PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: info@ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

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HIS HOLINESS ARAM I PRESIDES OVER THE MID-LENT MORNING SERVICE
AT THE ST. NICHAN CATHEDRAL OF THE DIOCESE OF LEBANON

This year again His Holiness Aram I visited the Diocese of Lebanon and
presided over the Mid-Lent Morning Service at the St. Nichan Cathedral.
Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, the members of the Diocesan Council,
representatives of different committees and the community welcomed him, and
the clergy and the seminary students accompanying him.

Before his sermon, His Holiness Arm thanked the Bishop and the laity who
kept the vibrant spirit of the community in the service of Lebanon.

In his sermon the Catholicos spoke of the importance of fasting before
Easter. Keeping the fast for forty days he said is an attempt by believers
to turn to God. He then continued: "Fasting is a spiritual reminder to
rethink our lives. For some people it is an occasion to practice discipline
in response to physical concerns. Body and soul cannot be separated, but we
should remember that today our physical and worldly concerns dominate our
lives. The period of Lent should, therefore, be a period to feed our souls
and help us discover God." He then added: Our clergy are called to seek God
and nurture and accompany the spiritual journey of our people. This special
vocation is a ‘call’ and formation begins at a young age at the seminary.
Our youth should listen to this special calling and prepare themselves for
the service". His Holiness then concluded: "Our clergy are therefore, one of
us, our children nurtured spiritually to serve God and us."

At the end of the Service, those present joined His Holiness for an agape
breakfast prepared by the members of the diocese.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos451.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.