Mother of the Year
Honored as the Mother of the Year will be Mrs. Lalig Bayrakdarian, a mother of six children—three sons and three daughters—all successful in their respective fields. Perhaps, the one known most widely is the Metropolitan Opera star, Isabel Bayrakdarian, whose beautiful and charmed voice is recognized throughout the world.

As a close friend of the Bayrakdarian family, Archbishop Oshagan recalls how Mrs. Bayrakdarian lost her husband at a young age and was left to raise her six children—sons, Carlo, Kegham, Ishkhan and daughters Siroon, Marijan, and Isabel. “In spite of her struggle to provide for her family, she continued her service to the church and community in Zahle, Lebanon,” said the Prelate. “And she inspired the same kind of dedication toward the Armenian Church in each of her children. All have grown up serving the church in one capacity or another in various parts of the world: Siroon in Abu Dhabi; Kegham in Canada; Ishkhan in Fresno; Carlo in New York; Marijan in Toronto, and Isabel, whose distinguished career has literally made her a citizen of the world.” By the example of her own life, she has instilled the love of the church and community and the joy of service in her entire family. Even now, when away from her home base Isabel seeks out the nearest Armenian Church and sings with the choir. Isabel makes her contribution with her God-given musical talent; the other children do the same through their respective professions, said Archbishop Oshagan.

Mrs. Bayrakdarian remains very close to all of her children and their families. At one time she used to design and make all of Isabel’s gowns for her performances, and she still continues to design many of them. And Isabel’s highly successful CD, “Joyous Light,” which is a collection of Armenian sacred music, features mother and daughter on one of the selections.

The PLG is honored to have Mrs. Lalig Bayrakdarian as its 2007 Mother of the Year and invites the community to join in this well deserved tribute to this extraordinary woman.

Musical Sounds of Armenia
Musical entertainment will be in two parts. A quartet will provide a medley of Armenian favorites. Members of the quartet, all graduate or current students at Juilliard are: Kinga Augustyn, violin; Alexandr Dzyubinsky, violin, Anush Simonian, viola, and Lilit Kurdiyan, cello. Solo dances, with accompaniment on kanon and piano, will be provided by the talented Raele Sabounjian, a member of the Shushi dance group. Accompanying on the kanon is Izabella Alexadrovsky and on the piano Vagharshak Ohanyan.

PLG at 33
The Prelacy Ladies Guild was established in 1974 by the then Prelate, Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian. For the past thirty-three years the PLG has been a dynamic force and attentive to the needs of the Eastern Prelacy. During the year the PLG is the host of the many receptions at the Prelacy for visiting dignitaries and also a major contributor to the Prelacy’s educational and cultural programs such as the St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute, the Prelacy’s Lenten Lectures series, and Musical Armenia, to mention just a few of the projects that benefit from PLG support.

“The Prelacy Ladies Guild has truly earned the respect and support that is evident in our community,” said Archbishop Oshagan. “They are dedicated and gifted women who serve the Church with devotion. I am very grateful to them.”

Tickets for the luncheon are $120 per person. For information and/or reservations contact the Prelacy office, 212-689-7810.