His Holiness Catholicos Aram I bestowed the prestigious St. Mesrob Mashdots insignia upon sculptor Vartan Avessian and guitarist Megerdich Mikayelian in a special ceremony organized by the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA) on Thursday, February 15th, 2024, at the Hall of the Cilicia Museum.
ACUSA member Gali Avakian delivered the opening remarks, while the biographies of Avessian and Mikayelian were eloquently presented by Tamar Snabian-Sourdjian and Dr. Eddie Torikian, respectively. The event featured musical interludes and a poetry recitation by talented young artists.
After reading the pontifical encyclicals issued to the artists on this occasion, His Holiness Aram I decorated the artists with the insignia, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to the Armenian culture. The ceremony concluded with His Holinessā pontifical speech, in which he extended heartfelt congratulations and emphasized the pivotal role of cultural enrichment. He asserted that culture shapes a nation’s self-understanding and self-recognition, and he portrayed artists as ambassadors who foster dialogue among nations, bridge heaven, and earth, and translate divine values into our earthly existence.
