PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
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June 20, 2006

His Holiness Karekin II Departs on Pontifical Visit to Turkey

Today, June 20, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians departs for Istanbul, Turkey for a
seven-day Pontifical Visit.  His Holiness is traveling to Turkey upon
the joint invitation of His Beatitude Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian,
Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople; and His All Holiness Bartholomew
I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.

During this first Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II to
Turkey, the Catholicos of All Armenians will visit Armenian churches
and holy shrines, extend his pontifical blessings to the Armenian
community of Istanbul, and meet with Armenian intellectuals and young
men and women.  On Sunday, June 25, His Holiness will celebrate a
Pontifical Divine Liturgy in the Armenian Patriarchate’s Cathedral
of the Holy Mother of God.

For two days during the trip, His Holiness will also be the guest
of the Ecumenical Patriarch in a fraternal visit.  His Holiness will
have a number of ecumenical meetings in the Armenian Patriarchate as
well.  Also planned is a meeting between the Pontiff of All Armenians
and the Governor of Istanbul.

His Holiness is scheduled to return to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin on June 28.

Accompanying the Catholicos of All Armenians during the journey is His
Eminence Archbishop Dirayr Mardigian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese
of Romania and Bulgaria; His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern); His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of
the Armenian Church of North America; His Eminence Archbishop Karekin
Bekdjian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany; His Eminence
Archbishop Yeznik Petrosian, Director of the Publications Department
of the Mother See; His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar
General of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese; His Grace Bishop Vicken
Aykazian, Diocesan Legate for the Eastern Diocese (USA); His Grace
Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See; His Grace
Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus;
and Rev. Fr. Vasken Nanian, Staff-Bearer for His Holiness.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress