Armenian Catholicos of Cilicia declares 2018 ‘Year of Independence’January 17, 2018 - 17:15 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has declared 2018 “The Year of Independence” to mark the centennial anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia, The Armenian Weekly reports. Aram I’s Pontifical Encyclical was read on Sunday, Jan. 14, during the Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, as well as in all Armenian Church dioceses and parish churches under the jurisdiction of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia. In the Pontifical Encyclical, His Holiness provides a brief account on the events that led to the creation of independence and highlights the fact that the Armenian Church had a significant role in the creation of Armenia’s independence. “Centuries of history testify that regimes are temporary—nations with their faith, fatherland, and culture are eternal” reads a part of the Encyclical. “The strengthening of Armenia and Artsakh is the foundation of our national unity and vision and our guarantee of our nation’s bright future.” At the end of the Pontifical Encyclical, His Holiness Aram I urges the Armenian people to dedicate their efforts toward building a stronger Armenia with a strong Artsakh and Diaspora. Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. Partner news | Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. Armenia to sing in 2nd semi-final of Eurovision The organizers of Eurovision 2024 have revealed the running order of the countries in the two semi-finals. |