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

THE POPULATION OF KESSAB RECEIVED HIS HOLINESS WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM

On Saturday 17 October 2009, His Holiness Aram I left Latakia for Kessab to
consecrate the new Church in Karaduran. He was once again received warmly by
the local religious, political leaders and the population. In his welcome
speech, the Prelate Bishop Shahan Sarkissian said that Kessab was a special
place not only because of the peoples’ contribution to the Syrian homeland,
but also because of the significant number of young seminarians who later
served the church as Catholicos, bishops, priests or teachers. After
thanking all for their warm reception, Catholicos Aram I noted that the
predominantly Armenian region of Kessab is a living example of what a people
can achieve. He then continued: "You endured and remained on these lands for
centuries; you flourished as a community by holding to the spiritual and
cultural values of our people, and you continue to reflect your experiences
in the lives of the communities in the Armenian Diaspora.

After a special cultural evening, His Holiness Aram I was invited to a
dinner organized by the community. During dinner, His Holiness Aram I
decorated Mr. Sebouh Manjikian and made him a member of the order of
‘Knights of Cilicia’ for his contributions towards the costs of the
construction of the Church to be consecrated on Sunday.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos405.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 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.