The Canonization of the Blessed Martyr Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan: A Sign of Witness, Hope and Joy

Father Aram Abrahamian to the "Ecumenical Horizons" Program Produced by MECC:

"Through working and living together, we reflect the true image of the Christian faith"

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

With a firm belief in the fragrance of holiness and a hope filled with divine blessing, the Armenian Catholic Church is preparing to celebrate a new heavenly wedding with the Canonization of the Blessed Martyr Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan. Angels rejoice and sing with joy amidst the melodies of the trumpet and harp, and the heavens prepare to enthrone a new servant at the Altar of the Lord.

This is a good news received by believers around the world, who raise their Prayers and supplications, interceding for the new Saint at a time when they are thirsting for inner peace to carry them to safety. The journey of Archbishop Maloyan is nothing less than a sign of living hope and a witness to the Lord Jesus Christ.

This good news came in a statement issued by the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, announcing that "His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has set Sunday, October 19, 2025, as the official date for the Canonization of the Blessed Martyr Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan, during a Solemn Mass to be held in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, attended by crowds of believers from all over the world."

In a special interview with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) media, His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, indicated that the Church has begun spiritual, Ecclesiastical, and logistical preparations to organize a series of meetings and activities honoring the life of Archbishop Maloyan, emphasizing the great joy that this announcement brings.

In this context, Father Aram Abrahamian, General Guide of the Patriarchal Youth Office of the Armenian Catholic Church in Lebanon, was the guest of the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in an episode of the program "Ecumenical Horizons," produced by the “Platform of the Word” at MECC. The interview highlighted the life of the Blessed Martyr Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan, and the ongoing preparations for his Canonization.

Moreover, Father Abrahamian noted that Lebanon will witness a program of activities culminating in a Holy Mass presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian. He also emphasized that media coverage will be extensive in conjunction with this momentous Church event, particularly through the dedicated pages launched under the name of “Saint Ignatius Maloyan” on Facebook and Instagram. This will also include the publication of materials and information about the new Saint, providing insight into his life story.

During the episode, Father Abrahamian stressed the importance of living the joy of hope, mentioning that "words are not enough to express our faith, but through work and living together, we can reflect the true image of the Christian faith, characterized by joy and hope."

With this hope, Saint Maloyan's journey represents a new call for all believers to strive and strengthen their Prayers in order to strengthen their faith and walk the path of holiness.