On Saturday, November 11th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and his pontifical delegation visited Sourp Khatch (Holy Cross) Church in Washington, D.C. During this visit, he addressed the faithful and later met with the youth.
Following the canonical prayers, the prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, extended warm words of welcome to His Holiness and invited him to deliver his address.
In his message, His Holiness underscored the significance of the church as the house of God, urging believers to approach it with this understanding. He emphasized that the church is not merely a venue for ritual ceremonies; rather, it is the house of God, of which believers are integral members. Therefore, he urged the faithful not only to actively participate in the life of the church but also to embody the spirit of the church through conscious and consistent involvement.
Following the church ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to approach His Holiness and receive his pontifical blessings. This was followed by a meeting with the youth in the church hall.
Aram Hambarian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), moderated the meeting. He introduced the Catholicos, highlighting his diverse experiences, including his role as a spiritual leader who consistently encourages the active involvement of young people in Armenian life.
During his speech, His Holiness stressed the importance of engaging with the youth rather than merely instructing or dictating. He proceeded to address the youth’s questions, which mainly focused on topics such as the reorganization of the Diaspora, the restoration and mission of the Armenian Church, and the preservation of Armenian identity in the challenging conditions of the diaspora.
Concluding the meeting, His Holiness expressed appreciation and delivered an encouraging speech, issuing a fatherly call to the youth to become vibrant and active contributors to Armenian life, both within the church and through their participation in various associations.
