Official Opening of the “Armenian Republic-Diaspora Cooperation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” Conference

Haidostian announces the establishment of the Haigazian University Diaspora Research Center

In the presence of spiritual, political, academic and community leaders Mrs. Mira Yardemian, Public Relations Director, Haigazian University, welcomed the audience and noted that the conference “Armenian republic-Diaspora Cooperation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” is the result of the cooperation of the Yerevan State University, Haigazian University and the Diaspora Ministry of the Republic of Armenia.

After the welcome those in attendance watched a video that showed snapshots of the various ceremonies, activities, seminars and conferences held on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of Haigazian University.


H.E. Mr. Ashod Kocharian, ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon, stated that it is an honor to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of Armenia and the state of Karabagh along with the 55th anniversary of Haigazian University. Mr. Kocharian emphasized the fact that several students from the Republic of Armenia who graduated from Haigazian University represent the Armenian Republic around the world.

Next, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of Haigazian University, welcomed the audience and stated that this conference will conclude the events dedicated to the 55th anniversary of Haigazian University. These had started in September 2010, when a group of Haigazian University faculty and staff visited the Republic of Armenia. Rev. Haidostian stressed that the conference is the implementation of what both Haigazian University and Yerevan State University had agreed and signed in October 2009. This type of cooperation confirms how the relationship between Armenia and the Diaspora can be close and warm.


Rev. Dr. Haidostian announced the establishment of the Haigazian University Diaspora Research Center and considered it a dream come true. Rev. Haidostian thanked Mr. Yercho Samuelian for being the first to actively support the Center. Next he thanked the Punig Fund for its generosity in supporting this conference.

In his speech, the Yerevan State University Rector, Dr. Aram Simonian, highly appreciated the role Haigazian University plays in preparing exemplary citizens. He handed the president of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, the award of the Yerevan State University Academic Board and gave him the gold medal of the University for his community service, and donated an oil painting of the renowned painter Anatoly Grigorian to the arts collection of Haigazian University.

Mr. Armen Kecheg, on the piano, and Mr. Hovig Karakhanian, on the violin, beautifully played the “Nocturne” of Edward Baghdassarian and “Ghaytarma” of Alexander Sbentiarian.


The Diaspora Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Dr. Hranoush Hagopian, in her welcoming word, considered Lebanon the nest of the Armenian culture, mentality and spirit. She stressed the fact that in this fast changing world the role of the Diasporas have become more essential. She quoted President Sarkisian saying that Armenia is a different country with the Diaspora. Finally Minister Hagopian presented a painting of an Iraki-Armenian artist to Rev. Dr. Haidostian.

At the close of the evening, Rev. Dr. Haidostian presented to the Minister Hagopian and Rector Simonian special souvenirs commemorating the occasion.

Church Discipline and God’s Call

“Be on your guard against any followers who refuse to obey what we have written in this letter. Put them to shame by not having anything to do with them. Don’t consider them your enemies, but speak kindly to them as you would to any other follower” 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15.


A couple of months ago, when I was at a church in Armavir, Armenia, the pastor, in the middle of the service, called out on a young couple from the congregation and pointed out in front of everybody that they had made the wrong choice by escaping from home and having a civil marriage. It was a very humiliating scene. At first, my friends and I thought that the pastor was wrong in doing that, but after some thinking we came to the conclusion that what the pastor had done was the right thing.


I believe that this subject is avoided in our churches. We are afraid to scare people off, we are afraid to lose our church members, we are afraid of how people will look at us, us being “old-fashioned” , or us being “not cool”. I have heard many criticisms from teenagers saying that clergy nowadays are mostly concerned with being “cool” or “popular”. Jesus didn’t call us to be popular but faithful.


Once an eastern King wanted to attack and capture a small city, but knowing the ruler’s value, he wanted to make a peace agreement. When the messenger came to the ruler Abu Taber to announce the peace agreement, Abu Taber called one of his soldiers and ordered him, “Get a knife and plant it in your heart”. The soldier did what he was ordered. Then, he called another soldier and told him, “Go up to that mountain and jump into the emptiness”. The soldier did what he was ordered. So, Abu Taber said, “You see how faithful my soldiers are. Even though we are few your king will get the same treatment as my dogs do”. And so it happened. We can see from this short story that even though they were few in number, they accomplished much.


The same thing is with our daily lives, God doesn’t call us to be popular or to be “cool”, or to be part of this world. He calls us to be faithful to his message, to carry His Cross and follow Him as Jesus commanded us, “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).


Let’s go back to the verse from Thessalonians when Paul writes, “Don’t consider them your enemies, but speak kindly to them as you would to any other follower”. Yes, church discipline is very important, but we just can’t go and accuse people as simply as that. I believe the Church is called to have:


  1. Genuine love, if we don’t have Christ’s love in us, which is pure, a love which doesn’t get jealous, a love which forgets itself and wants only the greater good of the other, then we are in no place to tell our fellow believer, “Friend, you are wrong”. However, as Paul instructs us, we have to be kind and gentle so churchgoers won’t get irritated or even in certain cases run away from the Faith. 
  2. Discipline must be done for the overall good. If the remark done isn’t for the good of everybody, then there’s no point showing it out in front of everyone. But if it will help reshape the path of others, then many will profit from that remark. 
  3. Before pointing out one’s error, the person must spend much time in prayer, so as to know if it’s God’s will or not.
Unfortunately, regular attendants of our churches are decreasing and not increasing in number. All that people want is to be shown the right way and the Truth. These are what people search for, and if we as a Church don’t provide them with these essential elements, then who will? Once again Christ doesn’t call us to be successful and popular but faithful. Unfortunately, being popular and faithful at the same time is almost impossible. The Bible is clear on this point, “You are in trouble when everyone says good things about you. That is what your own people said about those prophets who told lies” (Luke 6:26).


But this isn’t something to be sad about. On the contrary, we must be happy and rejoice as Jesus said, “God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. Be happy and excited. You will have a great reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12).


God is concerned with quality rather than quantity. He would rather have a band like Gideon’s that he can trust, than having large numbers and knowing that when trouble comes, they’ll be the first to run away.


Vahé Jébéjian

ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH -NOR MARASH DAILY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - 2011

Isn’t it wonderful to remember that we can always trust God? Financial needs, volunteer teachers, organization of trips… were full of concern. But trusting in the Lord made us enjoy and have a wonderful summer school full of God’s protection and blessings.

D.V.B.School took place in Nor Marash Church from 4 July – 5 August, 2011 from Monday to Friday from 8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
12 volunteer teachers served God, by working in D.V.B.S. Most of them enjoyed their first experience, always having in mind ‘The Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21)’, that God has trusted His work to us. So, we have to serve Him with all our hearts; doing our best.
We had 78 children whose ages varied between three and thirteen years old.

The five-week program was the following (except for the trip-days):
1. Physical Exercises
2. Worship (prayers, spiritual songs, Psalm 8, Bible stories)
3. Class Division for Bible Lessons & Crafts (according to age)
4. Recess (individual/group games & snacks)
5. Activity Time (hand-crafts, watching videos, & swimming-pool [with barbeque]).
6. Club Division (dance, sports & crafts)

Usually, the majority of the children were from non-Evangelical schools/ families. We are glad for this, because the D.V.B.S. aim was to offer them the chance to hear about Jesus, closer to their hearts.

During worship we emphasized the importance of prayer. We taught them that they should pray every day for themselves and for others. And it was lovely to see children who never prayed and who started trying to talk to Lord Jesus by praying few words.

Our goal was to lead the children to learn to be OBEDIENT, starting from their homes, to their parents and then being Obedient to God, by reading and keeping God’s word in their heart.
They studied 10 Bible lessons through the exciting Bible stories. All heroes were taken of Being obedient or disobedience.
The kids enjoyed the lessons because each had exciting workbooks for activities, which all were taken home at the end of DVBS.

The trip days were one of the most awaited days. Thank God, we were able to have a trip once a week. We went 2 times to “KCHAG”, the Christian Endeavour Resort Campus, where we worshiped God and had indoor and outdoor activities with lunch. Then we went to the “Luna Park”, ‘Splash Land” swimming pool, and “Jungle Land” playground. And also children were enjoying having swimming pools and BBQ lunch in our campus.
We had Birthday Party with “Parev Pokrigner” group. Their characters created great interest and happy atmosphere. They played drama having a moral lesson “ Being obedient” and played games with children. Children were served with juice, cakes, and popcorn. At the end of the party the children were distributed gifts (T-shirts, shorts and pants) donated from World Vision. Children were very happy with that.
The last day we had our wonderful farewell party, parents were invited to hear a lecture about ‘how to teach and behave with our children to make them learn obedience’ then children performed all the songs, verses, psalms, prayers, and the dance that they have learned through 5 weeks. At the end each child received his work in a decorated file, and CD of all their pictures as a memory.

We’ve never let any child deprived of DVBS’s joy, as a result of his financial situation.

We are thankful to all whose financial support was an encouragement for all of us. The World Vision, the Youth Endeavor (Korzatir) , and to our Church board.

We are so grateful to God for the year’s blessings of harmony, success, and safety. We thank God for all the volunteer supporters in different essential and unique ways. And to all our teachers:
Virjinia, Dzovig, Sonig, Mary, Narin, Anahid, Joseph, Apel, Araz, Hasmig and Patil,

Teaching children is hard work. It’s exhausting but most of all it is FUN, FUN, FUN! The most important job we’ve done. May God bless each child, the teachers who taught God’s wonderful Word to His precious children, those who prayed for us, and those who helped us financially and morally.

Truly,

Anita Jamgotchian-Andonian

World Vision





Happy Birthday






Splashland






Super Students




At Kchag






















Rev. Hrayr Cholakian Preaching in the Mrouj Church

On Sunday, September 25 - the last worship service, for the summer of year 2011, was held in Mrouj Church. Rev. Hrayr Cholakian, pastor of the First Armenian Evangelical Church, gave the sermon. Mr. Samuel Svajian, a member of Elders' Committee of the Emmanuel Church, led the worship. After the service, the church had fellowship and reception.





Republic of Armenia- Diaspora Cooperation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Conference

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of Armenia and the 55th anniversary of Haigaizan University, in cooperation with the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Diaspora, Haigazian University and Yerevan State University, the “Armenia-Diaspora Cooperation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” conference took place at Haigaizan University in Beirut from September 5 to September 7, 2011. The official opening of the conference took place on Monday, September 5, 2011. The speakers at the official opening session were the Ambassador of the Armenian Republic in Lebanon, HE Mr. Ashod Kocharian, the President of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, the President of the Yerevan State University, Rector Prof. Aram Simonian and the Minister of Diaspora, Dr. Hranoush Hagopian.


Among the capacity audience present were Rev. and Mrs. Mgrditch Karagoezian, Archbishops Kegham Khacherian and Vartan Ashkarian, Minister General Panos Manjian, Minister and Mrs. Vrej Sabounjian, MP and Mrs. Serj Toursakissian, MP Jean Oghassapian, MP Hagop Pakradouni, MP Shant Chinchinian, MP Sebouh Kalpakian, and numerous political, academic and community leaders and guests.

During the first session, Tuesday, September 6, 2011 (moderator Dr. Arda Ekmekji) Minister Hranoush Hagopian spoke on the governmental policies regarding the promotion of Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian discussed the educational aspect of Armenia-Diaspora cooperation and Rector Prof. Simonian discussed the Armenological aspect of this cooperation.

During the next session (moderator Armen Urneshlian) Dr. Razmig Panossian elaborated on the theoretical aspects, concerns and proposals regarding the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, whereas Dr. Edward Melkonian spoke about the political aspects of the first twenty years of Armenia-Diaspora relations.

During the third session (moderator Baruyr Aghbashian) Dr. Prof. Yuri Avedissian discussed the role of the educational institutions in the Armenian Republic related to the Armenian Diaspora and stressed that the current cooperation could and should be furthered. The second speaker, Dr. Serj Srabionyan, gave a brief picture of the Lebanese Armenian literature.



On Wednesday, September 7, 2011, during the fourth session, (moderator Dr. Zaven Messerlian) Dr. Mher Hovanissian highlighted the current challenges of the websites dedicated to Armenian Studies within the context of Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. Next, Mr. Shahan Kandaharian spoke on the difficulties Lebanese Armenian media faced regarding the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. During the second session of the day (moderator Dr. Anshalouys Topalian) Ishkhan Chiftchian presented the differences between the Armenia and Diaspora identities and the means and modes to reach a common ground. Dr. Antranik Dakessian concluded with a discussion regarding the integration of Armenians from Armenia into the Lebanese Armenian community.

Discussions and debates followed each of the sessions. It was recommended that further investigation and discussions are needed to clarify existing diversities in defining and stating certain relevant concepts and the ways in addressing them; such as the concept of fatherland, identity and integration. Eventually it was suggested that such conferences are the adequate venue to discuss and debate about such topics and after extensive presentations and discussions to reach conclusions, which take into consideration diverse peculiarities of the Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora.



The participants of the conference drew the following resolution: “We, the participants of the conference assure that the Yerevan State University and the Haigazian University have an exceptional role to play in the Armenia-Diapsora educational and pedagogical cooperation field, especially in the preparation of Armenian leaders and professionals, with the support of the Diaspora Ministry of Armenia.

“It is hoped that the issues that were discussed in the conference are taken into consideration in the future plans of the Yerevan State University Diaspora Research Center and the Armenian Diaspora Research Center of Haigazian University” the resolution concluded.