As our entire nation prepares to commemorate the
Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the Ambassadors of Faith of the Western
Diocese has planned a series of Thanksgiving ceremonies to recognize and honor
countries, humanitarian missions, Armenian and non-Armenian organizations,
which have helped Genocide survivors, especially the orphans. The first
organization to be recognized for its enormous philanthropic work was the
Armenian General Benevolent Union. St. Leon Armenian Cathedral of the Western
Diocese was filled to capacity on Sunday, January 18, 2015.
With the Primate presiding over the service, the day’s
celebrant was His Grace Bishop Mushegh Babayan, visiting Bishop from the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Los Angeles
City Councilmember Paul Krikorian and AGBU Vice President Mr. Sinan Sinanian
accompanied by his spouse Angel, present Diocesan Council Chairman Mr. Antranik
Zorayan and former Chair Judge Adrienne Krikorian and Joseph Kanimian, Esq.,
AGBU Asbeds Chairman Dr. Harout Yaghsezian and Ambassadors of Faith Chairman
Arsen Danielian, Esq. Faculty of AGBU Schools, PTO members and AGBU Scouts also
took part in the service.
In recognition of the outstanding contributions of the
AGBU to the Motherland and the Diaspora throughout its history, a cross-stone
was consecrated by the the Diocesan Primate and the celebrant Bishop.
At the conclusion of the service, with the participation
of the celebrant Bishop, the Diocesan Primate and the Diocesan clergy, a Requiem
Service (Hokehankist) was held for the souls of AGBU Benefactors Krikor and
Garabed Melkonian and founders of the Melkonian Armenian Boarding School of
high academic standard in Nicosia, Cyprus, and the members of the Avetisyan
family who were murdered by the Russian soldier Valery Permyakov on January
12th.
On behalf of the LA City Council, Councilmember Paul
Krekorian presented a Resolution to Mr. Sinanian recognizing the contributions
of the AGBU in Armenia and the Diaspora at large.
A procession to the Armenian Martyrs Monument adjacent to
the Hampar Family Entrance was led by the clergy and the AGBU Scouts. A wreath
was placed at the monument in honor of the 1.5 million martyrs who perished
during the Armenian Genocide.
Banquet
In the afternoon, a banquet organized by the AGBU Asbeds
was held at the Hampar Family Room of the Diocesan Headquarters. With over 100
guests in attendance, the welcoming remarks were delivered by Dr. Harout
Yaghsezian, Chairman of the AGBU Asbeds who reflected on the immense
contributions of the Armenian General Benevolent Union in preserving the
Armenian identity in the Diaspora.
Heartfelt remarks were delivered by AGBU Vice President
Mr. Sinan Sinanian who thanked the Diocesan Primate and the Ambassadors of
Faith for recognizing the philanthropic and humanitarian contributions of the
organization.
“The founding of the Armenian General Benevolent Union
will forever be engraved in the history of the Armenian nation. The noble
organization was established during the time in which the Armenian nation was
walking on the path to Golgotha. A new chapter was written on April 15, 1906
with the founding of the AGBU by a national benefactor Boghos Noubar. For over
100 years, the AGBU has continued to preserve and promote the Armenian identity
and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs and shape
leaders of tomorrow in the Diaspora.
As the Armenian nation prepares to commemorate the
Centennial of the Armenian Genocide which in itself symbolizes the Resurrection
of the Armenian nation, we extend our wholehearted gratitude to the AGBU, the
noble organization which became a safe haven for tens of thousands of orphans
years following the Armenian Genocide,” said His Eminence in part.
About the Celebrant Bishop
His Grace Bishop Moushegh Babayan, the Director of
Director of Operations and Finance of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, was
born in 1978 in the village of Datev, in the Republic of Armenia. He received his primary education at S.
Arakelian School in Datev.
He entered the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of
Etchmiadzin in 1994 and upon graduation in 2000 was ordained to the
diaconate. On the Feast of the
Apparition of the Holy Cross, March 2, 2002, he was ordained a celibate priest
by His Grace Bishop Navasard Kojoyan, the Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical
Diocese.
Upon defending his doctoral thesis he was elevated to the
rank of Vartabed on July 2, 2011 by His Grace Bishop Paren Avedikian. On November 6, of the same year, Hayr
Moushegh was consecrated a bishop by His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of
All Armenians.
Bishop Babayan has furthered his studies at the following
institutions: the Armenian-American
University of Yerevan, the Theological Seminary of Geneva, the Russian Orthodox
Theological Seminary of Moscow, and the Papal College of Rome.
We welcome Bishop Babayan to the Western Diocese, and
wish him many years of fruitful service in the Armenian Church.
(Courtesy of Dn. Allan Yeghia Jendian)
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