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:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I PRESIDES OVER
A SUNRISE SERVICE MARKING THE MEDIAN DAY OF LENT
AT ST. NESHAN MOTHER CHURCH IN BEIRUT
His Holiness Aram I presided over the Sunrise service held at the St.
Neshan Mother Church in Beirut on the median day of Lent following an
invitation from Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Primate of the Diocese of
Lebanon, and the Armenian National Council. The median day of Lent is the
24th day of Lent and it occurs on the Wednesday of the fourth week. Although
it does not have any specific religious significance, this mid-point day has
been traditionally marked as a special occasion. It often features
gatherings of fellowship and friendship and the sharing of a Lenten meal.
His Holiness was accompanied by members of the Cilician Brotherhood and a
large number of Seminary students and believers filled up the church. Since
the establishment of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias in 1930, it
has become a tradition for the Pontiff to attend the Sunrise service during
the median day of Lent in the St. Neshan Mother Church.
Speaking after the service, Bishop Khatcherian welcomed the Catholicos in
his traditional visit to the church and stressed the importance of ties
between a Spiritual Leader and his believers like a shepherd and his flock,
as one of the foundations of a healthy and strong church.
His Holiness Aram I praised the Primate, the National Council and all the
bodies in the Diocese for their active and healthy contribution to the life
of the Armenian Church. He based his Sermon on the concept of following
Jesus Christ, focusing mainly on three notions: recognition, confess and
participation.
The Catholicos stressed the importance of knowing Christ and his teachings
in order to be able to follow him. Logic is the greatest wealth of human
beings and it leads them to understanding and recognition, as well as a
conscious faith in God.
The Pontiff then pointed out that being a Christian does not mean only
knowing and reading the Holy Bible. A non-Christian can also do this. What
differentiates Christians is that they live the teachings of the Bible in
their daily lives.
His Holiness also emphasized on the need for participation in the Church
life. He said God speaks to each nation through their culture. As such,
Armenians have come to know God through their cultural values as a nation.
He called on Armenian believers to steer away from foreign influences.
Armenians should thus approach Christ and take part in his mission through
the Armenian Church. Therefore, being Armenian Christian means participating
in the life of the Armenian Church and its mission through its rituals and
cultural traditions.
The Church’s Board of Trustees and its Ladies’ Guild had organized a
reception in the Prelacy in honor of His Holiness. Seminary students, former
minister Souren Khanamirian as well as friends of the St. Neshan Mother
Church were also present.
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View the photo here:
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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.