BY KEVORK KEOSHKERIAN
Translated by Deacon Garen Hamamjian
The St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena celebrated a historic milestone on October 20 when, after the celebration of the Holy Badarak, parishioners gathered for the grand opening of the Musheghian Family Pavilion, under the auspices of Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
The generous benefactors of the Pavilion, the Musheghian family, consists of two brothers’ families, Tommy and Richard. The older brother, Tommy, could not be present for the opening due to his advanced age. However, Richard was present with his wife, Lauren, as well as their children and grandchildren.
Richard Musheghian is a business man with a background as an attorney. He received his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, near San Francisco. He has been a member of St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena for many years and has served the many different organizations of the Church.
On Sunday, October 20, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian performed the Divine Liturgy. In his homily, the Primate made a point to magnify the many virtues of Richard Musheghian, not only as a man, but especially as a faithful Christian and devout member of Pasadena’s St. Gregory Armenian Church.
The Primate also mentioned that he first met Musheghian in the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin in 1999. They had both traveled to attend the enthronement of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of all Armenians. At that time, Archbishop Derderian was the Primate of Canada while Musheghian was representing the Diocesan Council of the Western Diocese.
Following the Holy Badarak, the Primate, accompanied by Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Fr. Moushegh Tashjian, and the Musheghian family were led by the Choir with a procession out of the Church toward the Musheghian Family Pavilion.
Afterward, a beautiful home-blessing service (Dnorhnek) was conducted at the entrance of the Pavilion, after which The Primate and the Musheghian family ceremoniously cut the ribbon and entered the Pavilion with a multitude of guests from the church following right behind them.
There was a brief program led by former chairman of the St. Gregory Parish Council Dr. Kourken Matossian.
Dr. Matossian began the program by welcoming all those who were present that day. He later made a point to remember the Architect of the Pavilion, Sam Yusefian, who had recently passed away. Finally, Dr. Matossian introduced Richard Musheghian, while noting that he has also served on the Hovsepian School Board as a chairperson for 25 years, as well as chairperson for the Diocesan Council and Parish Council of St. Gregory Church.
I should add that Musheghian has also been a Board member of the Armenian Assembly of America, representing the western region.
Finally, Dr. Matossian invited St. Gregory Armenian Church’s Parish council Chair Sarkis Nazerian to say a few words. Nazerian greatly commended Moushegain’s generous work throughout the years while expressing gratitude on behalf of the Parish Council to his family for their enormous dedication and sacrifice.
The Hovsepian Armenian School students truly left an impression on attendees with their uplifting performances. They sang “Pam, Porodan” written by Parsegh Ganachian, as well as “Shogher jan” by Gomidas Vartabed.
When it came time for Musheghian to offer his words to those present, he said, “I am grateful to St. Gregory Armenian Church for giving me the opportunity to serve my community. Thank you also for honoring me today.”
Before the final blessing, the Primate encapsulated everyone’s words in honoring Musheghian by stating that he has rightfully won the respect and love of the Western Diocese through his service.
Finally, the Primate and the Musheghian family members cut the ceremonious cake, after which attendees were invited into the Geragos Hall where the parish had organized a fellowship in celebration of the historic day.
