Mr. Sergey Sarkisov Granted the Order of St. Gregory the Illuminator
21.02.2016
On February 21, an award ceremony was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians granted the Order of St. Gregory the Illuminator of the Armenian Apostolic Church to national philanthropist Mr. Sergey Sarkisov, Russian Federation, in appreciation of his philanthropic endeavors and service to the Armenian people and Armenian Church.
The ceremony opened with the Lord’s Prayer. Rev. Fr. Vahram Melikyan, Director of the Information Services Department of the Mother See gave opening remarks and noted that the Church life becomes more vibrant due to the joint cooperation of clergy and laymen. Fr. Vahram stated that Mr. Sarkisov as devoted son of the Church and nation has constantly offered his support to the Armenian life and participated in the pious cause of strengthening the Armenian Church.
Mr. Rouben Vardanyan, benefactor of the Mother See and a member of the Supreme Spiritual Council presented a brief biography on Mr. Sarkisov, presenting his past and the extensive activities implemented by him in various sectors
The Pontifical Encyclical was then brought in, under the singing of the hymn “Etchmiadzin I Hore”.
His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Director of the Christian Education Center, read the Pontifical Encyclical. It stated in part: “We know you personally and are aware of your patriotic and church-building efforts. Through your diplomatic activities you're investing significant efforts in the task of the empowerment and advancement of our country and with kind donations you support to the implementation of various patriotic programs.
As Pontiff, it brings me great satisfaction that you also made an important contribution to the reconstruction of the St. George Church of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia. We offer our prayers that through the Lord's blessings and support of the faithful children, the historic sanctuary was rebuilt, which for centuries has served the pious Armenian-Georgian people.
We ask Almighty God to protect you and keep you safe under His Holy Right Hand, granting success in all your good deeds and works”.
Following the reading of the Encyclical, the Pontiff of All Armenians bestowed Mr. Sarkisov with the Medal of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.
Mr. Sarkisov thanked His Holiness for the honor. He emphasized the importance of the mission of the Armenian Church in the life of the worldwide Armenians, and in the cause of preservation of the national identity.
At the conclusion of the ceremony His Holiness extended his blessings and appreciation to Mr. Sarkisov and the attendees.
His Holiness expressed his joy that after the request of His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia, Mr. Sarkisov was granted the Order of St. Gregory the Illuminator of the Armenian Apostolic Church for the useful projects implemented in the national life.
The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed gratitude to the Almighty for granting honest children to the Armenian nation who shares a part of their fair earnings for the prosperity and vibrabcy of the Armenian Church and nation. Speaking on the important initiative of the renovation of the St. George Church of Tbilisi, His Holiness personally expressed his appreciation to Mr. Rouben Vardanyan and Mr. Sergey Sarkisov, for their zealous dedication.
His Holiness officially closed the award ceremony with a final prayer.
