THE HOLY SEE OF CILICIA CELEBRATES THE 16th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELECTION AND CONSECRATION OF CATHOLICOS ARAM I
07/03/2011
On Sunday 3 July 2011, during Holy Liturgy, a special Thanksgiving Service was held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, to celebrate the 16 anniversary of the election and consecration of His Holiness Aram I. In his sermon Rev. Ardak Arabian spoke of the courageous and compassionate Shepherd, referring to His Holiness Aram I.
At the end of the liturgy, the clergy and the people went to the Main Hall of the Catholicosate to celebrate this special day with spiritual hymns sung by the Seminary Choir and Bishop Norayr Ashekian recited a tribute written by the writer Ms. Shahantought.
After thanking the members of the clergy for their expressed love and appreciation, His Holiness Aram I said, “In our church there is no difference between the person and the position. To become Catholicos does not mean to acquire power, but to empower the church, I mean the community. Being a spiritual shepherd means serving the flog. Service is a collective act. When we speak of the Holy See of Cilicia, we mean the clergy, the dioceses, our organizations and most importantly, our faithful acting and serving together.” The Catholicos then addressed the people and said, “During the past sixteen years we lived this vision together, and we shall continue this spiritual journey together for the glory of our church and its people.”
Celebrations ended with the “Cilicia” anthem, the people expressing their personal wishes and the final blessings of His Holiness Aram I.
