Catholicos Marthoma Mathews III Visits Holy Resurrection Armenian Cathedral in Sydney, Affirming ‘Sister Church’ Ties

OCP News Service – 24/11/2025

SYDNEY – AUSTRALIA: A powerful display of unity within the Oriental Orthodox communion took place today as His Holiness Catholicos – Moopan Marthoma Mathews III of the Malankara Orthodox Church, was officially received at the Holy Resurrection Armenian Cathedral in Sydney.

His Holiness, currently undertaking his first Apostolic Visit to the newly formed Diocese of Asia Pacific, was warmly welcomed by His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand.

In a formal ceremony, the Catholicos was led into the Cathedral by Bishop Vardan, accompanied by esteemed clergy and several hundred faithful of the Armenian Church, underscoring the spiritual significance of the meeting.

A Message of Sisterhood

During the visit, Catholicos Mathews III offered his profound gratitude to Bishop Vardan and delivered a message emphasizing the deep, historic ties between their two churches. His Holiness affirmed that both the Malankara Orthodox Church and the Armenian Orthodox Church share “one faith” and are “sister churches” within the Oriental Orthodox communion, a group of churches that maintain Christological fidelity to the teachings of the first three Ecumenical Councils.

Following the spiritual formalities, the historic meeting concluded with a banquet hosted by His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan and the Holy Resurrection cathedral community in honor of His Holiness the Catholicos of the East.

Sources: The Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand and OCP News Service