LRAPER - PATRIARCH MESROB II LEAVES FOR THE UNITED STATES

PATRIARCH MESROB II LEAVES FOR THE UNITED STATES

His Beatitude Mesrob II. Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey, left
the Patriarchal See for the United States this morning.
Patriarch Mesrob will be meeting with the representatives of benevolent
organizations who have provided financial aid to the Patriarchate following
the earthquake on 17 August 1999 which had devastated the northwestern
regions in Turkey. The Patriarch will also have consultations with Istanbul
Armenians in Los Angeles, New Jersey and New York. His Beatitude, who is
accompanied by the Revd Fr Drtad Uzunyan, will return to His See at the end
of June.

THE CHANCELLERY