On Sunday, January 7th, 2024, His Holiness Aram I received a delegation representing Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai. The delegation included Patriarchal Vicar Archbishop Paul Sayah, Head of the Youth Department Father George Yaran, and Patriarchal Protocol Director Walid Ghayyad. In addition to exchanging Christmas greetings, discussions centered around topics related to the Lebanese presidential…
On Saturday, January 6th, 2024, the Armenian Church observed the Feast of Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. At St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias of the Holy See of Cilicia, His Holiness Catholicos Aram conducted the Divine Liturgy and delivered the pontifical sermon. Archbishops Nareg Alemezian and Shahan Sarkissian served at…
On the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ, January 5th, 2024, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Christmas Vigil Service (Jrakaluyts – Lighting of the Candles), at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the grand sacristan of…
The Prime Minister of Lebanon Mr. Najib Mikati met with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Friday, January 5th, 2024. They discussed issues and challenges facing Lebanon, particularly the situation in the South of Lebanon, the presidential election, and the socio-economic crisis facing the country. The Prime Minister congratulated the Armenian community as it prepares…
On Thursday, January 4th, 2024, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the newly appointed French Ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro. During the meeting, they discussed the Lebanese presidential election, the war on Gaza by Israel, and France’s broader role in the Middle East, with a specific focus on its involvement in Lebanon. As…
A NEW ALL-ARMENIAN STRATEGY Soon the year 2023 will be in the past and the New Year will rise in the horizon of our life. Indeed, the past year in the life of our nation was full of terrible hopelessness and profound disappointment. We are living in times full of unpredictable dangers. We are…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I closely monitors the concerning situation surrounding the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem through representatives of the World Council of Churches (WCC) based in Geneva and Jerusalem. According to a message released by the Patriarchate, attached below, approximately 30 unidentified individuals attacked the congregation and the Patriarchate’s office in protest against…
On December 23rd, 2023, The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, accompanied by MECC Associate Secretary General Ms. Seta Khedeshian, Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Fr. Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the Coordinator of the Ecumenical Musical Event that MECC will hold in 2024 Mr. Marc…
On Thursday, December 28th, 2023, Ambassador Maria Virginia Ruiz Quintar, the recently appointed Argentinian Ambassador to Lebanon, paid an inaugural visit to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. After His Holiness provided a brief overview of the mission of the Catholicosate, they meeting delved into discussions concerning the prevailing situation in Lebanon, the urgency of…
Archbishop Souren Kataroyan passed away on December 17th, 2023, in Montreal. The final ceremony took place at Sourp Hagop Church in Montreal, with the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and presided over and led by HE Arch. Papken Tcharian, the Prelate of Canada. Per Arch. Souren’s wish, his body was transported to…
On December 26th, 2023, the students from the “Zvartnots” Centre for Special Education and Rehabilitation, headed by Ms. Vartineh Ohanian, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. They began their day with a prayer session at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, followed by receiving communion. In the Catholicosate garden, the students shared moments with His…
On Sunday, December 24th, 2023, the Feast of St. Stephen the Protodeacon and the first martyr was commemorated at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, presided over by Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Prelate of Greece, HE Arch. Kegham Khatcherian, who also delivered the sermon. The Altar service…
Among his holiday visits to various Armenian organizations and institutions in Lebanon, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I takes time to visit the orphans at the Birds’ Nest. As such, on December 21st, 2023, His Holiness and accompanying priests received a warm welcome from the students at the Birds’ Nest orphanage in Byblos. A joyful…
On Thursday, December 21st, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received Deputy Head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, accompanied by Mufti Sheikh Abdul Amir Shams al-Din, Sheikh Mohammed Hijazi, head of media Mr. Wassef Awada, and member of the Counexecutive council Abdel Salam Shukur. Present alongside His Holiness at the…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I extended a letter of condolences to the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on the sad occasion of the passing of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In the letter, His Holiness offers condolences personally and on behalf of the Armenian community in Kuwait. He acknowledges that…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by Cilician brotherhood priests, visited the Armenian Elderly Home – CAHL on December 19th, 2023. Located in Bourdj Hamoud, the purpose of the visit was to bring Christmas and New Year joy to the elderly residents. The Catholicos and priests were warmly welcomed by the Home’s director, Pastor…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I visited the Armenian Sanitorium of Azounieh on the morning of Monday, December 18th, 2023, for a Christmas visit. Accompanied by a delegation from the Cilician brotherhood, the Catholicos intended to observe the Christmas and New Year celebrations, offer his pontifical blessings and stay abreast of the sanitorium’s latest developments. …
Members of the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA), headed by their spiritual advisor V. Rev. Fr. Zaven Nadjarian, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on the evening of Saturday, December 16th, 2023. Expressing heartfelt gratitude, Fr. Zaven conveyed appreciation for His Holiness’ unwavering support in their endeavors. He highlighted ACUSA’s dedication to the…
The eve of the feast of St. Jacob of Nisibis (Surp Hagop Medzpina Hayrabed) was solemnly observed at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Friday, December 15th, 2023. Armenian faithful hold this occasion dear, receiving the saint’s blessing by approaching the relic of St.…
On Wednesday afternoon, December 13th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I visited His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI of the Armenian Catholic Church at the Catholic Patriarchate. Accompanying His Holiness were HE Arch. Nareg Alemezian, HE Arch. Shahan Sarkissian, director of the Cilicia Museum, V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjian, director of the Information and…
On Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, the Armenian ambassador to Lebanon, Vahagn Atapekyan, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. They discussed matters concerning the aftermath of the seizure of Artsakh, the internal affairs of Armenia, and Armenia-Diaspora relations.
On Friday, December 8th, 2023, the Regional Committee of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar), headed by the chair Dr. Avedis Dakessian, visited His Holiness Catholicos aram I to brief him on their updates and receive his blessings. In attendance was also the co-chair of the Central Executive Council of the Holy See of…
On December 6th and 7th, HE Arch. Nareg Alemezian conducted official meetings in the Vatican with His Holiness Pope Francis, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, and representatives from the Dicasteries for Promoting Christian Unity and the Eastern Churches. During his meeting with Pope Francis, Arch. Nareg conveyed warm regards from His Holiness Aram I and discussed…
On Friday, December 6th, 2023, the newly formed committee of the “Naregatsi” children’s choir of the Holy See of Cilicia visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The aim of the visit was to inform His Holiness on their upcoming activities and ask for his blessings. Accompanying the committee was V. Rev. Fr. Zaven Nadjarian, the…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the fifth online consultation on December 7th, 2023, uniting experts to delve into pressing matters for the Armenians of Artsakh. In attendance were Prof. Ashod Melkonian, Prof. Rupen Safrasdian, Dr. Armen Maroukian, Dr. Vahram Palayan, Dr. Vicken Cheterian, Dr. Khatchig Der Ghougasian, Mr. Shahan Kandaharian, and Aharon…
On December 8th, 2023, the Bourdj Hamoud municipality council, headed by Mayor Mardig Boghossian, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. Mayor Boghossian presented a token symbolizing the Lebanese cedar tree as a gesture of gratitude from the municipality. During the meeting, Council member George Krikorian gave a speech where he expressed gratitude for…
On December 7th, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI of the Armenian Catholic Church visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The discussion encompassed the recent Vatican Synod of Synodality, the international conference commemorating the 850th anniversary of the passing of St. Nerses the Gracious, the situation of displaced Artsakh Armenians in Armenia, and…
Under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and organized by the Christian Education Department of the Holy See of Cilicia, students from the Sunday school of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon gathered at the Catholicosate in Antelias on the morning of Saturday, December 2nd. They participated in the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by the…
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, HE Arch. Nareg Alemezian and V. Rev. Fr. Bsag Tepirdjian participated in a two-day international conference held from November 30th to December 1st, 2023, commemorating the 850th anniversary of the passing of St. Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali). The conference was organized by the Pontifical Oriental Institute…
On the evening of Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, Catholicos Aram I received the Committee of the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA), along with their spiritual advisor, V. Rev. Fr. Zaven Nadjarian. Their visit aimed to commence their term with the blessing of His Holiness, share their agenda, and seek his guidance. Fr. Zaven…
During His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s pontifical visit to the Eastern United States, as previously reported, he was honored with an invitation to serve as the Guest Chaplain of the US House of Representatives. His Holiness delivered the opening prayer before the session, a prayer he composed. In this prayer, he highlighted that “more than…
On Monday, November 20th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I conducted a series of consecutive meetings with representatives from the following organizations at the Armenian Prelacy of the Eastern USA: The Karagheusian Foundation Committee – they discussed the activities of the Foundation’s chapters in Lebanon and Syria. His Holiness commended Karagheusian’s contributions to the…
On Monday, November 20th, 2023, through a joint initiative by the National Council of Churches and St. Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminary, a discussion meeting on ecumenical issues took place at the aforementioned seminary. The gathering included priests and university lecturers actively engaged in the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the National Council of Churches.…
On Tuesday, November 21st, 2023, a meeting was held between His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Permanent Observer of The Holy See to The United Nations. Having prior acquaintance with His Holiness, the meeting lasted approximately two hours in a friendly atmosphere. Discussions prominently featured the Artsakh issue, along with…
“WE NEED CHARISMATIC AND VISIONARY LEADERS IN ARMENIA AND IN DIASPORA” HIS HOLINESS ARAM I I embarked on my pontifical visit on 6 November in Washington DC; and in the last 15 days, in my messages, speeches and meetings I addressed issues and challenges pertaining to the mission of the Armenian Church and…
During His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s pontifical visit to the Eastern Prelacy of the USA, the Armenian Prelacy organized ecumenical prayers at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York, acknowledging the influential role of Aram I in the ecumenical movement and wide connections. The ceremony was attended by the prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, His Eminence…
On Sunday, November 19th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York, conducted by the Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the USA, HG Bp. Torkom Donoyan. During the service, His Holiness delivered his pontifical speech. Heartfelt speeches were delivered by the Prelate of…
On Friday morning, November 17th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was warmly welcomed upon his arrival in New York at the entrance of Sourp Sarkis (St. Sarkis) Church by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, along with members of the Board of Trustees, diocesan representatives, and the congregation. Following the “Hrashapar” canonical…
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…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I paid a pontifical visit to the community of New Britain on Thursday, November 16th, 2023, following his visit to Troy. His Holiness and his pontifical delegation were warmly welcomed at the entrance of Sourp Sdepanos Church (St. Stephen) by parish priests, members of the Board of Trustees, representatives of…
On the evening of November 15, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I visited the Armenian community in Troy. Accompanied by his pontifical delegation, he received a warm welcome from the community in front of the Sourp Khatch (Holy Cross) church. In the church, Canonical prayers were conducted. Following the welcome address by HE. Arch.…
On Wednesday, November 15th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I visited the headquarters of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) in New Jersey. Accompanying him were the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the USA, HE Arch. Anoushavan Tanielian, the Vicar General of the prelacy, V. Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, the director of the…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I proceeded with his Pontifical visit to the Eastern Prelacy, arriving in New Jersey on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023. The Catholicos and the pontifical delegation were warmly received in front of Sts. Vartanantz Church by Vicar General V. Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, parish priests, church choirs, the Board of Trustees,…
On November 13, 2023, as part of his pontifical visit to the Armenian Prelacy of the Eastern United States, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I arrived in Philadelphia and received a warm welcome from the community at the entrance of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. The gathering included parish priests, members of the Church Board of…
On Monday, November 13th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by HE Arch. Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the USA, and the co-chair of the Central Executive Council of the Holy See of Cilicia, Stepan Der Bedrossian, visited the headquarters of the ANCA in Washington. The director of the Information and…
On Sunday, November 12th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy and delivered his pontifical address at Sourp Khatch (Holy Cross) Church in Washington, DC. He was assisted by His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian and His Grace Bishop Torkom Donoyan. During his address, His Holiness extended his pontifical greetings to…
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…
During his pontifical visit to the Armenian Prelacy of the Eastern United States, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and his pontifical delegation paid visits to the embassies of Lebanon and Armenia in Washington, DC. At the Lebanese embassy, His Excellency Wael Hashem and the embassy staff warmly welcomed the Catholicos and the delegation. Their…
On Friday, November 10th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I offered a lecture on the geopolitics of religion in the Middle East, in George Washington University. During the lecture, he emphasized the message of peace and respect for human rights in the monotheistic religions. First, His Holiness provided a general introduction to the increasing…
On the evening of Thursday, November 9th, 2023, a meeting was held, presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, with the participation of the prelates of the Armenian Prelacies of the Eastern and Western United States, and the prelate of Canada, as well as the secretaries of the Executive Councils of these prelacies. Stepan…
On Thursday, November 9th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I visited the Capitol and met with the Speaker of the House of the Representatives, Mike Johnson, followed by a meeting with Representative Adam Schiff. Subsequently, he offered the opening prayer before the session. The prayer he recited is as follows: “In the name…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Clergy Convention held on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023, in Washington. The meeting was attended by Archbishop Anoushavan (Eastern Prelacy), Archbishop Papken (Prelacy of Canada), Bishop Torkom (Western Prelacy), and the clergy. They discussed social and moral issues that impact the Armenian communities and parishes. In his…
The Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions held its yearly meeting from October 30th to November 3rd, 2023. After last year’s meeting in Vancouver, the Conference met in The Ecumenical Institute of Bossey and the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. The ecumenical officers and secretaries of each respective church family and communion shared their…
On behalf of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the prelate of the UAE and Qatar, HG Bp. Mesrob Sarkissian took part in the Global Faith Leaders Summit, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the Vatican, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) Presidency, and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), on…
After visits to Greece, Cyprus, Kuwait, Canada, and Lebanon within the scope of the pontifical proclaim “Year of the Diaspora II: From Self-Examination to Reorganization,” His Holiness Catholicos Aram I started his visit to the Eastern Prelacy continuing his mission to revitalize Diasporan life through the various fields of activity of the Cilician Catholicosate prelacies.…
On Saturday, November 4th, 2023, the Executive Council of the Armenian Prelacy in Lebanon, headed by Prelate HE Arch. Shahe Panosian, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to convey their appreciation for the three-day series of meetings that His Holiness had with the Lebanese Armenian Community at the Prelacy. The Prelate expressed his heartfelt…
On Monday, October 30th, 2023, the third of the online sessions dedicated to Artsakh, presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, was held. The group of experts from Armenia, Artsakh, and the diaspora discussed the potential ramifications deriving from the rapidly changing geopolitical situation surrounding the Artsakh issue. Their discussions encompassed a wide range…
On Monday, October 30th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Hagop Der Khatchadourian, Chair of the ARF Bureau, and Meguerditch Meguerditchian, member of the Bureau. They discussed matters pertaining to Armenia, Artsakhշ and the Armenian diaspora.
On Sunday, October 29th, 2023, following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Sunday School students of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and bestowed his pontifical blessing upon them. The children were accompanied by the director of the Christian Education department, V. Rev. Fr. Stepanos Pashayan, and the Sunday school director, Ms. Janine…
Within the framework of “The Year of the Armenian Diaspora,” initiatives, the third and concluding meeting, titled “From Introspection to Reorganization,” between His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the Lebanese Armenian community took place on Wednesday, October 24th, 2023, in the Yercho Samuelian-Yerakuyn Hall of the Armenian Prelacy in Lebanon. Distinguished guests included leaders from…
The second meeting in a series of three, presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, with members of the Lebanese Armenian Community, who actively participate in various church and community bodies and organizations, occurred on Tuesday, October 24th, 2023. In attendance were clergy members, representatives from local parish committees, Sunday schools, church choirs, women’s…
Within the framework of initiatives related to the Year of the Armenian Diaspora, a series of official meetings commenced on Monday, October 23rd, 2023, featuring discussions with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The event, titled “From Introspection to Reorganization,” is intended to reinvigorate the organizational structures of the Armenian Prelacy and the Lebanese Armenian community.…
Under the initiative of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, two online consultation sessions were held on October 12th and 13th, 2023. These sessions involved a group of specialists in history, international law, and political science from Armenia and the diaspora. The purpose was to assess the repercussions of the ethnic cleansing in Artsakh and to…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I established a special committee to manage the aid provided by the prelacies to the 100,000 displaced Armenians of Artsakh, following nine months of blockade. The members of the committee are HE Archbishop Anoushavan (Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the USA), HG Bishop Torkom (Prelate of the Western Prelacy…
The newly appointed committee of the Shnorhali choir, headed by the conductor V. Rev. Fr. Zaven Najarian, paid a visit to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on the evening of Friday, October 13th, 2023. During the visit, they presented their forthcoming projects and received the Catholicos’ pontifical blessings. Expressing his filial gratitude, Fr. Zaven…
The Feast of the Holy Translators was marked at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias on Sunday, October 15th, 2023, through a Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and celebrated by the Dean of the Armenian Theological Seminary, V. Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian. Following the Liturgy, the pontifical procession proceeded…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I welcomed the visit of mountaineer, runner, and rower Ara Khatchadourian on August 31st, 2023, in Antelias. Ara Khatchadourian had recently completed an 88-day journey rowing from Marseille to Beirut as part of his Rowing for Peace humanitarian project aimed at raising funds for Beirut. During the meeting, Khatchadourian shared…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I convened with the Armenian Seminary teachers’ staff on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, prior to the commencement of the 2023-2024 academic year. The opening remarks were delivered by the Dean of the Seminary who highlighted the mission of the Seminary. Subsequently, His Holiness shared insights on the curriculum orientation and…
The 15th General Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia convened in Kottayam, India, from September 28th till October 3rd, 2023 with the theme “God Renew us in your Spirit and Restore the Creation.” H.E. Arch. Sebouh Sarkissian—Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy in Tehran, and deaconess Ani Kristi Manvelian participated in the GA on behalf…
On Tuesday evening, October 3rd, 2023, a conference was convened in Ashrafieh, Lebanon, to shed light on the fate of Artsakh and its indigenous people following the ethnic cleansing committed by Azerbaijan. Titled “Lessons Learned from the Fall of Artsakh,” the conference saw participation from representatives of the state, various political parties, organizations, and clergy.…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I offered his heartfelt condolences to the President of the Syrian Arab Republic Dr. Bashar al Assad, on Friday, October 6th, 2023, over the tragic drone attack on the Syrian military academy in Homs. In his letter, the Catholicos conveyed sincere sympathies to the victims’ families, expressed solidarity, and wished…
Representatives from different Lebanese communities and political parties visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to convey their support for Artsakh. In this regard, a delegation from the Free Patriotic Movement, the president of the Syriac League, and a delegation representing the Nawraj NGO visited His Holiness, recently. During the meetings, they reaffirmed their unwavering…
Since 2021, the “Season of Creation,” a dedicated period for renewing our relationship with the Creator and all creation, has been celebrated internationally from September 1st to October 4th. The season of Creation is a time to unite with the ecumenical family around the world in prayer and action for the well-being of our common…
On Saturday, October 7th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received a delegation of Syriac teachers visiting from Germany, headed by His Eminence Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh expressed their solidarity with the Armenian people and then conveyed the purpose of their…
– Freedom for the Armenian Prisoners of War and Artsakh leaders held captive by Azerbaijan – The extension of humanitarian assistance to the people of Artsakh – A guarantee by the international community of the right of the indigenous people of Artsakh to return to their homeland His Holiness Catholicos Aram I The…
On Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, a delegation representing former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the Future Movement visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. MP Hagop Pakradouni was also in attendance. Following conveying the former Prime Minister’s warm greetings to His Holiness, the delegation expressed Saad Hariri’s deep concern about the current situation in…
In mid-September, Azerbaijan launched a military operation against the indigenous population of Artsakh, after imposing a nine-month blockade, resulting in the forced displacement of Artsakh Armenians from their homeland. Today, Armenians worldwide are enduring yet another episode of ethnic cleansing all while justice for the Armenian genocide that occurred in 1915 remains elusive. And as…
On Saturday, September 30th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram received the representative of His Beatitude Youhana X Yaziji, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, Right Rev. Archimandrite Jack Khalil, who is also the Dean of the St John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand. In attendance were the Dean of…
The Catholicos Aram I has called for “Hamazkayin Zorasharj,” a worldwide mobilization of the Armenian community to protect Artsakh Armenians’ rights and to provide them with essential socioeconomic support. The call is in response to the recent tragic events of ethnic cleansing against the indigenous population of Artsakh. Following consultations with the National Central…
On Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, an online meeting was convened by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the prelates of the Holy See of Cilicia. The meeting centered around the strategies to support the people of Artsakh following the recent ethnic cleansing. Catholicos Aram I underscored three main actions: a) Declare Sunday, October…
On Thursday, September 21st, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over Thanksgiving Prayers for the Republic of Armenia, marking the 32nd anniversary of the Republic of Armenia’s re-independence, along with prayers of solidarity with Artsakh at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. His Holiness blessed the Armenian and Artsakh flags at the end…
On Monday, September 18th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received H.E. Mauricio Alice, the Ambassador of Argentina in Lebanon, and H.E. Farid El Khazen, the Ambassador of the Vatican in Lebanon, respectively. Both meetings focused on two main topics: the Lebanese presidential election and the immediate lifting of the Artsakh blockade.
The Christian Conference of Asia recently issued an official statement calling for the immediate lifting of the Artsakh blockade by Azerbaijan, noting that the blockade is a great humanitarian crisis that cannot be tolerated on moral and legal grounds. Christian Conference of Asia expressed its support for Artsakh’s right to self-determination in line with…
With pontifical blessing, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I extended a warm congratulatory letter to the newly elected President of the Republic of Artsakh, Samuel Shahramanian, on Monday, September 11th, 2023, and expressed hope that Shahramanian would assume his responsibilities with renewed faith and work towards lifting the Artsakh blockade and pursuing Artsakh’s right to self-determination…
Upon the invitation of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia and with the participation of the spiritual leaders and the representatives of the highest bodies of the three Armenian political parties, a special consultative meeting was held at the Catholicosate in Antelias, with the sole agenda of supporting…
A delegation representing different committees, schools, and institutions operating under the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society in Lebanon, as well as representatives from the Armenian Relief Society and the Armenian General Union for Physical Education and Scouts (known as Homenetmen), visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on September 4th, 2023 to request his blessings…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I addressed his Pontifical Message on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, emphasizing the importance of lifting the blockade and supporting its right to self-determination. As a God-given right and a major principle of international law, independence is inviolable for any nation. …
We are glad to announce the publication of the second edition of “St. Nerses the Gracious and Church Unity,” authored by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on the occasion of the 850th commemoration of the saint. The first part of the book provides a historical analysis of the 12th-century Cilicia Kingdom in both political…
On Tuesday, August 29th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea met at the headquarters of the Holy See of Cilicia, in Antelias. His Holiness expressed deep concern about the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Artsakh and underlined that the issue in Artsakh, apart from the humanitarian, is…
On Thursday, August 24th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received representatives of Nabih Berri, the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, composed of the deputy head of Amal Movement, Sheikh Hasan Al-Masri, and Sayyed Abbas Nasr Al-Deen. The main topics of the meeting were the delayed Lebanese presidential election and the case of blockaded…
On Wednesday, August 16th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the governing body of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Ramgavar, and they discussed matters related to the Party’s inner life, the Lebanese Armenian community and Armenia, especially regarding the Artsakh blockade.
On Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon, Moujtaba Amini. The main topics of discussion were the Azerbaijani blockade of Artsakh, which has been ongoing since December 2022, and the delayed Lebanese presidential election. As His Holiness described the situation of the indigenous people of…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I raised the issue of the Artsakh blockade and its dire consequences for the 120,000 indigenous people of Artsakh during the feast organized in his honor by the Canadian ambassador to Lebanon on Thursday, August 17th, 2023, where other ambassadors were also present.The international community should take concrete steps to prevent…
Under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was solemnly celebrated at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias and St. Mary Monastery in Bikfaya, on Sunday, August 13th, 2023. HE Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Antelias, conducted the blessing of…
The Pilgrimage Day of St. Mary Monastery in Bikfaya was marked on the evening of Saturday, August 12th, 2023 with a ceremonious Divine Liturgy presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, who also conducted the blessing of the grapes and madagh (sacrifice) ceremony, and delivered his pontifical message. The solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated…
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and organized by the Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, a Pilgrimage Week leading to the Pilgrimage Day of St. Mary Monastery on August 12th, 2023 was marked from August 7th to 11th, during which Divine Liturgies, special services, prayers, and Bible studies were…
The Artsakh National Assembly Speaker Tavit Ishkhanyan held a phone conversation with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Thursday, August 10th, 2023, and expressed his gratitude for His Holiness’ congratulations on his position. Discussing the blockade, Speaker Ishkhanyan specifically mentioned His Holiness’s efforts towards the lifting of the siege and the meetings with ambassadors…
On Thursday, August 10th, 2023, a delegation from the Iranian Embassy in Lebanon visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. During the meeting, His Holiness condemned the burning of the Quran in Sweden and emphasized the importance of strengthening the foundations of Christian-Muslim coexistence and dialogue. On this occasion, His Holiness shed light on…
On Wednesday, August 9th, 2023, Joanna Wronecka, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. Two main topics were discussed during the meeting: the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan; and the Lebanese Presidential election. The Holiness highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh resulting from the illegal blockade of the…
