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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
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I:
"TAKE COURAGE FROM CHRIST'S VICTORY OVER DEATH"
"THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF LEBANON IS COMMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENCE AND
SOVEREIGNTY OF LEBANON"
On Sunday 12 April 2009, the church and courtyard of the Catholicosate was
packed with people who had come to celebrate the Easter Sunday Holy Divine
Liturgy. Representatives of other communities in Lebanon and political
personalities came to Antelias to greet His Holiness Aram I as well on this
important day in the life of the Christian church.
The Liturgy was celebrated by His Holiness Aram I, with the assistance of
Archbishop Komitas and Bishop Nareg. Catholicos Aram I used the Biblical
verse, "Take courage: I have conquered the World" (John 16:33) for his
sermon. His Holiness said that Jesus conquered the world through the
principles and values he brought to humanity, and that our people have
lived, struggled and created through their deep Christian faith, martyrdom
and the hope of resurrection inherited from their ancestors.
As one of the Spiritual Heads of Lebanon's seven major communities, His
Holiness then addressed the current situation in Lebanon. He said: "These
days are critical moments for the country. As children of Lebanon we must
strengthen its internal coherence, participate in its reconstruction and
nation building." He then directed his message to politicians and reminded
them of their responsibilities: "The divisive political culture of the
country has deepened tension among its leaders and the people. Armenian
political parties should avoid such a confrontational culture and express
their opinion based on mutual respect. The three Armenian political parties
should consult one another on important national issues and develop common
perspectives in spite of their differing political opinions. Such an
approach will not only help the Armenian community, but Lebanon as a whole.
Let our internal consensus serve as an example to other communities".
He went on to say: "The Armenian candidates running for legislative
elections should remember that they represent the whole of the Armenian
community and thus act accordingly. Representation means seeking the mind of
the community and serving it with the sense of responsibility and
accountability.
His Holiness then reminded that "The Armenian community will continue to act
responsibly and work for the independence, sovereignty, integrity of Lebanon
and safeguard its specificity. With these goals in mind, the Armenian
community will cooperate with everybody. We believe in the important role of
Lebanon in the Arab World, its model of Christians and Muslims living
together, its democratic system and its human and cultural values. Because
of its important political role in the Arab world, Lebanon is a bridge
between the East and the West.
His Holiness finished by stating: "Lebanon is our homeland. We have defended
its territorial integrity, its independence and unity under all
circumstances and will continue defending these sacred values. Lebanon
belongs to all the Lebanese. There are no majority or minority in Lebanon.
We are all minorities and Lebanon alone is the majority. Lebanon is a
country of co-existence, and this is its unique message. We are all
accountable to Lebanon. There cannot be 'us' and 'them' in Lebanon. This
thinking should end. Lebanon comes first and foremost. We must establish
together a Lebanese agenda for Lebanon, and elaborate a common vision
sustained by the basic values of Lebanon. All Lebanese are called to serve
the interests of Lebanon. This should be the basic principle for everybody
before and after Legislative elections. This should be the driving force of
the Armenian Community".
#
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Phot os/Photos376.htm
###
GOOD FRIDAY
CEREMONY SYMBOLIZING CHRIST'S BURIAL ENDS BY BLESSING WITH THE RELIQUARY OF
JESUS' WOODEN CROSS
On 10 April 2009, Armenian faithful gathered around the 'tomb' constructed
in front of the Altar of the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator. The
tomb was covered with colorful flowers and the Reliquary of the wood from
the cross of Jesus stood on it. While the seminary choir sang "Sourp
Asdvadz" (Holy God), His Holiness Aram I and the clergy knelt in front of
the tomb and then His Holiness Aram I presided over the funeral service.
At the end of the service Catholicos Aram I shared his reflections on the
meaning of the 'empty tomb', and the power it has acquired from the
Resurrection event and its promise of eternal life. He described the 'empty
tomb' as the unfolding of the mystery of Christian faith through Jesus' life
and death. He said: "the eternal entered time and the incomprehensible was
comprehended ". For him the presence of youth at the commemorative service
was an affirmation of the mission of the church transmitted through
generations. In conclusion he told the youth, "Jesus is present among us
every moment and everywhere. Your continual presence in the church and your
participation in its life transforms the church into a mission."
At the end of the ceremony His Holiness Aram I blessed the people with the
Reliquary, After that, according to the tradition, the faithful then passed
under the empty tomb and took with them flowers as a sign of the promise of
eternal life.
##
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Phot os/Photos375.htm
###
HOLY THURSDAY
A DEEP SPIRITUAL DAY IN ANTELIAS
On Holy Thursday Armenians accompany the last events in Jesus' life up to
his crucifixion, through readings of the Gospels and singing the hymns of
the day.
Thursday 9 April: At the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias
(Lebanon) the day began with the performance of Prayers of Matins, followed
by a brief ritual of repentance and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy,
at which the faithful partook in the Holy Eucharist. This taking of the
Eucharist symbolizes the Last Supper of the Lord, which is the beginning of
the mystery of the Holy Eucharist.
On the same day at four o'clock in the afternoon the solemn ceremony of
"Washing the Feet" began as a reminder of Jesus' washing the feet of his
disciples. His Holiness Aram I performed the ceremony. After the Gospel
readings, the Catholicos replaced his liturgical vestments with an apron,
blessed the water and oil and washed the feet of twelve seminary students.
Later, in his message, His Holiness said that the path to peace as taught by
Jesus is founded on love and mutual acceptance. Through his humility, by his
service to the poor and the suffering and by restoring their dignity, Jesus
showed humanity the road to peace building. At the end of the ceremony, the
blessed oil was distributed among the faithful.
At 7:00 in the evening, the service of "Lamentation" (Khavaroum) began and
continued until late in the night with the participation of many faithful,
particularly youth. As always, the ceremony included seven readings from the
Gospels by the priests. These readings tell the story of Jesus at the Garden
of Gethsemane up to his crucifixion. Twelve candles (one for Jesus) are lit.
After every reading candles are extinguished until there is total darkness
in the church. This rite reminds the faithful of the betrayal of Christ by
Judas, and the denial and desertion of his disciples.
According to the ancient tradition of the church, after each Gospel reading,
the faithful tie a knot on a string. At the end of the readings they wear
the string with seven knots on their wrists and keep it there until the
Feast of Ascension.
##
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Phot os/Photos374.htm#4
###
TUESDAY HOLY WEEK
COMMEMORATING THE PARABLE OF TEN BRIDES-MAIDS
On the evening of Tuesday 7 April 2009, prayers were devoted to the parable
of the Ten Bridesmaids. This parable is both read and enacted in the church.
While the parable is read, ten young girls, each wearing a deacon's tunic,
stand in front of the Altar with lit candles. They then draw folded papers.
The girls who have drawn the "unwise" papers extinguish their candles. The
commemoration of the parable and its visual presentation at the beginning of
the Holy week reminds the faithful that because the Kingdom of God may come
any time, they should always be ready.
After the prayers His Holiness Aram I blessed the ten young girls and hoped
that the experience of that service would guide them in their Christian
life.
##
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Phot os/Photos374.htm
###
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. Its jurisdiction extends over the Armenian
Communities in the Middle East, Europe and North and South America. The
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon. /// Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia - Communication and
Information Department.
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer.
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
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I:
"TAKE COURAGE FROM CHRIST'S VICTORY OVER DEATH"
"THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF LEBANON IS COMMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENCE AND
SOVEREIGNTY OF LEBANON"
On Sunday 12 April 2009, the church and courtyard of the Catholicosate was
packed with people who had come to celebrate the Easter Sunday Holy Divine
Liturgy. Representatives of other communities in Lebanon and political
personalities came to Antelias to greet His Holiness Aram I as well on this
important day in the life of the Christian church.
The Liturgy was celebrated by His Holiness Aram I, with the assistance of
Archbishop Komitas and Bishop Nareg. Catholicos Aram I used the Biblical
verse, "Take courage: I have conquered the World" (John 16:33) for his
sermon. His Holiness said that Jesus conquered the world through the
principles and values he brought to humanity, and that our people have
lived, struggled and created through their deep Christian faith, martyrdom
and the hope of resurrection inherited from their ancestors.
As one of the Spiritual Heads of Lebanon's seven major communities, His
Holiness then addressed the current situation in Lebanon. He said: "These
days are critical moments for the country. As children of Lebanon we must
strengthen its internal coherence, participate in its reconstruction and
nation building." He then directed his message to politicians and reminded
them of their responsibilities: "The divisive political culture of the
country has deepened tension among its leaders and the people. Armenian
political parties should avoid such a confrontational culture and express
their opinion based on mutual respect. The three Armenian political parties
should consult one another on important national issues and develop common
perspectives in spite of their differing political opinions. Such an
approach will not only help the Armenian community, but Lebanon as a whole.
Let our internal consensus serve as an example to other communities".
He went on to say: "The Armenian candidates running for legislative
elections should remember that they represent the whole of the Armenian
community and thus act accordingly. Representation means seeking the mind of
the community and serving it with the sense of responsibility and
accountability.
His Holiness then reminded that "The Armenian community will continue to act
responsibly and work for the independence, sovereignty, integrity of Lebanon
and safeguard its specificity. With these goals in mind, the Armenian
community will cooperate with everybody. We believe in the important role of
Lebanon in the Arab World, its model of Christians and Muslims living
together, its democratic system and its human and cultural values. Because
of its important political role in the Arab world, Lebanon is a bridge
between the East and the West.
His Holiness finished by stating: "Lebanon is our homeland. We have defended
its territorial integrity, its independence and unity under all
circumstances and will continue defending these sacred values. Lebanon
belongs to all the Lebanese. There are no majority or minority in Lebanon.
We are all minorities and Lebanon alone is the majority. Lebanon is a
country of co-existence, and this is its unique message. We are all
accountable to Lebanon. There cannot be 'us' and 'them' in Lebanon. This
thinking should end. Lebanon comes first and foremost. We must establish
together a Lebanese agenda for Lebanon, and elaborate a common vision
sustained by the basic values of Lebanon. All Lebanese are called to serve
the interests of Lebanon. This should be the basic principle for everybody
before and after Legislative elections. This should be the driving force of
the Armenian Community".
#
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Phot os/Photos376.htm
###
GOOD FRIDAY
CEREMONY SYMBOLIZING CHRIST'S BURIAL ENDS BY BLESSING WITH THE RELIQUARY OF
JESUS' WOODEN CROSS
On 10 April 2009, Armenian faithful gathered around the 'tomb' constructed
in front of the Altar of the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator. The
tomb was covered with colorful flowers and the Reliquary of the wood from
the cross of Jesus stood on it. While the seminary choir sang "Sourp
Asdvadz" (Holy God), His Holiness Aram I and the clergy knelt in front of
the tomb and then His Holiness Aram I presided over the funeral service.
At the end of the service Catholicos Aram I shared his reflections on the
meaning of the 'empty tomb', and the power it has acquired from the
Resurrection event and its promise of eternal life. He described the 'empty
tomb' as the unfolding of the mystery of Christian faith through Jesus' life
and death. He said: "the eternal entered time and the incomprehensible was
comprehended ". For him the presence of youth at the commemorative service
was an affirmation of the mission of the church transmitted through
generations. In conclusion he told the youth, "Jesus is present among us
every moment and everywhere. Your continual presence in the church and your
participation in its life transforms the church into a mission."
At the end of the ceremony His Holiness Aram I blessed the people with the
Reliquary, After that, according to the tradition, the faithful then passed
under the empty tomb and took with them flowers as a sign of the promise of
eternal life.
##
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Phot os/Photos375.htm
###
HOLY THURSDAY
A DEEP SPIRITUAL DAY IN ANTELIAS
On Holy Thursday Armenians accompany the last events in Jesus' life up to
his crucifixion, through readings of the Gospels and singing the hymns of
the day.
Thursday 9 April: At the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias
(Lebanon) the day began with the performance of Prayers of Matins, followed
by a brief ritual of repentance and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy,
at which the faithful partook in the Holy Eucharist. This taking of the
Eucharist symbolizes the Last Supper of the Lord, which is the beginning of
the mystery of the Holy Eucharist.
On the same day at four o'clock in the afternoon the solemn ceremony of
"Washing the Feet" began as a reminder of Jesus' washing the feet of his
disciples. His Holiness Aram I performed the ceremony. After the Gospel
readings, the Catholicos replaced his liturgical vestments with an apron,
blessed the water and oil and washed the feet of twelve seminary students.
Later, in his message, His Holiness said that the path to peace as taught by
Jesus is founded on love and mutual acceptance. Through his humility, by his
service to the poor and the suffering and by restoring their dignity, Jesus
showed humanity the road to peace building. At the end of the ceremony, the
blessed oil was distributed among the faithful.
At 7:00 in the evening, the service of "Lamentation" (Khavaroum) began and
continued until late in the night with the participation of many faithful,
particularly youth. As always, the ceremony included seven readings from the
Gospels by the priests. These readings tell the story of Jesus at the Garden
of Gethsemane up to his crucifixion. Twelve candles (one for Jesus) are lit.
After every reading candles are extinguished until there is total darkness
in the church. This rite reminds the faithful of the betrayal of Christ by
Judas, and the denial and desertion of his disciples.
According to the ancient tradition of the church, after each Gospel reading,
the faithful tie a knot on a string. At the end of the readings they wear
the string with seven knots on their wrists and keep it there until the
Feast of Ascension.
##
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Phot os/Photos374.htm#4
###
TUESDAY HOLY WEEK
COMMEMORATING THE PARABLE OF TEN BRIDES-MAIDS
On the evening of Tuesday 7 April 2009, prayers were devoted to the parable
of the Ten Bridesmaids. This parable is both read and enacted in the church.
While the parable is read, ten young girls, each wearing a deacon's tunic,
stand in front of the Altar with lit candles. They then draw folded papers.
The girls who have drawn the "unwise" papers extinguish their candles. The
commemoration of the parable and its visual presentation at the beginning of
the Holy week reminds the faithful that because the Kingdom of God may come
any time, they should always be ready.
After the prayers His Holiness Aram I blessed the ten young girls and hoped
that the experience of that service would guide them in their Christian
life.
##
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Phot os/Photos374.htm
###
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. Its jurisdiction extends over the Armenian
Communities in the Middle East, Europe and North and South America. The
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon. /// Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia - Communication and
Information Department.
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer.