A Reprint from Our
110th Anniversary
Commemorative Book
The Encyclical of H. H. Aram I
ARAM
A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST AND BY THE UNANTICIPATED WILL OF GOD AND BY THE CHOICE OF THE ARMENIAN NATION, CHIEF BISHOP AND CATHOLICOS OF THE ARMENIANS OF THE GREAT HOUSE OF CILICIA
GRACE, LOVE AND PEACE FROM THE LORD, AND PATRIARCHAL GREETINGS FROM US, AND THE BLESSING FROM THE RIGHT HAND OF OUR SAINTLY FATHER GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR
TO OUR BELOVED CHILDREN AND AFFILIATES OF THE HOLY SEAT OF THE GREAT HOUSE OF CILICIA, TO THE PRELATE OF THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP ANOUSHAVAN TANIELIAN, TO THE REVEREND PASTOR, TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND TO THE FAITHFUL PARISHIONERS OF
SAINT ILLUMINATOR’S CATHEDRAL
WHICH IS IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
From the Mother See of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias, with patriarchal blessings and with warm Christian love, we greet the Saint Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, the oldest parish of the Prelacy of the United States, which was founded in 1910, and which this year celebrates the 110th anniversary of its establishment.
It is with fatherly pride that we have been informed by the Lord and see the success of the activities of this cathedral and its tireless dedication to its mission. It has become a lighthouse of faith, a spiritual home, and a nurturing center for the faithful.
When we were pursuing our education in New York, on many occasions, we have offered the Holy Eucharist, “Soorp Badarak,” at the altar of the Cathedral, and have participated in numerous events sponsored by the Cathedral. Even though many of the parishioners reside farther away, they continue to remain involved and to support the good works of the church because they perceive the church as their spiritual mission. The spiritual meaning of the church, by its essence and being and mission, to be a spiritual home; it should not be understood as a commonplace location, but rather a point of sacred connection. It is the home of the soul of faithful. Our hopeful expectations are that, through knowledge, the Saint Illuminator’s Cathedral, through its people, will renew itself and become more appealing to Christian witnesses, especially with intense pastoral service.
Therefore, the observance of the 110th anniversary should become, in the life of the parish, not only the church of their thanksgiving and glory to God, who never ceases to bless and to support them, but also their dedication to fulfill the church’s mission with a house-upstanding. We wish to extend our highest appreciation to all those parishioners and benefactors, who have supported and strengthened this lighthouse, this unique house of worship in New York City.
With this encyclical letter, we bless those, who have labored with love and dedication, by truly-inspired minds. The observance of the 110th anniversary is an occasion for us to express our special fatherly appreciation to His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, to the pastor Reverend Father Mesrob Lakissian, and to the honorable members of the Board of Trustees, to all the working-elderships – to the faithful believers and parishioners, who—May Almighty God—bless them to see the fruits of their mission, and bestow on them the crown of success for their gifts to the church and for their constructive role of faith in the Armenian mission.
May we be filled with love from the Lord, strengthened by the Grace of the Holy Spirit, and forever blessed by us. Amen.
ARAM I
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia
This encyclical was given from the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia with patriarchal blessings on the 20th of May, in the year of Christ 2025 and in the Armenian year 1474.
