EASTERN PRELACY FINALIZES PLANS FOR OCTOBER PONTIFICAL VISIT
The Eastern Prelacy announced on Thursday, June 15, that it is finalizing the plans to welcome Catholicos Aram I in October, as His Holiness wrapped up today his pontifical visit to Canada, which also included a stop at St. Hagop Church in Niagara Falls, NY.
In New York, the Prelacy released the itinerary of the pontifical visit of Catholicos Aram I to the Eastern United States, which will include all parishes from Washington D.C. to Wisconsin:
October 20-24: Watertown, MA
October 24-25: Worcester, MA
October 25-26: Indian Orchard, MA
October 26-27: Troy, NY
October 27: New Britain, CT
October 28-31: Providence, RI
October 31: Whitinsville, MA
November 1: North Andover, MA
November 2-3: Granite City, IL
November 3-5: Glenview, IL
November 6: Waukegan, IL
November 6: Racine, WI
November 7-8: Detroit, MI
November 8-14: Washington, D.C.
November 14-15: Philadelphia, PA
November 15-17: Ridgefield, NJ
November 17-21: New York City
Catholicos welcomed by Niagara Falls community
As we reported last week, on June 8, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I made a scheduled detour to visit the Armenian community of Niagara Falls, NY, during his pontifical visit to Canada, which ends today. As the choir and clergy sang the customary liturgical hymn “Hrashapar,” His Holiness entered St. Hagop Church to a warm welcome by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, and the parishioners. A reception to honor His Holiness was held afterwards at the parish hall. 
Prior to the ceremony at St. Hagop, the Catholicos visited the Niagara Falls cemetery and prayed for the souls of the Armenian faithful buried there. He was accompanied by Archbishop Anoushavan, Archbishop Papken, Prelate of Canada, and Bishop Torkom, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, Dean of the Theological Seminary and staff-bearer, as well as Krikor Mahserejian, co-chairman of the Central Executive Council of the Holy See.
