On Sunday, November 16, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the Divine Liturgy and delivered a sermon at St. Sarkis Church (Douglaston, New York). The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Primate of the Diocese of Canada, His Eminence Archbishop Papken.
Before the pontifical sermon, His Eminence, Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, welcomed His Holiness, expressed his filial gratitude, and described the visit as historic.
His Holiness chose the imperative to follow Christ as the theme of his sermon. Christ, through His teachings, messages, and miracles, had made clear the purpose of His mission. He had come for the salvation of man mired in sin and had shown him the way to do so: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). After his message in Armenian, His Holiness gave a summary in English:
“’If anyone believes me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ This is what Jesus Christ said at a critical point of His earthly ministry. Through teachings, parables, and miracles, Jesus Christ exposed to his followers who he was and the purpose of his ministry. And then He said Whoever believes in me should follow me. What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ?
a) To consider Christ as the way of our life.
b) To follow Christ as the truth of our life.
c) To live Christ as the center of our life.
We should know, as Jesus Christ reminded us, that following Jesus Christ is not easy; it is the way of the cross, it is a cross-centered life. The cross is the symbol of love, sacrifice, suffering, and commitment. This is the way of victory. Christ achieved resurrection through the cross.”
