HIS HOLINESS PAYS PONTIFICAL VISIT TO SACRAMENTO MEETING WITH GOVERNOR AND STATE OFFICIAL

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; adiocese@aol.com
Website; www.armenianchurch.ca
June 16, 2005


HIS HOLINESS PAYS PONTIFICAL VISIT TO SACRAMENTO MEETING WITH
GOVERNOR AND STATE OFFICIAL

His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, accompanied by
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, His Eminence
Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, and Vicar General Very Rev. Fr. Dajad
Dz. V. Yardemian, paid a visit to the Capital city of Sacramento on
June 15, 2005. Also present was Pastor of St. James Armenian Church
Rev. Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian.

His Holiness arrived at the Governor's office at 11:00 accompanied by
his entourage. Over the course of one hour the Catholicos met with
several city officials including Senator Chuck Poochigian.

At 12:00 noon a reception took place in the Governor's State Room in
honor of His Holiness with the presence of state legislators and
congressional officers. Senator Poochigian introduced His Holiness to
the officials, saying that the Pontiff, the 132nd Catholicos of All
Armenians, was visiting from Armenia and the centuries old center of
the Armenian Church, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Several Senators were present at the reception, including Jackie
Speier, Charles Poochigian, Joe Simitian, Jack Scott, Dave Cox,
Elaine Alquist, Dick Ackerman, Abel Maldonado, Richard Alarcon, Bob
Margett, and Roy Ashburn.

Assembly Members in attendance were Greg Aghazarian, Carol Liu, Dave
Jones, Jackie Goldberg, Cindy Montanez, Audra Strickland, Alan
Nakanishi, Betty Karnet (Chief of Staff Attended), Jerome Horten,
William Emmerson, Bonnie Garcia, Mimi Walters, and Rick Keene.
Representing the Office of the Governor were Lisa Kalustian and John
Kaboteck.

His Holiness meets with Governor: At 4:30 p.m. His Holiness Karekin
II, accompanied by the Primate and members of his entourage had a
private meeting with California State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Governor extended a warm welcome to His Holiness on the occasion
of his visit to the Capital city of California and wished him well on
his spiritual mission. The meeting was a historic and memorable one,
with a warm atmosphere.

* * *

MICHIGAN TO WELCOME CATHOLICOS NEXT WEEK

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, will be welcomed in Detroit next week, following his
month-long visit to the parishes of the Western Diocese.  Our
Primate, His Eminence4 Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, will accompany His
Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians.

In Detroit, the Catholicos will lead a hrashapar service at the St.
John Church at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (6/21), before attending a
reception and dinner with parish council members. On Wednesday (6/22)
the Catholicos; Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese; and Detroit community leader Richard Manoogian will meet
with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and work on a home through
the Habitat for Humanity project.