12Th Annual Stewardship Luncheon

Close to 200 people attended the twelfth annual Stewardship Luncheon which was held at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall following the aforementioned blessing of the plaques ceremony.  Welcoming remarks were delivered by Stewardship Committee member Silva Katchiguian, who introduced the mission of the Stewardship Program and emphasized the need of financial contributions in ensuring the education and preparation of the next wave of Diocesan clergy. The invocation was delivered by Archbishop Sebuh Chuljyan after which the guests enjoyed the finest of the Armenian cuisine. OIA Chairman Edvin Minassian, Esq. presented the biography of His Beatitude Shnork Kaloustian, the Armenian Patriarch of Turkey (1963-1990) sharing timeless memories of the Patriarch including his literary genius, compassionate personality and selfless dedication to the Armenian Apostolic Church and the flock of Christ. Prepared by the TV and Media department of the Western Diocese, the guests viewed a video presentation of the life of Patriarch Kaloustian. 

In his remarks, Stewardship Committee Chairman Dr. Vahram Biricik, expressed his genuine gratitude to the stewards for their staunch belief in the mission of the noble program. Reflecting on the program's overall success, Dr. Biricik noted the ordination of seven new priests by the Diocesan Primate resulting from the expansion of the Western Diocese and the formation of new communities. He stated that a new boost to the program is needed in order to ensure the continuity of its livelihood. In the artistic portion of the program, accompanied by Hovik Voskanian on the piano soprano soloist Alenoush Yeghnazar delighted the audience with her beautiful performances of Armenian traditional and folkloric songs. The Primate welcomed the presence of Excellency Valery Mkrtumyan, the Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, Consulate General Advisor Razmik Martirosyan and the Honorable Judge Zaven Sinanian. Archbishop Derderian reflected on the vision of Patriarch Shnork Kaloustian whose commitment to service was most evident in his mission to mentor and train new generations of clergymen. He also thanked Archpriest Fr. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian for the tremendous task of editing and translating two books authored by the late Patriarch Shnork Kaloustian of Constantinople. His Eminence thanked Mr. and Mrs. David and Marguerite Mgrublian for graciously sponsoring the publications.  The guests received copies of the aforementioned publications. As a token of their gratitude and in recognition of his steadfast leadership in the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey, the Stewardship Committee presented a commemorative plate with a special inscription to His Eminence Archbishop Aram Ateshyan.  In his closing remarks, Archbishop Ateshyan expressed his sincere gratitude to the Diocesan faithful for the warm welcome and cordial hospitality. The Patriarchal Vicar also reflected on the legacy of Patriarch Shnork Kaloustian, his spiritual mentor who had ordained him into the Priesthood. "Patriarch Kaloustian was a brave and courageous pastor of Christ's flock. His fatherly compassion was inspirational indeed. We remember him with the fondest of memories and pray to the Almighty to rest him in the abode of the heavenly saints," stated Archbishop Ateshyan. The luncheon concluded with the Patriarchal Vicar's closing prayer.