Posted: 7th May 2004
Archbishop Gorun Babian, Catholicosal Vicar of the Prelacy of Kuwait and Arabian Gulf Countries pays official visit to Armenians of Qatar.
Based on previous arrangements, Archbishop Gorun Babian arrived
In the airport, Archbishop Babian was welcomed in the VIP lounge by the Lebanese Consul and by Mr. Arsen Hallajian, a prominent Armenian who has been living in the country for the last forty years. Der Aram Deyirmenjian (from UAE) joined the Delegation.
On the evening of the first day Archbishop Babian was invited to have dinner in the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Shahen Shahsouvarian, together with many of the Community members. It has to be mentioned here that Archbishop Babian has already visited the Qatari Armenians twice during the last one year, for the purpose of organizing the Armenian Community life there. During those visits he has also met with leaders of the Anglican, Catholic and
Armenian Holy Mass was conducted on 30th April afternoon in the Coptic Church. This was the second time that an Archbishop of Armenian Church attends Holy Mass in Qatar (Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian visited Doha three years ago and presided Holy Mass ceremony in the same Coptic Church of Doha, on 26 April 2001, as Catholicosal Vicar of the Prelacy of Kuwait and Arabian Gulf Countries).
Qatari Armenians have come from many countries including
Taking the opportunity of conducting Badarak in
In the evening Qatari Armenians invited the Archbishop and his Delegation to a dinner in “Marriott” Doha Hotel. The opening word was delivered by Mr. Arsen Hallajian. The children of the Community, under the supervision of Mrs. Maggie Kouzoumjian, performed a cultural program. Archbishop Babian delivered his speech to the attendants and mentioned that, based on his information, the number of Armenians in
Archbishop Babian called the present and absent members of the Community to cooperate with the National Authority and to organize the Community life of Qatari Armenians, especially to open a weekly school that will teach the children our mother tongue and will help to preserve our generations in the Diaspora.
On 30th April 2004, Archbishop Babian and ten Qatari Armenian, with their spouses, were invited to an official Reception in the residence of the Lebanese Ambassador Mr. Hasan Saad. Ambassador Saad highly praised the contribution of the Lebanese Armenians in
Archbishop Babian thanked the Ambassador for caring for all official procedures related to his arrival and movements in