[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S5918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PONTIFICAL VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II, CATHOLICOS OF ALL 
                   ARMENIANS, TO THE WESTERN DIOCESE

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize the 
Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All 
Armenians, to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North 
America during the month of June 2005. The Catholicos will visit the 
Western Diocese, headquartered in Burbank in my home State of 
California and travel around California from June 1 through 20. As the 
132nd Catholicos of all Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II is spiritual 
leader to more than 7 million Armenian Apostolic Christians worldwide. 
I would also like to recognize the Western Diocese Primate, His 
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, for his good works on behalf of 
Armenian-Americans in California and the Western U.S.
  This momentous occasion marks the second Pontifical visit of the 
Catholicos to the Western Diocese. The visit has been titled ``The 
Renaissance of Faith'' because it marks a source of spiritual 
inspiration and reawakening for Christian Armenians, whose faith is 
1700 years old.
  The Diocese of the Armenian Church, established 107 years ago in 
Worcester, MA, originally served Armenian churches in the United States 
and Canada. In 1927, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of 
North America was established by a directive from the Mother See. The 
establishment of the Western Diocese was an historic occasion, which 
marked the growth of a strong Armenian community in California and the 
Western United States.
  The Western Diocese was originally headquartered in Fresno. In 1957, 
the headquarters were moved to Los Angeles. In 1994, the headquarters 
were damaged by the Northridge Earthquake. Later that year, the 
Diocesan Assembly decided to purchase a new Diocesan Headquarters. In 
1997, the Western Diocese officially moved into a multipurpose complex 
located in Burbank, CA, which will be the future site of the Mother 
Cathedral. This Pontifical visit is even more special because the 
Catholicos will be there in June to bless the foundation stones at the 
groundbreaking of the new Mother Cathedral.
  The visit is also appropriately timed to coincide with two important 
anniversaries--the 90th Anniversary of the commemoration of the 
Armenian Genocide and the 1600th Anniversary of the creation of the 
Armenian alphabet. Earlier this year, I joined my Armenian friends in 
commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which was 
the first genocide of the 20th century.
  The Armenian alphabet, along with the Armenian language, has 
contributed immensely to the vibrant continuity of Armenian culture. 
The Catholicos' visit will highlight these two anniversaries and 
further empower Armenians in the Western Diocese to continue their 
long-fought efforts for justice.
  I am honored to recognize this historic and joyous visit, which will 
strengthen ties between Armenia and Armenians in California. I know 
that His Holiness Karekin II will have a very special visit to 
California and I wish the Armenian community in California an increased 
sense of purpose and inspiration.

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