WASHINGTON, DC - The Cultural Hall of St. Mary Armenian Church here was the festive scene of a banquet honoring Ambassador and Mrs. Arman Kirakossian on October 21, as some 200 parishioners gathered to pay tribute to the Republic of Armenia's envoy to the United States.

The event began with the presentation of the American and the Armenian flags as the youth of the parish marched in to the tune of "Sardarabad." The traditional presentation of "bread and salt" followed, with Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian, pastor, offering a special prayer for the Republic of Armenia. The singing of the American and Armenian national anthems followed. Among the honored guests were Congresswoman Constance Morella, who represents the 8th District of Maryland, where many of the parishioners live; His Excellency Harry Gilmore, the first American Ambassador to Armenia, both of whom delivered remarks; and officers and staff from the Armenian Embassy.

Acting as Master of Ceremonies, Father Kalayjian established the convivial atmosphere of the evening with an approach that combined a buoyancy of spirit with esteem for the guest of honor as he introduced the various speakers. Parish Council Chairman Souny Kodjanian welcomed the guests and spoke of the close ties between the Armenian Embassy and the community and wished everyone an enjoyable evening, which included poetry and song.

With vocal and piano selections by Lilit Vardanian, Levon Michaelian and Michael Michaelian, the audience was treated to a feast of Gomidas and popular song and music.

Deacon Tavit Dekermenjian gave a recitation and a song with piano accompaniment by Mr. Boghos Zulikian. Yervand Kristosturyan played a piece on the piano from Tchaikovsky. The audience responded to the program with great appreciation.

Congresswoman Morella -- about whom Father Kalayjian said: "Speaking as a Democrat, she is my favorite Republican" -- was presented by staff aide Rosemary Arkoian, and received an especially warm welcome and prolonged applause from the audience in recognition of her support in the House of Representatives for the Armenian Genocide Resolution (later shelved by the Speaker). Ms. Morella spoke of her recent trip to Armenia, recognizing the tribulations of a young republic emerging from the grip of the former Soviet Union and burdened with the problem of Karabagh.

Ambassador Gilmore was introduced as the keynote speaker by his longtime friend and former fellow diplomat Edward Alexander, who said the Ambassador's superb performance in Yerevan was evidence of the State Department's wisdom in having assigned him to Armenia. Mr. Gilmore recalled his first contacts with the guest of honor when Dr. Kirakossian was Acting Foreign Minister in 1993, and cited some of the aspects which made him virtually unique in diplomacy -- for instance, having a Ph.D. degree and having written a book on British policy towards Armenia. He reviewed the Ambassador's diplomatic career, such as his most recent post in Athens where he served for six years, and spoke also of his penchant for languages and music.

Father Kalayjian then introduced the guest of honor and picked up from the complimentary remarks made by Mr. Gilmore, who referred to Dr. Kirakossian as a seasoned diplomat. Der Hayr stressed the fact that he is the worthy son of John Kirakossian, the late Foreign Minister of Armenia during Garen Demirchian's administration. The publication of father Kirakossian's volumes on the Armenian Question and Western diplomacy was an event far more significant than at the time it was acknowledged.

Prior to assuming his present position, Dr. Kirakossian served as Armenia's Ambassador to Greece from July 1994 to October 1999. In March 1999 he also assumed the duties of the Dean of Diplomatic Corps in Athens, Greece. Dr. Kirakossian was also accredited to Cyprus, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. From 1991 to 1994, he served as First Deputy Foreign Minister, and, from October 1992 to February 1993, he held the post of Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, following Mr. Raffi Hovannisian.

Before embarking on a diplomatic career at the Foreign Ministry of Armenia, Ambassador Kirakossian held several high-level academic positions at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences. He was Associate Director of the Armenian Diaspora Studies Department from 1990 to 1991, and served on the Advisory Panel on Science and International Relations in the Armenian government from 1986 to 1990. He was Senior Fellow, then Project Director at the Center of Scientific Information for Social Sciences at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences from 1980 to 1986. In November 1999, he earned the degree of Doctor of Sciences in History. Dr. Kirakossian is the author of books and more than 100 scientific publications. His recent full-length book deals with British diplomacy and the Armenian Question. A book (in Armenian), which Fr. Kalayjian said he enjoyed reading over the summer while vacationing.

Then he invited Dr. Kirakossian, who responded to the accolades, in his endearing modesty, by expressing appreciation on behalf of his wife Susanna Kirakossian and himself.

On behalf of the parish, Fr. Kalayjian presented the ambassador and his wife with a personal gift of the recently published Divine Liturgy book. Mr. Gilmore was presented with the two volumes of H.F.B. Lynch's Armenia: Travel and Studies. In addition to the staff of the Armenian Embassy, the Hon. Vardan Barseghian, Representative of the Republic of Artsakh was also present and he was welcomed with a heartfelt applause. Part of the proceeds was presented to the embassy. A stirring closing message was given by His Grace Bp. Viken Aikazian, the Diocesan Legate, who closed the event with a benediction. It was another memorable first for the Washington community.