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

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I ASSISTS THE MID-LENT SUNRISE SERVICE
AT SAINT NESHAN CHURCH OF THE DIOCESE OF LEBANON

According to the tradition the Prelate of the Diocese of Lebanon Archbishop
Kegham Khatcherian and the Members of the Church Council invited His
Holiness Aram I to preside over the Mid-Lent Sunrise Service at the Saint
Neshan Church of the Diocese in Beirut. The students of the seminary who
accompanied His Holiness did the singing.

At the end of the Service Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian welcomed the
Catholicos on behalf of the Diocese and its leadership for this Pastoral
visit, which indicated that the whole Church was being resourced spiritually
in anticipation of the Holy Feast of Easter.

In his message to the congregation, His Holiness Aram I said that the period
of fasting and praying prior to Easter is the human response to Jesus' words
"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go
in and out, and find pasture." (John 9:10). Despite the sufferings of the
Armenian community in Lebanon for many decades, the leadership and people
remained steadfast. New challenges are now touching the lives of the youth.
The decision to declare 2009 "The Year of Youth" was taken in order to
discern and lead the youth to the "doors" where Jesus' teachings, the
Traditions of the Church and Armenian identity are affirmed and shaped
through love, peace and hope. He then invited the Diocese and the faithful
to open "doors" to the youth.

After the Service, the faithful were invited to share friendship around
coffee and special Lent sweets thanks to the hospitality offered by the
Church Council and Women's Committee.

##
View the photos here:
http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/v04/doc/Pho tos/Photos364.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.