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 27, 2005

Priests from Holy Etchmiadzin Depart for Jerusalem and the United States

With the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, four members of the Brotherhood of Holy
Etchmiadzin departed on April 27 for Jerusalem to participate in the
celebrations of Holy Easter, which this year falls on May 1 according to the
Old Calendar (which is followed by the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem).

His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Martirosian, Primate of the Diocese of
Artsakh; Rev. Fr. Sahak Shakarian, Rev. Fr. Kyuregh Vardanian and Rev. Fr.
Norayr Simonian will participate in the celebration of the Divine Liturgies
and the various other services in the Holy Land as guests of the Armenian
Patriarchate, and will extend the blessings and message of His Holiness.

The Catholicosate of All Armenians has also sent four clergymen to North
America to participate in the annual diocesan assemblies of the Eastern and
Western United States which are taking place this week. Rev. Fr. Hovakim
Manukian and Rev. Fr. Yessai Artenian will be in Bayside, New York, to
participate in the clergy conference and diocesan meetings of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), and Rev. Fr. Adam Makarian and
Rev. Fr. Andreas Isakhanian will be in Fresno, California, attending the
assembly events of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America.