A crowd of nearly 80 people stood outside of St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church in Waukegan on Monday night to witness history.
As a group of vehicles turned into the parking lot, the congregation drew close with gifts of flowers from children, along with the traditional offering of bread and salt.
His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos of the Holy See of the Armenian Church in Cilicia, had accepted an invitation to visit the church several months ago. A pontifical sojourn to the Eastern Prelacy parishes in the U.S. during October brought him to Waukegan, which he previously visited in 1997 immediately after his ordination.
As he entered the church, the crowd followed. The Rev. Daron Stepanian, the church’s pastor, held a crucifix for the pontiff to use in the blessing.
“It has a story,” he said. “Someone donated this cross to my father in 1967, when he became a priest. Now, I use it … and he will use it to bless the congregation.”
The pontiff conducted A short service, assisted by archbishops, pastors and clergy from other Armenian churches in the area. During his previous visit, Aram I acknowledged the Waukegan church as, “a small community but powerful one.”
“The church … is the same, always and everywhere,” he said. “There is no small church. There is no big church. There is no poor church. And, there is no rich church. The church, I repeat, is the same. You are a small church.
“Today, I came here to be with you,” he continued. “We regenerate our identity as Armenian Christians, and as Armenians.”
St. Paul was established in 1965, and remains vibrant with a renewing membership despite attrition over the decades.
“We are small, but ‘faith-full’ and dedicated, not only to the Armenian community, but the greater local community,” Alta Mekaelian, a church board co-chair, said. “We are so appreciative of His Holiness’s visit, especially at this time of great turmoil in the Middle East. A small community is like a spark that can ignite a warm and comforting fire.”
A reception dinner following the service included traditional foods prepared and cooked by a group of four women armed with time-tested recipes. When asked, the pontiff said, “One of the wonderful things in visiting with all the communities is getting to eat these delicious foods.”
The 78-year-old cleric was born in Lebanon, and studied at the American University in Beirut, as well as in Switzerland, Oxford University in England and Fordham University in New York. He holds two master’s degrees, a doctorate and several honorary degrees.
He is also the youngest person to be elevated to the highest elected position in the World Council of Churches, as the moderator of the central and executive committees.
“It was an honor to have him come to be with us again, after almost 30 years,” Arda Haroian-Bowles, vice-chairperson of the church board, said. “This is rare and special. It doesn’t happen every day.”
More Top Picks Best Soup Makers