Government of the Republic of Armenia Honors Archbishop Barsamian
28 July 2011
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and President of the Fund for Armenian Relief, was recognized earlier this month by the government of the Republic of Armenia on the occasion of his 40th anniversary of ordination into the holy priesthood and his 60th birthday.
Armenia's Prime Minister, His Excellency Tigran Sargsyan, personally presented the award and proclamation to Archbishop Barsamian on July 13, during the Primate's visit to Armenia.
Prime Minister Sargsyan expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Barsamian for his efforts to help the Armenian people. The Prime Minister's proclamation noted Archbishop Barsamian's "work to strengthen state and church relations" and "his contributions to the education of Armenian youth."
Under the leadership of Archbishop Barsamian, the Eastern Diocese and its parishes have extended spiritual and material outreach to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. In the past two decades, the Diocese has spearheaded a number of service and exchange programs, pilgrimages, publications, and other initiatives to build connections between the Armenians in the United States and their brothers and sisters in the homeland.
In addition, the Fund for Armenian Relief-which was established by Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Kevork Hovnanian, and Dr. Edgar Housepian in the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake in Spitak and Gyumri-has grown under Archbishop Barsamian's guidance to become the homeland's leading humanitarian organization, offering programs in education, health care, child protection, and economic development.
Archbishop Barsamian also has been a great supporter of Holy Etchmiadzin, and with the blessings of the Mother See, has represented the Armenian Church on various ecumenical and interreligious boards worldwide, helping to raise the profile of the Armenian Church on the national and international levels.
