PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

May 8, 2007
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DIOCESE HONORS COMMUNITY LEADER, DIPLOMAT, CLERGYMAN DURING ASSEMBLY BANQUET

By Jake Goshert

During the 105th Diocesan Annual Assembly Banquet held Saturday, May 5,
2007, in Nashua, New Hampshire, three individuals were honored for their
service to the community.

John Amboian was named "Armenian of the Year." Ambassador John Evans was
presented with the "Friend of the Armenians" award. Archbishop Yeghishe
Gizirian was presented with the "Spiritual Leadership Award."

"We are expressing our sincere appreciation and honoring them each for
service to our community and our Church," said Rosette Jacobson, the parish
council chairperson of the Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford,
Massachusetts, the parish which hosted the 105th Diocesan Annual Assembly.

"Though they come from varied backgrounds, the three men share in common
being role models for today’s youth," said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

"We become role models for our youth through our actions. We become the
spark that ignites the flame of Christianity in their souls," he added.
"Each of these three men serve as reminders of the power of our actions.
Individuals can make a difference in the world, in society, in the Church.
Each of us must live as Christ commands and show our youth the power of
Christ’s teachings."

ARMENIAN OF THE YEAR

John Amboian was honored for his years of service to all levels of the
Armenian Church, from serving in the parish, as a member of the Diocesan
Council, as a member of the board of St. Nersess Seminary, and as a member
of the Diocesan Board of Trustees.

"If I was to read a list of his accomplishment, such a long list, you would
find it impossible to believe it was the dossier of one man," said Diocesan
Council Chairman Oscar Tatosian. "No list would do justice to detailing
John’s service. No matter in what capacity he has served, he has brought
dignity and honesty."

Amboian’s son, John Jr., surprised his father by flying in for the banquet
and introducing the honoree, whom he described as a man whose dedication to
the community served as an inspiration to his family.

"Over the years, the Church has been a priority for my father," said
Amboian’s son. "He has a very deep commitment and dedication to serving the
Church. I’ve always seen him work hard his entire life, but never harder
than when he is working on behalf of the Church. I thank my father for
being a fine role model for us all, demonstrating the qualities of
dedication and commitment and a life of service."

In accepting the award, Amboian said he could not have been as involved as
he was without the continued support of his wife Pat. Sometimes, such as
when he was going to night school, he was unable to be involved in the life
of the Church. His non-Armenian wife, however, remained active at the parish
while he was stuck home doing homework. "Pat deserves a portion of this
award as well," he said.

Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, visiting pastor of the host parish, said he has
enjoyed working with John and Pat while serving in Chelmsford.

"John is a loyal member of the Sts. Vartanantz Church. He is a dedicated
servant of the Armenian people," he said. "He is a great leader. He has a
unique dignity that you have to respect him."

FRIEND OF THE ARMENIANS

Ambassador John Evans was America’s ambassador to Armenia when he dared to
use the word "Genocide." He was asked to retire and forced out of his post
earlier than scheduled, because the use of "Genocide" to describe what
happened to the Armenian people in 1915 went against American foreign
policy.

"What you did was remarkable and courageous. And I can think of 1.5 million
reasons why your conviction to the truth is important to us," Council Chair
Tatosian said. "Ambassador Evans, you are not just a friend of the Armenian
people; you are a friend of the innocent victims of the past."

Ambassador Evans said his decision to use the word "Genocide" was not casual
or a momentary lapse.

"It was not a simple blurting out of a word. I felt we needed to recognize
the facts. Everybody knows the facts and if we were inhibited by taboo or
denial we could never move forward," he said.

As he was being criticized and forced out of his job after a 35-year career
in the Foreign Service, he said he felt the Armenian community standing with
him.

"When we were going through what was a crisis in our lives because of what I
had done, we felt your support. So I want to thank you for that," he said.
"I want to live up to this award. I don’t think I deserve it, but I hope to
in the future." He said.

Archbishop Barsamian noted that Ambassador Evans was being honored not just
for his courage of convictions, but also for the many successful measures he
advanced as America’s envoy to Armenia. However, by standing up for the
truth, the ambassador was an excellent role model for others, the Primate
said.

"Your commitment to the truth is a wonderful example to all of us that doing
the right thing is not necessarily the easy thing. It is a lesson we should
all take to heart, and one we must teach our children," he said.

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian was born in Damascus, Syria, in 1926, and was
ordained into the priesthood in 1947. He served in many parishes in the
Eastern Diocese and as Primate of England, before retiring and returning to
the United States, where he continues to serve in parishes.

"I am merely an instrument in the hand of God," Archbishop Gizirian said as
Archbishop Barsamian presented him with a panage (Eastern-style pectoral
icon) on behalf of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians. "Since 1935, I dedicated my life to the Church
as an acolyte in Damascus. Words are not capable of expressing my gratitude
to your generous and thoughtful expression with this award."

Fr. Kouzouian, a former student of Archbishop Gizirian, said he was honored
to have such a gifted teacher. "As one of your students that love and admire
your ministry to the Armenian Church, we congratulate you," Fr. Kouzouian
said.

The Primate noted that the Diocese was thankful for Archbishop Gizirian’s
continued service, even after his official retirement.

"We are grateful he has returned to our Diocese," he said. "Though
‘retired,’ I do not think it appropriate to use that word in describing
Archbishop Yeghishe. His soul is one of service and he continues to work
today. He gratefully shares his passion and faith when he visits our
parishes."

— 7/8/07

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, presents the
"Armenian of the Year" award to John Amboian, joined by his wife Pat, during
the 2007 Assembly Banquet, held in Nashua, New Hampshire, on May 5, 2007.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Barsamian presents Ambassador John Evans,
America’s former envoy to Armenia, with the "Friend of the Armenians" award
during the 2007 Assembly Banquet.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Ambassador Evans, joined by his wife Donna, accepts a
round of applause from attendees at the 2007 Assembly Banquet in Nashua, New
Hampshire.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Archbishop Barsamian presents Archbishop Yeghishe
Gizirian with a panage on behalf of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, during the Assembly
Banquet on May 5, 2007.

PHOTO CAPTION (5): To mark the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the
priesthood, Archbishop Girizian is presented with the "Spiritual Leadership
Award" from Archbishop Barsamian during the 2007 Assembly Banquet in Nashua,
New Hampshire.