|
ANN/GROONG-(Asbarez-Oct.14, 1999) - Istanbul Earthquake Fund Passes $600,000
|
Istanbul Earthquake Fund Passes $600,000
GLENDALE—The US visit by Istanbul Patriarch Arch. Mesrob
Mutafyan concluded Monday, with the funds raised for the earthquake
ravaged Armenian establishments in Turkey surpassing the expected
$600,000.
The Lincy Foundation has agreed to match all contributions up to
$600,000 through donations received via the United Armenian Fund.
Mutafyan arrived in Los Angeles last Wednesday and held a press
conference the following Thursday. However, the brunt of his activities
took place last weekend when on Sunday he participated in a Mass at
St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys where a special requiem
service was officiated for His Holiness Karekin I, the late Catholicos of
All Armenians, as well as late Patriarchs of Turkey.
Immediately following the Mass, Mutafyan attended a luncheon at the
AGBU Nazarian Center, where more than 500 community members,
mainly Istanbul-Armenians, gathered to meet the Patriarch and
participate in the relief efforts for the Aug. 17 earthquake which
ravaged Istanbul and caused an estimated $1.2 million in damages to
Armenian institutions there.
Mutafyan was invited to the US by Istanbul-Armenian compatriotic
organizations, as well as the Primates of the Eastern and Western
Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church Arch. Khajag Barsamian
and Arch. Vatche Hovsepian.
While in the Southland, Mutafyan met with the Executive Director of
the Lincy Foundation James Aljian and visited the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church in Pasadena, the Hovsepian Armenian School and
the Ararat Home.
Mutafyan was accompanied by to the luncheon by his scepter bearers
Deacon Sahag Mashalian and Sister Hripsime Sassounian, as well as
United Armenian Fund Executive Director Harout Sassounian.
The program for the Sunday luncheon commenced with welcoming
remarks by Hagop Zerounian, the chairman of welcoming committee.
Also speaking were Dr. Vahram Birdjik, chairman of the Organization
of Istanbul-Armenians and Simon Acilac the director of the
Khachadourian choir.
In his remarks, Western Primate Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian briefed
the attendees on the Patriarch’s itinerary and announced that the funds
raised for the earthquake relief had reached $610,000.
He reported that $300,000 was raised on the East Cost, $30,000 in
Dallas and $280,000 on the West Coast, adding that $100,000 was
raised during a reception at the residence of Garabed Agpolat,
Thursday.
Arch. Hovsepian stressed that throughout the years, the Western
Diocese has undertaken numerous fund-raising ventures, but never for
the Istanbul Patriarchate, since that entity itself has been a source of
assistance to the Mother See. However, he pointed out, the Patriarchate
is in dire need now and the Western Diocese is happy to help.
In his remarks, Arch. Mutafyan briefed the gathered about the
earthquake relief efforts and expressed special gratitude to the Lincy
Foundation for agreeing to match contributions up to $600,000.
A cultural program was also included in the luncheon, with a recitation
performed by Jbid Tcherkinian, as well as a musical performance by
the Unison violin ensemble under the direction of Sarkis Boukoudjian.
Soprano Salpi Mayilian and Tenor Antranik Movsessian also
performed, accompanied on the piano by Hovig Voskanian.
The program concluded with benediction by Arch. Mutafyan.
|
|