The Grand Ballroom of New York City’s newly renovated Waldorf Astoria was filled to capacity with religious, political, and business leaders on the evening of Monday, September 29, for the Appeal of Conscience Foundation’s 2025 Annual Awards Dinner.
The Foundation was created in 1965 by Rabbi Arthur Schneier to promote understanding and respect among all peoples. The Eastern Diocese has been an active member of the organization since the time of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, and Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan currently sits on the Trustee Advisory Council.
The honorees of the 60th Anniversary Appeal of Conscience 2025 Awards were His Eminence Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, and Tony O. Elumelu, founder and chairman of Heirs Holdings and chair if the United Bank for Africa Group, as well as a several other financial organizations in Nigeria.
Among the distinguished co-chairs and sponsors of the event were Marta and James Batmasian of Florida, and Kevork Atinizian of Boston. Marta Batmasian was the 2024 Appeal of Conscience Award recipient.
Former Primate of the Eastern Diocese Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the longtime Vice President of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, introduced His Excellency Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, who shared greetings from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian represented the Diocese and its Primate at the awards gala. In a new initiative this year, the Diocese extended invitations to young adult leaders.
Pictured above (l-r) are the Diocesan representatives: Kevork Atinizian, Armin Minassian, George Botros, Linda Yenicag, Fr. Odabashian, Christopher Artun, and Christian Khachian. (Missing from the photo is Charles Khachian.)