SAID HIS HOLINESS ARAM I: 28 May “WE CONTINUE TO LIVE WITH THE VISION OF 28 MAY AND REJECT ALL OTHER SOLUTIONS THAT DMAGE OUR JUST CAUSE”

Issue Number # 46/09 /46/09 Monday, June 01,2009
ANTELIAS, Lebanon – On Sunday 31 May 2009, the Armenian Community in Lebanon celebrated at the Catholicosate in Anterlias the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic 28 May 1918, and the victory of the Battle of Sardarabad. This day was also the feast of the name of Catholicos Aram I.

His Holiness Aram I presided over the thanksgiving liturgy; and the memorial ceremony praying for the soldiers who died during the battle of Sardarabad to stop Turkey from conquering the last portion of historical Armenian land and destroying the Armenian Nation. The battle took place 24-26 May 1918, and was part of the Caucasus Campaign of World War I.

At the end of the liturgy the procession headed by His Holiness Aram I went to the Main Hall of the Catholicosate for a ceremony of thanksgiving and praise. Mr. Sarkis Guiragossian, a member of the Faculty of the Seminary spoke of the battle and its meaning for the Armenian Nation today. He spoke of the legacy of the First President of Armenia Aram Manoukian and the meaning that legacy has taken through the Spiritual Guidance of His Holiness Aram I.

At the end of the ceremony, Catholicos Aram I paid tribute to Sardarabad heroes and referred to the difficult struggle of the Armenian people both in the past and the present. He said that the victory of 28 May 1918 was the result of national unity. He urged Armenians everywhere to make unity and consensus the basis of all decisions that will affect the destiny of the nation, and reject any offer that will damage it. Celebrations ended by the community members presenting their good wishes to His Holiness Aram I and receiving his blessings.
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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.

Armenian Catholicosate Of Cilicia's Address
PO Box : 70 317 Antelias - LEBANON
Tel: (+961-4) 410 001 / 3
Fax: (+961-4) 419724
E-mail: info@armenianorthodoxchurch.org
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org

Arm Orth . Church of Lebanon