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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THE FEAST OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR IN ANTELIAS

St. Gregory the Illuminator, the founder of the Church, is the Patron Saint
of the Armenian Church. His Feast, 20-21 March, is also a time of Pilgrimage
to Antelias, where the relics of his right hand has been preserved over the
centuries in a hand-shaped reliquary, and is exposed on that day. The Altar
curtain, which remains closed during the 40 days of the Great Lent, is
opened on those two days.

The Holy Liturgy on Saturday reminded the faithful of the sufferings and
sacrifices of the great saint, and the faithful, in procession, followed the
Relic around the church.

On Sunday, 21 March, Bishop Shahé Panossian celebrated the liturgy. As the
church bells chimed, His Holiness Aram I, the bishops and the priests
entered the church, walking behind the relic. Through this ritual, the
faithful are reminded of the continuity of the church.

In his sermon, the celebrant bishop spoke of the life of the Saint and the
way in which his legacy continues to revitalize the Church and the faith of
its believers.

At the end of the Holy Liturgy, His Holiness, with the clergy and priests
carrying all the relics of the church in their reliquaries, walked in
procession within the walls of the Catholicosate, while the people kissed
the relics. Later, all relics were placed in front of the Altar, giving the
people the opportunity to pray and to pay their respects.

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View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos455.htm
http://www.ArmenianOrthodox Church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos456.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.