GROONG - Armenian apostolic leader visits Van Nuys

Armenian apostolic leader visits Van Nuys

By Jason Kandel
Staff Writer

Daily News
May 11, 2001

VAN NUYS -- Pews filled and organ music began to play as the Thursday evening
crowd at St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church welcomed the first visit to this
country of the world leader of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church.
Glendale resident Hovsep M. Fidanian explained why he was among nearly 500
who had gathered to see His Holiness Karekin II, the supreme patriarch and
catholicos of all Armenians -- to many, the equivalent of the Roman Catholic
pope.


His Holiness Karekin ll (center)
(David Sprague / Daily News)
"For me, this is going back to my cultural and ethnic roots, and to feel a
part of a nation that is struggling today," said Fidanian, 59.

The evening procession was among the first main public events of a five-day
visit that is expected to draw thousands of followers to religious and
cultural events in Southern California.

Standing at the altar at the Van Nuys house of worship, Karekin II urged the
renewal of a pledge to God, the church and the fatherland.

"Your presence here today increases my joy, and it confirms my conviction
that in this distant yet blessed land the children of our nation remain
faithful to the faith of their ancestors, to our sacred religious traditions,
and keep our national spirit alive," he said, speaking through a translator.

"By the faith of God, we were given the sacred rock on which we established
our faith. The Holy Armenian Church ... is that rock. It is the birthplace of
the Armenian soul."

The tour marks the 1,700th anniversary of Armenia's acceptance of
Christianity as an official state religion.

About 1 million Armenian Christians live in Southern California, the highest
concentration outside the Armenian capital of Yerevan.

Karekin II, 50, is known for his work in rebuilding churches in Armenia after
years of decline under the Soviet regime. Karekin, the 132nd catholicos of
all Armenians, was elected as supreme patriarch in 1999.

For some, the event Thursday was a landmark event.

"This is a special occasion," Ralph Cherchian, 49, of Glendale. "He's the
Armenian pope."

On Sunday, Karekin is expected to recite the pontifical divine liturgy at the
Hollywood Bowl, where some 10,000 followers are expected.

After his Southern California tour, he is expected to visit Canada and cities
on the East Coast.