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
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CILICIAN BROTHERHOOD
IS LAUNCHED IN ANTELIAS
The Cilician Brotherhood members, who have arrived in Antelias from the
various Dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia participated in the morning
mass in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral on June 5.
His Holiness Aram I, who presided over the Mass, then led the procession of
the Cilician Brotherhood to the Veharan, where the 11th General Assembly of
the Catholicosate of Cilicia (following its relocation to Antelias) was
officially launched with prayers.
After electing the Assembly’s chairman and secretary, the attendants
listened to the opening remarks by His Holiness, which served as guideline
for the various discussions of the Assembly. In light of contemporary
challenges, His Holiness made several remarks with respect to quality and
form of work, to be taken into consideration by the Brotherhood in the
future.
The Organizing Committee, which is the oversight body for internal life of
the Catholicosate, presented its report on the various activities of the
Catholicosate’s divisions during the opening session.
The attendants discussed with great depth the challenges facing the Armenian
Church generally and the Catholicosate of Cilicia in particular at all
levels- the departments within the Catholicosate, its Dioceses and its
perishes.
In his concluding remarks at the end of each session, the Pontiff stressed
the issues , which were essential and hence constituted priorities for the
Armenian Church. The Catholicos spoke about future projects to be carried
out by the joint efforts of the Brotherhood members. Highlighting the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s international and ecumenical standing and the
respect it enjoys, the Pontiff stressed the importance of staying the course
and maintaining the high respect and positive impression of both Armenian
and foreign circles towards the Brotherhood. He announced he has received an
invitation from the heads of several churches and Pope Benedictus to pay an
official visit to the Vatican.
After the first-day sessions, the Brotherhood members attended the evening
mass and then the Seminary’s graduation ceremony in Bikfaya.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos268.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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress