Under the blessing of H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, the Western Prelacy 2023 wall calendar is published and on route to our faithful. This year’s wall calendar is decorated with images of the Holy See of Cilicia, which symbolizes the eternal presence of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in our lives and in particular preludes H.H. Aram I., Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia’s Pontifical visit to the Western Prelacy, and the 50th anniversary of the Western Prelacy.
The images inside the calendar illustrate the artifacts located at the Museum of the Catholicosate in Antelias, and the layout is prepared by Deacon Alex Kalayjian.
The Prelate’s Calendar remarks as follows:
THE ULTIMATE GUARANTOR AND BASTION TO THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA IS A REVITALIZED DIASPORA
My dear children of our beloved people,
With familial love and sentiments of national solidarity, I greet you from the Western Prelacy. I greet your families and loved ones and my heart-felt prayers are directed to our Heavenly Father during this holiday season that He provide us all, heavenly protection as we welcome the New Year and celebrate the birth and revelation of His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ who should be ever-present in our lives and our works. May He extend, in abundance, His heavenly blessings to Armenia and Armenians wherever they may reside. We extend these prayers so that whether in our personal lives, or in our communal endeavors or our activities in support of our homeland, we be illuminated by the grace of the victorious celestials whose spiritual presence will guide our footsteps to the successful realization of our national aspirations, the flourishing of our church communities and the success of our societal projects.
Particularly at this juncture, when the leader of the esteemed hierarchal See of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I has turned his spotlight once again in 2023 to the Armenian Diaspora, by earmarking its rejuvenation not only to the benefit of the Diasporan communities but also as an existential requisite to the strengthening and strategic bolstering of the Armenian homeland and Artsakh. The revitalization of the Diaspora is the linchpin to the fortification of Armenia, the key to its efforts to survive and to thrive as an independent and civilized Christian society surrounded by a sea of barbarism.
With a grateful heart, we raise our eyes and our prayers to God in appreciation that the Holy See of Cilicia has for the past 65 years, and continues today, to extend its propitious service to the American-Armenian communities of the United States. Moreover, we are thankful that, for over 50 years the Western Prelacy, as an autonomous diocese, has provided devoted and integral service to the Armenian communities of the Western United States with its churches, schools, affiliated organizations and leadership. Now with filial affection and joyful anticipation we await the arrival of our Chief Shepherd and Pontiff, HH Catholicos Aram I to the Western Prelacy.
Prayerfully
Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate
Western Prelacy of the United States
