Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
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His Holiness Karekin ii

catholicos of all armenians

In the western DIOCESE

OFFICIAL BANQUET IN HONOR OF

HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II

MARRIOTT HOTEL, SAN FRANCISCO

June 18, 2005

Following the successful completion of the Pontifical visit of His
Holiness to Southern and Central California, on Saturday, June 18,
2005 accompanied by the Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, and the members of his entourage, the Catholicos arrived
at the San Francisco airport where he was greeted by the clergy of
the region and members of the Reception Committee.

At 7:15 p.m. the Official Banquet in honor of His Holiness Karekin
II took place at the Marriott Hotel in San Francisco, with the
participation of the four Churches of Northern California: St. John
Armenian Church, San Francisco; St. Andrew Armenian Church,
Cupertino; St. Vartan Armenian Church, Oakland; and St. James
Armenian Church, Sacramento.

Accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate,
His Eminence Archbishop Nerses Bozabalyan and His Eminence Archbishop
Datev Sarkisian of the Mother See, and a procession of clergy, the
Catholicos was led to the hall where over 350 faithful anxiously
awaited the arrival of the Pontiff. Also present was His Eminence
Archbishop Anemios representing the newly elected Metropolitan of the
Greek Orthodox Church.

The Banquet began with the Opening Prayer of His Holiness. Rev. Fr.
Sarkis Petoyan, Pastor of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco,
and Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Pastor of St. Andrew Armenian Church
in Cupertino served as Masters of Ceremonies.

During the program the faithful gave the Pontiff of All Armenians a
standing ovation. The program of the evening consisted of recitation
and music. Deacon Rod Jorjorian, member of St. James Armenian Church
and the Diocesan Council, welcomed His Holiness on behalf of the
Reception Committee. He expressed his joy that the four churches of
Northern California had the honor to express their respect and love
towards the Catholicos and the Mother See.

The Primate introduced His Holiness Karekin II, emphasizing the
success of the Pontifical visit of His Holiness. He then invited the
Catholicos to address the faithful.

His Holiness Karekin II expressed his joy in having the opportunity
to spend the past 18 days with his people, passing on to them the
blessings of God through the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He
commended the successes recorded within the Western Diocese under the
leadership of the Primate, as well as all future projects. He conveyed
to those in attendance the greetings and love of our people in
Armenia, and urged them to remain the loyal children of the Armenian
Apostolic Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The Banquet closed with the Benediction of the Catholicos.

OFFICE OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE

June 20, 2005

Burbank, California

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress