Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On 11 October His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; granted the Saint Sahak-Saint Mesrop medal to Mr. Tachat Vardanyan and the "St. Nerses the Gracious" Medal to Ms. Marine Ghazaryan, Vice Rector of the Armenian National University of Construction and Architecture. His Holiness highly assessed their long years of church-devoted service and sincere contributions in the life of the Armenian Church.

The Awards Ceremony was opened with the “Lord’s Prayer”, following which Rev. Fr. Paruyr Avetisyan, Director of the Intra-Church Relations of the Chancellery of the Mother See; gave welcome remarks.

His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Armenia; spoke to the dedicated service of Ms. Marine Ghazaryan in the Church life. Rev. Fr. Artak Simonyan, spiritual servant of the Diocese of Armavir; offered his remarks on the faithful nature and patriotic activity of Mr. Tachat Vardanyan.

The Pontifical Encyclicals were brought in under the singing of the “Etchmiadzin I Hore” hymn, which were then read by His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See and His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Director of the Christian Education Center of the Mother See.

The medal for Mr. Vardanyan was requested by His Eminence Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of New Nakhichevan and Russia. The Pontifical Encyclical addressed to Mr. Vardanyan particularly states: “From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, we convey to you our Pontifical blessings and best wishes and congratulate you on the occasion of your 75th birthday.

During the years of your tenure in the Seminary, we had an opportunity to know you- the faithful, church-loving and patriotic Armenian. Today we are pleased to offer you the word of our great appreciation, for your dedication and praiseworthy contributions in the life of our people and the Apostolic Holy Church.

For a many years, you assumed an important commitment to the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia, offering your knowledge and sincere efforts for the responsible work of compiling and editing the Encyclopedia.

During our Vicariate years in the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, we kindly invited you to serve in the position of Dean of the Press Department of the Diocese and then the position of Chancellor.

It’s brings me great satisfaction as the Patriarch, to note that you conveyed your church-loving and patriotic spirit to your children. Your son, as an ordained priest, has offered his efficient service for many years for the life of our Holy Church, providing spiritual food to the faithful children of our people”.

The Pontifical Encyclical addressed to Ms. Marine Ghazaryan stated in part: “From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, we convey to you our Pontifical blessings and best wishes.

We have known you since the years of our Vicariate in the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, when following of our request; you assumed the responsible duty of Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese. Since then, for nearly fifteen years, you zealously served for the prosperity and brightness of our Apostolic Holy Church, bringing your knowledge, experience and abilities.

During your tenure in the Diocese and in Etchmiadzin, we have witnessed your meticulous and fastidious attitude towards the work, which has ensured success to the activities of the Mother See”.

Following the reading of the Encyclicals, the Catholicos of All Armenians granted Mr. Tachat Vardanyan and Ms. Marine Ghazaryan the Order of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

“The Mother See is a school, where I have had the happiness to pass through. I have been participating in the great programs and improvements that were conducted under your presidency and the efforts of your followers. The Mother See is always in my heart”, stated Ms. Ghazaryan, expressing gratitude to His Holiness for the high order.

Mr. Tachat Vardanyan, who at present offers his services to the Armenian Bible Society, in the editing work of the Armenian Bible Encyclopedia; with satisfaction and gratitude reflected on the years of his service in the Mother See and other organizations of the Armenian Church. In his remarks, he urged the younger generation: “Offer loyalty and devotion to our Church, our spiritual primates, which will ensure longevity and eternity to us, our generation and our future. We have two pledges of eternity- the Homeland and the Church”.

Afterwards, the Catholicos of All Armenians extended his message and blessings to the attendees.

Reflecting with appreciation on the works of the laymen who offered their service in the ecclesiastical sphere, His Holiness stated that at present, no matter where they are, the medal recipients are still the children and servants of the Mother See.

“God has blessed us with the grace of having devoted servants. At every stage of our spiritual activities and responsible service, we were surrounded by devoted staff. Today also the employees of the Mother See are chosen ones, clerical or lay devotees, who bring their service and have the high consciousness that they bring their service in the cherished institution of the nation. … And they serve with dedication, to see the Church vibrant and powerful”, said His Holiness, once again expressing his joy on the occasion granting the awards.

During the ceremony, the students of the Hratch and Suzanne Toufayan Armenian Church Youth Center of Etchmiadzin, and the Armenian Church Youth Center of Nork Marash in Yerevan; performed national songs and dances.

The ceremony was concluded with the “Protector” prayer by His Holiness.