Catholicos Aram I in Fresno October 10th through 12th

ARMINE SARGSYAN
STAFF WRITER

This year many anniversaries of the Armenian world coincide. The Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of Cilicia, Aram I, will pay a special visit to the United States in honor of four events: the 75th anniversary of the Seminary of the Great House of Cilicia; the 1600th anniversary of the Invention of the Armenian Alphabet; the tragic 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; and His 10th year anniversary as Catholicos. Fortunately, Fresno will be one of the places that His Holiness will visit during his stay in the United States.

His Holiness obtained an extensive international education-from the Seminary of Antelias and the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey in Switzerland to the Near Eastern School of Theology, the American University in Beirut and Fordham University of New York, where he received his PhD. His extensive education spans the subjects of philosophy, systematic theology, and Near Eastern church history.

Aram I was ordained to the priesthood in 1963, and received the Armenian designation of Vartabed (doctor of the church) in 1970. In 1979, he was elected as Primate of the Armenian Orthodox community of Lebanon and in 1980 he received Episcopal ordination. In 1995 His Holiness was elected Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House.

His Holiness has published over 20 books pertaining to theology, Armenology, and ecumenical subjects.

In addition, he played a leading role in many organizations before he was elected Catholicos. He was one of the founding members of the Middle East Council of Churches. He held many positions in the World Council of Churches, on the Central Committee in 1983, and was Moderator in 1991.

His Holiness Aram I will arrive in Fresno on Monday, October 10 and will stay until Wednesday, October 12.

Judging by the current atmosphere among Armenians in Fresno, one can be certain that Catholicos Aram’s upcoming visit will prove to be a fruitful event for the community.