PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
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Antelias-Lebanon
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RECEPTION IN HONOR OF HIS HOLINESS ORGANIZED BY ASBAREZ
– HIS HOLINESS AWARDS NAZARET BERBERIAN
“ST. MESROB MASHDOTS” MEDAL
LOS ANGELES, ANTELIAS – On Friday, October 14, 2011, a reception in honor of
Catholicos Aram I was held during which His Holiness honored editor and
scholar Nazareth Berberian for his over forty years of service to the media
and community.
The reception was hosted by Mr. Koko Topalian at his residence, and with the
participation of more than one hundred fifty guests. His Holiness was
accompanied by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Clergy, and
Central Executive and Executive Council members. Among those in attendance
were ARF Central Committee Chair Mr. Avedik Izmirlian and members, Asbarez
editor Mr. Apo Boghikian and colleagues, members of Mr. Berberian’s family,
sponsors, and friends.
Upon his arrival, His Holiness conducted the traditional blessing of salt
and bread, then blessed the tables. Mr. Boghikian welcomed the guests,
inviting them to raise their glasses in honor of His Holiness. In his
welcoming remarks, Master of Ceremonies Raffi Hamparian reflected on the
leadership and guidance of His Holiness, and on the role of the Church in
our history and lives today.
A cultural program took place during dinner, after which the official
program began.
Mr. Boghikian expressed his appreciation to His Holiness for accepting the
request of Asbarez to host this reception in his honor. He stated that the
decision by His Holiness to honor Nazareth Berberian is a demonstration of
the love, respect, and dedication of His Holiness towards those who serve
the Armenian media, language, and culture. Mr. Boghikian also thanked the
guests in attendance for coming to honor His Holiness and support our media.
Mr. Boghikian then announced that Mr. and Mrs. Osko and Yeran Karaghossian
were donating $25,000 to the ARF Central Committee in memory of Yeran’s
brother Daron Avedissian, who was a member of the Catholicosate Central
Executive. He thanked the Karaghossian family for their generosity.
Mr. Boghikian them reflected on the career of Mr. Berberian, and invited Mr.
Sarkis Mahserejian, a close friend of Mr. Berberian, to introduce him.
Through anecdotes and memories, Mr. Mahserejian spoke of the different
stages of Mr. Berberian’s life that led him to where he is today. He spoke
highly of his service to the ARF and also that of Mr. Berberian’s wife Eva,
who has also served ARF media outlets. Mr. Mahserejian extended his best
wishes to Mr. Berberian and invited Mr. Izmirlian to deliver his remarks.
Mr. Izmirlian praised the dedication and service of Mr. Berberian and
presented him with a beautiful pen on this occasion.
The Prelate was then invited to deliver his message.
The Prelate reflected on the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness and the
activities and meetings of the past nine days. He expressed thanks and
commended Mr. Topalian for hosting the evening. The Prelate lauded the
career and service of Mr. Berberian and shared his own memories. He
expressed his appreciation to the Karaghossian family for their continued
generosity, and reminded the guests that in addition to the their donation
that evening, just over a week ago they donated $75,000 to the
Catholicosate, Prelacy, and Prelacy Schools, and were the hosts of the
banquet in honor of His Holiness which was held the following evening. The
Prelate then invited His Holiness for the award ceremony.
His Holiness stated that he first became acquainted with Mr. Berberian in
1978, during the civil war in Lebanon, when the Pontiff was called to serve
as the Prelate of Lebanon. He remembered Mr. Berberian at that time as a
young devoted member of the ARF, and among the generation of ARF members who
breathed life into the community and served towards their livelihood during
those difficult days. He spoke of Mr. Berberian as first and foremost a
devotee of the ARF who sacrifices self to serve his larger family, and
second as a highly talented writer, editor, and journalist. In commendation
of his life’s work, His Holiness awarded him the “St. Mesrob Mashdots”
medal, which was met with a standing ovation and great applause and cheer
from the guests. His Holiness stated that St. Mesrob must be proud that an
individual like Mr. Berberian who has preserved and fostered his legacy is
receiving a medal which carries his name. His Holiness also commended Mrs.
Eva Dervishian-Berberian for her service to the Armenian media and to the
Catholicosate. In conclusion, the Pontiff thanked Mr. Topalian for hosting
the evening and presented him with a memento.
Mr. Berberian expressed his thanks to all those who have influenced and
shaped him throughout his life. He echoed the words of the Master of
Ceremonies describing His Holiness as a moral compass, and expressed his
gratitude for the great honor. He concluded by thanking Mr. Boghikian and
Mr. Topalian for organizing and hosting the evening.
The official program came to a close with the benediction by His Holiness.
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Photos:
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.
http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos621.htm
http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org