ETCHMIADZIN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians handed on April 22 at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin the "Surb Sahak - Surb Mesrop" order to prominent architecture Jim Torosian and Gegham Grigorian, the Artistic head of the Yerevan Alexander Spendiarian Opera and Ballet National Academic Theater, for their services to the Armenian culture and great contribution. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information Services of the Mother See, the ceremony of giving the orderes was opened by the speech of Archbishop Nerses Pozapalian, the monk of the Mother See. Archbishop Pozapalian touched upon Jim Torosian's and Gegham Grigorian's creative life way and productive work, then thanked His Holiness for the attention constantly paid to Armenian artists and appreciation of cultural figures. Professor Varazdat Haroutiunian and poet Seyran Zakarian presented their thoughts about Jim Torosian's and Gegham Grigorian's life and activity. Then the Patriarchal holy condacks were brought and read by Bishop Arshak Khachatrian and Bishop Paren Avetikian under the sounds of the "Ej Miatsinn i Hore" church song. "Dear Mr.Torosian, great and valuable is Your contribution in life of our people. The productive activity of long years that blessed by the God, has been resulted with valuable implementations, worthly classified Your name near famous names of the Armenian architecture. ... We touch upon with special satisfaction Your services to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin which are expressions of Your sensere love and devotion towards our spiritual holy place. Being a member of the Architectural Council of the Mother See, You assist as much as possible to construction programs implemented by the Mother See, using Your professional abilities for restoration of our historic monasteries and and construction of new churches and church buildings," is said in the Patriarchal condack. "Today we touch upon with great satisfaction Your cultural activity and productive contribution of years. Your name as a winner of numerous competitions is widely known in the Fatherland and out of its borders. ... Today You continue Your significant cultural activity with the same productiveness, as the Artistic Head of the Yerevan A.Spendiarian Opera and Ballet National Academic Theater, putting in Your skills and abilities in making the Opera and Ballet National Academic Theater more prosperous as well in the thankful affair of developing the music culture," is mentioned in the condack addressed to Gegham Grigorian. After the condacks were read, His Holiness decorated Jim Torosian and Gegham Grigorian with the "Surb Sahak-Surb Mesrop" order. After giving the orders, Jim Torosian and Gegham Grigorian said the world of their heart to those present. The ceremony was closed by the speech of the Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness again appreciated Jim Torosian's and Gegham Grigorian's devotiom, love and faithfulness shown by the productive activity towards the Armenian people and the Armenian Apostolic Surb Church.

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