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PRESS RELEASE
Friday, May 17, 2013
CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II HONORS NAZAR AND ARTEMIS NAZARIAN FOR A LIFETIME
OF SERVICE AND PHILANTHROPY
GALA EVENING AT NEW YORK’S PLAZA HOTEL HOSTED BY EASTERN DIOCESE AND
AGBU
By Florence Avakian
“There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.”
These prophetic words by legendary poet Kahlil Gibran might be
considered the lifelong creed of Mr. and Mrs. Nazar and Artemis
Nazarian.
On Friday evening, May 10, close to 400 people attended a gala banquet
in New York’s famed Plaza Hotel, to bear witness as the visiting
Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, personally
bestowed on the deserving couple the “Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin”
Medal-the highest honor of the Armenian Church.
The event was sponsored by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern) and the Armenian General Benevolent Union, and went
forward under the auspices of Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian and AGBU President Berge Setrakian.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Diocesan Legate in
Washington, D.C. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Vice Prime Minister of
Armenia Armen Gevorgyan, United Nations Security Council Director
Dr. Movses Abelian, Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States Tatoul
Markarian, Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Garen Nazarian,
and co-chair of the Armenian Caucus in the U.S. House of
Representatives Congressman Frank Pallone.
Welcoming the enthusiastic throng seated at flower-bedecked tables in
the chandeliered ballroom, Nila Festekjian, chair of the banquet
committee, highlighted the significance of the evening by calling the
Nazarians “a couple who we love, cherish, and respect.”
Master of Ceremonies Yervant Demirjian, AGBU’s treasurer, called it a
“rare privilege” to have the Catholicos present.
In his invocation, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian paid tribute to His
Holiness, who “with a spirit of fatherly love and spiritual friendship
has journeyed from Holy Etchmiadzin to share our joy tonight.”
The Primate extolled Nazar and Artemis Nazarian for their “lifetime of
leadership and generosity,” which has made the couple “shining
examples of the Armenian Christian heritage at its best.” He noted
that “Nazar and Artemis are influential forces in the worldwide
Armenian community, whose ethic of philanthropy has inspired our
homeland to grow in the educational, cultural, national, and spiritual
fields.”
SHARE AND GIVE
In a heartfelt salutation to her parents, Seta Nazarian Albrecht
shared the lessons she and her brother Levon had learned through the
years. Revealing a childhood memory of her mother’s kindness,
Mrs. Albrecht recalled Artemis Nazarian’s generosity to a stranger in
a supermarket. “Lesson learned?” Seta asked, “We are blessed with
many gifts. Share them.”
>From her father, Nazar, who was always reading “everything in print,
always looking for what was needed, and how he could help,” Seta
derived the lesson that “Our focus is not on ourselves, but on the
needs of others.”
Concluding her message, Mrs. Albrecht encouraged “the future Artemises
and Nazars” to “give of yourselves; give financial support when you
can; give your time and give your skills. Stay connected to one
another and your community.”
“If we do this,” she added, “if we all follow my parents’ example, our
community, church and our culture will not only survive…we will
thrive.”
A charming three-part video, produced by Ani Manoukian and Bryant
Botero, presented lovely vignettes of the honorees’ life together, as
recounted by friends and members of the Nazarian family, including the
couple’s five grandchildren: William, Nicholas, Matthew, Daniela, and
Gregory.
It was revealed that Nazar and Artemis had met at a dance and married
in 1954. Together, they have shown an unwavering commitment to
Armenian communities around the world. Among their countless acts of
benevolence are the AGBU Levon G. Nazarian Elementary School in
Beirut; the AGBU Levon and Satenig Nazarian Fund; the AGBU Noubar
Nazarian Building, housing the Armenian Embassy in Beirut; the Artemis
Nazarian Preschool in Canoga Park, California; the AGBU Yerevan State
Medical University Levon and Claudia Nazarian Radiology Center; and
the new AGBU Center under construction in Armenia. Additional
beneficiaries of their generosity are the AGBU Yerevan Summer
Internship Program, AGBU Camp Nubar, and countless AGBU academic
scholarships.
In a lifetime of good deeds, Nazar and Artemis have upheld the
Armenian Christian virtues of charity, loyalty, and faithful
leadership, always loyal to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and
generous benefactors of the Armenian Church. They undertook the
funding of the construction of the chancellery, which houses the
administrative offices and the secretariat of the catholicate. In
anticipation of the 1700th anniversary of Armenia’s conversion to
Christianity, they sponsored the construction of the Drtad Chapel of
Yerevan’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral.
Viewers were also reminded that Nazar had been one of the godfathers
of St. Vartan Cathedral, and co-chair of the St. Thomas Church
building committee, and has always been supportive of major projects
of the Eastern Diocese, including St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
Archpriest Fr. Arnak Kasparian, a longtime friend of the family, spoke
for many in his filmed interview when he said to the Nazarians: “You
are God’s blessing for the Armenian people.”
LOVE AND HUMOR
Dr. Levon Nazarian, a prominent radiologist and academic, presented a
multi-media “roast” of his parents, sharing some humorous and
heartwarming episodes from his upbringing. He reminded the audience
that Artemis is an accountant by training, and also an activist,
raconteur, family historian, puzzle fanatic, baseball fan, and a
skillful knitter “who has provided baby blankets for all of the
diaspora.”
With a son’s affection, Dr. Nazarian also portrayed his mother as
“kind, trusting, and generous; a philanthropist, patron of the arts,
caring wife, mother, and grandmother.”
In a tender recollection of his father, Dr. Nazarian told of the trip
they both made to Armenia, during which he felt he discovered his
father anew, as he witnessed Nazar’s outgoing desire to talk with
everyone they met, and to help the great enterprise of building a free
and decent Armenian Republic.
AGBU President Berge Setrakian, who has served on the AGBU Central
Board of Directors with Nazar Nazarian for 35 years, gave a warm
family tribute to the couple (his wife Vera is the niece of Nazar),
speaking of the close family spirit, the sense of celebration, and
protection in the family. “They give with humility and dignity,” said
Mr. Setrakian in his tribute to the honorees. “They are heroes and
role models, who symbolize the best traits of the AGBU founders… I
have seen very few individuals who care as much about the AGBU, the
Armenian Church, and the Armenian nation as Nazar. He follows all of
our projects and initiatives closely, ensuring their continuity and
success.”
Armenia’s Vice Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan read a message of
appreciation to the honorees from Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan,
thanking them “for all your service and contributions to Armenia and
Artsakh.”
At intervals throughout the evening, a string quartet played Komitas
pieces as arranged by Aslamazian. Among the musicians was Tatevik
Ayazyan, a beneficiary of the Nazarians’ generosity, who thanked them
in the video presentation. The other players were Cecee Pantikian,
Anoush Simonian, and Ani Kalayjian.
FAMILY, NATION, CHURCH
The Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, was
introduced by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, and expressed his pleasure
at being present for this auspicious occasion.
“The Nazarians exemplify the Armenian treasures of family, nation and
church. Artemis was a catalyst for Nazar’s great donations and
contributions, and was responsible for bringing up her family. We
know their children will continue their great contributions. The
words of Nazar are embedded in my soul, that he will continue his help
to Armenia in every way.”
The Nazarians “were able to see their dream of a free and independent
Armenia come true,” the Catholicos continued, speaking throughout in
Armenian. “Armenia progresses through the kind work of our people.
Let God’s blessings always be on us and on the Nazarians, and may they
continue their kind service to Armenia.”
With Artemis and Nazar Nazarian standing on either side of him, His
Holiness decorated the honorees with the “Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin”
Pontifical Medal-to a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd.
As the audience quieted down, Artemis Nazarian spoke for her husband
and family, expressing deep appreciation to the Catholicos and all the
organizers and guests.
“Tonight is one of the most memorable events of our lifetime,” she
said. “It has been an honor to have you, our friends and relatives,
here for this unforgettable occasion,” she said with emotion, bringing
on another thunderous ovation.
The memorable evening concluded with a benediction from the Catholicos
Karekin II and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, as the large crowd pressed
forward to congratulate Nazar and Artemis Nazarian.
The tribute banquet committee was led by Nila Festekjian, and included
Seta Nazarian Albrecht, Anita Anserian, Sandra Balouzian, Lynn
Beylerian, Kristine Casali, Betty Cherkezian, Ruby Gulian, Maral
Hajjar, Arda Haratunian, Hilda Hartounian, Lynn Jamie, Maral Jebejian,
Ani Kasparian, Ani Manoukian, Vesna Markarian, Claudia Nazarian, Sossy
Setrakian, and Alice Yigitkurt.
Visit to view a video of the tribute
evening.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please
visit