Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Keynote Speaker at Armenian Studies Banquet

By Matthew Maroot Staff Writer

Over 350 honored guests, faculty, distinguished community members and students gathered on the evening of Thursday, December 10, 1998 to attend the California State University, Fresno Armenian Studies Program’s Thirteenth Annual Banquet.

The guest of honor was His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. This year, the evening began with a reception celebrating the exhibit in the Lyles Gallery of the John Wright Theatre by Ara F. “Corky” Normart, Jr. titled, “The Dome of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.” Normart, a Fresno resident, designed the newly restored dome of what is the holiest site in all of Christendom.

The original dome, constructed in the mid-1800s, was double-walled and of Russian design. Through the years, earthquakes, fires and warfare left the dome severely damaged. Then in 1970, the outer and inner walls of the dome were removed in anticipation of its restoration. The original framework was found to be still intact and structurally sound. Financed by an individual from New York, the restoration project took two and a half years to complete. The restoration, however, would not have been complete without the support of Archbishop Manoogian. “His approval, acceptance, and support were absolutely essential to the project,” Normart said.

After the reception, the attendees moved to the Satellite Student Union where they were greeted by Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, Haig and Isabel Berberian Professor of Armenian Studies and Director of the Armenian Studies Program. Following an invocation by the Very Reverend Father Sasoon Vartabed Zumrookhdian, Pastor of Saint Paul Armenian Church, guests viewed a slide show titled, “Jerusalem: The Holy City,” prepared by Arlene Srabian, of the Armenian Studies Program Advisory Board and Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program.

While guests enjoyed a dinner of braised-lamb shanks prepared by University Catering and guest chef Stanley Kooyumjian, Steve Samuelian, District Director for Congressman George Radanovich, introduced several of the distinguished guests present at the banquet: State Senator Chuck Poochigian, Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson, Fresno City Councilmen Garry Bredefeld, Dan Ronquillo, Sal Quintero, and Fresno County Sheriff Richard Pierce. In addition, Samuelian thanked the Benefactors and Patrons of the Armenian Studies Program for their generous support and extended a special token of gratitude to Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, who for 22 years has worked to bring the Armenian Studies Program the success that it enjoys today. “We are the largest Armenian Studies Program in the United States. We have three full-time faculty members, more than any other university. And we have and always have had the largest number of students to teach. Therefore, on the map of Armenian academics, Fresno State is number one in terms of the size of the Program,” Dr. Kouymjian said.

Dr. Sasan Rahmatian, Professor of Information Systems at Fresno State provided musical entertainment for the evening on the piano, and the Armenian Community School of Fresno Choir performed under the direction of music teacher Shogakat Papoyan.

Fresno State President Dr. John Welty also spoke at the banquet. In addressing Archbishop Manoogian, Dr. Welty declared, “This is one of the most significant nights in the history of our university. Your presence here at the Thirteenth Annual Banquet signifies not only to this Program, but to the university, the importance of the work we do here.”

Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, born in Iraq, went to Jerusalem as a young man where he received his education at the Patriarchate of St. James, the very monastery of which he is now the head. He then was sent to the United States where he served in various locations as a parish priest. In describing Archbishop Manoogian’s responsibilities as Patriarch, Dr. Kouymjian described him as a church “CEO,” being responsible for finances, buildings, mortgages, lands, responsible for a seminary, getting students in the seminary proper training. “In addition to all of that, he has a responsibility that no CEO has, he must be the spiritual leader of his people.” Dr. Kouymjian went on to add: “He must not only set a high spiritual example himself, but he must ensure that there is a continuity in the spiritual life of a nation that goes back pretty far,” Dr. Kouymjian said.

In his address, Archbishop Manoogian said, “It is difficult to talk about Armenians in Jerusalem in a brief time. However, I will limit myself by saying that the education, the cultural work that is being done in this college, in Fresno, is an expression of the spirit that we call the Armenian spirit.” His Beatitude spoke of the history of the Armenian Church, and its place in the history of Christianity. He also underlined the ability of the Armenian people to uphold their religion in the face of adversity. “The test of the faith of the Armenian people, the devotion to the spirit of God-given talents in all arts came in 451 when the Persians, who had occupied one-half of Armenia, tried to force the Armenians to forget, to deny Christ, and come back to fire worship, to Zoroastrianism. And the Armenian answer was ready, very simple. No,” said Archbishop Manoogian.

Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson expressed his appreciation to Archbishop Manoogian for his visit and presented him with an official “Key to the City.” Later, Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian recognized the 1998-1999 Armenian Studies Program Scholarship Recipients and the evening concluded with a final Benediction from Archbishop Manoogian. The evening was filled with pride and appreciation not only for the Archbishop, but for the success of the Armenian Studies Program as well.