National Hero of Armenia (Armenian: Հայաստանի ազգային հերոս, romanized: Hayastani azgayin heros) is the highest title in Armenia. The law on the title was signed by President Levon Ter-Petrosyan on 22 April 1994.[1] It 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." Along with the title, its recipients receive the Order of Fatherland.[2] It was created as the Armenian successor to the Hero of the Soviet Union award, which was abolished upon independence of Armenia.
| National Hero of Armenia Armenian: Հայաստանի ազգային հերոս | |
|---|---|
The Order of Fatherland
| |
| 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 |
| Country |  Armenia |
| Presented by | President of Armenia |
| Eligibility | Armenian citizens, foreign citizens and stateless persons |
| Status | Active |
| Established | April 1, 1994 |
| First awarded | July 28, 1994 |
| Last awarded | January 27, 2021 |
| Total | 27 |
Ribbon of the Order of Fatherland
| |
The first recipient of the title was Catholicos Vazgen I, the head of the Armenian church, who received it on 28 July 1994.
This is a table of persons who were awarded the 'National Hero of Armenia':[3][4]
| Date | Recipient | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 28 July 1994 | Vazgen I | Catholicos of All Armenians |
| 11 October 1994 | Viktor Hambardzumyan | scientist |
| 14 October 1994 | Alex Manoogian | businessman, philanthropist |
| 20 September 1996 | Movses Gorgisyan | activist, politician |
| 20 September 1996 | Geghaznik Mikaelyan [hy; ru] | military commander |
| 20 September 1996 | Monte Melkonian | military commander |
| 20 September 1996 | Tatul Krpeyan | military commander |
| 20 September 1996 | Vitya Ayvazyan [hy; ru] | activist, politician |
| 20 September 1996 | Jivan Abrahamyan [hy; ru] | military commander |
| 20 September 1996 | Yura Poghosyan [hy; ru] | military commander |
| 27 December 1999 | Karen Demirchyan | politician |
| 27 December 1999 | Vazgen Sargsyan | politician |
| 27 May 2004 | Kirk Kerkorian | businessman, philanthropist |
| 27 May 2004 | Charles Aznavour | singer, philanthropist |
| 5 December 2008 | Nikolai Ryzhkov | politician |
| 9 October 2017 | Eduardo Eurnekian | business, philanthropist |
| 30 December 2017 | Ohannes Tchekidjian | conductor, composer |
| 18 August 2020 | Ruben Sanamyan | military commander |
| 27 August 2020 | Hrayr Hovakimyan | cardio-surgeon |
| 15 October 2020 | Vahagn Asatryan | military commander |
| 22 October 2020 | Tiran Khachatryan | military commander |
| 22 October 2020 | Andranik Piloyan [hy] | military commander |
| 27 January 2021 | Tatul Ghazaryan [hy] | military commander |
| 27 January 2021 | Hrachia Andreasyan [hy] | military commander |
| 27 January 2021 | Gurgen Dalibaltayan | military commander |
| 8 May 2021 | Arkady Ter-Tatevosyan | military commander |