BEIRUT (Aztag)–On October 7–2001 an official beatification ceremony conduced by Pope John Paul II took place in Vatican’s St. Peter Cathedral–for Primate Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan of Mardeen–a martyr of the Genocide. At the same time–mass was conducted in the Armenian Catholic Monastery at Bzommar–Lebanon by Father Eghia Eghiaian.
Upon the conclusion of the mass at 11:30 the beatification ceremony in the St. Peter Cathedral In the Vatican City was broadcaster live in Lebanon–where Armenian Catholic Patriarch Nerses Pedros Tarmuni presented the life of the Archbishop–after which four other religious leaders were presented for beatification as well. Partiarch Nerses Bedros Tarmuni made an official request to the Pope to beatify Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan. After the Armenian Holy Sisters Choir performed–the Pope said the words "Peace Be Unto You" in Armenian.
While the bells of St. Mary’s Monastery of Bzommar and Vatican St. Peter Cathedral rang–the portraits of Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan and the other beatified were uncovered. Later Archbishop Vardan Ashgarian conducted the altar blessing uncovering the red altar veil.
At 12:30–the room in which Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan lived in at the Bzommar Monastery was officially opened as a museum. The museum featured his cross–handwritten letters–as well as various publications about him.
According to Catholic Church rules–beatification is the first step toward the canonization. The beatified person must have conducted miracles–which must be certified by the Vatican–in order to become a full-fledged saint.
Within the frameworks of the beatification ceremony of Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan–on October 6–2001 a special speech was delivered by Father Mesrob Topalian in the St. Prgich Church–presenting the highlights of his life and his martyrdom. He mentioned that Maloyan has always supported his people during the troubled times opposing challenges to renounce his as well as their religion.
After the speech everybody watched a documentary about the town of Mardeen–the Genocide and The Bzommar Monastery.
A copy of a book titled–"Ignatius Maloyan–a person and a martyr" was handed to everyone at the ceremonies.