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PONTIFICAL BANQUET KICK-OFF A GREAT SUCCESS AS PLEDGES EXCEED $1.2 MILLION
asbarez
Thursday, August 18th, 2011
A scene from the kick off event last week
Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Cheryl Nadjarian Pledge $250,000 Prof. & Mrs. Harut
& Tamara Barsamian Donate 500 Shares of Apple Inc. Stock Deacon
& Mrs. Mark & Margaret Shirin to Host The Pontifical Banquet LA
CRESCENTA-A capacity crowd of Western Prelacy sponsors and friends
gathered at Carousel Restaurant on August 11 to pledge their support at
the Kick-off to the Pontifical Banquet which will be held on October
16 in honor of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia.
Held under the auspices of Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, the Kick-off brought together sponsors and community
members at a festive evening filled with good cheer and surprises.
Among the guests in attendance were Clergy members, Central Executive
members Khajag Dikijian and Vicken Kassabian, and representatives
from the ARF Central Committee, ARS, Homenetmen, AEF, and parishes.
Once all the guests had arrived, the program began with the invocation
by the Prelate. Masters of Ceremonies Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian and
Jasik Jarahian then welcomed the guests. Welcoming remarks were also
delivered by Khajag Dikijian and Executive Council Chairwoman Rima
Boghossian.
Dikijian stated that the Prelacy and its parishioners are
enthusiastically preparing for the Pontifical Visit, and expressed
confidence that this upcoming visit will be successful just as the
last visit was. Boghossian stressed the importance of collaboration
in the planning of the Pontifical Visit, and noted that the success
of the evening and the work that has already been carried out is
confirmation of the Prelacy's strong support system of working hands,
sponsors, and friends. She also thanked the guests and members of
the various Pontifical Visit Committees for their support and efforts.
The guests were given a brief report on the schedule of His Holiness
during the Pontifical Visit. They were reminded that the visit will
take place from October 6 to the 23rd, and were informed of some of
the major events planned such as a community-wide welcoming on October
6 at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood, the event dedicated to the
Catholicosate Seminary on October 7 at the Pasadena Armenian Center,
Pontifical Divine Liturgy at St. Mary's Church and the Pontifical
Banquet at the Universal Hilton on October 16, presentation of the
Pontiff's latest book "Taking the Church to the People," visits to
parishes, and meetings with dignitaries and public officials.
The Prelate then delivered his remarks, first welcoming the guests
and thanking all those who have lent their efforts and support to the
planning of the Pontifical Visit. He reiterated the main foci of the
Pontifical Visit, which are spiritual renewal, the further anchoring
and continued progress of Armenian schools, and reassertion of our
spirit of national aspirations. Sharing a history of exile with our
people, the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia remains on the
front lines as we reassert our spirit of national aspirations and
is our beacon of hope and light, said the Prelate. He also stressed
that Armenian Schools have long been a primary focus of His Holiness
and of the Catholicosate's mission, and that our schools will be the
main focus during the Pontifical Visit.
On behalf of the ARF Central Committee, Avedik Izmirlian extended
his best wishes to the Prelate, Executive Council, and all the
committees and committee members who have delved into the crucial
work of planning for the Pontifical Visit, and noted that alongside
the spiritual renewal and the furthering of the Armenian Cause is
the goal of offering full support to Armenian Schools.
The MCs then announced the sponsorship levels available, Table Sponsor
($2,500), "Pilgrim of Cilicia" Circle ($5,000), "Knight of Cilicia"
Circle ($10,000), "Duke of Cilicia" Circle ($25,000), "Prince of
Cilicia" Circle ($50,000), and "Guardian of Cilicia" Circle ($100,000),
and invited representatives of parishes to announce their pledges,
adding to the already festive mood of the evening.
The guests became more elated as the Prelate began announcing the main
sponsors and hosts of the Pontifical Banquet and Visit and revealed
some wonderful surprises. The first major announcement was that Deacon
Mark Shirin and his wife Margaret from Fresno were to be the main hosts
of the Pontifical Banquet for which they had pledged a very generous
donation. The second surprise was that Professor Harut Barsamian
and his wife Tamara, who have established a scholarship fund at the
Prelacy and are also the benefactors of the Orange County Armenian
Center, with their donation of 500 shares of Apple stocks were one
of the main sponsors of the Pontifical Visit. The third announcement
was a pledge in the amount of $100,000 by longtime Prelacy friend
and supporter Silva Tchakmakian. The evening's biggest revelation
was the announcement of a $250,000 pledge by Mr. and Mrs.
Harry and Cheryl Nadjarian, who have also over the years so generously
lent their support to Homenetmen, the Armenian National Committee,
the Armenian Cultural Foundation, and the AMAA.
These announcements were met with great applause and enthusiastic
cheers from the guests, which only grew louder with the announcement
that the number of guests for the Pontifical Banquet had reached
almost one thousand.
After each of his announcements, the Prelate invited Deacon Mark
Shirin, Prof. Barsamian, and Harry Nadjarian to express their
sentiments. Deacon Mark, being a Seminary alumnus and long-time servant
at Holy Trinity Church, humbly announced that he and his wife were
presenting this modest sum towards the Catholicosate of Cilicia, the
Prelacy and Armenian Schools as a token of gratitude, and also took
the opportunity to congratulate the Prelate on the 35th anniversary of
his ordination as a celibate priest. Prof. Barsamian stated that it
was a great joy and spiritually fulfilling to be able to participate
with his donation to the Pontifical Visit, and reaffirmed his support
to the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Western Prelacy. Nadjarian,
on behalf of his wife and personally, expressed his thanks for the
privilege and honor of participating in the welcoming and honoring
of His Holiness. He noted that there is excitement and enthusiasm
surrounding the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness and expressed his
joy for being a part of the festivities.
The evening came to a close with the benediction by the Prelate and
the singing of the Cilician anthem.
The Prelacy expressed gratitude and blessings to all the sponsors
and friends for their support and efforts.
From: A. Papazian
asbarez
Thursday, August 18th, 2011
A scene from the kick off event last week
Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Cheryl Nadjarian Pledge $250,000 Prof. & Mrs. Harut
& Tamara Barsamian Donate 500 Shares of Apple Inc. Stock Deacon
& Mrs. Mark & Margaret Shirin to Host The Pontifical Banquet LA
CRESCENTA-A capacity crowd of Western Prelacy sponsors and friends
gathered at Carousel Restaurant on August 11 to pledge their support at
the Kick-off to the Pontifical Banquet which will be held on October
16 in honor of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia.
Held under the auspices of Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, the Kick-off brought together sponsors and community
members at a festive evening filled with good cheer and surprises.
Among the guests in attendance were Clergy members, Central Executive
members Khajag Dikijian and Vicken Kassabian, and representatives
from the ARF Central Committee, ARS, Homenetmen, AEF, and parishes.
Once all the guests had arrived, the program began with the invocation
by the Prelate. Masters of Ceremonies Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian and
Jasik Jarahian then welcomed the guests. Welcoming remarks were also
delivered by Khajag Dikijian and Executive Council Chairwoman Rima
Boghossian.
Dikijian stated that the Prelacy and its parishioners are
enthusiastically preparing for the Pontifical Visit, and expressed
confidence that this upcoming visit will be successful just as the
last visit was. Boghossian stressed the importance of collaboration
in the planning of the Pontifical Visit, and noted that the success
of the evening and the work that has already been carried out is
confirmation of the Prelacy's strong support system of working hands,
sponsors, and friends. She also thanked the guests and members of
the various Pontifical Visit Committees for their support and efforts.
The guests were given a brief report on the schedule of His Holiness
during the Pontifical Visit. They were reminded that the visit will
take place from October 6 to the 23rd, and were informed of some of
the major events planned such as a community-wide welcoming on October
6 at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood, the event dedicated to the
Catholicosate Seminary on October 7 at the Pasadena Armenian Center,
Pontifical Divine Liturgy at St. Mary's Church and the Pontifical
Banquet at the Universal Hilton on October 16, presentation of the
Pontiff's latest book "Taking the Church to the People," visits to
parishes, and meetings with dignitaries and public officials.
The Prelate then delivered his remarks, first welcoming the guests
and thanking all those who have lent their efforts and support to the
planning of the Pontifical Visit. He reiterated the main foci of the
Pontifical Visit, which are spiritual renewal, the further anchoring
and continued progress of Armenian schools, and reassertion of our
spirit of national aspirations. Sharing a history of exile with our
people, the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia remains on the
front lines as we reassert our spirit of national aspirations and
is our beacon of hope and light, said the Prelate. He also stressed
that Armenian Schools have long been a primary focus of His Holiness
and of the Catholicosate's mission, and that our schools will be the
main focus during the Pontifical Visit.
On behalf of the ARF Central Committee, Avedik Izmirlian extended
his best wishes to the Prelate, Executive Council, and all the
committees and committee members who have delved into the crucial
work of planning for the Pontifical Visit, and noted that alongside
the spiritual renewal and the furthering of the Armenian Cause is
the goal of offering full support to Armenian Schools.
The MCs then announced the sponsorship levels available, Table Sponsor
($2,500), "Pilgrim of Cilicia" Circle ($5,000), "Knight of Cilicia"
Circle ($10,000), "Duke of Cilicia" Circle ($25,000), "Prince of
Cilicia" Circle ($50,000), and "Guardian of Cilicia" Circle ($100,000),
and invited representatives of parishes to announce their pledges,
adding to the already festive mood of the evening.
The guests became more elated as the Prelate began announcing the main
sponsors and hosts of the Pontifical Banquet and Visit and revealed
some wonderful surprises. The first major announcement was that Deacon
Mark Shirin and his wife Margaret from Fresno were to be the main hosts
of the Pontifical Banquet for which they had pledged a very generous
donation. The second surprise was that Professor Harut Barsamian
and his wife Tamara, who have established a scholarship fund at the
Prelacy and are also the benefactors of the Orange County Armenian
Center, with their donation of 500 shares of Apple stocks were one
of the main sponsors of the Pontifical Visit. The third announcement
was a pledge in the amount of $100,000 by longtime Prelacy friend
and supporter Silva Tchakmakian. The evening's biggest revelation
was the announcement of a $250,000 pledge by Mr. and Mrs.
Harry and Cheryl Nadjarian, who have also over the years so generously
lent their support to Homenetmen, the Armenian National Committee,
the Armenian Cultural Foundation, and the AMAA.
These announcements were met with great applause and enthusiastic
cheers from the guests, which only grew louder with the announcement
that the number of guests for the Pontifical Banquet had reached
almost one thousand.
After each of his announcements, the Prelate invited Deacon Mark
Shirin, Prof. Barsamian, and Harry Nadjarian to express their
sentiments. Deacon Mark, being a Seminary alumnus and long-time servant
at Holy Trinity Church, humbly announced that he and his wife were
presenting this modest sum towards the Catholicosate of Cilicia, the
Prelacy and Armenian Schools as a token of gratitude, and also took
the opportunity to congratulate the Prelate on the 35th anniversary of
his ordination as a celibate priest. Prof. Barsamian stated that it
was a great joy and spiritually fulfilling to be able to participate
with his donation to the Pontifical Visit, and reaffirmed his support
to the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Western Prelacy. Nadjarian,
on behalf of his wife and personally, expressed his thanks for the
privilege and honor of participating in the welcoming and honoring
of His Holiness. He noted that there is excitement and enthusiasm
surrounding the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness and expressed his
joy for being a part of the festivities.
The evening came to a close with the benediction by the Prelate and
the singing of the Cilician anthem.
The Prelacy expressed gratitude and blessings to all the sponsors
and friends for their support and efforts.
From: A. Papazian