CATHOLICOS ARAM I: RESURRECTION IS A TESTIMONY TO RESILIENCE

In a letter addressed to Archbishop Anoushavan on occasion of Easter, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I drew a parallel between the resurrection of Jesus, which a majority of the Christian world observes this Sunday, and the endurance of the church against the threats throughout history.  

The church, he said, “became a source of spiritual and intellectual creation, a salvation lifeboat for peoples that were on the verge of death, a powerful shield for nations that are waging liberation struggles, and it became a guarantee of man’s resurrection.”  

Easter invites Armenians “to renew a faith that has been cemented with the victory of resurrection, especially in the present period of our history, which is filled with alarming troubles.” 

In the message to the Prelate, the Catholicos also says that the resurrection of Christ is a call for “our church to be the messenger of the victorious resurrection of the Son of God,” conveying this to our people at this time of suffering in our national life. “We are sure that on occasion of the miraculous resurrection of Christ, you will transmit this message to the beloved daughters and sons of our people,” he says.  

The letter to His Eminence quotes verse 15:14 from the First Epistle to the Corinthians: “and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain and your faith is in vain.” Christian life is anchored in the resurrection of Christ and so is the testimony and greatness of the church devoted to realizing that mission among the people, His Holiness said.