St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenia Apostolic Church (Pasadena)

Armenian patriarch to preside at church By Emanuel Parker Staff Writer Pasadena Star-News Article Launched:09/28/2007 09:00:04 PM PDT

PASADENA - His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, will preside over a ceremony to consecrate the main altar of newly refurbished St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenia Apostolic Church.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Monday at St. Gregory, 2215 E. Colorado Blvd.

He will lead a pontifical procession and be assisted by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, and the parish pastor, the Rev. Baret Yeretzian.

Clergy, deacons and choir members also will participate in the consecration. Afterward, church members will attend a reception for Karekin in Agajanian Hall.

This will be Karekin's third visit to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. His visit will last from Sunday to Wednesday.

The church was consecrated Sept. 9 by Archbishop Derderian following two days of services, blessings, meals and entertainment.

Church construction began in 2005 and was scheduled to be completed by year's end. The original construction budget was $2.2 million, but Yeretzian said the final cost will be nearly $5 million.

The church has been in Pasadena since 1948, first on Michigan Avenue and then at the Colorado location on the corner of Craig Avenue.

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press release

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America 3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, Ca 91504 Tel: 818-558-7474 Fax: 818-558-6333 Web: http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/

• • Schedule**

• • October 1, 2007**

• • 9:30am: Meeting with Armenian School Students**

It is one of the Pontiff’s primary goals to reach out to the Church’s youth. Therefore, His Holiness’s first activity will be to meet with the graduating classes of the Armenian Day Schools in the Los Angeles Area. This group of several hundred young people will gather to offer their welcome to the Supreme Patriarch and receive his blessings.

• • 6:00pm: Consecration of the Altar of St. Gregory the Illuminator

Armenian Apostolic Church, Pasadena**

After numerous years of planning and construction, St. Gregory the Illuminator was consecrated on September 8th & 9th of 2007. On September 8th, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese presided over the “Turrenpatzek” ceremony (Opening of the Doors) which was followed by a traditional celebration. On Sunday morning, September 9, 2007, following Divine Liturgy, the consecration of the church took place, presided by the Primate A banquet in the church’s Agajanian Hall followed. In view of His Holiness’ upcoming visit, the Altar was not consecrated and awaits his blessings.

The consecration of the altar of St. Gregory Church in Pasadena will take place on Monday, October 1, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. The consecration will be followed by a reception, giving the parish and community members an opportunity to meet with His Holiness. The faithful are encouraged to participate.