With this gift, the family also honors its long history with the Cathedral, which dates back to Edward and Louise’s marriage 68 years ago by Rev. Fr. Arsen Simoniantz. Two of their three children were also baptized at St. Illuminator’s.
The gift was made on the occasion of the first anniversary of Louise’s passing, on Sunday, February 12, after Divine Liturgy and the requiem service. Alexander Rodriguez, Edward and Louise’s grandson, made the announcement of the donation on behalf of the Tashjian family.
In a brief ceremony during fellowship hour, presided over by Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, Mr. Rodriguez remembered his grandparents, paid tribute to his family’s history with St. Illuminator’s, and expressed the family’s wish that the funds be used for the betterment of the Cathedral and relief of the Armenians of Artsakh and other places in the world where they are in need. 
The Prelate acknowledged the generosity of the Tashjian family and hailed the memory of Edward and Louise and the example they have set for their progeny and the community.
On behalf of St. Iluminator’s, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor, expressed his gratitude.
“We are deeply grateful to the Tashjian Family for their most generous donation,” Fr. Mesrob said. “The money will help provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to the Armenian people worldwide at one of the most critical times in our history.”
Fr. Mesrob recalled that our people owed many of our achievements to the selfless dedication of many individuals who have supported their fellow Armenians through their Church communities. The Tashjians, he said, were following this noble tradition.
Edward Tashjian had previously contributed to St. Illuminator’s effort to raise funds for wounded Armenian soldiers during the 44-day Artsakh war in 2020.