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 DISCUSSES RELIGIOUS
AND ARMENIAN EDUCATION AND THE ARMENIAN CAUSE

Launched on December 2, the General Assembly of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
continued its sessions for a third day in the Catholicosate’s Antelias
headquarters, listening to reports on various priority issues affecting the
Armenian nation and church from the representatives of the people
themselves.

Miss. Houry Azezian and Mrs. Janine Markarian presented reports on religious
education. This important field needs to undergo a re-evaluation coupled
with a review of the curricula of Sunday schools and the incorporation of
modern instruction methods.

Two reports were presented on Armenian education by Mr. Sarkis Giragossian
and Mr. Jirayr Reyissian, who underlined the importance of identity
preservation and the key role of the Armenian school and Armenians teachers
in this highly important task.

The Assembly confirmed that it is not possible to separate religious
education from Armenian education. The participants proposed the adoption of
an education policy based on local environment. The need for preparing human
resources, particularly the training of teachers, was emphasized. The
Assembly also pointed to the need to raise the standards of living of
teachers in this field with a view to making this career option attractive.

Dr. Garo Hovsepian and Mr. Hagop Der Khatchadourian delivered talks on the
Armenian Cause. Focusing on the efforts of His Holiness in the past years,
they expressed great appreciation for the significant steps taken in this
respect. The Assembly reaffirmed the leading role of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia in this area, stating that our Holy See will persistently pursue the
rights of the Armenian nation. Furthermore, the Catholicosate of Cilicia
will also continue its mission to preserve, particularly the cultural and
religious monuments in Western Armenia, Nakhetchevan and occupied part of
Cyprus.

Speaking about the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s efforts in this field, His
Holiness unveiled future plans to pursue and promote the violated rights of
the Armenians at an international level.

In the evening, the Assembly participants attended the concert of the
Catholicosate’s "Shenorhali" Choir held in the "Siran Manoukian" hall of the
Yegishe Manoukian College.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos345.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.