New Disciplinary Management System Being Implemented in the Armenian Evangelical P. & E. Torosian School

An interview with Mrs. Seta Karagoezian, the principal of the Armenian Evangelical P. & E. Torosian School. The interview is conducted by Mr. Raffi Chilingirian, the Editor in Chief of www.chanitz.org.



RC - Can you tell us about the new system that you started implementing during the start of the 2009-2010 academic year in the Armenian Evangelical P. & E. Torosian School?
SK - Arm. Evang. Torosian School implemented a new system at the current academic year 2009-2010, in the KG & Elementary classes.
The system is a disciplinary one & helps improve class management.
The aim of it is to have a positive inforcement on students & at the same time educate them to be responsible for their behaviour.
The system has it's rules which are made clear to students in each class at the beginning of the school year, Then they're posted in each class clearly.
The system deals with both positive & negative behaviour.
In class, any positive act or an acheivement ( not necessarily a high grade) of a student is rewarded by a gift from the surprise - box.
On the other hand if a student breaks a rule , the teacher reminds him twice orally. If the student continues to do so , the teacher sticks a paper on his desk as a close reminder. If he still goes on , he bears the consequence.
In this way the student becomes responsible to control himself with the help of the teacher, hence concentrates on his duties.


RC - Why did you choose to implement this system?
SK - Class management & class discipline are the pillars of group education.
In the new generation , active & hyper-active students are increasing in number. In a group of 25 or more they make a great difference in the class management.
The aim of establishing such a system is having a uniformity in all classes with a positive approach. And educating the children to be responsible for their behaviour was the compulsory force to implement the above system.


Teachers attended 2 one-day workshops to study & master this system & then implement it in their classes.


RC - What are the initial results of this system on the students and on the teachers?
SK - Having evaluated the system after 2 months, revealed that in most of the classes teachers were happy. Their tension & anger was decreased.
Students disciplined themselves just to get a gift from the surprise-box.
Surprise-box worked wonders in some cases.
Few students though had to bear the consequences.


RC - What do the parents think about this new system?
SK - At the beginning of the year, parents were informed of the new system. They expressed their gratitude.
Some of them cooperated very effectively & the results were obviously very positive on their children. Others who couldn't cooperate got a lesser share of benefit.




















Photos provided by Mr. Manoug Ibitian

Haigazian University Book launch: “Armenians of Lebanon: From Past Princesses and Refugees to Present-Day Community"

Boudjikanian: This book should be available in each Lebanese-Armenian home and in each Diasporan Armenian home, if not in Armenia.

Beirut, April 20, 2010 – On April 9, 2010, a new book entitled Armenians of Lebanon: From Past Princesses and Refugees to Present-Day Community was launched at Haigazian University.
The book contains the proceeding of the multidisciplinary conference "Armenians of Lebanon: Their Past and Present”, held in September 2005, on the occasion of the University’s 50th Anniversary.
The event kicked off amidst a capacity audience, including Minister of State Jean Oghasabian, MPs Hagop Pakradouni, Farid El Khazen and Arthur Nazarian, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Rev. Soghomon Kilaghbian, Board members, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and students.
The event began with a short introduction delivered by the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Patrick Farajian who stressed on the importance of the work as a research material. He concluded by highly evaluating the mutual “gifts” that Armenians and Lebanon have given each other.


Keynote speaker and editor of the book, Dr. Aida Boudjikanian who came specially from Montreal, Canada, warmly thanked all those who helped her make this book become a reality. She enthusiastically shared how the participants of the conference agreed to publish their papers presented at the conference in a book and how she was honored to be chosen as the editor. “Scholarly studies and books lack on almost every aspect of Armenian existence and history,” Boudjikanian said as she explained the book’s significance, adding that it will be “useful as a tool to launch future research and publications.”
Boudjikanian then proceeded to give her audience a brief glimpse into the content of the book and its fourteen chapters, as diverse in topics as the languages they were written in. She asserted that contributions were kept in their original language, whether it be English, French or Armenian, covering topics ranging from the “Armenians’ well entrenched self-employment in Lebanon” to the “centrality of Lebanon in the Armenian Diaspora.”
She concluded with the hope that this book will show the younger generations “how their grandfathers and great-grandfathers were capable of building this community after 1920 and having their own resurrection.”
Next to speak was Member of Parliament Dr. Farid El Khazen, who celebrated the book as the fruit of Haigazian University’s 50th anniversary conference and expressed his earnest desire that this book be read by both Armenians and Non-Armenians.

In addition to his perspective on the book, he also expanded on the “three broad dimensions of Armenians in Lebanon.” Khazen stressed on the transition of Armenians from refugees to integrated members of Lebanese society, as well as the restructuring of the Armenian political sphere in post-war Lebanon, and finally, the fact that Lebanon is the most prolific in producing Armenian books in the context of the Diaspora after Armenia itself.
After urging that more research needs to be done on the evolution of Armenian institutions in Lebanon, Khazen brought his speech to a close.
This was followed by a short musical interlude, with Shushan Artinian on the cello and Maria Palazian on the piano, beautifully performing “Oror” by Parsegh Ganatchian.
University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian addressed the audience with words of appreciation for everyone involved in the process of creating this book, including the co-publisher, the Armenian Heritage Press, which is part of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). In the spirit of this collaboration, Haidostian revealed that a second book is in the making, again to be co-published with NAASR.

Commenting on Armenians of Lebanon, Haidostian added: “This book, in addition to its various Armenian merits, is to be considered as a chapter in Lebanese history and culture,”
He further stated that the Haigazian Armenological Review, a well-established academic journal, is this year moving towards additional publications in Armenian studies and will soon celebrate its 40th anniversary by publishing its 30th volume.
He concluded with the hopeful statement that “we, in the season of Resurrection, and on the doorsteps of the 95th anniversary of the Genocide, are ready to embrace the future.”
The program ended with a book signing and reception in the Mugar building.

Մայրիկիս (To My Mother)

Painting Night for the Renovation of the Chanitz Hall to Host the World Cup Lovers

While the World Cup kick off date gets nearer, Emmanuel Chanitz prepares to organize social and fellowship hours, to watch the games together in Chanitz hall.


For this reason, a subcommittee was created to put a plan to renovate the Chanitz hall, paint the walls, clean up the place, and make it ready to host the youth, soccer fans, and friends. And indeed, the chanitz-agans put all their effort in turning the Chanitz hall into a place where everyone would come to watch the games and have fellowship together. 

Healthy mind, in a healthy body =)


Jiro Gh., Ara T. Garo T., Mike H. Jano B.






Ara T. and Jano B.


Pauline I.


Koko A.


Armig K.


Jiro Gh.


Koko A.

Armenian Evangelical Torosian School's "Yeraz" Theatre Performs in Damascus, Syria

Organized by the Armenian Evangelical Church of Damascus, and with the patronage of the Syrian Armenian Evangelical Churches' community leader, Rev. Haroutioun Selimian, on Tuesday, 6 April, 2010, the "Yeraz" theatre group, with thirty two members left to Damascus, to perform "Vosgi Tsgnige" in the Russian Cultural Center.
The performance started with the Syrian and Armenian anthems. Present were the Syrian Armenian Evangelical Churches' representative, the pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Damascus, Badveli Datev Basmajian, Archbishop Armash Nalbandian, virtuous sisters, representatives of organizations, guests and fellow countryman.
The audience loved the performance and appreciated the effort. After which, the director, Mr. Robert Arakelian, was invited to the stage, who took the opportunity to thank each and every one who worked and supported the group.
The event was closed with prayer.

Harry the Horse in Haigazian University

Beirut, 19/05/2010 - The Middle East was the focus on Thursday, May 19, 2010 in Haigazian University, during an evening with international photojournalist Harry Koundakjian, an event organized by Haigazian University on the occasion of the Lebanese Martyrs’ Day.
The former chief Middle East photographer for the Associated Press Harry Koundakjian was introduced to the audience by University Public Relations Director, Mira Yardemian, who reflected on the sacrifices of journalists in general and photojournalists in particular, while trying to capture and seize moments in history throughout their lifetime career.
Through an engaging slide presentation featuring historic photos of events and people that have shaped the latter part of the 20th century, Harry Koundakjian, a.k.a. “Harry the Horse” by his colleagues and superiors, touched the audience with his unique humor, deeply moving them by the saddest and happiest of events.
The audience was attentively captured by the lens of Koundakjian, who commented on photos taken during a period of more than 50 years, covering conflicts, historical moments, political and religious figures, as well as famous stars; political leaders such as presidents Chamoun, Assad, Sadat, and Clinton. Kings such as King Hussein, King Saoud, Queen Elizabeth and the Shah of Iran. Political leaders such Arafat and late Prime Minister Hariri. Celebrities such as Gary Cooper, Shirley Temple, Dizzy Gillespie, and Laurence of Arabia, and William Saroyan. The show also featured tragic events, such as earthquakes, famines, and wars.
Veteran photographer, Harry L. Koundarkjian is considered to be one of the first press photographers in Lebanon. He joined the Associated Press in 1967, and was appointed chief of the A.P. Middle East photo staff in 1969.
Throughout his career, Koundarjian has been on a first name basis with many of its leaders. His photos- many, front page- have won him honors, including the AP Managing Editor’s plaque, and the World Press Photo Award.

Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director

"Gargach" Choir Holds Its Traditional Workshop/Trip in Kchag (Summer Camp)

Friday, 25 April, from 9:00am till 4:00pm, Hamazkayin's "Gargach" children and youth members, who were more than 100 in numbers, held their traditional workshop/trip in Kchag (Armenian Evangelical Summer Camp), led by their conductor, Mr. Zakar Keshishian and pianist, Mrs. Camilla Keshishian.

The workshop was organized by the "Gargach" Choir Committee, in cooperation with the Kchag Committee.

Bourj Hammoud gets face lift with new monument

BEIRUT: A brand new monument was unveiled in the Greater Beirut suburb of Bourj Hammoud.

Information Minister Tarek Mitri, Industry Minister Abraham Dedeyan, Bourj Hammoud Mayor Anto Misrelian and Spanish Ambassador to Lebanon Juan Carlos Gafo were at the ceremony to make public the mural and abstract sculpture along the neighborhood’s coastal road.

The mosaic and metal-work installations were designed and created by Lena Kelekian, a celebrated artist specializing in icon painting and restoration, who won the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal and Olympic Torch for the arts. Kelekian also collaborates with her husband, architect Hagop Sulahian, on urban art projects across Beirut.

“It’s high time we restore to the city the glamor it lost,” said Mitri, thanking Bourj Hammoud Municipality for taking the initiative to enhance the appearance of Greater Beirut. “Beirut’s image has been mutilated twice, through destruction and then reconstruction,” he added. “We should preserve what’s left of its glamor.” The location of the sculpture, Mitri noted, would allow motorists stuck in traffic to admire it from their cars.

“The Municipal Council [of Bourj Hammoud] is eager to offer the best to our city, as we believe in continuing the heritage of the past … and in the present, where we look forward to contributing to the prosperity of the future of Bourj Hammoud,” said Deputy Mayor Raffi Oglanian.

He said the sculpture and mural were part of ongoing plans to combat the dreary urbanized look of Beirut’s Armenian neighborhood.



“Bourj Hammoud, being a densely populated city, has been overwhelmingly covered with grey cement buildings and paved with black asphalt,” Oglanian said. “It was the idea of the Municipal Council to create green spaces and areas with artistic works that would embellish the city” and give a sense of calm to visitors, he added.

The Daily Star

Chanitz Youth of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church Marching on April 24

April 24, the Chanitz youth of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church had gathered in the parking lot of the church, where a minivan and cars were ready to transport them to the Mother Church, in Antelias, from where the march would proceed towards the Bourj-Hammoud Municipality Stadium.
One week before April 24, the youth came up with the idea to wear special T-shirts, on which the logo of Chanitz would be visible. And rightly so, on April 24, the chanitzagans, with the pastor, Rev. Hovhanness Svajian, wore the T-shirts and headed to Antelias. They marched united, together, one heart, one mind, and for one cause.
All the factions of the Armenian community had gathered to participate in the march. The schools, cultural organizations, religious institutions and societies, sports clubs, political parties and clubs, all were present to remember the Armenian Genocide and walk for justice.

* What was encouraging to know that 2 fellow Christians from Arab churches joined the Chanitz group to march with us.


(L to R): walking in front is H. Kalebjian, M. Chilingirian, A. Torkomian, J. Ghazarian, J. Baghboudarian, H. Assilian, R. Chilingirian.


The logo of Chanitz showing on the T-shirts


(L to R): starting from the 2nd lady, standing is R. Sourenian, G. Worley, P. Ikjian, A. Markarian, A. Kazezian, and M. Markarian.






Students of the Armenian Evangelical Torosian School participating in the march. From left to right, standing in front is Sevag, Ara, and Mano.




(L to R): in front is Sh. Aynilian, and Rev. H. Svajian


(L to R): H. Kalebjian, V. Aynilian (back), M. Chilignrian, E. Khachadourian (back), M. Hagopian, H. Gojigian (back), J. Ghazarian, G. Torkomian (back), J. Baghboudarian, H. Assilian (back), R. Chilingirian

The Legacy of Being the First

Istanbul, March 2010: As I climbed the stairs of the Armenian Evangelical Holy Trinity Church in Beyoghlou, Pera, Istanbul, I felt as if I were climbing through the stairs of history. I could feel the passion and vision of our forefathers who laid the foundation of the Armenian Evangelical movement in 1846. The Holy Trinity in Beyoghlou was the result of the same passion, being the first Armenian Evangelical Church in Istanbul and the entire world.

The Church still maintains its historical building, pulpit and chairs, but most of all, it still retains the spiritual enthusiasm of the past. The small congregation, under the leadership of the Council Chair, Mr. Hovhannes Torkomoglou, and lay preacher, Mrs. Sona Ozpenbe, is making sure that the Word is preached every Sunday and made available to the Armenian community in the country.

While preaching there on Sunday, March 21, I surveyed the faces of each and every parishioner. I saw their commitment to serve Christ, His Church and the community, acommitment deeply rooted in history and alive today. It was carried over the years with even more passion to be a living witness for the Lord.
Mr. Hovhannes Torkomoghlou has been faithfully leading the church over the past several years. He has been one of the safeguards of the Church and keen not only to “keep the fort” but to do more. “I am 74 years old and have lived my life,” says Mr. Hovhannes. Even so, Mr. Hovhannes still serves the Church with a vision for the future.




The lay preacher, Mrs. Sona Ozpenbe, has been preaching the Word of God every Sunday and providing pastoral care on a voluntary basis for the last ten years. Mrs. Ozpenbe considers her service a “calling”, a calling to serve the Armenian community through the Holy Trinity Church. The Church has prepared a plaque that will be placed at the entrance of the Church building. The plaque reads: “Armenian Evangelical Holy Trinity Church - The First Armenian Evangelical Church in the World”. As I looked at the plaque, the Church building and the faithful parishioners, I could see the torch of the Mission still illuminated and eager to do more. This, indeed, is the legacy of being the first.


Hrayr Jebejian