CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS LEAVES LOS ANGELES FOR FRESNO

FRESNO, JUNE 17, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On June 11, Karekin
II, Catholicos of All Armenians, finishing his pastor visit to
Los Angeles, left for Fresno accompanied by his retinue. Armenian
chruchmen of the region, representatives of parish councils, ladies’
and youth unions greeted His Holiness an the airport. On the same day,
under the solemn singing of “Hrashapar,” the churchmen’s procession
accompanied His Holiness to Surb Phoghos Armenian church with which
the patriarchal visit to Central California started. Archbishop Hovnan
Terterian, the diocesan primate welcame His Holiness Catholicos of All
Armenians. Then Catholicos of All Armenians addressed his commandment
to those gathered. His Holiness expressed satisfaction to the God
for his second visit to the US Western Deocese. The Patriarch touched
upon problems arisen before the Armenian Church and assured that it
is possible to overcome them only by joint efforts. Catholicos of All
Armenians, appriciating alive belief and devotion of Fresno believers,
appealed to remain faithful to Surb Armenian Apostolic Church, the
Christian belief and our cultural heritage. On the same day, Catholicos
of All Armenians met with youth arrived from different regions of
the Central California. His Holiness answered numerous questions the
youth were interested in, appealing to continue their devoted service
to the Armenian Church and the US Western Deocese. As Noyan Tapan was
informed by the Mother See Information Center, Catholicos Karekin II
celebrate the Saint Patriarchal liturjy at Surb Phoghos Armenian Church
of Fresno on June 12, Sunday. Clergymen of other Armenian churches
of Central California, of Surb Mariam and Surb Grigor as well as the
general choir of the Central California participated in the sacred
ceremony. Bishop John Staiback, the primate of the Catholic Church
of Fresno was present at the liturjy. “We pray for the Diaspora’s
strenghtening,” His Holiness said, giving his blessing to present
Armenians and appealing them to remain faithful to the Armenian Church
and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. In his sermon, His Holiness
touched upon the humane and national values. Particularly, His Holiness
also spoke about the invention of the Armenian letters as a result of
which the people’s beleif towards the God and the Armenian Apostolic
church even strengthened. His Holiness called on beleivers to keep
national values and never forget their birthplace of their sole, the
Armenian Church and the Fatherland. At the end of the Saint Liturjy,
numerous beleivers were given Saint Communication from the Catholicos
of All Armenians. On the same day, in honour of the Catholicos of
All Armenians, an official reception took place at the session hall
of Fresno with the participation of benefactors, beleivers as well
as high-ranking religious and political representatives and guests.