The feeling of an extended family gathering permeated the atmosphere of the awards banquet of the 108th Diocesan Assembly. It was a “wonderful, emotional, and uplifting evening,” in the words of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), delivered to the more than 300 attendees from the Chicago area and from parishes throughout the Diocese.

The St. James Armenian Church of Evanston, Ill., hosted the event on Friday evening, April 30, at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2010 Diocesan awards. The “Armenian Church Member of the Year” was bestowed on Mr. Harry Toufayan, of the St. Mary parish of Livingston, N.J., for his lifelong dedication and benefaction to the Armenian Church.

A beautifully produced video presentation told the story of Mr. Toufayan’s journey from Egypt to America, his creation of the family business, the Toufayan Bakeries, and his family’s abiding legacy of service and contribution to the Armenian Church. In his remarks to the crowd, Mr. Toufayan called the evening a night that he and his wife Suzanne would treasure forever.

“We promise to continue helping the church in any way we can,” he said.

The Diocese’s “St. Vartan Award” went to Chicago physician Dr. John Wilhelm, for his efforts to improve the wellbeing of the disabled in Armenia—a mission that began in the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake, and has continued for two decades.

At the banquet last Friday, Dr. Wilhelm said, “I gratefully accept this acknowledgement of my work with the Armenian community which has benefited disabled children in Armenia.” He thanked Dr. Koloyan, an Armenia-based doctor who has collaborated with Dr. Wilhelm, for his persistence and vision and for helping build a center in Armenia that provides free orthopedic care to children in Armenia. Dr. Koloyan also spoke of the great humanitarian impulse that drives Dr. Wilhelm.

Drawing closer to the Armenian Church

A surprise farewell tribute was arranged for the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian the Diocesan Vicar General, who in June will be leaving the Diocese at the request of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to take up the role of Pontifical Legate of Central Europe and Sweden.

Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian spoke about Fr. Najarian’s talents and contributions to the Armenian Church over the past decades. Letters addressed to Fr. Najarian congratulating him were read on behalf of Mr. Yervant Babayan, principal of the Vahan Tekeyan School in Beirut, Lebanon, where Fr. Najarian was a student; Archbishop Navasart Kjoyan, Primate of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese in Yerevan, and a former student of Fr. Najarian’s; and the Diocesan Staff.

The honoree thought back to when he had first entered the priesthood. “We had dreams and a vision for the Armenian Church and the Armenian people, and we dedicated our lives to it,” he said. He said he was a man of God and has served the Armenian people in whatever capacity he could. “I have served the Diocese as wholeheartedly as I could.”

In his benediction, Archbishop Barsamian touched upon each of the three people honored during the banquet and said “each has had a different life calling, but each of their callings has drawn them closer to the Armenian Church and the Armenian people.”

The Armenian Dance Company of Chicago provided the cultural portion of the evening. Welcoming remarks were made by Dr. Larry Farsakian, chairman of the 2010 Diocesan Assembly host committee, and remarks were made by Deacon Levon Kirakosyan, deacon-in-charge of the Evanston parish, as well as Deborah DerAsadourian, its parish council chair. A celebratory toast was made by Antranig Garibian, who chaired the 2010 Diocesan Assembly business sessions.

Abp. Barsamian presents Hratch Toufayan with the Diocese’s “Armenian Church Member of the Year” award for 2010, during the Diocesan Assembly Banquet in Chicago.

Dr. John Wilhelm received the Diocese’s “St. Vartan Award” for his distinguished service to improve life for the disabled in Armenia.

Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, the Diocesan Vicar General (center), was given a special tribute for his years of service to the Eastern Diocese. Abp. Khajag Barsamian (left) and Abp. Vicken Aykazian (right) recalled their long friendships with Fr. Najarian, who will be departing the Diocese in early summer to serve as the Pontifical Legate of Central Europe and Sweden.

Source: www.armenianchurch.net