Catholicos Garegin I, 66, leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church, died yesterday in Echmiadzin, Armenia, of larynx cancer, three days before a planned meeting with an envoy sent by Pope John Paul II. Earlier this summer, the Armenian church canceled a trip by Pope John Paul II to Armenia because of Catholicos' failing health. The Vatican had scheduled a July 2-4 papal visit to Armenia as part of John Paul's efforts to improve relations with other Christian denominations.

Pub Date: 6/30/99