Western Diocese

Western Diocese of Armenian Church

Third Pontifical Visit of His

Holiness Karekin II

Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians

We joyously inform the faithful members of the Western Diocese, of the Third Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II on the occasion of the 80^th anniversary of the establishment of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, by the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Diocesan Primate.

The following are the four major events during the Third Pontifical Visit that will be graced by His Holiness’ presence:

I. Meeting with students at Kalaydjian Hall.

II. “Hrashapar” and Consecration of Main Altar of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Pasadena.

III. Groundbreaking ceremony of the Mother Cathedral.

IV. Gala Banquet.

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Arrival

Sunday, September 30, 2007

With the blessing of God, on Sunday afternoon, His Holiness and His entourage arrived safely at the Los Angeles International Airport, and were greeted by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian—Primate of the Armenian Church of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, Dr. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Diocesan Council Chairman, Joseph Kanimian Esq., Diocesan Council Vice Chairman, Mr. Armen Liloyan, the Consul General of the Republic of Armenia and other representatives.

His Holiness was accompanied by His Grace Bishop Yezras Nersisyan—the Primate of New Nakhijevan and Russia, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan—Chancellor of the Holy See Mother Etchmiatzin, Very Reverent Father Hovnan Hakobyan—Staff-bearer of the Catholicos, Reverent Father Ktrij Devedjyan—Head of the English Media Department of the Holy See, and Mr. Suren Ter Grigorian—Cameraman of “Shoghagat” TV program.