His Holiness Catholicos Aram I visited Fresno State University on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
His Holiness was welcomed by Mr. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Director of the University’s Center for Armenian Studies, and his colleagues. The visit began at the campus Armenian Genocide Monument, where His Holiness offered a prayer in memory of the holy martyrs. He was joined by his entourage, university officials, Armenian students, and trustees and representatives of the Fresno Armenian community churches.
Speaking at the ceremony, His Holiness commended the establishment of the monument, a project realized in collaboration with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Fresno, Mr. Berj Apkarian, and the administration of the University’s Center for Armenian Studies.
“It may be that states, driven by various considerations, do not use the word genocide for the crimes committed by the Turkish state against the Armenian people in 1915,” stated His Holiness. “However, the massacre of one and a half million Armenians was a planned genocide, carried out in accordance with the definition of international law. The Armenian Genocide is firmly rooted in our collective memory, and the Armenian nation justly demands its recognition and reparation.”
A reception was subsequently held at the university in honor of His Holiness. In the absence of the University President, the Acting President, along with several faculty members, addressed the gathering. They reflected on the profound achievements of His Holiness, particularly in the cultural and philological fields.
In his address, Catholicos Aram I emphasized the critical importance of university education and the imperative to enrich learning through service and active participation in community life. As a testament to his commitment, His Holiness pledged to send the complete publications of the Catholicosate to the University’s Armenian Studies Department and proposed establishing a formal partnership between the Department and the Catholicosate’s own Catholicos Aram I Armenological Institute.
In a concluding ceremony, the Acting President conferred upon His Holiness the university’s most distinguished award, which is reserved exclusively for individuals of international renown.
