Glimpses of His Holiness Aram I Visit to United Sates of America

LEBANESE CONSUL GENERAL HOSTS A LUNCHEON IN HONOR OF HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM I

10/08/2011

LOS ANGELES, ANTELIAS – On the afternoon of Saturday, October 8, 2011 Lebanese acting Consul General Mrs. Madonna Aoun Ghazal and her husband Dr. Joseph Ghazal hosted a luncheon at their residence in honor of H.H. Catholicos Aram I. Joining His Holiness were H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern United States, staff bearer Very Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian, Consul General of Armenia Mr. Grigor Hovhannissian, Prelacy Councils members, and community representatives.

In her welcoming remarks, Mrs. Ghazal asked for the blessings of His Holiness and stated that she shares the enthusiasm of the community on the occasion of the Pontifical Visit. The Prelate conveyed his thanks for the luncheon, and also expressed his wish for peace and stability in Lebanon. In his remarks, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge the Honorable Judge James Kaddo affirmed that the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness is a great source of inspiration for the Lebanese-Armenian community of Los Angeles.

After expressing thanks for the reception, His Holiness delivered his message. The Pontiff emphasized the importance of safeguarding Lebanon’s sovereignty and the commitment of the Armenian community in this regard. His Holiness also stated that the local Lebanese-Armenian community feels a strong bond with Lebanon and is committed to the nation’s safety, stability, and splendor.

At the conclusion of the luncheon His Holiness presented Mrs. Ghazal with a memento.

HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM I VISITS THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MARTYRS MONUMENT IN MONTEBELLO

10/08/2011

LOS ANGELES, ANTELIAS – On the morning of Saturday, October 8, 2011 His Holiness Catholicos Aram I visited the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello where he led a requiem service in memory of the 1.5 million martyrs of the Genocide.

His Holiness was accompanied by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern United States, and staff bearer Very Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian. Montebello Mayor the Honorable Art Barajas and Council members William Molinari and Alberto Perez also participated in the service. A delegation comprised of Clergy, Central Executive and Executive Council members, ARF Central Committee Chair Mr. Avedik Izmirlian, former Bureau member Dr. Viken Hovsepian, ANC and Prelacy Committees’ members, Holy Cross Cathedral Board and Delegates, representatives of sister organizations, and media were also in attendance.

His Holiness led a requiem service at the foot of the Monument and lay a wreath in memory of the martyrs.

On behalf of the Holy Cross community, remarks were delivered by Mr. Nazareth Sadorian who stated that it was a great honor to receive His Holiness at the Monument, and that the visit serves to renew and reinvigorate in all those present their pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

Mayor Brajas also welcomed His Holiness to the community, stating that his presence among them was a great honor.

In his message, His Holiness announced that their presence at the Monument is an affirmation that we will never forget our martyrs and we will never forget our cause and our rights. Remembering means remaining faithful to the legacy of our martyrs, demanding justice for the loss of life and land, said His Holiness, and continuing said that it is our expectation that all the free nations of the world, among them the United States of America, stay true to their principles of human rights and justice for all by standing behind the Armenian Cause for truth, justice, and rights. His Holiness also stated that remembering and raising awareness of the Genocide and injustices committed 97 years ago forms a large part of the mission of the Catholicosate, as does standing up for our rights to Turkey and the world. His Holiness highly commended the work of the ANCA in raising awareness and bringing recognition to our cause, and in conclusion stressed that the day’s pilgrimage to the Monument should serve as an opportunity to renew our pledge to remain allegiant to the legacy of our martyrs and our cause. His Holiness then blessed the attendees and the United States of America.

The day came to a close with the singing of the Cilician and Armenian national anthems.

HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM I PRESIDES OVER EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS SERVICE AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA

10/07/2011

LOS ANGELES, ANTELIAS – On the evening of Friday, October 7, 2011, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over eve of the Feast of the Holy Translators services at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. Accompanied by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern United States, and staff bearer Very Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian, His Holiness was welcomed by H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian, H.E. Archbishop Gorun Babian, Central Executive and Executive Council members, members of sister organizations, California State Assembly member Anthony Portantino, Pasadena Police Chief Philip Sanchez and his wife, Pasadena City Council member Gene Masuda and hundreds of enthusiastic faithful.

With the singing of the “Hrashapar” hymn by the choir, His Holiness entered the Church, the aisles of which were lined by Homenetmen scouts. St. Sarkis Church Sunday School students were also part of the procession.

Eve of the Feast of the Holy Translators services then began, presided over by His Holiness and with the participation of Clergy members. At the conclusion of the service, His Holiness delivered his message to the faithful.

His Holiness exalted the legacy of our Holy Translator forefathers and the role of the Armenian Church in our spiritual, cultural, and national lives.

Speaking on the sinful nature of man, His Holiness stated how we can be renewed and transformed from that life through our Lord Savior Jesus Christ and lead God-pleasing lives which draws us closer to God. “The Church is the symbolic body of Christ, and we our the members. The head of the Church is Jesus Christ, and it is through Him that our lives gain meaning, purpose, and depth”. The Church is not merely a physical structure, it is the spirit of its faithful members, said His Holiness, and as a community of faithful, Church members are bonded together through Christ and through their faith mission evoke the principles and morals set forth in the Bible. To live a life of faith and witness means living in the spirit of the Cross and taking Christ to the people.

The Church is edified by the people, it is our spiritual home and “the birthplace of our soul”. What purpose does it serve if there is a beautiful Church but no people, stated His Holiness. Therefore, “come to Church, bring your children to Church, let them grow under the shadow of the Church and by the grace of God so that they develop into faithful servants of our Church and nation”. His Holiness also reflected on the invaluable mission of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and its Brotherhood to the spiritual growth and nourishment of our people in Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora.

The service came to a close with the benediction by His Holiness and the singing of the Pontifical and Cilician anthems, after which the faithful approached His Holiness to receive his blessings.

CATHOLICOSATE SEMINARY BANQUET IN HONOR OF HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM I

HIS HOLINESS BESTOWS MEDALS UPON FAITHFUL SERVANTS- $350,000 IN DONATIONS TO THE SEMINARY

10/07/2011

LOS ANGELES, ANTELIAS – On the evening of Friday, October 7, 2011, a banquet in honor of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and dedicated to the Catholicosate Seminary was held at the Pasadena Armenian Center. The banquet was organized by the Seminary Alumni Committee and hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Noune Sepetjian.

With the singing of the American and Armenian national anthems, His Holiness entered the hall where he was welcomed by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern United States, H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian, H.E. Archbishop Gorun Babian, staff bearer Very Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian, Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and Barthev Gulumian, Central Executive members Mr. Khajag Dikijian and Dr. Dertad Manguikian, Religious and Executive Councils, members and representatives of Prelacy parishes and sister organizations, and over six hundred guests.

Guests remained standing for the singing of the “Vork Zartaretsin” hymn and the Seminary anthem, after which His Holiness blessed the tables. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, welcomed His Holiness on behalf of the organizing committee and guests, and stated that “today we renew our allegiance and service to the Armenian Church and our Seminary and we promise to continue our path of service to our Church, nation, and people”.

The cultural program was comprised of performances by “St. Mesrob Mashdots” medal recipient singer Levon Katerjian, and singers Adiss Harmandian and Harout Pamboukjian.

His Holiness surprised Mr. Harout Pamboukjian by awarding him a “St. Mesrob Mashdots” medal in honor of his forty year long career which began in Lebanon.

A slideshow chronicling Seminary life and the message of Seminary Dean H.E. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian was then shown to the guests. A performance by the Prelacy “Lousavorich” youth choir led by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian followed.

More surprises followed as Martha Titizian, widow of Giragos Titizian, who was a long time devotee of the Seminary, was invited to the stage where His Holiness awarded her the “St. Mesrob Mashdots” medal.

Amid great applause from the guests, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Noune Sepetjian were invited up to receive the “Knight of Cilicia” medal from His Holiness for their years-long support and generosity. Alongside sponsoring the banquet, the Sepetjians donated $81,000 on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the Seminary. With this donation, a total of $350,000 was collected throughout the evening to be allocated to the Seminary.

His Holiness was then invited to deliver his message. His Holiness stated that the Seminary, with its mission, vision, and service, is an omnipresent spirit, and is ready to serve the manifold spiritual, religious, and cultural needs of our people. The Seminary is the foremost institution in building character and national identity, the place where young minds are enriched and hearts and souls are nourished, where young adults are transformed by the teachings and principles of the Bible and the spirit of our Church forefathers. What we learned and received at the Seminary we then took to the people, said His Holiness. When we look at our Brotherhood, we see in them the calling and mission of the Seminary, faith, love, and service.

The needs of our people are great, and require more servants and supporters. We pay our respects to the mission of the Seminary and to all past and present devotees, praying for Almighty God to bless us with new servants to quench the spiritual thirst of our people, said His Holiness, and concluded by stressing that “the Catholicosate and the Seminary is faith, it is a vision, it is devotion, it is a mission of faith. Let us stand behind that faith mission”.

The evening came to a close with the benediction by His Holiness and the singing of the Pontifical and Cilician anthems.

HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM I VISITS GLENDALE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

10/07/2011

LOS ANGELES, ANTELIAS – On Friday, October 7, H.H. Catholicos Aram I visited Glendale Memorial Hospital where he met with the administration and blessed the patients.

Accompanied by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern United States, and staff bearer Very Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian, His Holiness was greeted at the entrance of the hospital by Mr. Mark Meyers, President of Glendale Memorial and Board members. Among those participating in the visit were Clergy members, Executive Council members, hospital board and staff members, Glendale Police Chief, Pontifical Visit committee members, and community members.

His Holiness and entourage first visited a number of rooms in the children’s wing and blessed the young patients. A welcoming reception followed.

The reception began with President Mr. Mark Meyers welcoming His Holiness. He stated that the Armenian residents of Glendale have always supported Memorial Hospital, and this visit by His Holiness attests to that support.

Pontifical Visit Public Relations Committee Co-Chair Mr. Steve Artinian, who noted that His Holiness has proclaimed 2011 as the “Year of the Armenian Child”, and the Pontiff visiting and blessing the young patients today is an indication of how much of a priority our children are. He then invited the Prelate to introduce His Holiness.

The Prelate noted that he closely follows the endeavors of Glendale Memorial Hospital and highly commends the administration and staff for their service. He also stated that visiting the hospital and blessing the patients was a priory for His Holiness during this Pontifical Visit, and invited the Pontiff to deliver his message.

His Holiness began his message by stating that the purpose of the day’s visit was to commend the service of the hospital, saying that “medicine is a mission and a calling” just as it is for clergy members. “You meet people’s needs, you meet their expectations, care for them physically and mentally; that is a calling, something that comes from within. In conclusion, His Holiness expressed appreciation for the warm welcome, wished them success in their mission, and prayed for God to bless the hospital, its administration and staff.

After an exchange of gifts between His Holiness and Mr. Meyers, the Pontiff and entourage were hosted to lunch by the administration.

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