Episcopal Divine Liturgy and Pontifical Thanksgiving Prayer on the 25th Anniversary of the Election and Consecration of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I

On Sunday, June 28, 2020, the 25th anniversary of the election and consecration of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia was celebrated with Pontifical Thanksgiving Prayer in all Catholicosate Prelacies, including the Western Prelacy.

On this occasion, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, during which he presided over the Pontifical Thanksgiving Prayer service with the participation of the Vicar General, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, and Religious Council Chair, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and pastors, and delivered his message.

The Prelate began his message by praying for the Lord to grant His Holiness a long and healthy life and pontificate. He noted that the prior day was the feast of the discovery of the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator, adding that subsequent generations of pontiffs have led our Church and nation for centuries inspired by his mission and service.

Speaking on the 25th anniversary of His Holiness, the Prelate stated that 25 years ago to the day, the Mother Cathedral of Antelias was transformed into an Upper Room where delegates gathered to elect the next Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and guided by the Holy Spirit elected Aram I. Reflecting on the vast accomplishments of His Holiness, among them promoting the calling and mission of the Church, Christian and Armenian education and instruction, taking the Church to the people, youth involvement in the Church, publications, the Armenian Cause, and his leadership in ecumenical affairs through the Middle East and World Council of Churches. His Eminence stated that from the time of his ordination as deacon throughout his tenure as Catholicos, our Pontiff’s service has been guided by the following words of the Psalmist, “Lord, show me your ways.”

“Anniversaries are crossroads in our lives; a time to reflect and give thanks to the Lord for all the goodness and blessings we have in our lives but also to beseech His continued presence and grace to guide us as we look to the future. I am confident that today, during the service in Antelias, His Holiness reflected on this crossroads in his life and from the depths of his heart thanked the Lord for showing him His ways and beseeched His blessings and grace so that he may continue to lead the Armenian Church and Armenian people according to God’s will, which is unknown to him but known to the Lord,” stated His Eminence.

The Prelate concluded his message by congratulating His Holiness on behalf of the Prelacy clergy, councils, and faithful and praying that His Holiness continue to serve sensing the presence of God and lead with fatherly love for the glory of God and the prosperity of our Church and people.

The service concluded with Cilicia and the Pontifical anthem.

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