His Holiness Aram I Makes Pontifical Visit to Fresno

Andrew Esguerra
Staff Writer

Armenian communities throughout the state of California and the western United States welcomed a special visitor in October of this year. His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, made a Pontifical visit to the Armenian community, his first to the United States in nearly 5 years.

During his stay in the Central Valley, His Holiness visited the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church and the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School in Clovis. At a banquet held in his honor at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church on Saturday, October 8, the Vehapar [Catholicos] spoke to the audience about the importance of maintaining Armenian Christian values. Also of note, was his focus on the future members of the church, the children.

His Holiness was the celebrant of the Divine Liturgy held at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church on Sunday, October 9, where the faithful gathered to welcome him. Following the Liturgy, His Holiness addressed the Sunday school students.
During a Monday, October 10 visit to the Keyan Armenian Community School, His Holiness emphasized the importance of investing in and engaging the future generations of Armenians and churchgoers. The principal, teachers, students and the Executive Board of the school warmly greeted him. The school band welcomed him by playing Mer Hayrenik [Our Fatherland]. Speaking directly to the children, His Holiness told them to thank their parents for sending them to a school where they could learn the Armenian heritage.

This message was consistent with his encyclical in January, declaring 2011 the Year of the Armenian Child, and that to invest in Armenian children now will keep the community and the Armenian faith alive.