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

"WE CONTINUE TO LIVE WITH THE VISION OF 28 MAY AND REJECT ALL OTHER
SOLUTIONS THAT DMAGE OUR JUST CAUSE" SAID HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

On Sunday 31 May 2009, the Armenian Community in Lebanon celebrated at the
Catholicosate in Anterlias the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic 28
May 1918, and the victory of the Battle of Sardarabad. This day was also the
feast of the name of Catholicos Aram I.

His Holiness Aram I presided over the thanksgiving liturgy; and the memorial
ceremony praying for the soldiers who died during the battle of Sardarabad
to stop Turkey from conquering the last portion of historical Armenian land
and destroying the Armenian Nation. The battle took place 24-26 May 1918,
and was part of the Caucasus Campaign of World War I.

At the end of the liturgy the procession headed by His Holiness Aram I went
to the Main Hall of the Catholicosate for a ceremony of thanksgiving and
praise. Mr. Sarkis Guiragossian, a member of the Faculty of the Seminary
spoke of the battle and its meaning for the Armenian Nation today. He spoke
of the legacy of the First President of Armenia Aram Manoukian and the
meaning that legacy has taken through the Spiritual Guidance of His Holiness
Aram I.

At the end of the ceremony, Catholicos Aram I paid tribute to Sardarabad
heroes and referred to the difficult struggle of the Armenian people both in
the past and the present. He said that the victory of 28 May 1918 was the
result of national unity. He urged Armenians everywhere to make unity and
consensus the basis of all decisions that will affect the destiny of the
nation, and reject any offer that will damage it. Celebrations ended by the
community members presenting their good wishes to His Holiness Aram I and
receiving his blessings.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos386.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.