17 March 2016. On Thursday evening, on the occasion of “2016: Year of Service,” Catholicos Aram I honoured Hrayr Dzerounian, a long-serving member of his Parish Church Council and renowned master jeweller-craftsman. Bishop Shahé Panossian, Prelate of Lebanon, clergy, members of the Diocesan Council, representatives of Parish Councils, Mr Dzernounian’s family and friends attended the event.

Before the reading of the Pontifical Letter of Recognition and Blessing, His Holiness Aram I addressed Mr Dzernounian. He commended him for the humility, integrity and devotion with which he has served the Church for 50 years; he described him as a master craftsman who has continued creating in the great tradition of Armenian culture in the decorative art of religious designs and crafts; and he thanked Mr Dzernounian for mentoring and inspiring generations of new jeweller-craftsmen.

After the reading of the Pontifical Message of Commendation, Hrayr Dzernounian thanked Catholicos Aram I for the special honour, and offered him a special gift, the “Cross of the Martyrs,” which he had specifically designed and carved for the Catholicos. Mr Dzernounian asked His Holiness to consider using this cross, which portrays the Armenian Genocide, to bless the people during the memorial service of the martyrs on 24 April.