As the Pontifical Visit progresses through the Eastern Prelacy parishes, His Holiness Catholicos Aram undertook ecumenical dialogue and engaged with the community in a week marked by cultural highlights. From closing the 50th anniversary of the International Commission for Anglican–Orthodox Theological Dialogue to meeting the Armenian Prelates of North America and blessing a memorial for the Armenian Genocide in Massachusetts, the Catholicos’ visit has energized local Armenian communities and highlighted the importance of unity and cultural preservation.
On Thursday, October 10, Catholicos Aram I held a meeting in Boston with the three Armenian Prelates of North America —Archbishop Anoushavan of the Eastern Prelacy; Archbishop Kegham, of the Western Prelacy, and Archbishop Papken of the Canadian Prelacy. Their discussions centered on supporting Armenian schools in Syria and Lebanon, celebrating the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Catholicos’ enthronement, and enhancing cooperation between the Prelacies in education and liturgical matters.
His Holiness commended the Prelates for their efforts in serving the Armenian Diaspora’s spiritual and educational needs, stressing the importance of strengthening ties among the Prelacies. The meeting reaffirmed his commitment to fostering collaboration across the Armenian communities of North America.
His Holiness was welcomed at St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown by Very Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian, Pastor; Board of Trustees members, and community leaders. After the Hrashapar ceremony, Archbishop Anoushavan welcomed His Holiness, who addressed the faithful and noted that the Catholicosate has always been present in the life of our people, including the Armenian community of Greater Boston. Antelias is not just a place, but service and mission, stated His Holiness, who later referred to the line in the Lord’s Prayer, “Your kingdom come.” The Catholicos focused on the idea of eternal kingdom and said that Christ put in contact heaven with earth with his humanity, bringing the heaven’s kingdom to the earth and conceded to human beings the grace of becoming part of the kingdom of Heaven. In reference to the hardship and crises confronted by the world today, the Catholicos compared the secular kingdoms and God’s Kingdom, saying that in the secular kingdoms there are disgraces, injustice, and sin, whilst the Kingdom of God has sainthood, happiness, love, and justice.
Afterwards, the Catholicos was honored as a guest at the closing session of the International Commission for Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston. Invited by Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Catholicos marked, along with the other participants, the commission’s 50th anniversary.
The Catholicos’ presence and participation in the plenary meeting were seen as a testament to his long-standing commitment to fostering Christian unity. Archbishop Elpidophoros expressed his admiration for His Holiness, recalling how the Catholicos had been an inspiring figure in ecumenical movements, particularly during his moderatorship of the World Council of Churches (WCC). “You make all Orthodox proud,” Archbishop Elpidophoros remarked.
Addressing the gathered members of the commission, Catholicos Aram I emphasized the critical role of ecumenism in Christian life today. “The Church cannot be Church without some form of ecumenical engagement,” he said. He also noted the increasing challenges facing the ecumenical movement but called for continued theological dialogue with fresh approaches.
Visits and Meetings
On Thursday, October 10, and Saturday, October 12, His Holiness Aram I visited St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School and St. Stephen’s Armenian Saturday School in Watertown respectively, where he enjoyed a warm reception by principals, faculty, and student body and was appraised about the activities and the prospects of both schools. The Catholicos was deeply appreciative of the work at the schools and underscored the importance of Armenian schools as source of Armenian and Christian identity, thus becoming the guarantee for the future. The students presented an artistic program to His Holiness and the guest, followed by questions posed to the Catholicos.
Catholicos Aram I also met with representatives of Armenian institutions at St. Stephen’s Church. He received necessary information, evaluated the work being done, and highlighted the need for cooperation in community life.
His Holiness also visited the offices of Hairenik newspaper, where the archives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation are preserved. On this opportunity, he met with the central committee of the ARF. During the meeting, they discussed issues related to Armenia, the diaspora, and specifically the Eastern region of the United States.
On Friday, October 11, His Holiness visited the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) and the Armenian Museum of America. At NAASR, Catholicos Aram I met with the director, Silva Sedrakian, who detailed the institution’s upcoming projects and its mission to preserve Armenian heritage. The Catholicos expressed his admiration for their work and emphasized the importance of collaboration between NAASR and the Catholicosate’s library.
The Catholicos also visited the Armenian Museum of America, where President Michele Koligian and members of the Board of Trustees welcomed him. They provided a brief overview of the museum and its mission. It should be noted that the museum houses religious and national artifacts from Cilicia, as well as a relic of St. Stephen the Protomartyr. His Holiness expressed his appreciation for the meticulous work of the museum’s administration and extended his best wishes for the success of their ongoing and future projects.
Later, the Catholicos visited the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where he offered prayers and blessings to the elderly residents. A poignant moment occurred when His Holiness met Marie Vartanian, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, and gave her a personal blessing. He commended the center’s staff for their dedication to the Armenian elderly.
Honoring the Genocide Martyrs
On Friday, October 11, in the afternoon, the Catholicos presided over a commemoration ceremony at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Khachkar in Lowell, Massachusetts. Surrounded by local officials and community members, His Holiness blessed the memorial, which stands as a testament to the resilience of the Armenian people. Lowell’s mayor Patrick Murphy presented the Catholicos with the key to the city in a symbolic gesture of appreciation. Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, the sculptor who created the memorial, was also in attendance.
In his address, the Catholicos reflected on the importance of memory for the Armenian people. “To remember is to remain connected to our roots and history,” he said. “The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the 20th century.” Despite the tragedy, he added, the Armenian people had rebuilt their lives on these shores. The memorial would serve as a reminder to future generations of the ongoing struggle for justice, the Catholicos concluded.
Later that evening, His Holiness visited St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in North Andover, where he was warmly received by parishioners and clergy. Archbishop Anoushavan welcomed the Catholicos’s visit, noting that his presence would inspire spiritual renewal within the community. His Holiness emphasized the unity of the Church and its role as “the symbolic body of Christ.” A reception followed the service, during which local children performed traditional Armenian songs and dances.
Engaging with Youth
On Saturday, October 12, the Catholicos met with Armenian youth at St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown, where he encouraged them to take an active role in community and church life. In a candid dialogue with the youth, he answered questions about Armenian identity, the challenges of life in the Diaspora, and the role of faith in modern life. He urged them to become more involved, saying, “The place of our youth is not on the margins of our communities but at the center.”
In the evening, a special event was held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library in Lexington, Massachusetts, bringing the community together. The concert featured performances of Komitas’ pieces arranged by Sarkis Aslamazyan and the powerful finale of Kapriel Yeranian’s “Giligia,” the highlight of the evening, which moved many in the public to sing along as a tribute to the Holy See of Cilicia. Thanks to the generous support of the community, this music was brought to life by musicians from the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian, with Sargis Karapetyan as the solo violinist. In a message afterwards, His Holiness expressed his deep appreciation for the musicians and organizers. 
Meeting with Afeyan
On Sunday, October 13, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I delivered a heartfelt message to the Armenian community of Boston at St. Stephen’s Church during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The Liturgy was presided over by Archbishop Kegham, Prelate of the Western Prelacy. A large crowd of faithful gathered from Boston and surrounding areas to receive the Catholicos’s blessing and listen to his spiritual message.
Catholicos Aram I began by expressing his deep appreciation for Archbishop Anoushavan and the clergy, as well as the members of the church’s organizations for their dedicated service. He highlighted the essential role of both the church and clergy in serving the spiritual needs of the community. His Holiness also paid special tribute to Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian for his fifty years of service to the Church, recognizing his lifelong dedication to inspiring generations of Armenians.
During the banquet that followed the Liturgy, the Catholicos emphasized the need for the Armenian diaspora to reorganize, particularly in the face of rapid global changes. He outlined his vision for strengthening Armenian identity, restructuring communities, fostering Armenia-Diaspora relations, and increasing youth participation.
The event also featured a brief cultural program presented by students from the church’s Sunday school, following which the Catholicos awarded entrepreneur and scientist Nubar Afeyan, founder of the biotechnology company Moderna, and his wife Anna the medals of Cilician Prince and Princess for his contributions to the Armenian nation.
Following the banquet, Catholicos Aram I was visited in his hotel by Afeyan to discuss further cooperation. In his conversation with His Holiness, Afeyan offered to support the Diaspora revitalization program promoted by the Holy See.