PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (+961- 4) 410001, 410003
Fax: (+961- 4) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Love was at the centre of the Salvific mission of Jesus, says
His Holiness Aram I
Antelias – The services, prayers and meditations of the Holy Week at
St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias reminded the faithful
of the Gospel values and enriched them spiritually.
The Maundy Thursday church services began in the morning with a
celebration of the Canon of Repentance followed by the Eucharist,
commemorating the Last Supper. In the afternoon, the faithful assisted
the service of the Washing of the Feet.
In his sermon, His Holiness spoke of love as the essence of the
Christian faith. Out of his infinite love, he told the faithful, God
created the world and humanity, and, as an expression of that same love,
He gave humanity the responsibility to safeguard His creation. The
Catholicos then added that God sent His Son to serve us in humility,
symbolized by the washing of the feet of the disciples. In his
conclusion, His Holiness reminded the faithful that they can acknowledge
God’s presence and selfless love by serving the Church, the community,
the homeland and all of humanity in humility.
His Holiness Aram I thanks the President of Cyprus
for the new law Criminalizing the negation of the Armenian Genocide
Antelias – Upon hearing that the Cypriot parliament had voted
unanimously to adopt a law criminalizing the negation of the Armenian
Genocide, Catholicos Aram I wrote to President Nicos Anastasiades,
thanking the people of Cyprus for their decision. In his letter, His
Holiness Aram I noted that in 1975, Cyprus was the second country to
recognize the Armenian Genocide officially; he wrote that the adoption
of the current law demonstrates the commitment of Cyprus to the
protection of human rights. Aram I concluded his letter by inviting the
President to give a new expression to the historic relations between
Greeks and Armenians by working in partnership for justice and human
rights.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
meets with His Holiness Aram I
Antelias – 2 April 2015. On Thursday morning, UN Special Rapporteur,
Dr Heiner Bielefeldt, met with His Holiness Aram I at the Catholicosate
in Antelias. Dr. Bielefeld was on an information-gathering mission on
religious tolerance in the Middle East for a report he will be
presenting to the UN Human Rights Council.
In their discussion, His Holiness spoke of the rich religious diversity
in the region and stated that freedom of religion or belief and
tolerance are essential components of democracy and must be safeguarded.
The Catholicos also spoke of the uniqueness of the Lebanese model. He
described this confessional structure of government as a family of
communities in which every community practices its own faith according
to its own principles, and in which members of each community
participate in the democratic processes of the country as citizens. He
admitted that the combination of citizenship and religious allegiance
can sometimes be problematic, but he said that through interreligious
dialogue and cooperation, the leadership works to preserve this unique
model of coexistence and tolerance as an example for the region.
His Holiness Aram I receives
the Pontifical Delegate in Lebanon, Bishop Gabriel Gachia
Antelias – 2 April 2015. On Thursday, His Holiness Aram I received
Bishop Gabriel Gachia, who was accompanied by his assistant bishop.
After the Catholicos gave an overview of the situation in the region and
the country, they discussed the forthcoming visit of the Catholicos to
the Vatican on 12 April 2015, where he will attend, with Catholicoi
Karekin II, the Armenian Genocide Liturgy celebrated by Pope Francis at
St. Peter’s Basilica, in Rome.
His Holiness Aram I receives the Ambassador of Cyprus in Lebanon
Antelias – 1 April 2015. On Wednesday, Ambassador Homer Mavrommatis
met with His Holiness Aram I. After discussing issues related to the
region and Lebanon, Ambassador Mavrommatis conveyed the decision of the
Cypriot government to accompany and support the just cause of the
Armenia people.
The Resurrection of Jesus signifies the triumph of light over darkness
Anetlias – 5 April 2015. In his Easter sermon, His Holiness Aram I
spoke of the Resurrection of Jesus as the triumph of the Truth, the
promise of eternal life and the victory of light over darkness. He told
the large number of faithful gathered at St. Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral for Easter Liturgy that those who crucified Jesus were
mistaken to think that through his death they would destroy the Truth.
People who continue to be strengthened by the message of Christ’s
Resurrection will always triumph over life’s temporal truths, dark
thoughts and destructive ways.
Addressing the faithful, the Catholicos said `Throughout our history
we have survived persecutions by remaining steadfast to the message of
the Resurrected Christ. One hundred years ago, dark plans were put into
action to destroy us. Today, however, we celebrate not only the
Resurrection of Jesus but also the resurrection of our people, who have
survived and thrived throughout the world.
His Holiness Aram I then addressed the situation in the Middle East and
in Lebanon. Speaking of the Middle East he called upon the leaders of
Muslim countries to safeguard the centuries-old values of mutual respect
and understanding; he implored them to work against the destructive
fundamentalist thoughts and acts prevalent in the region today.
Challenging the elected representatives of the Lebanese parliament he
asked them to assume their responsibility and elect a President of the
Republic without yielding to outside pressure.
At the end of the Holy Liturgy, His Holiness Aram I received the good
wishes of the faithful and blessed them. In the afternoon the Catholicos
received the good wishes of religious and political officials.
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Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
PO Box : 70 317 Antelias – LEBANON
Tel: (+961-4) 410 001 / 3
Fax: (+961-4) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
PO Box : 70 317 Antelias – LEBANON
Tel: (+961-4) 410 001 / 3
Fax: (+961-4) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
PO Box : 70 317 Antelias – LEBANON
Tel: (+961-4) 410 001 / 3
Fax: (+961-4) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]