His Holiness Karekın II Will Bestow The Highest Distinction On Mr. And Mrs. Nazar And Artemis Nazarian, in New York On May 10

On Friday, May 10, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will honor two lifelong benefactors of the Armenian Church and the worldwide community. The Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) will co-sponsor the gala evening in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Nazar and Artemis Nazarian, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

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PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558

E-mail: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org

Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net

March 22, 2013

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His Holiness Karekın II Will Bestow The Highest Distinction On Mr. And Mrs. Nazar And Artemis Nazarian, in New York On May 10

On Friday, May 10, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will honor two lifelong benefactors of the Armenian Church and the worldwide community.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) will co-sponsor the gala evening in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Nazar and Artemis Nazarian, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will preside over the occasion to personally bestow the “Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin” Pontifical Medal on the honorees, in grateful recognition of their lifetime commitment, service, and philanthropy both in Armenia and the Diaspora.

The Nazarians’ generosity has benefitted countless institutions across the globe, including Holy Etchmiadzin, the AGBU, and the Eastern Diocese.  In addition, the Nazarians have sponsored numerous educational, cultural, and religious programs, and have been strong supporters of the Republic of Armenia.

The “Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin” Pontifical Medal is the highest lay honor of the Armenian Church, and has only been awarded to a very few recipients since its inception in 2011.  Mrs. Louise Manoogian Simone, the great Armenian philanthropist and past president of the AGBU, was the very first honoree.

“I wish to express my great joy that His Holiness has chosen Nazar and Artemis Nazarian to be in the distinguished company of those who have received this rare honor,” said Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.  “The Nazarians are shining examples of our Armenian Christian heritage in action.”

“The Nazarians have been noble, influential figures in the American and global Armenian communities,” said AGBU President Berge Setrakian.  “This event will be a memorable occasion to express our admiration and gratitude as a community in the presence of His Holiness.”

To realize the event at the Plaza Hotel, Mrs. Nila Festekjian has graciously accepted the invitation of Archbishop Barsamian and Mr. Setrakian to chair the organizing committee.

Advancing the Global Armenian Community

In a lifetime of good deeds, Nazar and Artemis Nazarian have upheld the Armenian Christian virtues of charity, loyalty and faithful leadership.  Mr. and Mrs. Nazarian have not only greatly contributed to the Armenian community in the United States, but have been engaged for many years in projects throughout the world to advance the cause of their people.

They are long-time members of the St. Thomas Armenian Church of Tenafly, N.J., where Mr. Nazarian was among its founders and served on the parish council as a Diocesan delegate, and on the Board of Trustees.  He also served on the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary Board of Directors. The Nazarians have been major contributors to both the parish and St. Nersess Seminary.

One of the original godfathers of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City, Nazar Nazarian has always been supportive of major projects of the Eastern Diocese.

In anticipation of the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's conversion to Christianity, the Nazarians sponsored the construction of the “Drtad Madour” as part of the mammoth St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan.  The beautiful structure is only the most visible part of the couple’s innumerable contributions to the Armenian Church in its independent republic.

Mr. and Mrs. Nazarian are also benefactors of the AGBU Nubar Nazarian building, housing the Armenian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, of the Yerevan State Medical School’s Radiology Center, and the AGBU headquarters building under construction in Yerevan.

The Nazarians have been active members of the AGBU, where Nazar has served over 33 years on the Board of Directors as Vice President and Treasurer.  Their generosity has resulted in several “Nazarian Halls” gracing the AGBU facilities in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Canoga Park, California; and Camp Nubar, Andes, New York.  The Levon and Satenig Nazarian AGBU Day School in Beirut, Lebanon, was constructed by Nazar and his brothers in honor of their parents, as they have also established the AGBU Levon and Satenig Nazarian Fund.

Nazar and Artemis Nazarian have assisted countless students throughout the United States and in Armenian communities throughout the world, as part of their ongoing engagement for the advancement of the global Armenian community.

For information about the banquet, please contact the offices of the AGBU or the Diocese.

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