While we’re thinking of a new church year – a new start – it is helpful to rethink, one more time, why we do what we do in our lives, and especially in our church lives. A beginning sets the tone of progress; the basics. Let’s start with a solid base. What’s our attitude? Why do we go to church? How do people choose which church to attend? In church development classes, we learn that there are four good reasons why people change/choose a certain church:
Theology: The doctrine of a church plays a great role, especially in terms of liberal vs. conservative doctrines and their applications, because this affects your whole spiritual life. Sound doctrine and Christ-centered Biblical teaching is crucial for us.
Fellowship: There are people who deliberately choose to attend churches that have strong social gatherings, community understanding, caring and helping members, and frequent socializing. As a matter of fact there are churches that are so good at fellowship that they attract many friends and introduce Jesus Christ to them.
Mission/Outreach: There are people who seriously commit themselves to a particular mission project and choose to be a part of it. They look for a church that initiates or supports these mission projects. When the church pastor or the lay leaders are gifted in evangelism, the whole church direction may be mission and outreach.
Pastor: Fortunately or unfortunately, people choose churches because of the pastor, too. They like or dislike the pastor, his sermons, his caring spirit, his leadership etc., and they make their decision on that basis.
As an ethnic church, I can add one more criteria, which is ethnicity. How much Armenian culture (in our case) do we have in this church? For many centuries the church has been a safe haven to keep the nationality and the culture of its people alive. For many Armenians this is extremely important. For others this is strange
thinking for church growth.
The world teaches us to make choices based on our feelings rather than looking for God’s will for us. The world teaches us to customize our orders according to our “needs.” You don’t need to buy a ready-to-go computer; Dell will make one just for you according to your order. You don’t need to buy the entire CD; you can go online and purchase only the songs you like for your iPod.
Sometimes, this mindset affects our church lives and consequently our spiritual lives. We start thinking, I like this part of the sermon (or the church), I dislike the other part, etc., instead of thinking, what is God teaching me? We do learn a lot from the business world on how to run the church and administer our ministries.
But we must always be careful to have the right spirit, the Holy Spirit, who will always be with us and in us to correct us, lead us and empower us to do the will of God. Let’s begin our new year with great Spirit.
Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian,
Senior Pastor, First Armenian Presbyterian Church
Fresno, CA, USA
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Beginning
Interview with Rev. Joseph Matossian About AEUNA, the Armenian Evangelical Churches and the Armenian Community in USA
- What is the role of the AEUNA and what are your responsibilities?
- What is the language that is used in the Armenian Evangelical churches?
- Why is America regarded as a very liberal and sort of a heavenly country by those living in the developing countries?
- What is the stand of the Armenian Evangelical Churches towards gay marriage?
- In which aspects do the Armenian Evangelical Churches lack in evangelism today?
- What is the role of the youth in the church today?
- What is your opinion about our Chanitz blog/newsletter (http://www.chanitz.org)?
You can listen to the interview by clicking on the following link: http://www.divshare.com/flash/playlist?myId=9021767-a63 or at: http://www.divshare.com/download/9021767-a63
Also, you can listen to the many interviews about addiction, speaking in tongues, being a stumbling block, ... by going to http://www.chanitz.org/ and scrolling down the bottom of the page, where you will find the list of the interviews.
CHANAGHPOUYR Team Read More......
Emails and Messages
Ms. Zepure Berberian (Lebanon): "Dear Raffie
Thank you to your reply, I'm from Arm. Evangalical of brotherhood in lebanon,
i have recieved before many times your e-mails and was happy to see and read the reports.
god bless you
zepur
bye"
Mr. Hagop Gojigian (Lebanon) commenting on (Հայ Աւետարանական Համաշխարհային Խորհուրդի Նախագահին Հանդիպումը Հայաստանի Հանրապետութեան Նախագահին Հետ): "orinageli badveli me , yerani polore verabadveli Harout Selimian-en orinag arnen , ir ashkadasiroutyane . ov vor kideh Hay Avedaranagan petel yegetsin yev tebrotse inch er asgeh 10 dari arach yev hemag inch yegadz a , indzi bid hasgena.
Asdvadz Ortneh Ver. Harout . "
Tom and Annie Hoglind (Lebanon): "Just want to tell you over again that your emails, website and blogs are incredibly good. Thanks for making the effort!
Love,
Tom and Annie"
Ms. Rosangela Jarjour (Cyprus) commenting on (Beyond Borders and Beliefs): "I truly enjoyed reading your article. It is so well done, so tranperant and goes deep into the heart. The end is somehow sad but so full of hope for the future and the possibility of re connecting with that person. You did excellent job as if an expert dealing in conflict resoluation and pre concieved fears from the others! I pray that this experience you had would be given to many other youths from our churches and community.God bless you and we are proud of you! Rosangela jarjour"
Mrs. Ani Hovagimian (Arab Gulf country) commenting on (ՄԻ ՁԳԵՐ ՈՐ ՔԵԶ ԱՆԱՐԳԵՆ): "Rev. Hovhanes,
Thank you for your words, nice!! I miss church and everybody. I wish i can read or receive Sunday service. Send my greetings to all chanitzugun. Love u all , Ani"
A commenter (Syria): "To the Anonymous in Kuwait. It seems you are ignorant. Please read more in the History of the Armenian people. As for the souls you are worried about ask the the Apostolic church in Yerevan to do more for the people since Bourj Hammoud in Lebanon has more apostolic churches than Yerevan the Capital of Armenia. "
Mr. Vako Nicolian (Canada) commenting on (ԱՊՏՈՒԼ ՄԱՍԻՀ ԻՆԾԻ ՊԱՏՄԵՑ ԱՊՐԻԼ 24-Ի ՄԱՍԻՆ): "Very interesting, I am interested to know the author of this article. "
Administrator's response: "Unfortunately Vako, we still couldn't find or know the author of this article"
Mr. Sebouh Boyadjian (Lebanon): "Dear Evangelical chanitz blog
thank you very much for all the news that you are sending to me, i am so happy to hear about your work , God bless You."
Ms. Shushan Artinian (Lebanon) commenting on (ՀԱՅԵՐԷՆ ՏԱՌԵՐՈՎ ՆԱՄԱԿ ԳՐԷ): "Հայերէն բառերու իմաստը գիտնալու կամ ուղղագրութիւնը ստուգելու համար, կրնաք նաեւ հետեւեալ կայքէջը գործածել: http://www.nayiri.com/ "
Administrator's response: "Շատ շնորհակալ եմ Շուշան որ յիշեցուցիր ինծի այս կայքէջը: Նկատեցի որ վերափոխուած է եւ արդէն գործածութեան վիճակի մէջ է: Շատ կը նմանի yamli.com-ին, որ արաբերէնի լեզուին համար է:
Երանի թէ այս կայքէջը որդեգրուի google-ի կողմէ եւ Firefox/Explorer-ի կողմէ, որպէսզի հիմա մինչ կը գրեմ, եթէ սխալ բառեր գրեցի, ցոյց տայ սխալներս որ սրբագրեմ ու սորվիմ սխալներէս: "
Mr. Vako Nicolian's response: "nayiri.com կայքէջը շինած է Սերուծ Ուրիշեանը, յուսամ կրնայ Ռաֆֆիին առաջարկածը կատարել Google-ին հետ: "
Ms. Betty Ketchejian (Lebanon): "ur doing such a great job with d blog, vartsket gadar irav!"
Mrs. Alidz Aghbabian (USA): "lav kordz gu desnes"
Rev. Haroutune Selimian (Syria): "Dear Raffi, thank you for all the valuable work you are doing."
Mr. David Hagopian (USA): "Administrator Raffi,
Thank you for placing me on the list for the Chanitz Blog. It is a great service that you do for the evangelical community. I am writing to ask if there is anything that has been done differently in the last two weekly e-mails. When I receive them, my Outlook hangs up with a reference to having to communicate with googleblogs. Not sure if any of your other users are having the same problem. Please let me know.
Thank you,"
This problem was quickly resolved.
Mrs. Sona Khatcherian (Montreal, Canada): "I am writing to say thank you for allowing us the opportunity to keep up with the news from abroad. We are currently in Canada and it is a blessing to be able to hear about what is going on with Armenian Evangelical Christians from around the world. Thank you for your hard work and faithfulness.
God Bless,
Sona Mammigonian Khatcherian
Montreal, Canada"
Emmanuel Badaniatz (Juniors) Kicks Off with 50 Youth
In October Badaniatz kicked off with around fifty junior youth gathering in Emmanuel Church and Torosian School's playground.
This year's leadership team is comprised of:
Mrs. Jimmy Kozman Ohanian, chairman/secretary
Mr. Mike Hagopian, treasurer
Mr. Raffi Chilingirian, leader
Mr. Jean Baghboudarian, leader
Ms. Markrid Markarian, leader
Ms. Talar Marashlian, as a field worker of the union
We thank Mr. Manoug Ibitian, Mr. Hagop Gojigian, Ms. Maria Jertidian, Mr. Jiro Ghazarian for their leadership, service and sacrifice within the team. And we welcome Ms. Markrid Markarian and Ms. Talar Marashlian as part of the team.
The Bible: The Essence of Tarkmantchatz
October is designated as Cultural Month in the Armenian calendar to celebrate the invention and impact of the Armenian alphabet by Saint Mesrob Mashdots. The Armenians read his name in the Canon of the Mass and celebrate his memory on February 19. The invention of the alphabet in 406AD proved a powerful factor in the building and preserving of the national spirit, strengthening the Armenian Church and ultimately the bond among all Armenians.
The first monument of the invention of the alphabet was the translation of the Bible from the original Greek into Armenian which was completed about 434. Many of the modern linguists consider the translation of the Bible into Armenian an almost perfect match and have coined it the "Queen of Translations".
The first verse that St. Mesrob translated was the opening line from Solomon’s Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament: “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding”.
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia declared the year 2009 as the Year of the Youth. In line with the Cultural Month and the 2009 Year of the Youth, Mr. Hrayr and Dr. Arda Jebejian initiated the gift/donation of 100 Children and Youth Bibles to the Armenian Prelacy of Cyprus to be distributed to the Nareg schools in Cyprus and to the Sunday School in Nicosia run by the Prelacy. The two editions of the Bible stories are adapted into a simple language and enriched with drawings to make them accessible and attractive to children and youth. The Bibles were officially handed to His Eminence, Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Catholicosal Vicar in Cyprus.
On Monday, October 12, 2009, Mr. Hrayr Jebejian, accompanied by Father Momik Habeshian, the parish priest of Sourp Asdvatsatsin in Nicosia, presented the Children’s Bible to one of the elementary classes in Nareg, Nicosia. Through a brief, interactive time with the students, Mr. Jebejian highlighted the
significance of Tarkmanchats and then explained how the Children’s Bible was written, designed, and printed in such a way that it made God’s Word easily accessible and attractive to the young generation. As the Children’s Bible comprises of 365 stories, Mr. Jebejian encouraged the young children to read a
story a day and complete the reading of the whole Book in one year.
The Children and the Youth Bibles are both produced by the Bible Society in Lebanon in collaboration with the Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon. The Bible Societies are international Christian publishing organizations that have 145 offices worldwide and operate in more than 200 countries. The Bible Societies are interconfessional organizations that work with all the different churches and denominations, including the Armenian churches.
Mr. Hrayr Jebejian is the General Secretary of the Bible Society in the Arabian Gulf (BSG). Currently, the management office of the BSG is based in Nicosia, Cyprus. Dr. Arda Jebejian is a linguist and the author of 19 books. Currently, she lectures at the School of Humanities, Law and Social Sciences in the University of
Nicosia. Dr. Jebejian is the author of the Armenian Children’s Bible.
Our Article "Հայերէն Գրենք Հայկական Տառեր Օգտագործելով" Mentioned in Seta's Armenian Blog
Our article Հայերէն Գրենք Հայկական Տառեր Օգտագործելով continues to be widely spread and gets mentioned in Seta's Armenian Blog devoted to redistributing newsletters and articles related to the Armenians. Our article was first published in Chanitz blog, then in Aztag Armenian newspaper, then in RAG Mamoul, then in Azad-Hye Magazine, then in Keghart.com. It is still distributed worldwide through email forwards.
You can find this article at the following link -> http://www.chanitz.org/2009/05/blog-post_16.html
ARMISS Choir Will Restart Practices
The Armenian Evangelical ARMISS Choir committee announces to all its members to book the following date and time: Sunday, November 1, at 4:30 pm, in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church.
ARMISS Committee
Pictures from Mrouj Sunday Service
Rev. Hovhanness Svajian (pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church), and Ms. Ani Baboghlanian (elder in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Kchag Café, Singing Contest
A singing contest was held during Kchag Café, where the participants were divided into two groups and the moderator, Manoug Chilingirian, would give a letter, and the group will try to find a song starting with the letter and sing. The second group would wait to find out with which letter the first group's song ended with, and try to find a song that starts with that letter.
The two groups were divided equally, and despite the first group's enthusiasm and team spirit, the second group was able to come out victorious. Oh well, better luck next time :)
The moderator, Mr. Manoug Chilingirian
The first group: Mr. Raffi Chilingirian, Ms. Maguy Arslanian, Ms. Hasmig Orchanian (Armenian Evaneglical Brotherhood Church), Mrs. Ani Karabashian-Sabounjian (visiting Lebanon from Qatar), Mrs. Pauline Aynilian.
The second group, with Rev. Soghomon Kilaghbian at the right
The first group: Ms. Rima Cholakian, Mrs. Nver Haidostian, Mr. Hrag Avednanian
Mr. Garbis Deyirmenjian, Rev. Nerses Balabanian (visiting Lebanon from San Francisco, USA)
Mrs. Arda Jebejian (visiting Lebanon from Cyprus), Ms. Shaké Geocherian
Mrs. Sevan Balabanian, Mr. John Sagherian, Rev. Nerses Balabanian, Mr. Garbis Deyirmenjian, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian
Some of the diligent members of Kchag Café: Mr. Hovig Assilian, Mr. Garo Torkomian, Ms. Talar Ikjian, Mr. Hovsep Kevorkian
TRIBUTE TO THE FOUNDERS
Beirut, October 13, 2009- On October 12, 2009, Haigazian University paid tribute to its Founders, during its Annual Founders’ Day celebration, in the presence of the University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, Board members, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and students.
The ceremony started with the processional march, followed by the Lebanese National Anthem, after which, Campus Minister, Rev. Greg Lee-Parker offered the prayer of invocation.
Student Life Director, Antranik Dakessian presented the Student of the Year, who traditionally is privileged to address the Haigazian community on Founders’ Day. “The Student of the Year personifies the student who has wisely combined both the academic and the co-curricular aspects of university life and is at a good standing in those two spheres,” Dakessian explained.
Student of the Year 2009, Vahan Yoghourdjian confidently invited the students to adhere to their identity, nevertheless, tolerating and accepting the differences of others. “Balancing these two harmoniously would be the best”, said Yoghourdjian. He encouraged fellow students to get enrolled in the different extracurricular clubs of the University, in order to improve their social skills, critical thinking, and leadership proficiency. He also shared with them, how his personality was shaped at Haigazian University, and how his overall value system was affected.
Yoghourdjian concluded by saying that university life could be lived to its utmost, by “properly using the tools and opportunities provided by the university, thus, becoming fully accomplished leaders of the society.”
After a short musical interlude, a piano and flute duet, “Canon” of Pachelbel, skillfully performed by Araz Aitian and Talar Mandoyan respectively, President Haidostian remembered the founders of Haigazian University, paying tribute to their exceptional vision. “The fact remains that the Armenian Missionary Association of America and the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East partnered together and were supported by visionary individuals from Philadelphia and Phoenix, Stephen Philibisoan and Steven Mehagian who funded the project and led its board”, Haidostian said.
In his inspiring speech, Haidostian reiterated the fact that “Haigazian was born in a land of freedom, where education, creativity and the rich exchange of culture and knowledge were encouraged.”
In his translation of the University motto “Truth, Freedom and Service”, Haidostian highlighted three fundamental ingredients, “a big heart, a creative mind, and a trained hand.
He concluded that the ideal for the students and indeed for all of Lebanon is to prepare “givers”. In this respect, he identified that, “even though Lebanon is often seen as a receiving entity, recipient of funds and goods and political decisions, we need to know that we are called to and have the potential to give qualitatively to all people around the globe”.
Keynote guest, the Founder and Executive Director of CATHARSIS, the Lebanese Center for Drama Therapy, talented actress Zeina Daccache addressed the audience by expressing her pride and gratitude of being a graduate student at Haigazian University, in Clinical Psychology.
As a drama therapist, Daccache shared with the audience her fulfilling experience with forty prisoners at the Roumieh prison in Lebanon,. Daccache recently produced and directed a theatrical work, where the actors were the prisoners, with sentences varying from one year to death sentence. She explained how her work has challenged her, by helping the forgotten members of society, and turning their dead ends into positive opportunities.
Daccache was chosen as the guest of the event, because her sense of calling matches with Haigazian’s value system, in her case, “by using her talent and passion for turning realities of hopelessness, isolation and imprisonment to actions of love, development and teamwork,” as President Haidostian mentioned in his speech.
The program concluded with community singing the University’s Alma Mater.
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Our Article "Հայերէն Գրենք Հայկական Տառեր Օգտագործելով" Gets Republished in Keghart website
Our article Հայերէն Գրենք Հայկական Տառեր Օգտագործելով crosses the oceans and gets published in Keghart website, a Canadian-based website. Keghart is Dr. Dikran Abrahamian's website devoted to community activities and Human Rights. This article was first published in Chanitz blog, then in Aztag Armenian newspaper, then in RAG Mamoul. It was also distributed worldwide through email forwards, about which we knew through a French Armenian doctor.
You can find this article at the following link: http://www.chanitz.org/2009/05/blog-post_16.html
Pictures from Mrouj Sunday Service
Mr. Antranig Messerlian (an elder in the Armenian Evangelical Marash Church) and Mrs. Vera Svajian (pastor's wife of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church)
Rev. Hovhanness Svajian (pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church)
Our Partners/Sponsors in Ministry
Haigazian University
Haigazian University is a liberal arts institution of higher learning which operates on the United States model of higher education using English as the language of instruction. Its purpose is to provide quality education in a Christian environment where academic freedom and the search and dissemination of truth are predominant. It seeks to empower students both for leadership positions and as professionals to serve in the Armenian and non-Armenian Lebanese communities as well as in the Middle East.
P. & E. Torosian School
Torosian is a neighborhood school. Most of the students live a walking distance from school. The school implements the Lebanese Government Curriculum in Kindergarten, Elementary and Intermediate levels. The school's mission is to educate the Armenian new generation with Christian, Armenian, sound and decent education. Mrs. Seta Karageozian is the principal of the school.
Armenian Evangelical Christian Endeavor Union
The Armenian Evangelical Christian Endeavor Union of Syria and Lebanon (Armenian: Լիբանանի և Սուրիոյ Հայ Աւետարանական Եկեղեցիներու Քրիստոնէական Ջանից Միութիւն) is the youth organization that is affiliated with the World Christian Endeavor Union and the Christian Endeavor International. The Armenian Evangelical CE Union mostly coordinates with the youth ministries of local churches and at the same time it runs two summer camp sites (Monte Verdi-Lebanon and Kessab-Syria) where various groups (Children, Teenage, Youth and Young couples) organize their summer camps and conferences.
Howard Karageuzian Foundation
The Howard Karageuzian (HK) Commamorative Corporation was founded in New York in 1921 by Mr. and Mrs. Mihran and Zabel Karageuzians in memory of their son Howard who died of malaria while only 14.
Ջանասէր
Chanaser, the bimonthly magazine, is published by the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East.
Owner: Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East
Publisher: U.A.E.C.N.E. Publications Committee
Bible Bookshop
The Christian store for gifts, Bibles, and Christian books. Whoever likes to gift a nice present can find suitable gifts for suitable prices with quality products. The store is located next to the Armenian Brotherhood Church, in Armenia Street.
Soulahian Super Store
The store where you will find your needs met; whether you need kitchen equipments, or gifts that you need to buy, or toys, ornaments for your salon, or electrical equipments... The store is located near Shamlian Tatigian High School, in Bourj Hammoud, Sin el Fil Roadway.
Peter's Brass
Established in 1951 as a family business: Peter's Brass is one of the major firms in the awards, gifts and sign industry in Lebanon today.
Character and expression is the result of much given attention to the fine artistic and technical details.
Combined with modern technology and traditional hand finish, they cast the events of today into living history.
Kardashian Printing Services
Kardashian Printing Services, the one-stop place for all your paper/paperless publication needs. Kardashian Printing Services is a commercial printing company based in the Industrial City in Bouchrieh, Lebanon.
High Bar
High Bar Dance group provides the ultimate new ideas for all kinds of cultural dances, varying from Armenian to Lebanese, Gulf, Greek, Modern, Latin, Spanish, Gipsy, and much more!
The aim of the group is to highlight the different cultural dances during wedding ceremonies, with affordable prices that best serve the couple.
"Thou Shall Not Kill" Sparks Debate
I read with interest your message entitled “Thou Shalt Not Kill”. What a dichotomy! How could such a religious man as Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer contemplate the killing of a human? Our Bible addresses death and killing in many ways. Indeed, many have argued that the Christian Bible is contradictory when it comes to this (and other) subjects. For example in Matthew 5 & 6, and in Luke 22 the Scriptures, appear to offer contradictory direction.
Luke 6:29 (New International Version)
29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
Matthew 5:39 (New International Version)
39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Luke 22:36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
On one hand we are giving away shirts and on the other we are selling them for weapons. But as Armenians we refer to the Bible as “the breath of God” and therefore it cannot be contradictory.
The best explanation that I have ever heard of this particular dichotomy came from a lay preacher by the name of Bali Balian (my grandfather), who lived in Lebanon until the 1960’s. He said that these verses mean exactly the same thing. For the good of society, the protection of the innocent, the protection of family, and the defense of a nation, there are times when one must kill and there are times when one must die. As a Christian it is easier to die than to kill. But we must be ready for both situations. Without the knowledge of Scripture and the love of Christ in one’s heart, it is difficult if not impossible to discern, when faced with this situation, which path to choose.
David R. Hagopian
Deerfield, IL USA
Dear Manuel
I read your article: Thou shalt not kill. As you wrote about Dietrich Bonhoeffer I'm sure you know that he once said something like: "It is less culpable to do something bad, than to be bad."
Interesting enough I'm reading a book by Paul Tournier. The title: "Shall We Assert
Or Give In? (Sich durchsetzen oder nachgeben?) Quote: "Bishop Wurm had often discussed the matter with an other Bishop (in Nazi Germany), one of his best friends, who, like him hesitated. Fortunately, one night, Wurm suddenly had an inner call, that he should take vigorous action and breake with the regime. He took it as a divine inspiration and immediately obeyed. It was high time. Little but was missing and he would have, like the other bishop, been led astray from compromise to compromise to conform with the regime, until eventually he wouldn't have been able to get away. Consequently he and his friend, who both hesitated for a long time, became leaders of two parties of the church, who irrevocably stayed in opposition, one in resistance, the other in submission."
How difficult it was for even a godly man like Bishop Wurm to know what to do! May God give us and all his children in times needed an inspiration and may we then obey immediately. May HE give us grace all the time.
With best wishes for your service in chanitz and wherever, including privately. Special greetings from Switzerland to you as well as to Badv. Svajian and Dig. Vera.
Elisabeth
(previously in Anjar)
Read More......Dear Elizabeth and David Hagopian,
I’m am glad to know that the article I’ve written as of late September 2009 – Thou Shalt Not Kill – has stirred you to think about this difficult issue and write good responses whether a Christian should contemplate the very idea of killing when necessary.
I believe this subject will keep on being a controversial matter to many throughout their lives.
In Truth,
ManoChil
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Vahe
Vahe, the one and only blind person who attends Haigazian University, majors in psychology, gets around with an escort and always holds a black Samsonite. I had the honor to hold his hands for three and a half years ; hands that comforted me instead of me leading them as we went to and from classes, on the way to spiritual life meetings or to his usual sitting place in front of the admissions office. I remember the time when he passed his hands around my face to find out if the image he has of me is similar to what I really look like; this was after we went out from psychology of perception course.
Vahe (image courtesy of Ms. Araz Boutchakjian)
I witnessed the problems he had in his educational life; you can imagine how hard it was for Vahe to constantly search for people who have enough time to read the chapters for him or to take him from place to place; however, he never gave up. Many times I got upset in his place, yet he remained calm; even in his stress, he had this positive attitude that things will be okay. God’s presence with Vahe was very clear providing him with enough patience and serenity to go through the hard times he experienced.
During his last semester in university, Vahe found out that he had cancer. Can you think of a better timing? Or shall I say “the worst timing”?! many people prayed for him. Vahe was able to make it to graduation; he walked up to the stadium and got his diploma. Everybody were on their feet clapping and appreciating his strength and will power. I have never seen that amount of excitement showing in his facial expressions.
Few weeks later, he died. I struggled a lot with God, asking questions, wondering the reasons, demanding explanations. Why Vahe? Wasn’t it enough that he was blind and suffered a lot already? Couldn’t death find someone who suffered less than Vahe? As I was haunting myself with these thoughts and arguing with God, I remembered the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible which states that anything might happen to anybody; Negative and positive incidents happen to both good and bad people. Laughter and tears are part of life. Death is also part of life; its forms might differ, yet death is inevitable for all. Knowing this fact doesn’t make Vahe’s death any less painful; however, it keeps me away from blaming God for what happened to Vahe because God is graceful and loving; He doesn’t work with punishment-reinforcement technique. God never creates negative situations; however, He is loving enough to make use of even the negative situations and make the best out of them. How do I know this? I know this through enjoying life with God and through trusting the following verse which is found in Romans 8:28 “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”.
Death may be an end to many things; an end to living with one’s family and friends; an end to walking in the same neighborhood; an end to being in the same body. What was death for Vahe? I don’t know, but I know that Vahe was a Christian believer, and for Christian believers, death is not THE END; it is a continuity of the journey they started with God.
It is true that Vahe’s life on earth is over; however, his spiritual life is in its greatest shape. He is with his Lord appreciating his eternal life and guess what? He is using his full sight.
It is a great accomplishment to be remembered positively while living; it is a greater accomplishment to be remembered after death. For me, Vahe’s death is a constant reminder of his life and of the foremost thing I learned from him: contentment.
I don't know the reasons behind his death, I can't understand or even accept; all I can do is pray that his death, like his life, be a wake-up call for the blind in spirit and for all of us to stop nagging and be content with the lives we have. Let us not worry for what we don’t have, but let us think of how we can make good use of what we have to be a refreshing example to others just like Vahe was, is and will remain a model of contentment to me.
Thank you Vahe.
Hagop Akbasharian,
Armenian Evangelical Marash Church, Chanitz member
NEST student
Նուիրուած Վահէին Յիշատակին
This Armenian poem is dedicated to Vahe, a young man, who was born blind, who attended the Haigazian University, and was able to graduate, after conquering many difficulties, only for cancer to take his life after one week of his graduation. His life touches many...
Հարց տուինք ինչո՞ւ ասանկ եղաւ, հազիւ թէ հասաւ գագաթին, մահն եկաւ իրեն առաւ տարաւ:
Ըսինք ինչպէ՞ս կրնայ իր ուսումը շարունակել, առանց տեսողութեան իր առօրեան անցնել:
Արդեօ՞ք պիտի կրնայ հասնիլ, անցնել քննութիւնները իր:
Մենք որ կը գանգատինք ամէն ինչին, ուր մնաց ինք որ կը դիմագրաւէ իր հարցերը առանցին:
Անցան գացին օրերը, ու հասաւ բարաց այդ օրը:
Ելաւ Վահէն բեմին վրայ, ելան մարդիկ ոտքի վրայ:
Ծափն ու սլոցը ամէն կողմէն, կը լսուէր բարձրաձայն ու աշխոյժօրէն:
Չի կրցայ զսպել իմ տրտունչը, իջաւ առաջին իմ արցունքը:
Հաւատացի որ Աստուած կայ, ով Տէր այսպիսի բան կ՛ըլլա՞յ:
Հարց տուի ինչո՞ւ ասանկ եղաւ, հազիւ թէ հասաւ գագաթին, մահն եկաւ իրեն առաւ տարաւ:
...
Գնաց, գնաց երբ դեռ երիտասարդ էր, երբ դեռ նոր յաղթած էր,
երբ դեռ բոլորս ապշեցուցած էր:
Գնաց առանձին, գնաց մինակ, բայց գնաց խիզախ ու ճակատաբաց,
ձգելով մեզ բոլորս բերանաբաց:
Ձգեց ամէն մէկուս քով հետք մը, թաքնուած յատուկ տեղ մը,
հոն ուր հոգին կ՛երերայ, հոն ուր հոգին շունչ կը ստանայ:
Գնաց... գնաց... գնաց Վահէն:
Ռաֆֆի Չիլինկիրեան
Our Article "Հայերէն Գրենք Հայկական Տառեր Օգտագործելով" Get Republished in Azad-Hye Magazine
Our article Հայերէն Գրենք Հայկական Տառեր Օգտագործելով gets published in Azad-Hye Magazine, a Middle East Armenian Portal, based in UAE. This article was first published in Chanitz blog, then in Aztag Armenian newspaper, then in RAG Mamoul. It was also distributed worldwide through email forwards, about which we knew through a French Armenian doctor.
You can find this article at the following link -> http://www.chanitz.org/2009/05/blog-post_16.html
Interview with Mr. Harout Nersessian About the Mission of AMAA in Armenia
- When and in what conditions did AMAA embark on its mission in Armenia?
- What does AMAA do today in Armenia?
- Are there any schools and organizations that AMAA supports?
- What about the spiritual dimension of the work of AMAA?
- What is your opinion about our Chanitz blog?
You can listen to the interview by clicking on the following link: http://www.divshare.com/flash/playlist?myId=8854611-569 or at: http://www.divshare.com/download/8854611-569
Also, you can listen to the many interviews about addiction, speaking in tongues, being a stumbling block, ... by going to http://www.chanitz.org/ and scrolling down the bottom of the page, where you will find the list of the interviews.
CHANAGHPOUYR Team Read More......
Rev. Nerses and Sevan Balabanian with the Chanitzagans
Rev. Nerses and Mrs. Sevan Balabanian along with their daughter Nanor visited the Chanitz youth group of Emmanuel Church. Rev. Nerses shared with the youth about his ministry in San Francisco, and had fellowship with the youth. Chanitzagans from Ashrafieh Church also were present, as well as Nanor's classmates and friends.
Pictures from Mrouj Sunday Service
Ms. Ani Baboghlanian (Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church), Rev. Soghomon Kilaghbian (Armenian Evangelical Church of Ashrafieh)
Mr. Raffi Andonian (Armenian Evangelical Marash Church)
