His Holiness Karekin II Departs for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
11.06.2004
On June 10, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, departed for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for an official visit to the Church of England, upon the invitation of His Grace Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican Communion. Following the ecumenical visit, His Holiness will conduct his first Pontifical Visit to the Armenian Church Diocese of Great Britain.
From June 10-14, His Holiness will stay in Lambeth Palace, which is the administrative center of the Church of England. On June 11, the Pontiff of All Armenians will meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury, followed by a meeting with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace. In the course of the trip, His Holiness will visit the Nikaean Club, the Shrine of St Edward and Shrines of 20th Century Martyrs, St Mary's Abbey (Anglican Benedictine Women's Community), and the King's School, Canterbury. His Holiness will also attend prayer services in Westminster Abbey, and on Sunday, June 13, will deliver a homily in Canterbury Cathedral during church services.
As part of the ecumenical portion of the visit, His Holiness is scheduled to have meetings with His Eminence Gregorios, Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain (of the Greek Orthodox Church), and the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches.
From June 14-19, the Catholicos of All Armenians will visit the Armenian Church Diocese of Great Britain. His Holiness will meet with Armenian community members, visit the St. Sarkis Armenian Church (Diocesan Headquarters), and will preside during the celebration of Divine Liturgy in St. Yeghishe Armenian Church. His Holiness will also receive the Armenian community of Manchester.
His Holiness Karekin II is accompanied by His Grace Bishop Yeznik Petrosian, Director of Inter-Church Relations; His Grace Bishop Yezras Nersissian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of New Nakhijevan and Russia; Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamian, Staff-bearer of His Holiness; and Dr. Radik Martirossian, Rector of Yerevan State University.
