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New England Hosts Banquet for His Holiness Karekin II

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  • New England Hosts Banquet for His Holiness Karekin II

    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



    EMBARGOED FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    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 www.pontificalvisit.org
    <http://www.pontificalv isit.org/> to keep up to date with His
    Holiness'
    Pontifical Visit.

    # # #

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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