Pontifical Visit Media Advisory

His Holiness Karekin II
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians

Pontifical Visit of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue New York, New York 10016

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate

Pontifical Visit
Media Relations Office

Michael O’Hurley-Pitts, Ph.D.
Director
Telephone: 212.686.0710 ext. 154
michael@armeniandiocese.org
Facsimile: 212.689.1934
Cellular: 212.533.0335

Sylvie Keshishian
Public Relations Director
Telephone: 212.686.0710 ext. 160
publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org
Facsimile: 212.689.1934

EMBARGOED FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13 October 2007

His Holiness Karekin II Meets Ecumenical Leaders – Celebrates with
Children at St. Sarkis Armenian Church

Charlotte, North Carolina – His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of all Armenians began his two day Pontifical Visit to Charlotte,
North Carolina by being recieved by a delegation of the Armenian Christian
faithful who gathered at the Charlotte Airport to greet him upon his
arrival. The pastor, Father Daniel Karadjian, along with the North Carolina
Pontifical Visit Committee Co-Chairs Diane Gulkasian Tudor and Naomi
Davitian, welcomed the Catholicos and his retinue on Thursday evening,
October 11th. Upon arrival, the Catholicos was presented with the
fundamental elements of life, bread and salt, by Armenian Christian children
clothed in their native dress. Partaking of both, His Holiness Karekin II
thanked the children and blessed each one.

On Friday morning, The Right Rev. Peter Jugis, Roman Catholic Bishop of the
Diocese of Charlotte extended his hospitality to His Holiness Karekin II by
hosting an ecumenical luncheon in his honor at the Duke Mansion in
Charlotte. He was joined by his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus William
Curlin, Monsignor Mauricio West, Vicar General of the Diocese, Abbot Placid
Solari of Belmont Abbey College (Benedictine) and other Roman Catholic
leaders. Other honored guests at the event included Bishop Leonard Bolick
of the North Carolina Lutheran Synod; Bishop William Gregg of the Episcopal
Church; The Very Reverend John D. Hanic of St. Baptiste de La Salle Church;
Father Steve Dalber of St. Ketarios Greek Orthodox Church; Father Arsenios
Ragheb of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, The Reverend Cecil Donohue of the
United Methodist Church’s AGAPE program (which provides aid to Armenia),
Father Walde-Tsadik Maregn of Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church; Sister
Rosland Picot, RSM of the Sisters of Mercy; Sister Mary Michele Boulos of
the Sacred Heart Convent Motherhouse and other ecumenical and interfaith
leaders.

His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, Speaks at Duke Mansion

In his opening remarks, Bishop Jugis welcomed the Catholicos to the South,
the text of his remarks follow:

"We are happy to welcom you, Your Holiness, on your pastoral visit to
Charlotte, North Carolina.

The culture of the southern United States has always been known for its
spirit of hospitality and welcome. Known as ‘Southern Hospitality,’ its
roots are deep in our culture.

We are reminded of the same hospitality which Martha and Mary showed Jesus,
when they welcomed Him as a guest to their home, and we today welcome you as
a brother in Christ into our hom.

As Western society becomes more and more secularized, it needs the witness
of Judaeo-Christian values to keep the society oriented toward God. To
protect and promote the dignity of the huma person created in the image of
God, to help the poor and the homess in material and spiritual ways – all of
this springs from the love of God which has been placed in our hearts from
above. The witness of this love has a powerful transformative effect on our
society.

You have come, Your Holiness, to Charlotte, which is known as the ‘city of
churches.’ The new Saint Sarkis Church is another welcome witness to the
presence of Christ and His love in our community.

As a sign of our welcome, and of our common collaboration in service to God,
we look forward to joining you in the prayer service at Saint Sarkis this
evening.

May Our Lord Jesus Christ bless your visit here during these days, and may
it bear good fruit for the growth of the Kingdom of God among all people of
good will."

The Catholicos, moved by the warm reception of the ecumenical and interfaith
leaders who came to show their respects, spoke of the gathering as a true
sign of God’s work in unifying humanity. "I look around this room and the
people who have come here today," said the Catholicos in English, "from many
different churches and faiths, and look upon the bouquet of flowers placed
in front of me. Individually each is pleasing and fragrant – but together
their beauty is profound and has a sweeter aroma. I don’t know if I am
making myself understood or not in my English." The crowd erupted in
applause giving proof to the power of the words of the leader of the world’s
most ancient Christian nation.

Bishop Peter Jugis Receives Armenian Cross from His Holiness Karekin II

His Holiness Karekin II thanked Bishop Peter Jugis for being such an
exceptional host, not only to himself, but to all of the ecumenical and
interfaith leaders who gathered to pay their respects. The Catholicos took
time to praise Bishop Jugis’ leadership in the Roman Catholic community with
the Eucharistic Congress, "I congratulate my brother Bishop Jugis for
bringing thousands of his faithful to Christ through the Eucharist which is
also the center of our faith and that unity which binds us all here today."

At the close of the luncheon, His Holiness Karekin II presented Bishop Jugis
with a gold, Armenian Cross. Kissing his "very dear brother Bishop
Jugis…," on both cheeks, the Catholicos and Bishop Jugis hugged one
another and exchanged person words of appreciation for the ministry of the
other, especially in uniting the community before the.

"Before my audience with His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos," said
Charlotte’s Episcopal Bishop William Gregg "I had not had the opportunity to
meet Bishop Peter Jugis of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte. I’m
truly thankful to His Holiness for having come all the way from Armenia to
bring the Christian community of Charlotte closer together."

For more information on the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II,
including supplemental media advisories background papers and daily video
updates, please visit: