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

"IT IS NOT MY SERVICE THAT IS BEING PRAISED TODAY, IT IS THAT OF THE
CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA"

SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I DURING THE EVENT DEDICATED TO
THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS SPIRITUAL SERVICE

As part of his official visit to Iran, His Holiness Aram I presided over the
grand ceremony held in the "Sasountsi Tavit" hall of the "Ararat" complex in
Tehran in celebration of 40 years of his unwavering service as a servant of
the Armenian Church.

The event was launched with the Lord’s Prayer following by Bishop Papken
Tcharian’s (Primate of the Diocese of Isfahan) welcoming remarks. The Bishop
presented His Holiness Aram I in the words of an utterly grateful son. "Your
children surround you today with deep-held feelings of gratitude to bear
witness that you have fulfilled their hopes and dreams with your spiritual
leadership, your cultural achievements, your activities in our church and
national life. The Armenian church and Armenian life are richer today with
your presence; the Armenian church glows with further radiance today in
foreign countries and in the families of other churches," said the Primate.

The Primate of the Diocese of Azerbaijan, Bishop Neshan Topouzian spoke
about the Pontiff’s spiritual service through a brief biographical sketch.
Said Bishop Topuzian: "During the past decade, the kind and loyal servant in
the first instance decorated and beautified the home closest to his heart,
the Mother Church of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, the Bikfaya
Seminary and all the structures adjacent to the Catholicosate. The words of
the late Catholicos Zareh I were put into action and Antelias did not turn
become immobile because you are its heart and spirit."

The Primate of the Diocese of Tehran presented a lecture on the work of His
Holiness Aram I. "One of the most important characteristics of His Holiness
Aram I’s personality is his dedication to hard work. This feature not only
became an indivisible part of his life, but also its pivot. It accompanied
him from his years as an elementary student to his Pontifical enthronement.
I remember from our years as students, Bedros, the acolyte, the Deacon Aram
Apegha, the Vartabed, Bishop, Archbishop and Catholicos transformed his life
into unwavering, continuous and steadfast work, which was naturally the
result of his faith, attachment and commitment to his faith and mission. In
the thought of His Holiness Aram I, work is one of the most noble mission by
which human beings give meaning to their lives," he said.

A well organized cultural program was put on with the participation of the
"Armenian woman" union , the "Zvartnots" Choir of the "Anahit" Union under
the artistic guidance of Edig Tamrazian and the "Ararat" Choir under the
artistic guidance of Rebecca Ashoughian. Nayiri Tilanian recited Vahakn
Tavtian’s "Zerouyts Naregatsou Hed."

The chairwoman of the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Tehran, Dr. Aida
Hovhannissian, addressed the crowd with welcoming words on behalf of the
national councils of the three dioceses in Iran.

Taking to the stage, His Holiness Aram I highly praised the organizers of
the event and expressed his gratitude for the kind feelings and words
expressed during the event. However, he considered all that praise to be
directed towards the Catholicosate of Cilicia more than towards him
personally. He dedicated the tribute to his person to the Holy See of
Cilicia. "We are not gathered here today to glorify a person. Glorifying a
person runs counter to the principles of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. A
person becomes a value to the extent that he dedicates himself to the
achievement of holy values and purposes. A person’s service becomes true and
permanent when it is complemented by collective service through collective
life. The words of Antelias became its deeds, its deeds became its service;
the faith and vision of Antelias became its service and the idea of a free
and independent Armenia, the vision of an Armenia with the Armenian tricolor
flag became the spirit, path and purpose that carved the Catholicosate of
Cilicia’s mission of faith and national service. Today we bow in front of
our Holy See’s service and we should do so. All those who served with this
same spirit, with this same faith for 40 years, some of them left this world
and are gone but others continue to work with the same spirit, the same
vision. We will continue the course of our service always in the same spirit
of unity," said His Holiness Aram I.

Prior to the event His Holiness Aram I preceded over the opening of an
exhibition of photographs from Holy scriptures. The exhibition is being held
in the "Vatchig Gharapegian" Hall of the "Ararat" complex, on the occasion
of the Year of Christian Education.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos320.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses 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.