Angele Karayan Honored for Half Century of Service, Receives St. Nerses the Graceful Medal

Angele Karayan, chairlady of the Alex Manoogian Center Ladies Committee, was honored for her fifty years of service to AGBU at a banquet held on Saturday evening, May 12, 2007 at the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center in Pasadena, California. The highlight of the many tributes paid to her was the bestowal of the influential St. Nerses Shnorhali medal, granted by the Holy See of Etchmiadzin.

Elise Tashjian, vice chairlady of the Ladies Committee, served as mistress of ceremonies for the evening. In presenting the honoree, she commented on Karayan's "unselfish sacrifice and uncompromising service, devotion and caring of many years for the Armenian General Benevolent Union and its Armenian Youth Association." Then she introduced the eighteen members of the Ladies Committee, who were given corsages by the members of the executive committee of the Young Ladies, headed by their chairlady, Silva Nazarethian.

Following remarks by Seta Khatchadurian, one of the active members of the Ladies Committee who has worked with Mrs. Karayan for many years, Cecile Keshishian came forth to present the honoree's extensive biography.

Angele Karayan (nee Demirjian) attended the Cilician Primary School in Aleppo, graduating in 1951. She received her secondary education at the Melkonian Educational Institute of Cyprus, where she participated in athletic, theatrical and scouting activities. Upon her return to Aleppo, she married Karnig Karayan, and they were blessed with three children--Maral, Tamar and Raffi.

Angele became an active member of Aleppo AGBU and AYA, alongside her husband Karnig, who served for many years as chairman of AGBU Educational and District committees. She also founded the Girl Scouts movement of Aleppo AYA and was its leader until her relocation to Beirut, where she was active in that city's AGBU Ladies Committee. Following the Karayans' relocation to the United States, Angele resumed her involvement with AGBU, joining the Ladies Committee of its Glendale-Pasadena chapters in Southern California.

After the tribute, a high-quality artistic program ensued, with pianist Vatche Mankerian performing a few works of Arno Babajanian, followed by a singing performance by Janet Kuyumjian-Ilanjian, a fellow Ladies Committee member, who was accompanied by pianist Levon Aprahamian.

Others who expressed greetings and congratulations on this occasion were Sinan Sinanian, on behalf of the AGBU Central Board of Directors and President Berge Setrakian; Maral Karayan-Vartan, the honoree's daughter who had come especially from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Vahe Imasdounian, Chairman of the Southern California District Committee; and Ani Boyajian, on behalf of the Ladies Committee of the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center.

On this occasion, letters of appreciation and congratulations were sent by Congressman Adam Schiff; the newly elected mayor of Glendale, CA, Ara Najarian; the well-known intellectual and writer from London, UK, Asadour Guzelian; the former prime minister of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian; and Aram Kuyumjian from London, UK.

Then His Grace Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, gave his blessing and proceeded with the unexpected presentation of the St. Nerses Shnorhali medal sent by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. Continuing his remarks, he said, "Congratulations for a job well done. We wish divine blessings upon you and your honorable husband, Mr. Karnig Karayan."