HIS HOLINESS ARAM I PRESIDES OVER THE MID-LENT MORNING SERVICE AT THE ST. NICHAN CATHEDRAL OF THE DIOCESE OF LEBANON
03/10/2010
This year again His Holiness Aram I visited the Diocese of Lebanon and presided over the Mid-Lent Morning Service at the St. Nichan Cathedral. Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, the members of the Diocesan Council, representatives of different committees and the community welcomed him, and the clergy and the seminary students accompanying him.
Before his sermon, His Holiness Arm thanked the Bishop and the laity who kept the vibrant spirit of the community in the service of Lebanon.
In his sermon the Catholicos spoke of the importance of fasting before Easter. Keeping the fast for forty days he said is an attempt by believers to turn to God. He then continued: “Fasting is a spiritual reminder to rethink our lives. For some people it is an occasion to practice discipline in response to physical concerns. Body and soul cannot be separated, but we should remember that today our physical and worldly concerns dominate our lives. The period of Lent should, therefore, be a period to feed our souls and help us discover God.” He then added: Our clergy are called to seek God and nurture and accompany the spiritual journey of our people. This special vocation is a ‘call’ and formation begins at a young age at the seminary. Our youth should listen to this special calling and prepare themselves for the service”. His Holiness then concluded: “Our clergy are therefore, one of us, our children nurtured spiritually to serve God and us.”
At the end of the Service, those present joined His Holiness for an agape breakfast prepared by the members of the diocese.
