Egypt District President Berdj Terzian Honored in Cairo

The chairman of AGBU Egypt's District Committee and honorary chairman of AGBU's Cairo Chapter, Berdj Terzian, was recently honored for his long-term commitment and contribution to the Armenian community around the world. On April 24, 2011, following Easter Mass at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Cairo, Terzian received the Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Medal of Honor according to the encyclical issued by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, on October 27, 2010 at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The Sts. Sahag & Mesrob medal is one of the highest honors of the Armenian Church and is awarded for significant achievements in communal, academic, educational, and literary activities dedicated to the Armenian cause and to the Motherland.

Two weeks later, on May 8, around 90 people gathered at the Belekdanian Hall in Cairo to once again honor Berdj Terzian, this time at an award ceremony and cocktail reception. AGBU's Central Board bestowed on Terzian the title of "AGBU Honor Member," which is given to individuals who have rendered extraordinary services to AGBU.

The event, which was organized by AGBU Cairo, was attended by His Grace Bishop Ashot Mnatsaganian, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Egypt; His Grace Bishop Monsignor Krikor Augustinos Coussan, Primate of the Armenian Catholic Community in Egypt; His Excellency Armen Melkonian, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Egypt, and his wife; numerous members of the Cairo Diocesan Council; and many board members of local Armenian institutions, clubs and organizations, as well as the honoree's close friends and relatives.

An introductory address was given by AGBU Cairo chairman Viken Djizmedjian, who also presented the AGBU Honor Member certificate to the distinguished guest. There was a reading of the Pontifical Encyclical by Reverend Father Hagop Hagopian, pastor of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Cairo, and a reading by AGBU's President Berge Setrakian, who shared congratulatory letters addressed to Terzian. Onnig Belekdanian, vice-chairman of AGBU Cairo and member of the AGBU Egypt District Committee, presented Terzian with a commemorative plate on behalf of AGBU Cairo.

Others also spoke and shared their thoughts of Terzian's decades of service, including longtime friend Norayr Deuvletian, Armen Melkonian, His Grace Bishop Monsignor Krikor Augustinos Coussan, and His Grace Bishop Ashot Mnatsaganian. They each praised the work and deeds of Terzian, giving accounts of personal and professional experiences that they had shared with him, and stressing his important work for Armenians everywhere.

Subsequently, the evening's honoree took to the floor to express his gratitude to His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, AGBU President Setrakian, and all members of the AGBU Central Board of Directors. He conveyed his personal appreciation for the bestowment of his distinguished awards, and he thanked everyone in attendance for supporting these distinct honors and coming out to celebrate.

Berdj Terzian has been serving the Armenian Church in Egypt as a member of its Diocesan Council for several decades, as a member of the Diocesan Board of Education, a member of Nubarian School's Board of Trustees, and eventually as the Chairman of the Armenian Apostolic Church's Executive Committee from 2003 to 2006. Terzian is known for his marked contribution to AGBU's Egypt district and Cairo chapter for nearly five decades as a member and a chairman. He is also revered for his vigorous involvement in various Armenian-related editorial activities in both the Armenian and Arabic languages. He is especially noted for his relentless pursuit of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide through his numerous writings and two published books.