On Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I extended a congratulatory letter to Tavit Ishkhanyan for his election as the Speaker of the Artsakh National Assembly. In the letter, His Holiness underscored the immense responsibility assumed by Ishkhanyan in the face of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Artsakh. His Holiness expressed his…
On Friday, August 4th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the head of the Chaldean community in Lebanon Bishop Michel Kassarji, representing His Beatitude Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, and Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, the President of the Haigazian University, respectively. Bishop Kassarji provided Catholicos Aram I…
Archbishop Paolo Borgia, Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on Monday, August 7th, 2023. They discussed issues concerning the Lebanese presidential election and ecumenical relations between the Holy See of Cilicia and the Vatican. His Holiness brought to the attention of the Apostolic Nuncio the current situation in Artsakh and…
The World Council of Churches and the Conference of the European Churches have extended a joint letter to the European Union and expressed deep concern about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Artsakh exacerbated by Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor. The letter underscores the gravity of the humanitarian crisis, stating, “The humanitarian crisis in…
The World Council of Churches (WCC) calls on Azerbaijan to urgently and immediately lift the blockade on Artsakh. This call comes following a recent communication from His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to the WCC and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), urging them to once again shed light on the Artsakh situation and denounce…
On Monday, July 31st, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon. His Excellency Mr. Vahagn Atebekyan. His Holiness informed Atabekyan of the statements to be issued within the ecumenical movement regarding Artsakh, especially by the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches. In turn, the…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I met with the participants of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s International Youth Conference and blessed them on Thursday morning, July 27th, 2023. Notably, the launching of this conference, organized by the Lebanese Youth Association (LYA) Central Committee of the ARF, took place in Bikfaya on the same day, with attendees coming…
The official inauguration of the new episcopal residence in Bikfaya took place on July 22nd, 2023, with the presence of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the family of the late benefactor Karnig Yacoubian. The attendees included the Cilician Brotherhood, members from the National Central Committee of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, the architects, and representatives…
Ani Tchatalbashian Yacoubian and her children Aram and Anita, the family of the benefactor late Karnig Yacoubian, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Tuesday, July 18th, 2023. His Holiness highly commended the generous donations of the Tchatalbashian and Yacoubian families throughout the years in support of the mission of the Holy See of…
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, H.E. Arch. Kegham Katcherian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Greece, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the Feast of Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. The Feast of Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ…
Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, Associate Faculty Member in Armenian Studies at Oxford University’s Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on Tuesday, July 11th, 2023. Dr. Tchilingirian is a participant in the online consultations with His Holiness on issues pertaining to the revitalization of the Armenian Diaspora within the…
During the first week of July, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the following visitors: – A group of Christian former ministers and members of the parliament, who shared with His Holiness their concerns and positions regarding the delayed presidential election. – Harout Sassounian, founder and chief editor of The California Courier, an…
On Monday, July 3rd, 2023, His Holiness Aram I received the Armenian General Benevolent Union’s President Berge Setrakian in Bikfaya. They discussed matters pertaining to Armenia, Artsakh, the Armenian Diaspora, Armenia-Diaspora relations, and the current issue of Jerusalem’s Armenian Patriarchate.
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the “Shornali” choir of the Catholicosate of Cilicia performed on the occasion of its 50th anniversary with a repertoire of Armenian patriotic songs, under the direction of V. Rev. Fr. Zaven Najarian, on Sunday evening, July 2nd, 2023, in Rabiew. The choir was accompanied by…
The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund was held on June 24th, 2023, in Yerevan. With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and on behalf of the Holy See of Cilicia, HE Arch. Shahan Sarkissian—Director of the Cilicia Library and the Ancient Manuscript Department of the…
Following the encyclical of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I marking the 850th commemoration of Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali) and the symposium held in Antelias on the same occasion, HE Arch. Shahan Sarkissian participated in an international conference held at the Mesrob Mashdots Madenataran – Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, in Yerevan, and presented the legacy…
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…
The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), convened in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 21st to the 27th. This is the first Central Committee meeting after the 11th General Assembly, which took place in September 2022, in Karlsruhe, Germany, under the theme “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” The plenary…
On Friday 30th, 2023, a phone conversation was held between His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, regarding the recent ongoing crisis in the country due to Azerbaijan’s genocidal blockade of Artsakh. His Holiness reaffirmed his solidarity with the Artsakh people and informed the President of…
On Thursday evening, June 29th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the 93rd commencement ceremony of the Armenian Theological Seminary held in Bikfaya. Cilician brotherhood and priesthood, MPs and community leaders, heads of educational and cultural institutions, seminary teachers, parents, and friends attended the event. An artistic performance prepared by the…
Upon his return to the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias from his pontifical visit to the Armenian community in Canada, His Holiness extended a salutation letter to the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and expressed his warm commendation for his solidarity with the people of Artsakh and their right to self-determination, as well as…
On Tuesday, June 27th, 2023, His His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Central Committee of the Social Democrat Hunchag Party, headed by the Committee Chair Dr. Hampig Sarafian. They discussed the challenges faced by Armenians, especially in Armenia and Artsakh, and stressed the imperative of forming a special nationwide council, in response to the current…
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, a meeting was held between His Holiness Aram I and the Swiss members of the ARMENOFAS Foundation in Geneva to assess the foundation’s work in the past decade and adopt the priorities for the upcoming period. In attendance were the president of the Protestant Church…
On Wednesday, June 21st, 2023, the first full meeting of the World Council of Churches Central Committee following the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe commenced in Geneva, Switzerland, and will conclude on June 27th. H.E. Arch. Nareg Alemezian and V. Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian, who were elected as members of the Central Committee, participate in this…
Following His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s lecture on St. Nerses the Gracious at the Trinity College of the University of Toronto, on June 13th, His Holiness Aram I met with the General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, Pastor Peter Noteboom. They discussed matters concerning the ecumenical movement, and Pastor Noteboom underscored the…
During his pontifical visit to Toronto, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I met with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lebanon in Toronto Mr. Krikor Postadjian. In attendance were the Prelate of Canada and the pontifical delegation.
On Thursday, June 15th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received Mike Kharabian, the chair of the Central Committee of the Armenian Democratic Party, in Toronto. Kharabian briefed His Holiness on his latest meetings in Armenia, and they discussed topics pertaining to the current situation of Armenia-Artsakh-diaspora relations. His Holiness, in turn, stressed…
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and as per the invitation of the His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, V. Rev. Fr. Stepanos Pashayan and V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjaian participated in the Holy Etchmiadzin Brotherhood conference, in Armenia. The conference, entitled “Holy Etchmiadzin as a Mission,” was also attended by representatives…
On Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by the pontifical delegation and representatives of various Armenian organizations in Toronto, visited the A.R.S. Roubina Nursery, Babayan Kindergarten, Kololian Elementary School, and Lapoyan High School. The principal of the A.R.S. Armenian School welcomed the Catholicos on behalf of the teachers and students,…
On Monday, June 12th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I met with the ARF “Soghomon Tehlirian Chapter” Committee at the Armenian Community Center of Toronto. The meeting was attended by the Prelate of Canada HE Arch. Papken Tcharian, the ARF Central Committee of Toronto, the pastors of St. Mary Church, and representatives from the…
An artistic celebration in honor of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was held at the Armenian Youth Center of Hamazkayin Canada in participation of St. Mary Church “Zareh Aznavorian” and “Meghrig Parikian” church choirs, “Hye Asdgher” children’s choir of the Hamazkayin “Kelatsor” Chapter, “Kousan” choir, and “Yerepouni” dance troop. The ceremony concluded with…
On Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I gave a lecture on St. Nerses the Gracious, whose 850th commemoration coincides this year, at the Trinity College Chapel. The lecture was hosted by the director of the Orthodox Christian Studies at the Faculty of Divinity of Trinity College, University of Toronto, V. Rev.…
On Saturday, June 10th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I held a meeting with representatives from the Armenian organizations in Ontario, at St. Mary Church, within the framework of revitalization and reorganization of the diaspora following the 2023 declaration of the Catholicos as the Year of the Armenian Diaspora II.
An official banquet was held in honor of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I at the Armenian Community Centre of Toronto on June 10th, 2023. The event was attended by HE Arch. Papken Tcharian, Prelate of Canada, HG Bp. Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the USA, Mr. Krikor Mahseredjian, co-chair of the…
On Friday evening, June 9th, 2023, an official banquet was organized in honor of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I HE Arch. Papken Tcharian—Prelate of Canada—HG Bp. Torkom Donoyan—Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the USA—Mr. Krikor Mahseredjian—co-Chair of the Central Council of the Catholicosate—Mr. Mher Karakashian—Chair of the ARF Central Committee in Canada—Ms. Dzovig…
On June 11th, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered his message at St. Maty Church in Toronto and was assisted by HE Arch. Papken Tcharian and HG Bp. Torkom Donoyan. As June 10 marked the Feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s deliverance from the pit [khor virab], His Holiness…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I visited the Armenian community in Cambridge on Friday evening, June 9, 2023, and delivered his pontifical address at St. Nshan Church. The Prelate of Canada HE Arch. Papken Tcharian and the Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the USA HG Bp. Torkom Donoyan accompanied His Holiness, as the pontifical procession—consisting…
On Thursday morning, June 8th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by his pontifical delegation consisting of the Prelate of Canada, Prelate of the Western Prelacy in the USA, Co-chair of the Central Council of the Holy See of Cilicia and Dean of the Armenian Theological Seminary, led by Canadian police procession, visited the…
On Wednesday evening, June 7th, 2023, the pontifical procession consisting of clergy, the Homenetmen Toronto band, scouts, and the ARF Canada youth chapter, arrived at St. Mary Church. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I entered the church with the Hrashapar hymn, accompanied by the Prelate of Canada H.E. Arch. Papken Tcharian and the Prelate of…
On Tuesday, June 6th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and his pontifical delegation visited the Lebanese Embassy in Canada and were warmly welcomed by Ambassador Fadi Ziadeh and the embassy’s staff. They discussed topics related to the Lebanese internal affairs and the economic crisis.
With the invitation of the Armenian Ambassador to Canada, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and his pontifical delegation visited the Armenian Embassy in Canada and were warmly received by Ambassador Anahid Harutyunyan and the staff, on June 6th. During the meeting, His Holiness underlined that a difference in approaches to subjects should not be…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I met with the Right Honorable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, in Ottawa on the afternoon of June 6, 2023. The meeting, attended by Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Mélanie Joly, H.E. Arch. Papken Tcharian, Prelate of Armenian Prelacy of Canada, Mr. Hagop Der Khatchadourian, President of ANC-International,…
Within the framework of his pontifical visit to Canada, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I met with representatives from Armenian organizations in Montreal at the Pastrmadjian Hall of Sourp Hagop Armenian School. The main agenda of His Holiness’ pontifical visits is reorganizing and revitalizing the Armenian diaspora as underlined in the Catholicos’ 2023 declaration. …
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and his pontifical delegation were warmly received by the Consul General of Lebanon to Canada Mr. Antoine Eid, at the General Consulate, on June 5th, 2023. The delegation consisted of Prelate HE Arch. Papken Tcharian, V. Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Quebec Mr. L. Afeyan, the…
An official banquet was organized in honor of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I at Plaza Volare in Montreal, on the evening of June 4, 2023. In attendance were the Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of the Eastern USA, the Armenian Ambassador to Canada, the Honorary Consul of Armenia in Quebec, the co-Chair of the…
On Saturday evening, June 3rd, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy celebrated at Bon Pasteur Catholic Church in Laval by H.E. Arch. Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the USA. H.E. Arch. Papken Tcharian, Prelate of Canada, and V. Rev. Fr. Keghart Kusbekian, chair of the Religious…
On Friday evening, June 2nd, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I led the procession consisting of clergy, headed by Homenetmen Laval band and scouts to Sourp Kevork Church in Laval. With the Hrashapar hymn, His Holiness entered the Church, where Canonical prayer was held. In attendance were members of the Central Council of the…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received Mr. Hagop Der Khatchadourian—chair of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau, Mr. Raffi Donabedian—member of the ARF Bureau, Mr. Mher Karakashian—chair of the Central Committee, and members of the said committee: Mr. Saro Der Bedrosian, Ms. Maral Nazarian, and Mr. Hovig Tufenkjian. In attendance at this meeting were…
On Friday afternoon, June 2nd, 2023, Prelate of Canada H.E. Arch. Papken Tcharian and the Executive Council of the prelacy held a meeting. In attendance were Mr. Krikor Mahseredjian, co-chair of the Central Council of the Holy See of Cilicia, and Dr. Jirayr Basmadjian, member of the said Council. During the meeting, they discussed…
On Friday morning, June 2nd, 2023, the pontifical delegation accompanied by community heads and members, headed by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, visited the Aram and Berdjuhi Markarian Nursery, ARS kindergarten, Sarafian Elementary, and Pastermadjian Secondary schools. The principal of the Sourp Hagop Armenian School Ms. Lory Abrakian delivered the welcoming remarks. Subsequently, the…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s pontifical visit to Canada proceeded on Thursday evening, June 1st, 2023, with His Holiness and the pontifical delegation visiting Sourp Hagop Church. The pontifical procession consisted of clergy, acolytes, the Homenetmen GAMK band, and scouts. The Hrashapar hymn was sung as His Holiness and his entourage entered the Church,…
On May 31st, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by V. Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian and the co-chair of the Central Council of the Catholicosate Mr. Kirkor Mahseredjian, arrived in Canada for a pontifical visit. His Holiness was officially received at the airport by the Prelate of Canada H.E. Arch. Papken Tcharian, H.E.…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I is continuing his pontifical visits within the framework of declaring 2023 the Year of the Armenian Diaspora. On this account, he departed for Canada on May 31st, accompanied by V. Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian and the co-chair of the Central Council of the Catholicosate Mr. Krikor Mahseredjian. During his…
A symposium dedicated to the 850th anniversary of the passing of St. Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali) was held on May 26th, under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, and organized by the Cilicia library. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I addressed the closing session and summarized the legacy of St. Nerses in three…
On Monday evening, May 29th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I held a phone conversation with HE Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, from Geneva, to address the recent distress raised over the infamous lease of the Jerusalem Armenian Quarter “Goverou Bardez” (“Cow’s Garden”). His Holiness brought to the Patriarch’s attention the concerns expressed by the…
The Holy See of Cilicia, along with the prelacies as well as the community leadership and affiliated structures throughout the world, expresses its full agreement with the statement issued by the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, rejecting any approach that would consider the Republic of Artsakh as an integral part of the territory…
Presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, four young seminarians: Vartan Asayan, Vahe Filikian, Hrag Tashjian, and Tro Guleserian, were ordained as deacons during the Sunday Divine Liturgy on, May 21st, 2023, celebrated by the Prelate of Armenian Church in Greece H.E. Arch. Kegham Katcherian. The sponsor priest V. Rev. Fr. Avedik Der Garabedian…
On Friday, May 19th, the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Sanitorium of Azounieh visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and gave a detailed report on their work and upcoming program for which His Holiness commended their efforts, especially during the current economic situation in Lebanon. It is noteworthy to mention that 2023 marks…
On Wednesday, May 17th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received subsequently Dr. Farid El Khazen—the Lebanese Ambassador to the Vatican—and Dr. Simon Karam—the former Lebanese Ambassador to the USA. His Holiness and his visitors discussed issues pertaining to the socioeconomic crisis and the Lebanese presidential election.
Archbishop Paul Sayah—the representative of Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai—visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on Tuesday, May 16th, 2023, to brief on the updates of the consultations taking place in Bkerki regarding the delayed Lebanese presidential election.
In honor of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the Executive Committee of the Armenian Prelacy in Kuwait organized a formal dinner, on Saturday, May 13th, that brought together the Kuwaiti Armenians around the Catholicos to conclude the five-day pontifical visit with a lovely evening. Heads of Christian communities in Kuwait, ambassadors, official guests, Kuwaiti Armenians,…
During his Pontifical visit to Kuwait, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the former Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Mobarak Al-Sabah had an amicable meeting. In attendance were V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manouelian, Pontifical Vicar in Kuwait, the Lebanese Ambassador to Kuwait, representatives from the Executive Council of the Prelacy, and…
On the occasion of the 850th commemoration of the passing of St. Nerses Shnorhali (the Gracious), the newly renovated hall of St. Vartanants church in Kuwait was named after the saint. The official opening ceremony of the hall was conducted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Thursday evening, May 11th, 2023. Pontifical Vicar…
With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, 4 seminarians were ordained as subdeacons, and 10 others as acolytes with an ordination ceremony conducted during the Divine Liturgy by H.E. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, on Sunday, May 14th, 2023, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias. Rev. Fr. Azad Filikian served as the sponsoring…
On Saturday, May 13th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the pontifical delegation visited the Vatican Embassy, where they were warmly received by Archbishop Eugene Nugent, Apostolic nuncio to Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. During their meeting, they discussed issues concerning the region, as well as the Christian communities of the region.
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I met with over 80 young Kuwaiti Armenians on Friday evening, May 12th, within the framework of his pontifical visit to Kuwait, to listen to their concerns, share his thoughts on the role of youth in the revitalization process of the Armenian Diaspora and reiterate his support for active youth involvement in the decision-making…
On Friday morning, May 12th, 2023, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated, presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Kuwait, where the Catholicos addressed the faithful, including ambassadors, and officials, with his pontifical speech. His Holiness expressed his immense joy in visiting Kuwait and meeting with the Armenian community,…
Within the framework of the activities related to the Year of the Armenian Diaspora II, on Thursday evening, May 11th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I met with the Kuwaiti Armenian community organizations at St. Nerses Shnorhali atrium, conveyed his guidance and recommendations, and listened to their future plans, suggestions, and worries.
On day three of his pontifical visit to Kuwait, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and his pontifical delegation visited the Armenian Embassy in Kuwait, where he was received by His Excellency Sarmen Baghdasarian. They discussed topics pertaining to Kuwait-Armenia developing relations and the role of the Kuwaiti Armenian Community in them.
On Thursday, May 11th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by the pontifical delegation, visited the Armenian school of Kuwait and the Arekag Kindergarten, where he was warmly received by the principals, administration, Board of Trustees, teachers, and students. In honor of His Holiness’ visit, the Kuwaiti Armenian school students welcomed the Catholicos…
On Wednesday morning, May 10th, 2023, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kuwait His Excellency Mohammad Irani, accompanied by his Political Advisor, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I in the Armenian Prelacy in Kuwait. In attendance was V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manouelian, Pontifical Vicar. The Ambassador, having previously served in Lebanon,…
On Wednesday, May 10th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and his delegation visited the Lebanese embassy in Kuwait, where they were warmly greeted by the Ambassador His Excellency Ahmad Arafay. On the occasion of the pontifical visit, at the invitation of the Lebanese Ambassador, a dinner was hosted at the embassy, where high-ranking guests, representatives of the Lebanese…
On Tuesday evening, May 9th, 2023, an ecumenical thanksgiving service was conducted in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Kuwait (church), presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, and organized by heads of churches in Kuwait. Present were heads and faithful from Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Coptic Orthodox, Coptic Catholic, Evangelical, Latin, Maronite, and Armenian…
On Monday, May 8th, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received HG Bishop Magar Ashkrian, prelate of Peria (Syria), in Antelias. Bishop Magar briefed His Holiness on the activities carried out by the prelacy, especially regarding the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. In turn, His Holiness expressed his commendation to the efforts of the Executive Committee…
On Tuesday morning, May 9th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I arrived in Kuwait on a pontifical visit and was officially received by the Pontifical Vicar in Kuwait V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manouelian, the Ambassador of Lebanon to Kuwait His Excellency Ahmad Arafay, the Ambassador of Armenia to Kuwait His Excellency Sarmen Baghdasarian, the Apostolic…
As part of his pontifical visits of 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s next stop is the Armenian Prelacy of Kuwait where he will be staying from May 9th to 14th, 2023, accompanied by V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian— staff bearer, and Stepan Der Bedrossian—co-chair of the Lay Council of the Central Committee of the…
On May 7th, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Lebanese ambassador to the Vatican, Dr. Farid el-Khazen. They discussed Lebanon-Vatican relations and the current situation in Lebanon, especially regarding the delayed presidential election.
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Paolo Borgia visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, and extended a letter to from Pope Francis to His Holiness. They also discussed issues concerning Lebanon and the delayed presidential election during the meeting.
On Friday, May 5th, 2023, the newly appointed Canadian ambassador to Lebanon H.E. Stefanie McCollum visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, at the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia. Krikor Mahseredjian—Co-chair of the Central Council of the Catholicosate—and the ambassador’s political advisor were present at the meeting. Since this was the ambassador’s first…
On Wednesday evening, May 3rd, 2023, a consultation meeting on the Lebanese presidential election was held in Bkerke between Catholicos Aram I and Maronite Patriarch Rai. In attendance was MP Hagop Pakradouni. Note that prior to this meeting, the representative of the Lebanese Forces visited His Holiness Aram I to consult on the issue…
Under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and organized by the Cilicia Museum, the 850th anniversary of the passing of St. Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali) will be commemorated in Antelias with a sacred concert and a symposium on May 25th and 26th respectively. The Shnorhali choir of the Catholicosate, named after the…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over consultation sessions, an initiative of the Khatchig Babiguian Publication Fund committee, dedicated to the centennial of the Treaty of Lausanne, on April 22 to 24, at the Cilicia Museum in Antelias. The consultations aim to shed light on the legal avenues that do not render the historical…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I appointed V. Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian as chancellor of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Fr. Dajad has served in numerous capacities within the Holy See of Cilicia, including as pastor in Fresno and director of the Birds’ Nest Orphanage. Note that the former chancellor was Mr. Khatchig Dedeyan, who…
On behalf of the Armenian Church, Catholicosate of Cilicia, V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian—Director of the Middle East section of the Ecumenical Department, and V. Rev. Fr. Arakel Kadehjian participated in the 50th-anniversary ceremony of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon and the launching of a special publication dedicated to the occasion, on March…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I celebrated the Easter Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, April 9th, 2023, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, and addressed the faithful with his Easter message. He exhorted the faithful to live in the faith of the miraculous Resurrection of our Lord Jesus…
On Easter Eve, April 8th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Easter Vigil (Jrakaluyts) service conducted during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by V. Rev. Fr. Sdepanos Pashayan, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral. At the end of the service, the grand sacristan lit a candle from the altar and handed it over…
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Burial Vespers on Good Friday, April 7th, 2023, and delivered his sermon holding the Relic of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ. In his homily, the Catholicos focused on Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and stated that with His death, Jesus triumphed over death. The Son…
On Maundy Thursday, April 6th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over and conducted the Washing of the Feet Service, and delivered his message at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. In his sermon, the Catholicos highlighted the service of love and emphasized the importance of love in Christianity stating that love…
On April 4th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the newly-formed committee of the Youth Department of the Holy See of Cilicia, headed by their spiritual advisor V. Rev. Fr. Zaven Najarian. They presented their forthcoming projects, including three regional youth conferences. The Youth Department was established in 2004 by His Holiness Aram…
Representatives from the three Armenian political parties, which were established more than a century ago to fight for the rights of the Armenian people in their homeland against the atrocities of the Ottoman Empire and which still function in the Armenian diaspora and Armenia: the Social Democrat Hunchag Party; the Armenian Revolutionary Federation; and the Armenian Democratic…
On Holy Tuesday, the Church commemorates the Parable of the Ten Maidens. Ten girls from the Catholicosate’s Sunday school were present in front of the Altar during the Vespers service as the ten Maidens from the parable. Prayers and hymns on the theme were recited, reminding the faithful to be prepared for the Day…
The Palm Sunday draws hundreds of faithful to St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias to celebrate this special feast, listen to His Holiness’s message and receive his pontifical blessings. Furthermore, it is a unique opportunity for children to have their pictures taken with the Catholicos, who also offers them an easter basket prepared by…
On the evening of Palm Sunday, the Opening of the Portals ceremony took place at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, presided by His Holiness Aram I. H.E. Arch. Gomidas conducted the ceremony, which symbolizes the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the opening of the door of Salvation. Arch. Gomidas delivered the sermon…
Over sixty ecumenical officers from the members churches and communions of the World Council of Churches (WCC) convened online from 21-23 March 2023. They aimed to strengthen the engagement of member churches in the life and work of the WCC, share insights from their respective regional and contextual experience, as well as contribute to WCC…
His Holiness Aram I received Simon Karam, Lebanon’s former ambassador to the USA. The main purpose of the visit was to discuss the recent developments of the delayed Lebanese presidential election.
On Thursday, March 30th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the Executive Board of Project Watan consisting of Board President MP Neemat Frem, and members Dr. Habib Malek, Hassan Al-Husseini, Dr. Asaad Eid, Antoine Kalaydjian, Eddy Khalaf Esq., Antoine Kalaydjian, and Tanie Tabet. Project Watan is an initiative aimed at building a country…
On Tuesday, March 28th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received MP Gebran Bassil, the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, accompanied by two MPs from FPM, to discuss the delayed Lebanese presidential election. MP Hagop Pakradouni, head of the Armenian parliamentary bloc, was also in attendance.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Armenian Church University Students Association ACUSA. 60 years ago, a group of Lebanese Armenian university students, led by His Holiness Karekin I Sarkissian, gathered under the roof of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and organized themselves around the values of the Armenian church and culture,…
With the blessing of His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, I had the privilege to participate in KAICIID (The International Dialogue Centre) Fellows Institutional Network Launch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 17-18 March 2023. This was my first time participating in a KAICIID event and I had no expectations. My…
