Pontifical Visit Strengthens Apostolic Bonds

On the occasion of the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III to the United States, on June 5, 2026, Archpriest Fr. Vazken Boyajyan, Pastor of Holy Resurrection Armenian Church in Seattle, accompanied by Mrs. Marine Boyajyan, their daughters, and acolyte Karlen Alexanyan, attended the welcome reception and evening prayer service at St. Thomas Orthodox Church of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church in Seattle.

At the conclusion of the service, His Holiness warmly welcomed Fr. Vazken as the pastor of a sister Apostolic Church and expressed his desire to strengthen the bonds of fellowship, prayer, and mutual support between the two communities as members of the One Holy Universal Church.

In his message, His Holiness offered thanks to God for the continued growth and vitality of the parish, which he was witnessing during his second pastoral visit. He reflected on Christ’s words, “I am the Light of the world,” emphasizing that all Christians are called to reflect that divine light through faithful service, spiritual commitment, and the preservation of Christian values, thereby dispelling the darkness of the world.

On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Diocesan Council, and the Armenian faithful of Seattle, Fr. Vazken conveyed words of welcome and presented His Holiness with Archbishop Derderian’s book, Vis-à-Vis Christianity, as a token of fraternal esteem and goodwill.

The evening was marked by a profound spirit of prayer and Christian fellowship. Surrounded by children, youth, and hundreds of faithful worshippers, participants joined together in thanksgiving to God for the flourishing ministry of St. Thomas Orthodox Church and for the opportunity to witness the inspiring pastoral leadership and spiritual message of His Holiness.