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PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
May 31, 2007
MRS. LALIK BAYRAKDARIAN IS HONORED AS
MOTHER-OF-THE-YEAR AT PRELACY LADIES GUILD
MOTHERS' DAY LUNCHEON IN NEW YORK
By Florence Avakian
Photos by J. K. Hovhaness
NEW YORK, NY-One of the much-awaited harbingers of spring is the annual
Mothers' Day Luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG). This
year, it took place on May 7 in the elegant chandeliered roof garden
ballroom of New York's famed St. Regis Hotel, with more than 125 in
attendance.
Heading the list of dignitaries were Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America;
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy; 2007
Mother of the Year, Mrs. Lalik Bayrakdarian and her family; acclaimed
Metropolitan Opera diva Lucine Amara, the well-known singer Isabel
Bayrakdarian who was a featured soloist at the Metropolitan Opera this
season, and noted concert pianist Lucy Ishkanian.
A warm welcome was extended to the guests by Iris Papazian,
Communications Director of the Prelacy, on behalf of the Prelacy Ladies
Guild. Noting that the PLG Mothers' Day luncheon has always attracted guests
from the tri-state area, she welcomed a contingent from Pennsylvania and
Rhode Island as well.
The Prelate, whose 40th anniversary of ordination is being celebrated
this year, eloquently paid tribute to motherhood. "Our hopes, dreams,
happiness and even our pain, are entwined with our mothers," he said. "She
never leaves our thoughts. She has given us our life and its meaning."
Sharing a story from literature, he related how a deceased mother had
returned to earth dressed as a beggar. Shunned by all in her village, she
knocked on the door of her child's house. When she was asked by her child
why she was dressed in that poor garb, the mother replied that she wanted to
see if her child still had the feelings of humanity she had instilled in
her.
"Our Armenian mother is always with us," the Prelate continued, "and we
always seek her more and more. Today the sacredness of motherhood is in
danger. Without mothers, there is no Armenian community," he declared,
introducing the 2007 Mother of Year, Mr. Lalik Bayrakdarian.
Mrs. Bayrakdarian who single-handedly raised six children after the
early death of her husband, was surrounded at the podium by three of her
daughters, Isabel, Maroujan, Siroon, and her son Carlo. In an elegant speech
she first and foremost thanked God for his many gifts. She thanked
Archbishop Oshagan and the Prelacy Ladies Guild for the honor. "For me
motherhood has been a gift," she said with emotion. "For me, every day is
Mother's Day."
Recalling the family's difficult early days in Beirut, she emphasized
that the Armenian Church was the "foundation of our hopes. It was the
unconditional support system that helped us through all our travails. I have
always instilled in my children love and respect for our church." She said
that she and her children are witness to the strength and power of God. She
emphasized her reliance on the message in the Gospels saying that if there
is any secret to her success as a mother, it is because of biblical
guidance.
Following the delicious filet mignon dinner, the guests were entertained
with "Musical Sounds of Armenia," by four graduates of the renowned
Juilliard School of music: violinists Kinga Augustyn and Alexandr Dzubinsky,
violist Anush Simonian and cellist Lilit Kudiyan. Also performing beloved
Armenian melodies were Isabella Alexandrovsky on the kanon, accompanied on
the piano by Vagharshag Ohanyan, with a graceful solo dance performed by
Raele Sabounjian.
Following raffle drawings of lovely donated gifts, the Prelate whose
invocation had opened the memorable event, offered the closing prayer.
Members of the Prelacy Ladies Guild include: Seda Andrikian, Sima
Artinoff, Marion Boudakian, Linda Chirinian, Lillian Hairabedian, Gemma
Melik Vartanian, Lilian Merdinian, Diana Minassian, Seta Nalbandian, Annie
Pampanini, Anna Piliguian, Lucille Sahagian, Anna Semerdjian, Silvia
Setrakian, Ovsanna Tatarian, Rita Tatevossian, Silva Zadourian.
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
May 31, 2007
MRS. LALIK BAYRAKDARIAN IS HONORED AS
MOTHER-OF-THE-YEAR AT PRELACY LADIES GUILD
MOTHERS' DAY LUNCHEON IN NEW YORK
By Florence Avakian
Photos by J. K. Hovhaness
NEW YORK, NY-One of the much-awaited harbingers of spring is the annual
Mothers' Day Luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG). This
year, it took place on May 7 in the elegant chandeliered roof garden
ballroom of New York's famed St. Regis Hotel, with more than 125 in
attendance.
Heading the list of dignitaries were Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America;
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy; 2007
Mother of the Year, Mrs. Lalik Bayrakdarian and her family; acclaimed
Metropolitan Opera diva Lucine Amara, the well-known singer Isabel
Bayrakdarian who was a featured soloist at the Metropolitan Opera this
season, and noted concert pianist Lucy Ishkanian.
A warm welcome was extended to the guests by Iris Papazian,
Communications Director of the Prelacy, on behalf of the Prelacy Ladies
Guild. Noting that the PLG Mothers' Day luncheon has always attracted guests
from the tri-state area, she welcomed a contingent from Pennsylvania and
Rhode Island as well.
The Prelate, whose 40th anniversary of ordination is being celebrated
this year, eloquently paid tribute to motherhood. "Our hopes, dreams,
happiness and even our pain, are entwined with our mothers," he said. "She
never leaves our thoughts. She has given us our life and its meaning."
Sharing a story from literature, he related how a deceased mother had
returned to earth dressed as a beggar. Shunned by all in her village, she
knocked on the door of her child's house. When she was asked by her child
why she was dressed in that poor garb, the mother replied that she wanted to
see if her child still had the feelings of humanity she had instilled in
her.
"Our Armenian mother is always with us," the Prelate continued, "and we
always seek her more and more. Today the sacredness of motherhood is in
danger. Without mothers, there is no Armenian community," he declared,
introducing the 2007 Mother of Year, Mr. Lalik Bayrakdarian.
Mrs. Bayrakdarian who single-handedly raised six children after the
early death of her husband, was surrounded at the podium by three of her
daughters, Isabel, Maroujan, Siroon, and her son Carlo. In an elegant speech
she first and foremost thanked God for his many gifts. She thanked
Archbishop Oshagan and the Prelacy Ladies Guild for the honor. "For me
motherhood has been a gift," she said with emotion. "For me, every day is
Mother's Day."
Recalling the family's difficult early days in Beirut, she emphasized
that the Armenian Church was the "foundation of our hopes. It was the
unconditional support system that helped us through all our travails. I have
always instilled in my children love and respect for our church." She said
that she and her children are witness to the strength and power of God. She
emphasized her reliance on the message in the Gospels saying that if there
is any secret to her success as a mother, it is because of biblical
guidance.
Following the delicious filet mignon dinner, the guests were entertained
with "Musical Sounds of Armenia," by four graduates of the renowned
Juilliard School of music: violinists Kinga Augustyn and Alexandr Dzubinsky,
violist Anush Simonian and cellist Lilit Kudiyan. Also performing beloved
Armenian melodies were Isabella Alexandrovsky on the kanon, accompanied on
the piano by Vagharshag Ohanyan, with a graceful solo dance performed by
Raele Sabounjian.
Following raffle drawings of lovely donated gifts, the Prelate whose
invocation had opened the memorable event, offered the closing prayer.
Members of the Prelacy Ladies Guild include: Seda Andrikian, Sima
Artinoff, Marion Boudakian, Linda Chirinian, Lillian Hairabedian, Gemma
Melik Vartanian, Lilian Merdinian, Diana Minassian, Seta Nalbandian, Annie
Pampanini, Anna Piliguian, Lucille Sahagian, Anna Semerdjian, Silvia
Setrakian, Ovsanna Tatarian, Rita Tatevossian, Silva Zadourian.