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: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: nian.htm
ANTELIAS CELEBRATES THE FEAST OF VARTANANTS
The Feast of Vartanants was celebrated during Holy Mass held in the Saint
Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias on January 31.
Delivering the Sermon, V. Rev. Norayr Ashekian stressed the importance of
re-evaluating the legacy of Vartanatns in our present life. Recalling the
images so truly depicted by Yeghishe Badmitch, he talked about the general
political and spiritual life of 451 AD.
A procession of Cilician Brotherhood members and Seminary students then led
the believers to the Veharan, where the Seminary Choir, directed by Rev.
Magar Ashkarian, performed patriotic songs dedicated to Vartanants while
Rev. Torkom Donoyan accompanied on the piano. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian
sang "Lerets Ambere" dedicated to the eagles of Avarayr. With great
enthusiasm believers participated in singing the songs on martyrdom and
ultimate sacrifice that have educated and continue to educate generations.
In his address to the people, Catholicos Aram I talked about the concept of
martyrdom, pointing out that the land on which Vartan and his soldiers shed
the blood is the pedestal on which our faith has grown. The Pontiff stressed
the understanding of faith and its strength in Vartanants and Ghevontiants.
"For them faith was not just a concept but "skin color" as Yeghishe Badmitch
tells us. They had transformed faith into life and they demonstrated this
with their actions," he said.
His Holiness then talked about the strength of faith that was expressed on
the battlefield of Avarayr and drove an entire nation into conscious death.
"It is this strength in faith that brings a nation together to protect its
Christian faith through martyrdom," he stressed. He concluded by calling for
a revival of national consciousness.
The celebration ended with "Cilicia", "Bahbanitch" and "I Veh Partsants".
The feast was marked by Holy Mass in all the Armenian Churches throughout
Lebanon. Special events were organized in Armenian schools on this occasion.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos191.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.