SARKIS BEDEVIAN, BENEFACTOR, SUPPORTER OF ARMENIAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL, RECEIVES ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR
AZG DAILY
11-05-2011
Expressions of respect, tribute programs, book presentations and
award ceremonies are occasions to acquaint the public, in general,
and Armenian readers, in particular, with venerable individuals and
benefactors, who are seldom spoken or written about. There are modest
American-Armenians who quietly and unassumingly make donations to the
nation, homeland and church. These are true benefactors, to whom the
Biblical expression, “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand
know what thy right hand doeth” (Matthew 6:3), applies.
Sarkis Bedevian, formerly of Jerusalem and now a resident of New
Jersey, is such an affable national benefactor. He grew up in the
environment of the St. James monastic community and attended Holy
Translators School. He was on intimate terms with the patriarch and
holy fathers, as well as the children who would eventually become
priests. He received his Armenian ethnic education through the Armenian
Church. He left Palestine and came to the United States in 1959.
He received a scholarship from the Armenian General Benevolent Union
(AGBU) to major in accounting and finance at New York University. This
is how he got his start in the greatest city in the world. His
industrious, enterprising and persistent nature would slowly but
steadily lead him to ever greater heights, to new horizons.
With every successful step, he became more involved with Armenian
life and especially the church. As much success as he achieved,
he gave back more to his nation, albeit silently. He held diverse
positions within the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), including treasurer of the Diocesan Council for eight
years. For 14 years, he served on the board of the Armenian Church
Endowment Fund, making investments to produce revenue to address the
various financial needs of our diocese in New York. He is a member
of the Board of Trustees of St. Nerses Seminary and the Committee
of Friends of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin. He made a large
contribution for the expansion of St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn,
NJ and the construction of its adjoining annexes.
Besides his services to the local church and Diocese, he is a member
of the Board of Trustees of the Hovnanian School, making every effort
to put the school on a solid financial basis and secure its future
through the establishment of endowment funds. As a firm believer
in Armenian schooling and the importance of transmitting ethnic
traditions and values to the new generations, he has also gotten
like-minded Armenians involved in this cause.
Sarkis Bedevian, and his wife, Ruth, became so excited about the
downfall of the Soviet Union and the miraculous resurrection of Armenia
that they lost no time in committing themselves to the homeland~Rs
reconstruction. After the earthquake of 1988, in the early 1990s,
they became the benefactors of a new school in Gyumri. They also
established an endowment fund, whose annual income continues to be
allocated to the newly-created Vazgenian Seminary by Lake Sevan. In
compliance with the request of Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, they became the benefactors of a new
cathedral in Vanadzor, St. Gregory of Narek, whose consecration was
performed on the millennial anniversary of Narek~Rs death. Prior to
the erection of this cathedral, only one church remained in Vanadzor,
which had a population of 130,000, on account of the earthquake, and
it could barely accommodate 50 parishioners. In addition, the Bedevians
built a youth center next to the cathedral, which offers a healthy and
safe environment for local adolescents and youths to congregate. This
institution is also set up to provide meals to senior citizens.
Sarkis Bedevian has also committed himself to underwriting the costs
of renovating the museum in the main monastery, which had been built
in the 19th century. To be named after Khrimian Hairig, it will soon
house a collection of works by Arshile Gorky, the father of Abstract
Expressionism in America, which had been donated to the Mother See
by the artist~Rs sister. The renovated museum will also contain works
by other modern Armenian artists.
In recognition of these philanthropic gestures, Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II has bestowed the St. Gregory the Illuminator
First Order and St. Nerses Shnorhali medals upon the Bedevians. In
2008, Sarkis Bedevian became the godfather of the Blessing of Holy
Muron in Echmiadzin. This year, in turn, he was awarded the Ellis
Island Medal of Honor. The couple deserves the highest respect for
serving Holy Echmiadzin, the center of their faith and Armenia,
the cradle of Armenian life and prosperity.
From: A. Papazian