LOS ANGELES— His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, opened his pontifical visit to the Western Prelacy with a full slate of pastoral, educational, civic, and community engagements that underscored a consistent message: the Armenian Church and school are twin sanctuaries safeguarding identity, and unity is the condition of national strength.
Pontifical Welcome at Hollywood’s St. Garabed
At St. Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood, parishioners and community members gathered for a special service and welcoming ceremony. Students from the Rose and Alex Pilibos School lined the street as the Homenetmen Marching Band led the clergy procession. Under a traditional baldaquin held by Prelacy supporters Harout Soghomonian, Sarkis Sepetjian, Saro Der Ohanessian, and Hovsep Boyadjian, the Catholicos entered the church after blessing bread and salt presented by kindergarteners in traditional attire.
In attendance were members of the Cilician Catholicosate’s Central Executive Board, the Western Prelacy Executive Council, clergy, and representatives of community institutions, among them Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and former Western Prelates Archbishops Moushegh Mardirossian and Torkom Donoyan. Also present were ARF Bureau member Daron Der Khachadourian, ARF Western U.S. Central Committee chair Garo Madenlian, and CC member Levon Baronian.
Western Prelate Archbishop Kegham Kacherian welcomed His Holiness, calling the visit “a source of spiritual growth, renewal, and vitality,” and noting its special significance amid the 30th anniversary of Aram I’s enthronement. In his address, the Catholicos focused on “faith, faithfulness, and unity,” urging participation in the life of the Church and community: “We are not a collection of unrelated individuals and organizations; we are a community of faith belonging to a church and a nation.” Following the service, parishioners approached to receive the Pontifical Blessing.
Following the service, parishioners approached to receive the Pontifical Blessing.
New Elementary Complex Inaugurated at Pilibos
Immediately after, His Holiness inaugurated the Mher and Satik Der Ohanessian Elementary Complex on the Rose and Alex Pilibos campus, joined by benefactor Mher Der Ohanessian, his sons Saro and Ari, and their spouses.
“The school is just as much a sanctuary for us as the church,” the Catholicos said, stressing that Armenian education “crystallizes the Armenian identity and reinforces our people’s sense of belonging.” He praised California Armenians’ commitment to Armenian schooling and expressed “high appreciation” to the Der Ohanessian family, voicing hope that their example will inspire similar initiatives across the diaspora.
A dinner reception in the school’s Tashjian Gymnasium followed. Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez (CD13) welcomed the Catholicos and presented a City proclamation congratulating him on the 30th anniversary of his enthronement. Proclamations were also presented by representatives of Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Laura Friedman, and L.A. County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis.
Civic Welcome at Los Angeles City Hall
The Los Angeles City Council welcomed His Holiness at City Hall at the invitation of Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, who hosted a breakfast reception. Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Council President Emeritus Paul Krekorian greeted the Catholicos, echoing a similar reception during his 2016 visit.
Meeting With Christian Solidarity International
His Holiness met with Dr. John Eibner, president of Christian Solidarity International (CSI), who was in Los Angeles to attend—and be honored at—the ANCA-Western Region annual banquet. Dr. Eibner briefed the Catholicos on CSI’s efforts in Armenia and Artsakh, with emphasis on Armenian prisoners unlawfully detained in Baku and on support for Christian communities in Syria and Iraq. The Catholicos underscored the urgent need for the prisoners’ release and welcomed Dr. Eibner’s plan to visit the Catholicosate in Antelias for further consultations. Also attending were ANCA-WR chair Oshin Harootoonian, board member Kevork Hagopjian, and community coordinator Garen Jinbashian.
‘Homenetmen Day’ in Montebello: Sports as a School
At the 10th annual Homenetmen Day at Holy Cross Armenian Cathedral’s Baghramian Hall in Montebello, the Catholicos delivered his Pontifical Message to hundreds of attendees, including ARF Bureau member Daron Der Khachadourian and ARF Western U.S. CC chair Garo R. Madenlian, Esq. The program featured the national anthems of the United States, Armenia, and Artsakh, welcoming remarks, an artistic program by the Homenetmen Central Committee, and the awarding of Medals of Honor.
“The Homenetmen is essentially a school, not merely a physical education organization,” Aram I said, urging the organization to continue nurturing spiritual, moral, and national values in youth and to give special attention to Armenian education. The celebration concluded with a collective performance of “Cilicia.”
Strategic Dialogue With the ARF Western U.S. Central Committee
The ARF Western United States Central Committee held a private meeting with His Holiness (with participation from an ARF Bureau representative Daron Der Khachadourian) to discuss the state of the Western U.S. Armenian community, the continued progress of Prelacy Armenian schools, and the Church’s role in unity, heritage, and Hye Tad. All parties reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between the ARF and the Armenian Apostolic Church and emphasized expanding outreach to engage all segments of the community.
Later, the Cilician Catholicosate’s Central Executive Co-Chairperson Stepan Derbedrossian and Western Prelacy Executive Council Vice Chairperson Jack Hadjinian joined the meeting. Discussions continued over dinner, where participants emphasized the strength that comes from community unity and collective effort. Concluding the meeting, ARF CC Chairperson Garo Madenlian noted, “Our strength lies in our unity—especially when it comes to issues of pan-Armenian importance and advancing the Armenian Cause—Hye Tad.”
Across churches, classrooms, City Hall, and community halls, the throughline of Aram I’s Los Angeles visit was unmistakable: faith rooted in Church life, fidelity expressed through Armenian education, and unity as the instrument for preserving identity and meeting national challenges.
