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ANTELIAS: Armenians gather for Easter Sunday celebs in Antelias

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  • ANTELIAS: Armenians gather for Easter Sunday celebs in Antelias

    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: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/

    PO Box 70 317
    Antelias-Lebanon

    Armenian version: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Arme nian.htm

    EASTER IN ANTELIAS

    "OUR HOMELAND'S CONCERN IS THE CONCERN OF ALL ARMENIANS AND VICE VERSA"

    SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

    The joyous resurrection of Jesus Christ was ceremoniously marked in Antelias
    this Sunday with Holy Mass officiated by His Holiness Aram I. Heading the
    procession that took off from the Veharan, the Catholicos entered the
    Cathedral and passed through the ranks of the faithful under the sweet
    tolling of the church bells.

    In his Pontifical message the His Holiness inspired strength in believers
    through the victory of Jesus Christ's Resurrection. He spoke in particular
    about the freedom achieved by Christ. His Holiness said that freedom is a
    God-given value. Saved by Jesus Christ, humanity shook sin off itself and
    embraced justice having gotten rig of the slavery of sin.

    The Pontiff spoke about the same kind of freedom from the perspective of our
    national life, particularly in relation to the freedom of our homeland. He
    recalled with pain the recent developments in Armenia following the February
    Presidential elections. Emphasizing the importance of our nation's care
    towards its homeland, His Holiness said: "During this feast of man's
    liberation achieved through Jesus Christ's resurrection, we once again turn
    our attention to our homeland. The Armenian nation, whether in Armenia or
    the Diaspora is concerned about the tragic scenes that took place recently
    in Armenia. It is not possible to remain indifferent in such situations.
    Armenia is the homeland of all Armenians. Similar to our compatriots living
    in Armenia, the children of our nation dispersed around the globe for
    circumstances out of their control also have obligation and rights towards
    their homeland. Driven by this sense of responsibility, the Diaspora
    Armenians participate in building the homeland, at the same time denouncing
    any attempt for the destruction of the homeland. They cherish the
    independence of Armenia, at the same time cautioning the Armenians of
    Armenia to avoid such processes that can endanger Armenia's independence.
    They remain loyal to the sacred value of freedom, at the same time taking a
    position against efforts that can push back the realization of full
    democracy by abusing freedom."

    His Holiness Aram I conveyed his greetings on this occasion to the heads of
    the hierarchal Sees of the Armenian Church, His Holiness Catholicos Karekin
    II of All Armenians in Etchmiadzin, Patriarch Torkom Manougian of Jerusalem,
    Patriarch Mesrob Moutafian of Turkey, as well as the President of Armenia
    Robert Kocharian and President-elect Serj Sarkssian.

    The Pontiff also talked about the political situation in Lebanon once again
    emphasizing the role of the Armenian community as an active force in the
    process of building the country and its integrity.

    His Holiness Aram I received several congratulatory notes from Spiritual
    leaders and government officials on the occasion of Easter. Following the
    Holy Mass on March 23, several religious, government, diplomatic, and
    community figures, as well as individual Armenians visited him in the
    Veharan to convey their greetings to the Catholicos on the joyous occasion
    of Easter.

    ##
    View the photos here:
    http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/do c/Photos/Photos224.htm
    http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos225.htm
    http://www .armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos2 26.htm
    *****
    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, http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org The Cilician
    Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
    Antelias, Lebanon.
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