Pontifical Letter of Blessing Issued to the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation
18.09.2016
On 18 September, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; issued a Pontifical Letter of blessing to the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation (Karagheusian Foundation); in a formal ceremony held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The Letter was issued in recognition of the foundation’s praiseworthy activities undertaken in Armenia and on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Corporation. Accepting the letter on behalf of the foundation was Mr. Michael Haratunian, President of the Board of Directors.
The service was opened with the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, following which Rev. Fr. Paruyr Avetisyan, Director of the Intra-Church Relations Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; gave welcoming remarks.
His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External relations and Protocol Department of Mother See, spoke about the foundations patriotic and nationwide activities and the past 95-year-old path.
Following the remarks, under the singing of the hymn “Etchmiadzin I Hore”, the Pontifical Encyclical was brought in, which was read by His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan. The Encyclical stated in part: “The Corporation was established by Mr. Mihran and Mrs. Zabel Karagheusian for the eternal commemoration of their deceased son Howard Karagheusian, following which they used their means and abilities for the sacred cause of the salvation of children of the Armenian Genocide survivors. In 1921, during the worst days of our history, when our people were subject to massacre in their native land and when our homes were destroyed; the devoted Christian couple established the Howard Karagheusian Home for children, with the mission to serve our people, and it became the impetus of the Howard Karagheusian Corporation.
During the years following the Genocide, the facility undertook an important activity: gathering orphaned Armenians from different provinces of Turkey and taking care of their nutrition, health, education and upbringing. Because of the work of the Corporation, hundreds of children were saved from death, and who started a new life under the safe roof of the facility. Later, the Association expanded its activities; health and educational institutions were established in Lebanon and Syria and for decades the successfully served our nation's children.
It is praiseworthy to note that since the first years of Armenia's independence, the Karagheusian Foundation has also carried on charitable activities in our native country. During these years the foundation established children's dental and eye care centers in Armenia and Artsakh and provided medical equipment and medicines to Armenia’s health institutions to serve the disadvantaged children of our people. Today all our people highly appreciate the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation years of service and the kind and Godly assistance rendered to the Armenian nation.
From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin we extend our Pontifical blessings to Mr. Michael Haratunian, President of the Board of Directors of the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation; to the members and to all the dedicated employees”.
In the Pontifical Encyclical the Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his wish that God keep the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation always secure and that with the blessings of the Almighty the dedicated work of the foundation will be crowned with new successes.
Following the reading of the Encyclical, Mr. Michael Haratunian spoke on behalf of the board members and staff, extending his remarks of gratitude. “This Encyclical is a great honor for us and with a great respect we receive it in on the sacred grounds of the Mother See”, stated Mr. Haratunian. He also reflected on the humble Karagheusian family’s important patriotic cause. On this occasion, Mr. Haratunian presented the Mother See with a group photo of the first Armenian orphans who had received assistance at the Howard Karagheusian Home for children in Constantinople.
The ceremony was concluded with the blessings of His Holiness. His Holiness conveyed his personal appreciation to all those who continue pursuing the mission of the Karagheusian Foundation and who zealously implement the vision of Mr. Mihran and Mrs. Zabel Karagheusian, extending their resources to the nation's needy children living across the world.
Wishing the Foundation productive and successful service, the Catholicos of All Armenians wished that Armenians who offer their resources for the benefit of the Homeland be always remembered, eternal and forever.
The ceremony was attended by the members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See, benefactors of Armenia; members of the Board of Directors and employees of the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation; and other guests.
