Orphanage Opened at the Mother See
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin- Armenian Church
On September 2, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the opening ceremony of the orphanage of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The orphanage is located on the grounds of the St. Gayane Monastery. The building was completely renovated through the benefaction of the Kurkjian family of London, in memory of the late Mr. George Kurkjian and his daughter the late Miss Marina Kurkjian.
In the social mission of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, the orphanage represents a further step through which the Church can tend to the needs of children. The orphanage will be used by at-risk families and can accommodate up to 42 orphans. The children will attend the Eurnekian Public School and the Etchmiadzin Youth Center, both also under the administration of the Mother See. In addition to the renovation of the building, the Kurkjian family has assumed the sponsorship for future operations of the orphanage.
With the presence of Mr. John Kurkjian and his family, family members of the late George Kurkjian, as well as members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, the Pontiff of All Armenians along with members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, offered a blessing ceremony for the building, raising their prayers to Heaven. Following the ceremony His Holiness extended his Pontifical message to the people in attendance, “With God’s mercy we were able to fulfill the last wish of the great Armenian benefactor Mr. George Kurkjian who on his deathbed wished for an orphanage be built in Armenia. His desire was for it to be located next to the Monastery of St. Gayane, where his parents are interred. Today, his wish came true and we, in the presence of his and his brother’s family, celebrate the opening of the orphanage”.
The Armenian Pontiff invited those present to pray for the soul of the benefactor, noting that prayers will be sent to Heaven from the orphange for the Kurkjian family, who are well known for their faithful devotion and benefaction to the Church. His Holiness remarked that for nearly half a century, the family has continuously served and supported the Armenian Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
His Holiness, Mr. John Kurkjian and Mrs. Laura Kurkjian cut a ribbon at the entrance of the orphanage, and led the guests into the new building to tour the facilities and yard.
Following the opening ceremony, the remains of Mr. George Kurkjian was buried next to his parents graves, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Astghik Kurkjian, benefactors of the Mother See, in the cemetery of the St. Gayane Monastery of St. Gayane. A Repose of Souls Service was offered.
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