On this day in 2001, tragedy struck our nation. Twenty three years later, America remembers with great fondness and pays homage to the memory of the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost in the series of catastrophic events. With great reverence, we pay our respect to the first responders, firefighters, law enforcement officials who put their lives on the line for their compatriots.

Exactly nine years after the September 11 attacks, St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral, the spiritual center of the Western Diocese was consecrated by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. At the request of His Holiness, the ceremony was dedicated to the thousands of Americans who perished nine years prior.

Our Christian faith calls us to transform grief into hope, division into unity, and fear into strength. We are reminded that in the face of hatred, we are called to be instruments of God’s peace.

“Do not overcome evil by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21). In this spirit, let us stand as one body, renewed in our mission to build bridges of understanding, justice and compassion.

Together, grounded in faith, we can rise above the ashes of tragedy, with hearts emboldened by the eternal promise of the Resurrection, bearing witness to the power of unity, hope, and grace.

Prayerfully,

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian

Primate