
On Sunday, November 19, 2023, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, celebrated the Divine Liturgy. The Cathedral was full of parishioners from New York, as well as worshipers and supporters from other regions who came together to partake in the Divine Liturgy and listen to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s pontifical message.
After the heartfelt messages delivered by H.E. Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the United States, and H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I delivered his pontifical message to the worshipers in attendance. After expressing his appreciation to H.E. Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, the clergy, and the Executive Council, His Holiness addressed the importance and origins of the family, starting from the creation of the first man. His Holiness described the family unit as a divine structure created by God and shared important assertions about the family as mentioned in the Gospel and the Epistle of the Apostles. Focusing specifically on the Armenian family, His Holiness compared the Armenian family to a small church, a small homeland, and a small school, highlighting the significant roles they each fulfill. He stressed the crucial need to preserve the sacredness, identity, and national values of the family, particularly in today’s world, when various other lifestyles threaten the characteristics of the Armenian-Christian family.
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I emphasized the importance of the Armenian family and deemed it as a sacred structure, that upholds our spiritual, moral, and national values. He shared that the Armenian family has played a vital role in safeguarding our existence and preserving the cultural identity of our people. In light of present times, where external customs and traditions attempt to influence the Armenian family, its values, and traditions, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I concluded his message by urging the Armenian people to remain faithful and uphold our spiritual, moral, and national values.