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
Web:
August 23, 2013
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Nishanians Honored WITH sT. nERSESS mEDAL at Washington Church
On Sunday, August 18, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Eastern Diocese, visited the St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C. On
the name day of the church, the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy
Mother-of-God, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and performed
the Blessing of Grapes service.
After the services, Archbishop Barsamian presented the “St. Nersess
Shnorhali Medal” to Mr. and Mrs. Jirair Nishanian: longtime members of
the Washington parish, and benefactors at the local, Diocesan, and
international levels. The Primate presented the medal to the
Nishanians on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians.
In the pontifical encyclical accompanying the medal, His Holiness
wrote: “As dedicated members of St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C.,
you have offered, with love, your financial support towards the
prosperity of the church. Your contributions testify to your love of
church and nation.”
In presenting the honor, Archbishop Barsamian extolled the efforts of
the Nishanians on behalf of the church-including their renovation of
the main altar of St. Mary Church-and thanked them for their support
of scholarships in Armenia. “For many years now, Jirair and Anahid
have been providing moral and material support for the edification of
our people,” he said.
Mr. Nishanian was born in Iran, the son of Genocide survivors.
Educational opportunity brought him to the U.S., where he has had a
successful career in engineering and commercial development. Motivated
by the experiences his parents had during the Genocide, Jirair was
inspired to provide assistance to the children of Armenia-especially
to orphans, the underprivileged, and to promising students seeking
higher education.
His “Jirair Nishanian Foundation” currently provides scholarships to
nearly 60 students in the homeland. Mr. Nishanian’s foundation also
works with the Fund for Armenian Relief in a number of charitable
efforts. Jirair and his wife Anahid have three children and five
grandchildren.
“I feel humbled,” Jirair Nishanian said as he accepted the medal. “I
did not expect any award, because I feel that it is my duty and
responsibility to support my church, heritage and homeland.”
During the luncheon following the services, St. Mary’s pastor, the
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, called the occasion “a day of joy for
all of us, as we celebrate the name day of our beloved home-St. Mary
Church.” He added: “Today is a day of personal renewal and
re-commitment to St. Mary Church and to our Christian identity as
children of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.”
Fr. Karapetyan also expressed appreciation to several diplomatic
dignitaries at the luncheon: Robert Avetisyan, Nagorno-Karabagh’s
representative to the U.S.; Karen Israyelyan, first secretary at the
Armenian Embassy; and Colonel Mesrop Nazaryan, defense attaché at the
embassy.
Mr. Nishanian’s nephew, Vazrik Nishanian, served as the master of
ceremonies for the occasion. The afternoon also feature a performance
by the Chamasian Sisters Trio. A traditional madagh meal was donated
by the Yepremian family, and the luncheon was sponsored by the
Ghazarian family.
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: Jirair and Anahid Nishanian.
Photo 2: Abp. Khajag Barsamian presents the Nishanians with the St.
Nersess
Medal.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress