Four ARS Members Were Presented Mesrob Mashdots Medals
asbarez
Friday, April 1st, 2011
The recipients after the presentation
GLENDALE – Haigoush Kohler, Knar Manjikian, Anahid Meymarian, and Dr.
Rita Vorperian were bestowed with the prestigious Mesrob Mashdots
medal and encyclical by Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian on behalf of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy
See of Cilicia, during a reception held at Armenian Relief Society of
Western U.S.A. regional headquarters on March 25.
Dozens of ARS members had gathered to witness the event, particularly
from the `Anahid,’ `Sepan’ and `Zovinar’ chapters, where the honorees
had been members for decades. The audience included a former recipient
of the same honors, Dr. Roubina Peroomian.
The Mesrob Mashdots medal
Back on October 3, during the Asbarez-Horizon annual banquet, while a
large contingent of ARS members had left for ARS Centennial
commemorations in Der Zor, Armenia and Artsakh, the honorees were
bestowed upon with the honor of being Mesrob Mashdots medal
recipients, as authors-writers for Manjikian, Meymarian and Vorperian,
and as a supporter of publications for Kohler. At the time, Hasmig
Tashjian, posthumously received the same honors, but the original
encyclicals and medals had not arrived from Antelias, Lebanon from His
Holiness Aram I.
This reception became an opportunity to allow those ARS members, who
were taking part in the ARS Centennial pilgrimage at the time, to
witness the four ARS members receive the honors.
Arousyak Melkonian, ARS-WUSA Regional Executive Chair, welcomed and
thanked everyone and noted the importance of the occasion, introducing
recipient as jewels, who are shining examples with their literary
accomplishments and dedication to community service.
On behalf of the Asbarez-Horizon family, Editor Apo Boghigian, who was
instrumental in securing the medals with his colleagues Asbarez
English Editor Ara Khachatourian and Horizon TV General Manager Harry
Vorperian, spoke about the joyous occasion. He used a quote by George
Orwell about all are equal, but some are more equal than others, to
illustrate how each of the gathered ARS members may be worthy of
praise, but the four ARSers `were more equal than others’.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian quoted an Armenian saying `Oosh lini,
anoush lini’ (let it be late, but let it be sweet) and hoped that all
those who are worthy of such honors are eventually bestowed with
whatever honors they deserve, adding that sometimes the worthy are not
ignored, but are failed to be noticed in our hectic life-styles. The
Prelate congratulated all the honorees, and explained that the medal
packet includes a smaller pin, which can be worn to signify that the
wearer is a `Mesrob Mashdots’ medal recipient.
The Prelate was joined with Vicky Marashlian, Chair of the ARS Central
Executive; Rima Vorperian, Chair of the Western Prelacy Executive
Council; as well as Melkonian, the Asbarez-Horizon team consisting of
Boghigian, Khachatourian and Vorperian (Harry followed his mother, Dr.
Rita, into service). Manjikian took home a second `Mesrob Mashdotz’
medal, since her husband, Hagop, is an earlier recipient. Kohler was
surrounded with her `Zovinar’ Chapter and ARS Javakhk Fund committee
members. ARS `Anahid’ Chapter members surrounded Meymarian, who was
flanked by her sculptor husband Puzant. Jasik Jarahian, General
Manager of ARS-WUSA regional headquarters, who was Dr. Vorperian’s
co-worker at the ARS headquarters for 16 year, sponsored the reception
in her honor, as a gesture of appreciation for her life-long
dedication to the ARS.
A very joyous and friendly atmosphere existed. Each of the recipients
were very appreciative of the honors, and shared their thoughts and
joy with the audience.
Manjikian thanked His Holiness Aram I for declaring the year 2010 `the
Year of the Woman’ and bestowing the honors, and the Asbarez for
coming up with the idea of honoring women. Vorperian, who is still
recovering from surgery, told the ARS members that she fondly missed
them, recognized them for their hard work, and noted that even though
honors are not expected, recipients feel happy when they receive them.
Meymarian likened life as a journey, as you walk on the path, and do
your human duty, awards are like flowers that bloom on the way. She
noted that duty, honor and spiritual values are not old slogans, but
values that should be embraced by the new generations. Kohler said
that she was very much surprised, but will cherish the honors that
make her so proud and determined to display her medal, so that others
can appreciate it as well.
Archbishop Mardirossian blessed the tables, and the audience mingled
with the honorees, snapping photographs. For many of the ARS members,
the memorable reception and the chance to meet old friends was a well
deserved respite from their hectic lives. Kohler, Manjikian, Meymarian
and Verperian are truly role models, who have demonstrated with their
life-long service the true meaning of dedication to literary endeavors
to keep our culture and history alive for generations to come.
From: A. Papazian