Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and the spiritual leader of the Armenian Diaspora communities in the Middle East, Europe and North America, visited St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic in Pasadena on October 6, Whittier Daily News reported.

Aram I, the leader of the Holy See of Cilicia, headquartered in Antelias, Lebanon, makes his fourth pontifical visit to the western United States, and his second visit to St. Sarkis. His last visit to the region was in October 2005.

Aram I will deliver his blessings and inspirational messages to throngs of faithful at various churches, events and venues around California.

While there, the pontiff will also participate in a special Feast of Holy Translators Celebration, which is celebrated in October. The feast honors and remembers the lives and accomplishments of the saints: St. Mesrop Mashtots, St. Sahak Partev, Moses of Khorene and Yeghishe.

The visit began with a communitywide welcome at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood. The schedule included meetings with local students and young adults, a lecture at UCLA on "The Future of Christianity in the Middle East," and a presentation of the pontiff's latest book.