ARMISS choir performing the Air For Advent
A number of major international Christian youth movements and organizations called for stronger efforts towards unity in a joint statement issued on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Addressed to the heads of the Roman Catholic Church, the World Council of Churches, Christian World Communions and Regional Ecumenical Organizations, the statement asks them to "share ecumenical dialogue with young people" and expresses the commitment of the signatories to "raise awareness of the importance of Christian unity among young people".
Source: World Council of Churches
On January 19, on initiative of Mayor of Lyon Gerald Colomb, a street was named in memory of Hrant Dink.
Pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church Rene Levonian conveyed the gratitude of Dink’s widow Rakel.
Turkish Ambassador to France Ismail Hakka Musa also attended the ceremony. However, he left immediately after the event participants referred to the 1915 events.
Watch this trailer on youtube...
You have to be aware of what you're posting on the web.
Here's a question that will help you decide whether what you will post about yourself is for your own good: Will my parents be proud of me if they see it? Could it be used against my own good? Might I later regret about posting it? Could I lose my job because of it?
Educating our kids and youth about the web...
http://www.bianet.org/english/kategori/english/104282/more-than-ten-thousand-gathered-in-memory-of-hrant-dink
On the first anniversary of the murder of journalist Hrant Dink, more than ten thousand people gathered in front of the Agos newspaper office, the place where he was shot.
On 19th January 2007, Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of the Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos, was shot dead in front of his office in Sisli, Istanbul. The country was shocked by pictures of his prostrate body on the pavement, covered by newspapers, with just the worn soles of his shoes visible. A voice of dialogue and democracy had been silenced.
Hrant Dink’s funeral turned into a reaction against racism and nationalism, as tens of thousands of people gathered in a silent procession which accompanied Hrant Dink’s body from his newspaper office to the church where he was laid to rest.
Last year a call to "question the darkness"
The most moving part of the procession was a speech by Hrant Dink’s widow, Rakel Dink. She spoke out against the increasing nationalism in the country. Referring to the young age of the suspected triggerman, she said: “Whatever may be the age of the murderers, 17 or 27, I know that they were born as babies. Without questioning the darkness that has created murderers, my brothers and sisters, there is no way forward.”
People carried placards reading “We are all Hrant, we are all Armenian”, a sign of solidarity, and also a protest at the fact that Hrant Dink was murdered for his identity. There was later a nationalist backlash against the slogan, with people deliberately misunderstanding the sentiment behind the expression of empathy.
No justice yet
In the year since the murder, the Dink family has had to discover that it is difficult to “question the darkness.” Although the official murder suspects are on trial, it seems clear that those really responsible are will not be prosecuted. The Trabzon Gendarmerie and the Istanbul Police are accused of gross negligence, as they knew of murder plans long before the attack happened. Evidence has been withheld and permission to investigate security officers has been refused.
"If he had lived, he would be in prison now"
Thus today’s gathering was as much a commemoration of Hrant Dink as a protest against the continuing darkness.More than ten thousand people gathered in the street of the Agos newspaper office, the place where Hrant Dink was shot.
The site of his murder was covered with a picture of Hrant Dink, candles and flowers. People shouted slogans such as “Long live the brotherhood of peoples” and “The murderer state will be made accountable.” Foreign press was in strong attendance.
Like last year, widow Rakel Dink addressed the crowd. Referring to Hrant Dink’s sentence under the controversial Article 301, she said: “They say, ‘who has gone to prison [under Article 301]?’ I say, if they had let my violin [her term of endearment for her husband] live, he would be in prison now, because if they had let him live, he would be in his third month in prison now.”
"You are here for justice"
She said that Hrant Dink’s blood had not become quiet: “The sound of blood can only be silenced with justice. And this is what you are here for today, for justice.”
Saying that “the pain has made us relatives,” Rakel Dink reminded the crowd of the many sickening indicators of approval of the murder: the gendarmerie officers arresting suspected triggerman O.S., who put a flag in his hand and took souvenir photographs of themselves with the suspect, football fans who reacted to the slogan at the funeral procession by shouting in stadiums, ‘We are all Ogün’ [referring to one of the murder suspects], the intelligence officer Muhittin Zenit who spoke to Erhan Tuncel , police informant and murder suspect, shortly after the murder and evidently knew of the murder plan.
Rakel Dink asked: “What has my country’s justice system done about the gendarmerie who knew everything up to the brand of the gun that was used in the murder, about the [nationalist organisations] who planned the murder? What has my country’s justice system done about the assistant governor and his so-called friends who tried to put my husband in his place?”
Writer and peace activist Arundhati Roy attended the commemoration at Rakel Dink’s side, also standing at the window of the Agos newspaper office.
"Hrant needs our courage"
Journalist Oral Calislar also spoke to the crowd. He said, “Hrant’s murder was planned by a group…We have realised that they decided long before to kill him…The newspapers made him into a target…at the court hearings [for his trial under Article 301] they tried to lynch him.”
“We now know those who are putting guns into the hands of children…We know those who led and encouraged. It needs courage to make the murderers and organisations within the state accountable. Hrant needs our courage.”
The gathering was joined by Joost Lagendijk, co-chair of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, Turkish academics, politicians and activists of the left, writers and journalists. (EÖ/TK/AG)
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Emmanuel Chanitz Blog, admin
Remembering Hrant Guzelian who took Hrant Dink under his care in the Badanegan Doon (Camp Armen) that Baron Hrant personally endeavored to build.
In the video, Mr. Hrant Guzelian is singing hymn #763 from the Elmajian book of hymns.
He loved this song and sang it very well. He used to sing this song during meeting, and many learnt this song through him.
Ո՞վ է Այս Վշտաց Տէրը
1. Ո՞վ է աս, որ Եդովմէ կու գայ,
Ըզգեստով կարմիր ներկուած,
Ծակեր կան իր ձեռքերուն վրայ,
Գեղարդով կողն է խոցուած,
Ո՞վ է աս, վշտաց Տէրն,
ա՜հ ո՞վ, ինչո՞ւ է վիրաւորուած
Արքայի մը կերպարանքով,
բայց ինչո՞ւ դէմքն է աւրուած:
Կրկ.
Քրիստոսն է փառաց մեծ իշխան,
Իր կեանքով փրկանք տուաւ,
Խոնարհեցէք, պաշտեցէք զԱյն,
Յիսուս, հըզօր Փրկիչ իրաւ:
2. Ո՞վ է աս, որ մեժուած աշխարհէ,
Կը կոխէ մէջն հնձանի,
Սիրելիքն Իր զինք մոռցած են,
Ըսփոփող մըն ալ չունի,
Ո՞վ է աս որ կը չարչարուի,
Բայց երբեք չը քրթմնչեր,
Զերթ մորթուիլ տարուող ոչխարի,
Բայց բառ մը չարտասաներ:
3. Ո՞վ է աս, ունի արքայական,
Թագ մը Իր գլխուն վըրայ,
Փուշերով բայց հիւսուած է ան,
Ծաղրանքի ալ առարկայ.
Ինչո՞ւ զԱյն կը ծեծեն այդպէս,
Թքնելով Իր երեսին,
Ինչո՞ւ է քրտինքն արեան պէս,
Կ՛աղօթէ երբ առանցին:
4. Ո՞վ է աս, որ Գողգոթա եղած,
կը մեռնի անարգ մահով,
Կ՛աղօթէ վասն իր թշնամեաց,
Կը դնէ երբ կեանքն սիրով.
Ո՞վ է աս, որ շարժի երկիրն,
Արեգակն ալ մըթննայ,
Շիրիմներ իսկ յանկարծ բացուին,
Գլխիկոր երբ մեռնի Նա:
Թարգ. Է. Է. Էլմաճեան
Hrant Guzelian, the hero, is no more...
Hrant Guzelian, the living hero
* Camp Armen Alumni group pictures, shown in the video, we received from Mr. Garabet Orunöz, from Turkey.
* The first 25 seconds are taken from a video that we received from Rev. Dr. P. Haidostian through Sh. Kilaghbian. The audio is taken from that video.
At Saturday night, January 12, 2008, the chanitzagans of both Emmanuel and Marash churches participated in the Strongholds Concert held at Forum du Beirut, Lebanon.
The place was fully packed with people that some had to sit on the floors and stairs in order to attend this long-awaited event. Arek Karagoezian, a Stronghold’s member and one of our youth members, was on the drums with his sticks!
It has been a soul-refreshing concert to refocus our eyes on God and trust in His sovereignty. The Christian band sang praises in English and Arabic accompanied by a drama about a man who tried all roads (drugs, adultery, fame, fortune) but couldn’t find peace in anything.
The concert was dedicated to our beloved capital, Beirut, which has been going through great turmoil for the past 3 years. Prayers were raised to God for peace to prevail and for political parties to reconcile and work together for a better future.
Manochil
On Jan. 5, at night, the Chanitzagans, our pastor and his wife went out to deliver the Good News that Jesus Christ is born, and to celebrate it with our surrounding community and the community away from the church and those who cannot come to church and have to attend to the bed.
WoW! Is this for real? I couldn't believe it at first. I had to check up the news websites to find out about this... And finding out about this I did.
Here it is:
Four Lebanese university students have been jailed for a week for making crude remarks on the Facebook social networking site about the singing talents of a woman they met at a party, media reports said on Thursday.Read More......
Local newspapers reported that the students -- all male -- were ordered to be detained on January 10 after the young woman's father objected to the authorities in the eastern town of Zahle.
The four were charged with slander and "violating public morality" and were ordered to be held in preventive detention despite objections by human rights groups. (AFP)
Below, is the 3rd issue of the newsletter of the Armenian Evangelical Cultural Association (Հայ Աւետարանական Մշակութային Միութիւն) of the First Armenian Evangelical Church, Beirut.
In order to see the issue in full screen, click on the following: http://static.scribd.com/docs/ijqqyg28kwvit.swf?INITIAL_VIEW=width
Saturday, 29 December, 2007 - At 8:00 pm the Chanitzagans had their Christmas event. Ms. Sh. Goecherian led the Christmas sing song, afterwhich Mrs. Vera Sevajian gave the message about the real meaning of Christmas.
The barbeque was prepared by Mr. A. Kendirjian and after dinner it was time for games, which Mr. K. Aynilian and Ms. Sh. Geocherian led.
I do not know whether anyone has seen this. But, I was amazed when I saw that the presidential candidates of Armenia have their own websites! WoW!
Read More......
In 2007, we "enlarged the space of our tent" (Isaiah 54:2a), and endeavored to cover events of Emmanuel Church activities, also concerts and plays and events of Torosian School, Executive Committee of Endeavor Union, ARMISS choir, Bible Society. We also started posting about Chanaser, Tertig, AEEC Lradou, Armenian Evangelical Church, Haigazian University, AMAA, NEST. We also wrote posts and showed videos about Hrant Dink, Hrant Guzelian, Rev. Krikor AghabalOghlu, EMI group, internet and its positive and negative effects, and reposted writings from Hrayr Jebejian and reflections of friends and members in Armenian Evangelical Churches worldwide. At the end of the year of 2007, we also started conducting interviews, recording, and uploading them online.
Below, we have gathered the latest letters that we received from many different friends found in various countries.
Lara Cholakian Khoury (USA) - "Great work all of you, it is a great website!"
Rev. Nerses and Sevan Balabanian (USA) - "Great Job. We thank God that Armis did continue its musical mission. Go ahead Armis, sing while Lebanon is in pain. Go ahead Armis sing and bring joy to the hearts of the Lebanese people. I wish we were with you."
Also, "Hi everyone! I check the website regularly. It keeps me in touch with my dear Amanos brothers and sisters. I appreciate how the website is expanding. Congratulations! God bless you."
Garabed Orunöz (Turkey) - found our website and requested to stay in communication with us. He provided us with the pictures of Badanegan Doun (Camp Armen) that Baron Hrant Guzelyan founded.
Khoren Pilibossian (Canada) - "Bravo very good job. May God bless you and make you a blessing."
Loukianos (Greece?) - "your blog is cool!"
Cynthia Tovmassian-Ezajian (Australia) - greeted all the Chanitzagans through our blog and congratulated us for this great website!
Dr. Gevork Kherlopian (USA) - "Thank you for the encouraging information that strengthens our spiritual, cultural and national ties. The more I read your Newsletter the stronger becomes my feeling of belonging. On the eve of New Year I carried a serious surgery with great success. Thank you to all who prayed for me. Thanks God. Praise the Lord. Now I can work more efficiently. God bless you all. Shnorhavor Nor Tari yev Sourp Dsnund."
Juan (Uruguay) - this blog played the role of mediator between Dr. Gevork Kherlopian and Juan.
Rev. Sebouh Terzian (Lebanon) - provided us with his own suggestions and encouraged us.
Magie Daoud (World Vision for Armenians in Lebanon) - said that the work is excellent, and that what we are doing is quality work.
Mariam Mnatsakanyan (Armenia) - is happy to receive our newsletter.
Mrs. Yester Kilaghbian (Lebanon) - appreciated the work and time spent, and provided us her suggestions.
Serge Loussinian (USA) - remembered a lot of memories from Kchag. And about our website/blog he said, "It looks like a lot of peoples endless dedication and effort."
Sylva Djamdjamina-Loussinian (USA) - provided us with Torosian Alumni pictures and liked receiving our newsletter.
Andranik Mardoyan (Armenia) - responded quickly and dearly to our request.
Hrayr Jebejian (Cyprus) - told that the idea of this blog is very good.
Taline Keldjian (USA) - was amazed at what technology can do and she appreciated the communication.
Searan Salibian (USA) - allowed us to use some of her writings and reflections.
Shushan Artinian (Lebanon) - saw our blog and found it very impressive!
Nilva (Lebanon) - found this website and liked it!
Gassia Mouradian (USA) - is happy to receive our newsletter and thinks that the website idea is great!
Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian (President of HU) - appreciated our work and whenever we requested to have Baron Hrant Guzelyan's movie, he quickly responded.
Rev. Hendrik Shanazari (USA) - "I wanted to thank and encourage you for this very interesting and well prepared news letter, before, but... sorry for not doing it earlier. This is a great job and very precious for someone like me who has lots of friends there and is interested in the life and activities there. May our Lord bless you richly!"
Ara Ashjian (Iraq) - "I see many articles with nice photos and descriptions... keep up the good work."
Mayda Manoyan (USA) - helped us to get the names of Torosian School's Alumni members.
Mary Mikhael (president of NEST) - quickly and gladly responded to our proposal.
Garbis Deyirmenjian (Lebanon) - "I visited the Emmanuel site few times and I think it’s great, I feel it is alive when I read it."
Setrag Khoshafian (USA) - thanked us for the post and links to http://www.bashde.org/
Pakrad Balabanian (Syria) - contacted us for information.
Mihran Jizmejian (Canada) - was pleasantly surprised to find so many interesting items in our website, which sent him back on the memory lane to the years 1974-76 when he served the P.E. Torossian school as the principal.
Armenian Evangelical Church of Arnouville (France) - contacted us and provided us with their website address (http://hisous.org/), and with their newly-built church-building pictures.
"Badveli Sarkis BAROUDJIAN-i yev ir kordzaguitsnerou goghme chenorhavor nor dari yev sourp dzenount."
Anahid Artinian Jamgotchian (Saudi Arabia) - "keep up the good work"
Note: Those who want to keep their emails confidential, please send us a quick email, and we'll try to quickly comply.
This is a movie of Reverend Krikor Aghabaloghlu visiting the Calvary Armenian Congregational Church in San Francisco, in May 2007. The background song is performed by the Nor Yerk (New Song) group with Rev. Nerses Balabanian and Rev. Neshan Bakalian as members of the group.
Click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi54PRfihsM to view the slidewhow.
Note: The creator of the movie still unknown.
The end of year worships took place from 24 to 28 December, 2007, at 7:00 pm. The various Church ministry groups took part in the worship services. 
Mr. A. Karagoezian, Ms. Z. Bedrossian, and Mr. A. Torkomian played the piano.
The Badaniatz Christmas Party took place in Chanitz hall, on 29 Dec., from 2:30 pm till 5:00 pm. Around 35 youth and leaders were present to enjoy the gift exchange game that was led by Ms. N. Kouzikian, and the pizzas and the dip that Mrs. J. Ohanian, Mr. M. Hagopian and Mr. J. Baghboudarian ordered and prepared. Mr. M. Ibitian, Mr. H. Gojigian and Mr. R. Chilingirian decorated the hall with balloons and Christmas decorations.
“For God so loved the world that he gave…” John 3:16
Jesus is the Gift Jesus is the gift that perfectly fits every heart and it is with His love that all celebration starts. We rejoice in Him as we remember His birth and thank God for sending His only Son to earth. His life led from a manger to a cross on a hill where He faithfully followed His Father’s perfect will. He freely laid down everything so that we could live, and there is no greater treasure anyone could give. Like a scarlet ribbon His love wrapped around the cross and He offered it to us all at the greatest cost. So each time that we give we remember what He’s done and honor the perfect Gift?God’s one and only Son.
— Holley Gerth
A friend who was a studying to become Surgeon, couldn't believe that in 1915 such things have happened. His father has seen those events, and he had told him about them, but his son was not convinced. "I cannot believe how the Turks could have done such vile barbarism", he use to repeat. However, in 6-7 Sept., he saw the event of the 1955, he became convinced and said, "Now I believe in the stories."
Badanegan Doun and Camp Armen, Hrant Guzelian
*Translation by R. Chil.
Go Tell it on the Mountain performed by Yellow Jackets mixed with jazz & country style.
Click on Enclosure to hear it (in case you're reading this in the newsletter) or click on the following link: http://odeo.com/show/5171773/1166789/download/GoTellItOnTheMountain.mp3
Note: You don't need to download it. You can hear it directly, unless you have a Downloading Tool that works with your browser, which will download the file.
Below, is the 2nd issue of the newsletter of the Armenian Evangelical Cultural Association (Հայ Աւետարանական Մշակութային Միութիւն) of the First Armenian Evangelical Church, Beirut.
In order to see the issue in full screen, click on the following: http://static.scribd.com/docs/ou5jssf61gpz.swf?INITIAL_VIEW=width
