Catholicos of All Armenians Received Mayor of Pasadena
03.09.2017
On September 2, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Mr. Terry Tornek, Mayor of Pasadena, California (USA), and his delegation. Mayor Tornek and his delegation are visiting Armenia as part of the US based Sister Cities Program. Pasadena is a “sister city” with Vanadzor, Lori Province, Armenia.
During the meeting, the Armenian Pontiff welcomed the Mayor to Holy Etchmiadzin. His Holiness praised the close ties between Vanadzor and Pasadena which were formed 25 years ago and wished the sister cities an effective partnership.
Mayor Tornek also expressed his joy on the occasion of the meeting, then spoke about the important presence and contribution of the Armenian community in the life of the city of Pasadena. Stressing the importance of the Church's mission in the community life, Mr. Tornek informed the Catholicos about the relations between the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and the Municipality.
During the meeting, they reflected on the steps being undertaken for conservation of historical heritage, as well as the activities of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in the educational and social sectors. They also talked about the situation in the region and the Armenian Church's peacekeeping mission.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Mayor, accompanied by Hi Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; visited the Mother Cathedral and learned about the spiritual and cultural artifacts of the museum.
