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Thank You Your Eminence From Your Children (all 57,490 of them!) Fifty seven
thousand, four hundred and ninety, that’s the number! 57,490! After
carefully calculating the number children who It is with a deep sense of gratitude, love and respect that we salute you today. You have guided us, directed us, taught, sang, advised, played baseball with us, climbed mountains, helped, laughed, cried and prayed with us. Your shadow has stretched over us as a loving father and we thank you for all that you have done. And for some of us, you took us by the hand to seminary and ordained us, trusting us to continue the mission set out by our Church fathers. On behalf of all your children, Summer Camp Participants from 1971 to the present, the Camp Committee members, the ACYO administrative boards and members, the Sunday School students and their families, the retreat participants, the school students, the ordained clergy who claim you as a spiritual father, the altar servers, the acolytes, the children in Armenia and the orphans who now have hope, we thank you for your guidance and love. May your days be filled with sunshine and happiness always as you continue to walk in the path that God has directed you. Your 57,490 children are now touching others and your work continues. We are proud to be counted as one of the many who have been touched by Your Eminence. May God bless you always. With filial love, Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Director Department of Youth Ministries |
participated in camp, our retreats, Sunday Schools and ACYO; the number
of baptisms and subsequent weddings, the baptisms of their children and
their grandchildren; the number of children impacted by assistance in
Armenia, through the schools and outreach programs, we arrive at a
modest number: 57,490. That’s the number of young people who have been
spiritually touched, influenced and impacted by Your Eminence during
your 32 years as our Primate and our father.
C o m m u n i q u e
ARCHBISHOP VATCHÉ HOVSEPIAN
52
YEARS OF SERVICE
May 3, 2003, will surely be remembered as truly an historic day of rejoicing, as the capacity crowd of over 780 people joined together in honoring the retiring Primate of the Western Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Vatché Hovsepian, in the celebration of his 52nd Anniversary of Ordination into the Sacred Order of Priesthood and 32 years as the Primate of the Western Diocese.
The gala celebration took place in the newly-constructed Nazareth A. and Sima N. Kalaydjian Banquet Room of the Arshag & Eleanor Dickranian Complex in Burbank, California; which serves as the Diocesan Headquarters. The people entered through the carved doors of the newly-constructed huge Paul Brothers Galleria at 5:30 p.m., where a ten-foot table of exotic hors d’oeuvres awaited them. After the Social Hour, the people were escorted to the festively adorned Banquet Room and seated while awaiting the Guest of Honor.
The Head Table was situated on the stage with several Los Angeles area clergymen and dignitaries. Prominent Defense Attorney Mark Geragos, Esq., Master of Ceremonies, welcomed the guests and announced the arrival of His Eminence Archbishop Vatché Hovsepian, as a procession of Clergymen led the Honored Guest and the newly-elected Primate of the Western Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian into the Banquet Room while singing “Oorakh Ler.” Everyone remained standing as the His Eminence Archbishop Vatché Hovsepian said a prayer and blessed the tables, while the National Anthem of the USA and the National Anthem of Armenia was stridently played.
Mr. Armen Hampar Chairman of the Celebration Committee and Vice Chairman of the Diocesan Council presented the opening remarks. Deacon Dr. Varouj Altebarmakian, Diocesan Council Chairman, spoke on behalf of the Council expressing favorable sentiments to Archbishop Hovsepian.
Several of the dignitaries that spoke on the program, some of which presented Proclamations, expressing their sentiments towards the Archbishop were: Hon. Jack Scott, U.S. State Senator; Hon. Chuck Poochigian, U.S.State Senator; Hon. James K.Hahn, Mayor of Los Angeles; Hon.Adam Schiff, Congressman; Rita Hadji Manoukian on behalf of Hon. Michael Antonovich, Supervisor County of Los Angeles; Mr. Bob Yousefian, City Councilman of Glendale; Fr. Alexi Smith, of the Roman Catholic Arch Diocese spoke on behalf of His Eminence Cardinal Roger Mahony; Rev. Daniel Romero, Southern California Conference United Church of Christ; Rabbi Mark Diamond, Board of Rabbis of Southern California; Rev. Samuel Chetti, American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles and Bishop J. Jon Bruno, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. His Grace Bishop Bruno, upon speaking some endearing words, presented Archbishop Hovsepian with a check for $5,000, stating that it was a gift to the Archbishop from the five Bishops of his Church to be used for the youth of the Armenian Church.
A “This is Your Life,” video of Archbishop Hovsepian’s life from early years in Seminary School to the present, was prepared by Berj Boyajian, Esq., Celebration Committee Member, and narrated by Walter Karabian, Esq.
Rev. Fr. Carnig A.K. Hallajian, Rev. Fr. Mampre A.K. Kouzouian, two of Archbishop Hovsepian’s long-time friends, spoke reminiscing on past events and highlights in their lives together with Surpazan. Mr. Harold Azmelian from New Jersey, the first and oldest friend of Archbishop Hovsepian since arriving in the United States, expressed his sentiments.
Two of Archbishop’s nephews, Dr. Ara Tavitian and Mr. Vartan Hovsepian, spoke about their memories and interactions with Archbishop Hovsepian and talked about the big influence he has had on their lives.
Mrs. Lily Ring Balian, Chairman of the Diocesan Ladies’ Auxiliary spoke on behalf of the Ladies, expressing her appreciation and gratitude to the Archbishop for the many years they have served the Diocese.
The Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarafian, Pastor of St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland, spoke expressing his sentiments and warm wishes to the Archbishop on behalf of the Diocesan Clergy.
Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Mr. Valery Mkertoumian spoke both in Armenian and in English expressing his well-wishes to the Archbishop. Due to the length of the program, the dinner took place during the program.
The
Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Director of Youth Ministries, spoke on behalf of the
young people and presented Vatché Surpazan with a beautifully adorned cut
Crystal Plaque which had engraved on it, “Thank you
Your Eminence Archbishop Vatché Hovsepian From Your Children; 57,490 of them,
for guiding, directing, teaching, advising, playing, climbing, helping, singing,
laughing, crying and praying with us. With love and respect, Summer Camp; ACYO;
Sunday School and Armenian Church Youth Ministries.”
Diramayr Anna R. Movsesian, the Archbishop’s Executive Secretary for the past 25 years, expressed her sentiments and well wishes to the Archbishop and eloquently recited Vahan Tekeyan’s, “The Armenian Church,” in the Armenian language.
During the entire program, the Master of Ceremonies, Mark Geragos, Esq., was humorously reminiscing his days at the Diocesan Camp with Archbishop Hovsepian and General John Ketchoyan, and his interaction with him and with many of the campers who were present in the audience.
Mr. Roupen Avsharian, Esq., Chairman of the Hunchakian Party and Mr. Kapriel Moloyan presented Vatché Surpazan with a Plaque on behalf of the Party members.
Towards the end of the program, Mr. Armen Hampar, Chairman of the Celebration Committee, on behalf of the 32 benefactors-Godfathers of the Diocese (one for each of the years Surpazan has served the Western Diocese), presented His Eminence Archbishop Hovsepian with a gift of a very respectable check to be used for his retirement. Following is a list of the compassionate Godfather’s names, who contributed towards that endeavor:
Ara Aghajanian; Garabed Akpulat; Harold Azmelian; Vartkes Barsam; Berj Boyajian, Esq.; Citizen’s Bank; Eleanor Dickranian; George Dunaians; Mark Geragos, Esq.; Glendale Adventist Memorial; Armen Hampar; John Bozajian; Vartan Hovsepian; Ignatius Foundation; Jack Kalaydjian; Walter Karabian, Esq., John Ketchoyan; Sarkis Kitzinian; Dr. Penik Kouyoumjian; Megrditch Menzilcyan; Bedros Oruncakciel; Antranig O. Zorayan; Queen of Angels; Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital Queen’s Care; Harut Aga-Sarkisian; Andrew Shahinian; Dr. Ara Tavitian; Dr. Avo Tavitian; Dr. Simon Tchekmedyan; Dr. Hovik Ter Zakarian; Ralph Tufenkian and Raymond Yezagulian, Esq.
His Eminence Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, the newly-elected Primate of the Western Diocese,
congratulated Archbishop Hovsepian for 32 years of dedicated leadership and
merited achievements in the Western Diocese. He stated, “Tonight’s
celebration is unique in its nature and most inspiring and enriching for all of
us for we are gathered to honor and pay homage to our beloved Vatché Surpazan,
the architect of the largest Diocese in the Diaspora, who has served the
Armenian Apostolic Church for over fifty years relentlessly with firm
commitment, passion and unwavering dedication to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin. Directing his speech to the Honored Guest, Archbishop
Derderian continued, “Although you have been a great
leader, your true work has always been as a loving pastor, close to your people
and your community wherever you have served, you have guided individuals through
heartache and suffering and led people on missions of love and spiritual
rebirth. On behalf of the Armenians, not only here in the Western Diocese, but
around the world, I thank you for life’s mission, for your dedication and your
love. May God grant you many years of joy and continuous health.”
Rev. Fr. Arshag Khatchatourian, Pastor of St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles, read the Pontifical Encyclical sent by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, issued to His Eminence Archbishop Vatché Hovsepian, as the attendees stood in reverence.
At this point in the program, much to everyone’s surprise; especially the recipients, Archbishop Hovsepian read the names of those persons who will be receiving Gontags and Medals of Honor from His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, upon the Archbishop’s request. The following were the recipients of the honor:
St.
Gregory The Illuminator Medal of Honor
Mrs. Eleanor Dickranian Mr. George Dunaians
Berj Boyajian, Esq. Mr. Civan Kalfa
Mr. Armen Hampar Mr. Antranik O. Zorayan
Mr. George N. Noroian Miss Margarite Hovsepian
Mr. Jack Kalaydjian Mr. Garabed Akpulat
St. Nersess The Graceful
Medal of Honor
Deacon Dr. Varouj Altebarmakian, MD Mr. Andrew Andy Meymarian
Deacon Allan Y. Jendian Mr. Harry Nersess Chortanian
Dr. Gary Ara Lulejian, MD Deacon Sirak Kalfayan
Deacon Dr. Gregory Semerdjian, MD Deacon Jirayr Avakian
Mr. Vahan Serpekian Mr. Greg Melikian
Mr. Paul Hachigian Mr. Toros Helbourian
Mrs. Rose Kaskavalciyan Mrs. Anahid Nalvarian
Mr. Harut Aga-Sarkisian Mrs. Araxie Menendian
Diramayr Anna Rose Movsesian Mr. Hagop Zeroonian
Dr. Vahram Biricik Dr. Arto Ersan Khacherian
Mr. Sebouh Tomacan
Sts. Sahag-Mesrob Medal
of Honor
Yeretzgin Araxie Tatoulian Mr. Dikran Vosgouni Kouyumjian
Deacon Dr. Richard Hrair Dekmejian
His Eminence Archbishop
Vatché Hovsepian, emotionally filled, expressed his appreciation and gratitude
to His Holiness Karekin II for bestowing the honor upon him and stated,
“There is a parable that Our Lord teaches us, which everyone who has a sense of
responsibility takes seriously, it is the story of the talents. Christ tells of
a man who gives away talents; to one he gives ten, to another five and to yet
another, one. And, at the end of a certain amount of time, he returns and
requires an accounting from each person; an accounting of their stewardship; how
did they use these talents? To those who used their talents wisely, he gives
more responsibility and to those who did not, he takes away whatever they did
have. After reading this parable, it is obvious that there is one thing that we
cannot say to God, . . we have no right to say “no” to the graces or talents
which God has bestowed upon us. And so it was 52 years ago, when on bended
knees, before the Holy Altar, I said “YES” to a very special blessing God was
bestowing upon me. There in the Cathedral of Antelias, I took a vow to use the
talents God was entrusting me with for the betterment of the Armenian Church and
Armenian Nation, through the sacred priesthood.”
Archbishop Hovsepian finished his speech by saying,
“Now, . . .in these so-called retirement years, I am approaching my ministry
with a new zeal. I am committed to continually focus my vision on the building
of the Armenian Church. I pledge my support to our new Primate. I will be the
older brother, to give a hand where needed, to offer guidance when asked, and to
always say ‘YES’ to the use of my talents for the Greater Glory of God. May God
bless you all. May God bless the Armenian Apostolic Church.”
As the attendees stood in reverence, His Grace Bishop Bruno of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles gave the Benediction.
At the end of the program, as Archbishop Vatché Hovsepian and Archbishop Hovnan Derderian stood up, a thunderous applause burst out from the crowd, one which lasted several minutes. Slowly but surely, the guests departed with warm feelings of contentment and joy for having attended this most memorable and unforgettable Banquet.
A
magnificent Anniversary Tribute Booklet adorned with pictures, was published
and distributed to all the guests in attendance. The Yaldezian Brothers,
Messrs. John and Chris, were in charge of preparing and organizing the booklet
and was printed by Mr. Nahabed Melkonian.
DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE
May 9, 2003
Burbank, California