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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"I SEE OUR BRIGHT FUTURE IN THE EYES OF OUR CHILDREN", SAID HIS HOLINESS
ARAM I ON PALM SUNDAY
Upon his election as Catholicos, His Holiness Aram I declared Palm Sunday,
the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, as the Day of Children. Since
then, thousands of children have come to Church every year, with their
parents and with flowers, to pray, rejoice and receive the blessings of the
Catholicos, along with a gift.
This year, again, the Church and the courtyard were filled with happy
children. After the Holy Liturgy, the clergy and the faithful with their
children walked in procession from the church around the Catholicosate
outside its gates, and then came back to the courtyard. His Holiness
addressed the children and their families from the balcony of his residence.
He said: "I see the bright future of our people in the eyes of our children
present with us today." He then addressed the parents, saying: "the Church
is our second home, nurture your children with the faith of the Church that
has been preserved by our ancestors". After the message ended, thousands of
colorful balloons were sent into the air and doves were released as
messengers of peace. To end the Palm Sunday celebrations, His Holiness Aram
I blessed the children, giving each of them a small gift.
On Palm Sunday in the afternoon, the church celebrates ‘Trenpatsek’ (Opening
of the Door), a service reminding the faithful of the Last Judgment. Two
choirs, or, priests, one in front of the altar curtain and the other behind
the curtain, chant in antiphons. The dialogue continues until the priest in
front of the curtain implores: "Open the door of righteousness so that we
confess to the Lord". The curtain opens and everybody sings the hymn of the
day.
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View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos459.htm
http://www.ArmenianOrthodox Church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos460.htm
http://www .ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos4 61.htm
oc/Photos/Photos462.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.