Under the auspices of the Diocesan Representatives Assembly, a gathering and luncheon were held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, for all pastors, trustees, and parish-adjacent bodies of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church of America in Encino.
The event featured heartfelt remarks from His Eminence Archbishop Kegham Srpazan Khatcherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy. “We have gathered in this hall as the great family of the Western Diocese around our spiritual father, His Holiness Aram I,” stated Archbishop Khatcherian. “This gathering is the most intimate and familial occasion of His Holiness’s pastoral and pontifical visit. The Pontiff has come to be with the children of our Diocese, to listen to their concerns, and to speak about the possibilities for expanding our service. Therefore, today is a historic occasion for each of us.”
The gathering was graced with selections from classical and national Armenian songs. The master of ceremonies, the Rev. Fr. Viken Vasilian, stated in his welcoming address, “Today, under this hospitable roof, we have gathered as the humble and modest servants of the Western God-protected Diocese. I believe this moment is one of joy for all of us, as we are gathered around our spiritual leader to hear his words and receive the patriarchal blessing.”
His Holiness Delivers His Message on the Centrality of the Parish
In his message to the parish leaders, both spiritual and lay, His Holiness Aram I stated, “The church, in its ecclesiological understanding, is the parish. As the Gospel says, ‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them’ (Matthew 18:20). Therefore, the defining attributes of the church—universal, apostolic, and orthodox—find their expression where the Divine Liturgy is celebrated.”
His Holiness continued by emphasizing the necessity of taking the church to the people and making it a central presence in their lives. Referencing his book, “Taking the Church to the People,” published some 15 years ago, he underscored the unique place and essential role of parishes in the life of our people. “The church is not a place. A place must be transformed into a mission; otherwise, it becomes merely a building, an administrative center,” he declared. “The challenge before our parishes is clear: how can we take the church to the people through the path of mission and service? From this perspective, the role of the spiritual pastor is pivotal. His mission is not in the office, but in the lives of the people.”
On the Parish-Diocese Relationship
In his message, His Holiness also addressed the critical relationship between the parish and the Diocesan headquarters. “When we say ‘Prelacy/Diocese,’ we must not understand it as the Prelate’s office alone. The Prelacy/Diocese is the totality of the parishes. The Prelate’s office is the administrative center of the Prelacy/Diocese,” he explained. “Naturally, each parish must define the priorities of its mission, which correspond to its local conditions and environment. Therefore, the relationship between the Prelate’s office and the parish must be close and transparent. Coordinated work between the Prelate’s office and the parishes greatly contributes to the further organization and development of the Diocese.”
The gathering concluded with attendees unanimously singing the anthem “Cilicia.”
