The Chronicle and Biobibliography of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I: A Publication (Volume I, 1947–1995)
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia stated on its website the following:
In the course of Armenian Church history, we encounter figures whose authority and influence span across eras and beyond. From the peerless apostles to Saint Gregory the Illuminator; from patriarchs such as Nerses the Great and Sahak Bartev, and the unrivaled architect of the Armenian Alphabet, Mesrob Mashdots; from the theologian Catholicos Hovhannes Odznetsi and Nerses Shnorhali; from Catholicoi Khrimian Hayrig and Sahag Khabayan to His Holiness Aram I in our own time—these are the people who have shaped our collective identity and embodied our aspirations, dreams, and ideals. The testimonies of the centuries—whether in the form of daily life, hymns of praise, or biographies—rightly fill us with pride, enrich our minds, and adorn our manuscript collections and libraries.
It is with this awareness and understanding that we approach our history. And it is with great joy that we announce the birth of a new publication: “His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia: Chronicle and Biobibliography, Volume I (1947–1995).” This volume, on the one hand, is dedicated to the thirty-year pontifical mission of His Holiness Aram I. On the other hand, grounded in a vast source material, it lays the groundwork for understanding the nationwide mission of the Holy See of Cilicia over the last fifty years.
As we approached the thirtieth anniversary of the Catholicos’s reign, amid many reflections and plans, I met with His Holiness in early August 2024 at the Saint Mary Monastery in Bikfaya, the pontifical summer residence. There, I presented the concept, purpose, and method of this work. Aram I, with his characteristic style and seasoned judgment, asked for a few days to reflect and offer his guidance. He did so, and we proceeded to work. In Yerevan, biobibliographies of various figures had already been prepared, so we knew the right specialist would be found there. At the end of August, I met Maya Krikoryan, the newly appointed director of the Fundamental Scientific Library of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. She had experience with such work, having prepared a volume for the twentieth anniversary of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. Through discussions, concept development, collegial collaboration, and timelines—in a word, we completed the preparatory work by October of that same year. Naturally, given the immense breadth of material, the diaspora press and the press of the Republic of Armenia gradually overflowed with various kinds of writings about His Holiness Aram I over the years.
The Catholicos was not only regularly informed but also provided appropriate guidance on essential matters. Our working group consisted of two types of contributors. Main contributors: Chief Editor, Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian (Cilicia Library, Antelias); Bibliographic Editor, Maya Krikoryan; Compilers, Kohar Sarksyan and Anush Magaryan (Fundamental Library, Yerevan), Sosi Sakayan (Cilicia Library, Antelias). Assisting or supporting individuals, Armenian press centers, and institutions (Lebanon and the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople) also participated. Through collective effort, the accumulated materials and the story of a life unfolding over many years, by an inner logic, ultimately divided the project into three volumes comprising four books. Volume I: 1947–1995. Volume II, Book I: the first fifteen years of the thirty-year pontifical reign (1995–2010). Volume II, Book II: the next fifteen years of the pontifical reign (2011–2025). And finally, Volume III, which will include materials in foreign languages.
The publication of this first monumental volume was generously sponsored by Mrs. Srpouhi Meserlian, in everlasting memory of her beloved parents, Nahabed and Gulizar. The subsequent volumes are currently in preparation. It is planned that Books I and II of Volume II will be published by December of this year, and the final volume during 2027. The elegant and high-quality book was published in Yerevan at the “Zangak” Publishing House.
By the direction of the Catholicos, the “Biobibliography of Catholicos Aram I” will be dedicated to spiritual and national dignitaries, to Armenian centers worldwide, and especially to libraries, as a manifestation of the unwavering devotion and service of this incomparable pontiff, and for the enjoyment of intellectuals studying the Armenian Church, Armenian History, and the historical path of the Holy See of Cilicia.
On this occasion, we first congratulate the Catholicos on his more than fifty years of distinguished service, wishing him many blessed years to come. We also extend our congratulations to all those who contributed to the preparation and publication of this book.
Arch. Shahan Sarkissian
Director of the Cilicia Library
(Translated from Armenian)
This text was originally published on the Website of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias - Lebanon.