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:
COMMEMORATION OF MAY 28 IN ANTELIAS
His Holiness Aram I presided over a special event on May 27 marking the
first independence of the Republic of Armenia. The Catholicos presided over
a Requiem Service in the cathedral for the martyrs of Sardarabad (28 May,
1918).
Deacon Mihran Balkevorkian read a memorandum on behalf of the Seminary’s
administration, faculty and students, focusing on the meaning of the victory
achieved on May 28 and its deep historical importance for the Armenian
nation.
In his Pontifical address, His Holiness referred to all the battlefields
in the history of the Armenian nation and its struggle for existence
throughout the centuries. "An Armenian should live with the spirit of May 28
everyday wherever he is. May 28 is not just a date limited to that one day.
The entire Armenian history is nothing but a struggle for the liberation of
the Armenian nation. Each episode of Armenian history and the lives of all
our heroes who fought in our spiritual and national struggle, have been
nothing but a fight for our nation’s liberation," he emphasized.
The Pontiff said that loyal to this spirit in Armenian history, the
Catholicosate of Cilicia formed generations with this spirit and continues
its mission throughout the Diaspora. He reaffirmed the willingness and
determination of the Catholicosate to serve its people with the spirit of
May 28 and, always sticking to the nation’s principal interests and away for
all others. The ceremony ended with the "Cilicia" song performed by the
Seminary choir.
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