Rev. Hagop Tchoghandjian with Friends


The Evangelism Committee



Mr. and Mrs. Haroutyoun Sanossian


Mr. Hampartsoum Terzian



Mr. Serop Seropian



Rev. Megerdich Karagoezian, President of UAECNE


Mr. Yervant Kassouny



Rev. Soghomon Kilaghbian


Rev. Hagop Sarkissian


Mr. Kevork Karaboyajian



Ms. Maggie Bardakjian and Mr. and Mrs. Khacherian



Rev.and Mrs. Karagoezian



Mrs. Araxie Mazmanian and directors in the Elders' House



Rev. and Mrs. Svajian



Mr.and Mrs. Svajian



Rev. and Mrs. Messerlian



Chanitz youth


Visiting the Cedars

Commemoration of a Former Armenian Evangelical Scouting Program of Beirut, Lebanon

By Zaven Demirjian


Former Scouts with their Scoutmaster
Names of people from Left
1st Row: Zaven Demirjian, Dr. Steven H. Aharonian, Rev. Dr. John Khanjian, Raffi Aposhian, Nishan Basmadjian, Robert Meneshian,
2nd Row: Dr. Vicken Aharonian, Dr. Ivan Shnorhokian, Dr. Ara Tilkian, George Keushguerian, Vatche Kasparian, Barkev Tashjian


The former members of the Junior Christian Endeavor Organization of the First American Evangelical Church of Beirut, Lebanon, hosted a dinner and program on January 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., in the Derian Hall of the Armenian Cilicia Evangelical Church, in Pasadena, California. The guest of honor for the evening was Rev. Dr. John Khanjian, who was the organization’s prominent Youth Leader and Scoutmaster during the years of 1957 to 1962.
Rev. Kevork Terian, Pastor of the Cilicia Church, gave the invocation. He thanked God for the virtuous character and dedicated service of Dr. Khanjian, who has been a role model to his students.
Zaven Demirjian described some of the activities of the scouts. He stated that the church provided a room, that was used as a meeting place and storage area. Tents and sleeping bags were purchased at a discount from Hagop Salibian’s business. The scouts went on camping trips to different mountain locations, such as Brummana. In the winter a popular trip by train was the snow covered mountain at Dahr El Baydar.
Nishan Basmadjian presented the biography of Dr. Khanjian who was born in Aleppo Syria. He graduated from Near East School of Theology and the American University of Beirut in 1962. He also graduated from Claremont Graduate School with a Ph.D. degree in 1974. He has taught at Aleppo College,Near East School of Theology, Kansas Wesleyan University and University of La Verne. He was Dean of Students from 1987 to 1993 at the Armenian International College/University of La Verne, where Nishan also worked as Librarian. From 1995 to 2002 he was President of Haigazian College, which became a University in 1997. At Haigazian University he upgraded the academic program, the infrastructure, including the renovating and moving back to the old campus in West Beirut. Presently he is the Provost of the Evangelical Theological Academy (Seminary) of Armenia in Yerevan, which aims at training ministers and Christian workers.
Some of the former scouts shared interesting events and experiences.
Dr. Steven H. Aharonian stated that he had served with Dr. Khanjian in the Haigazian University Board. As the President of AMAA he regarded the success of the Seminary in Armenia very important for him. He was confident that Dr. Khanjian will apply his administrative experience in laying a solid foundation for the Seminary.
Dr. Vicken Aharonian appreciated the fact that his father, Rev. Hovhannes Aharonian, the President of the Near East School of Theology, had assigned Dr. Khanjian to be Youth Leader and Scoutmaster. He recalled a camping trip at the Litany River,where the scouts tried to catch frogs.
Dr. Ara Tilkian said that his father, Rev. Garabed Tilkian, being the Pastor of our church in Beruit was very busy, and he was glad that Dr. Khanjian was helping him by working with the youth. He also reminded us about “Kchag” Summer Camp, located on a beautiful Lebanese mountain covered with pine trees. Christian Endeavor groups held their summer camps and retreats in “Kchag.”
Dr. Ivan Shnorhokian reminded us about an injury to his nose after a scary fall at a campsite. First aid was applied, the wound healed, and no trace of injury remained.
A plaque was given to Dr. Khanjian in appreciation of his services to our organization. He was grateful for the affection shown to him, and he said he still considered his scouts to be adolescent “badani” at heart.
The scouts were thankful to their Scoutmaster for teaching them survival skills, endurance,moral values and to be “always ready” to serve the Lord, the church and humanity.

Source: FORUM, Sept-09 Issue

Interview with Rev. Hagop (Jacques) Tchoghandjian About the Armenian Evangelical Churches in France

  • What is your opinion about Lebanon, since we know that this was your first visit?
  • How would you evaluate the evangelistic meetings that were organized by the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church?
  • How is the condition of the Armenian youth in Lyon in general and the Armenian Evangelical youth in specific?
  • How is the relationship of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in France with the Armenian Apostolic and the Armenian Catholic Churches respectively?
  • Does using the two languages, French and Armenian in the Church worship become a hindrance to the preservation of the Armenian language and identity?
  • Does the Armenian Evangelical Church in Lyon coordinate with the Armenian cultural organizations and parties regarding April 24 and Armenian cultural events?
  • What is your opinion about our Chanitz blog and newsletters?

You will listen to the answers to these question that Hagop raised with Rev. Hagop Tchoghandjian. The interview is in Armenian.

CHANAGHPOUYRTeam

 

The Armenian Youth’s Affair with Hedonism



Architects (Mardiros Altounian – designer of the Lebanese Parliament building), engineers (Zaven Khedeshian – engineer of Bikfaya Monument), authors (Claudia Marchelian - screenwriter), photojournalists (Harry Kundakjian – AP photographer), painters (Paul Guiragossian), religious leaders, doctors, comedians (Pierre Chammassian), athletes, psychiatrists (Dr. Antranig Manoogian), composers (Jelalian), merchants, businessmen, and industrial leaders. Those are some of the 20th century’s reputed Armenians of Lebanon who produced magnificent magnum opuses in their respective avocations.

Unfortunately much changed after the civil war when a large portion of our pundits emigrated to greener pastures. The younger generation was left without its chef d'oeuvres to emulate. Today, many Armenian youths in Ashrafieh, Bourj Hammoud, Dora-Amanos, Fanar, Rawda, Jdeide, Zalka, Jal El Dib, Antelias, Mzher(Dzaghgatzor), Naccash, Dbayeh, Jounieh, Jbeil, Tripoli, Zahle and Anjar have precipitated into mediocrity. They have no aspiration to achieve noble heights. All they perceive around them are drug dealers, drunkards, businessmen who make illegal money, pimps, and political leaders who go on bickering endlessly against each other. Legions of bright adolescents have plunged into having an affair with the petty philosophy of hedonism – going high on drugs and wasting their lives pursuing the luscious night life and the so-called no-attachment-sex. On the educational arena, our schools have fallen behind in reforming the teaching methods and hiring teachers with updated skills. Moreover, Armenian families have failed to engrave self-confidence into their children and bestow upon them the love of books and education.

From another scene in Hamra, Verdun, Zkak el Blat, and Ain Mreisseh, where the majority of the communities belong to the Muslim faith, the picture is quite different. Today our Muslim compatriots are leading the country on most grounds – intellectual, moral, and spiritual. Muslim families are elevating the self-confidence of their sons and daughters, encouraging them to be proud of their religion and ethnicity, and enrolling them in superior schools which would prepare them to graduate cum laude from European and American universities. By the same token, Muslim families have succeeded in preserving the sacredness of family and advocating extracurricular activities by registering their kids in fine arts classes from dancing, music, and theater to painting, sports, and foreign languages.

During a TV interview I was watching about a year ago, ex-Financial Minister Damianos Attar, who had served in Prime Minister Mikati’s cabinet back in 2005, made an interesting remark stating that the reason Christians were spearheading Lebanon in all spheres was because of their possession of moral integrity. Hence, the only way for Christians – and Armenians in specific – to effectuate nobleness of character is to regain their lost faith and moral ground.

To counter the waves of pessimism and self-loathing the Armenian Church, community, parties, institutions, and leaders should seek out the younger generation, build communication bridges, and become their life mentors before our youth further slip into the abyss of doom right before our eyes. The older generation and our sages have much to teach and pass on to the next generation. They were the offspring of bruised, torn, and hungry Armenians who successfully carved into their children’s hearts the will to achieve, the tenacity to persevere, the morals to nobility, the love of family, and the faith of our forefathers in order to have life and have it abundantly.

ManoChil