Medal Ceremony at the Mother See

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin- Armenian Church

On May 13, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, granted the Orders of the Armenian Church to Major General Vladimir Gasparian, Head of the Military Police of the Republic of Armenia, Writer and Public Speaker Zori Balayan, and Micro-Miniaturist Eduard Ter-Ghazarian. The medal awards ceremony took place in the Pontifical Residence of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, presided over by His Holiness Karekin and in the presence of Mr. Seyran Ohanian, Republic of Armenia Minister of Defense, Diocesan Primates, members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin and guests.

Following opening remarks, Minister Ohanian presented biographical notes and personal highlights from the lives of General Gasparian and Mr. Balayan. Mr. Andranik Petrosian, Director of Eye Research at the Biochemistry Institute of the Republic of Armenia presented the works of art and unique talent of Mr. Ter-Ghazarian.

As the hymn of Etchmiadzin was sung, the Pontifical Encyclicals were brought into the hall. His Grace Bishop Arakel Karamian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Kotayk, His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamian, Head Chaplain of the Armed Forces and His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See read the Pontifical Encyclicals.

The Encyclical to Major General Vladimir Gasparian stated in part. “We reflect on your devoted and noble service to our country and people, service which has lasted for decades. After the independence of Armenia, you contributed your professional skills, broad experience and proficiency to the strengthening and development of the system of law and the Armenian Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia. Your official awards and high orders are the vivid evidence of your devoted and productive service. Today we have the opportunity to reflect on your services to the Armenian Church expressed by your true faith in God.

With filial love, you brought your commendable assistance to the reconstruction and ornamentation of the Monasteries of Geghard, Haghartsin, Kecharis and St Karapet Church in the Akunk village. Through these generous acts you serve as a good example for the Armenian youth. It is greatly gratifying for the Pontiff that the offspring of our nation show care and devotion towards the ancient sanctuaries, which have spread divine blessings on our sacred land for centuries”.

By Pontifical Encyclical the Order of St. Nersess the Graceful was awarded to General Gasparian for his devoted service to the nation and the Church.

By Pontifical Encyclical, the Order of St. Sahak – St. Mesrop was awarded to writer and public speaker Zori Balayan for his productive service to our Homeland and people. “Through your literary-creative activities, your name is well-known and loved by our nation. You are the base of the Artsakh heroic battle, the first warrior of the ideological struggle. By the call of your faithful and patriotic soul you devoted yourself to the sacred commitment of the liberation of Artsakh. Along with the representatives of our intelligentsia, you brought the voice of Armenians in Artsakh and worldwide, to the higher levels of the Soviet Union, defending the righteous trials of our nation.

During the years of the compulsory war for our country and Artsakh, you were always by the side of our devoted patriots of our Motherland, inspiring our offspring and contributing to our victories. Now, you still continue your nation-devoted activities with zeal and loyalty in different spheres, bringing your service for the welfare and prosperity of our Homeland, for the recognition of the Independence of Artsakh, for the strengthening and development of the relations of the Homeland and Diaspora and for the unity of our entire nation. It is a with great joy that the Pontiff notes that during your life you have shown love and devotion of your soul towards our Church and the spiritual center – the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin”, Encyclical stated in part.

Micro-miniaturist Eduard Ter-Ghazarian was awarded the Order of St. Sahak – St. Mesrop for his productive activities in the field of the art. “We are pleased to extend our words of appreciation to the talented Armenian, for your heavenly endowments that you give out for the development of Armenian culture and by your enthusiastic and laborious creations. Your micro miniatures have their unique place of fame in modern Armenian art. Your wonderful works, which can be seen only by microscope, have been displayed in world famous museums and exhibitions, including the museum of the Mother See. They have been admired by visitors and you have been granted with international awards, honorary titles and legacies. Your name is included in the list of gifted and talented Armenians whose activities have brought worldwide fame and honor to our Homeland and people. You are also known as a talented musician in the cultural society. For half century, your colleagues and you have presented the gems of classical music to our people with artistic performances in the Armenian Symphonic Orchestra. As the grandson of a priest, you have been raised with the Christian spirit, remaining faithful to our national sanctities and values. We personally know you, and are witness to your true love and devotion towards the Armenian Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin”, it stated in the Encyclical.

Following the reading of the Encyclicals, the Pontiff of All Armenians bestowed the honorees with the highest awards of the Armenian Church. The three honorees expressed their words of gratitude to His Holiness for bestowing them with the high honors.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Holiness extended his blessings to the people in attendance, “Today our souls rejoice, for we have invited three commendable sons of our nation, to express our words of appreciation and bestow them with the highest awards of the Armenian Church. We are all very familiar with their deeds, no introductions are necessary. The three honorees have been presented in the Encyclicals and we would like to reflect on a characteristic feature that is shared by the three, bravery. Bravery of the spirit of mind and activity. One contributes to the strengthening of our Homeland with his knowledge and skills, the other gives ideological inspiration to our offspring with his writings, and the third astonishes the world with his masterpieces and God-given talents. And this bravery which is exceptionally represented in their activities is a good example to our younger generation, who will follow in the footsteps of our praiseworthy Armenians through their own activities. May God bless and grant you with many luminous days and inspirations, spreading the gifts of the Holy Spirit on our country and nation”, the Armenian Pontiff stated in part.

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