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Armenians in France Welcome His Holiness Karekin II



His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, made a pontifical visit to Nice, France, from September 7 to 9. Arriving in France, His Holiness was welcomed by Archbishop Norvan Zakarian, Pontifical Legate of Western Europe and Primate of the Armenian Diocese of France; Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice; and members of the local Armenian community.

His Holiness also met with Christophe Mirmand, the prefect of the Alpes Maritimes. Together they visited Nice’s “Armenian Park,” where they laid a wreath at the khatchkar memorial for victims of the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness also laid a wreath at the city’s World War II memorial. The Catholicos expressed his appreciation to the French government for its continuous support of the country’s Armenian community.

At a banquet organized in honor of the pontifical visit, His Holiness presented the “St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal” to historian and philanthropist John Chilingirian. On Sunday, September 9, His Holiness celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Mary Church in Nice, and met with community leaders from Nice and Marseille.

Accompanying His Holiness on the three-day visit were Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America; Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Great Britain; and other clergy.


By pressoffice
Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church



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