“THIS EDITION OF CILICIA INCLUDES WRITINGS CONTRIBUTED BY ARTSAKH YOUTH”
Under the auspices of H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, the 2023 inaugural edition of “Cilicia,” the official newsletter of the Western Prelacy, was released on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. This marks the first publication of the year and the bilingual newsletter is dedicated to the fiftieth anniversary of the Western Prelacy.
The 224-page colored newsletter “Cilicia” commences with a blessing message from His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. It is accompanied by messages from the Prelates of the Western and Eastern United States and Canada, dedicated to the fiftieth anniversary of the Western Prelacy’s spiritual, national, and cultural service. Alongside highlighting the spiritual, national, humanitarian, and cultural initiatives of H.G. Torkom Donoyan and the Western Prelacy, the newsletter also brings attention to subjects related to Christianity, literature, students, and youth.
The student section of the current publication includes writings from the graduating class of Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School. With the initiative of H.G. Bishop Donoyan, there are also writings from talented Artsakh Armenian youth who share their thoughts and experiences of being surrounded by Azerbaijani forces during the Artsakh war. These writings express their resentment, thoughts, and feelings regarding the painful reality of the war and the challenging daily life of children in Artsakh. These writings by Artsakh youth were composed after the loss of our fortress city of Shushi, without knowledge of what the future held and the atrocities they would face from Azerbaijan. Eventually, they would suffer the terrible fate of losing their ancestral homeland and be forced to abandon and leave their homeland.
The current edition of “Cilicia,” like its predecessors, focuses on commemorations of parishes and educational institutions in California. This edition also includes reports on the activities of the Prelacy Armenian Schools, religious holidays, socio-cultural projects, tribute concerts, and the activities of the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia. It further highlights the charitable contributions and support received by the Western Prelacy, particularly to assist the Prelacy Armenian Schools and their students.
This edition is about the achievements of our community, and it is the product of the collective effort of numerous individuals. Along with conveying spiritual and national messages, historiography, cultural and educational accomplishments, and charitable contributions, all presented in the Western Armenian language, it also includes a visual gallery that showcases the unity of Armenian Christians. The current edition of “Cilicia” also includes an English section available for readers at the end of the newsletter.
