PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
April 24, 2005

His Holiness Karekin II Visits Armenian Genocide Memorial

On April 24, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
accompanied by His Excellency Robert Kocharian, President of the Republic of
Armenia, visited the “Tsitsernakaberd” Armenian Genocide Memorial in the
capital city of Yerevan on the occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the
Genocide of the Armenians. His Holiness presided during a solemn Repose of
Souls service offered in memory of the 1.5 million victims of the first
genocide of the twentieth century.

Accompanying the Catholicos of All Armenians and the President were:
President of the National Assembly Artur Baghdasarian, Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian, President of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutiunian,
RA Government Ministers and high-ranking clergymen of the Armenian Church.

On the occasion of this solemn anniversary of the Genocide, archbishops and
bishops of sister Christian Churches have traveled to Armenia as guests of
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to participate in the 90th Anniversary
commemoration events. Representatives from the Syrian Orthodox Church,
Roman Catholic Church, Russian Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Church,
Romanian Orthodox Church, Georgian Orthodox Church, the Church of England
and the Conference of European Churches joined His Holiness during the
service.

In the evening of April 24, His Holiness Karekin II will preside during an
Ecumenical Requiem Service in Yerevan at the Saint Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral. The guest clergymen from abroad will join with the Armenian
Church clergy and faithful in offering prayers in memory of the countless
victims of genocides of the twentieth century.