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PRELACY HONORS THREE EXTRAORDINARY HUMANITARIAN ACTIONS
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/10/24/prelacy-honors-three-extraordinary-humanitarian-actions/
Posted by Florence Avakian on October 24, 2012
Banquet benefits 'Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief'
NEW YORK-Three extraordinary life-saving humanitarian actions were
remembered and honored by the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of America on Sun., Oct. 7, at the elegant New York Palace
Hotel. The honorees included Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, the Near East Relief,
and the American National Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians. The
awards were to have been presented by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia, during his pontifical visit to New York,
which was cancelled due to the critical situation in Syria.
2012Banquet01 250x300 Prelacy Honors Three Extraordinary Humanitarian
Actions
Marit Greve, the granddaughter of Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, accepts the
award from Archbishop Oshagan. (Photo by Zenop Pomakian)
"We who are here stand on the shoulders of previous generations who
sacrificed their life and energy so we could enjoy the fruits of this
country," stated master of ceremonies Judge Sarkis Teshoian (RET) in
his introductory remarks. Many Armenians who survived the genocide
"ended up in Syria where today Armenian lives are at risk, as well
as their churches, schools, and institutions. This is therefore the
second reason to be here. We have an obligation to help our brothers
and sisters in Syria," he declared strongly.
Karen Jehanian, the co-chair of the Pontifical Visit National
Steering Committee, welcomed the guests on behalf of the Executive
Council. She succinctly described the mission goals of the Prelacy and
noted that alongside its primary mission to transmit the teachings
of Christianity, the Prelacy "preserves history, educates our young
people, provides comfort to those in need, and seeks to give us a
future that is rich in culture, spirituality, and faith. By your
presence here today, by the contribution you make to your parish or
community, you are being true to that faith and upholding the noble
values of those who gave the Armenian people life-giving humanitarian
aid when most needed."
Proceeds of the event will benefit the Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief,
a joint united effort of the Armenian Apostolic Church (Eastern
Prelacy), the Armenian Catholic Eparchy, the Armenian Evangelical
Union of North America, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), and the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF).
Core values of all religions
In a powerful message transmitted through video, Catholicos Aram
stated, "Helping those who are marginalized is the core value of all
religions. All those who share their resources with those in need
are worthy of the highest respect by humanity. Helping others is not
just sharing material resources. It is sharing the moral partnership
to empower those who are powerless. Helping our people is crucial. We
have a large community in Syria that is critically exposed." As he paid
tribute to the three honorees with words of praise and thanksgiving,
he asked everyone "to pray for all the suffering around the world."
2012Banquet02 300x200 Prelacy Honors Three Extraordinary Humanitarian
Actions
Shant Mardirossian, chairman of the Near East Foundation, accepts
the award on behalf of Near East Relief. (Photo by Zenop Pomakian)
Nansen Passport
As Judge Teshoian introduced the honorees, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
presented the special awards that were designed and prepared by
Richard Dikran Tenguerian. The first presentation was made to Dr.
Fridtjof Nansen, the world-famous Nobel laureate, scientist, diplomat,
humanitarian, and explorer. As the League of Nations high commissioner
for refugees, he worked tirelessly on behalf of the displaced
victims of World War I. One of his major initiatives was the "Nansen
Passport" for stateless people, a certificate that permitted stateless
people, including thousands of Armenian survivors of the genocide,
to travel freely. Nansen continued his humanitarian efforts on behalf
of refugees and stateless people until his death in 1930. Archbishop
Oshagan presented the award to Nansen's granddaughter, Marit Greve,
who traveled from Norway for the occasion. "We are a people who know
how to die in order to live," said the Prelate passionately, as Greve
approached the podium.
In her remarks of appreciation, Greve, who has been to Armenia and
is aware of the deep respect that Armenians worldwide hold for her
grandfather, said, "One of the great disappointments for my grandfather
was that he couldn't do as much as he wanted to do for the Armenian
people. Tonight was a wonderful experience, and I really feel very
honored to represent my grandfather. I thank you, and am so proud to
be with you tonight," she said to a standing ovation.
Near East Relief
The second honoree was the Near East Relief, which was formed because
of the clarion call of Henry Morgenthau, Sr., the American ambassador
to Turkey who realized the Turks were carrying out a "campaign of
race extermination." The Near East Relief made possible the dramatic
rebirth of the Armenian people and became the model for future
relief and charitable organizations in the United States. Hundreds
of orphanages were established by the Near East Relief and it was
noted that the site of one of those orphanages in Antelias, Lebanon,
became the central headquarters of the Holy See of Cilicia.
2012Banquet03 300x200 Prelacy Honors Three Extraordinary Humanitarian
Actions
Hourig Papazian Sahagian accepts award on behalf of ANCHA. (Photo by
Zenop Pomakian)
Shant Mardirossian, the chairman of the Near East Foundation (successor
of Near East Relief) accepted the award and paid homage to those who
formed Near East Relief and the thousands of relief workers. "If the
perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide represented the worst of mankind,
then the relief workers must be the inverse.
When people were forced from their homes into the desert, they provided
shelter. When there was famine, they provided food. When schools and
churches were destroyed, they helped rebuild new ones.
When businesses and properties were confiscated, they provided
vocational training. When women and children were abducted and forced
into slavery, they went door-to-door and emancipated them. Most of
all, when others sought to destroy life, they saved it." A standing
ovation paid tribute to this organization that, in the Prelate's words,
"saved a nation."
ANCHA
The American National Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians (ANCHA)
was founded by George Mardikian, who received the U.S. Medal of
Freedom from President Harry Truman, and Suren Saroyan, who received
recognition from President Lyndon Johnson. ANCHA mobilized large
segments of the community to raise funds to help thousands of Armenians
in Displaced Persons camps in Europe after World War II.
Sixty-two ANCHA offices around the United States, staffed by hundreds
of volunteers and backed by massive grass roots efforts, set the
foundations that ultimately rescued thousands of Armenian. Over the
span of half-a-century, ANCHA rescued and assisted tens of thousands
of Armenians from Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
"It's a legacy of generosity, caring, and sacrifice by ANCHA
volunteers," declared Archbishop Oshagan as he presented the award to
Hourig Papazian Sahagian, the daughter of Arpi Papazian, a longtime
volunteer and leader of ANCHA in New York, which was a central hub
of the organization.
"The refugees came by boat, by plane to St. Illuminator's Cathedral,
where they were greeted," Papazian Sahagian related. "My mother
was able to direct their pathways to other parts of the United
States." Describing her mother as a "generalissimo," she related how
her mother unabashedly recruited friends and family to help.
Papazian Sahagian paid tribute to all of the volunteers who worked
for years-some, like her mother, from the very beginning of ANCHA
to its end. Another ovation greeted her heartfelt remarks and the
request that those in the audience who were sponsored by ANCHA to rise.
Closing the deeply inspiring program with his benediction, the Prelate,
who had also given the invocation, again paid tribute to the three
heroic honorees. "We are here because they gave the Armenians hope
and life. Dr. Nansen, will be a friend of the Armenians forever; the
Near East Relief, the first model American charitable organization,
literally saved a nation; and ANCHA came to the rescue of Armenians
in distress, who otherwise would have been lost," the Prelate
said. "Today, as we honor and thank them, we remember our brothers
and sisters in Syria, our first diaspora community. When we continue
the tradition of helping our people, we will experience the same
satisfaction our parents did."
Dignitaries introduced during the evening included Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, vicar of the Prelacy; Dr. and Mrs. Movses Abelian, United
Nations Security Council affairs division director; Ambassador Garen
and Mrs. Nazarian, permanent representative of the Republic of Armenia
to the United Nations; Jack Mardoian, Esq., and Richard Sarajian,
Esq., former chairmen of the Prelacy Executive Council; Dr.
Raffy and Mrs. Vicky Hovanessian, vice-chairman of the Diocesan
Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern);
Hagop Kouyoumdjian, chairman emeritus of Armenia Fund USA, and former
treasurer of the Prelacy's Executive Council; Khoren Bandazian,
Esq., chairman of Armenia Fund USA and chairman of the Joint United
Committee for the Centennial Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide;
Dr. Hratch Zadoian, author of Our Brothers' Keepers: The American
National Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians, vice president emeritus
of Queens College, and former vice chairman of the Prelacy's Executive
Council; Sue Aramian, benefactor of religious, activist, and charitable
projects in Armenia and the diaspora; Dr. Antranig Kasbarian, chairman
of the Central Committee of the ARF; and Aram Cazazian and Noubar
Megerian, co-chairmen of the New York Banquet Committee.
Unforgettable event
A complimentary copy of Our Brothers' Keepers: The American National
Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians (ANCHA) by Dr. Hratch Zadoian was
given to attendees. This recently published book, as well as earlier
published works about Dr. Nansen and Near East Relief, are available
for purchase at the Prelacy's Book Store.
The special awards presented to the honorees were designed and prepared
by Richard Dikran Tenguerian. Constructed in two levels, the bottom
level is black symbolizing the dark past with a map of the historic
Armenian cities where the genocide occurred. The map is a replica of
the granite map on the face of the Martyrs' Altar in St.
Illuminator's Cathedral. The top level is clear glass, symbolic of
a bright future, with images of the major monuments dedicated to the
genocide etched on the glass.
The memorable evening began with beautiful renditions of the American
and Armenian national anthems by mezzo-soprano Solange Merdinian,
and ended with the stirring and joyous singing of "Giligia," by all.
A gallery of photographs can be viewed on the Prelacy's web page at
www.armenianprelacy.org.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/10/24/prelacy-honors-three-extraordinary-humanitarian-actions/
Posted by Florence Avakian on October 24, 2012
Banquet benefits 'Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief'
NEW YORK-Three extraordinary life-saving humanitarian actions were
remembered and honored by the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of America on Sun., Oct. 7, at the elegant New York Palace
Hotel. The honorees included Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, the Near East Relief,
and the American National Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians. The
awards were to have been presented by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia, during his pontifical visit to New York,
which was cancelled due to the critical situation in Syria.
2012Banquet01 250x300 Prelacy Honors Three Extraordinary Humanitarian
Actions
Marit Greve, the granddaughter of Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, accepts the
award from Archbishop Oshagan. (Photo by Zenop Pomakian)
"We who are here stand on the shoulders of previous generations who
sacrificed their life and energy so we could enjoy the fruits of this
country," stated master of ceremonies Judge Sarkis Teshoian (RET) in
his introductory remarks. Many Armenians who survived the genocide
"ended up in Syria where today Armenian lives are at risk, as well
as their churches, schools, and institutions. This is therefore the
second reason to be here. We have an obligation to help our brothers
and sisters in Syria," he declared strongly.
Karen Jehanian, the co-chair of the Pontifical Visit National
Steering Committee, welcomed the guests on behalf of the Executive
Council. She succinctly described the mission goals of the Prelacy and
noted that alongside its primary mission to transmit the teachings
of Christianity, the Prelacy "preserves history, educates our young
people, provides comfort to those in need, and seeks to give us a
future that is rich in culture, spirituality, and faith. By your
presence here today, by the contribution you make to your parish or
community, you are being true to that faith and upholding the noble
values of those who gave the Armenian people life-giving humanitarian
aid when most needed."
Proceeds of the event will benefit the Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief,
a joint united effort of the Armenian Apostolic Church (Eastern
Prelacy), the Armenian Catholic Eparchy, the Armenian Evangelical
Union of North America, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), and the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF).
Core values of all religions
In a powerful message transmitted through video, Catholicos Aram
stated, "Helping those who are marginalized is the core value of all
religions. All those who share their resources with those in need
are worthy of the highest respect by humanity. Helping others is not
just sharing material resources. It is sharing the moral partnership
to empower those who are powerless. Helping our people is crucial. We
have a large community in Syria that is critically exposed." As he paid
tribute to the three honorees with words of praise and thanksgiving,
he asked everyone "to pray for all the suffering around the world."
2012Banquet02 300x200 Prelacy Honors Three Extraordinary Humanitarian
Actions
Shant Mardirossian, chairman of the Near East Foundation, accepts
the award on behalf of Near East Relief. (Photo by Zenop Pomakian)
Nansen Passport
As Judge Teshoian introduced the honorees, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
presented the special awards that were designed and prepared by
Richard Dikran Tenguerian. The first presentation was made to Dr.
Fridtjof Nansen, the world-famous Nobel laureate, scientist, diplomat,
humanitarian, and explorer. As the League of Nations high commissioner
for refugees, he worked tirelessly on behalf of the displaced
victims of World War I. One of his major initiatives was the "Nansen
Passport" for stateless people, a certificate that permitted stateless
people, including thousands of Armenian survivors of the genocide,
to travel freely. Nansen continued his humanitarian efforts on behalf
of refugees and stateless people until his death in 1930. Archbishop
Oshagan presented the award to Nansen's granddaughter, Marit Greve,
who traveled from Norway for the occasion. "We are a people who know
how to die in order to live," said the Prelate passionately, as Greve
approached the podium.
In her remarks of appreciation, Greve, who has been to Armenia and
is aware of the deep respect that Armenians worldwide hold for her
grandfather, said, "One of the great disappointments for my grandfather
was that he couldn't do as much as he wanted to do for the Armenian
people. Tonight was a wonderful experience, and I really feel very
honored to represent my grandfather. I thank you, and am so proud to
be with you tonight," she said to a standing ovation.
Near East Relief
The second honoree was the Near East Relief, which was formed because
of the clarion call of Henry Morgenthau, Sr., the American ambassador
to Turkey who realized the Turks were carrying out a "campaign of
race extermination." The Near East Relief made possible the dramatic
rebirth of the Armenian people and became the model for future
relief and charitable organizations in the United States. Hundreds
of orphanages were established by the Near East Relief and it was
noted that the site of one of those orphanages in Antelias, Lebanon,
became the central headquarters of the Holy See of Cilicia.
2012Banquet03 300x200 Prelacy Honors Three Extraordinary Humanitarian
Actions
Hourig Papazian Sahagian accepts award on behalf of ANCHA. (Photo by
Zenop Pomakian)
Shant Mardirossian, the chairman of the Near East Foundation (successor
of Near East Relief) accepted the award and paid homage to those who
formed Near East Relief and the thousands of relief workers. "If the
perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide represented the worst of mankind,
then the relief workers must be the inverse.
When people were forced from their homes into the desert, they provided
shelter. When there was famine, they provided food. When schools and
churches were destroyed, they helped rebuild new ones.
When businesses and properties were confiscated, they provided
vocational training. When women and children were abducted and forced
into slavery, they went door-to-door and emancipated them. Most of
all, when others sought to destroy life, they saved it." A standing
ovation paid tribute to this organization that, in the Prelate's words,
"saved a nation."
ANCHA
The American National Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians (ANCHA)
was founded by George Mardikian, who received the U.S. Medal of
Freedom from President Harry Truman, and Suren Saroyan, who received
recognition from President Lyndon Johnson. ANCHA mobilized large
segments of the community to raise funds to help thousands of Armenians
in Displaced Persons camps in Europe after World War II.
Sixty-two ANCHA offices around the United States, staffed by hundreds
of volunteers and backed by massive grass roots efforts, set the
foundations that ultimately rescued thousands of Armenian. Over the
span of half-a-century, ANCHA rescued and assisted tens of thousands
of Armenians from Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
"It's a legacy of generosity, caring, and sacrifice by ANCHA
volunteers," declared Archbishop Oshagan as he presented the award to
Hourig Papazian Sahagian, the daughter of Arpi Papazian, a longtime
volunteer and leader of ANCHA in New York, which was a central hub
of the organization.
"The refugees came by boat, by plane to St. Illuminator's Cathedral,
where they were greeted," Papazian Sahagian related. "My mother
was able to direct their pathways to other parts of the United
States." Describing her mother as a "generalissimo," she related how
her mother unabashedly recruited friends and family to help.
Papazian Sahagian paid tribute to all of the volunteers who worked
for years-some, like her mother, from the very beginning of ANCHA
to its end. Another ovation greeted her heartfelt remarks and the
request that those in the audience who were sponsored by ANCHA to rise.
Closing the deeply inspiring program with his benediction, the Prelate,
who had also given the invocation, again paid tribute to the three
heroic honorees. "We are here because they gave the Armenians hope
and life. Dr. Nansen, will be a friend of the Armenians forever; the
Near East Relief, the first model American charitable organization,
literally saved a nation; and ANCHA came to the rescue of Armenians
in distress, who otherwise would have been lost," the Prelate
said. "Today, as we honor and thank them, we remember our brothers
and sisters in Syria, our first diaspora community. When we continue
the tradition of helping our people, we will experience the same
satisfaction our parents did."
Dignitaries introduced during the evening included Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, vicar of the Prelacy; Dr. and Mrs. Movses Abelian, United
Nations Security Council affairs division director; Ambassador Garen
and Mrs. Nazarian, permanent representative of the Republic of Armenia
to the United Nations; Jack Mardoian, Esq., and Richard Sarajian,
Esq., former chairmen of the Prelacy Executive Council; Dr.
Raffy and Mrs. Vicky Hovanessian, vice-chairman of the Diocesan
Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern);
Hagop Kouyoumdjian, chairman emeritus of Armenia Fund USA, and former
treasurer of the Prelacy's Executive Council; Khoren Bandazian,
Esq., chairman of Armenia Fund USA and chairman of the Joint United
Committee for the Centennial Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide;
Dr. Hratch Zadoian, author of Our Brothers' Keepers: The American
National Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians, vice president emeritus
of Queens College, and former vice chairman of the Prelacy's Executive
Council; Sue Aramian, benefactor of religious, activist, and charitable
projects in Armenia and the diaspora; Dr. Antranig Kasbarian, chairman
of the Central Committee of the ARF; and Aram Cazazian and Noubar
Megerian, co-chairmen of the New York Banquet Committee.
Unforgettable event
A complimentary copy of Our Brothers' Keepers: The American National
Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians (ANCHA) by Dr. Hratch Zadoian was
given to attendees. This recently published book, as well as earlier
published works about Dr. Nansen and Near East Relief, are available
for purchase at the Prelacy's Book Store.
The special awards presented to the honorees were designed and prepared
by Richard Dikran Tenguerian. Constructed in two levels, the bottom
level is black symbolizing the dark past with a map of the historic
Armenian cities where the genocide occurred. The map is a replica of
the granite map on the face of the Martyrs' Altar in St.
Illuminator's Cathedral. The top level is clear glass, symbolic of
a bright future, with images of the major monuments dedicated to the
genocide etched on the glass.
The memorable evening began with beautiful renditions of the American
and Armenian national anthems by mezzo-soprano Solange Merdinian,
and ended with the stirring and joyous singing of "Giligia," by all.
A gallery of photographs can be viewed on the Prelacy's web page at
www.armenianprelacy.org.