Armenian-American Community Shows Support for Armenia on its 20th Anniversary
28 September 2011
Primate Among those Honored by President Sargsyan
Leaders of the Armenian-American community and members of Armenia's diplomatic corps were honored with presidential medals for their service to the Republic of Armenia on its 20th anniversary of independence during a banquet held to welcome Armenia's President Serge Sargsyan to New York on Friday, September 23.
Among the award recipients were Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern); Berge Setrakian, President of the Armenian General Benevolent Fund; Rita Balian, the founder of the Armenian American Cultural Association (AACA); Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, Armenia's Ambassador to the United States; and Ambassador Garen Nazarian, Armenia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
In his remarks, President Sargsyan noted that Armenians in Armenia and in the diaspora are united not only by a shared history, but also by the realities of the present and aspirations for the future. "The future of a flourishing and blossoming Armenia is a joint dream that we have to realize together through our combined efforts," he said.
The President stressed that the task of building up an independent Armenia is still in its early stages, and that much remains to be done to ensure the prosperity and security of the young nation. He added that despite voices of doubt, it is imperative to commit to the project of statehood undertaken two decades ago, and encouraged the diaspora community to continue its participation in that project.
"We can't have the Armenia of our dreams without the efforts and contributions of diasporan Armenians," he said. "On the other hand, we can't have a diaspora that is productively preserving its national identity and language without the backing of a homeland that is recognized on the global stage."
Following his remarks, the President presented awards to the evening's honorees, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian received the "Medal for Service and Contribution to the Motherland" in recognition of his many years of service to the Armenian Church and of his contributions to preserving national and spiritual values.
Berge Setrakian likewise received an "Order of Honor" for his service to the homeland and his enduring commitment to the Armenian people.
Rita Balian was recognized with the "Mkhitar Heratsi Medal" for her work in the development of health care in Armenia. The Armenian American Cultural Association she founded runs the Armenian American Wellness Center (AAWC) for mammography screening and other health care services in Yerevan.
Ambassadors Tatoul Markarian and Garen Nazarian both received the "Mkhitar Gosh Medal" for their contributions to diplomacy and work on the international stage.
In his remarks which opened the evening, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the significance of the week's milestone.
"Our 20th anniversary of independence is meaningful for many reasons," he said. "But in the largest sense, it is a vindication of the Armenian people: of our ability to endure, struggle, prosper, build, and groweven out of the ashes of pain and suffering. This milestone belongs to all of us: every Armenian alive on this planet has a reason to celebrate this achievement."
He also spoke about the importance of supporting a new generation of Armenians—in the republic and around the world—who are just beginning to discover their homeland, and who will be its stewards and leaders in the years to come.
"On this milestone anniversary, we should remember those young people: the leaders of the future," Archbishop Barsamian said. "And we should eagerly re-commit ourselves—not only to the dream that lifted our spirits 20 years ago, but to the continuing mission that will sustain the spirit of our people for 20 more years, and beyond."
For the past two decades, the Eastern Diocese has been intimately involved in building, supporting, and strengthening the Armenian homeland, as it has progressed from a disaster-stricken Soviet state to a free and independent republic.
From his earliest days as primate, Archbishop Barsamian took the lead of the Diocesan relief effort to Armenia's earthquake region, founded in 1989 by his predecessor Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Kevork Hovnanian, and Dr. Edgar Housepian.
Working closely with Mr. Hovnanian, the chair of the organization, and the board members, Archbishop Barsamian led that effort to become the number-one relief carrier to Armenia, and the agency of choice for receiving and delivering humanitarian aid on behalf of United States government. After approaching the U.S. State Department about earthquake relief, he signed a first-of-its-kind agreement with the USDA, resulting in $10 million in food and aid being sent to Armenia in the early 1990s.
The Diocesan effort was formally renamed the Fund for Armenian Relief in 1993, and as an official NGO, it broadened its focus, launching programs to address social and economic development—including the Homeless Children's Center, the Gyumri Information Technology Center, the Continuing Medical Education program, the Vanadzor Old Age Home, as well as soup kitchens, schools, and scholarship opportunities.
"Armenia has come a long way in 20 years, and still has a way to go," Dr. Housepian said. "But after 20 years, it is still independent, and it should stay that way. All of us are committed to seeing it prosper and succeed."
In the first days of Armenia's independence, as the newborn republic was establishing diplomatic relations among the family of nations, Archbishop Barsamian invited the republic's first overseas representative—who would later be confirmed as Armenia's first representative to the U.N.—to take up residence at the Diocesan Center in New York.
The suite of offices in the cathedral complex was the very first official presence of the republic in this country, which provided a distinguished setting for the mission, and gave it a secure footing to move forward to its own office building, which at the Primate's recommendation was purchased and renovated for the UN Mission by Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian in 1992.
Since that time, Armenian diplomats have found a welcome home at the Diocesan Center. Presidents, foreign ministers, and other government representatives regularly visit the center to receive Archbishop Barsamian's blessing and to establish stronger ties with the larger Armenian community in New York. Every U.S. ambassador to Armenia has made sure to visit the center and cultivate strong relations with the Primate, often consulting with him on matters pertaining to the church and the diaspora community.
Archbishop Barsamian has also served as the trusted advisor to Catholicoi Vasken I, Karekin I, and Karekin II in their respective efforts to advance the development of independent Armenia. In addition, the Primate is an honored and esteemed figure in international ecumenical, humanitarian, and political circles.
"Many individuals have heroically supported independent Armenia during the past two decades," said Oscar Tatosian, chair of the Diocesan Council. "But it is important to remember that we are all a part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Armenia, and of the ongoing story of our free republic. In different ways, the entire diasporan community has extended its support to our brothers and sisters in the homeland, and will continue to reach out as Armenia builds on the foundations of statehood established 20 years ago."
Among the award recipients were Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern); Berge Setrakian, President of the Armenian General Benevolent Fund; Rita Balian, the founder of the Armenian American Cultural Association (AACA); Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, Armenia's Ambassador to the United States; and Ambassador Garen Nazarian, Armenia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
In his remarks, President Sargsyan noted that Armenians in Armenia and in the diaspora are united not only by a shared history, but also by the realities of the present and aspirations for the future. "The future of a flourishing and blossoming Armenia is a joint dream that we have to realize together through our combined efforts," he said.
The President stressed that the task of building up an independent Armenia is still in its early stages, and that much remains to be done to ensure the prosperity and security of the young nation. He added that despite voices of doubt, it is imperative to commit to the project of statehood undertaken two decades ago, and encouraged the diaspora community to continue its participation in that project.
"We can't have the Armenia of our dreams without the efforts and contributions of diasporan Armenians," he said. "On the other hand, we can't have a diaspora that is productively preserving its national identity and language without the backing of a homeland that is recognized on the global stage."
Following his remarks, the President presented awards to the evening's honorees, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian received the "Medal for Service and Contribution to the Motherland" in recognition of his many years of service to the Armenian Church and of his contributions to preserving national and spiritual values.
Berge Setrakian likewise received an "Order of Honor" for his service to the homeland and his enduring commitment to the Armenian people.
Rita Balian was recognized with the "Mkhitar Heratsi Medal" for her work in the development of health care in Armenia. The Armenian American Cultural Association she founded runs the Armenian American Wellness Center (AAWC) for mammography screening and other health care services in Yerevan.
Ambassadors Tatoul Markarian and Garen Nazarian both received the "Mkhitar Gosh Medal" for their contributions to diplomacy and work on the international stage.
In his remarks which opened the evening, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the significance of the week's milestone.
"Our 20th anniversary of independence is meaningful for many reasons," he said. "But in the largest sense, it is a vindication of the Armenian people: of our ability to endure, struggle, prosper, build, and groweven out of the ashes of pain and suffering. This milestone belongs to all of us: every Armenian alive on this planet has a reason to celebrate this achievement."
He also spoke about the importance of supporting a new generation of Armenians—in the republic and around the world—who are just beginning to discover their homeland, and who will be its stewards and leaders in the years to come.
"On this milestone anniversary, we should remember those young people: the leaders of the future," Archbishop Barsamian said. "And we should eagerly re-commit ourselves—not only to the dream that lifted our spirits 20 years ago, but to the continuing mission that will sustain the spirit of our people for 20 more years, and beyond."
For the past two decades, the Eastern Diocese has been intimately involved in building, supporting, and strengthening the Armenian homeland, as it has progressed from a disaster-stricken Soviet state to a free and independent republic.
From his earliest days as primate, Archbishop Barsamian took the lead of the Diocesan relief effort to Armenia's earthquake region, founded in 1989 by his predecessor Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Kevork Hovnanian, and Dr. Edgar Housepian.
Working closely with Mr. Hovnanian, the chair of the organization, and the board members, Archbishop Barsamian led that effort to become the number-one relief carrier to Armenia, and the agency of choice for receiving and delivering humanitarian aid on behalf of United States government. After approaching the U.S. State Department about earthquake relief, he signed a first-of-its-kind agreement with the USDA, resulting in $10 million in food and aid being sent to Armenia in the early 1990s.
The Diocesan effort was formally renamed the Fund for Armenian Relief in 1993, and as an official NGO, it broadened its focus, launching programs to address social and economic development—including the Homeless Children's Center, the Gyumri Information Technology Center, the Continuing Medical Education program, the Vanadzor Old Age Home, as well as soup kitchens, schools, and scholarship opportunities.
"Armenia has come a long way in 20 years, and still has a way to go," Dr. Housepian said. "But after 20 years, it is still independent, and it should stay that way. All of us are committed to seeing it prosper and succeed."
In the first days of Armenia's independence, as the newborn republic was establishing diplomatic relations among the family of nations, Archbishop Barsamian invited the republic's first overseas representative—who would later be confirmed as Armenia's first representative to the U.N.—to take up residence at the Diocesan Center in New York.
The suite of offices in the cathedral complex was the very first official presence of the republic in this country, which provided a distinguished setting for the mission, and gave it a secure footing to move forward to its own office building, which at the Primate's recommendation was purchased and renovated for the UN Mission by Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian in 1992.
Since that time, Armenian diplomats have found a welcome home at the Diocesan Center. Presidents, foreign ministers, and other government representatives regularly visit the center to receive Archbishop Barsamian's blessing and to establish stronger ties with the larger Armenian community in New York. Every U.S. ambassador to Armenia has made sure to visit the center and cultivate strong relations with the Primate, often consulting with him on matters pertaining to the church and the diaspora community.
Archbishop Barsamian has also served as the trusted advisor to Catholicoi Vasken I, Karekin I, and Karekin II in their respective efforts to advance the development of independent Armenia. In addition, the Primate is an honored and esteemed figure in international ecumenical, humanitarian, and political circles.
"Many individuals have heroically supported independent Armenia during the past two decades," said Oscar Tatosian, chair of the Diocesan Council. "But it is important to remember that we are all a part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Armenia, and of the ongoing story of our free republic. In different ways, the entire diasporan community has extended its support to our brothers and sisters in the homeland, and will continue to reach out as Armenia builds on the foundations of statehood established 20 years ago."
