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: [email protected]
Website:
July 11, 2007
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HOVNANIAN PRESENTED WITH MEDAL FROM ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER
Kevork Hovnanian, a long-time leader of the Diocesan community, was honored
on June 26, 2007, during a ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia.
Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan presented Hovnanian with the Armenian
government’s highest civilian medal of honor during a reception in the Prime
Minister’s office complex.
A delegation led by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), that included members of the
Diocesan Council and the Board of Directors of the Fund for Armenian Relief,
attended the ceremony.
In presenting the honor, the Prime Minister recognized Hovnanian’s years of
service and stewardship to the Armenian people.
Hovnanian is the founder and honorary life chairman of the Fund for Armenian
Relief (FAR), the Diocesan-affiliated development organization which is one
of the preeminent relief organizations working in Armenia.
"Mr. Kevork Hovnanian is an example of one man taking action to improve the
lives of others," Archbishop Barsamian said. "Through his efforts the
people of Armenia today have more hope, access to increased opportunities,
and are empowered to strengthen their own civil society."
Hovnanian joined Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, then-Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, and Dr. Edgar Housepian in traveling to Armenia shortly after the
devastating 1988 earthquake. The trio led the Diocese’s immediate efforts
to provide shelter, food, water, and medical care to the Armenian people
hardest hit by the tragedy — an effort that led to the creation of an
independently operated Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR).
Since then, FAR’s mission has evolved from assuring survival to providing
hope, opportunity, and empowerment. Under Hovnanian’s leadership, FAR has
served millions of people through more than 220 relief and development
programs in Armenia and Karabagh. It has channeled more than $265 million in
humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of projects including
emergency relief, construction, education, medical aid, and economic
development.
Hovnanian stepped down as chairman of FAR last year, but was unanimously
named Honorary Life Chairman by the FAR board.
— 07/11/07
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 of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), along with members of the Diocesan
Council and the Fund for Armenian Relief Board of Directors, meets with
Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Shortly after being presented with Armenia’s highest
civilian medal of honor by Prime Minister Sargsyan, Kevork Hovnanian,
founder and honorary life chairman of FAR, is congratulated by FAR’s Armenia
Country Director Bagrat Sargsyan.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Barsamian, FAR Chairman Randy Sapah-Gulian,
and Kevork Hovnanian present Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan with a
gift following the ceremony in which Kevork Hovnanian was honored with the
nation’s highest civilian medal.