PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
December 19, 2006
___________________
DR. ZAREH DEMIRJIAN PRESENTED WITH STS. SAHAG AND MESROB MEDAL
By Florence Avakian
The importance of a man is in his contributions to society. This
description is befitting any mention of Dr. Zareh Demirjian, a leader of the
St. James Church of Watertown, MA, who was recently presented with the Sts.
Sahag and Mesrob Medal and a Pontifical Encyclical by Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, on behalf of His Holiness Karekin
II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
"Dr. Demirjian is a community leader who has given our people so many
spiritual and cultural gifts during the past 40 years, especially in the
Boston area," the Primate said during the service on Sunday, December 3,
2006. "His dedicated life and service is a testament to the strong
foundations of his devoted parents, and his family."
The honoree, born in Aleppo, was educated in Beirut and became the head of
the Hematology Department at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is also a
respected professor at Harvard Medical School. He has devoted his life to
the Armenian Church, Armenian culture, and his humanitarian work.
"He has brought help to anyone in need from kings to the poverty-stricken,"
the Primate added.
The Primate also noted that Dr. Demirjian’s mother was honored by Catholicos
of All Armenians Vasken I, of blessed memory. In his encyclical, Catholicos
Karekin II noted the importance of the connection between generations.
"In following the dedicated spirit of your parents, who were devoted members
of the Armenian Church and the AGBU, you have made significant contributions
to the Boston-Armenian community, and played an important role in the AGBU,
the Tekeyan organization and other cultural areas. You have also
courageously worked for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide," the
Pontifical Encyclical read. "In your profession as a prominent doctor, you
have passed your valuable knowledge to your students at the Harvard Medical
School."
His colleagues, gathered to honor Dr. Demirjian, agreed that he impacted
people around the globe, and especially touched those in the Boston area.
"Dr. Demirjian’s role in the cultural life of the Boston Armenian community
is exemplary," said one of the many speakers of the evening, Dr. Marzbed
Margossian, who also recalled the years they spent together as students at
the American University of Beirut.
Speaking on behalf of the Demirjian family present — which included the
honoree’s wife Margo and daughter Talin — was his son Dr. Aram Demirjian,
who reiterated the "great role model" that his father has been for him and
the family.
The special evening began with evening vespers in the sanctuary conducted by
the Primate, assisted by Fr. Krikor Maksoudian, Fr. Arakel Aljalian, and Fr.
Arsen Barsamian.
In performing the role of master of ceremonies, Fr. Maksoudian read the
Pontifical Encyclical in Armenian. Another speaker, Nubar Dorian paid
tribute to Dr. Demirjian in English, when he extolled the honoree’s life and
accomplishments, not only in Boston, but around the world.
— 12/19/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), with Dr. Zareh Demirjian, a leader
of the St. James Church of Watertown, MA, after presenting Dr. Demirjian
with the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Medal and a Pontifical Encyclical on behalf
of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Fr. Krikor Maksoudian reads the encyclical from His
Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
while the Primate and Dr. Demirjian look on during a service at the St.
James Church of Watertown, MA, on December 3, 2006.
# # #