Western Diocese

On Sunday, November 22, All-Armenia Fund held a reception and a formal banquet at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.

Eric Nazarian was the master of ceremonies. The event commenced with the singing of the national anthems of the United States of America and the Republic of Armenia. The Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, represented the Primate at the event considering that the Primate was on a pastoral visit to Seattle. He blessed the tables and expressed the Primate's blessings. Additionally, he read the Primate's message:

 "I address you all with a heart full of Christian love. On the eve of Thanksgiving, I uplift my heart for your well-being but especially for your vision in support of Armenia through the All-Armenia Fund.

 With God's Grace, the All-Armenia Fund has become a blessing in the life of the Armenian people throughout the world as a unifying ground where they become one through charity and care for our ancestral lands Armenia and Artsakh.

 It is our sincere wish that our beloved faithful in the Western Diocese along with our brothers and sisters throughout the world would stand firmly behind Armenia and Artsakh.

 By cheerfully giving to the Armenia Fund on the joyous Day of Thanksgiving, we become instruments of God. With our generosity, Armenia and Artsakh will continue to thrive and glow in peace and prosperity as a testimony of the Love of God and faith of our forefathers.

 On the Day of Thanksgiving, we will have the opportunity to extend our helping hand and contribute to the reviving of the city of Shushi.

 With our participation in the Telethon, we will send a definite message to the world that the spirits of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide continue to live and lead the way to justice through us.

 Armenia and Artsakh are our homelands. Furthermore, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the rock of our Christian faith and our dreams. Let us build our homelands through Armenia Fund.        

 Dear brothers and sisters, tonight's banquet challenges us once again to reawaken within our hearts a new sense of commitment and charity for the rebuilding of our motherland Armenia and Artsakh. Giving is a virtue, a tool which helps us to strengthen our identity as Armenians in this most-blessed country of the United States of America."

 A short film depicting the works of All-Armenia Fund was shown during the event. Ara Agishian, Esq., President of Armenia Fund of the US Western Region addressed the importance of supporting the Armenia Fund. His Excellency Grigor Hovhannissian, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles gave a heartfelt message and commended the service of Armenia Fund. The musical guests of the evening were Inga and Anush Arshakyan. They were accompanied by Artur Grigoryan on the piano. Ara Vardanyan, Executive Director of Armenia Fund International spoke about the successes and the challenges facing the All-Armenia Fund. His Eminence Archbishop Pargev Martirosian, Primate of Artsakh Diocese, addressed the importance of the revitalizing of the city of Shushi.

Accompanied by Artur Grigoryan, Inga and Anush Arshakyan sang the popular song "Kilikia."

The evening continued with Armenia Fund Award Ceremony honoring Mr. and Mrs. Albert and Tove Boyajian, Mr. and Mrs. Vahe and Veronique Karapetian and Mr. and Mrs. Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian. The sister duet sang the last beautiful song of the evening.

His Excellency Araik Harutunyan, Prime Minister of Nagorno Karabagh Republic expressed his appreciation and gratefulness for the Armenia Fund.