MIDWEST PARISHES WELCOME CATHOLICOS IN FINAL LEG OF PONTIFICAL VISIT
As part of the Pontifical Visit to the Eastern Prelacy Parishes of New England and the Midwest, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was welcomed by Armenian communities across Illinois and Wisconsin, emphasizing unity, faith, and the preservation of Armenian cultural identity during meetings with clergy, community members, and youth.
On Thursday, October 17, Aram I visited St. Hagop Church in Racine, Wisconsin. He was greeted by parishioners, local clergy, and church leadership. The Catholicos was accompanied by Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate; Archbishop Papken, Prelate of Canada, and several other officials from the Eastern Diocese. After the Hrashapar ceremony, Archbishop Anoushavan welcomed the Catholicos and expressed hopes for spiritual renewal within the community.
His Holiness chose Psalm 122:1 as the theme for his message, stressing that the church is God’s house and that those who gather there are called to live by shared values. He emphasized the importance of remaining faithful to the teachings of the Bible and preserving spiritual and national identity. Following the blessing ceremony, the parish hosted a reception, where Sunday school students performed traditional Armenian songs. John Buchaklian, chair of the Board of Trustees; Aram Sarafian, chair of the Executive Council of the Prelacy, and Archbishop Anoushavan also addressed the gathering.
The following day, on Friday, October 18, the Catholicos attended a luncheon hosted by Oscar Tatosian, the Honorary Consul of Armenia in Chicago. The event included notable guests, clergy, and community leaders, including Berj Apkarian, the Honorary Consul in Fresno. The speakers, including Rev. Fr. Samuel Ajemian, Pastor of All Saints Church in Glenview (Illinois), and Tatosian, focused on the Catholicos’ pastoral mission and the importance of supporting the work of the Holy See Seminary in training clergy. A short film on the Seminary’s activities was presented. The Catholicos spoke about preserving Armenian identity and values, particularly in the multicultural environment of the United States, and highlighted the Seminary’s mission of preparing clergy to serve the church and nation.
On Saturday, October 19, His Holiness visited the All Saints Church, where he was received with the traditional blessing of bread and salt. Archbishop Anoushavan welcomed the Catholicos on behalf of the Prelacy, depicting the church as a cultural and spiritual stronghold in the Midwest. In his message, the Catholicos focused on the family, describing it as the foundation of a nation’s vitality. He emphasized the role of the church in blessing and uniting families.
Later that evening, the Board of Trustees hosted a formal dinner in the Catholicos’ honor, attended by nearly 200 parishioners, with opening remarks delivered by Taline Artinian. Speakers included Rafi Krikorian, chair of the Board of Trustees; Fr. Samuel, and Archbishop Anoushavan. The Catholicos urged the Armenian community to prioritize unity and active engagement, especially among the youth, in a message that highlighted the key elements essential to revitalizing community life.
In his address, His Holiness underscored that the community is not a static entity, but a dynamic reality where the church holds a central role. He emphasized four core elements — harmony, cooperation, integrity, and accountability — as crucial to strengthening and renewing the community’s life. “The church is not merely a structure,” Aram I said. “It is a transformative mission that must not be confined within the narrow limits of a building but must reach out to the people.”
The Catholicos highlighted the necessity of involving young people in communal life. “I cannot imagine a vibrant community without the presence of its youth,” he noted, urging leaders to encourage greater participation among younger generations.
In the final part of his speech, His Holiness spoke about the importance of educating and nurturing the new generations. He stressed that while knowledge and education are vital, so too are the transmission and preservation of Armenian values, spirit, ideals, dreams, and traditions. “Woe to us if we abandon the elements that shape our identity,” he said, calling on the community to hold fast to the values that connect them to their roots.
His Holiness also met with various community organizations, youth groups, and students of the Taniel Varoujan Armenian School on Saturday as part of his visit. During these meetings, Aram I emphasized the importance of cooperation to reorganize and revitalize the life of the community, stressing that being sister organizations means working as a unified family for the benefit of all.
At All Saints Church, students from the Saturday school presented a special program in honor of the Catholicos’ visit. Following a welcome address by school principal Jacqueline Papazian, the Catholicos engaged with the students, answering their questions.
Later, the Catholicos met with the youth, responding to their inquiries on topics including the Armenian identity, the diaspora, and the role of the church. He highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue with young people and encouraged giving them broader opportunities and responsibilities within the community.
On Sunday, October 20, His Holiness celebrated the Divine Liturgy at All Saints Church in Chicago. His message centered on Christ as the “bread of life,” and he stressed the significance of receiving the Eucharist and adhering to Biblical teachings. After the Liturgy, a khachkar (cross-stone) was blessed in commemoration of the church’s 80th anniversary. The khachkar was donated by benefactors Hon. and Mrs. David and Susan Chitjian Erickson; Mr. and Mrs. Todd and Suzy Bohigian Jarosik, and Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Kathy Stathopoulos Volpi.
The following day, on Monday, October 21, His Holiness visited St. Paul Church in Waukegan, Illinois. It marked the first time a Catholicos visited the town. He was received by Archpriest Fr. Daron Stepanian, Pastor, and the local community, the smallest of the Eastern Prelacy. Following the Hrashapar ceremony, Archbishop Anoushavan reflected on Aram I’s extensive visits to all Armenian communities along the East Coast over the past three weeks. In his message, the Catholicos elaborated on the concept of the church as God’s house and reiterated the importance of preserving Armenian identity, traditions, and values. He concluded his message by stressing that there is only one church: Christ’s church.
After the Catholicos’ address, a dinner was held, where speakers included Fr. Daron, Board of Trustees chair Dr. Alta Mikaelian, and Archbishop Anoushavan. The Catholicos expressed his appreciation for the parishioners’ dedication to the church and Armenian identity.
On Tuesday, October 22, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I concluded his pontifical visit with Detroit (Michigan) as his final destination. On Wednesday, October 23, he visited the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School, where he was warmly received by the principal, administration, faculty, and student body. In honor of His Holiness, the students prepared a brief artistic program, complemented by formal addresses delivered by Principal Sonia Kalfayan and the Head of the Armenian Department, Mr. Sebouh Avedissian.
His Holiness conveyed his commendation for the school’s unwavering commitment to enhancing Armenian values and emphasized the vital role that Armenian schools play in the preservation of cultural heritage. Following this, he participated in a question-and-answer session with secondary students.
Subsequently, His Holiness visited St. John Church, where he was warmly welcomed by Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian. The day was followed by a meeting between His Holiness and representatives from various Armenian organizations.
In the evening, parishioners congregated at St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn for Catholicos Aram I՛s pontifical blessing following the “Hrashapar” ceremony.
In his pontifical message, His Holiness commended the community’s efforts and emphasized that the Church stands as the center of community life, being in essence, the people themselves. Reflecting on the phrase “but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever,” he spoke on the eternal glory of God, explaining that the Kingdom of God was brought into the world with Christ’s incarnation. Through this divine act, Christ opened the doors of the Kingdom to humanity. The events at the end of time represent the final establishment and fulfillment of God’s Kingdom.
After the ceremony, the faithful approached His Holiness to kiss his right hand and receive blessings with “achahampooyr.” A banquet in his honor followed in the church hall.
During the event, an artistic program was presented by youth by different community organizations. Speeches were delivered by Ara Topuzian, chair of the steering committee for the Pontifical Visit; Seta Tchobanian, chair of the Board of Trustees; Sebou Hatsakordzian, chair of the local ARF committee; and Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian, Pastor, delivered speeches.
His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, invited the Catholicos to give his concluding remarks. His Holiness stressed the importance of upholding Armenian values, ideals, and the Church itself. He said, “Today, I received a beautiful gift from you, but the greatest gift you can give me is your unwavering loyalty to our Church, our shared values, and the dreams we hold for our Church and this community.”
The next day, Catholicos Aram I left the United States for Lebanon. Throughout his visit, Aram I emphasized the themes of unity, cooperation, and preserving cultural and spiritual values. His pastoral tour in the U.S. has served to strengthen the ties between the various Armenian communities and their connection to the church and heritage.