BY GILDA BUCHAKJIAN KUPELIAN
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia on November 15 visited the Armenian Missionary Association of America headquarters in Paramus, New Jersey. He was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, Prelacy Vicar and pastor of St. Vartanants Church, New Jersey, as well as a delegation of clergy and representatives of the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon.
The Pontifical delegation was warmly welcomed by prominent members and guests from the Armenian Evangelical community and members of the AMAA Board of Directors led by Zaven Khanjian, Executive Director/CEO, and Rev. Calvin Sagherian, Moderator of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America.
Upon his arrival at the AMAA headquarters, His Holiness blessed the Bread, the Salt, and the Water carried by Aren and Aline Shnorhokian, the great-grandchildren of evangelical luminary Rev. Manasseh Shnorhokian.
After the Atchahampuyr, the greeting and homage of the attendees to the guest of honor, Vehapar and Anoushavan Srpazan met with the following clergy and members of the AMAA Board of Directors and AEUNA: Zaven Khanjian, Rev. Avedis Boynerian, Rev. Joseph Garabedian, Rev. Serop Megerditchian, Rev. Calvin Sagherian, Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian, Phyllis Dohanian, Berjouhy Gulesserian, Dr. Nurhan Helvacian, and Dr. Michael Voskian.
After the brief meeting, a sumptuous luncheon ensued in honor of the esteemed guests with the representatives of the community. The invocation was delivered at the meal fellowship by Rev. Joseph Garabedian, pastor of the Armenian Presbyterian Church in Paramus, New Jersey.
Rev. Calvin Sagherian expressed his deep appreciation to the Catholicos for holding the Armenian community together despite its shrinking, and the emigration of its members, and for “not just surviving but thriving under the circumstances.” Rev. Sagherian gratefully expressed cognizance and appreciation of His Holiness’ connection to the Armenian Evangelical churches across the Middle East and North America, and expressed hope for more opportunities to support one another.
Khanjian’s speech on behalf of the AMAA and its president, Dr. Nazareth Darakjian, was delivered under the gaze of all the evangelical leaders whose photographs adorned the walls of the hall. Khanjian also cited the contributions of the Catholico of Cilicia who preceded the current Pontiff, and invoked their spirit that resides and flourishes in him. Addressing Aram Vehapar, Khanjian said, “Following the example of the incarnate life of Jesus Christ youhave loudly declared that faith means service.” Khanjian noted the Catholicos’ prowess and wisdom in addressing youth to steer away from corruption and its consequences; his courage and involvement in the critical issues of our homeland; and “as the Diaspora loses its identity,” the AMAA Director underscored the continued efforts of His Holiness to “persevere in following its reevaluation and self-examination in order to reinvigorate and reorganize it.” Khanjian acknowledged that the “roots of our faith are firmly anchored in the Mother Church”, and applauded the Catholicos as “the example of indefatigable leadership for our Armenian nation.” He concluded with the earnest wish and prayer for the Armenian Evangelical Church aware of and faithful to its mission, hand-in-hand with the Mother Church, continue to spread the Word of God.
On behalf of the AMAA, Zaven Khanjian offered the Catholicos a pen symbolizing the power of the written word, and a contribution of $100,000 to benefit the religious and educational endeavors of the Catholicosate of the See of Cilicia.
Khanjian lauded Anoushavan Srpazan’s exemplary service to the Armenian church, and gifted him “the heaviest gift,” which included a collection of all the recent publications of the AMAA, for the Prelacy library. On the occasion of His Holiness’ Pontifical visit, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan saluted Vehapar’s steadfast commitment to the causes that distress the Armenian nation, and qualified his work as a source of inspiration and reinvigoration.
His Holiness began his eloquent message by stating “This is a mission house. Mission is the raison d’etre, the foundation, the identity, and the purpose of this house.” He focused on the two words in the AMAA acronym: first, Missionary and second, Armenian. “Mission is not one of the activities of the churches. Mission is not one of the departments, or functions of the church. Mission is the very essence of the church,” emphasized the Catholicos. “The church is mission.” Jesus Christ sent his disciples to the world not to establish churches, but to engage in mission. To take the word of God to the people. “The outreach was the integral part of the community of faith, therefore, the church is a missionary reality.” His Holiness was happy that with that understanding, the AMAA and the Evangelical community is continuing its activities towards the “promotion of missionary values in the Armenian Evangelical church.”
Alluding to the word Armenian, His Holiness said, “You have gone even beyond the Armenian evangelical church in your missionary outreach.” Referencing the spirit of collaboration, the Pontiff added, “we are beyond being partners, we are in fellowship.” He stated that all the Armenian churches have the same roots and the same values, “our commonalities are stronger than our differences.” Wherever we are, “we work together as servants, members of the fellowship and we have to continue working in fellowship.” The Pontiff noted that the AMAA contribution will enhance the missionary activities of the Catholicosate, education being an important facet of mission. As he commented on his own ecumenical education, citing the Near East School of Theology, Oxford University, and Fordham Catholic University, His Holiness underscored that “the evangelical dimension has remained a strong one.”
Expressing joy for his presence in this missionary house, Aram Vehapar prayed to God “to strengthen you and grant new vitality, in this world where the reality of God is being more and more marginalized.” His Holiness noted that the church should go beyond its walls, otherwise, it will suffocate. The church should destroy all kinds of walls and fences that separates itself from its people. The church is a missionary reality, and as such, the church acquires “its true meaning, its credibility, its relevance, outside itself, outside its ecclesiastical boundaries when it becomes a living reality.” His Holiness underscored that “our Lord Jesus Christ, is the first missionary,” and more than at any other time, in this crucial period of human history, “I believe and I repeat, mission should become a high priority for all churches.”
The Pontiff ended his message with a benediction praying that God Almighty would always keep this house strong and steadfast, and on the steady path of its mission.
The elegant event, with attention to every detail, was tirelessly and meticulously coordinated by co-chairs Seta Nalbandian and Lucienne Aynilian, and their committee members: John Cherkezian, Sona Khanjian, Zaven Khanjian, Christine Kutlu, Magda Poulos, Nancy Rivera, Michele Simourian, Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian, and Marie Viducich. The exquisite autumnal centerpieces were graciously donated by John and Michele Simourian.
The outstanding program concluded with a moving rendition of “Giligia” by all the attendees.
Founded in 1918, the Armenian Missionary Association of America serves the spiritual, educational, and social needs of Armenian communities in 24 countries around the world including Armenia and Artsakh. For additional information, you may visit the website.