Easter Sunday at the Catholicosate of Armenia

Sunday 12 April 2009, The church and courtyard of the Catholicosate was packed with people who had come to celebrate the Easter Sunday Holy Divine Liturgy. Representatives of other communities in Lebanon and political personalities came to Antelias to greet His Holiness Aram I as well on this important day in the life of the Christian church.

The Liturgy was celebrated by His Holiness Aram I, with the assistance of Archbishop Komitas and Bishop Nareg. Catholicos Aram I used the Biblical verse, “Take courage: I have conquered the World” (John 16:33) for his sermon. His Holiness said that Jesus conquered the world through the principles and values he brought to humanity, and that our people have lived, struggled and created through their deep Christian faith, martyrdom and the hope of resurrection inherited from their ancestors.

As one of the Spiritual Heads of Lebanon’s seven major communities, His Holiness then addressed the current situation in Lebanon. He said: “These days are critical moments for the country. As children of Lebanon we must strengthen its internal coherence, participate in its reconstruction and nation building.” He then directed his message to politicians and reminded them of their responsibilities: “The divisive political culture of the country has deepened tension among its leaders and the people. Armenian political parties should avoid such a confrontational culture and express their opinion based on mutual respect. The three Armenian political parties should consult one another on important national issues and develop common perspectives in spite of their differing political opinions. Such an approach will not only help the Armenian community, but Lebanon as a whole. Let our internal consensus serve as an example to other communities”.


He went on to say: “The Armenian candidates running for legislative elections should remember that they represent the whole of the Armenian community and thus act accordingly. Representation means seeking the mind of the community and serving it with the sense of responsibility and accountability.

His Holiness then reminded that “The Armenian community will continue to act responsibly and work for the independence, sovereignty, integrity of Lebanon and safeguard its specificity. With these goals in mind, the Armenian community will cooperate with everybody. We believe in the important role of Lebanon in the Arab World, its model of Christians and Muslims living together, its democratic system and its human and cultural values. Because of its important political role in the Arab world, Lebanon is a bridge between the East and the West.

His Holiness finished by stating: “Lebanon is our homeland. We have defended its territorial integrity, its independence and unity under all circumstances and will continue defending these sacred values. Lebanon belongs to all the Lebanese. There are no majority or minority in Lebanon. We are all minorities and Lebanon alone is the majority. Lebanon is a country of co-existence, and this is its unique message. We are all accountable to Lebanon. There cannot be ‘us’ and ‘them’ in Lebanon. This thinking should end. Lebanon comes first and foremost. We must establish together a Lebanese agenda for Lebanon, and elaborate a common vision sustained by the basic values of Lebanon. All Lebanese are called to serve the interests of Lebanon. This should be the basic principle for everybody before and after Legislative elections. This should be the driving force of the Armenian Community”.