On Oct. 5, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, will honor Hirant Gulian at a Tribute Banquet for his outstanding, lifelong service to the Armenian Church and people. Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Suzanne Toufayan will serve as honorary co-chairs of the event.
For many years Gulian has been involved with the Armenian Genocide Commemoration in New York Times Square. He was a founding member and co-chairman of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Times Square Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee, which was founded in 1984. Since 2007 he has served as chairman of that committee.
When Toufayan was asked how it feels to serve as honorary chair of the banquet in honor of a “national soldier” named Hirant Gulian, he responded, “Hirant Gulian is not a ‘soldier,’ he is a ‘general!’” Similar accolades are often heard within the metropolitan New York Armenian community.
“The response, so far, has been extremely positive” to the banquet, said Toufayan. “The spirit of cooperation has been equally impressive. Everyone wants to help out. Everyone wants to make this tribute a special one. The invitations and flyers are almost ready to be mailed out and a lot of work is being put into planning the special event. We expect a stellar array of community leaders from all over the United States, as well as from overseas, to join us in honoring Hirant.”
The banquet will be held at the St. Leon Armenian Church, Abajian Hall, in Fairlawn, N.J. “Abajian Hall has a capacity of around 325 people,” Toufayan said. “If we have more than 325 people, the banquet will be held at St. Leon’s George and Shake Shahinian Gymnasium, which can hold over 600 people.” Proceeds from the banquet will benefit the Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration.
Over the years, Gulian’s been involved with many organizations and has chaired and co-chaired numerous events, including the 1700th anniversary of the Pontifical Banquet in 2001 (chair); the Knights of Vartan 87th Convocation in 2005 (chair); the AGBU Nork Children Center from Armenia, which toured six major cities (co-chair, 2005); and the Armenian American Support and Educational Center (chair, 2012). The list goes on and on.
“Hirant’s service to Armenia and Armenians cannot be measured by hours, days, weeks, months, or years. His service has been lifelong, unwavering, and passionate,” said Toufayan.
–Hirant Gulian Tribute Committee
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