[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 168 (Thursday, November 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE PONTIFICAL VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II TO MICHIGAN

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                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2007

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize his Holiness 
Karekin II, the supreme patriarch and catholicos of all Armenians, as 
he visits St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, MI, during his second 
tour of the United States.
  Catholicos Karekin II was born Ktrich Nersessian in Voskehat, Armenia 
on August 21, 1951. He graduated from the seminary of Holy Echmiadzin 
with honors in 1971, and was ordained a deacon in 1970 and a monk in 
1972. It was then that he received the priestly name ``Karekin.'' In 
the late 1970s, His Holiness Vasken I encouraged Karekin to continue 
his theological studies abroad, where he spent time in Vienna, Austria 
and Zagorsk, Russia; eventually returning to Armenia.
  On October 23, 1983, Karekin was consecrated as a bishop in 
Echmiadzin. After the Spitak Earthquake in 1988, Karekin took an active 
role in helping the victims overcome the devastation. His leadership is 
evidenced by the many schools and churches erected after the tragedy. 
In addition, after the fall of the Soviet Union, Karekin nurtured the 
usage of modern technology and telecommunications to help bring new 
life to his churches as well as dealing with the legacies of the Soviet 
era.
  In 1999, Karekin was elected catholicos of Armenia and of all 
Armenians at Echmiadzin, succeeding His Holiness Karekin I. Since his 
election, his holiness has fostered relations with religious leaders 
around the world including Pope John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch 
Bartholomew I. Furthermore, on October 10, 2007, he courageously stood 
on the floor of the House of Representatives and prayed for the victims 
of the Armenian genocide.
  Today his holiness visits Michigan and its over 100,000 citizens of 
Armenian descent. His message of ``bringing faith home'' is exemplified 
by Michigan's involvement and contributions to Habitat for Humanity 
here and abroad. Their willingness to support one another during 
difficult and troubling times is truly an inspiration to us all.
  Madam Speaker, I commend His Holiness Karekin II for all of his work 
for his faith, followers, and people of Armenia. I am proud of the many 
accomplishments of those he has inspired in Michigan and around the 
world.

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