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PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Nazar and Artemis Nazarian Fund Levon and Claudia Nazarian Radiology
Center in Yerevan and New Chancellery Building in Etchmiadzin
AGBU Trustee and distinguished philanthropist Nazar Nazarian and his
wife Artemis traveled to Armenia recently to attend the opening of the
Levon and Claudia Nazarian Radiology Center and the new chancellery of
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This American-Armenian couple helped
fund and establish these two buildings through the AGBU Nazar and
Artemis Nazarian Fund.
A Modern Radiology Center
On March 31, 2010, the Levon and Claudia Nazarian Radiology Center
opened at Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU). The ceremony and
official ribbon-cutting of the prestigious center was attended by
President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sargsyan, AGBU President
Berge Setrakian and his wife Vera, Armenian Health Minister Harutyun
Kushkyan, YSMU Rector Gohar Kyalyan, AGBU Trustee Karnig Yacoubian, AGBU
Central Board members Vasken Yacoubian and Aris Atamian, and a
delegation of other dignitaries. The symbolic ribbon was cut by Nazar
and Artemis Nazarian and Rector Gohar Kyalyan.
Construction of the Levon and Claudia Nazarian Radiology Center was
initiated by YSMU three years ago. The highly advanced radio-diagnostic
and therapy center is equipped with modern, high-tech devices, while its
new staff underwent professional training in some of the best clinics
around the world. The AGBU Nazar and Artemis Nazarian Fund contributed
$1.7 million towards the construction of the new YSMU center. "I am very
happy to be in Armenia again. We are pleased to have assisted in
founding the center. Through such philanthropic initiatives we continue
to stay connected to our homeland," said Mr. Nazarian.
As a sign of gratitude, the Academic Council of the YSMU named the new
center after Nazar and Artemis Nazarian’s son, prominent
American-Armenian radiologist Dr. Levon Nazarian, and his wife Claudia.
The new building is expected to become a place of regional significance.
"The center is the only one in Armenia," said Kyalyan. "It is a unique
place, where thanks to state-of-the-art equipment it will be possible to
determine the correct diagnosis of various vascular disorders and other
conditions, reducing the risk of stroke."
Guests of the opening ceremony were introduced to the new center and its
staff. AGBU President Berge Setrakian applauded the new facility’s
potential. "The Medical University is an important institution, as it
will educate new generations. I believe this center will occupy a
significant place in the medical field of Armenia."
A New Chancellery in Etchmiadzin
Mr. and Mrs. Nazar Nazarian were the guests of honor at the April 5th
opening ceremony of the new chancellery building of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin, which was funded by them. His Holiness Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, led guests in a
blessing service for the new building. Present at the ceremony were
members of the clergy and members of the AGBU Central Board, including
AGBU President Berge Setrakian and his wife Vera.
Following the blessing, children from the Etchmiadzin Youth Center
presented a short performance in the assembly room of the chancellery.
President Setrakian introduced Mr. and Mrs. Nazarian and commended their
continuation of the 400-year-old Nazarian family tradition of supporting
the Armenian Church, the homeland and various diasporan communities.
His Holiness Karekin II extended his appreciation to the honored
benefactors, reflecting on the benevolent work of the Nazarian family.
In his remarks, he stressed the importance of the newly built
chancellery. "We are happy that we have a devoted progeny of the
Armenian nation who can dedicate and donate the benefits received from
God to the nation, the homeland and the Armenian Church. The Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin and our national life prosper and flourish, thanks
to those children."
His Holiness expressed his gratitude to the many people who made the
construction of the new building possible, including Armand Avakian of
the United States, who was the chief architect of the building, and
Gagik Galstian, president of the construction company Horizon-95, which
was hired to build the chancellery. He also thanked all the board
members of the Architectural Department of Holy Etchmiadzin. As the
ceremony came to a close, Nazar and Artemis Nazarian expressed their
heartfelt feelings to His Holiness and to all guests in attendance.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit