His Holiness Catholicos Aram I Delivers Pontifical Message at St. Sarkis Church in New York
Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presided over the Divine Liturgy and delivered a Pontifical message at St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Douglaston, New York, on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada. The Service was attended by clergy, representatives of diocesan bodies, and the faithful.
In his introductory remarks, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the United States, offered a heartfelt welcome. He described the Catholicos’s visit as historic, noting that the community had gathered in a spirit of filial gratitude to celebrate the 30th anniversary of His Holiness’s enthronement, before inviting him to deliver his message.
His Holiness Aram I centered his message on the essential Christian imperative of following Christ. He began by quoting the Gospel of Matthew (16:24): “Christ said at an important stage of His earthly ministry, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.’”
“Through His teachings, parables, and miracles, Jesus Christ revealed to His followers who He was and the purpose of His ministry,” stated Catholicos Aram I. “And then He said: ‘Whoever believes in Me must follow Me.’”
Elaborating on the meaning of this call, His Holiness outlined a threefold path of discipleship:
To accept Christ as the way of our life.
To follow Christ as the truth of our life.
To live Christ as the center of our life…
This news was originally published on the Website of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias. Please click here to read the full text.