WATERTOWN, Mass.—After a deluge of genocide commemorations, there appears no rest for the weary of St. Stephen’s Apostolic Church.
With nearly no time to catch their breath, members are diligently at work preparing for a Pontifical visit by His Holiness Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia.
Will this second time be a charm?
“We were prepared to greet him the last time in 2012 when events in Syria took him away,” recalled Astor Guzelian, co-chairman of the Pontifical Steering Committee. “The centennial has kept everyone rather occupied. Vehapar’s visit will be well received by Armenians throughout Greater Boston and New England.”
A nine-day visit beginning on May 28 will open with an Armenian Independence Day commemoration at the Armenian Cultural & Education Center (ACEC) in Watertown, where remarks will be offered by Vehapar.
The following day, a Pontifical Banquet will take place at the Westin Waltham. Reservations are being taken for $150 an individual. His Holiness will be the keynote speaker and two awards will be presented that evening. One of those awards, the Spirit of Armenia award, will be given to the former Governor of Massachusetts, the Honorable Deval Patrick.
On May 30 there will be a youth exchange, offering a unique opportunity to have an open dialogue with His Holiness. This will take place at the Westin Waltham, beginning with breakfast at 9 a.m. and ending at noon with questions and answers.
The Catholicos will then proceed to Providence that evening for a Hrashapar service at St. Vartanantz Church.
A Pontifical Badarak will be celebrated May 31 by Aram Vehapar at St. Stephen’s Church. All New England parishes will be closed that day in order to attend this special service, which begins at 10 a.m. sharp.
Vehapar will visit St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary and Nursery School. He will also attend an intimate breakfast with community organizational leaders, along with a visit to Armenian Heritage Park at Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston.
His visit overlaps with the start of the NRA convention being hosted by St. Stephen’s Church. The Catholicos will have dinner with all NRA clergy that arrive on Wednesday evening, June 3, along with attending private meetings and fundraisers. He will address the gathering that Thursday afternoon.
“One thing we’d all like to get across is that this becomes an all-New England area visit and participation is strongly encouraged from New England Prelacy churches and their parishioners,” said Tamar Kanarian, committee co-chairman.
“For the first time ever, a Catholicos will be opening an NRA June 4 at St. Stephen’s, and this marks an historic occasion for us,” she added.
Kanarian added this will be an important event for the community as we look beyond the 100th anniversary and progress to strengthening our communities through the church.
“Aram Vehapar carries a strong message with him and I look forward to seeing him connect with people of all ages while he’s here,” she continued.
His Holiness has harbored a lifelong devotion to the worldwide ecumenical movement. A prolific author, he has written numerous books and articles in several languages.
“The Armenian Church has become the fountain of Armenian rebirth,” he says. “It must be renewed through the process of inner evangelism. Promoting greater creative interaction between the church and its youth should always remain a priority.”
Other members of the Pontifical Steering Committee include Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Rev. Archpriest Antranig Baljian, Executive Council member John Daghlian, Trustee chairman Raffi Manjikian, and Isabel Avedikian, Ara Barsoumian, Houry Daghlian, Michael Guzelian, Nousig Hagopian, Chris Hajian, Cerise Jalelian, Heather Krafian, Robert Najarian, Shahan Stepanian, and Garbis Zerdelian.
Tom Vartabedian
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What a great opportunity to receive the blessing of one of the great leaders of our time. My prayer is the heartfelt unity displayed during the centennial will continue and be sustained. It is wonderful that this is a “New England ” event, but should that not mean all churches and not just Prelacy churches. The diocesan churches should honor his presence by first being invited and then attending. We must encourage all to view the See of Cilicia as an Armenian treasure for all our people. We need bold steps to keep moving forward. We have learned this month the power of unity. I pray that this is the case.
Stephan’s comment is very insightful and his words have the ring of truth, In light of the recent ecumenical service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where his Holiness’ speech clearly was the dominant speech, I would urge that Catholic clergy also be extended an invitation.