The Balyan family who served for a century the Ottoman Empire Family was commemorated with a ceremony organized on the mausoleum erected by Hrach-Hagop Kırmızıyan and with the collaboration of HAYCAR in 2016. The ceremony was led by the Patriarchal Locum Tenens Bishop Sahak Mashalyan, with the participation of Reverend Harutyun Damatyan, Archpriest Kirkor Damatyan, Rev. Husik Hergelyan and Rev. Şirvan Mürzyan.
Despite the rainy weather former Mayor of Istanbul architect Dr. Kadir Topbaş, Mayor of Uskudar Hilmi Türkmen, Üsküdar Surp Cross Church Foundation Chairman and HAYCAR members were also present.
In his short speech at the end of the ceremony, Bishop Maşalyan said: “We should remember the saints’ memory of the Balyans who changed the city’s silhouette for future generations. We had the opportunity to meet with the architect Kadir Topbaş who made great contributions to the Balyan Memorial Tomb project on this occasion. Mayor of Uskudar Hilmi Türkmen honored us by participating in your ceremony. Despite the rainy weather, I would like to thank our community and members of the press for protecting our values on this meaningful day.”
