The 160th Anniversary of the Birth of Benefactor Alexander Mantashian Celebrated in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On March 3, the 160th Anniversary of the birth of Alexander Mantashian, the prominent national benefactor, was celebrated in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Alexander Mantashian is known as one of the greatest figures in the oil industry at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. He is also known as a benefactor, who was a great sponsor of art and education. He provided numerous services to his nation and the Armenian Church. Due to Mantashian's financial support, many young people, including Komitas Vartabed (Soghomonian), received higher education abroad in universities and institutions of higher learning. As a result of his generosity, the Church of St. John the Baptist in Paris, and the new building of the Nersissian School in Tiflis (Tbilisi), are among the list of buildings he constructed. His support enabled the reconstruction and renovation of the Cathedral of Tiflis (Tbilisi). The building of the official residence of the Catholicos (the Veharan) in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was also built thanks to Mr. Mantashian's financial support and generosity. It was originally construction in 1915, foreseen to be the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. However, it first served as a shelter for the Armenian emigrants, who had nearly escaped death in the Armenian Genocide. During the early Soviet years, the building was used by the state as army barracks and later, as a hospital. It was not until the reign of His Holiness Vazken I, of blessed memory, that in 1962 the building began to be used for its intended purpose and became the official residence of the Catholicos.
On Sunday, following the celebration of Divine Liturgy, a requiem service was held in the cathedral for the soul of Alexander Mantashian. Afterwards, a celebratory reception dedicated to the devoted benefactor's memory, was held in the hall of the Kevorkian Theological Seminary. His Eminence Archbishop Vatchй Hovsepian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, presided over the ceremony. Rev. Fr. Yeghishй Sarkissian, the Dean of the Seminary, delivered an opening speech presenting a brief overview on the life of Alexander Mantashian, and the importance of his accomplishments. Professor Sandro Behboutian, lecturer of History of the Armenian Church, of the Vazkenian Seminary of Sevan, and His Eminence Archbishop Shahй Ajemian, Dean of the Faculty of Theology of Yerevan State University, also delivered lectures on Alexander Mantashian's life and legacy. The choir of the Kevorkian Seminary, directed by Maestro Rouben Sharbatian, presented a concert. At the end of the ceremony His Eminence Archbishop Vatchй Hovsepian gave his remarks, noting that Alexander Mantashian is one of those individuals, who lives forever in our memories thanks to his many accomplishments. The reception concluded with Lord's Prayer.
