The Rev. Dr. Manuel Jinbashian shares the Power of the Bible

May 2008: The Rev. Dr. Manuel Jinbashian of Montreal, Canada, delivered lecture in
Nicosia, Cyprus, entitled, “The Bible: Historical reflection on the Armenian
translation and its role in building the Armenian national identity”. The lecture took place on Monday, May 5, 2008, in the Armenian Prelacy’s Utujian Hall. The lecture was initiated and organized by the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus. His Eminence, Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Primate of the Armenian community in Cyprus,
Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, the Armenian representative in the Cyprus parliament, the
Holy fathers of the Larnaca and Nicosia parishes, together with members of the Armenian community in Cyprus were among the attendees.
Mr. Hrayr Jebejian made the opening word. He welcomed all on behalf of the Armenian
Evangelical Church in Cyprus. He briefed the Armenian nation’s historical development from the 7th century BC (the formation of the Armenian nation) up to the turning era in 301 AD (the Christianization of the Armenian nation). “The Christian faith since then has become the identity of the Armenian nation and in all aspects of life,” said Mr. Jebejian. “The need to preserve the Christian faith bore the necessity to invent the Armenian alphabet and the translation of the Bible into the Armenian language,” he continued. “Language and culture modifications and changes urge communities to reconsider the translation of the Bible in their own language, including Armenian,”
he added. He then presented Rev. Dr. Manuel Jinbashian as the master mind behind the recent Bible translations into Western and Eastern Armenian.
Rev. Dr. Manuel Jinbashain gave a brief overview on the Christianization of Armenia and the need to have our own alphabet to preserve the Faith. Church masses were held in Assyrian and Greek and the leadership, then, were very concerned as to how long the Christian faith can be preserved without their own mother language. “The Armenian nation owes a lot to Mesrob Mashdotz, Sahag Bartev and Vramshabouh, who invented the Armenian alphabet and translated the Bible into Armenian. It is through the Bible that the Armenian nation is surviving up till today,” said Rev. Jinbashian. He highlighted the strength and the beauty of the first translation of the Armenian
Bible, “Takouhi Tarkmanoutian”. He critically and with the use of Scriptural examples showed the power of the first translation in the areas of cultural adaptation and linguistic analysis. “The First Armenian Bible was the translation of the concept and not of the word,” Rev. Jinbashian added.
Rev. Jinbashian spoke also on the ongoing Bible translation work of the Western and Eastern Armenian and the need to finish the process that had started with the late Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian. He concluded his speech by saying, “Those Christian nations and communities who do not have the Bible in their own language are destined to die. The survival of the Armenian nation owes a lot to the translation of the Bible into Armenian”.
The lecture created interest among the attendees who asked many questions to Rev. Jinbashian after the presentation. The concluding remarks were made by Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, who also offered the “Bahbanitch”.

Merdinian School Banquet Highlights Plans for New High School

BY JOYCE ABDULIAN

UNIVERSAL CITY--The Universal Sheraton Hotel Roof Garden was, on March 2 the celebration site of the 26th anniversary of the Charlotte and Elise Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School. Peter Kougasian, an Assistant District Attorney of New York City was Keynote speaker. He spoke about the importance of an Armenian Evangelical education such as the one offered at Merdinian. He shared how his ancestor's Armenian Evangelical faith and education continues to influence him.
Kougasian, works in the office of Robert Morgenthau-- grandson of Henry Morgenthau, the US Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during World War I. He relayed a warm message from Morgenthau. He shared how the Morgenthau family are fierce partisans of the Armenian people in the world today stating “Armenian blood flows through their veins and whenever there is an Armenian cause, they can always be counted on to try to bring a sense of justice.”
The evening began with the honoring of Armenian history and language teacher Ashkhen Ispendjian. Board of Directors Chairman, Dr. Hrair Atikian honored Ispendjian for her 25 years of devoted service to the students and school. She came to Merdinian after serving in Lebanon as a teacher and principal for 20 years. Here, she not only taught Armenian language and history, but prepared textbooks for these courses when no such books existed. Ispendjian expressed her appreciation for the honor and confessed she “lied” to her students claiming no knowledge of English in order to encourage their use and understanding of Armenian.
Former students honored her. Duduk player Armen Kvryan, performed a musical piece and Greg Martayan, stated, “Merdinian is not just a school feeding into college prep schools. Merdinian is the prep school for life.”
Also honored were individuals who have served 15 years or more on the Board of Directors. The late Alice Haig was highlighted as the “First chairperson and moving force behind the school from its inception 27 years ago.” Accepting her award posthumously was her husband, Dr. Vahe Pierre Haig. The other honorees were: Zaven Khanjian, Koko Balian, Samir Ekmekji, Hratch Sarkis, and Dr. Nazareth Darakjian,
Dr. Steve Aharonian, AMAA President, encouraged the gathering to continue their financial support for the growth of the school--pledging AMAA's support by raising 10% of the cost. A conditional-use permit for the new expansion has been granted as of this printing, adding 13,100 square feet on the same school site for a high school. The projected cost is about $7 million. The student population will have the capacity to increase from 260 to 650.
Principal Hovsep Injejikian stressed the importance of a high school by stating; “When the students leave us at the end of middle school, they are still teenagers. They are not fully committed to their Armenian Christian heritage.”
Master of ceremonies Dr. Nazareth Darakjian stated how the school started with, “a few visionaries and with a lot of faith and hope.” Miss Elise Merdinian made the school possible by donating her entire estate to the AMAA.
An architectural drawing of the proposed new high school was proudly exhibited by the building committee consisting of Samir Ekmekji, Dr. Hrair Atikian, Hratch Sarkis, and Herair Mouradian. Evening co-chairpersons Helga Sarkis and Seta Nalbandian, along with their committee, were encouraged by the enthusiasm shared by the evenings large crowd and some impromptu donations. The Lark Musical Societies Women's Acappella Chorus provided the musical portion of the evening under the direction of Maestro Vatsche Barsoumian.
From the humble beginning in 1982 with only 13 students and no campus of their own, Merdinian has developed into this unique Armenian Evangelical School shaping the lives of hundreds of students as they envelop their Armenian Christian heritage coupled with a first class education. Elise Merdinian's dream was realized beyond her expectations.

Asbarez

Camp Arev Breaks Ground on Expansion Project

FRAZER PARK, Calif.--More than 150 friends from Los Angeles and Fresno gathered on a crisp spring day for the April 12 groundbreaking ceremony of the expansion project at Camp AREV. The new facilities will include an Infirmary, a Chapel, and a Dining Hall.
As the bulldozer moved the earth signifying the beginning of the project, everyone rejoiced in God's goodness and mercies for the prospect of a facility that will accommodate more campers. Also, there now will be separate quarters for a fulltime nurse to attend to medical situations that may arise. This expansion will also be utilized by many organizations wishing to use the facilities. The Camp committee hosted a delicious kebab lunch enjoyed by all.
The Celebration Banquet of the expansion of Camp AREV will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the United Armenian Congregational Church Paul Avazian Hall at 6 p.m. This year's theme is “Building on the Foundation of Our Lord.”
The Camp AREV banquets are always a relaxed time of Christian fellowship. Come and be updated on the new expansion, and hear about how God is continuing to change lives for His glory through the Camp AREV ministries. Young people gather together in both summer and winter camps to worship God and learn of His life-changing message.
For banquet information, please call Arsine Phillips (213) 509-4337

Asbarez

Two New Armenian Radio Stations

It seems that the Armenian radio stations are establishing in various places in Armenia and specially in the diaspora, where many are making use of the broadband cables to launch their online radio stations...
  • AZAD-HYE Radio Station, an online radio station launched in April 24. It is broadcasted and administered in the United Arab Emirates. http://www.azad-hye.com/radio/
  • RADIO SEVAN, a new radio station that was newly established in Lebanon:

    ՌԱՏԻՕ ՍԵՒԱՆ
    *101.5 եւ 90.8 mhz ալիքներու վրայ,
    24 ժամի վրայ 24։
    * cable vision-ի վրայ 11880 ghz digital.
    * Կայքէջ։ www.radiosevan.com
    Հասցէ։ Քարաքօլ Ըլ-Տրուզ, Նաժահ շէնք,
    13րդ յարկ, Պէյրութ-Լիμանան։
    Հեռաձայն։ (01) 37 30 04 fax։ (01) 37 30 04
    Բջիջային։ (70) 16 60 60

Visiting Camp Armen in Tuzla, Turkey

More than 100 Armenians in Turkey visited the Camp Armen or Badanegan Doun in Tuzla, Turkey, with Mr. Garabet Orunoz leading the group.

The late Mr. Hrant Guzelian had the vision of this camp and Hrant Dink lived here and married here.
However, the Turkish government took the land back in 1980's, claiming that they had bought it illegally.
This case is not yet over, and many believe that the rightful owners will get it back.