.
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View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos224.htm
http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos225.htm
http://www .armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos2 26.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.