His Holiness Catholicos Aram I in Racine

This news is shared from the website of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon.

The Armenian community in Wisconsin warmly welcomed His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, during his visit to Racine’s Sourp Hagop Church on Thursday, October 17, 2024. The faithful participated in the “Hrashapar” ceremony, followed by a heartfelt message from His Holiness. He quoted Psalm 121:1, emphasizing that the church is not merely a building, but the house of God. He reminded the faithful that their gatherings within the church hold deep spiritual significance. The Catholicos stressed that while the physical church was built by the hands of the Armenian people, it was God who called them to this mission. Within this sacred space, Armenian values, traditions, and ideals have been formed and nurtured.

Following the ceremony, there was an “achahampooyr” (kissing of the right hand of the Catholicos to receive pontifical blessing) and a meet-and-greet session. This was followed by a luncheon held in honor of His Holiness, during which speeches were delivered by Jean Bechaklian, the chair of the Board of Trustees; Aram Sarafian, Chair of the Diocesan Executive Council; and Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy...

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This news was originally published on the website of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon. Please click here to read the full text.