NEW YORK, NY—One of the much-awaited harbingers of spring is the annual Mothers’ Day Luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG). This year, it took place on May 7 in the elegant chandeliered roof garden ballroom of New York’s famed St. Regis Hotel, with more than 125 in attendance.

Heading the list of dignitaries were Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America; Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy; 2007 Mother of the Year, Mrs. Lalik Bayrakdarian and her family; acclaimed Metropolitan Opera diva Lucine Amara, the well-known singer Isabel Bayrakdarian who was a featured soloist at the Metropolitan Opera this season, and noted concert pianist Lucy Ishkanian.

A warm welcome was extended to the guests by Iris Papazian, Communications Director of the Prelacy, on behalf of the Prelacy Ladies Guild. Noting that the PLG Mothers’ Day luncheon has always attracted guests from the tri-state area, she welcomed a contingent from Pennsylvania and Rhode Island as well.

The Prelate, whose 40th anniversary of ordination is being celebrated this year, eloquently paid tribute to motherhood. “Our hopes, dreams, happiness and even our pain, are entwined with our mothers,” he said. “She never leaves our thoughts. She has given us our life and its meaning.”

motherhood is in danger. Without mothers, there is no Armenian community,” he declared, introducing the 2007 Mother of Year, Mr. Lalik Bayrakdarian.

Mrs. Bayrakdarian who single-handedly raised six children after the early death of her husband, was surrounded at the podium by three of her daughters, Isabel, Maroujan, Siroon, and her son Carlo. In an elegant speech she first and foremost thanked God for his many gifts. She thanked Archbishop Oshagan and the Prelacy Ladies Guild for the honor. “For me motherhood has been a gift,” she said with emotion. “For me, every day is Mother’s Day.”

Recalling the family’s difficult early days in Beirut, she emphasized that the Armenian Church was the “foundation of our hopes. It was the unconditional support system that helped us through all our travails. I have always instilled in my children love and respect for our church.” She said that she and her children are witness to the strength and power of God. She emphasized her reliance on the message in the Gospels saying that if there is any secret to her success as a mother, it is because of biblical guidance.

Following the delicious filet mignon dinner, the guests were entertained with “Musical Sounds of Armenia,” by four graduates of the renowned Juilliard School of music: violinists Kinga Augustyn and Alexandr Dzubinsky, violist Anush Simonian and cellist Lilit Kudiyan. Also performing beloved Armenian melodies were Isabella Alexandrovsky on the kanon, accompanied on the piano by Vagharshag Ohanyan, with a graceful solo dance performed by Raele Sabounjian.

Following raffle drawings of lovely donated gifts, the Prelate whose invocation had opened the memorable event, offered the closing prayer.

Members of the Prelacy Ladies Guild include: Seda Andrikian, Sima Artinoff, Marion Boudakian, Linda Chirinian, Lillian Hairabedian, Gemma Melik Vartanian, Lilian Merdinian, Diana Minassian, Seta Nalbandian, Annie Pampanini, Anna Piliguian, Lucille Sahagian, Anna Semerdjian, Silvia Setrakian, Ovsanna Tatarian, Rita Tatevossian, Silva Zadourian