#catholicos

Today, I went into New York City for my own little day trip, & I spent most of my time at the American Museum of Natural History. During my trip, there was something that really grabbed my attention, & I thought I’d share it here, as it’s something that relates to this blog!

In the museum’s Gardner D. Stout Hall of Asian Peoples, they have a small section dedicated to the people of Armenia. The top two pictures show what they have on display: the top picture shows an Armenian bishop, also known as a “Catholicos”, which means head of the church in certain countries, & the middle picture shows an Armenian bride, wearing a traditional veil.

Now, I don’t know for sure if the two Armenian people represented are supposed to be Catholic, though there are some hints on the bishop that greatly hint that they are - one such hint being that the Virgin Mary is in the center of the bishop’s mitre. But either way, I thought you guys would like to see this all the same. After all, it does show two people happily celebrating & practicing their faith, which is certainly something to admire. It’s a great example that shows just how universal the Catholic faith, & Christianity in general, is. More importantly, it’s another reminder that there are great people of faith all around the world, & that you are never alone in your beliefs!

As an added bonus, I also included another picture from my trip to the American Museum of Natural History. It’s a picture of me (Mod Danny) standing in the Hall of Asian Mammals, standing right in front of the Asian Elephants that make up the hall’s centerpiece. Elephants are my favorite animal, in case you guys were curious. Anyway, I hope you enjoy that picture as well!

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Board of Trustees Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian and President Carolyn Mugar met with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and thanked him for the church's support for legislation aimed at combating domestic violence and helping its victims, which was adopted this month by by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.

The bill on "Prevention of domestic violence, protection of domestic violence victims and restoration of solidarity in the family" introduces criminal and administrative penalties for specific cases defined as domestic violence. The legislation obligates the state to protect victims by providing them with special shelters or banning their violent spouses from approaching them and their children. During the general debates and open discussions, Primate of the Shirak Diocese Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan strongly endorsed the government efforts to combat domestic violence.

"The Armenian Church is the moral center of society and is voicing its timely support for legislation to protect women, children, and elderly victims of domestic violence. We commend His Holiness for his commitment to Armenian families everywhere and the work he has done to stand firm against violence," Barsamian said.

In addition, the Assembly expressed appreciation for His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II's outreach to the Armenian Evangelical community during his recent visit to California. Assembly Board Members Talin Yacoubian and Lisa Kalustian, along with Executive Director Bryan Ardouny and Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan, were on hand during the pontifical visit, of which His Holiness addressed many topics and encouraged sustained involvement and support to the Armenian Church and to Armenian educational and cultural institutions throughout the diaspora.

Barsamian also commended His Holiness on his recent statement to Protestant Armenians in Germany, and his outreach efforts to other sects of Christian Armenians. "The Armenian Church is now leading on these issues and should be commended for not sitting on the sidelines of the priorities of the day," he stated.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.