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Sunday, November 12, 2025
On Sunday, November 12, 2025, the St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Douglaston had the profound honor of welcoming His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, who presided over the Divine Liturgy and delivered a stirring pontifical message to the faithful.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada. Present for this historic occasion were clergy and a large gathering of faithful parishioners who filled the sanctuary to greet their spiritual father.
Before the pontifical message, His Eminence ArchBishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, offered words of welcome. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to His Holiness, describing the visit as historic, particularly as it comes within the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Catholicos’ enthronement. “Our community gathers around our Catholicos in unity and filial devotion,” he said, as he invited His Holiness to address the congregation.
A Message Centered on Following Christ
His Holiness Aram I based his sermon on one of the most demanding and transformative teachings of Jesus Christ:
“If anyone wishes to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
His Holiness explained that Christ did not begin His ministry with such a challenging command. First, Christ revealed the purpose of His mission through His teachings, parables, and miracles: God’s Son came into the world for the salvation of humanity, to guide us toward the path of truth and life. Only after revealing His identity and mission did Christ issue the call to discipleship, a call extended today to all Christians through the life of the Church.
His Holiness outlined what it truly means to follow Jesus Christ:
a) To consider Christ as the way of our life among all the paths the world presents.
b) To confess Christ as the only truth in a world filled with countless competing “truths.”
c) To live Christ as the center, purpose, and foundation of our lives.
He emphasized that discipleship is inseparable from the Cross. To follow Christ, he said, is to embrace a life marked by sacrifice, love, self-giving, and steadfast commitment. “It is not easy to be Christian,” His Holiness reminded the faithful. “It is not easy to follow Christ. But this awareness and dedication must shape the way we live.”
A Moment of Blessing and Unity
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness offered his pontifical blessings, invoking God’s blessing upon all present. The faithful then sang the beloved anthem “Giligia,” filling the sanctuary with emotion and unity.
The visit of His Holiness Aram I marked a deeply meaningful day in the spiritual life of St. Sarkis Church, a day of faith, inspiration, and renewed commitment to walking in the way of Christ.