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 by force.
Each of them were given the opportunity to leave Turkey, and Rev. Krikor AghabalOghlu still receives invitations to leave his birthplace, where the Armenian Evangelical Church was born, but he refuses to leave and decides to stay.
No... they are not the heroes of the 1915. 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...
Hrant Guzelian, Hrant Dink, and Rev. Krikor AghabalOghlu
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Three Armenian Evangelicals from Turkey defending the Armenian Genocide!
"Ays dune kuget e te ims” translated “ Is this your house or mine?
During the presentation, on May 2008, in the San Francisco Calvary Armenian Congregational Church Annual Banquet, Mr. Zaven Khanjian read:
...You see, every Armenian has a natural and justifiable resistance to place foot on the soil of modern day Turkey.
I had it too.
Time and circumstances well explained in my book came to change all that. And I went. I went, I saw and I experienced being home again. And the flow of my emotions, feelings, thoughts and experience was so immense that based on my daily detailed journals I wrote down the story of the pilgrimage which was first published in an extended series of articles in the Asbarez news paper and subsequently published in a book entitled “ Ays dune kuget e te ims” translated “ Is this your house or mine?”.
Undoubtedly we never cease to remember and respect our fallen victims. We cry for them as we cry for justice we have not witnessed and for recognition we have been denied.
Tonight however we are not going to talk about the victims of the crime. Tonight, we are going to leave them in peace and move to remember the other face of the genocide. That of our homeland, cultural monuments, churches, monasteries and of peaceful dwellings our fathers called their home. The genocide , my dear friends, had two faces. The human face and the material face. The material face is often and comparatively rightfully always left behind, second stage, rear wagon. But nothing minimizes its significance. Nothing belittles its importance.
AND IT IS IMMENSE.
Churches, monasteries, homes, gardens, mills, livestock, country side, hills, mountains, lakes and ponds, water and rivers, beyond, of course, the immeasurable value of handcrafted personal wealth destroyed and left behind.
But as much as it has been destroyed, it is still there.
There is still a lot to witness and discover.
A lot of inheritance,
A lot of legacy,
Some converted to mosques,
Others in plain ruins.
Some converted to cafes and restaurants
And some totally destroyed.
But one thing is certain and alive in the collective memory of people everywhere. Here and there. And that is the true story of what happened in that spring and summer of one of the darkest years in the history of mankind.
Today we shall march through a small sample of those monuments in whatever shape and condition they are, as they stand witness of a people who once thrived on their few thousand old historic homeland but are not there anymore.
We shall march through the eyes of a few pilgrims who walked through the land in September-October of 2006.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Emmanuel Church Soccer Team in 'Athletes In Action" Tournament
(left to right) back: Mano, Rev. Hovanness, Mike, Hagop, Armig, Kevork, Kevork
front: Samuel, Garo, Zouzou, Ara, Sevag
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Chanitzagans Serving and Reaching Out in Their Community
Sunday, 15 February, was a special day for the Chanitzagans. After the church service, the chanitzagans from Marash church, Emmanuel church and Ashrafieh church gathered in the Armenian Evangelical Marash Church to get ready for their community service organized by the Executive Committee of the CE Union.
The program started with a worship, led by Mr. Garbis Deyirmenjian after which Mrs. Rita Lao-Manjelikian shared a brief message based on the book "Becoming Human" by Jean Vanier. She shared how those who feel "unwanted" in the community should be reached out to with a "human" hand.
Then the participants, around 25 were distributed among three centers:
1) Deir El Kamar Hospital of Abouna Yacoub Soeurs
2) Fanar Juvenile Detention Center
3) Jounieh Jeunesses Countre La Drogue (JCD)
The objective of this service day was coming face to face with the "different" - mentally (Deir El Kamar), socially (the juveniles, addicts), and the ones "left aside".
Monday, April 20, 2009
Torosian School's Easter Celebration
Torosian School's Easter Bazaar
Sunday, April 19, 2009
"About fifty percent of the spiritual leadership of Armenian Evangelicals was obliterated."
Below are the names of those ministers and the churches they served, as well as the sites where the massacres took place:
At Osmaniye (in the Armenian Evangelical Church).—
Prof. Sarkis Levonian—Prof. at the Central Turkey College, Aintab;
Rev. Giragos Zhamgochian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Severek;
Rev. Nazareth Heghinian—Pastor, ThirdArmenian Evang. Church, Marash;
Rev. Zakaria Bedrosian— Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Garmouch;
Rev. Nerses Kuyumjian— Pastor,Armenian Evang. Church,Adiaman;
Rev. Setrak Ekmekjian—Pastor, First Armenian Evang. Church, Urfa;
Rev. Jirjis Shemmas—Pastor, Assyrian Evang. Church, Urfa.
At Chayir Aghzu (between the towns of Hamidiye and Osmaniye).—
Rev. Hagop Koundakjian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church,Hasan Beyli;
Rev. Stepan Hovhanessian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Kharne;
Rev. Garabed Kupelian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Osmaniye;
Rev. Takvor Hagopian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Baghche.
At Hamidiye.—
Rev. Markar Kaloustian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Hamidiye;
Rev. Hovagim Kayahian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Albustan.
At Sigh Gechid (near Sis).—
Rev. Hagop Albarian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Geben;
Rev. Levon Soghovmeyan—Pastor, Second Armenian Evang. Church, Hadjin;
Rev. Asadour Topalian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Fekke;
Rev. Melidon Malian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Sis;
Rev. Ardashes Boyajian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Shar;
Rev. Samule Bedrossian—Pastor, Armenian Evang. Church, Fekke.
Along with the martyred Armenian Evangelical pastors, two American missionaries, Rev. Daniel Rogers and Rev. Henry Maurer, as well as 13 lay delegates (nine men and four women) were martyred.
The Adana Massacre proved to be a rehearsal for measuring the depth of Turkish animosity in the Ottoman Empire toward the Armenians. It also became a prelude to the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide.
One of the survivors of the Adana Massacre, who miraculously survived this calamity, was the Rev. Hampartzoum Ashjian (1863-1938), the Pastor of the Armenian Evang. Church in Adana. He played a very important role in the aftermath of the Massacre. He served as a catalyst to bring together the leaders of the various Christian communities, as well as becoming the spokesman of the Armenian community. Immediately after the great tragedy, an Inter-Church Council was formed to deal with this catastrophe. Rev. Ashjian served as the Executive Secretary of the Council. He conducted extensive correspondence with the local and central government officials as well as its chief spokesman.
Ten months of intensive work—complaints, negotiations and demands—paid off. The Governor of the Province of Adana, Jemal Bey, organized a Reconciliation Banquet on February 5, 1910, which was attended by more than 400 Turkish officials and Christian notables.
During the banquet, many speeches were made by government officials and Christian community leaders. The last speaker was Rev. Ashjian. Outraged at the terrible Massacre and carnage, and filled with a passion to cry against the Turkish iniquitous injustice being perpetrated against Armenians and other Christian minorities, he boldly made a historic speech, excerpts of which follow:
“ … trusting your eminent forgiveness, I would like to make a few requests and demands. First, we beg of our government to abstain from condemning a whole race on account of a few ignorant people. Second, we beg of Muslim compatriots not to seek their gain in the loss of others. Because of the catastrophe of Adana, we, Christians, were humiliated... Do you think this misfortune elevated our compatriots?…They fell, too… in character and moral point of view. Third, we demand from our Muslim compatriots justice and rectitude…One more word, Muslim compatriots, trust us, we sincerely love this country… Don’t torment us so much… Don’t hurt this race which has no other protector than God. Lest the patience of God be ended and His wrath be poured on this country… If you love your country, your government, your God, put an end to such conducts…let us commit no foolishness which may cause the weakening of this homeland and nation” (Rev.H.Ashjian, The Catastrophe of Adana [New York, 1950], pp. 108-112, in Armenian.
By Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian
Source: FORUM, March, 09
"I am optimistic about the future. We should keep the struggle alive"
An Interview with Mr. Zaven Khanjian
Raffi- First, can you please tell us about yourself?
Zaven- I was born in cradle of the Armenian Diaspora, the city of Aleppo Syria. Parallel to the patriotic spirit at home, I have nourished my love for my nation, mankind and literature through the discipleship of Mateos Der Mateosian, Haig Barigian and Yervant Kassouni.
After receiving elementary & secondary education in my home town, in 1967 I graduate from the American University of Beirut with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Moving to the Persian Gulf I spend 13 years working there while creating “Little Armenia”s together with like minded Armenians.
In 1979 I move my family to California where I have since been an active member of the community serving in leadership capacities at the Armenia Fund, The Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, The Merdinian Armenian Evangelical school, The United Armenian Congregational Church, Haigazian University of Beirut, the Glendale Family YMCA, The Salvation Army-Glendale Corps, Amercians for Artsakh and The Armenian American Real Estate Association.
Early on I have contributed to “Badanegan Artsakank” and later to “Chanasser”, “Nor Hay”, “Nor Gyank”, “Asbarez” & “The Armenian Observer”.
My letters to the editor have been published in the Arab, Armenian and American media.
Since 1987 I own and operate my Real Estate Company - Kanjyan Realty.
I am married to Sona Kelligian, am a father of three children and grandparent of five boys.
Raffi- When did you have the idea of visiting your ancestor's house?
Zaven- I had always wanted to visit my ancestral home but resisted the idea not to set foot in Turkey. The illegal, illegitimate and immoral war waged by the Bush Administration in Iraq made a mockery of the system of values in the world. It is complicated but the simple explanation remains to be the fact that for the first time I felt that I shared a common value with the Turk when I learned that the majority of the Turkish people just like me opposed the American invasion and occupation of Iraq.
For the first time I felt I was ready for the trip.
Raffi- What kind of obstacles did you face during your visit, and what were the reaction of the people when they found out that you were Armenian?
Zaven- I have described my "expectations" in my book as well as the "disappointment" for not having faced any obstacles during our trip. As a matter of fact our guide clearly told us that our trip was the first he had experienced with ultimately zero obstacles to visit anywhere or photograph anything. The experience of the reaction of people who found out we were Armenians was also very positive leaving the same taste of "disappointment" in us. Now there is no illusion that Turkey hosts many who would have liked us face the same destiny as Hrant Dink. But we did not meet them.
Raffi- Do the people living there fear that the Armenians would one day return to their home and get back their land?
Zaven- I believe Turks always fear Armenian demands of retribution & restitution after recognition. There are many examples of experiences whereby current property dwellers have asked the visiting heirs of homes to make their occupancy "halal". My personal experience could be that of the whole nation. When the Turkish occupant of my ancestral home asked me to tell him if the house was his or mine, my explanation is that he was experiencing a psychological turmoil and was not comfortable with his occupation. The more an educated Turk knows about the genocide the more uneasy and uncomfortable he will get.
Raffi- Do you recommend others to go through your path?
Zaven- I have concluded from my personal interaction with Turks whom I met during my pilgrimage and from our collective knowledge of Orhan Pambuk, Kemal Yalchin, Elif Shafak, Ragip Zarakolu, Fatma Muge Gocek, to name a few, that an educated, well informed and knowledgeable Turk who realistically faces his nation’s history cannot refrain from the feeling of guilt and shame. And pilgrimages of the sort will certainly help accomplish that. It will first sustain our bondage with our historical and ancestral lands. It will ignite the torch of a conscious national belongingness among the children of those who somehow survived the genocide, continue to live on the land but have lost their identity. And finally it will raise the conscious question in the minds of the current inhabitants and occupants of the land as to who these Armenians are & what is their relationship to the land.
In a speech at the United Armenian Congregational Church on November 5, 2006, three months before his martyrdom, Hrant Dink, referring to the Armenian Evangelical Camp Armen in Tuzla near Istanbul which he had described as “heaven on earth, an Atlantis” where over 1500 Armenian youngsters spent their childhood and youth for around twenty years and which was seized by the Turkish government in 1980, said: “And I have great hope that one day we will definitely repossess the camp that they took away from us. Definitely.”
In March 2008, the news wires reported that President Gul signed a decree into law whereby properties seized from minorities in Turkey after 1974 will be returned to their rightful owners. The Tuzla Camp is on the head of that list and I hope to see Hrant Dink’s rightful struggle in that respect come true.
There are seventy two million Turks & Kurds today who will not suddenly and magically vanish from the face of the earth. As a State and as Armenians of the homeland and the Diaspora it is my hope and wish that as much as we concentrate , encourage and assist in the development and enlightenment of our homeland, Armenia, we should also encourage to witness the same kind of development, education and progress in Turkey itself.
A civilized, progressive and well educated neighbor (provided we are one too) will only help sustain our homeland and the well being of our people.
Wwe can all repeat with the Psalmist our own vow and commitment
“ If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill, may my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy” Psalms 137: 5-6
Meanwhile, for a peaceful and happy coexistence of our children, grandchildren and successive generations let us hope, pray and struggle for a peace well anchored on justice.
Raffi: What advice do you give to the youth living in the diaspora, in the Middle East and in the States?
Zaven: I am optimistic about the future. We should keep the struggle alive, visit "home" as much and as often as we can. Always keep the Turk in a defensive mode. His knowledge of the facts in addition to our constant struggle and demand for justice will one day break him down.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Armenian Choirs Preparing For the Joint Performace for April 24
Six choirs, ARMISS, Shnorhali, Ayk, Kousan, Arakelotz, and Groong are having joint sessions in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church, to prepare for the joint performace of April 24 event, that is going to be held in Emille Lahoud Hall.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Badaniatz Leaders Get Trained
Organized by the Kordzatir Marmin, on 17,18 January, the leaders of the Armenian Evangelical Youth groups gathered together and went to Feytroun in order to take part in a leadership training. The guest speaker for the event was the Rev. Vatche Ekmekjian who has a vast experience working with teenagers.
Knowing that today's focus span of teenagers is much lower, the main target of the training was to equip leaders with creative ideas and attention grabbing methodologies so that the message of the gospel could be reached to the youth.
In order for participants to practice the creative methods conveyed, the group was divided into two teams and each team had to use the techniques learned and come up with creative ways of presenting the gospel.
We thank the Kordzatir Marmin and the Rev. Ekmekjian for the useful leadership training in order to reach out to a vital member of Christ's body - the youth.
ManoChil
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A short biography of Harry L. KOUNDAKJIAN
At age 22 founded photo-journalism in Beirut, Lebanon working as photo-reporter for the French language daily 'L'Orient' and its Arabic sister paper 'Al Jarida'.
During the same time free-lanced for Magazine and Ousbou el-Arabi weeklies of Beirut with whom he had over 300 cover picture stories; for Time and Life magazines and The Associated Press; Paris Match, France-Soir as well as Dalmas and Keystone Photo Agencies of France; Illustrated London News magazine, The Daily Mail and The Daily Express and The London Times, The Manchester Guardian of London.
Joined The Associated Press in Beirut, Lebanon in 1966 where he covered all Middle East events, from military coup d'Etats to Royal weddings--four for King Hussein of Jordan--and deaths, earthquakes in Turkey, Iran and Morocco, cyclone in East Pakistan, now Bengladesh.
Being Armenian and neutral in Middle East conflicts, was the only remaining photo-editor during and after the Munich Olympic massacre. Covered Miss Europe pageants during five years in
Beirut, the Pope's 1st visits to Jerusalem, East Pakistan, and Turkey.
Traveled with Sec. of State Henry Kissinger and Cyrus Vance in Air Force I during their shuttles to make peace between Arabs and Israel. Visited West Africa where he accompanied Mrs. Pat Nixon during her 'goodwill' tour etc. Was supervising photo-editor for the Asian Olympics in Tehran during Shah Reza Pahlevi's reign.
Did several picture stories about Leila Khaled, the notorious Palestinian lady who hijacked the TWA jetliner to Algiers and Damascus.
Had front page and cover photos of the Lufthansa hijack to Dubai by Palestinian 'freedom fighters' showing the hijacker, Capt. Mahmoud aiming his pistol at the pilot's head, who was later murdered and his body thrown from the plane in Aden.
Covered the Lebanon crisis from 1973 until 1979 when he and his family were transferred to New York City headquarters as a multi-lingual photo editor responsible for publications' needs outside of the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Has won World Press Photo prizes and APME plaque.
He is known as Harry "The Horse" and is now the International Photo Editor at the AP, in New York.
Left picture: Mr. Harry speaking about his pictures of 55 years, at Hamazkayin in New York City
Right picture: Ms. Lola Koundakjian giving her testimonial about her father.
Left to right--Aida Koundakjian, Harry L. Koundakjian holding the plaque given to him by Hamazkayin, and Dr. Herand Markarian
Left picture: Richard Pyle reading his testimonial about Harry "The Horse" koundakjian
Right picture: Close up of Richard Pyle
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Օրհնեալ Է Յարութիւնը Քրիստոսի
KRISDOS HARYAV I MERELOTZ,
ORHNIAL E HAROUTYOUNE KRISDOSI
Secular and Christian Music, an interview with Mrs. Salpy Keleshian
- Is there a difference between secular and Christian songs?
- Are there genres that are sinful?
- How was Salpy's path in the Christian music field?
- Would she have went to secular music industry and hence more popularity?
- What is the situation of the Armenian Christians in the USA?
- Is there a new album?
You can listen to the interview by clicking on the following link: http://www.divshare.com/flash/playlist?myId=6829692-e17
Also, you can listen to the many interviews about addiction, speaking in tongues, being a stumbling block, ... by going to http://www.chanitz.com and scrolling down the bottom of the page, where you will find the list of the interviews.
CHANAGHPOUYR Team Read More......
