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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
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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