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
[email protected]
Facsimile: 212.689.1934
Cellular: 212.533.0335
Sylvie Keshishian
Public Relations Director
Telephone: 212.686.0710 ext. 160
[email protected]
Facsimile: 212.689.1934
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6 October 2007
New England Hosts Banquet for His Holiness Karekin II – Ecumenical
Leaders Pay Tributes
Boston – His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians was honored by a crowd of more than 350 at a banquet at
the Fairmont Copley Hotel in downtown Boston Saturday evening. The
evening’s master of ceremonies, Donald Tellalian introduced a
succession of dignitaries and speakers who included, amongst others,
His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis
of Boston, His Eminence Séan Cardinal O’Malley of the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Boston, and Mr. James Kalustian, Vice President, Fair
Isaac Corporation and treasurer of the Diocesan Council of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). Mr. Kalustian is the
National Chairman of the 2007 Pontifical Visit Committee and was
joined on the dais by Mr. Haig Deranian, Chairman of the New England
Regional Committee for the 2007 Pontifical Visit.
A Deacon of the Armenian Church, Mr. Kalustian recalled the kick-off
event for the New England visit, `Last night, over 300 young
professionals and college age student gathered to welcome our beloved
Vehapar.’ He continued, `The Armenian Christian spirit and soul burns
brightly in the Armenian-American people, Your Holiness. We welcome
you, and pray that Our Lord continues to bless you with the strength,
wisdom and good health to fulfill His will for our beloved Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin, our Armenian Apostolic Church and your beloved
sons and daughters.’
His Eminence Archbishop Methodios of Boston Extends Greetings to His
Holiness Karekin II and Audience
His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston spoke to the crowd,
praising their Pontiff and urging them to stay true to their heritage,
traditions and cultural identity, `The Greek and Armenian communities
has contributed much to the history of the world. I encourage you not
to become part of the American melting pot – but to be part of the
Armenian mosaic where we contribute to this nation’s greatness without
the sacrifice of our identities.’ Séan Cardinal O’Malley also
extended his best wishes and prayers for His Holiness Karekin II,
`Your Catholicos is not only your spiritual leader, His Holiness is
recognized as a strong religious leader throughout the world.’
Speaking to the issue inter-Church relations, Cardinal O’Malley
reminded the crowd of the importance of Christ’s prayer for unity, `We
have so much in common, in our faith, traditions and even culture. We
must work to be one family.’
His Eminence Sean Cardinal O’Malley and His Eminence Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian Confer
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), introduced the Catholicos of
All Armenians, `On His Holiness Karekin II’s shoulders rest the
awesome weight of Armenia’s history, Christian heritage and her very
identity. However, instead of being a burden, His Holiness carries
this responsibility with a glad and humble heart, joyfully calling us
to a life centered in Jesus Christ, from whose leadership our homeland
and all diasporan homes can rely for strength, spiritual guidance and
a promising future.’
Massachusettes State Representative Peter Koutoujian Greets His
Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
His Holiness Karekin II addressed the audience with a spiritually
uplifting message reminding the gathered faithful of their true
inheritance, `Our country and history bear witness to God’s care and
preservation. Following the Great Flood, God re-established human
life at the base of Mount Ararat, and in that same sacred place, he
sealed and oath with the righteous patriarch Noah – the first oath
between God and man. And later, God graced our people once again with
the descent of the Only Begotten Son and founded His house of prayer
on Armenian soil for his chosen nation – the first Christian nation.’
Armenian become the first Christian nation in 303 A.D., more than a
decade before Christianity was made legal in the Roman Empire. His
Holiness Karekin II is the 132rd Catholicos of All Armenians – the
first being St. Gregory the Illuminator. He is on the third day of a
thirty-day, eighteen city Pontifical Visit to the Eastern Diocese.
Please log on to our website
<http://www.pontificalv isit.org/> to keep up to date with His
Holiness’
Pontifical Visit.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
