Mother See Hosts Ceremony for Opening of Hovaness Chilingiryan Library and Award Presentation

On October 22, under the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Hovhannes Chilingirian Library was solemnly inaugurated in the Komitas Hall of the Gevorgian Theological Seminary.

The establishment of the library was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the late prominent Armenian’s daughters, Shamir Avagyan Chilingirian and Ani Srmakesh Chilingirian. The library houses a collection of unique and rare books belonging to Hovhannes Chilingirian.

The ceremonial opening began with a prayer. On this occasion, His Holiness Karekin II awarded Mr. and Mrs. Hakob and Shamir Avagyan the highest honor of the Armenian Apostolic Church — the Order of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.

Mr. Ruben Mirzakhanian highlighted the life and noble achievements of the late luminary. Then, amid the chanting of the hymn “The Descent of the Only-Begotten Son from the Father”, the Patriarchal sacred kondak and awards were brought into the hall.

The Director of the Administrative and Economic Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Grace Bishop Mushegh Babayan, read the Patriarchal kondak, which included the following:

“Dear Mr. Hakob Avagyan,

…Your love for Holy Etchmiadzin, together with your wife Shamir, has played a key role in establishing the ‘Ruben Sevak’ Museum under the auspices of the Mother See, which showcases archival materials and personal belongings of the distinguished Armenian who became a victim of the Genocide, as well as the invaluable artistic collection of the late Hovhannes Chilingirian.
…You have made a significant contribution to founding the Hovhannes Chilingirian Library, which will provide clergy and seminary students the opportunity to engage with these unique and rare books, supporting their education and spiritual formation.”
After the reading of the kondak, the Catholicos of All Armenians presented the highest Church award to the benefactor, once again offering his blessing and best wishes. On behalf of the family, Mrs. Shamir Avagyan expressed her gratitude to His Holiness.

The event featured performances by young musicians from Armenia’s “New Names” program. The ceremony concluded with the Guardian Prayer, recited by His Holiness Karekin II.