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
"THE HOLY SEE OF CILICIA IS THE KINGDOM OF OUR LOST FATHERLAND"
SAYS DR. YEGAVIAN WHILE MEETING
WITH ARMENIAN MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES
The editorial board of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Official Periodical
"HASK", organized a discussion meeting between representatives of the
Lebanese-Armenian media and the Director of the Department of Armenian
Affairs of the Gulbenkian Foundation, Dr. Zaven Yegavian, in the
Catholicosate of Cilicia on April 22.
The Editor-In-Chief of "HASK" Monthly, V Rev Fr Krikor Chiftjian talked
about the contribution of the "Gulbenkian" Foundation to Armenian life in
his opening remarks. Fr. Chiftjian observed that during the last 50 years
the Foundation had established churches, schools and scholarships, the scope
of which remains unmatched. The Foundation has also implemented highly
valued cultural projects, including the publication of numerous new volumes
and all this under the attentive supervision of Dr. Yegavian.
Taking to the stage, Dr. Yegavian spoke about the contribution the "Calouste
Gulbenkian" Foundation has brought to the life of Diaspora communities,
particularly in the education and publishing spheres. He noted that since
its establishment on 18 July 1956 and until 1973, the Foundation assisted
over 250 Armenian schools throughout the Diaspora. Currently it provides aid
to 90 of the 177 everyday schools in Armenian communities worldwide, except
the Armenian schools in the United States and Armenia.
Dr. Yegavian emphasized, that Armenian children and Armenian students are
considered priorities for the "Gulbenkian" Foundation. Recounting briefly
the establishment and activities of the "department for the assistance of
Armenian communities", he underlined that the central target of the
department is the Armenian school and its central aims include spreading
Armenian culture and publications.
"Our nation is rich with a great culture. However, we need to be able to use
that culture," stressed Dr. Yegavian, adding that Armenians should preserve
their culture first as a means for their survival and second as a tool for
educating the new generations. Speaking about the Foundation’s activities in
Armenia, Dr. Yegavian pointed out that it supports some 400 intellectuals in
the country and contributes to the spreading of academic and particularly
Armenological publications.
Concluding his talk, Dr. Yegavian stated that the Foundation’s most
important mission is to spread and create new educational, pedagogical
methods. He assured the Foundation’s Armenian department will deepen its
already strong ties with the Catholicosate of Cilicia. On the unparalleled
role of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in the Armenian Diaspora, Dr. Yegavian
said: "The Holy See of Cilicia is today the kingdom of our lost fatherland.
It is not stone, not history; it is a mission. However, all of us believe
that someday it will return to its historic land, it will be re-seated in
Sis to continue its mission in the life of our nation," he said.
Dr. Yegavian answered questions from the attendants. During the discussion,
he revealed that an Armenian department will soon open in the University of
London and will provide online classes in the Armenian Language.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos255.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.