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: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: nian.htm
THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF ROMANIA IS AWARDED THE
"CILICIAN KNIGHT" MEDAL
The deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Romania, His Excellency
Varoujan Vosganian, who is of Armenian origin, visited the Catholicosate of
Cilicia on June 20 as part of his official visit to Lebanon. His Holiness
Aram I received Vosganian, his family as well as the Romanian Ambassador to
Lebanon. The Deputy Prime Minister briefed the Pontiff about his meetings in
Lebanon.
During a gathering of community representatives following the meeting, His
Holiness awarded Vosganian with the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s "Cilician
Knight" medal. His Holiness praised the work of Vosganian, commending the
skillful politician in him, but also the economist, the poet and writer, who
has at the same preserved his Armenian identity. Welcoming the
Romanian-Armenian politician in the Catholicosate of Cilicia, His Holiness
spoke about the place and role of the Catholicosate in the life of the
Diaspora. The Pontiff then placed the "Cilician Knight" award on Vosganian’s
chest.
The Deputy Prime Minister then expressed his gratitude to the Pontiff and
spoke about the Armenian community of Romania. He highlighted the important
role of the Armenian church in the past and the present, considering himself
privileged for the honour of receiving the medal.
The Deputy Prime Minister, his family and the Romanian Ambassador to Lebanon
then visited the Saint Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfayya, where they
became the dinner guests of His Holiness Aram I.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos279.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.