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ANTELIAS: His Holiness Aram I arrives in Kamishli, Syria

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  • ANTELIAS: His Holiness Aram I arrives in Kamishli, Syria

    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.cathcil.org/

    PO Box 70 317
    Antelias-Lebanon

    Armenian version: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Armenian.htm


    HIS HOLINESS ARAM I ARRIVES IN JEZIREH AMID
    A POPULAR WELCOME

    Ending his Pontifical visit to Aleppo, His Holiness Aram I headed on May
    23 to the second leg of his trip, Jezireh, Syria, in a convoy including the
    Primate of the Diocese of Aleppo, Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, members of the
    Cilician Brotherhood and members of the Diocesan assemblies of Aleppo.

    At the borderline of Jezireh, The Catholicos was welcomed by soldiers who
    honorably accompanied him to Kamishli. Along with the city's thousand of
    Armenians, local Arabs and Kurds also filled the streets to welcome the
    Armenian Pontiff, who was accompanied by Primate Bishop Shahan, Archbishop
    Gomidas Ohanian (former Vicar of Jezireh), Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian
    (Primate of the Diocese of Tehran), V. Rev. Fr. Vahan Berberian, current
    Vicar of Jezireh Rev. Fr. Massis Zobouyan, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian,
    priests and members of several Diocesan units.

    Walking through the ranks of scouts and while rice was being thrown from
    the balconies as a sign of welcome, His Holiness headed towards the Church.
    Following the prayers held in the Church the Pontiff delivered his
    Pontifical addresses in the Church's front yard.

    Government officials from the region, the head of Ashirets, the primates
    of all the churches in Jezireh and a huge crowd threw an honorable welcome
    to the Catholicos, who came on his second official visit to the region. The
    Primates of sister churches welcomed the Armenian Catholicos on behalf of
    their Patriarchs.

    In his welcoming remarks, Primate Bishop Shahan Sarkissian remembered His
    Holiness' first visit to the region as a newly ordained Catholicos 11 years
    ago. Referring to the cheerful welcome of the faithful after 11 years from
    that first visit, the Bishop praised the community's attachment to its
    Mother Church, the Holy See of Cilicia and His Holiness Aram I. He also
    commended the Pontifical Vicar to Jezireh and the region's organizations,
    stressing the importance of mutual relations between the Pontiff and
    believers.

    Greatly pleased with the honest welcome, the Pontiff highlighted the local
    Armenian community's traits: love towards the Church and attachment to
    traditions. He praised their attachment to both, and saw in their life
    loyalty towards the Church's sanctities, rituals and traditions. He also
    observed their determinations to protect and preserve national traditions
    and national roots. In this respect, His Holiness considered Jezireh to be
    an exemplary community and announced that he will inaugurate a new church to
    become the community's heart. "We have come to lay the first stone of the
    new church, which in itself is evidence of your faith and commitment towards
    the Armenian Church," said His Holiness.

    The sermon was followed by an Achahampouyr with faithful approaching the
    Pontiff in unending queues until late at night to receive his blessings.
    Parents brought their children and newborns to receive the blessings of the
    Pontiff.

    His Holiness held a number of meetings with government officials in the
    Prelacy of Jezireh on the following day. Committees from all the churches in
    the region, representatives from all the unions, the administrative staff of
    Sunday Schools and the Ladies Guilds of churches also visited the Pontiff.

    ##
    View the photos here: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos103.ht m
    *****
    The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
    the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses of
    the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
    Catholicosate, http://www.cathcil.org/ The Cilician Catholicosate, the
    administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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