The long-awaited days of the pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia (Antelias, Lebanon), came to All Saints Armenian Apostolic Church in Glenview, Illinois, leaving behind many memories. . On the afternoon of Friday, October 18, 2024, Oscar Tatosian, Honorary Consul of Armenia in Chicago, hosted a luncheon for the Catholicos in downtown Chicago. Although church attendance was modest, the evening was warm, welcoming and a time of deep reflection. His Holiness Aram, together with the clergy of Cilicia and Echmiadzin from the surrounding regions and the various altar servers, solemnly and reverently passed through the doors of the Armenian Apostolic Church of All Saints. During the religious procession, accompanied by sublime Armenian spiritual music, one witnessed the beauty, pageantry and rituals of the Armenian Church – the Armenian Church that has survived through the ages despite countless and insurmountable trials and tribulations. After offering his blessings, His Holiness spoke briefly about the importance of Church and family.

The next morning, October 19, His Holiness met with the children of Taniel Varoujan’s Armenian Saturday School, youth and other groups. Later in the evening, the Catholicos attended a banquet at the Fountain Blue Banquet and Conference Center in Des Plaines, Illinois, given in his honor and that of the 81st anniversary of the Armenian Apostolic Church of All Saints. Taline Artinian welcomed the guests and introduced the speakers, including Reverend Father. Samuel Ajemian, pastor of the Armenian Apostolic Church of All Saints; Oscar Tatosian; Rafi Krikorian, chairman of the board of directors; and His Holiness Aram I, who spoke in detail about the importance of the Church, family and unity as well as the involvement and encouragement of young people in the life of the Church.

On Sunday, October 20, His Holiness celebrated the Divine Liturgy at church and spoke about the “bread of life,” what it means and our role as parishioners. Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas was present at the church service and shortly afterward. After the service, a khachkar The blessing (Armenian stone cross) by His Holiness took place in front of the church. THE khachkarwhich was brought from Armenia in 2023, was donated by the Hon. and Mrs. D. and S. Erickson; Mr. and Mrs. T. and S. Jarosik; and Mr. and Mrs. S. and K. Volpi. Afterwards, a delicious lunch prepared by the Ladies’ Guild was served before His Holiness, accompanied by his entourage, traveled to another Armenian church, bringing with him blessings, advice and words of wisdom.

Later, as I thought about the weekend and the important role the Armenian Church plays in our lives, I remembered a short story I read many years ago about a young Armenian clergyman who, in the courtyard of a mountainous church, told his fellow clergymen that they should go to the people and not wait for the people to come to the clergy. This is what happened during His Holiness’s visit: he had come to us, the people.

May His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia (Antelias, Lebanon), His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of all Armenians (Mother See of Etchmiadzin, Armenia) and ecclesiastics of all ranks, may they be Apostolic Armenians, Catholics or Evangelicals, be remembered in daily prayers, because these spiritual leaders, like lighthouses, are important in the life of the Armenian people. Here I can add the Armenian Catholic Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who daily and humbly pray, comfort and serve the Armenian people, regardless of denomination or beliefs, as well as the Armenians of Artsakh in Armenia and the Armenians of Lebanon who are suffering.

With three candles lit, God bless them and the Armenian people and nation. In the poem of Mgr Khoren Nar Bey De Lusignan, Let’s die Armenianshe writes:

“A nation faithful to the cross
Cannot be lost, even if centuries pass.
While in this world religion will continue,
His life will also last.

Knarik O. Meneshian was born in Austria. His father was Armenian and his mother Austrian. She earned her degree in literature and secondary education in Chicago, Illinois. In 1988, she served on the selection committee for the McDougal, Littell “Young Writers” Collection—Grades 1–8, an anthology of exemplary writing by students from across the country. » In 1991, Knarik taught English in the earthquake-devastated village of Jrashen (Spitak region), Armenia. In 2002-2003, she and her late husband (Murad A. Meneshian) lived and worked as volunteers in Armenia for a year, teaching English and computer classes in Gyumri and Tsaghgadzor. Meneshian’s work has been published in “Teachers As Writers, American Poetry Anthology” and other American publications, as well as in Armenian publications in the United States and Armenia. Knarik is the author of A Place Called Gyumri: Life in the Armenian Mountains. She is also the author of a collection of poems entitled Reflections and translated from Armenian into English Reverend D. Antreassian’s book entitled “The Banishment of Zeitoun” and “The Revolt of Suedia”. She started writing at the age of 12 and contributed to the Armenian weekly. since his early adolescence.