His Holiness Catholicos Aram I concluded his pontifical visit to the Western Prelacy of the United States on Tuesday, October 4th, 2025, arriving in Fresno to a warm welcome from the local community. He was accompanied by his pontifical delegation. The visit underscored his theme of “Faith, Loyalty, and Unity,” culminating in an evening reception attended by over a hundred parishioners, benefactors, and community leaders.
Upon his arrival, His Holiness was formally received by V. Rev. Fr. Ashod Khatchadourian, Pastor of Holy Trinity Church of Fresno, together with the parish Board of Trustees.
The official delegation included Their Eminences Archbishops Kegham Khatcherian and Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelates of the Armenian Prelacies of North America; Archbishops Moushegh Mardirossian and Torkom Donoyan; Bishop Dajad Ashekian, Chancellor of the Catholicosate; V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjian, Director of the Media Department; V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian, Director of the Middle Eastern Section of the Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations Department and staff bearer; and the Co-Chairmen of the Lay Council of the Catholicosate, Mr. Stepan Der Bedrossian and Mr. Krikor Mahseredjian.
The reception dinner, hosted by Deacon Mark Shirin—a former Seminary student and member of the Executive Committee of the Western Prelacy—featured remarks by Mr. Mahseredjian and Archbishop Anoushavan. They reflected on the significant achievements of the Catholicosate over the past three decades and the expanding scope of its national and spiritual mission.
In his concluding address, His Holiness Aram I delivered a profound reflection on the core questions of identity. He asked, “What does it mean to be a Christian in today’s world? And what does it mean to be Armenian?” “These questions,” His Holiness stated, “must not be viewed theoretically but existentially. To belong to Christianity and to Armenian identity is to embrace a way of self-understanding, a quality of life, and a moral guide for our existence.”
The evening concluded with the collective singing of “Cilicia.”
