Prelate Awarded Homenetmen “Extraordinary Medal”


On Saturday, November 12, 2016, the second annual “Homenetmen Day” celebration was held at Homenetmen “Ararat” Chapter’s Baghdasarian-Shahinian Hall. At this year’s celebration, Homenetmen Central Executive bestowed the organization’s “Extraordinary Medal of Honor” to H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, for his support and encouragement of Homenetmen’s mission, including his initiation and overseeing of the “St. Mesrob Mashdots” religious emblem program and “Kayl Vahan” and “St. Vartan” medal programs. Homenetmen Western Region Executive honored fifteen members from various chapters with the organization’s “Service Award.”

The Prelate was joined by clergy and Executive Council members. Alongside the Homenetmen family were representatives of the ARF Central Committee and sister organizations, Navasartian Games honorary presidents, sponsors, and friends. The program began with the anthems of the U.S., Armenia, and Homenetmen by Ivana Krikorian, which was followed by the blessing of tables by the Prelate and clergy. Young Homenetmen members, Christine Dashdemirians and Shahan Atmajian, served as the Masters of Ceremony.

On behalf of Homenetmen Regional Executive, Vice-Chair Mr. Sarkis Garabedian greeted the guests, congratulated the honorees, and congratulated and thanked the Prelate for his staunch support of Homenetmen’s endeavors.

Shahan Atmajian presented the Prelate’s biography and decades-long service and accomplishments, and then invited Central Executive Chair Mr. Viggen Davidian and Regional Executive Chair Mr. Manuel Marselian to bestow the award and certificate to His Eminence.

The Prelate began his message by thanking God for the opportunity to gather under one roof to collectively celebrate Homenetmen. His Eminence greeted the Homenetmen family, honored guests, sponsors, and friends, and stated that as a true believer in Homenetmen’s worthy mission, he would humbly accept the award, emphasizing that the calling of a clergyman is to serve without expectation of reward or recognition, for true reward comes from God alone. His Eminence blessed and commended the Homenetmen family, from members of the Central Executive to each local chapter, who dedicate themselves in service to the well-being of our youth. The Prelate reflected on the recent visit of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his consecration, thanking Homenetmen for their part in the success of the visit by organizing the meeting with the youth. Finally, His Eminence dedicated his award to each and every Homenetmen member, clergy member, and community servant who serve faithfully and humbly for a greater cause, and speaking on the requiem service for Homenetmen members which was to be held the following day, noted that though they are departed from us physically, their spirit and legacy lives on as a guide and inspiration for all. The Prelate concluded by praying for God to bless and protect the Homenetmen family and to lead their vital endeavors to success in Armenia, Artsakh, and throughout the Diaspora, once again expressed thanks for the honor, and conveyed his blessings to all the dedicated servants.

Following dinner and a video presentation on Homenetmen’s endeavors, the Regional Executive presented “Service Medal”s to fifteen of its commendable members.

At the conclusion of the program, Mr. Viggen Davidian congratulated the Prelate, whom he stated was worthy of the honor for his decades-long and devoted service, as well as the fifteen honorees, and spoke of the importance of cultivating our Armenian identity in our younger generations.

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