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PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Zaven Messerlian Honored by AGBU Southern California District Committee,
Receives St. Sahag-St. Mesrob Medal
A program honoring Zaven Messerlian, dedicated and beloved principal,
teacher and historian, took place on Friday, August 17, 2007 at the Alex
Manoogian Center in Pasadena, California, with over 600 people in
attendance.
The organizer of this program, which enjoyed the patronage of AGBU
President Berge Setrakian, was the AGBU Southern California District
Committee (SCDC), with the participation of the Armenian Evangelical
Union of North America and the Armenian Evangelical College West Coast
Alumni Association.
Among those that attended the event were: Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America;
Reverend Joseph Matossian; Very Rev. Bared Yeretzian, pastor of St.
Gregory the Illuminator Church in Pasadena; representatives of various
political and other organizations; former teachers and students of the
Armenian Evangelical College.
In his opening remarks, Master of Ceremonies Dr. Kevork Keshishian
described Dr. Messerlian’s virtues, characterizing him as an individual
having rendered services as a public figure, intellectual and educator
for many years. Indeed, the honoree has been indefatigably devoted to
the Armenian people, Church and the Armenian Evangelical College for the
past 40 years.
Subsequently, salutations were given by Janet Kassouny, Dr. Vicken
Aharonian, Panos Titizian and Prof. Richard Hovannisian. All the
speakers expressed appreciation for the systematic and beneficial work
performed by the honoree in the educational and cultural realms, as well
as his efforts in pursuit of the Armenian Case and the leadership
provided in various organizations and institutions.
High praise was also expressed for his scholarly publications and
letters in connection with the Armenian Case and recognition of the
Armenian Genocide.
An appropriate musical segment rounded out the program, with the
participation of the Lark Musical Society’s quartet, Salpi Kerkonian,
Anahid Nersisian (soprano), Levon Aprahamian (pianist) and Takouhi
Arzoumanian (recitation). Rev. Joseph Matossian gave the prayer of
blessing.
Concluding remarks were offered by Archbishop Derderian, who, in turn,
held the productive activity and prolific output of honoree Dr.
Messerlian in high regard. Then he gladly announced that His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, had awarded the honoree with
the St. Sahag-St. Mesrob Medal.
Zaven Messerlian, visibly moved, expressed his thanks and gratitude to
Catholicos Karekin II, Archbishop Derderian, AGBU President Berge
Setrakian and all those who made this memorable occasion possible.
For more information on AGBU Southern California District, please visit
, email [email protected], or call the AGBU Alex Manoogian
Center located in Pasadena, California at (626) 794-7942.
For more information on AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
This article was translated from the Armenian-language text, which
appeared under the initials K.M. in the August 25, 2007 issue of Massis
weekly.