On Saturday, April 5, 2014, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, conducted the opening of the new Brotherhood building at the Seminary in Bikfaya, with the participation of Brotherhood members from Catholicosate Prelacies around the world, Central Executive members, representatives of community organizations, benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Hrair and Maggie Soghomonian, and donors. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, participated in the ceremony.
Speaking on the new structure, His Holiness stated that no matter how beautiful a building is it has no value until it serves a valuable purpose. In the past one hundred years, members of the Holy of Cilicia Brotherhood lived through harrowing times, from Genocide, to exile, to displacement and poverty. Due to the severe financial strains in Antelias and the pressing needs of our communities at the time, Brotherhood members lived in the most meager of conditions. Even as recent as a couple of decades ago, three to four Brotherhood members would share one room. Despite all this, said His Holiness, they never became discouraged. On the contrary, they served with even greater dedication, because service is the calling and mission of clergymen.
His Holiness continued, stating that a genuine benefactor is one who gives without the expectation of desire for glory and honor, one who gives to a noble cause and contributes to the advancement of our church and nation. Hrair and Maggie Soghomonian are such benefactors. Their generosity encompasses Armenia, Karabakh, Lebanon, Kessab, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, and they undertook the sponsorship of this costly endeavor without hesitation. They are a great example of exemplary sponsors, concluded His Holiness.
After the ceremony, Seminary students enhanced the already festive mood with religious and national songs.