His Eminence Archbishop Aram Ateshian, Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, was the celebrant and homilist at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral on Sunday, November 25, 2018.

The Diocesan Primate H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, former Primate H.E. Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See H.G. Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Diocesan clergy and hundreds of faithful were in attendance.

The Patriarchal Vicar was introduced to the faithful by the Diocesan Primate who noted Archbishop Ateshian’s unwavering loyalty to the Armenian cause, the Armenian Church and his unrelenting dedication to preserving the Armenian educational institutions in Turkey.

Archbishop Ateshian’s sermon was centered on the vitality and power of prayer. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16).