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

PREPARATION OF THE HOLY MURON IN ANTELIAS

The preparatory works for the blessing of the Holy Muron (Holy Oil) to take
place on June 7, 2008 in the Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia have already started. Following the morning service on April 25,
Cilician Brotherhood members and Seminary students started breaking up the
ingredients of the Muron while reciting sections from the book of Psalms.

The more than 40 individual ingredients of Muron, including flower types,
roots and oils had already been brought from different regions around the
world ranging from the Arab countries to the Far East. Carefully following
the instructions of our forefathers, the Grand Sacristan placed these
ingredients in the laurel and olive oils. His Holiness Aram I then lit the
flame on which Muron will be boiled in special pots for a period of 48
hours.

Members of the Cilician Brotherhood, spent two nights following the process
of the preparation of Muron, while singing hymns and reading the Bible under
close guidance from His Holiness Aram I. On several occasions, His Holiness
visited the site of the preparation and checked the scent of the Muron and
its golden color- the result of a combination of several ingredients. His
Holiness blessed those working on the preparation of the Muron and asked God
to accept the prayers of all and to spread his heavenly blessings upon our
people particularly on the day of the blessing of the Holy Muron.

The Holy Muron, symbol of the grace of the Holy Spirit, is traditionally
blessed every seven years. Only the Catholicos can consecrate the oil which
is then distributed to the various dioceses for distribution to the
parishes. Prior to its blessing, the Muron remains for forty days on the
altar of the Cathedral. The Muron Blessing is expected to attract a large
number of pilgrims from various parts of the world.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos259.htm#2
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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.