ECHMIADZIN — On April 5, in the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over a Home Blessing service for the new chancellery building of the Mother See, and a celebration in honor of the benefactors, Nazar and Artemis Nazarian.
The Pontiff of All Armenians led the Nazarians and other guests to the entrance of the chancellery, where an opening ceremony was held. Children from the Echmiadzin Youth Center presented a short performance in the assembly room of the chancellery.
At the conclusion of the performance, Berge Setrakian, president of the Central Board of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), introduced the Nazarians, stressing their continuation of the 400-year-old Nazarian family tradition of supporting the Armenian Apostolic Church, the homeland and numerous communities in the diaspora.
The catholicos extended his blessings and appreciation to the benefactors. He stressed the importance of the new chancellery in the effective management of the Mother See. In his remarks, Karekin II stated in part, “We are happy that we have devoted progeny of the Armenian nation who can dedicate and donate the benefits received from God to the nation, the homeland and the Armenian Church. The Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin and our national life prosper and flourish thanks to those children.”
Karekin II also expressed his appreciation to Armand Avakian, chief architect of the building; to Gagik Galstian, president of the construction company Horizon-95; and to the members of board of the Architectural Department of the Mother See.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Nazarians spoke with emotion to the catholicos and the guests in attendance.
Present for the ceremony were Archbishop Arsen Berberian, Archbishop Yeznik Petrosian, Bishop Paren Avetikian, Bishop Arshak Khachatrian, Bishop Ararat Kaltakjian, members of the AGBU Central Board and the Armenian faithful.
