APOSTOLIC LEADER VISITS VAN NUYS.Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer VAN NUYS - Pews filled and organ music began to play as the Thursday evening crowd at St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church The Armenian Apostolic Church (Armenian: Հայ Առաքելական Եկեղեցի, Hay Arakelagan Yegeghetzi), sometimes called the Armenian Orthodox Church or the 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 a title of the pope; - formerly given also to Greek bishops and Greek emperors. See also: Holiness Karekin II Catholicos Karekin II (Armenian: Գարեգին Բ also Garegin) is the current head of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church. , the supreme patriarch and catholicos of all Armenians - to many, the equivalent of the Roman Catholic pope. ``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 Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . Standing at the altar at the Van Nuys house of worship Noun 1. house of worship - any building where congregations gather for prayer house of God, house of prayer, place of worship bethel - a house of worship (especially one for sailors) , Karekin II urged the renewal of a pledge to God, the church and the fatherland fa·ther·land n. 1. One's native land. 2. The land of one's ancestors. fatherland Noun a person's native country Noun 1. . ``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 Armenian Church, autonomous Christian church, sometimes also called the Gregorian Church. Its head, a primate of honor only, is the catholicos of Yejmiadzin, Armenia; Karekin II became catholicos in 1999. ... 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 pon·tif·i·cal adj. 1. Relating to, characteristic of, or suitable for a pope or bishop. 2. Having the dignity, pomp, or authority of a pontiff or bishop. 3. Pompously dogmatic or self-important; pretentious. 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. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church Patriarch Karekin II is known for his work in rebuilding the old churches in Armenia. David Sprague/Staff Photographer |
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