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Religion: Aram I comes to San Gabriel Valley

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  • Religion: Aram I comes to San Gabriel Valley

    Whittier Daily News , CA
    Oct 8 2011


    Aram I comes to San Gabriel Valley

    By Brian Charles and Brian Day, Staff Writers


    PASADENA - The spiritual leader for millions of Armenian Christians
    paid visits to Pasadena and Montebello in recent days during his
    fourth pontifical visit to the West Coast.

    Included in his stops were St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in
    Pasadena on Friday, and the Armenian Martyr's Memorial in Montebello
    on Saturday.

    More than 500 residents, luminaries and high ranking city and state
    officials awaited the arrival of His Holiness Aram I in Pasadena, who
    came to celebrate an event that occurred more than 1,500 years ago.

    "Today is the service for the Feast of the Holy Translators, when they
    first translated the Bible into Armenian," said Koko Panossian,
    treasurer of the board of trustees for St. Sarkis Church.

    The day is a major holiday for the Armenian Apostolic Church, making
    Aram I's visit even more significant, Panossian said.

    "This is as special as having your pope visit," Panossian said.

    The Armenian Apostolic Church is part of the six Oriental Orthodox
    Churches, "that believe in the unity of Jesus Christ as one
    individual," said Father Muron Aznikian.

    The belief system varies from the trinitarian beliefs of western
    Christianity, but Friday's ceremony was not about the lines that
    divide people, but


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    about unity, Aznikian said.

    "This brings together all denominations, stressing the unity that we
    all share in Christ and his mission," Aznikian said.

    As bells blared in the background and the flashing lights of Pasadena
    police motorcycles lit up the evening sky, the crowd grew restless.

    Aram I was finally here.

    His holiness was escorted by a quartet of clergy, all dressed in the
    traditional black and purple vestments.

    "Isn't this just amazing," said Gene Masuda, Pasadena District 4
    councilman. "This is a special night."

    Aram I has millions of followers worldwide.

    According to U.S. census data, more than 10,000 Armenians live in the
    greater San Gabriel Valley area, with major communities in Glendale,
    Burbank, Pasadena, Montebello and Altadena. Levon Kirakosian, who sits
    on the organizing committee for the pontiff's visit, said he believes
    the number is closer to 100,000.

    At a smaller, private ceremony in Montebello, Aram I led a somber
    requiem service and laid a memorial wreath at the base of the towering
    Armenian Martyr's Memorial, which pays tribute to the 1.5 million
    Armenians killed in a genocide carried out by the Turkish government
    between 1915 and 1921.

    "We are humbled that you are here," Mayor Art Barajas said upon
    greeting the pontiff. "The Armenian community is part of the
    Montebello community."

    Incense was lit as Aram I and other clergy members sang hymns and
    prayers in Armenian underneath the towering memorial.

    "We have never forgotten our martyrs and we will never forget them,"
    Aram I said.

    "Today we once again honor those Armenian martyrs who have fallen
    because of the genocide," he said.

    "Genocide is a crime against humanity," Aram I added, which should be
    condemned by all free nations. "The Armenian cause is the cause of
    justice."

    "May God bless you all, and may God bless this beautiful country of
    the United States of America," Aram I said.

    Aram I's tour of California continues with a lecture Friday at UCLA on
    the topic of Christianity in the Middle East, of which the pontiff is
    considered an authority.

    He plans to return to Montebello on Oct.24 for a Hrashapar Service and
    banquet at the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, 900 W. Lincoln
    Ave.

    The event will also celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Holy Cross
    Armenian Apostolic Church and the 30th anniversary Banquet of the Holy
    Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral.


    http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_19073741

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