ARCHBISHOP ANOUSHAVAN HOSTS NORTH AMERICA PRELATES MEETING

On Wednesday, September 11, Their Eminences Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy; Archbishop Kegham, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, and Archbishop Papken, Prelate of the Canadian Prelacy, convened a meeting in the offices of the Eastern Prelacy in New York. 

On this opportunity, Archbishops Anoushavan and Papken congratulated Archbishop Kegham on his election as Prelate of the Western Prelacy and wished him success in his mission. 

The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the further development of ecclesiastical, religious, and spiritual works of the three Prelacies, as well as the general challenges faced by Armenians. 

After the opening prayer and a service dedicated to the memory of the victims of September 11, 2001, the Holy Fathers spoke with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I by videoconference. His Holiness highly appreciated the zeal shown by the Prelates regarding the cooperation of the Holy See and the Prelacy. He noted that the strengthening of parishes in each Prelacy and the involvement of human resources to the maximum extent should be the focus of the collective effort. His Holiness wished success to the Prelates in their endeavors. 

Following the conversation with the Catholicos, the Prelates decided to:

1. Further develop the program of planning and organizing human resources.
2. Revise the Guidelines for the clergy, which cover various aspects of ritual, counseling, disciplinary and social life.
3. Exchange and use educational and publishing programs of the respective Prelacies.
4. Encourage the adoption and dissemination of the social platform “Miasin,” developed by a French-Armenian expert.
5. Organize special programs and events for the 1700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
6. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I with special events in 2025.
7. Continue supporting Lebanese and Syrian Armenian schools.

With the execution of these decisions, the Prelates hope to enhance the mission of the Church in Armenian life for the glory of God. 

The three Prelates decided to continue convening these meetings regularly. 

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Following the meeting, the Prelates participated in the ceremony dedicated to the memory of the innocent victims of the terrorist act of September 11 at the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church and Shrine in New York. 

High-ranking clergymen, military personnel, and family members were present. The Prelates expressed their gratitude to Metropolitan Elpidophoros of the Orthodox Church of North America, which organized the memorial ceremony. 

On this occasion, His Eminence Archbishop Kegham presented the recent Greek edition of “The Armenian Church” by Catholicos Aram I to Metropolitan Elpidophoros, approved by an official decree of the Holy Synod of Greece. The unprecedented decision of the Holy Synod to publish the book is a proof of its exceptional appreciation towards His Holiness and his tireless work in the ecumenical field.