YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan) — His Holiness Karekin I of the Holy See of Cilicia arrived in Sydney on Saturday after visiting the parishes of Singapore and Bangkok.
His Holiness delivered a special sermon that same day–then visited the "Tarkmanchatz,"Alex Manoogian" and "Toumanian" Saturday schools to meet with the faculties and students.
That same evening–His Holiness was the guest of honor at a banquet held at Sydney’s Regent Hotel and attended by local clergy–dignitaries and representatives of the community.
From Feb. 16-19–His Holiness visited the Hamazkayin’s "Arshag and Sophie Kaloustian" School and the offices of the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Armenian Association of Australia. His Holiness also met with Armenian youth.
His Holiness is scheduled to visit Melbourne and Canberra from Feb. 22-26 and–according to the press service of the Catholicosate–is scheduled to meet with Australian Prime Minister John Howard– as well as other government officials and clergy.