The Middle East Council of Churches Participates in the Reception of the Incorrupt Body of the Cardinal Patriarch Krikor-Bedros XV Aghajanian in Beirut

You can find some photos at the end of the text.

On the occasion of the reception of the incorrupt body of the Servant of God Cardinal Patriarch Krikor-Bedros XV Aghajanian, the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate of Cilicia, held a national and official celebration on Thursday, September 12, 2024, in the Martyrs’ Square in Downtown Beirut, with the blessings and presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family.

The celebration was attended by Lebanon's Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph Al-Absi, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the UAECNE, President of Haigazian University in Lebanon and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family, Their Eminences Bishops, Heads of Sects, and clergy, as well as official, political, religious, cultural and social figures, and believers from various Churches and sects.

As well as, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs participated at the head of a delegation that included the Member of the MECC Executive Committee Lawyer Mr. Ibrahim Traboulsi, the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the MECC Media and Communication Officer Elia Nasrallah.

During the celebration, the body arrived encased in a glass coffin and was taken out of the car carried by 12 young men representing all Lebanese, Islamic and Christian sects, including the MECC Media and Communication Officer Elia Nasrallah, heading to the celebration square amid the sound of music played by the Armenian Scouts, where rice was sprinkled on his coffin which the believers touched for blessing.

After placing the coffin on the Altar, the celebration began with a welcome speech addressed by the Journalist Majed Bou Hadir, that was followed by a documentary about the life of Patriarch Aghajanian, which voice over was read by the artist Jihad Al Atrash.

The celebration included speeches delivered by His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, the Lebanon's Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and His Eminence Bishop Krikor Badishah, the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Beirut. It also included an artistic performance by the Army Band led by Lieutenant Colonel Nadim Absi Al Osta.

At the end, a procession was held with the body of the Cardinal Patriarch Krikor-Bedros XV Aghajanian, in the streets of Beirut all the way to the he Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator and Saint Elias the Prophet – Downtown Beirut, where he was placed in a shrine specially designed and created for the occasion.