Tweet
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
PRESS RELEASE
11 October 2007
His Holiness Karekin II Gives Opening Prayer in United States House of
Representatives -
Meets with Speaker Pelosi
Washington, D.C. - His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of all Armenians gave the opening prayer in the United States House of
Representatives today, October 10, 2007. The House of Representatives was
brought to order by the Speaker of the House, The Honorable Nancy Pelosi,
personally presiding over the session. Speaker Pelosi opened the morning's
session, greeted His Holiness Karekin II and introduced him before he
delivered his prayer:
"Lord, we thank you for bestowing us with the Grace to pray today for the
leaders of this nation who labor in the universal cause of liberty and
justice. Increase their wisdom and resolution. Their actions grant
inspiration and fulfillment to the desire for justice that lives in every
heart. Our Father in Heaven, render guidance to all nations, including the
Republic of Armenia - our homeland and center of our faith - the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin.
"With the solemn burden of history, we remember the victims of the Genocide
of the Armenians, the consequences of which are still felt by the entire
world in new manifestations of genocide. Grant rest to the souls of all
victims of crimes against humanity and bestow peace and justice on their
descendants. Give pause to those who trample life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness.
"Lord, bless this land and people. Grant peace and safety to America's sons
and daughters who serve their nation abroad. May the United States continue
her mission as a great beacon of hope. Amen."
His Holiness Karekin II's prayer was broadcasted live on C-SPAN, the
official and only television network authorized to broadcast the proceedings
of the Unites States House of Representatives.
Following the prayer, the House Chaplain Daniel P. Coughlin, the first Roman
Catholic Chaplain of the House of Representatives since the position was
created in 1774, presented His Holiness Karekin II with a certificate
memorializing his deliverance of a prayer before a session of Congress.
His Holiness Karekin II was accompanied on the floor of the House of
Representatives by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). Asked about the
privilege extended to him on the occasion, His Eminence Archbishop Barsamian
reflected on the moment, "It is a great honor to be invited onto the House
floor, to see where our great nation's laws are made and where the great
debates of our time take place. But more moving for me was watching the
respect the lawmakers showed our beloved Catholicos."
Prior to delivering his prayer, His Holiness Karekin II and Archbishop
Barsamian were greeted by California Congressman Henry Waxman, Chairman of
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The Honorable Mr. Waxman
told the Catholicos of his support for the Armenian community, "Your
Holiness, I'd like you to know that I was one of the original sponsors of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution. It is something I'm committed to and we
need to see happen."
Other lawmakers, including Representatives Joe Crowley (D-NY), Eliot Engel
(D-NY); and, Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) paid their respects and greeted His
Holiness Karekin II and voiced their support for the Armenian Genocide
Resolution and their friendship with the Republic of Armenian. Congressman
Knollenberg spent considerable time discussing matters with the Catholicos,
including briefing him on the process by which the Resolution would be voted
on in Committee before being considered by the entire House.
His Holiness Karekin II and Archbishop Barsamian Lead Delegation in Meeting
with Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Following the House prayer, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
escorted His Holiness Karekin II, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
and Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian on a short tour of the
Speaker's lobby and corridors of the House. Receiving the delegation in the
Office of the Speaker in the US Capitol Building. His Holiness raised
several issues of concern in their high-level, private meeting.
His Holiness Karekin II thanked Speaker Pelosi, and all Members of Congress,
Republican and Democrat alike for their efforts on passing the Armenian
Genocide Resolution. "We are well aware of the courage you and your
colleagues have shown in your commitment to justice" said the Catholicos.
"We ask this not for ourselves alone, but for the sake of all human beings
as Genocides still plague us, even nine decades after ours took more than
1.5 million lives. We know of your commitment to human rights and thank you
and the United States of America for your efforts."
At the close of the meeting His Holiness presented Speaker Nancy Pelosi with
a traditional Armenian Cross (Khatchkar). The Speaker told His Holiness that
she looks forward to displaying it with pride and joy in her office.
Later in the day, the House Committee on Foreign Relations voted in favor of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution.
In an subsequent press conference, Speaker Pelosi was asked when the
Armenian Genocide resolution would come to the floor of the House for a full
vote. The Speaker indicated her belief that it would be voted on prior to
the close of the year.
His Holiness Karekin II began his pastoral visit to his flock in the United
States with a visit to California and the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America and began his visit to the Eastern Diocese two days later
in New York. During the course of the Pontifical Visit, His Holiness Karekin
II will visit 18 cities in 14 different states (a complete list of visits
can be found online at: www.pontificalvisit.org
<http://www.pontificalv isit.org/> ).
Asked about having been invited to deliver the opening prayer before
congress on the day the House Committee on Foreign Affairs would be voting
on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, His Holiness Karekin II replied, "You
might say it is divine Providence."
Daily coverage of the Pontifical Visit can be found online on the official
Pontifical Visit Web Site (www.pontificalvisit.org). The site provides a
wealth of information about His Holiness Karekin II, the Armenian Church,
and the Diaspora and includes daily photographic and video updates to allow
the faithful throughout the United States and the world to stay abreast of
events, activities and worship services.
For more information on the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II,
including supplemental media advisories and background papers, please visit:
www.pontificalvisit.org and www.armenianchurch.net
# # #
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
PRESS RELEASE
11 October 2007
His Holiness Karekin II Gives Opening Prayer in United States House of
Representatives -
Meets with Speaker Pelosi
Washington, D.C. - His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of all Armenians gave the opening prayer in the United States House of
Representatives today, October 10, 2007. The House of Representatives was
brought to order by the Speaker of the House, The Honorable Nancy Pelosi,
personally presiding over the session. Speaker Pelosi opened the morning's
session, greeted His Holiness Karekin II and introduced him before he
delivered his prayer:
"Lord, we thank you for bestowing us with the Grace to pray today for the
leaders of this nation who labor in the universal cause of liberty and
justice. Increase their wisdom and resolution. Their actions grant
inspiration and fulfillment to the desire for justice that lives in every
heart. Our Father in Heaven, render guidance to all nations, including the
Republic of Armenia - our homeland and center of our faith - the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin.
"With the solemn burden of history, we remember the victims of the Genocide
of the Armenians, the consequences of which are still felt by the entire
world in new manifestations of genocide. Grant rest to the souls of all
victims of crimes against humanity and bestow peace and justice on their
descendants. Give pause to those who trample life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness.
"Lord, bless this land and people. Grant peace and safety to America's sons
and daughters who serve their nation abroad. May the United States continue
her mission as a great beacon of hope. Amen."
His Holiness Karekin II's prayer was broadcasted live on C-SPAN, the
official and only television network authorized to broadcast the proceedings
of the Unites States House of Representatives.
Following the prayer, the House Chaplain Daniel P. Coughlin, the first Roman
Catholic Chaplain of the House of Representatives since the position was
created in 1774, presented His Holiness Karekin II with a certificate
memorializing his deliverance of a prayer before a session of Congress.
His Holiness Karekin II was accompanied on the floor of the House of
Representatives by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). Asked about the
privilege extended to him on the occasion, His Eminence Archbishop Barsamian
reflected on the moment, "It is a great honor to be invited onto the House
floor, to see where our great nation's laws are made and where the great
debates of our time take place. But more moving for me was watching the
respect the lawmakers showed our beloved Catholicos."
Prior to delivering his prayer, His Holiness Karekin II and Archbishop
Barsamian were greeted by California Congressman Henry Waxman, Chairman of
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The Honorable Mr. Waxman
told the Catholicos of his support for the Armenian community, "Your
Holiness, I'd like you to know that I was one of the original sponsors of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution. It is something I'm committed to and we
need to see happen."
Other lawmakers, including Representatives Joe Crowley (D-NY), Eliot Engel
(D-NY); and, Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) paid their respects and greeted His
Holiness Karekin II and voiced their support for the Armenian Genocide
Resolution and their friendship with the Republic of Armenian. Congressman
Knollenberg spent considerable time discussing matters with the Catholicos,
including briefing him on the process by which the Resolution would be voted
on in Committee before being considered by the entire House.
His Holiness Karekin II and Archbishop Barsamian Lead Delegation in Meeting
with Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Following the House prayer, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
escorted His Holiness Karekin II, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
and Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian on a short tour of the
Speaker's lobby and corridors of the House. Receiving the delegation in the
Office of the Speaker in the US Capitol Building. His Holiness raised
several issues of concern in their high-level, private meeting.
His Holiness Karekin II thanked Speaker Pelosi, and all Members of Congress,
Republican and Democrat alike for their efforts on passing the Armenian
Genocide Resolution. "We are well aware of the courage you and your
colleagues have shown in your commitment to justice" said the Catholicos.
"We ask this not for ourselves alone, but for the sake of all human beings
as Genocides still plague us, even nine decades after ours took more than
1.5 million lives. We know of your commitment to human rights and thank you
and the United States of America for your efforts."
At the close of the meeting His Holiness presented Speaker Nancy Pelosi with
a traditional Armenian Cross (Khatchkar). The Speaker told His Holiness that
she looks forward to displaying it with pride and joy in her office.
Later in the day, the House Committee on Foreign Relations voted in favor of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution.
In an subsequent press conference, Speaker Pelosi was asked when the
Armenian Genocide resolution would come to the floor of the House for a full
vote. The Speaker indicated her belief that it would be voted on prior to
the close of the year.
His Holiness Karekin II began his pastoral visit to his flock in the United
States with a visit to California and the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America and began his visit to the Eastern Diocese two days later
in New York. During the course of the Pontifical Visit, His Holiness Karekin
II will visit 18 cities in 14 different states (a complete list of visits
can be found online at: www.pontificalvisit.org
<http://www.pontificalv isit.org/> ).
Asked about having been invited to deliver the opening prayer before
congress on the day the House Committee on Foreign Affairs would be voting
on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, His Holiness Karekin II replied, "You
might say it is divine Providence."
Daily coverage of the Pontifical Visit can be found online on the official
Pontifical Visit Web Site (www.pontificalvisit.org). The site provides a
wealth of information about His Holiness Karekin II, the Armenian Church,
and the Diaspora and includes daily photographic and video updates to allow
the faithful throughout the United States and the world to stay abreast of
events, activities and worship services.
For more information on the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II,
including supplemental media advisories and background papers, please visit:
www.pontificalvisit.org and www.armenianchurch.net
# # #