As our entire nation prepares to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the Ambassadors of Faith of the Western Diocese has planned a series of Thanksgiving ceremonies to recognize and honor countries, humanitarian missions, Armenian and non-Armenian organizations, which have helped Genocide survivors, especially the orphans. The first organization to be recognized for its enormous philanthropic work was the Armenian General Benevolent Union. St. Leon Armenian Cathedral of the Western Diocese was filled to capacity on Sunday, January 18, 2015.
With the Primate presiding over the service, the day’s celebrant was His Grace Bishop Mushegh Babayan, visiting Bishop from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krikorian and AGBU Vice President Mr. Sinan Sinanian accompanied by his spouse Angel, present Diocesan Council Chairman Mr. Antranik Zorayan and former Chair Judge Adrienne Krikorian and Joseph Kanimian, Esq., AGBU Asbeds Chairman Dr. Harout Yaghsezian and Ambassadors of Faith Chairman Arsen Danielian, Esq. Faculty of AGBU Schools, PTO members and AGBU Scouts also took part in the service.
In recognition of the outstanding contributions of the AGBU to the Motherland and the Diaspora throughout its history, a cross-stone was consecrated by the the Diocesan Primate and the celebrant Bishop.
At the conclusion of the service, with the participation of the celebrant Bishop, the Diocesan Primate and the Diocesan clergy, a Requiem Service (Hokehankist) was held for the souls of AGBU Benefactors Krikor and Garabed Melkonian and founders of the Melkonian Armenian Boarding School of high academic standard in Nicosia, Cyprus, and the members of the Avetisyan family who were murdered by the Russian soldier Valery Permyakov on January 12th.
On behalf of the LA City Council, Councilmember Paul Krekorian presented a Resolution to Mr. Sinanian recognizing the contributions of the AGBU in Armenia and the Diaspora at large.
A procession to the Armenian Martyrs Monument adjacent to the Hampar Family Entrance was led by the clergy and the AGBU Scouts. A wreath was placed at the monument in honor of the 1.5 million martyrs who perished during the Armenian Genocide.
Banquet
In the afternoon, a banquet organized by the AGBU Asbeds was held at the Hampar Family Room of the Diocesan Headquarters. With over 100 guests in attendance, the welcoming remarks were delivered by Dr. Harout Yaghsezian, Chairman of the AGBU Asbeds who reflected on the immense contributions of the Armenian General Benevolent Union in preserving the Armenian identity in the Diaspora.
Heartfelt remarks were delivered by AGBU Vice President Mr. Sinan Sinanian who thanked the Diocesan Primate and the Ambassadors of Faith for recognizing the philanthropic and humanitarian contributions of the organization.
“The founding of the Armenian General Benevolent Union will forever be engraved in the history of the Armenian nation. The noble organization was established during the time in which the Armenian nation was walking on the path to Golgotha. A new chapter was written on April 15, 1906 with the founding of the AGBU by a national benefactor Boghos Noubar. For over 100 years, the AGBU has continued to preserve and promote the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs and shape leaders of tomorrow in the Diaspora.
As the Armenian nation prepares to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide which in itself symbolizes the Resurrection of the Armenian nation, we extend our wholehearted gratitude to the AGBU, the noble organization which became a safe haven for tens of thousands of orphans years following the Armenian Genocide,” said His Eminence in part.
About the Celebrant Bishop
His Grace Bishop Moushegh Babayan, the Director of Director of Operations and Finance of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, was born in 1978 in the village of Datev, in the Republic of Armenia. He received his primary education at S. Arakelian School in Datev.
He entered the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of Etchmiadzin in 1994 and upon graduation in 2000 was ordained to the diaconate. On the Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross, March 2, 2002, he was ordained a celibate priest by His Grace Bishop Navasard Kojoyan, the Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese.
Upon defending his doctoral thesis he was elevated to the rank of Vartabed on July 2, 2011 by His Grace Bishop Paren Avedikian. On November 6, of the same year, Hayr Moushegh was consecrated a bishop by His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians.
Bishop Babayan has furthered his studies at the following institutions: the Armenian-American University of Yerevan, the Theological Seminary of Geneva, the Russian Orthodox Theological Seminary of Moscow, and the Papal College of Rome.
We welcome Bishop Babayan to the Western Diocese, and wish him many years of fruitful service in the Armenian Church.
(Courtesy of Dn. Allan Yeghia Jendian)
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