National Hero of Armenia is the highest title in the Republic of Armenia. The law on the title has been in effect since April 22, 1994. The highest title is awarded for outstanding services of national importance to the Republic of Armenia in defense and strengthening of the state system and creation of important national values. Those who are awarded the title also receive an Order of Fatherland. The first recipient of the title was Vazgen I

Vazgen I

His Holiness Vazgen I was the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 1955 and 1994, in one of the longest reigns of the Armenian Catholicoi. A native of Romania, he began his career as a philosopher, before becoming a Doctor of Theology and a member of the local Armenian clergy...

. Later on, the title was awarded to Viktor Hambardzumyan

Viktor Hambardzumyan

Viktor Hambardzumyan was a Soviet Armenian scientist, and one of the founders of theoretical astrophysics. He worked in the field of physics of stars and nebulae, stellar astronomy, dynamics of stellar systems and cosmogony of stars and galaxies, contributed to Mathematical physics...

. On May 28, 2004, Charles Aznavour

Charles Aznavour

Charles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...

 and Kirk Kerkorian

Kirk Kerkorian

Kerkor "Kirk" Kerkorian is an American businessman who is the president/CEO of Tracinda Corporation, his private holding company based in Beverly Hills, California. Kerkorian is known as one of the important figures in shaping Las Vegas and, with architect Martin Stern, Jr...

 also received the title.

Recipients

• Vazgen I
  Vazgen I
  His Holiness Vazgen I was the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 1955 and 1994, in one of the longest reigns of the Armenian Catholicoi. A native of Romania, he began his career as a philosopher, before becoming a Doctor of Theology and a member of the local Armenian clergy...
  
  
• Viktor Hambardzumyan
  Viktor Hambardzumyan
  Viktor Hambardzumyan was a Soviet Armenian scientist, and one of the founders of theoretical astrophysics. He worked in the field of physics of stars and nebulae, stellar astronomy, dynamics of stellar systems and cosmogony of stars and galaxies, contributed to Mathematical physics...
  
  
• Alex Manoogian
  Alex Manoogian
  Alexander "Alex" Manoogian was an Armenian-American industrial engineer, businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who had most of his career in Detroit, Michigan. He and his wife Marie donated their home to the city, which uses the Manoogian Mansion as the mayoral residence...
  
  
• Charles Aznavour
  Charles Aznavour
  Charles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...
  
  
• Kirk Kerkorian
  Kirk Kerkorian
  Kerkor "Kirk" Kerkorian is an American businessman who is the president/CEO of Tracinda Corporation, his private holding company based in Beverly Hills, California. Kerkorian is known as one of the important figures in shaping Las Vegas and, with architect Martin Stern, Jr...
  
  
• Monte Melkonian
  Monte Melkonian
  Monte Melkonian was a famed Armenian commander during Nagorno-Karabakh war. Melkonian had no prior service record in any country's army before being placed in command of an estimated 4,000 men in the war...
  
  
• Vazgen Sargsyan
• Jivan Abrahamyan
• Vitya Ayvazyan
• Movses Gorgisyan
  Movses Gorgisyan
  Moses Gorgisyan led nationalist demonstrations in Yerevan which led to him being jailed in 1988. He received the highest title in Armenia, the National Hero of Armenia award. He also was an editor of the Armenian edition of Glasnost magazine.- References :...
  
  
• Tatul Krpeyan
  Tatul Krpeyan
  Tatul Krpeyan was the commander of self-defance in Getashen-Martunashen district in Khanlar region of Karabakh during the Nagorno-Karabakh war, from September 1990 until May 1991....
  
  
• Geghaznik Mikaelyan
• Yura Poghosyan
• Shahen Meghrian
  Shahen Meghrian
  Shahen Zinavori Meghrian was an Armenian military commander and political activist, National Hero of Armenia....
  
  

External links

• State Awards in the Republic of Armenia