On Friday, October 25, 2025, over 500 Armenian educators gathered at Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School in California for an educational seminar organized by the school’s Board of Trustees. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I honored the event with his presence, delivering the keynote address during the opening session.
Mr. Sarkis Ourfalian, Chair of the Board of Trustees, offered welcoming remarks, expressing deep reverence and gratitude to His Holiness. He emphasized that the assembly of more than 500 educational professionals reflected a shared commitment to upholding Armenian national identity and mission.
In his Pontifical Message, His Holiness addressed the educators with profound insight, commending the dedication of teachers in the United States and across the Diaspora. He highlighted the transformative power of education, urging educators to see their vocation not merely as instruction, but as formation—the shaping of minds, hearts, and character.
His Holiness underscored several key themes: the formative impact of environment, the importance of cultivating critical thinking, integrating moral values in education, and the responsible use of technology. He called on educators to guide students with wisdom and awareness, especially amid today’s complex social and moral challenges.
In the second part of his message, His Holiness expanded on four core principles that define the mission and identity of Armenian education:
– Teaching is a Mission
– A Teacher Must Also Be a Learner
– The Armenian School Is a Family, a Church, a Homeland
– Education Cultivates the Mind, Builds Character, and Forms Identity
Throughout his address, Catholicos Aram I emphasized a central theme: the Armenian school is at the heart of national preservation and renewal.
