Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Tuesday arrived in the Diocese of Armenian Church of America (Eastern), to preside over the Armenian Genocide Centennial commemorations to be held in Washington, DC.

On Wednesday, the Catholicos, together with President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where Karekin II prayed for the souls of the innocent victims of the Jewish Holocaust and other genocides and violence that has occurred throughout the world.

Next, the Catholicos and the President headed to the Library of Congress, which is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress, where they got familiarized with the Armenian manuscripts and literature that are kept in this library.

On the same day, Karekin II met with members of the American Armenian media.

On the evening, the Catholicos of All Armenians presided over a religious ceremony held at the Saint Mary Mother of God Church in Washington, DC.

In his sermon, Karekin II stressed that the Genocide Centennial commemorations also aim to extend gratitude to all the countries and peoples which lent a helping hand, supported, and gave shelter to thousands of Armenians who survived the Genocide.