BURBANK–Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan arrived in Los Angeles Wednesday on the second leg of his US visit to drum up support for assistance to earthquake-stricken Armenian institutions in Istanbul.
At 11 a.m. Thursday–Mutafyan met with representatives of the Armenian media during a press conference at the Western Diocese.
The press conference was convened by Western Primate Arch. Vatche Hovsepian who explained that Mutafyan was invited by the Western and Eastern Dioceses to acquaint the Armenian-American community with the after-effects of the August 17 earthquake which killed more than 15,000 and left many buildings in ruins.
The estimated cost of damages to Armenian institutions–including the Patriarchate–has been assessed at $1.2 million.
Mutafyan arrived in the US on Sept. 27–where he presided over a benefit concert organized by the Easter Diocese. On Tuesday–the Patriarch traveled to Dallas and met with the Armenian community at St. Sarkis Church. Arriving in Los Angeles on Wednesday–Mutafyan greeted the community at St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys.
A benefit banquet is scheduled to take place on Sunday–Oct. 10 at the AGBU Nazarian Center in Canoga Park. Mutafyan is also scheduled to preside over Sunday services at St. Peter Armenia Church. He will leave for Istanbul on Monday.