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
BIKFAYA HOLDS A WEEK OF PRAYERS AND CONTEMPLATION
The Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia organized
daily contemplation sessions in the Saint Mary’s Monastery of Bikfaya
throughout the week of 6-10 August 2007.
The contemplation sessions, starting at 10 in the morning provided an
opportunity to the faithful to embrace the centuries old values of the
Armenian Church. Over 150 believers participated every day in the one-hour
contemplation sessions, reciting prayers written by our church fathers and
singing hymns dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The theme of this year’s contemplation and lectures was "The seven feasts of
St. Mary celebrated by the Armenian Church". The five most junior members of
the Cilician Brotherhood gave explanations about each feast.
These sessions became a fantastic opportunity for spiritual renewal and
preparation for the Pilgrimage Day. Many believers spend Friday evening in
the Monastery as pilgrims, spiritually preparing themselves for the Pilgrim
service to be delivered the following day.
A Vespers service was held at eight o’clock in the evening in the chapel of
the Monastery. A large number of believers attended the service. Late in the
evening the believers experienced spiritual moments by singing hymns and
reciting heartfelt prayers in the Chapel.
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View the photo here:
tos/Photos21.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
jurisdiction and the Christian Education activities in both the
Catholicosate and the dioceses, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.