Dr. Ari Topouzkhanian Lectures About the Computerized Bible in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church

On Thursday, 9 Dec. 2010, organized by the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, a lecture was held in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church, by Dr. Ari Topouzkhanian, about the Computerized Bible.

Rev. Soghomon Kilaghbian welcomed everyone and presented the lecturer, who comes from France, and is the honorary editor of Panper, and member of the L'espoir Armenie, which sends aid to 500 children in Armnenia. Rev. Soghomon added that today is the age of computers, and that we should introduce the Bible to the new generation, using the computers, trasferring Christian education.

Afterwards, Dr. Topouzkhanian presented about the latest Armenian Bible that was published in 2001. He mentioned that the Bible should be republished, because the language changes with time.
He then introduced the software that contains the Bible in eight different languages. Also, the Armenian Concordance that was added into the software application.

What Do I Look For In A Christian?

One of the temptations we all experience is thinking of church growth with secular standards. If we have a big number of attendees at an event, or an event doesn’t cost much to the church, we consider it a success. We sometimes think the same way about people. If people aren’t  accomplishing great things, or making great achievements, we consider them failures.

We had Rally Sunday on September 12, 2010 to start the church year. Are some of us looking for  “successful” events and great faith heroes? What should we look for in people? After the stoning of Stephen, the church was explicitly persecuted and scattered. Saul was one of the most powerful persecutors of the followers of Christ until the Lord revealed Himself on the way to Damascus, and he repented and became a dynamic preacher of the Gospel of the Good News of Jesus Christ. When God led him to return to join the disciples, he obeyed, came to Jerusalem and tried to join the church. But the disciples were not ready to try to see the new person in Saul, because they were afraid.

But here comes Barnabas with a very crucial role to play: Introduce the Christian Saul to the apostles, convincing them that the Lord has changed that vicious and furious man to a humble and serving follower of Him. Barnabas is not presented to us as a great preacher like Paul or Peter or Timothy. But Barnabas did encourage Saul and the disciples. He lifted them up and the church started to grow very rapidly.

There are just a few sentences about Barnabas in the New Testament. The best description of him is found in Acts 11:24 – He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

We know from our Lord’s teaching that God alone is good, as He said to the young ruler: Why do you call Me good? Only God is good, meaning only God is perfect. I don’t think Barnabas was a perfect or sinless person, but I believe he lived his life according to Biblically moral and ethical standards, full of the Holy Spirit, bearing the fruits of the Spirit which are listed in Galatians 5 in such an obvious way that the Bible describes him as a good man. We don’t need to try to be Paul or Timothy. If God gives us that gift and blesses us, that’s great. But the reality is that God gives each one of us a different gift. Barnabas had the gift to encourage people and he did so wonderfully. What’s your gift? How do you want to use it?

We are looking for people to acknowledge God-given gifts and be willing to use them joyfully for His glory.

Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian,
Senior Pastor, First Armenian Presbyterian Church
Fresno, CA, USA

An Interview with Mrs. Seta Karagoezian, on the Occassion of the Preparations for the 60th Anniversary Events of the Armenian Evangelical P. & E. Torosian School

In 2011, the Armenian Evangelical P. & E. Torosian School will celebrate its 60 years of providing quality Christian Education, preparing generations of Armenians, inspiring students to be law-abiding citizens and educating them with Christian values and principles. On this occasion, we had an interview with Mrs. Seta Karagoezian, the principal of the school, to give details about the upcoming 60th Anniversary events.

(Interview by Raffi)



Raffi - Can you tell us about the history of the Armenian Evangelical P. & E. Torosian School?
Seta - Here's a brief history of Torosian
The growing number of Armenians in the Amanos area inspired Rev. Yenovk Hadidian to start a school. Thus in 1951 (Kindergarten section only) was started in a groundfloor appartment of a buiding nearby.
Of the current building, the piece of land belongs to AMAA, and the building expenses of the two floors came as the generous donation of Peter & Elizabeth Torosians. Later in 1981 the third floor was added by the committed efforts of Mr. Ogustin Bedir.
From the founding date, year after year classes were added to the school and grade 9 was completed in 1972-1973 academic year.
The school is still faithful to its mission, rendering good Christian Education to new generations. Although times change, methods change yet the school faces new challenges each year and tries hard to keep up.

Raffi - A 60th Anniversary committee was formed, can you tell us who the committee members are?
Seta - In October 2010, by the decision of the Board of Trustees a 60th anniversary committee was formed. Its members are:
Ms. Ani Baboghlanian(Class of '82)
Ms. Shake Geocherian(Class of '82)
Ms. Mable Mamigonian(member of the Board of Trustee)
Ms. Alidz Sabounjian(has been the secretary for over 25 years)
Mr. Mike Hagopian(Class of '97)
Mr. Jean Baghboudarian(Class of '03)
Ms. Seta Karagoezian(is the principal since 1988)

Raffi - Can you tell us about the events that the committee is organizing?
Seta - The committee has planned the following events:
  1. A local alumni gathering on 22 Jan. 2011, in school
  2. "Yeraz" 's theater performance on 25 Feb.2011, in Hovhannes Boghossian hall.
  3. Easter Bazaar on 7 & 8 April, 2011, in school
  4. A brunch for mothers in May 2011 (exact date to be announced)
  5. Trip to Cilicia/Badmagan Hayasdan in Aug.1-6 OR Aug.1-12 (details will follow)
  6. A banquet in early December 2011 (exact date will be announced later)
  7. A 60th anniversary yearbook.

Raffi - How many graduates do you have today, and are you able to keep in contact with your graduates?
Seta - Intermediate graduates until today are around 500. They are distributed all over the world. We have contacts with many of them in Lebanon. There is a group of Torosiantsees in LA that have met twice in the previous years.
Facebook is making the contact easier.

Raffi - What would like to say to the students and to the alumni of Torosian School?
Seta - To all Torosiantsees I want to say that Torosian School belongs to you all. You have spent a good number of your life here, and have gained good memories.
Do your best to participate in its 60th anniversary celebrations as much as possible. Let's all join in giving thanks to God for the 60 years of blessings we all have shared.
Hope to see you all.

Life, by Krikor Aynilian



"This is how our life is. We are living our present which is kind of clear. We can somehow remember our past, but not everything so clearly; and we have plans for our future, which might be quite vague"
Krikor Aynlian

“Phoenician Kings and Queens”: The Recent Works of Arthur K. at Haigazian University

Friday, December 17th 2010, was the opening of the painting exhibition of Dr. Haroutioun Nicolian. A.K.A Arthur K., at the Haigazian University Art Center, the Matossian Gallery.

More than 40 paintings with the mixed media technique and of various sizes were displayed at the gallery, exhibiting vibrant colors and a deep perspective on the faces of ancient kings and queens of Phoenicia, including Elissa, Ithobaal, and Ashtarte. Some of these rulers originated from major cities of Lebanon such as Tyre and Saida.

Nicolian was initially influenced by the works of Picasso and then Chafic Abboud, and now he works mainly in the abstract style. He expresses a great interest in the history of the Phoenicians through his art, paying tribute to their figurines and masks.







“Painting for me is a natural inspiration born from a profound feeling towards our ancestors and patrimony,” explains Nicolian. “National enthusiasm is an expression of feeling and awareness of our heritage and rich history.”

Dr. Haroutioun Nicolian, a medical doctor by profession, is also a poet and essayist. A prolific artist with over 1000 paintings to his name, he has exhibited his works in Beirut, New York, Toronto, Montreal, Sao Paolo, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and recently in the 12th International Art Exhibition in Beijing, China.

He has been influenced by the most unique philosophy of author Zecharia Sitchin about the birth of our civilization in the areas where the people of Sumer, Mari, Urartu and Phoenicia lived. His works include three different themes: Phoenician kings and queens, Violoncello players, and Traditional houses of Lebanon.
“Phoenician Kings and Queens” is in course until December 30, 2010

Mira Yardemian
Public Relation Director