Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

CR: Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • CR: Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II

    Congressional Record
    May 25, 2005 (Senate)]
    >From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

    PONTIFICAL VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II, CATHOLICOS OF ALL
    ARMENIANS, TO THE WESTERN DIOCESE

    Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize the
    Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
    Armenians, to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
    America during the month of June 2005. The Catholicos will visit the
    Western Diocese, headquartered in Burbank in my home State of
    California and travel around California from June 1 through 20. As the
    132nd Catholicos of all Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II is spiritual
    leader to more than 7 million Armenian Apostolic Christians worldwide.
    I would also like to recognize the Western Diocese Primate, His
    Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, for his good works on behalf of
    Armenian-Americans in California and the Western U.S.
    This momentous occasion marks the second Pontifical visit of the
    Catholicos to the Western Diocese. The visit has been titled ``The
    Renaissance of Faith'' because it marks a source of spiritual
    inspiration and reawakening for Christian Armenians, whose faith is
    1700 years old.
    The Diocese of the Armenian Church, established 107 years ago in
    Worcester, MA, originally served Armenian churches in the United States
    and Canada. In 1927, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of
    North America was established by a directive from the Mother See. The
    establishment of the Western Diocese was an historic occasion, which
    marked the growth of a strong Armenian community in California and the
    Western United States.
    The Western Diocese was originally headquartered in Fresno. In 1957,
    the headquarters were moved to Los Angeles. In 1994, the headquarters
    were damaged by the Northridge Earthquake. Later that year, the
    Diocesan Assembly decided to purchase a new Diocesan Headquarters. In
    1997, the Western Diocese officially moved into a multipurpose complex
    located in Burbank, CA, which will be the future site of the Mother
    Cathedral. This Pontifical visit is even more special because the
    Catholicos will be there in June to bless the foundation stones at the
    groundbreaking of the new Mother Cathedral.
    The visit is also appropriately timed to coincide with two important
    anniversaries--the 90th Anniversary of the commemoration of the
    Armenian Genocide and the 1600th Anniversary of the creation of the
    Armenian alphabet. Earlier this year, I joined my Armenian friends in
    commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which was
    the first genocide of the 20th century.
    The Armenian alphabet, along with the Armenian language, has
    contributed immensely to the vibrant continuity of Armenian culture.
    The Catholicos' visit will highlight these two anniversaries and
    further empower Armenians in the Western Diocese to continue their
    long-fought efforts for justice.
    I am honored to recognize this historic and joyous visit, which will
    strengthen ties between Armenia and Armenians in California. I know
    that His Holiness Karekin II will have a very special visit to
    California and I wish the Armenian community in California an increased
    sense of purpose and inspiration.
Working...
X