Tweet
PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
ARMENIANS COMMEMORATE THE 95TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORTY DAYS OF DEFENSE OF
MUSA DAGH
AND 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ANJAR
ANJAR - On Saturday 23 August in the afternoon, His Holiness Aram I,
accompanied by the President of Arzakh (Nagorno Karabagh), and members of
the clergy, arrived in Anjar. After a warm welcome by the people of Anjar
and pilgrims arriving from the diaspora, the Catholicos and his entourage
walked to St. Paul's Church for the service of the canonical hour. At the
end of the service, Catholicos Aram I thanked everyone for their warm
welcome, and said that the presence of the President of Arzakh, Pago
Sahakian, added to the significance of these anniversaries.
The procession then moved to the monument of the martyrs of Musa Dagh, which
they inaugurated with wreathes, and marked the event with speeches and
cultural presentations. His Holiness Aram I closed the evening with the
following words: "The past should shape our vision for future action. Our
history has shown that since the foundation of our nation by our forefather
Haig, we have struggled for our independence and for justice for our people.
The heroic defense of Musa Dagh against the Ottomans demonstrates that in
spite of our different convictions we can unite and defy our oppressors."
Referring to the present, His Holiness continued, "After the genocide and
deportation, we built 'little Armenias' wherever we went. Anjar is a living
example of this 'little Armenia'. As diaspora communities, we express our
loyalty to our host countries, without giving up our demand for justice, and
today, we are assisting our young Armenian Republic to grow and thrive. I am
certain that we shall remain united in our demand for justice in memory of
our martyrs". At the end of his speech, Catholicos Aram I decorated Dr.
Vazken Der Kaloustian with the ensignia of St. Mesrob Mashdotz, in
recognition of his services to his people of Musa Dagh and the Church,
following the steps of his late father, Movses Der Kaloustian, one of the
heroes of Musa Dagh.
On Sunday, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
The two-day celebration came to an end with a Service in Memory of the
martyrs and an agape meal. Before giving his final blessing, Catholicos Aram
said, "Anniversaries should be the yeast, the leavening agent that shapes
our future actions. Our actions should safeguard our specificity as
Armenians, as they have in Anjar, strengthen our common will as a people and
deepen our Christian faith through the teachings and spirituality of our
Church".
##
View the photos here:
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos508.htm#6
##
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.
From: A. Papazian
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
ARMENIANS COMMEMORATE THE 95TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORTY DAYS OF DEFENSE OF
MUSA DAGH
AND 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ANJAR
ANJAR - On Saturday 23 August in the afternoon, His Holiness Aram I,
accompanied by the President of Arzakh (Nagorno Karabagh), and members of
the clergy, arrived in Anjar. After a warm welcome by the people of Anjar
and pilgrims arriving from the diaspora, the Catholicos and his entourage
walked to St. Paul's Church for the service of the canonical hour. At the
end of the service, Catholicos Aram I thanked everyone for their warm
welcome, and said that the presence of the President of Arzakh, Pago
Sahakian, added to the significance of these anniversaries.
The procession then moved to the monument of the martyrs of Musa Dagh, which
they inaugurated with wreathes, and marked the event with speeches and
cultural presentations. His Holiness Aram I closed the evening with the
following words: "The past should shape our vision for future action. Our
history has shown that since the foundation of our nation by our forefather
Haig, we have struggled for our independence and for justice for our people.
The heroic defense of Musa Dagh against the Ottomans demonstrates that in
spite of our different convictions we can unite and defy our oppressors."
Referring to the present, His Holiness continued, "After the genocide and
deportation, we built 'little Armenias' wherever we went. Anjar is a living
example of this 'little Armenia'. As diaspora communities, we express our
loyalty to our host countries, without giving up our demand for justice, and
today, we are assisting our young Armenian Republic to grow and thrive. I am
certain that we shall remain united in our demand for justice in memory of
our martyrs". At the end of his speech, Catholicos Aram I decorated Dr.
Vazken Der Kaloustian with the ensignia of St. Mesrob Mashdotz, in
recognition of his services to his people of Musa Dagh and the Church,
following the steps of his late father, Movses Der Kaloustian, one of the
heroes of Musa Dagh.
On Sunday, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
The two-day celebration came to an end with a Service in Memory of the
martyrs and an agape meal. Before giving his final blessing, Catholicos Aram
said, "Anniversaries should be the yeast, the leavening agent that shapes
our future actions. Our actions should safeguard our specificity as
Armenians, as they have in Anjar, strengthen our common will as a people and
deepen our Christian faith through the teachings and spirituality of our
Church".
##
View the photos here:
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos508.htm#6
##
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.
From: A. Papazian