ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION AGBUAGBU ARMENIAARMENIA NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER Yerevan, Armenia IN THIS ISSUE ISSUE 16, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 2011 ♦ AGBU President awarded ARMENIAN PRESIDENT BESTOWS ORDER OF HONOR Order of Honor (p. 1) UPON AGBU PRESIDENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE ♦ Dinner in honor of His Holi- ness Karekin II (p. 2) 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE ♦ Sinan Sinanian and Sam On Friday, September 23, Armenian President Serge Sargsyan awarded AGBU pre- Simonian awarded Anania sident Berge Setrakian with the Order of Honor for his significant contributions to the Shirakatsi medal (p. 3) Republic of Armenia. The honor, one of the highest bestowed by the Republic of Ar- ♦ Alexis Govciyan and Berdj menia, was awarded Terzian awarded Mkhitar during the 20th Anni- Gosh medal (p. 3, 4) versary of Independ- ♦ AUA: 20 years of advance- ence of the Republic ment (p. 4, 5) of Armenia gala at Cipriani Wall Street in ♦ AGBU AVC celebrates 2nd Manhattan's financial year of successful operation district. (p. 6) ♦ AGBU AVC labs opened in The event, which was Rostov and Tbilisi (p. 7) attended by 700 New York-area Armenians, ♦ AGBU AVC participates in was jointly organized education conferences and by the Armenian Em- expos (p. 7) bassy in the United ♦ AGBU delegation at Arme- States, the Permanent Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan bestows Order of Honor upon nia-Diaspora conference (p.8) Mission of the Repub- AGBU President Berge Setrakian ♦ AGBU celebrates 20th anni- lic of Armenia at the versary of Armenia’s inde- United Nations, and leading Armenian-American organizations. The Order of Honor pendence (p. 8) is given to individuals who provide significant services in "the protection of national interests of the Republic of Armenia aimed at the consolidation of independence and ♦ “Armeniaca” program democracy." launched in Yerevan (p. 9) ♦ 5th Yerevan International During his keynote address, President Sargsyan celebrated the promise of Armenia Music Festival (p. 10) for Armenians everywhere. "Together we should renew our hope and faith in our marvelous country and our strengths. We should renew our vow, which very few ♦ “Gilgamesh” presented to the have betrayed down through the millennia and which very many have faithfully hon- Armenian audience (p. 10) ored. They've fought, created and taught, given treatment and built, written volumes ♦ AGBU Yerevan Scout move- and deciphered, gone to jail and into exile, raised healthy, educated children and ment (p. 11) bequeathed to them the formula for remaining faithful to the centuries-old vow," he ♦ AGBU Buenos Aires said. Women’s Committee in The Armenian leader also touched upon the unique and important relationship that Armenia (p. 12) Armenia and the diaspora share. "I have had opportunities to note that day by day ♦ AGBU Plovdiv’s youth thea- Armenia and the diaspora are becoming the continuation of one another," he said. ter troupe in Yerevan (p. 12) "We can't have the Armenia of our dreams, without including the efforts and contribu- tions of our diasporan compatriots. On the other hand, we can't have a diaspora that works effectively, remains Armenian, maintains and develops our traditions, and is proud of its own iden- tity, without a stable, developing Homeland that has its place and role in the world." The Order of Honor is one of the highest titles awarded by the Republic of Armenia. Other award recipi- ents that same evening included lifelong AGBU member Rita Balian, who received the Medal of Mkhitar Heratsi for her work in the development of healthcare in Armenia through the Armenian-American Health Center, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), who received the medal "For Services Contributed to the Motherland" in recognition of his dedication to and support of Armenia. Two Armenian diplomats in America, His Excellency Garen Nazaryan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, and His Excellency Tatul Markarian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United States, received the medal of "Mkhitar Gosh" for their diplomatic work. Page 1 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 16, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 2011 NEW YORK DINNER HONORS 60TH BIRTHDAY OF CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II “Pontifical Endowment for Pastoral Development” established On Wednesday, October 12, 2011, a group of friends and benefactors of Holy Etchmiadzin gathered at a dinner hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Nazar and Artemis Nazarian in honor of His Holiness Karekin II's 60th birthday. The event was held at Manhattan's Metropolitan Club and was attended by 60 people in an atmosphere of warm friendship and cordiality. Berge Setrakian, president of AGBU, acting as the master of ceremonies, welcomed the guests and congratulated His Holiness on his birthday. "You are surrounded tonight by great friends of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Catholicos of All Armenians" he said, and further noted that the AGBU has been a longstanding supporter of His Holiness' initiatives to further strengthen the Armenian Church. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Dio- cese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), after thanking the hosts and congratulating the Ca- tholicos, spoke on the need to develop strong spiri- tual leadership in the Armenian Church - a mission His Holiness has advanced throughout his pontifi- His Holiness Karekin II, AGBU President Berge Setrakian and cate. He then announced on that occasion the estab- the evening’s host, AGBU Board of Trustees member Nazar Nazarian lishment of the Pontifical Endowment for Pastoral Development, which will be chaired by Mr. Setrakian. "From my experience, I can testify that having a dedicated, well-prepared pastor is key to a flourishing parish life...Our parishes flourish, family spiritual life flourishes, and our church as a whole will flourish," said the Primate. Following the announcement of the establishment of the fund, Mr. Setrakian stated that AGBU had decided to ear- mark $1 million of its scholarship programs for this purpose. Mr. and Mrs. Nazarian took the initiative of donating $1 million to this fund in lieu of Vehapar's birthday gift and they were followed with similar amounts by Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Ruth Bedevian and Mr. and Mrs. Hratch and Suzanne Toufayan. Mr. and Mrs. Setrakian then announced their contribution of $250,000 and they were followed by Mr. and Mrs. Yer- vant and Melissa Demirjian, Mr. and Mrs. Haig and Elsa Didizian, and Mr. and Mrs. Nishan and Margaret Atinizian with $100,000 each. Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Edna Keleshian, Oscar Tatosian, and Jerry Demirjian pledged $50,000 each. Mr. and Mrs. George and Alice Kevorkian, Mr. and Mrs. Zaven and Arlene Dadekian, Mr. and Mrs. Papken and Anahid Megerian, and Dr. and Mrs. Haroutune and Shakeh Mekhjian pledged $25,000 each. Further donations continued to follow. Mr. Setrakian then announced that Archbishop Hov- nan Derderian, the Primate of the Diocese of Arme- nian Church of North America (Western), had in- formed him that a pledge drive getting underway in that region had raised $1 million so far for the same purpose. To conclude the evening, His Holiness Karekin II expressed his deep appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Nazarian for hosting the evening, and addressed the guests in his usual cordial tone. "Coming here, I feel I am among family," he said. "I feel blessed and strengthened to know that you have been and con- tinue to be so supportive of my ministry as Catholi- cos of All Armenians, and recognize the importance Guests listen as Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addresses the birthday celebration for the Armenian Catholicos of advancing the clergy in our church." Information on the "Pontifical Endowment for Pastoral Development" can be obtained by contacting Laura Gononian at [email protected]. For the video material please visit: New York dinner honors Catholicos Karekin II Page 2 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 16, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 2011 AGBU CENTRAL BOARD MEMBERS SINAN SINANIAN AND SAM SIMONIAN AWARDED ANANIA SHIRAKATSI MEDAL By the decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the independence of Armenia, members of the AGBU Central Board of Directors - AGBU Vice President Sinan Sinanian and AGBU Treasurer Sam Simonian - have been awarded the distinguished Anania Shirakatsi Medal for their substantial contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity, service to the homeland, as well as their contribution to the strengthening of friendship be- tween the Republic of Armenia and foreign countries. Sinanian received the state medal during a banquet attended by President Sargsyan at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on September 25th to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the independence of Armenia. Sinanian is a prominent leader in Southern California's Armenian community. Most recently, he chaired the committee to realize the establishment of House of Ar- menia, a planned cultural center in Glendale and the headquarters of the Consulate of the Republic of Arme- nia in Los Angeles. In his opening remarks, Sinanian thanked President Sargsyan for visiting the Armenian community in Los AGBU Vice President Sinan Sinanian awarded Anania Shirakatsi medal Angeles despite his limited time and busy schedule. The honoree went on to say, "It is an honored tradition when commemorating historic events to erect a landmark stone that stays for posterity. Earlier today the president inaugurated the House of Armenia, which was realized through the joint efforts of our community. We believe that the House of Armenia, while being the official residence of the diplomatic representation of the Republic of Armenia, is destined to be the showcase for what is beautiful in our homeland and a permanent exhibition hall for its ongoing achievements. That edifice will be the symbolic landmark stone erected on behalf of our community on this proud occasion of the 20th anniversary of the independent Repub- lic of Armenia.