On May 27, hundreds of ex-citizens of Tehran of Armenian descent had gathered in the newly built hall of the Bashir Martirosyan Youth Center of Burbank to greet Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran, Archbishop Sepuh Sarkisian, as reported the Armenian Diocese of Tehran to Hayern Aysor.

The public meeting was sponsored by Primate of the U.S. Western Diocese, Archbishop Mushegh Martirosyan, organized by a group of Armenians of Tehran and hosted by the “Nigol Aghbalian” Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun. Homenetmen’s “Sipan” Chapter and the Armenian Relief Society had generously collaborated with the Committee.

Gevorg Abulian read the opening speech and expressed his gratitude to the gathered.

Member of the ARF-D “Nigol Aghbalian” Committee Vardan Derderian gave his welcoming remarks.

The next part of the program included performances of two songs by Suren Mkrtchyan, soloist of the Armenian National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet.

Editor of Glendale’s Orakarg (Agenda) newspaper Zareh Ajemian touched upon Sepuh Sarkisian’s life and career in detail and especially emphasized the social, religious, inter-ecclesiastical and interreligious activities that he has carried out while serving as the Prime of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran.

Noting that the ceremony was organized ahead of May 28^th (Republic Day of Armenia), talented young reciter Dro Mandani filled the atmosphere with the revolutionary spirit with the poem “Bazen Tsirani” by Seto Gojamanian.

The event featured performances of three songs by Lilian Avagian’s choir of Homenetmen Glendale’s Ararat Chapter.

Afterwards, talented reciter Shaghik Isakhanian recited the poem “About Mashtots” by Vahagn Davtyan.

After the performances, the master of ceremonies Robert Margarian expressed gratitude to Archbishop Mushegh Martirosyan for organizing the special event to enjoy the presence of Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran, Archbishop Sepuh Sarkisian and called him to the stage to give a speech.

In his speech, His Holiness Mushegh welcomed His Holiness Sepuh and expressed his joy for his visit to the U.S. Western Diocese.

Archbishop Mushegh Martirosyan praised the event and attached importance to the role that the former Iranian-Armenians and particularly the Armenians of Tehran play in the community. In closing, His Holiness called Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran, Archbishop Sepuh Sarkisian to the stage to address the hundreds of former Armenians of Iran who had come to greet him.

In his speech, His Holiness Sepuh expressed his gratitude to the Primate of the U.S. Western Diocese for inviting him and expressed his joy for the event that served as a beautiful occasion to meet with the former Armenians of Iran.

His Holiness considered the geographical shifts of people a natural phenomenon, emphasized the importance of staying clung to roots and said the following: “A person misses that which he loves. If we miss our homeland, that longing is an expression of love and connection. If you long for Tehran or Iran, it means you love and stay connected to that country and your community.”

In his speech, His Holiness Sepuh touched upon the role of the Armenians of Iran, considered the Iranians and Armenians friendly neighbors with the same roots and added that even though they have been at war against each other in some periods of history, that has been temporary and has led to a deep and centuries-old friendship.

His Holiness also touched upon the recent war in Artsakh and attached importance to the need to maintain the vision of regaining the lands of Western Armenia that were seized and restoring the borders of Western and Eastern Armenia.

The public meeting ended with a performance of the Armenian song “Kilikia” by Anahit Keshishian, who was joined by the audience.

After the official part of the ceremony, the attendees had a chance to talk to His Holiness and receive his blessing.