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PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
April 3, 2007
___________________
ARMENIANS GATHER IN NYC'S ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL FOR REQUIEM SERVICE HONORING
PRIME MINISTER ANDRANIK MARGARYAN
By Florence Avakian
A memorial service was held on Thursday evening, March 29, 2007, in New York
City's St. Vartan Cathedral to celebrate the life of Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan, who passed away on March 25, 2007, at age 55.
The service, presided over by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern), included a dozen priests and
deacons and the participation of the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir. Joining
the mourners were Armenian Ambassador to the United States Tatoul Markarian
and Armenian Ambassador to the United Nations Armen Martirossian.
"It is right and fitting that we remember him here, in the Eastern Diocese,
for we shared a common hope with the Prime Minister for a strong,
independent Armenian nation," the Primate said in his remarks, which were
delivered in both Armenian and English. "With the passing of Prime Minister
Margaryan, we have lost a thoughtful and reliable partner who had a
passionate vision and goal of improving the lives of all the citizens of
Armenia."
The Primate stressed that Prime Minister Margaryan was one of the "earliest
leaders in Armenia to understand the power of the Diaspora, and
specifically, the transformative energy that we provide through
organizations such as our Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR). He shared our
mission to provide hope, opportunity and empowerment to the individual
citizens of Armenia so that they could build a brighter future themselves.
He saw the future of Armenia coming from educated young people, passionate
individuals empowered with new training, modern tools, and competitive
resources."
During the war in Karabagh, Prime Minister Margaryan sent military equipment
and food, and participated personally in the struggle, Archbishop Barsamian
said. "He was always at the side of his people despite his own personal
pain, in order to strengthen the lives of his people," he said.
The prime minister was also remembered for the work he has done in
strengthening the Armenian Church and the unique bond between the Church and
the nation.
"As a devoted son of the Armenian Church, he understood the powerful bond
that exists between the Armenian nation and her mother church, and acted
accordingly to return to that tradition following the collapse of the Soviet
regime," the Primate said. "He was literate and an intellectual, but he
remained a modest worker for his people."
The Primate noted he had sent personal letters of sympathy on behalf of the
Diocese to President Robert Kocharian and His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
LONGEST TENURE SINCE INDEPENDENCE
"The outpouring of support and expressions of sympathy over the past few
days have signified both respect for the Armenian statehood and for Andranik
Margaryan as an individual and a statesman," Ambassador Tatoul Markarian
told the assembled people.
Prime Minister Margaryan had served in the position since 2000. He has had
the longest tenure of all prime ministers since Armenia's independence. But
he is remembered not because of the time he put in the office, but what he
did while in office.
"He will not be distinguished merely by the length of his tenure, but rather
by his significant accomplishments in the economic, social and political
arenas during Armenian's transition to, and strengthening of Armenia's
statehood," Ambassador Markarian said.
Noting Prime Minister Margaryan's deep political conviction and vision for
Armenia's future, Ambassador Markarian emphasized that the "indelible mark"
the prime minister left on Armenia's political scene.
"His patriotism, respect for national tradition and the Armenian Church,
devotion to family values, and personal modesty have earned the respect,
admiration, and love of his compatriots," the ambassador said.
As a sign of the Armenian people's ultimate respect, the ambassador noted
that the prime minister was laid to rest in Yerevan's National Pantheon on
Wednesday, March 28, 2007, surrounded by massive crowds.
"Tens of thousands of Armenians braved the inclement weather to pay their
love and respect to the late leader," the ambassador said. "His legacy will
live on as Armenia becomes stronger economically and politically. His
personal integrity and great political accomplishments guarantee him a place
in the modern history of Armenia."
Prime Minister Margaryan was born in 1951 in Yerevan, the descendant of
Genocide survivors from Mush. It was this crucial issue which sparked his
interest in politics when, in 1965, he participated in the 50th anniversary
commemorations of the Genocide held in Soviet Armenia. A prominent
dissident, his political life began in 1968, when he joined the National
United Party which advocated for Armenia's independence and defended the
Armenian cause. In 1974, he was arrested, tried, and served two years in
the Soviet Gulag.
He was a strong supporter of Karabagh's defense and the Armenian army. A
founding member of Armenia's Republican Party, he became its leader in 1997,
serving until his death. He was elected to the Armenian National Assembly
in 1995, and became the head of the Unity faction in 1999.
Appointed prime minister in May, 2000, he served with distinction following
the tragic assassinations in the Armenian Parliament in October 1999, making
an essential contribution to restoring domestic political stability in the
country. Since 2003, he headed the coalition government in Armenia.
On the 15th anniversary of the formation of an independent Republic of
Armenian, President Robert Kocharian awarded the prime minister the nation's
top honor - the Order of Soorp Mesrob Mashdots -- in recognition of his
"outstanding contributions to state-building and economic development of
Armenia."
Prime Minister Margaryan is survived by his wife, three children, and five
grandchildren. Following the requiem service, attendees gathered at a
reception in the Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium organized by the Fund
for Armenian Relief (FAR).
-- 4/3/07
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website, www.armenianchurch.net.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Dozens of clergymen from the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern) join Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, in
New York City's St. Vartan Cathedral during a requiem service for the late
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan on Thursday evening, March 29,
2007.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Barsamian presides over a requiem service
honoring the late prime minister of Armenia, Andranik Margaryan, on
Thursday, March 29, 2007, inside St. Vartan Cathedral.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Armenian Ambassador to the United States Tatoul
Markarian offers thoughts on the life of the late Armenian prime minister.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): The Primate delivers his remarks during the requiem
service for the late Prime Minister Margaryan of Armenia, which was held
Thursday, March 29, 2007, in New York City's St. Vartan Cathedral.
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
April 3, 2007
___________________
ARMENIANS GATHER IN NYC'S ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL FOR REQUIEM SERVICE HONORING
PRIME MINISTER ANDRANIK MARGARYAN
By Florence Avakian
A memorial service was held on Thursday evening, March 29, 2007, in New York
City's St. Vartan Cathedral to celebrate the life of Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan, who passed away on March 25, 2007, at age 55.
The service, presided over by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern), included a dozen priests and
deacons and the participation of the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir. Joining
the mourners were Armenian Ambassador to the United States Tatoul Markarian
and Armenian Ambassador to the United Nations Armen Martirossian.
"It is right and fitting that we remember him here, in the Eastern Diocese,
for we shared a common hope with the Prime Minister for a strong,
independent Armenian nation," the Primate said in his remarks, which were
delivered in both Armenian and English. "With the passing of Prime Minister
Margaryan, we have lost a thoughtful and reliable partner who had a
passionate vision and goal of improving the lives of all the citizens of
Armenia."
The Primate stressed that Prime Minister Margaryan was one of the "earliest
leaders in Armenia to understand the power of the Diaspora, and
specifically, the transformative energy that we provide through
organizations such as our Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR). He shared our
mission to provide hope, opportunity and empowerment to the individual
citizens of Armenia so that they could build a brighter future themselves.
He saw the future of Armenia coming from educated young people, passionate
individuals empowered with new training, modern tools, and competitive
resources."
During the war in Karabagh, Prime Minister Margaryan sent military equipment
and food, and participated personally in the struggle, Archbishop Barsamian
said. "He was always at the side of his people despite his own personal
pain, in order to strengthen the lives of his people," he said.
The prime minister was also remembered for the work he has done in
strengthening the Armenian Church and the unique bond between the Church and
the nation.
"As a devoted son of the Armenian Church, he understood the powerful bond
that exists between the Armenian nation and her mother church, and acted
accordingly to return to that tradition following the collapse of the Soviet
regime," the Primate said. "He was literate and an intellectual, but he
remained a modest worker for his people."
The Primate noted he had sent personal letters of sympathy on behalf of the
Diocese to President Robert Kocharian and His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
LONGEST TENURE SINCE INDEPENDENCE
"The outpouring of support and expressions of sympathy over the past few
days have signified both respect for the Armenian statehood and for Andranik
Margaryan as an individual and a statesman," Ambassador Tatoul Markarian
told the assembled people.
Prime Minister Margaryan had served in the position since 2000. He has had
the longest tenure of all prime ministers since Armenia's independence. But
he is remembered not because of the time he put in the office, but what he
did while in office.
"He will not be distinguished merely by the length of his tenure, but rather
by his significant accomplishments in the economic, social and political
arenas during Armenian's transition to, and strengthening of Armenia's
statehood," Ambassador Markarian said.
Noting Prime Minister Margaryan's deep political conviction and vision for
Armenia's future, Ambassador Markarian emphasized that the "indelible mark"
the prime minister left on Armenia's political scene.
"His patriotism, respect for national tradition and the Armenian Church,
devotion to family values, and personal modesty have earned the respect,
admiration, and love of his compatriots," the ambassador said.
As a sign of the Armenian people's ultimate respect, the ambassador noted
that the prime minister was laid to rest in Yerevan's National Pantheon on
Wednesday, March 28, 2007, surrounded by massive crowds.
"Tens of thousands of Armenians braved the inclement weather to pay their
love and respect to the late leader," the ambassador said. "His legacy will
live on as Armenia becomes stronger economically and politically. His
personal integrity and great political accomplishments guarantee him a place
in the modern history of Armenia."
Prime Minister Margaryan was born in 1951 in Yerevan, the descendant of
Genocide survivors from Mush. It was this crucial issue which sparked his
interest in politics when, in 1965, he participated in the 50th anniversary
commemorations of the Genocide held in Soviet Armenia. A prominent
dissident, his political life began in 1968, when he joined the National
United Party which advocated for Armenia's independence and defended the
Armenian cause. In 1974, he was arrested, tried, and served two years in
the Soviet Gulag.
He was a strong supporter of Karabagh's defense and the Armenian army. A
founding member of Armenia's Republican Party, he became its leader in 1997,
serving until his death. He was elected to the Armenian National Assembly
in 1995, and became the head of the Unity faction in 1999.
Appointed prime minister in May, 2000, he served with distinction following
the tragic assassinations in the Armenian Parliament in October 1999, making
an essential contribution to restoring domestic political stability in the
country. Since 2003, he headed the coalition government in Armenia.
On the 15th anniversary of the formation of an independent Republic of
Armenian, President Robert Kocharian awarded the prime minister the nation's
top honor - the Order of Soorp Mesrob Mashdots -- in recognition of his
"outstanding contributions to state-building and economic development of
Armenia."
Prime Minister Margaryan is survived by his wife, three children, and five
grandchildren. Following the requiem service, attendees gathered at a
reception in the Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium organized by the Fund
for Armenian Relief (FAR).
-- 4/3/07
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website, www.armenianchurch.net.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Dozens of clergymen from the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern) join Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, in
New York City's St. Vartan Cathedral during a requiem service for the late
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan on Thursday evening, March 29,
2007.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Barsamian presides over a requiem service
honoring the late prime minister of Armenia, Andranik Margaryan, on
Thursday, March 29, 2007, inside St. Vartan Cathedral.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Armenian Ambassador to the United States Tatoul
Markarian offers thoughts on the life of the late Armenian prime minister.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): The Primate delivers his remarks during the requiem
service for the late Prime Minister Margaryan of Armenia, which was held
Thursday, March 29, 2007, in New York City's St. Vartan Cathedral.