Beirut, Lebanon

On Wednesday the 5th of September 2007, His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX, Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenian Catholics, visited the Ministry of Defense where He met with the Lebanese Army commander-in-chief, General Michele Sleiman. During the meeting, His Beatitude congratulated the Lebanese Army for its victory against Fateh Islam and extended His condolences to the memory of the martyr soldiers that sacrificed their lives for the sake of the safety of their country and its people.
His Beatitude expressed words of appreciation towards the wise decisions and attitude taken up by the army during the recent critical stage in Lebanon, confirming the solidarity of the Armenian Catholics with the Army and teir support to the institution, emphasizing that it is the army that secures the nation’s unity, something which is essential for Lebanon now more than ever. 
At the end of the visit, His Beatitude invited General Sleiman to participate  in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the memorial service for the souls of the martyr soldiers of the Lebanese Army which will take place on the 22nd of September, at 6:00 pm in Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Geitawi.
The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by the Eparchy Assistant Bishop, His Excellency Msgr. Hovhannes Teyrouzian.