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Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: +374-10-517163
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July 13, 2007
Remains of Alex and Marie Manoogian Arrive in Holy Etchmiadzin
On Friday, July 13, the earthly remains of Alex Manoogian, National Hero of
the Republic of Armenia, Life President of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union and national benefactor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, along
with those of his wife, Marie Manoogian, arrived in the homeland via the
Paris – Yerevan flight. They had previously been interred in Detroit,
Michigan (U.S.A.).
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
accompanied by Mr. Tigran Torosian, President of the National Assembly
(Parliament) of the Republic of Armenia; Mr. Serge Sargsian, Prime Minister
of the Republic of Armenia; members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin
and government ministers were at the airport in the evening to receive the
remains of the national hero and his wife, who were accorded full state
honors.
Joining the high-ranking clergymen and state officials were Mrs. Louise
Manoogian Simone, the daughter of the Manoogians; Manoogian Family members;
Mr. Berge Setrakian, President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union;
members of the AGBU Central Committee; benefactors of the Armenian Church
and pious faithful.
The solemn cortege, accompanied by the honor guard of the Armed Forces of
the Republic of Armenia moved from the airport to the Monastery of Saint
Gayane in Vagharshapat, and the caskets containing the earthly remains of
Alex and Marie Manoogian were placed inside the sanctuary by the members of
the honor guard.
Inside the Church of Saint Gayane, His Holiness offered a solemn requiem
service asking for eternal rest for the souls of Alex and Marie Manoogian,
where they will lie in repose until Tuesday, July 17, when they shall be
interred in Holy Etchmiadzin.
* * *
THE MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II
SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS
ON THE OCCASION OF BRINGING THE EARTHLY REMAINS OF
NATIONAL BENEFACTORS ALEX AND MARIE MANOOGIAN
TO THE MOTHER SEE OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN
13 July 2007, Monastery of Saint Gayane, Holy Etchmiadzin
Honorable President of the National Assembly, Dear Manoogian Family,
Reverend Clergy and Dear Pious People,
The return of children who have lived with the love of the homeland to the
homeland – the haven of the nation’s immortal spirit – is steeped in
mystery. Through the grace of the Almighty, our free land receives today
its dedicated scions – National Hero of the Republic of Armenia, Life
President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Alex Manoogian and his
beloved wife, Marie Manoogian, who lived and contributed selfless efforts
for the love of the renaissance and vibrancy of the spiritual and national
life of our people dispersed throughout the world. With great philanthropy,
they illuminated our churches, and educational and cultural institutions.
They created the luminous path of their own lives, as well as the lives of
countless Armenians, with the faith and vision of a renewed, prosperous and
flourishing homeland. The preservation of the concept of homeland and of
the legacy of our ancestors within the souls of all Armenians was the
aspiration of the great benefactors. Unwavering fidelity to the bright
future of the homeland, the Armenian people and to Holy Etchmiadzin is the
inheritance they left to future generations, with the belief in the eternity
of the nation and its sacred values.
The love of our Church and Holy Etchmiadzin was embedded in the soul of Alex
Manoogian at a young age. He was always tied to church life with warmth and
love, contributing to the mission of our Church, as well as through his
philanthropic works and as a deacon serving at the Holy Altar of our Lord.
We reflect with deep emotion that Alex and Marie Manoogian, with a faithful
and noble heart, cared for their neighbors throughout their entire
God-granted life together, and through their many acts of charity, brought
to life the message of the Gospel. As commendable citizens of the United
States, with feelings of gratitude toward America, they extended their
philanthropy to the educational and cultural life of the United States as
well.
The luminous memory of Mr. and Mrs. Manoogian is unforgettable. Through
their church-building and nation-benefiting endeavors, they have become
worthy of the warm love and sincere respect of our people dispersed
throughout the world. The high awards and medals which have been bestowed
upon Alex Manoogian represent praise for their virtuous lives and
appreciation for their service and labors. He was worthily decorated with
the highest honor of our Church – the Order of Saint Gregory the
Illuminator, as well as bestowed with the title of National Hero of the
Republic of Armenia.
We offer prayers and incense before their graves. Let us give prayers of
thanks to God, that their spirit of love of nation and Church, and the
example of their good works, continue to live in the souls of Armenians, as
within their children, Louise Manoogian Simone and Richard Manoogian, and
their grandchildren, who today bring their important contribution to the
vibrancy of our Church, and the progress and development of our homeland.
Dearly Beloved,
Today our souls are joyful, for the earthly remains of the praiseworthy
children of our Church and great national benefactors, with the agreement of
their son and daughter, have arrived in the homeland from the United States,
to be placed in our spiritual and cherished center, under the divine
blessings of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Offering our prayers to our Lord in heaven, we will commit the remains of
Alex and Marie Manoogian of blessed memory to our native soil, with the
belief that their piety and devotion will always remain alive in the life of
our people, and their noble acts will live as testimonies to their faithful
spirit, continuing to plant new seeds of endless dedication and unceasing
vigilance in the hearts of a new generation for all that is holy for our
Church, homeland and nation.
We pray that our Merciful and Philanthropic God keep in blissful peace the
souls of His loyal servants who are at rest in the heights of heaven on the
peaceful shore of eternal life, and bless their and our vision for the
joyful unified life of homeland and people.
May Grace and Love be with us and with all.
Remember Lord, the souls of our blessed benefactors, Alex and Marie
Manoogian, and give them rest in the light of Your divine presence. Amen.