On the evening of October 15, during a special dinner and reception at the Diocesan Center in New York, the Eastern Diocese and the Fund for Armenian Relief honored FAR’s longtime Executive Director, Garnik Nanagoulian.
Diocesan Primate and President of FAR Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan presided over the gathering of Diocesan leaders and FAR Board members, who paid tribute to the honoree on his retirement after more than 20 years at the helm of the Eastern Diocese’s humanitarian relief and developmental organization.
In his time as the public face of FAR, Garnik perfectly captured the spirit of the organization: dignified, compassionate, trustworthy; always approachable, and ever ready to act. These qualities were magnified by Garnik’s own gentle demeanor and extensive professional experience.
Following a distinguished diplomatic career in Armenia’s foreign service, Ambassador Nanagoulian took on the position of Executive Director at a critical moment in FAR’s history. Under the guidance, support, and vision of FAR’s energetic Board of Directors, his tenure was a time of unprecedented advancement for the organization and the people it serves.
FAR’s long-serving Board Chairman, Randy Sapah-Gulian, was the master of ceremonies for the dinner, warmly extolling Garnik’s contributions to FAR’s mission, and the extensive legacy he leaves behind.
Bishop Mesrop reflected on the esteem in which Garnik is held by all who know him. “Beyond being an effective organizational leader, Garnik has also been a great friend to his colleagues at FAR and the Diocesan Center, whose counsel on professional and personal matters was always highly valued,” he said. “As he retires from FAR, we can be sure that this spirit of friendship and affection will endure among his colleagues, the members of the Board, and everyone who has come into contact with Garnik over the past decades.”
He concluded: “On behalf of the Eastern Diocese, I want to express my deep gratitude to this dear son of the Armenian Church. May our risen Lord strengthen Garnik in all his endeavors, bless him and his family, and continue to inspire him to grace our church and nation with his devotion and love.”