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:
THE CATHOLICOS HONORS THREE SERVANTS
OF THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY
His Holiness Aram I concluded his pontifical visit to the Diocese of Lebanon
by an official dinner held at the “Emirate” hall of Habtoor Hotel on June 8.
Organized by the Diocese of Lebanon, the dinner was also dedicated to the
“Year of the Armenian School” and particularly the Lebanese-Armenian
schools.
Speakers at the dinner focused on the new activeness and spirit brought
forth by His Holiness’ Pontifical visit to the Diocese and the great
satisfaction and encouragement caused by the consecration of the newly built
St. Vartananats Church.
After the welcoming and greeting words of Primate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian,
His Holiness granted the “Knight” medal to Tsolag Tuitelian, Hovhannes
Keleshian, Hagop Shamelian and Zohrab Toruigian, four Lebanese-Armenians who
have in one way or another served their community with great dedication. The
medals were given following the request of the Primate and the local
national authorities of the Diocese.
With the kind intention of supporting Armenian schools and their progress,
Mr. Hrayr Sarkissian donated 100,000 US Dollars to the National Schools’
Student Fund. More than 500 people, including the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Karabakh Kevorki Bedrossian, ambassadors, representatives of
unions and organizations, attended the dinner.
His Holiness highly praised all the structures and organizations functioning
in the Diocese of Lebanon and all those Armenians who breather life into
them. Referring to the latter, he said they “share a part of their time,
just earnings and intellect with the nation, church, school and our civil
organizations.”
“Our Diaspora life would wither without our spiritual cultural and national
values, traditions and dreams. They are rivers that always flow from the
living history and healthy identity of our people. The identity of small
nations is subject to danger in this age if globalization. Therefore, the
preservation of our identity demands double work and commitment from us
today. The Armenian School is the fortress of the preservation of our nation
‘s identity, in front of which all hampering, polluting and misguiding
trends will be destroyed. The Armenian School should be kept strong so we
can be strengthened by the Armenian School, so the Diaspora can become
stronger, so Armenia can become stronger through a strong Diaspora,” said
His Holiness.
The Pontiff then spoke with praise about the strength shown by the Armenian
community of Lebanon. “The Armenians of Lebanon should continue their pan
national role. Let’s not forget that many of our communities refer to
Armenian community of Lebanon when they need spiritual leaders, teachers,
principals, editors, etc. The Lebanese-Armenian community should not view
its role with pride, but should asses its pan national role as a task to be
fulfilled with the sense of responsibility,” the Pontiff concluded.
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View photo here: tm#3
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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 dioceses 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.
From: Baghdasarian