PRIMATE ATTENDS BANQUET IN HONOR OF ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, November 23 (Noyan Tapan). Sunday evening,
November 21, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America,
upon the official invitation of the Board of Armenia Fund, attended
a banquet in honor of His Excellency Arkady Ghoukassian, President
of Nagorno-Karabagh, held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.
According to the Press Office of the Diocese, Mr. Larry Zarian served
as Master of Ceremonies and invited His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian for the invocation. The program also included remarks from
Mrs. Maria Mehranian, Chair of Armenia Fund, and Ms. Naira Melkoumian,
President of Armenia Fund.
President Arkady Ghoukassian also addressed the attendees.
On Monday, November 22, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
hosted a reception in the Armen and Gloria Hampar Room of the Diocese
in honor of Arkady Ghoukassian, President of Nagorno-Karabagh.
Among many other guests, in attendance were His Eminence Archbishop
Barkev Mardirossian, Primate of Artsakh; the Honorable Gagik
Kirakossian, Consul General of Armenia, His Eminence Archbishop Dirair
Mardigian, Primate of Rumania and Bulgaria; His Eminence Archbishop
Vatche Hovsepian, His Eminence Archbishop Arsen Berberyan, Ms. Naira
Melkoumian, President of Armenia Fund; Mrs. Maria Mehranian, Chair
of Armenia Fund; and Mr. Richard Moushegain, Chair of the Diocesan
Council.
The Primate addressed the guests with the words, “Each time a dignitary
pays a visit to the Diasporan communities, the ties are reestablished
between the Motherland and her children in the Diaspora. Therefore
with your presence and visits you inspire and strengthen the dispersed
children of Armenia and invite them to participate in the rebuilding
of Armenia.”
His Eminence extended his greetings to the President, welcomed him,
and wished him well on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians.