About Us

The Blog Team
We are 3 members who contribute to the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church's Chanitz Blog.

"Initially, in March 2006, Raffi had the vision to create a means of communication for the youth. This vision sprang from a common need, to know more about the events, the prayers, the bible studies, the worship gatherings. The vision gave birth to a mission and it grew year by year to become a team and reach to many in the whole world, widening our mission. We thank God for the sponsors and the supporters, with whom we are able to continue this journey today."


The team is composed of:Raffi Chilingirian as Administrator
Jano Baghboudarian as co-Administrator
Kohar Parseghian as Contributor and Representative

(from left): Hagop Gojigian, Kohar Parseghian, Raffi Chilingirian, Jano Baghboudarian

We also have participants and assistants, who help us in need. They are Manoug Chilingirian, Hagop Gojigian, Manoug Ibitian, Rev. Hovhannes Svajian. We would love to get more help and assistance from anyone who is ready to aid us in any suggestion, comment, criticism...

We have received many encouraging comments and emails from all over the world.
Mr. Vartan Tonbazian (Armenian Evangelical College Alumni in Canada): "I admit your site is really active therefore it takes dedicated people and some sort of compensation" ...
Almost weekly i check your website; it's great! Keep up the good work."

 Also, "Amazing site; something new every 2nd or 3rd day --- that takes lots of effort and dedication. As for the newsletters; it's a great reminder with all the headlines. It's never boring!"

 Mr. Zaven Khanjian (USA): greeting the chanitzagans: "I salute you from the banks of the Pacific ocean. As vast and colossus the ocean is your hearts seem to me to be more spacious in that it can embrace the world in love just as the resurrected Lord Jesus asked us to go to the end of the world and preach the gospel. That heart which embraces the world has a special place for our people and the memory of those who remained steadfast with the faith, stuck to the historical fatherland and perished because of it. Please keep that flame ablaze as we will never forget what the Lord had blessed us with, a heaven on earth, and continue the struggle for justice."

 Brother Norek Minas (Iraq): greeted us and presented his request. He also told us that many follow and read this website.

 Mr. Khoren Pilibossian (Canada): "I would like to thank you for keeping us updated of what is going on in Chanitz Lebanon." He also passed the Rev Manuel Jinbachian's greetings and asked a few questions about our website(blog).

 Mr. Garabet Orunoz (Turkey): sent us many valuable images. Also: "Ապրիլ 27'ին պիտի երդանք Պատանեկան Տուն չեմ գիտեր թէ քանի հոգի կուգայ բայց կը սպասէմ մօտավորապէս 100 հոգի: Բարեւներս նաեւ բոլոր Աւետարականիչներուն երիտասարդութեան:"

 Rev. Dr. Varkes Kassouni (USA): "Thank you for printing the article about my 50th Ordination Anniversary Celebration I am deeply grateful to you for this favor." also, "I am very impressed with your organization's depth of vision, faith and and outreach. I wish you the best."

 Rev. Vicken Cholakian (Greece): "Thank you for your great work on the internet. It is encouraging to see you keep the good work in your chanitz."

 Ms. Searan Salibian (USA): "Great job with sending out updates and keeping us informed with relevant news and info. May God bless you in this ministry and as He uses you to bring together many around the world."

 Mrs. Sevan Balabanian (USA): "I check the blog about 2-3 times per week. I feel part of your ministry. God bless you, you are brave Chanitzagans. God bless you."

 Dr. Gevork Kherlopian (USA): "Dear Editors: I read you paper with great satisfaction.It carries me back to my childhood and youth. It also nourishes me with religious and intellectual values. I pay special attention to articles dealing with the issues our churches are facing today. I think we need to be more cautious and with more understanding of the contemporary problems all Churches and Christianity is forced to face all over the world."

 Anahid Artinian Jamgotchian (Saudi Arabia): "Thank you for the Blog. Thank you for including the April 24. Միացեալ Պաշտամունք՝ Հայոց Ցեղասպանութեան 93-Ամեակին. The message was very profound. It was almost like being there in person.
Keep up the good work."

 Houry Dora Apartian-Friedli (Switzerland): "I have missed alot being around you, and i am glad you always keep me updated ... thank you and God Bless You All."... "I am glad you found this way of keeping us all in the family from near and far."

 Mr. Mihran Jizmejian (Canada): "Dear Friends: I was greatly impressed that quite a few of Armenian Evangelical Youth leaders had taken part in the leadership program provided. May I suggest that those leaders are provided with a copy of my recently published book, from the office of the M.E. Union, titled Արթնցուր Ներսիդիդ Գտնուող Առաջնորդը "Artenxour nersitit kednevogh arachnorte" Awaken the leader within."

 Krikor DerGarabedian (USA, originally from Ashrafieh Church): "thank you for sending the updates of your website."
You can read all of them here...

Most Popular Posts
The Chanitz Team

The Chanitz youth group meets at Church on Wednesdays from 8:00 pm till 10:00 pm. We start with worship time, led by one of the faithful members, after which we have our Bible Study session, or a lecture by a pastor or leader.
We also meet on Fridays at Church playground from 8:00pm till 10:00pm. Mainly, Fridays are for socializing and sports and sometimes outing afterwards. The guys play soccer usually, also basketball and ping-pong, as well as board games.

During the Sundays, the youth participate in the Church worship servive, which takes place from 10:00 am till 11:00 am.


Other than predefined gatherings, we participate in the annual camps organized by the Kordzatir Marmin (Executive Committee of the Armenian Evangelical Church Chanitzes / youth groups / Endeavor groups), also with our sister Chanitzes in Marash Church, Ashrafieh Church, Anjar Church and First Church. We also organize our own retreats, activities, discipleships and leaderships.
We are affiliated with the World Christian Endeavor Union through the CE Union of Lebanon and Syria.
Most of the members come from around the Amanos, Dora, Bourj Hammoud, Zalka regions. Most of them are students at university and secondary schools or graduates. We also have members who work. The proper age to become a member in Chanitz group is 17 and above.

You are welcome :) Come and bring your friend with you...

The Chanitz Committee (2008)
(from left): Shake Geocherian, Hagop Gojigian, Kohar Parseghian, Hagop Kalebjian, Nara Kouzoukian, Hovig Assilian, Rev. Hovannes Svajian
For more info about the committee members, click here

The Chanitz Committee (2007)

(from left): Serop Ohanian, Hagop Kalebjian, Samuel Demirjian, Manoug Ibitian, Kohar Parseghian, Shake Geocherian

Our Pastor and Family
Rev. Hovannes Svajian and his wife Vera, with their 2 daughters Areni and Nazani.
Rev. Hovannes is the pastor of Emmanuel Church, also a member of the Armenian Evangelical Judiciary Committee, and his wife was the principal of the Armenian Evangelical School of Trad.

Armenian Evangelical Ashrafieh Church's Chanitz Team


Armenian Evangelical Marash Church's Chanitz Team


Armenian Evangelical First Church's Chanitz Team


Armenian Evangelical Anjar Church's Chanitz Team


Junior Youth (Badaniatz) Camp 2008, in Anjar

Thanks be to God our Father, for He is the creator of all things and the giver of life and all blessings that are in heaven. And we thank Him especially because He gives us the opportunities to have spiritual retreats, through which different young and old people come to the knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ, and grow in this knowledge by the power of the Spirit. So we are grateful to Him because, this year also, we had the opportunity to have badanyats hamakumar. We thank also the kortzateer who organized this camp and supported it financially.


The camp took place in Anjar from July 21-26, 2008. 76 teenagers participated in the camp with 10 leaders including the speaker and the general leader. The leaders were: Silva Chilingirian, Sevan Apelian, Zepure Tumberian, Asdghig Kasparian, George Sherbetjian, Jano Baghboudarian, Hagop Akbasharian, and Jiro Ghazarian, and the general leader of the camp was Bodveli Elias Ousta Jabbour. The speaker for the badanyats hamakumar 2008 was Badveli Hrayr Cholakian, and he presented a very interesting and relevant topic for the lives of our teenagers.

Front, from left: Asdghig Kasparian, Pastor Hrayr Cholakian, Pastor Elias Ousta Jabbour, Silva Chilingirian.
Back, from left: Sevan Apelian, George Sherbetjian, Zepure Tumberian, Jano Baghboudarian, Jiro Ghazarian, Hagop Akbasharian.

The title of the hamakumar was "Indifferent" or "that teenager is Different" (Undarpere yev Un-darpere), which the teenagers repeated saying it before the start of each talk. Badveli Hrayr, in four sessions, presented this topic explaining how the Christian teenager is called to be different and make a difference in the relationships with himself/herself, with his/her friends, with the environment, and with God. In addition, he led the nvirman bashdamounk (the worship for dedication). There, many teenagers were touched and reevaluated their lives and their relationships with God and their friends; many felt guilty because they never cared for some other teenagers who were present in the camp and who were alone without friends. And in the prayer time that followed the dedication worship, many teenagers prayed with the different leaders about their different decisions. In fact, some other lectures and practical activities that involved the teenagers strongly supported the theme of the camp and helped to settle it deeply in the minds and hearts of the teenagers. For instance, one of the general knowledge lectures was presented by an Armenian Social Association called the "Horizon" that fights drug addiction and help those who are addicted; they raised awareness in the minds of the teenagers about drug dealing and addiction. Another general knowledge session was presented by YASA . They also challenged the teenagers about the serious risks in careless driving, and explained for them how they can help best in situations of car accidents on the high ways. On the other hand, the third general knowledge session was about photography, which was presented by Rev. Vicken Cholakian. This lecture was of a big interest for the teenagers, and it presented the different techniques and basic guiding steps in taking successful photos. Moreover, the teenagers had as usual their recreational activities in the afternoons; they had water and tele-match games, hiking in the mountains of Anjar, and a swimming day. However, one of these activities was strongly and deeply related to the theme of the camp; in fact, it was the practical side of it. This was the idea of Badveli Hrayr. Each playing team was given 5000 L.L. and was asked to utilize this amount of money in the best way possible in any kind of service in Anjrar. Therefore, one of the teams went to visit some elderly homes and bought food and other stuff for them. Another team cleaned the church and its surrounding. And the third team went to visit the camping center of the Armenian Apostolic church in Anjar to do a program for the kids there. After that activity, we had our prayer time with the teenagers, and they were really glad for the things they did in the service of God, the neighbor, and the environment; thanks be to God.


The camp lasted from Monday till Saturday noon, and we (the leaders and the teenagers) felt God's presence and grace that accompanied us throughout these six days in spite of all the circumstances. Honestly, we felt in the beginning that this camp was not going to take place, or that it was not going to be a successful one because we lacked leaders. However, God is good and generous, and He provided us till the end. Continue to pray for our teenagers and for the decisions that they took so that they may keep faithful to their dedication and make a difference wherever they exist, for the glory of our God and Father.

Pastor Elias Ousta Jabbour

85-TH ANNIVERSARY COMMENCEMENT OF THE ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL COLLEGE

The 85th anniversary commencement of the Armenian Evangelical College, the first Armenian high school of the post Genocide Armenian Diaspora, was held on July 2, 2008. The commencement took place on the campus of the College in Rue Mexique, Sannayeh in Beirut. Among those present were Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian Chairman of the Central Committee of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East and President of Haigazian University, former Minister Souren Khanamirian, Fathers Mesrob, Mgrditch and Paren Vartanian, Reverends S. Kilaghbian, H. Svadjian, A. Sarkissian, along with civil dignitaries of the community, parents and friends.
Rev. Hagop Sarkissian pastor of the Armenian Evangelical First Church read from the Bible and prayed, then the guest speaker Prof. Sossy Balian (RN), gave an address to the public and graduates. After a recitation by Elem. VI students, and performance of the Vocal Ensemble of the school, the valedictorians of the graduating class, Natalie Kalayjian and Shantal Arabsessian, respectively in Armenian and Arabic speeches, thanked the school. Later both were awarded the Examplary Student medal.
The speeches were followed by the distribution of prizes and diplomas. Then the principal, Dr. Zaven Messerlian, gave the address to the graduating class.
The commencement ended with the closing words and blessing of Rev. H. Sarkissian.

The high school graduates were: Arabsessian Shantal (distinction), Artinian Harout, Boyadjian Nareg, Cheorekjian Sevan, Frounjian Carla, Kalayjian Natalie (distinction), Keshishian Tsoler, Piranian Lori.

The elementary graduates were: Baghdoyan Meghri (high distinction), Dekirmenjian Jennifer, Demirjian Araz (high distinction), Hovhannesian Berj, Sarkissian Patil, Shahinian Christine, Svadjian Nazani.

Chanitz youth graduates

Congratulations to Ara Torkomian (BA in Business Administration)
Congratulations to Koko Aynilian (BA in Social Work)
Congratulations to Liza Barsoumian (BA in Education)
Congratulations to Arsho Kazezian (TS in Accounting)

We celebrated with our graduates 2 times, one at Chanitz and one in an outing to Crepaway!

It's worth to mention that three of our graduates are from Haigazian University.


Group pic, with the HU logo behind us.




Left pic: Jimmy and the guys waiting Right pic: Sirag shining glamorously




From left: Liza Barsoumian, Arsho Kazezian, Ara Torkomian, Koko Aynilian

Our Partners/Sponsors in Ministry

Haigazian University
Haigazian University is a liberal arts institution of higher learning which operates on the United States model of higher education using English as the language of instruction. Its purpose is to provide quality education in a Christian environment where academic freedom and the search and dissemination of truth are predominant. It seeks to empower students both for leadership positions and as professionals to serve in the Armenian and non-Armenian Lebanese communities as well as in the Middle East.



P. & E. Torosian School
Torosian is a neighborhood school. Most of the students live a walking distance from school. The school implements the Lebanese Government Curriculum in Kindergarten, Elementary and Intermediate levels. The school's mission is to educate the Armenian new generation with Christian, Armenian, sound and decent education. Mrs. Seta Karageozian is the principal of the school.



Armenian Evangelical Trad School
The school was built specifically for disadvantaged children – the generation of the Armenian refugees who, because of their desperate situation, were left without education. The school, today, shares its building with the social center, which is available for the children after school hours, where they can study & receive help. The social center also reaches the children & the adolescents through spiritual & social activities. The present social worker is Mrs. Rita Lao Manjelikian. The present principal of the school is Mrs. Vera Svajian.


Armenian Evangelical Christian Endeavor Union
The Armenian Evangelical Christian Endeavor Union of Syria and Lebanon (Armenian: Լիբանանի և Սուրիոյ Հայ Աւետարանական Եկեղեցիներու Քրիստոնէական Ջանից Միութիւն) is the youth organization that is affiliated with the World Christian Endeavor Union and the Christian Endeavor International. The Armenian Evangelical CE Union mostly coordinates with the youth ministries of local churches and at the same time it runs two summer camp sites (Monte Verdi-Lebanon and Kessab-Syria) where various groups (Children, Teenage, Youth and Young couples) organize their summer camps and conferences.


Armenian Evangelical Trad Social Center
The center tries to reach to the needs of the Armenian community, bringing to it hope and improving their living conditions. It provides shelter, food, and medicine for the people. Under the wing of the center also operates its DVBS school, its youth group affiliated with CE Union, and it's kids group.




Howard Karageuzian Foundation
The Howard Karageuzian (HK) Commamorative Corporation was founded in New York in 1921 by Mr. and Mrs. Mihran and Zabel Karageuzians in memory of their son Howard who died of malaria while only 14.






Ջանասէր
Chanaser, the bimonthly magazine, is published by the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East.

Owner: Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East
Publisher: U.A.E.C.N.E. Publications Committee



Bible Bookshop
The Christian store for gifts, Bibles, and Christian books. Whoever likes to gift a nice present can find suitable gifts for suitable prices with quality products. The store is located next to the Armenian Brotherhood Church, in Armenia Street.





Soulahian Super Store
The store where you will find your needs met; whether you need kitchen equipments, or gifts that you need to buy, or toys, ornaments for your salon, or electrical equipments... The store is located near Shamlian Tatigian High School, in Bourj Hammoud, Sin el Fil Roadway.




Peter's Brass
Established in 1951 as a family business: Peter's Brass is one of the major firms in the awards, gifts and sign industry in Lebanon today.
Character and expression is the result of much given attention to the fine artistic and technical details.
Combined with modern technology and traditional hand finish, they cast the events of today into living history.



Learn Matrix and Montage your Videos
MATRIX has become an indispensable software that any jewel designer today is using to design much more accurately and satisfy their clients.

Moreover, they can also take care of the video-recording needs for your events and montaging the recordings for you.

Chanitz Youth Annual Camp in Kessab

With God’s grace, the Lebanese C.E. Annual Camp took place in Kessab, in September 8-14, 2008. The theme of this camp was “Why Me?”, and the guest speaker was Rev. Gilbert Leonian, the pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Marseille, France. The head leader of the camp was Rev. Raffi Messerlian, and the leadership was comprised of: Mr. Garbis Deyrmenjian, Mrs. Yester Kilaghbian, Pastor Sevag Trashian, Pastor Elias Jabbour, Mrs. Anita Andonian and Ms. Shake Goecherian.

(from left): Badveli Elias Jabbour, Mrs. Anita Andonian, Rev. Raffi Messerlian, Ms. Shake Geocherian, Rev. Gilbert Leonian, Mrs. Yester Kilaghbian, Mr. Garbis Deyrmenjian, Badveli Sevag Trashian.

On Monday, 8 September in the morning, 36 chanitzagans along with their leaders headed to Kessab and reached there at 4.00 pm. After unpacking, the chanitzagans had lunch, after which the group was introduced to Kessab, through a tour in the streets. They visited the 3 Armenian Churches (Apostolic, Catholic, Evangelical), the Misakian Cultural House, the Museum and the village’s roundabout. After the tour, they had dinner, and then a game session. The speaker Rev. Gilbert Leonian introduced the theme of the Camp, based on Joshua 3:5 which says: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”. Rev. Leonian said that he will focus on the subject of integrity, related to the lives of the youth.

On Tuesday morning, after the worship session, Rev. Gilbert Leonian started with the theme of Integrity and continued with the theme till Sunday, covering the relation of the youth with integrity in a darkened world, within relationships, in serving and in church life.
Rev. Leonian, through his lectures, challenged the youth with the following:
a- A Chanitzagan, while living in a darkened/polluted world, ought to have integrity, like Noah.
b- A Chanitzagan, in his/her work or school/university, ought to have integrity, being faithful and relying on God for their physical needs.
c- A Chanitzagan, in marriage, ought to have integrity, in choosing a partner for life, based on God’s will and His plan.
d- In relationships, a chanitzagan with integrity learns to forgive another person and he/she will forget, praying for the one who caused pain.
e- A Chanitzagan with integrity sees God’s grace through serving Him.
f- A Chanitzagan with integrity ought to participate in the Sunday Church services and activities.
After the lectures, the youth divided into 4 groups, took up these subjects and discussed them further.



One of the fascinating events of the Camp were swimming in “Ferenlekh” and hiking in “Sildrea”, and in both events they enjoyed God’s miracles and the beauty of nature.
One of the important sessions of the Camp was when the entire group renewed their decisions with God.
On Sunday, September 14, chanitzagans visited different churches in Kessab, and participated in the Church services, and after dinner returned back to Beirut.

The spirit of the Camp continued with a gathering in Beirut, on Monday, during a night session, organized by the Executive Committee of the C.E. Union. Everyone was present during this gathering, those who were in the Camp and those who weren’t. Rev. Gilbert Leonian talked about the subject of “Integrity in Evangelism”, inspiring and encouraging the chanitzagans that a chanitzagan with integrity ought to have the courage in speaking out his faith and in sharing it with others.
During the gathering, the youth were able to see and remember the days of the Hamakoumar in Kessab, through a slide show.

We praise God for all the blessings that we enjoyed during this Camp, and we pray that God would hold the youth in steadfast and would keep them strong in their decisions.

Rev. Raffi Messerlian

Translated by Raffi Chilingirian

Left pic: Shahan and Raffi showing their talents
Right pic: Rev. Gilbert singing with the "Kodebentevogh" team


Left pic: the drama of the "Kodebetevogh" team
Right pic: Alin and Maria showing their talents


Left pic: the song of the "Verchnagan Shake" team
Right pic: the song of the "Kodebentevogh" team


Left pic: the winning song (Inchou Yes?) written by the "Gouroumosh" team
Right pic: the drama of the "Verchnagan Shake" team


Left pic: Rev. Gilbert receiving the gift from Rev. Raffi
Right pic: part of the choir team that went to sing for the couples in their wedding ceremony in the Armenian Evangelical Sourp Yerortoutyoun Church.


Left pic: every morning, before the quiet time with God, the group made a big circle and prayed.
Right pic: the very energetic and quick learners of the choir


The famous Sildren mountain. Pasteur Gilbert Leonian, at his age, went up the mountain and down all by himself.

Haigazian University President Visits Sister Institutions in Armenia

As part of his efforts in engaging effectively with sister institutions, Haigazian University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian paid a three-day-visit to Yerevan, Armenia, on September 3-5, 2008.

During this short sojourn, Haidostian met with the President of the Evangelical Theological Academy of Armenia, Dr. John Khanjian, as well as the Representative of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) in Armenia, Rev. Rene Leonian, and its Operations Manager and Deputy Representative, Harout Nercesian.

Haidostian visited the American University of Armenia, a sister institution to Haigazian University, and conducted cordial meetings with its provost, Dr. Lucig Danielian and senior staff.

Haidostian met with the Vice President of the Lincy Foundation, Mr. Harout Sassounian, as well as the Ambassador of Armenia to Egypt, Mr. Roupen Karapetian, both visiting Armenia at the time, and had the unique opportunity to meet with the President of the Diaspora Committee, Mrs. Hranoush Hagopian, and delivered a lecture on ''''Diaspora Dynamics'''' to the staff of the newly formed Ministry of the Diaspora, which will be launched in October 2008.

Upon his return and before the academic year starts, Haidostian considered those refreshing visits in Armenia as positive and beneficial to both Haigazian University and its subsequent sister institutions, hoping for a fruitful start-of-the-year.

Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director

(L to R): Rev. Rene Leonian, Rev. Paul Haidostian, Rev. John Khanjian
(L to R): Rev. Rene Leonian, Rev. Paul Haidostian, Rev. John Khanjian