The 28th anniversary of His Holiness Aram I’s election and consecration as Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, was marked at Antelias, as well as in all local churches under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia, on Sunday, July 2nd, 2023.
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy celebrated At St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, during which H.E. Arch. Nareg Alemezian delivered a sermon. Arch. Nareg recited Psalms 5:1-12 “Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation” and on behalf of the brotherhood and the faithful asked God’s blessings on His Holiness Aram I so that he can continue serving the church and its people, he also briefly underlined the key aspects of His Holiness’ service, life and legacy thus far.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the pontifical procession proceeded to the main atrium of the Catholicosate, where a small celebration was prepared by the seminarians. Here, V. Rev. Fr. Shnorhk Ashekian delivered a speech.
Finally, His Holiness took the stage to express his heartfelt gratitude for the warm wishes and beautiful words and underlined that the Catholicos and the Catholicosate form one whole and cannot be separated from one another, hence speaking about the Catholicos is speaking about the Catholicosate. He also stated that the tradition to celebrate the enthronement anniversary of the Catholicos is an opportunity for self-reflection. Subsequently, Aram I reflected on the current reality of Armenia, Artsakh, and Armenians everywhere and reaffirmed the solidarity of the Holy See of Cilicia with its people, for the sake of strengthening the homeland.
The event concluded with the Cilicia anthem followed by a prayer recited by His Holiness. The audience then sang the pontifical Thanksgiving song.
