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
PRESS RELEASE
19 October 2007
His Holiness Karekin II Completes Florida Leg of His Pontifical Visit
Florida – On Tuesday, October 16th, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians concluded his Pontifical Visit of
Florida having visited St. Hagop Armenian Church in Pinellas Park; St. David
Armenian Church of Boca Raton; and, St. Mary Armenian Church of Hollywood,
Florida. The Catholicos flew on to New Orleans, Louisiana on later that
day.
His Holiness has been accompanied throughout the Pontifical Visit by His
Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern). At the invitation of Archbishop Barsamian the
Catholicos committed to an unprecedented 30-day Pontifical Visit to the
Diocese which will see him visit 18 cities in 14 different states over a
30-day period. The theme chosen for the Pontifical Visit is, A Pastoral
Journey – Bringing Faith Home. The theme speaks of the Catholicos’ true
desire to get to know the hopes, concerns and aspirations of his American
flock better and for them to know him better too.
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian assists His Holiness Karekin II in
blessing of altar at
as Father Hovnan, Pastor of St. Hagop Armenian Church of Pinellas Park,
Florida looks on
The Florida leg of the Pontifical visit saw His Holiness Karekin II
consecrate the Diocese’s newest sanctuary – that of St. Hagop Armenian
Church of Pinellas Park in the Tampa Bay area. The visit began with the
traditional Turnpatzek service (opening of the doors) and continued with a
reception for the Catholicos that evening. On Sunday, October 14th, His
Holiness, assisted by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, His Eminence
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan Legate, Father Hovnan, the pastor
of St. Hagop Armenian Church and members of the Pontifical retinue,
consecrated the new sanctuary. An ecumenical reception was given for His
Holiness the Catholicos at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in nearby
Clearwater, Florida following the consecration.
Flying on to Southern Florida, the Catholicos arrived at Boca Raton Airport
where he was warmly received by members of both the St. David and St. Mary
Armenian Church communities.
In Boca Raton, at St. David Armenian Church, His Holiness was greeted by
throngs of excited children. Taking part in the "Pizza Party with the
Pontiff," the Catholicos enjoyed the company of the children, listening to
their poems and songs – taking time to greet them all personally. Bestowing
an Armenian cross on each child, while Archbishop Barsamian gave each child
a prayer card with a picture of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Catholicos, the day
concluded with a Hrashapar service of welcoming and thanksgiving.
A child receives an Armenian Cross from His Holiness Karekin II as
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian looks on
Monday evening, the Catholicos of All Armenians was received as an honored
guest by members of the South Florida Armenian Community and over a dozen
ecumenical and civic leaders who came to pay their respects.
Tuesday began with the Catholicos make an adjustment to the daily schedule
to pay a personal visit on His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos, the
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece. His Beatitude is in the United States
for medical treatment. The two leaders and friends, who had traveled
together to Instanbul in a delegation with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian only
last year, spoke of the strong bonds between the Greek and Armenian
communities. During his visit, the Catholicos and Archbishop Christodoulos
prayed together in both Armenian and Greek as a sign of their Christian and
brotherly unity.
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Catholicos and Archbishop
Christodoulos Praying in Armenian and Greek
Returning to the day’s events, His Holiness Karekin II traveled on to St.
Mary Armenian Church in Hollywood, Florida. None the weary for the waiting,
understanding the importance of the pastoral visit His Holiness had paid to
his dear friend Archbishop Christodoulos, a crowd of Armenian Christians
from the St. Mary community enthusiastically greeted their beloved
Catholicos just after noon.
Worshippers participated in a service in which the Catholicos blessed the
Khachkars on the altar of St. Mary Armenian Church. Following the service,
members of the St. Mary Armenian Church Parish Council, Delegates and
Committee Members, as well as members of the community, met with their
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos.
His Holiness Karekin II blesses the faithful who thronged to see him during
his Pontifical Visit to South Florida
Tuesday afternoon saw the Armenian Community of South Florida wave goodbye
to their beloved Vehapar and their Primate as they returned to their 18
city, 14 state, 30-day Pontifical Visit to the Eastern Diocese.
Please read the latest Media Advisories (including detailed coverage of the
Florida leg of the visit), see the most updated coverage In the News and
watch the daily videos and pictures from the entire Pontifical Visit on the
web at: <;
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