PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]
For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group
U.S. House of Representatives Marks Upcoming Visit of Catholicos Aram I
(Los Angeles, CA – September 22, 2005) – Two prominent Members of Congress
have submitted official statements in the Congressional Record marking the
upcoming visit in October of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia. Los Angeles area U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff (D-29)
and Brad Sherman (D-27) both expressed their great anticipation of the
arrival of His Holiness.
Congressman Schiff stated “The main theme of the Pontiff’s visit is ‘Towards
the Light of Knowledge.’ This theme reflects the Pontiff’s deep faith that
only with greater education and dialogue can the world’s conflicts be
properly addressed.” Meanwhile Congressman Brad Sherman followed by saying
“Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing His Holiness Aram I, a man who
has been a strong voice for mutual understanding among religions, cultures
and civilizations; a true spiritual leader committed to peace, justice, and
human rights.
The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and
debates of the United States Congress. It is published by the United States
Government Printing Office, and is issued daily when Congress is in session.
Following are the full statements that were submitted by the two
congressmen.
U.S. Representative Adam Schiff
Member of Congress
In Recognition of Catholicos Aram I’s Pontifical Visit to California
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join my Armenian American constituents in
California’s 29th Congressional District in welcoming the upcoming
Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia. His Holiness will be visiting the State of California this October
at the invitation of His Eminence, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia is the
spiritual leader for hundreds of thousands of Armenians around the world and
one of the most prominent Christian leaders in the Middle East. The Pontiff
presently serves as the Moderator for the World Council of Churches (WCC).
This prominent ecumenical organization is comprised of more than 340
churches from different cultures and nations around the world representing
over 400 million Christians. The Pontiff, who is the first Orthodox and the
youngest person to be elevated to this post, is currently serving his second
term as Moderator.
The main theme of the Pontiff’s visit is “Towards the Light of Knowledge.”
This theme reflects the Pontiff’s deep faith that only with greater
education and dialogue can the world’s conflicts be properly addressed.
The Catholicos’s visit will be marked by a number of major events, including
a speech he will deliver on October 14th at the Los Angeles World Affairs
Council concerning the challenges to inter-religious dialogue in the Middle
East. He will also participate by giving the main address at a symposium to
be held at the University of Southern California focusing on “Christian
Responses to Violence.”
Of special significance to the 29th Congressional District, the Catholicos
will be consecrating the Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Pasadena
and blessing a new headquarters for the Western Prelacy. I ask all Members
to join with me and the Armenian American community throughout the State of
California in welcoming the upcoming Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram
I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.
U.S. Representative Brad Sherman
Member of Congress
Tribute To His Holiness Aram I
Mr. Speaker it gives me great pleasure to join my Armenian American
constituents of California’s 27th Congressional District in welcoming His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, to the State of
California.
His Holiness Aram I was elected Catholicos on June 28, 1995. Four years
earlier, His Holiness had been selected to serve as the Moderator for the
World Council of Churches (WCC). This prominent ecumenical organization is
composed of more than 340 churches from around the world and represents over
400 million Christians. His Holiness is the first Orthodox Christian and
the youngest person to be elevated to the post of Moderator of the WCC.
Aram I was ordained a priest in 1968 and obtained the title of Vartabed
(Doctor of the Armenian Church) in 1970. In 1979 he was elected Primate of
the Armenian Orthodox community in Lebanon. The next year he received his
Episcopal ordination. His tenure as Primate of the Armenian community in
Lebanon coincided with the Lebanese Civil War. During this time and after,
His Holiness reorganized parishes and schools, restructured and reactivated
church-related institutions, and renewed community leadership.
As a strong supporter of inter-religious relations, dialogue and
cooperation, Aram I has played a significant part in promoting common
values, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among religions. He
has worked tirelessly as Primate to foster tolerance and build mutual
confidence between Christian and Muslim communities.
His Holiness is also active as a scholar and has written several books in
which he frequently admonishes the vital importance of dialogue and
collaboration among the living faiths of the world.
We can expect a message of peace and unity when His Holiness addresses the
Los Angeles World Affairs Council on October 14th, 2005. His Holiness will
also present the main address at a symposium to be held at the University of
Southern California that will focus on how Christians respond to violence. I
am honored that the Catholicos will be visiting the 27th District on October
7th to preside over church services to be held at Holy Martyrs Armenian
Apostolic Church in Encino, California.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing His Holiness Aram I, a man who
has been a strong voice for mutual understanding among religions, cultures
and civilizations; a true spiritual leader committed to peace, justice, and
human rights.