Western Diocese

PASADENA, CA – The main altar of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena was consecrated by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on Monday, October 1, 2007. His Holiness Karekin II, the head of the worldwide Armenian Apostolic Church, arrived yesterday from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia.

Upon Catholicos Karekin II’s arrival on the church grounds, four students from the St. Gregory A & M Hovsepian School, dressed in traditional Armenian costumes, greeted him with bread, salt and water, which His Holiness blessed as a symbol of his safe arrival and thanksgiving for his warm welcome by the parish.

A festive pontifical procession led by Catholicos Karekin II and the clergy, deacons and choir members of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America took place, as the faithful cheerfully received His Holiness during the procession towards the main entrance of the church.

In the newly built sanctuary, which was consecrated on September 9, a welcoming Hrashapar service was held. His Holiness Karekin II then consecrated the main altar of the church, which was donated by brothers Vahe, Daniel, and Vasken Imasdounian.

Very Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, enthusiastically welcomed Catholicos Karekin II and expressed his thanks on behalf of the entire parish to His Holiness, for his historic visit to Pasadena. On behalf of the entire Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, also warmly welcomed His Holiness and thanked him for his participation in the 80^th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Western Diocese, and the historic consecration of the main altar of the new church.

His Holiness Karekin II, then thanked the Primate and Pastor, and encouraged the clergy and faithful to remain strong in their Christian faith and love for the Armenian Church. His Holiness also noted the significance of the 80^th anniversary of the founding of the Western Diocese, as well as the importance of the completion of the new church sanctuary and consecration of the main altar.

Upon the conclusion of the service the faithful participated in a welcoming reception for His Holiness Karekin II, the 132^nd Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, held in the adjacent Agajanian Hall.