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.