The Sunday’s service at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral of the Western Diocese celebrated the children of the community. November 30, 2014, also marked the beginning of a new chapter in the longstanding partnership between the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Assisted by the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and Rev. Fr. Serovbe Alanjian, the day’s celebrant was the Diocesan Primate H. E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. The female students of TCA Arshag Dickranian School, conducted by Mrs. Alenoush Yeghnazar, performed the liturgical hymns of the Divine Liturgy.
Students, parents and administrative staff of Armenian schools including AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian School, TCA Arshag Dickranian School and Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian School also participated in the service. The highly successful youth-oriented event was made possible by the tireless dedication of the Western Diocese/CHLA Special Events Committee chaired by Mrs. Alice Chakrian.
In a procession led by deacons and acolytes, Dr. Thomas Lee, the Director of the Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, accompanied by his wife and daughters as well as members of the Western Diocese – CHLA Special Events Committee were led to the nave. Dr. Lee was honored by the Primate with a certificate of blessing and commendation for his God-pleasing and tireless work in Armenia saving eyesight in premature infants. Archbishop Derderian also presented the Archbishop’s Award to the renowned physician in appreciation of his noble endeavors. His Eminence also consecrated a tufa cross-stone (khatchkar) and dedicated it to Dr. Thomas Lee.
In his address to Dr. Lee, the Primate quoted a verse from St. John the Evangelist (John 2:17). “And the world passes away and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides for ever.” “Dear Dr. Lee, the fulfillment of the will of God is the key message which inspires us all and empowers us to live a life according to the will of God. Truly, you have been an outstanding physician and have lived your live according to the will of God.
In the Certificate of Blessing and Commendation, the Primate wrote:
It is our distinct honor and privilege to extend our blessings, commendations, and sincere wishes to you from the Headquarters of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.
God has showered you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit in order that you may become the Holy Hands of God through your conscientious and dedicated service that you so willfully have rendered to the community at large. As a revered physician in Los Angeles as well as in the Republic of Armenia, you have been faithful to your Hippocratic Oath and in doing so, have graced the children with the most precious gift. Through years of laborious and meticulous research, you have remained committed to changing the lives of children. By gracing them with the gift of eyesight, you have offered them the world in all its splendor, wonder and glory.
Driven by your commitment to change lives, your humanitarian spirit led you to the Republic of Armenia. Five years ago, you joined the Armenian Eye Care Project on a noble mission to the capitol Yerevan where you helped to diagnose and treat a complex and aggressive blinding disease that was affecting one third of Armenian premature infants.
Putting technology to work, you have been able to remotely monitor exams and surgeries in Armenia from more than 7,000 miles away. As a visionary, you sought to share your wealth of knowledge and experience with your counterparts in the Republic of Armenia. You continued to train Armenia’s physicians and nurses in order that they may perform miraculous surgeries themselves.
On behalf of the entire faithful of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and in recognition of your selfless and outstanding service rendered to the Republic of Armenia, we bestow upon you this
CERTIFICATE OF BLESSING AND COMMENDATION
From the bottom of our hearts, we ask our Heavenly Father to bless and protect you and your loved ones under His Benevolent Right Hand. May He bestow His bountiful blessings upon you and your family and grant you continued success in all your endeavors.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
In recognition of Dr. Lee’s noble service to CHLA and the children in the Republic of Armenia, the Primate announced a commitment by the Western Diocese to CHLA in the amount of $25,000.
Following the service, a reception was held at the Hampar Family Room in honor of Dr. Lee. More than 60 dignitaries and invited guests attended the service including Congressman Adam Schiff, Ms. Lynnette Amerian, Chief of Protocol from the Office of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti; Mrs. Rita Hadjimanoukian representing LA County Supervisor Michael Antonovich; Ms. Mary Manoukian representing CA Assemblyman Mike Gatto; LA City Councilman Paul Krekorian, Dr. David Gordon, Mayor of the City of Burbank; Dr. Ara Balkian, Chief Medical Director of Inpatient Operations at CHLA; CHLA Registered Nurse Sona Daldumyan; Rev. Dr. Dagmar Grefe, Manager of Spiritual Care Services and Clinical Pastoral Education at CHLA; Ms. Mary Dee Hacker, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at CHLA; Dr. Frieda Jordan, President of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry; Dr. Neena Kapoor, Program Director of Immunology Research and Bone Marrow Transplant at CHLA and Dr. Stuart Siegel, Director of the Center for Global Health at CHLA, Ms. Rita Terterian, Assistant Vice President of Development at CHLA, Dr. Roger Ohanessian, Founder of the Armenian Eye Care Project; Mr. Armen Hampar, former Diocesan Council Chair and Benefactor of the Western Diocese, Arsen Danielian, Esq., Chairman of the Ambassadors of Faith (AOF) and AOF members as well as Mrs. Alice Chakrian, Chair of the Western Diocese/CHLA Special Events Committee and well as Western Diocese/CHLA Special Events Committee members.
The program commenced with the welcoming remarks by Eileen Keusseyan, Esq., member of the Western Diocese/CHLA Special Events Committee who served as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Remarks were made by CHLA Medical and Administrative personnel including Ms. Terterian, Dr. Siegel and Ms. Mary Dee Hacker.
In his remarks, Dr. Lee thanked the Primate for the honor noting that he looks forward to strengthening the bond of partnership between CHLA and the Diocese.
Proclamations and resolutions were presented to Dr. Lee by the civic and government leaders in recognition of his invaluable contributions on the national as well as international levels.
The program concluded with the Primate’s benediction and closing remarks.
Yorumlar kapatıldı.