Wednesday, October 31, 2007
THE HISTORIC VICTORY by Dr. Gevork Kherlopian
October 10, 2007 is registered in the history as a great day, as a Great V Day. It symbolizes the victory of great humanitarian expectations born more than a century ago. It realizes dreams drawn decades ago. It unites people of good will scattered all over the world. It is the victory of good over evil.
The Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106) of The US House Foreign Affairs Committee is the victory of all diplomats and pressmen (American, German, English, Italian, Russian, Austrian, French, Spanish, Latin American Swiss and others) accredited in The Ottoman Empire and the Turkish Republic who in the duration of their services reported detailed information about the atrocities of the Turkish Governments committed in regards to their subjects. They not only took photographs of the sceneries of torture not only reported the facts, but also systematically recorded them creating the objective history of Turkish atrocities. The majority of the diplomats in the bottom of their hearts believed that their work will in the near future be gratified by the civilized world, by historians, politicians, diplomats, jurists and sociologists of future generations.
The Resolution is the victory of all those missionaries, religious and medical workers who endangering their lives reported about the cruelties they witnessed in Turkey during the last decades of the 19th and the first quarter of the 20th century.
They depicted the discriminations, persecutions, mass deportations, massacres and the Genocide of the Armenians living in the Empire. They gathered the Armenian orphans in orphanages giving them the chance to speak to the world about their great tragedy and odyssey. They bravely witnessed before legal, political, religious international organizations about their experience.
The Resolution is the victory of all those courageous leaders and followers of the Mohammedan faith who openly condemned, criticized the Genocide of the Armenians perpetrated by the Turkish Governments. They confessed that their religion has nothing in common with the teachings of the Genocide perpetrators.. The Sharif of Mecca and the King of the Arab Lands Al Husayn Ibn Ali in 1917 issued a decree in protection of the Armenians. Many Islam even execrated and anathematized the leaders of the organization Union and Progress who declared Jihad.
The Resolution is the victory of those citizens of Turkey who ignoring the political limitations sanctioned by the government and the severe punishments imposed, revealed their non-Turkish and non-Islamic origin, the odyssey of their alienation, and the tragedy of the loss of their national identity. They actually depicted all the elements of Genocide perpetrated by the Turkish elite. They also witnessed to the world the existence in Turkey the presence of millions of forcefully converted citizens who confess their Armenian, Greek, Assyrian identity.
The Resolution is the victory of all those individuals, groups, parties and organizations who, despite all odds, believed in the victory of democratic principles, high moral values, truth and justice. Thousands of Turks, Albanians, Arabs, Armenians, Bulgarians, Greeks, Hungarians, Jews, Rumanians, Serbs and representatives of other nationalities fought and died for the establishment of a democratic Turkey, for the Westernization of the country. Many minorities in Turkey struggled for the recognition of their national, religious, social and economic rights. The Armenians for decades organized their community life in Turkey lead by western ideas of democracy, human rights, social justice, self determination and freedom. The Turks “punished” the Armenians as aliens, as Westerners. The Armenians were firm in their beliefs. During WWI Turkey proposed the Armenians to use the Diaspora Armenians as an organized net of spies working for Germany and Turkey and against USA, UK, France. The Armenians again did not give up and remained the trustworthy ally of the andante. After the War the allies forgot the 14th ally and betrayed them, though the Armenians did not betray their own traditions and promises. The Resolution is the victory, the blessing, the crown of the firmness and the persistency of the Armenian and other nations’ democratic devotions. During WWII Armenians were fighting in the allied armies on all fronts (Pacific, Far Eastern, Middle Eastern, Asian, European, African )and in The Resistance, The Turkish Government was receiving bribe from the allies in order not to take sides with the enemy in case of critical moments. The negative tradition is alive today. Turkey is demanding bribes from the American Government in order to keep his promises of alliance.
Thousands of survivors of the Genocide were welcomed by other countries and nations of Asia, The Far East, Europe, Africa, Latin and North America. The Armenian immigrants received shelter, possibilities to work, study and organize their religious, social, economic and school life. Soon they became devoted and respected citizens of the country with equal rights, things that they were deprived of in Turkey. Strong ties of friendship were established between the newly hosted Armenians and the hosts. Armeno-Arab, Armeno-Greek, Armeno-Bulgarian, Armeno-Hungarian, Armeno-Polish, Armeno-French, Armeno-English, Armeno-Italian, Armeno-Spanish, Armeno-Canadian, Armeno-American, Armeno-Argentinean, Armeno-Uruguayan, Armeno-Brazilian friendship became one of the constant and major sources of development of those countries and people. That friendship helped the Armenians to find solutions to many of their historical problems, one of them being the recognition of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Turkish Governments. One after the other the friendly people officially, on the state level accepted the historical fact and contributed to the development of The Armenian Republic. This Resolution is the victory of Armeno-American friendship which has strong historical background.
This Resolution has two specific features: First. It is the Resolution of the House of the strongest, richest and greatest power of the world, the bastion of democracy and human rights. The acceptance of the Genocide perpetrated by the Turkish Government will help the normalization of Armeno-Turkish relations. It will have a decisive positive impact on the liquidation of Genocide on our planet. Second. The USA Government is one of the great powers that subordinate historical truth to political and strategic demands of the day giving a sense of duality and hypocrisy to its foreign policy. The latter will definitely decrease the positive role of moral diplomacy in world affairs and ignore the role of the objective factor in political relations. In all cases the method of threads applied by the Turkish Government in political and diplomatic relations with USA brings a dangerous discord and disharmony in modern life.
The Armenian American organizations and their friends, in their struggle for justice and liquidation of the possibility of Genocide were motivated and inspired by the abovementioned factors and achieved this historic Resolution.
Glendale, Oct. 11, 2007 Dr. Gevork Kherlopian
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
HAMAHAVAK
NOVEMBER 2, 2007 HAMAHAVAK
in MARASH CHURCH at 8:00 pm
See you all there !!!!!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
The First Bible Society Resource Center opening in Doha, Qatar
Doha, October 2007: “This is a historical day for me and for the Bible Society in the Gulf to see a dream come true,” said Hrayr Jebejian, General Secretary of the Bible Society in the Gulf, during the dedication of the first Bible Society Resource Center in the capital of Qatar, Doha. “I first visited Doha ten years ago, and I had the dream then to see a Bible center in this city. God taught me to be patient, and today we are gathered to inaugurate the first Bible Resource Center in Doha,” Mr. Jebejian continued.
The Bible Society in the Gulf initiated and developed the Bible
Resource Center in cooperation and partnership of Grace Fellowship in Doha, Qatar. Grace Fellowship is an inter-confessional church that has graciously allocated a place in its Church compound for the Scripture ministry.
The inauguration and the dedication of the Resource Center took place on Friday, October 26, 2007, at 10:00 am. Hrayr Jebejian shared with the attendees the historical developments of the Scripture ministry in the country over the years. He emphasized the importance of the Resource Center being “a Society for the Bible” which is owned by all.
“I encourage you to nurture and develop this Center as it belongs to you all,” he concluded. Hrayr Jebejian thanked the Grace Fellowship for the ongoing cooperation and partnership with the Bible Society. The dedication prayer was offered by Neil Kendrick, Chairman of the Leadership Team of the Grace Fellowship.
Mr. James Christopher is the Bible Society Representative in
Doha, Qatar. It has been two years now that he has been based in Doha and has been actively involved since then in developing the Scripture ministry within the different churches and denominations in the country.
“This is fantastic. It is a great reality to see that we have a Bible Resource Center in Qatar now,” said one of the members of the Church. “We love the Bible Society for it is so keen to provide Bibles and Christian resource materials to the community,” said another member.
The first Bible Resource Center is a step forward in assisting the churches in having access to the Scriptures. The Bible Society imports Bibles and Christian literature into Qatar through a special legal and government license that was obtained in December 2004.
We received this news from Mr. Hrayr Jebejian.
Badanegan Doun and Camp Armen (Պատանեկան Տուն) 6
And slowly we started to grow up. Bits and pieces, from hither and tither, we used to get our hands on books, which we read in secret, without our mother knowing about it. When she used to find out, she would scold us saying, "You will bring trouble upon your heads".
Whenever I used to get my hands on a Turkish book or newspaper, or anything else, I used to search for the word "Armenian", or anything related to Armenians. I used to find about Armenians, or something written against the Armenians. As about the Turks, "they are born free. Armenians have never had a homeland, while the Turks have always been rulers. Civilization was brought to Europe from the Ottoman Empire."
You have a fight with a Turkish boy, you go to the police, they ask your name, even if you are the innocent and in the right, you are declared guilty.
You go to ask for a permission to renovate a school building, a Church or Church building, they tell you, "Oulan Artk, bou memlekette kilisi milisi yapl@maz, bosh yere oughrashma." (Fool, in this country churches smurches cannot be built anymore, don't endeavor in vain).
Badanegan Doun and Camp Armen, Hrant Guzelian
*Translation by R. Chil.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Hamshen people (Hemshinlis) are Armenian?
- Most of the Hemshinlis do not know about their origins.
- Their language, which is Turkish with many Armenian words, is no more written.
- Most of the Armenians have no clue who the Hemshinlis are or where Hamshen is.
Read More......
Monday, October 22, 2007
Christians have forgotten their mission?
Have Christians forgotten their mission? There is an interesting interview that Tim Challies had with Daren Rowse, a blogger himself too.
Here's what Daren shares:
What do you think about Daren's message? Are Christians too busy with themselves and revolve only in their own circles?My first blog was a ‘Christian Blog’ in many senses. One of the things that I became a bit frustrated with over the two or so years that that blog was active was that I saw the majority of Christian bloggers gathering together to talk about subjects that related to them - but very little outward focus or interaction with the wider blogosphere.
My critique of Christian blogging is actually similar to my critique of much of what I see happening with the Church today - an overemphasis upon gathering together as believers - at the expense of ‘going into the world to make disciples’.My own understanding of missions is one that we’re called to:
- have Proximity - to go into the world, be near people, rub shoulders with them etc
- have Presence - build relationships, walk with people, hear what’s going on in their lives, share out lives
- be Powerless - (wrong word, but this is a 4 ‘P’ sermon) - to be humble, to allow God to be the great missionary and do his work and to allow the other person to have some power in the situation
- Proclaim - out of these other 3 steps we need to be ready and willing to proclaim the Gospel. I think that often as Christians we rush to the ‘proclaim’ stage but miss out on relationships
Source: Tim Challies
http://www.challies.com/archives/interviews/interviewing-the-problogger.php Read More......
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Radio Monte Carlo broadcasts about the Armenian Genocide Resolution 106
Dr. Hovannes Taslakian from Lebanon, Dr. Wehbi Bahyan from Turkey and Dr. Issam Khalife from Lebanon discussed and presented their views regarding the Armenian Genocide and the Resolution 106 and the recent political developments.
The audio is in Arabic.
The Armenian presence in the Gulf, interview with Hrayr Jebejian
On Radio Voice of Van (Vanatzayn) Mr. Hrayr Jebejian talked about the presence of Armenian families and individuals in the Gulf. Also, about the work of Bible Society.
Here are some of the topics that he discussed:
- Bible Society and its relation with the churches in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Abou Dhabi,...
- Bible Society and its relation with the governments of the Gulf
- Where Christians worship and how they are organized
- Armenians getting organized more than before
- The issue of assimilation being less in Arabic societies
- Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholic and Armenian Evangelical belonging not a matter of huge difference in the Gulf. There is more mutual acceptance and participation.
- The activities of Bible Society in the Gulf and their message of "PEACE" for the year 2008.
For more info: Bible Society Gulf Read More......
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Rev. Krikor AghabalOghlu, the hero, in Cyprus
The struggle to preserve the Armenian and Christian identities
Nicosia, October 2007: Rev. Krikor Aghabaoghlou inspired the Armenian community in Cyprus
and challenged them for one week to “press on” with their struggle to preserve the Armenian and Christian identities. His real-life message filled with passion and compassion for Christ and Armenianness was very inspiring. He touched on ground realities by exposing the situation of the Armenian community in Istanbul and the remote cities and towns in Turkey. He portrayednot only the struggle for survival but also the struggle for truth and justice. His ministry and mission are undoubtedly exemplary. Rev. Krikor Aghabaoghlou’s visit to Cyprus lasted from October 7 to 14, 2007. He delivered three lectures in the three main cities of Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol. He was also the guest preacher on Saturday at the service of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Nicosia.
During his stay, Rev. Krikor Aghabaoghlou visited the Armenian Prelacy and met with His Eminence Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Primate of Cyprus. He then visited the Armenian member of Parliament in Cyprus, Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, who had undertaken Krikor’s visa formalities to Cyprus.
Rev. Krikor got acquainted with the Armenian community in Cyprus by visiting the various institutions and organizations. He visited the Kalayjian Home for the old, met with the elderly in the center and encouraged them with the Word of God. It was, indeed,
an emotional moment for the old Armenian residents of the center to see a person coming from historical Armenia.The special audience with the students of the Nareg Armenian School in Nicosia was full of excitement. Rev. Krikor encouraged the students to keep firm in their love for the Armenian language, commitment for Christ and His Church. He then visited the headquarters of the Armenian organizations in Nicosia and met with the leadership of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Young Men’s Association (Homenetmen), and Nor Serount Cultural Association.
The Armenian radio program of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation interviewed Rev. Krikor for 45 minutes, and the interview was broadcast on Saturday, October 13. Rev. Aghabaoghlou also met with the editors of the three Armenian publications and e- news in Cyprus: Artzakank, Azad Tzayn and Gibrahayer.Rev. Krikor Aghabaoglou is the pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Gedik Pasha, Istanbul. His visit to Cyprus was organized by the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus.
We received this news from Hrayr Jebejian from Cyprus Read More......
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Funny Jokes...Part 1
1-A man was beaten up by robbers on a road to London. He lay there, half dead and in bad shape. A Vicar came along, saw him and passed by on the other side. Next, a monk came by but also walked quickly on the other side. Finally, a social worker came along, looked at the man and said "Whoever did this needs help!"
2-What do you get when you cross an atheist with a Jehovahs Witness?.... Someone who knocks at your door for no apparent reason.
3-It wasn't the apple that caused the trouble in the Garden of Eden, it was the pair on the ground.
4-What did the cross eyed school teacher say to his disruptive children? - "I can't control my pupils."
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Our Time Are In His Hands
At the end of each year, a calender is like an album containing little snapshots of what we've done and where we've been. At home, our family has one simple rule, "Write everything down in pencil." One important lesson that a calender teaches is that plans can change. Doctor's appointments get canceled, dinner dates gets rescheduled, and anticipated events don't work out. Thankfully, that doesn't mean that our lives are out of control, that nothing is certain, and that there's nothing we can trust in.
God wants you to move through this day with a quiet heart, an inward assurance that He is in control, a peaceful certainty that your life is in His hands, a deep trust in His plan and purposes, and a thankful disposition in all that He allows. He wants you to put your faith in Him, not in a timetable. He wants you to wait on Him and wait for Him. In His perfect way He will put everything together... see to every detail... arrange every circumstace... and order every step to bring to pass what He has for you.
Blessing,
Roy Lessin, Co-founder of DaySpring
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Armenian Genocide Resolution is one step closer
27 yes, 21 no
The Armenian Genocide Resolution 106 passed, and it is now the turn of Nancy Pelosi to bring up the Resolution for a vote in the entire Congress.
Now if the Resolution passes in Congress, it will be the turn of the Senate. And if the voting goes for the Resolution, we will have the Resolution.
Till today, Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Write your comments and congratulation letters.
Facebook has a bad side? Nooooo! No way!
You all know that the buzz word on the internet today is "Facebook", to the extent that recently, while talking to a priest, he told me the following: "You know Raffi, I've been hearing a lot of my youth talking about Facebook, and I didn't know what they were talking about. So, I went and searched about it and I even created my own account, so that I can relate to my youth and understand their world better."
We are seeing students and teachers, universities and companies, even professors are creating their own Facebook.
Friends who have never seen each other, or had lost contact to each other, are being able to get in touch through Facebook! Many groups, even companies and organizations are creating their own group on Facebook. I know one group which is very active and has a lot of discussions going on in their group, that even new ideas and decisions are being taken online.
What about you? What do you think about Facebook? What features do you like best? Does Facebook have any bad side? C'mon, everyone has both positive and negative side :)
Monday, October 08, 2007
"I miss the talkative nature of the Lebanese...", an interview with Dr. Ara Sanjian (Part 2)
Continued... Part 1
- What is the present situation – as for the Armenian cause – among the youth in the USA?
- Some say that Haigazian University is a phenomenon that is very difficult to repeat anywhere else in the world. Do you see such a need presently in the USA?
- Do you believe that Lebanon is still the capital and dynamo of the Armenian Diaspora in preserving the Armenian heritage, culture, art, language, and cause?
- After going through harsh conditions during the 34-day war in the summer of 2006, do you think it’s about time that the remaining Armenians of Lebanon moved to more stable countries in order to have better conditions of living? If so, do you believe it’s within the interest of the Armenian Church (Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical) to allow such a move, and why?
- Lately, we have heard that the government of Armenia has decreed a law granting all Armenians living outside of Armenia special IDs. How much of this is true? Can you explain how this law might affect on the Diaspora?
- Now that the Islamists have gained the upper hand in Turkey, do you fear for the small Armenian community still striving in Turkey?
- Is there anything else you want to say?
Interview conducted by M. Chilingirian Read More......
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Bible studying is back :)
To all those who like to meet in groups and share their testimony and experience with God or have questions and doubts and would like to express themselves and seek guidance, you have good news... THE BIBLE STUDIES ARE BAAAAAAAAACK!
There will be 3 groups led by J. Kozman-Ohanian, S. Ohanian and S. Demirjian.
We will study the book of Hebrews and find out what it speaks to the youth of today.
Be there! We meet every Wednesday from 8:00 pm till around 10:00pm at Emmanuel Church, Amanos-Dora. Bring your friends with you :)
Hrant Guzelian, the hero, is no more...
After combating with cancer, Hrant went to be with the Lord, today, Saturday evening, October 6, 2007, his transition took place in his home, where he was surrounded by his daughter and some church members, who were praying and singing. Earlier, his minister, Rev. Gilbert Leonian, visited and prayed for him, just as he did almost everyday for the past few weeks.
Funeral services are not finalized yet, but tentatively it may be held on Wednesday, October 10th.
The churches worldwide are asked to set a moment of remembrance and prayer in memory of Hrant Guzelian, during October 7th Sunday Worship Services.
Rest in Peace Hrant, rest in peace...
Write your prayers here, in the comments.
Update (13/Oct/07): We knew from Vosguane Kasparian that the funeral took place on Wednesday, October 10, at the Evangelical Church in Marseilles.
Read more... Hrant Guzelian, the living hero
... Hrant Guzelian, in Lebanon
Friday, October 05, 2007
"Back to School" Interview with Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian
Rev. Paul Haidostian speaks about Haigazian university, the financial aid that is provided to the students, the Armenian schools and the students that they prepare, and many other issues related to education.
Rev. Haidostian gives very interesting statistics related to the Armenian schools, the number of Armenian students who are in the Presidents' and Deans' Lists.
Duration: 58 minutes.
* The audio is from voiceofvan. The interview is conducted by Mr. Armen Abdalian in Armenian. Read More......
WoW! We had a great camp in Anjar! (A coverage of the social aspect)
More than 70 youth from 4 different chanitz groups headed to Anjar in a huge bus, where many surprises awaited us. We arrived at night to start our "hamakoumar" on 6 September (Thursday) that extended to 9 September (Sunday).
The groups were from Ashrafieh Church youth, Emmanuel Church youth, Marash Church youth, and Anjar Church youth.
The first night, we had a social time and games. H. Akbasharian and A. Khederian led the games and we had a great time. Look at the game where the girls are eating from the diapers.
On Friday, at night, we went to Hamati's restaurant. The Anjar-tzis were always ready to lead their folk dance, and they taught us the Anjar dance too.
It was one hilarious night, the Armenian Night. We sang, we danced, we shouted, we clapped and cheered on the famous Armenian songs of various genre. The guys even competed against the girls on a game of 'entering the song in synchrony', 'بالايقاع' in Arabic. The game was led by M. Chilingirian, helping him were K. Aynilian on the sound system, and R. Chilingirian on the laptop. The girls were leading half the game, but the guys came back, which led to a tie in the end.
On Sunday, after Church service and worship, we went to Azounieh hospital, where we met elders. We talked to them, sang with them and cheered them up. Some chanitzagans even had the gift to befriend the elders and showed very deep compassion and love.
On Saturday evening, we went out of Anjar and headed to Zahle. Zahle is an adventurous place and full of people and visitors from different places of Lebanon and abroad. The leadership served us with ice-creams and we had a great time in LunaPark and games that were waiting for us to enjoy!
The leaders were:
- Rev. S. Terzian (Ashrafieh Church) as Main Leader
- Mrs. Yester Kilaghbian (Ashrafieh Church) as Speaker
- Ms. S. Geocherian (Emmanuel Church) as Leader
- Ms. P. Sagherian (Ashrafieh Church) as Leader
- Mrs. M. Haidostian (Ashrafieh Church) as Leader
- Mr. R. Andonian (Marash Church) as Leader
- Mr. H. Deyirmenjian (Ashrafieh Church) as Leader
- Rev. H. Sarkissian (pastor of First Church Beirut) as Leader
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Bloggers are doing it again! This time in Myanmar
When the government in Myanmar and Burma are shutting down their ISP's and internet providers, the bloggers are making the difference.
Computers in the country are all government licensed, ISPs are closely monitored and internet access has become increasingly intermittent as the protests proceeded.
Despite the extensive repression, protests in Burma continue and a handful of bloggers remain active in reporting events to the world online. Reports that a blogger posting under the name Niknayman appears to be the only blogger still posting from inside the country. Another, under the name Ko-Htike, is posting from London whenever information is able to escape from Burma.
Hrant Dink believed in speaking the truth and he paid the price. Rev. Krikor AghabalOghlu believed in telling the Turkish community the truth about the Armenian Genocide, and he was imprisoned and receives threats on his life to this day. Yet, he continues to preach. Hrant Guzelian believed in his vision to bring all the Armenian orphans and children from Eastern Turkey to Istanbul and teach them Armenian. There was an attempt to kill him, but he survived and he was later imprisoned, only to leave to France.
These are our heroes today!
Would you do the same? Would you talk about injustice even if your own safety and security is at stake? Most of the time we are afraid to even write...
Monday, October 01, 2007
Announcement: Interview with Rev. Paul Haidostian on Vana Tzayn
Interview with
Rev. Paul Haidostian
President of Haigazian University
Voice of Van
Subject: BACK TO SCHOOL
Thursday, October 4, @ 11 am
Read More......
Rev. Paul Haidostian
President of Haigazian University
Voice of Van
Subject: BACK TO SCHOOL
Thursday, October 4, @ 11 am
Armenian Evangelical Church
The Birth of Internationall CE Movement
CE Union of Lebanon & Syria
Armenian Online Journals (Blogs)
Armenian Evangelical Links and Literature
Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church Sunday School
Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church Badaniatz
Kchag (ՔՋԱԿ)
Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East
Armenian Missionary Association of America
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America
Calvary Armenian Congregational Church
First Armenian Church of Belmont
Armenian Memorial Church
First Armenian Evangelical Church Montreal
Armenian Evangelical Church of Arnouville, (Paris, FRANCE)
Armenian Evangelical College (Beirut) AEC Alumni
Bashde.org (Armenian Christian Internet Radio)
Read More......
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