Lebanon

Under the patronage of His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics, with the organization of the 80th anniversary committee of the St. Gregory the Illuminator scout group, and by the presidency of Mr. and Mrs. Krikor Terzian, on Sunday the 20th of July 2008 at 7:30 pm in the “Araradian” hall of the Armenian Youth Association, the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the scout group was celebrated in the presence of spiritual fathers, parents and a big crowd.
The boy and girl scouts performed both the national anthems of Lebanon and Armenian as well as their own anthem, after which the brigade master Mihran Aynejian spoke about the 80th anniversary as being an occasion to continue with the work with new and stronger efforts, emphasizing that difficulties should not be obstacles but they should be the motivation to carry on with renewed efforts.

The spiritual leader of the group father Vartan Kazandian stated that being part of a scout group gives one the primary opportunity to serve his people and church and that the collective understanding is a motivation to come out of the individual self and to be able to live in groups.

The speaker of the day was Mr. Sarkis Najarian editor-in-chief of “Massis” monthly magazine. Mr. Najarian said that being a scout is a way of living, a character and a principle.

The general brigade of the Lebanese Scouts Robin Richa in his turn congratulated the scouts pointing out the fact that the St. Gregory scouts have their special place in the large family of the Lebanese Scouts.

An artistic program was prepared for this speacial occasion by the scouts.

In the closing speech, His Beatitude mentioned that St. Gregory the Illuminator scouts have always shown the promptness to help their surroundings and by congratulating them he emphasized on the importance of serving the other, wishing them success and new victories.