24 03 2008 - “OUR HOMELAND’S CONCERN IS THE CONCERN OF ALL ARMENIANS AND VICE VERSA”

EASTER IN ANTELIAS- SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

ANTELIAS, Lebanon - 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.

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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.

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