During his pontifical visit to the United States, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I paid a visit to the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on Friday, November 17th, 2023. During this visit, he was honored as the distinguished guest of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Archbishop Elpidophoros extended a heartfelt welcome to His Holiness and his pontifical delegation for their visit to the USA and the Archdiocesan headquarters. In his welcoming address, he remembered the Catholicos as a distinguished leader, especially in the ecumenical world, whose leadership and spiritual virtues he has personally known for years. On this occasion, Archbishop Elpidophoros conveyed the fraternal greetings of His All HolinessĀ Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Concluding his speech, he presented His Holiness with a pectoral Panagia.
In turn, Catholicos Aram I expressed his joy at visiting the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese for the second time, approximately 25 years later. His Holiness reflected on the historical relationship between the Armenian and Greek churches and emphasized two crucial aspects: the historical ecumenical relations between the two churches and the theological dialogue among the orthodox churches. These aspects, he noted, carry on the legacy of collaboration from the past. Concluding his speech, His Holiness presented the archbishop with the official catalog of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
At the official luncheon honoring His Holiness, Archbishop Elpidophoros once again spoke, emphasizing His Holiness’s substantial role in promoting cooperation between churches. During this event, the archbishop expressed his willingness to welcome seminarians from the Holy See of Cilicia to their Seminary.
Notably, His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy; V. Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy; V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjian, the director of the Communication and Information Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia; V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian, the director of the Middle East section of the Ecumenical Relations Department and Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Church in New York.
