While researching his classic book on Armenians (“The Crossing Place”), British journalist Philip Marsden visited Catholicos Karekin II in Antelias, Lebanon.  Describing the catholicos, Marsden wrote: “He smokes cigars personalized with a silk band (reading H.H. Karekin II), for “in Beirut even spiritual leaders have to behave like warlords.”

While researching his classic book on Armenians (“The Crossing Place”), British journalist Philip Marsden visited Catholicos Karekin II in Antelias, Lebanon.  Describing the catholicos, Marsden wrote: “He smokes cigars personalized with a silk band (reading H.H. Karekin II), for “in Beirut even spiritual leaders have to behave like warlords.”