Armenian community of U.S. awaiting Aram I visit

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian community of the United States is awaiting the arrival of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and spiritual leader of Armenian Diaspora communities in the Middle East, Europe and North America, Asbarez reports.

His Holiness will embark on His fourth Pontifical Visit to the Western United States from the Holy See headquarters in Antelias, Lebanon on October 6. Over the course of the following 20 days, until October 23, His Holiness will deliver His Pontifical blessings and inspiring message to throngs of faithful at various churches, events and venues. His last Pontifical Visit to the region was in October of 2005.

The first and largest of His Holiness’ official visits will be to St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church in Hollywood, California where over 1,000 Christian faithful are expected to receive the paternal blessings of His Holiness and for the Pontiff to share His thoughts and message with the community during a very special Community-wide welcome and Pontifical “Achahampouyr” blessing service. This event is open to the community and all are invited to attend and encouraged to take part.

The Pontifical Visit schedule encompasses various meetings with local students and young adults, a special lecture at UCLA on the subject of the Future of Christianity in the Middle East, a presentation of the Pontiff’s latest book, visits to our churches, meetings with dignitaries, ecumenical engagements and much more.

Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, the Religious and Executive Councils, announced that on the occasion of the Pontifical Visit, benefactors Mrs. Tina Carolan and her son Richard Jr. have donated $100,000 to the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and the Western Prelacy, on behalf of the Carolan Family Foundation.