PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

June 24, 2005
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CATHOLICOS LEADS ARMENIAN CHURCH DELEGATION IN BUILDING A HOME

Though faced with hours of hard work, from painting walls to pounding
nails, they couldn’t help but smile as they labored. For they knew they
were helping others as they worked on a Habitat for Humanity house in
Detroit, MI.

“It was truly a gift to be able to help another person by offering them
a helping hand,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), who joined His
Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
at the Habitat for Humanity worksite on June 22, 2005.

The Catholicos arrived in Detroit at the invitation of Ken Benson, the
president of Habitat for Humanity’s Michigan chapter. He flew in on
Tuesday, June 21, following his pontifical visit to the Western Diocese,
on a plane provided by Richard Manoogian’s Masco Corporation.

The house the Catholicos and other church leaders worked on is being
funded by the Masco corporation and worked on by volunteers from that
company.

“We were able to talk and work alongside the owners of the new house, a
nice young family, and to see that our small efforts and those of the
many dedicated volunteers for Masco were changing their lives,” the
Primate said. “It was a very Christian feeling, to help the less
fortunate make new lives for themselves with your own hands.”

During his stop in Michigan, the Catholicos spoke about Habitat for
Humanity and expressed appreciation that this organization was reaching
out to those in need. By working to alleviate poverty, he said, they
were helping to bring about peace. It is a mission shared by the
Armenian Church.

MEETING WITH FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER

During the work session, the Catholicos had a chance for a private
meeting with Habitat for Humanity’s most well-known supporter, former
U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The Catholicos was joined by Archbishop
Barsamian; Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese;
Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Canadian Diocese; Bishop Vicken
Aykazian, Eastern Diocesan legate; and Richard Manoogian.

“The meeting was very important. There was a very quality conversation
between them,” said Bishop Aykazian of the 30-minute conversation during
which the Catholicos invited the former president to visit Armenia.
Carter said he would see if he could accept the Catholicos’ invitation.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ARMENIA

There is a very active Habitat for Humanity International chapter in
Armenia. Started just about three years ago, it is the fastest growing
chapter in Eastern Europe. Last year volunteers completed its 100th
home.

Bishop Aykazian left for Armenia on Friday, June 24, 2005, with Habitat
for Humanity Michigan leader Ken Benson. They will be joined in Armenia
by Frank Griswold, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in
America. They are going to Armenia to speak with representatives of the
Armenian government about strengthening official support for the
organization. The Armenian Church has been a vital partner for Habitat
for Humanity Armenia from the earliest stages.

“It is important because one of the missions of the church is to help
the poor and the suffering and those who are hungry,” Bishop Aykazian
said. “To house these people is the first step, so they can at least
keep their bodies from heat and the cold. Building them homes is the
first step to solving problems of the poor.”

Many parishes and other non-Armenian organizations send volunteers to
build with Habitat for Humanity in Armenia. This year 13 groups will be
traveling to Armenia to lend their labor, Bishop Aykazian said. The
goal for this year’s construction schedule is to build 22 new homes in
Armenia.

Bishop Aykazian, who said he was honored with the opportunity to bless
the 100th house built by Habitat for Humanity Armenia, said volunteers
give of their time and energy because they go away with a warmth in
their heart.

“When I saw the people moving in, I couldn’t have been happier. Just
seeing the smile on the face of these poor people, it was moving,” he
said. “You see their smiles and nothing else. You just can’t stop
yourself from crying from happiness when you see them.”

— 6/24/05

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, works on a house for Habitat for Humanity
in Detroit, MI, on Wednesday, June 22, 2005.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, along with other Habitat for Humanity volunteers, talk to the
future owners of a house being built in Detroit, MI, during a stop at
the worksite by the Catholicos on Wednesday, June 22, 2005.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Heading to the Habitat for Humanity house being
sponsored by the Masco Corporation, Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate of
the Eastern Diocese, right, joins the primates of the three North
American Armenian Church dioceses, from left, Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese; Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Eastern Diocese; and Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of
the Canadian Diocese.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Kevork Toroyan, chair of the Diocesan Legate
Committee, left, joins Legate Bishop Vicken Aykazian; Ken Benson, the
president of Habitat for Humanity’s Michigan chapter; and National
Council of Churches General Secretary Dr. Rev. Robert Edgar.