AMAA Celebrates Centennial in Dazzling, Memorable Banquet

TEANECK, N.J.—The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) was created 100 years ago to help and protect survivors of the Armenian Genocide who were desperately clinging to life. From those soul-searing and heartbreaking beginnings, the AMAA, within a century, has mushroomed into an awesome worldwide organization focusing on education, churches, humanitarian relief, and camps in 24 countries—a stupendous accomplishment.

On Oct. 21, close to 400 enthusiastic supporters came together to celebrate this unique feat at a Centennial Banquet titled “Faithful to our Legacy” at the Marriott Teaneck Glenpointe, and to honor longtime AMAA philanthropists Edward and Pamela Avedisian and Doreen and Charles (posthumously) Bilezikian.

Guests of honor present included Armenia’s Ambassador to the U.S. Grigor Hovhannissian, Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Zohrab and Mrs. Irina Mnatsakanian, Prelacy Vicar General Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, representing the Armenian Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, and the Very Rev. Fr. Vasken Karayan, representing the Armenian Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. Armenian Catholic Bishop Michael Mouradian sent a congratulatory message.

Also attending were AMAA President Dr. Nazareth Darakjian and Dr. Ani Darakjian, Joyce Philibosian Stein and Joe Stein of the Stephen Philibosian Foundation, the Telfeyan Evangelical Foundation with several family members, Dr. Carnegie Calian, badvelis (ministers) from all over the world, including Canada, Europe, Armenia, the Middle East, and Australia, and representatives from the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the Armenian American Health Professionals Organization (AAHPO), the Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural and Educational Society, the Tekeyan Cultural Association, and the Armenian Relief Society (ARS).

Following an elegant reception and the singing of the U.S. national anthem by four young students from the Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School of Los Angeles, and the Armenian national anthem by students from the Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian School, Armenian Evangelical World Council President Rev. Berdj Djambazian shared an inspirational invocation. Dedicated Banquet co-chairs Drs. Celeste Telfeyan Helvacian and Dr. Nurhan Helvacian warmly welcomed the spirited crowd, briefly extolling the spectacular achievements of the 100-year-old Association.

 

Seeds Planted in Fertile Ground

Master of Ceremonies Dr. Raffy Hovanessian, a beloved longtime activist and benefactor in the Armenian community, presented an eloquent tribute to the history of the AMAA. Quoting the Bible, he recalled that “if seeds are planted in fertile ground, it gives forth lots of fruit, tenfold,” then added, “thirtyfold, a hundredfold.”

“The AMAA for a hundred years has been planting those seeds here and all over the world. I am proud to say that I am the result of these selfless efforts,” he stated, expressing his gratitude for the AMAA’s superior educational benefits that he and his wife, noted art curator Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian, received during their youth.

In a sad tribute, he remembered the passing that week of one of the most stalwart AMAA members, Khoren Nalbandian, and expressed sincere condolences to his wife Seta Nalbandian, an AMAA Board member.

He pointed out the unique AMAA accomplishments from the days of the Armenian Genocide to the time of the 1988 earthquake, the independence of Armenia and United Nations membership, the victorious liberation of Artsakh, and the massive Syrian relief efforts in Aleppo and Damascus.

Dr. Hovanessian thoughtfully recounted that the AMAA is “strongly nationalistic but emphasizes education and social services, has a heart but with the Christian spirit in it.” Then paraphrasing the immortal Movses Khorenatsi, he said, “Born from mortals, may the AMAA be eternal.”

 

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

AMAA President Dr. Nazareth Darakjian recounted a brief history of the AMAA and the “immense sacrifice” of giants Stephen Philibosian, Rev. Dr. Giragos Chopourian, and Rev. Dr. Movses Janbazian, and the “precious legacy” that needs to be passed on to future generations.

“The common theme of the organization is children, from the orphan and child care sponsorships to the Milk Fund, to the summer camps, to the after-school day centers, to the Avedisian School in Armenia, and all the Armenian Evangelical schools in the Near East and the U.S.,” Darakjian said. The work also extends to the youth, young adults, the students of Haigazian University, college scholarships, and the rebuilding of the churches in Armenia, Artsakh, Syria, and the entire Armenian Diaspora, he added.

To accomplish these goals, the AMAA has committed itself to a Centennial Fundraising Campaign to raise $20 million. He stated proudly that the campaign, which started a year ago, has already reached 35 percent of its goal. With the banquet initiating the momentum that will go around the world, the AMAA hopes to “reach the finish line in California exactly 12 months from now,” he declared with emphasis, after which an AMAA video was presented focusing on the children, schools, and the summer camps in Armenia, Lebanon, Syria, and the U.S.

Delighting the audience were mezzo-soprano Hasmik Meikhanedjian and pianist and composer Hayk Arsenyan, two New York-based musicians who have performed in many venues. Meikhanedjian, with heartfelt emotion, sang a number of well-known Armenian songs, accompanied by Arsenyan, who also played solos, including a passionate rendition of Khatchaturian’s “Sabre Dance.”

 

Banquet Highlight

Well known California educator and AMAA former president Dr. Joseph Zeronian, and former AMAA Board vice president Peter Kougasian Esq., assistant district attorney under N.Y. District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, shared the honor of introducing the honorees, Edward and Pamela Avedisian.

Dr. Zeronian referred to his mother, who grew up in a German orphanage in Kharpert, as his inspiration. He focused on the crucial importance of education that “followed the tradition of the Bible and those dedicated missionaries.” He pointed out the tremendous accomplishments of the Avedisians, who for the past 20 years have “enhanced the education in Armenia, with the building of the best school in the Malatya-Sepastya district, Yerevan’s poorest community, as well as several other projects. “They have followed the principle that it is more blessed to give than to receive,” he stated.

To the surprise of many, an inspiring example of courage was displayed by Kougasian, who came to the podium, but due to a neurological problem was unable to speak. In a digital text where his speech was recorded, he recalled that on a special family trip to the Mekhitarist Monastery on Venice’s San Lazzaro Island, a non-Armenian tour guide told his son, “You should study a subject until you love it, because only then will it become a model of God’s love. That is the foundation upon which the Avedisian School is built,” Kougasian emphasized. “And when the Avedisians did this, Armenia already had free public school education, and the highest literacy rate of any country in the world.”

The Avedisians created the school for excellence, Kougasian continued. “This school represents a different mission, a belief that is peculiarly Armenian. It is the belief that true excellence in education can lead the sensitive soul on a path to God.”

Edward and Pamela Avedisian, in expressing appreciation, stated that the AMAA is the “major factor in projecting Armenian into the 21^st century, but there still is a tremendous need to expand into many areas.”

Avedisian then introduced honorees Charles (posthumously) and Doreen Bilezikian, who renovated the Avedisian School and playground in Shushi. With great feeling, Doreen Bilezikian described the “deplorable conditions” in the Women’s Hospital in Yerevan, another renovation project undertaken by the Bilezikians.

In recognition of the great philanthropy by both the Avedisians and the Bilezikians, special handmade gifts were presented to them. AMAA President Darakjian presented the Avedisians with a magnificent Michael Aram-designed gift of Noah’s Ark, and AMAA Executive Director/CEO Zaven Khanjian gave Doreen Bilezikian a lovely painting of the Bilezikian couple. The honorees and the AMAA president and executive director/CEO together participated in the cutting of the ceremonial AMAA anniversary cake, which was distributed to all.

Khanjian, who delivered the closing remarks, expressed deep appreciation to all involved in this memorable celebration. Khanjian, who has served as chairman of the West Coast’s Armenia Fund, Americans for Artsakh, and the Merdinian Evangelical School Board, also founded and directed the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF).

He reiterated four promises: To God, the promise is to “stay the course and carry out our mission with renewed vigor and energy all around the globe to our kin and beyond”; to the AMAA members, “a commitment to integrity, accountability, transparency, and full financial disclosure”; to the next generation, “good stewardship, and the availability of resources for the challenging needs of the future”; and “for our people, to impact the spiritual and physical wellbeing of our people in Syria, Artsakh, Armenia, the Near East, Europe, and the Americas.”

The AMAA, “Faithful to Our Legacy and Embracing the Future,” strides forward into its second century. “Embracing the future, let us stride together,” Khanjian declared to a standing ovation.

The evening that will long be remembered came to a conclusion with the Hayr Mer sung by all, and the benediction recited by Armenian Evangelical World Council Executive Director Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian.

AEWC President Rev. Berdj Djambazian eloquently voiced the emotions of many when he said, “I saw one thing that has never died, or vanished in the last 100 years, that of compassion, the ability to enter the skin of hurting, suffering people, feel the pain, and come up with a remedy. The AMAA started, and continues to this day, implementing this compassion through God.”