LOS ANGELES WELCOMES CATHOLICOS ARAM I
The Western Prelacy marked the 30th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I with a community celebration at the Alex Theatre in Glendale on Sunday, October 26. The program—developed and sponsored by the Mher and Satik Der Ohannessian Foundation—brought together clergy, lay leaders, and faithful for an artistic tribute concluding the first days of the Catholicos’s Pontifical Visit. On the same day, His Holiness addressed the Armenian community of Los Angeles while presiding the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Martyrs Church of Encino with a message centered on the call to “Faith, Faithfulness, and Unity,” urging these to be the guiding principles of communal life.
His Holiness arrived in Los Angeles from Toronto on Wednesday, October 22, accompanied by his delegation. At the airport, he was received by Archbishop Kegham; Central Executive Board Co-Chairs Krikor Mahseredjian and Stepan Der Bedrossian; Board members Gaydzag Zeitlian, Hrach Hagopian, and Rosdom Aintablian; the Chair of the Prelacy’s Executive Council, Vahe Hovaguimian, and its members; sister organizations, and clergy, including Their Eminences Archbishop Moushegh, Archbishop Torkom Donoyan, and His Grace Bishop Dajad Ashekian. His Holiness conveyed his joy at returning to Los Angeles after ten years and noted that during his ten-day visit he will meet with community members and leaders to gain a closer understanding of their achievements, aspirations, and plans. He then paid his first visit to St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church in Hollywood, where a large crowd of parishioners, alongside representatives of the Central Executive Board, the Prelacy’s Executive Council, clergy, and communal institutions, gathered to welcome the Pontiff. Following a special church ceremony, His Eminence Archbishop Kegham, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, warmly greeted the Catholicos, underscoring that his visit is a blessing and a source of spiritual renewal for the faithful—especially meaningful as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of his ascension to the Holy See of Cilicia.
The New York–area community is preparing to welcome the Catholicos. On Thursday, November 13, a concert at Carnegie Hall featuring soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian will launch His Holiness’s visit to New York, where a series of events is scheduled in honor of the 30th anniversary of his enthronization.