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PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]
For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group
Los Angeles Pontifical Banquet Draws Over 1,200 People Including Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa
Inspired by His Holiness, Surprise Donation of $1,000,000 Made to Western
Prelacy
(Los Angeles, CA - October 13, 2005) - The Los Angeles Armenian American
community joyously hosted a Pontifical banquet for His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, on Sunday, October 9, 2005,
drawing a capacity crowd of over 1,200 people from all segments of the
community. In addition to the many prominent members of the Los Angeles
Armenian American community, also in attendance were Gagik Kirakosian,
Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, Charbel Wehbi, Consul General of
Lebanon and several high-level public officials including Los Angeles Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa, State Senator Chuck Poochigian, members of Congress
and other city officials.
In addition to honoring His Holiness, the banquet also served as a forum to
thank the many large church benefactors who have recently made large
donations to the Western Prelacy to advance several large-scale projects
underway, especially the construction of the new Western Prelacy
headquarters building in La Crescenta, California.
Charlie Gailian was the banquet's Master of Ceremonies and one of the first
words of appreciation were for John and Asdghig Bedrosian who generously
underwrote the cost of the entire banquet as well as making other major
contributions to the Western Prelacy. The welcoming remarks were made by
Ara Bedrosian, a member of the Public Relations Committee for the Pontiff's
visit who was followed by Khajag Dikijian, from the Western Prelacy
Executive Council, who outlined the themes of the visit and the many
important leadership roles His Holiness plays throughout the world. Hrair
Balian, the chairman of the Executive Council offered a toast to His
Holiness stating that this visit will usher in a new era of expanded
activity for the church in the western United States. Eastern Prelate
Oshagan Choloyan gave brief remarks and said that His Holiness, through his
multi-faceted work beyond the Armenian community, has earned our church a
special place on the world stage. California State Senator Chuck Poochigian
took to the podium to welcome His Holiness and thank him for re-energizing
the community with his visit and offered a special proclamation from the
state senate recognizing his visit on the occasion of his 10th anniversary
of being elected Catholicos.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa briefly addressed the banquet and
expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to meet His Holiness and
respect for the important role the church plays in the life of the city.
While the Mayor met privately with His Holiness briefly that evening, Mayor
Villaraigosa said he looked forward to the official meeting he will have
with His Holiness at City Hall on October 14 along with the rest of the City
Council.
His Holiness shared many important thoughts during his remarks at the
banquet. He first recognized the Consul General of Lebanon explaining the
important role the country has played for him while growing up there and
noted that Lebanon is not just a country but a living message of how people
of different cultures and religions must learn to live with each other. He
then directed his remarks to the Consul General of Armenia by stating that
"while we in the diaspora were not born in Armenia, however Armenia was born
inside us and lives in each of our souls." He said that over the course of
the past many decades, the diaspora kept the hopes of freedom alive for
Armenia and has struggled for the Armenian Cause and a free, independent and
united Armenia. The Great House of Cilicia in Antelias has played its part
in this struggle by keeping the Armenian yerakouyn (tri-color) waving and to
this day works hard to help rebuild Armenia stated His Holiness.
The Catholicos then focused on the theme of values and community service.
He said, "people come and go, but values remain" and for that reason it is
important that we live life with high moral values always seeking to unite
together to build our communities and build bridges of understanding and
trust. "Positions don't elevate people but rather people elevate
positions," he said. In that context he also noted that the Great House of
Cilicia always seeks close collaboration with the Holy See in Etchmiadzin to
reinforce our national values and faithfulness by serving the people.
"While we are physically in Antelias, we live outside Antelias," stated His
Holiness. "Antelias is alive in each of us."
Inspired by His Holiness, one of the highlights of the evening was the
surprise donation of $1,000,000 by Khachik and Elo Mouradian to establish an
endowment fund for the Western Prelacy. This added to the generosity of the
many other major benefactors who were recognized during the evening by the
Catholicos for their major contributions including Mr. and Mrs. John and
Asdghig Bedrosian and Carolan Family for contributing $250,000 each; Mr. and
Mrs. Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian, Mrs.Ashkhen Pilavjian, Mrs. Rose
Kasimian, Forest Lawn Memorial Parks, Mr. and Mrs. Osko and Yeran
Karghossian and Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Kohar Sulahian all of whom made
donations in excess of $100,000 each.
To honor some of the benefactors for their exemplary contributions to the
Western Prelacy building fund and to various schools and community centers,
His Holiness presented special medals of honor including the "Cilician
Eeshkhan (Prince)" medal to Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian for her sponsorship of
the ARS preschool at Holy Martyrs in addition to recent contribution to the
Western Prelacy building; and "Cilician Asbed (Knight)" medals to Mr. and
Mrs. Sarkis and Susan Kitsinian for their contribution to the Pasadena St.
Sarkis Church, Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Kohar Sulahian, Mr. and Mrs. Tony and
Eileen Keusseyan, Mr. and Mrs. Osko and Yeran Karaghossian and Mr. and Mrs.
Varant and Houri Melkonian all for their various contributions to the
Western Prelacy building fund and other endeavors. His Holiness also
presented a special cross to Father Nareg Shrikian for his more than 50
years of service to the church and community.
Representatives from many of the major organizations in the Armenian
community of Los Angeles were in attendance including the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Central Committee and Bureau, the Armenian Relief
Society, the Homenetmen, Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Board of
Regents of Armenian Schools, National Representative Assembly of the Church
and the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy. Also present were clergy
from various churches including a representative of the Diocese. Other
officials in the audience included various Armenian American judges and city
officials including Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian and City Councilman Ara
Najarian.
From: Baghdasarian
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]
For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group
Los Angeles Pontifical Banquet Draws Over 1,200 People Including Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa
Inspired by His Holiness, Surprise Donation of $1,000,000 Made to Western
Prelacy
(Los Angeles, CA - October 13, 2005) - The Los Angeles Armenian American
community joyously hosted a Pontifical banquet for His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, on Sunday, October 9, 2005,
drawing a capacity crowd of over 1,200 people from all segments of the
community. In addition to the many prominent members of the Los Angeles
Armenian American community, also in attendance were Gagik Kirakosian,
Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, Charbel Wehbi, Consul General of
Lebanon and several high-level public officials including Los Angeles Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa, State Senator Chuck Poochigian, members of Congress
and other city officials.
In addition to honoring His Holiness, the banquet also served as a forum to
thank the many large church benefactors who have recently made large
donations to the Western Prelacy to advance several large-scale projects
underway, especially the construction of the new Western Prelacy
headquarters building in La Crescenta, California.
Charlie Gailian was the banquet's Master of Ceremonies and one of the first
words of appreciation were for John and Asdghig Bedrosian who generously
underwrote the cost of the entire banquet as well as making other major
contributions to the Western Prelacy. The welcoming remarks were made by
Ara Bedrosian, a member of the Public Relations Committee for the Pontiff's
visit who was followed by Khajag Dikijian, from the Western Prelacy
Executive Council, who outlined the themes of the visit and the many
important leadership roles His Holiness plays throughout the world. Hrair
Balian, the chairman of the Executive Council offered a toast to His
Holiness stating that this visit will usher in a new era of expanded
activity for the church in the western United States. Eastern Prelate
Oshagan Choloyan gave brief remarks and said that His Holiness, through his
multi-faceted work beyond the Armenian community, has earned our church a
special place on the world stage. California State Senator Chuck Poochigian
took to the podium to welcome His Holiness and thank him for re-energizing
the community with his visit and offered a special proclamation from the
state senate recognizing his visit on the occasion of his 10th anniversary
of being elected Catholicos.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa briefly addressed the banquet and
expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to meet His Holiness and
respect for the important role the church plays in the life of the city.
While the Mayor met privately with His Holiness briefly that evening, Mayor
Villaraigosa said he looked forward to the official meeting he will have
with His Holiness at City Hall on October 14 along with the rest of the City
Council.
His Holiness shared many important thoughts during his remarks at the
banquet. He first recognized the Consul General of Lebanon explaining the
important role the country has played for him while growing up there and
noted that Lebanon is not just a country but a living message of how people
of different cultures and religions must learn to live with each other. He
then directed his remarks to the Consul General of Armenia by stating that
"while we in the diaspora were not born in Armenia, however Armenia was born
inside us and lives in each of our souls." He said that over the course of
the past many decades, the diaspora kept the hopes of freedom alive for
Armenia and has struggled for the Armenian Cause and a free, independent and
united Armenia. The Great House of Cilicia in Antelias has played its part
in this struggle by keeping the Armenian yerakouyn (tri-color) waving and to
this day works hard to help rebuild Armenia stated His Holiness.
The Catholicos then focused on the theme of values and community service.
He said, "people come and go, but values remain" and for that reason it is
important that we live life with high moral values always seeking to unite
together to build our communities and build bridges of understanding and
trust. "Positions don't elevate people but rather people elevate
positions," he said. In that context he also noted that the Great House of
Cilicia always seeks close collaboration with the Holy See in Etchmiadzin to
reinforce our national values and faithfulness by serving the people.
"While we are physically in Antelias, we live outside Antelias," stated His
Holiness. "Antelias is alive in each of us."
Inspired by His Holiness, one of the highlights of the evening was the
surprise donation of $1,000,000 by Khachik and Elo Mouradian to establish an
endowment fund for the Western Prelacy. This added to the generosity of the
many other major benefactors who were recognized during the evening by the
Catholicos for their major contributions including Mr. and Mrs. John and
Asdghig Bedrosian and Carolan Family for contributing $250,000 each; Mr. and
Mrs. Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian, Mrs.Ashkhen Pilavjian, Mrs. Rose
Kasimian, Forest Lawn Memorial Parks, Mr. and Mrs. Osko and Yeran
Karghossian and Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Kohar Sulahian all of whom made
donations in excess of $100,000 each.
To honor some of the benefactors for their exemplary contributions to the
Western Prelacy building fund and to various schools and community centers,
His Holiness presented special medals of honor including the "Cilician
Eeshkhan (Prince)" medal to Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian for her sponsorship of
the ARS preschool at Holy Martyrs in addition to recent contribution to the
Western Prelacy building; and "Cilician Asbed (Knight)" medals to Mr. and
Mrs. Sarkis and Susan Kitsinian for their contribution to the Pasadena St.
Sarkis Church, Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Kohar Sulahian, Mr. and Mrs. Tony and
Eileen Keusseyan, Mr. and Mrs. Osko and Yeran Karaghossian and Mr. and Mrs.
Varant and Houri Melkonian all for their various contributions to the
Western Prelacy building fund and other endeavors. His Holiness also
presented a special cross to Father Nareg Shrikian for his more than 50
years of service to the church and community.
Representatives from many of the major organizations in the Armenian
community of Los Angeles were in attendance including the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Central Committee and Bureau, the Armenian Relief
Society, the Homenetmen, Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Board of
Regents of Armenian Schools, National Representative Assembly of the Church
and the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy. Also present were clergy
from various churches including a representative of the Diocese. Other
officials in the audience included various Armenian American judges and city
officials including Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian and City Councilman Ara
Najarian.
From: Baghdasarian