ARMISS and the Christmas Concert
On Sunday, 4 January 2009, the Christmas concert of the Armenian Evangelical ARMISS choir was held in the First Armenian Evangelical Church.
ARMISS
The name of the Choir is the pen-name of the pastor, poet, compose and painter, the Rev. Armenag Missirian (1901-1977). In 1981, the Christian Endeavour Union (Քրիստոնէական Ջանից Միութիւնը) of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East established the Armenian Evangelical Armiss Choir together with its founding conductor Mr. Vatche Barsoumian.
In 1987, Rev. Nercess Balabanian reestablished the Armiss Choir. During the war years, and after extensive rehearsals, the group scheduled performances twice but was unable to give them. May 2001 signaled the group's rebirth when the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches established the Armiss Cultural Committee. Then, under the leadership of Rev. Balabanian, the Choir gave a sacred music concert at the Assembly Hall of the American University of Beirut to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of Christian Armenia. Since then, the Armiss Choir has given a number of performances.
Rev. Nercess Balabanian's move to the U.S. urged the Committee to seek new conductors. Mr. Nabil Melki offered his expertise in 2007, and the Choir gave a Christmas concert. Today, the Armiss Cultural Committee is happy to have Mr. Garo Avessian as the choir's new conductor.
Members of the Armiss Cultural Committee
Mr. Hrayr Jebejian, Chairman
Mrs. Roubina Artinian, Vice-Chairman
Mr. Nercess Baghdoyan, Treasurer
Miss Rima Cholakian, Member

ARMISS CHOIR
Garo Avessian, Conductor
Mathilde-Sandra Cholakian, Accompanist
Raffi Akbasharian
Luther Artinian
Manoug Chilingirian
Raffi Chilingirian
Raffi Elmajian (Dr.)
Ara Khederian
Shant Aynilian
Hagop Kelougian
Séro Kelougian
Anto Ovigian
Ara Torkomian
ARMISS
The name of the Choir is the pen-name of the pastor, poet, compose and painter, the Rev. Armenag Missirian (1901-1977). In 1981, the Christian Endeavour Union (Քրիստոնէական Ջանից Միութիւնը) of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East established the Armenian Evangelical Armiss Choir together with its founding conductor Mr. Vatche Barsoumian.
In 1987, Rev. Nercess Balabanian reestablished the Armiss Choir. During the war years, and after extensive rehearsals, the group scheduled performances twice but was unable to give them. May 2001 signaled the group's rebirth when the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches established the Armiss Cultural Committee. Then, under the leadership of Rev. Balabanian, the Choir gave a sacred music concert at the Assembly Hall of the American University of Beirut to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of Christian Armenia. Since then, the Armiss Choir has given a number of performances.
Rev. Nercess Balabanian's move to the U.S. urged the Committee to seek new conductors. Mr. Nabil Melki offered his expertise in 2007, and the Choir gave a Christmas concert. Today, the Armiss Cultural Committee is happy to have Mr. Garo Avessian as the choir's new conductor.
Members of the Armiss Cultural Committee
Mr. Hrayr Jebejian, Chairman
Mrs. Roubina Artinian, Vice-Chairman
Mr. Nercess Baghdoyan, Treasurer
Miss Rima Cholakian, Member

ARMISS CHOIR
Garo Avessian, Conductor
Mathilde-Sandra Cholakian, Accompanist
Soprano
Ardemis Abrilian
Shushan Artinian
Silva Chilingirian
Rita Daderian
Taline Elmajian
Arlette Hovsepian
Armig Kazezian
Salpy Kouzouian
Pauline Sagherian
Rosy Sailian
Aline Tahazian
TenorArdemis Abrilian
Shushan Artinian
Silva Chilingirian
Rita Daderian
Taline Elmajian
Arlette Hovsepian
Armig Kazezian
Salpy Kouzouian
Pauline Sagherian
Rosy Sailian
Aline Tahazian
Raffi Akbasharian
Luther Artinian
Manoug Chilingirian
Raffi Chilingirian
Raffi Elmajian (Dr.)
Ara Khederian
Alto
Rima Cholakian
Maral Haidostian
Esther Kilaghbian
Palig Kilaghbian
Nectar Palazian
BassRima Cholakian
Maral Haidostian
Esther Kilaghbian
Palig Kilaghbian
Nectar Palazian
Shant Aynilian
Hagop Kelougian
Séro Kelougian
Anto Ovigian
Ara Torkomian
News from Cyprus
Nicosia, January 2009: Mr. Hrayr Jebejian, and on behalf of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus, had a special meeting with His Excellency Mr. Marios Garoyan, head of the House of Representatives in Cyprus. The meeting was organized by the Armenian Representative of the Cyprus Parliament Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, who was also present. The meeting took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, in Mr. Garoyan’s office.
Mr. Hrayr Jebejian briefed Mr. Garoyan on the ministry of the Armenian Evangelical Church worldwide. He then outlined the history of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus from the early days up to the invasion in 1974. Hrayr Jebejian updated Mr. Garoyan on the ongoing re-organizational work of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus and the present situation of the Church building in the occupied part of Nicosia. Recent photos and a copy of the deeds of the occupied Armenian Evangelical Church were handed over to Mr. Marios Garoyan for his reference.
Mr. Garoyan was very happy to hear about the re-organizational work of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus and expressed his willingness to support the ministry. He then shared his impressions of his recent official visit to Armenia. An Armenian by origin, Mr. Marios Garoyan’s visit to Armenia has been a very emotional one.
Mr. Marios Garoyan is the only Armenian political leader these days who occupies such a high ranking position outside Armenia.
Mr. Hrayr Jebejian briefed Mr. Garoyan on the ministry of the Armenian Evangelical Church worldwide. He then outlined the history of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus from the early days up to the invasion in 1974. Hrayr Jebejian updated Mr. Garoyan on the ongoing re-organizational work of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus and the present situation of the Church building in the occupied part of Nicosia. Recent photos and a copy of the deeds of the occupied Armenian Evangelical Church were handed over to Mr. Marios Garoyan for his reference.
Mr. Garoyan was very happy to hear about the re-organizational work of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus and expressed his willingness to support the ministry. He then shared his impressions of his recent official visit to Armenia. An Armenian by origin, Mr. Marios Garoyan’s visit to Armenia has been a very emotional one.
Mr. Marios Garoyan is the only Armenian political leader these days who occupies such a high ranking position outside Armenia.
Nejmeh Square and the Parliament
Caroling - Spreading the Good News
Helicopter, by Shushan Artinian
Christmas Event All Chanitz Associations
On Saturday, 27 December, and with the initiative of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Chanitz, the joint Christmas Event took place in Marash Church, in the Hassessian Hall, with the participation of the Armenian Evangelical Marash Chanitz, and the Armenian Evangelical Ashrafieh Chanitz. Around 40 youth were present.
Mr. Hagop Gojigian was the host of the event. Mr. Vatche Khederian and Mrs. Loucin Akbasharian led the worship. After the worship, our guest speaker, Mrs. Vera Svajian shared with us the Christmas message titled "Mary's Disappointment".
It was time for games and dinner. Ms. Markrid Markarian, Ms. Nanor Kelenjian, Mr. Harout Attarian, Mr. Hagop Akbasharian and Mr. Koko Aynilian led the games. At the end of the event, Mr. and Mrs. Clause gave the Chanitzagans a visit and distributed Christmas verses to each participant.

Mr. Hagop Gojigian was the host of the event. Mr. Vatche Khederian and Mrs. Loucin Akbasharian led the worship. After the worship, our guest speaker, Mrs. Vera Svajian shared with us the Christmas message titled "Mary's Disappointment".
It was time for games and dinner. Ms. Markrid Markarian, Ms. Nanor Kelenjian, Mr. Harout Attarian, Mr. Hagop Akbasharian and Mr. Koko Aynilian led the games. At the end of the event, Mr. and Mrs. Clause gave the Chanitzagans a visit and distributed Christmas verses to each participant.


Christmas at NEST Theological School
On Monday, 22 December, a small group from the Armiss choir participated in the Christmas gathering of the Near East School of Theology.
The choir presented two Christmas songs and later on they joined all for a Christmas sing-song in the Student Lounge, which was completely decorated as Jesus' birthplace. Afterwards, the principal of the school, Ms. Mary Michael invited everyone, as the big family of NEST, to a dinner.


(left pic): Rev. Megerdich Karagoezian standing on the left


(left pic): Rev. Sahyouni in front



Ara Khederian, Rita Daderian, Taline Elmajian, Dr. Raffi Elmajian, Sero Kelougian, Hagop Kelougian, Luder Artinian, Silva Chilingirian, Raffi Akbasharian, Shant Aynilian, Raffi Chilingirian



The choir presented two Christmas songs and later on they joined all for a Christmas sing-song in the Student Lounge, which was completely decorated as Jesus' birthplace. Afterwards, the principal of the school, Ms. Mary Michael invited everyone, as the big family of NEST, to a dinner.


(left pic): Rev. Megerdich Karagoezian standing on the left


(left pic): Rev. Sahyouni in front



Ara Khederian, Rita Daderian, Taline Elmajian, Dr. Raffi Elmajian, Sero Kelougian, Hagop Kelougian, Luder Artinian, Silva Chilingirian, Raffi Akbasharian, Shant Aynilian, Raffi Chilingirian




Leadership Training at NEST Theological School
On Sunday, 14 December, from 11:30 am till 3:30 pm, a leadership seminar was held for all the leadership groups of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church, at NEST (Near East School of Theology).
Mr. Manoug Ibitian presented the 1st subject titled "Accepting Others", after which the participants had lunch together at NEST. Ms. Houry Barsoumian presented the 2nd subject titled "Responsibility". At the end of each session, discussions were held and participants asked several questions for further explanations that were answered by the speakers.


Ms. Houry Barsoumian and Mr. Manoug Ibitian


During the 1st session

Having lunch at NEST


During the 2nd session
Mr. Manoug Ibitian presented the 1st subject titled "Accepting Others", after which the participants had lunch together at NEST. Ms. Houry Barsoumian presented the 2nd subject titled "Responsibility". At the end of each session, discussions were held and participants asked several questions for further explanations that were answered by the speakers.


Ms. Houry Barsoumian and Mr. Manoug Ibitian


During the 1st session

Having lunch at NEST


During the 2nd session
A Visitor From France
During the month of December, Marion Heyl, who was one of the members in the exchange program between the Armenian Evangelical Chanitz in Lebanon and the Evangelical Church Youth in France, gave Emmanuel Chanitz a visit, during her stay here in Lebanon.


Left pic: Shahan Kilaghbian, Koko Aynilian, Marion Heyl, Hovsep Ainteblian, Mano Chilingirian, Raffi Chilingirian, Jano Baghboudarian, Shant Anynilian
Right pic: one of the 3 Bible Study groups that meet every Wednesday to study God's Word


Right pic: Hagop Akbasharian (at left), Peggy Cholakian (3rd from left), also in the picture: two French guys who were present in Lebanon.


Left pic: Shahan Kilaghbian, Koko Aynilian, Marion Heyl, Hovsep Ainteblian, Mano Chilingirian, Raffi Chilingirian, Jano Baghboudarian, Shant Anynilian
Right pic: one of the 3 Bible Study groups that meet every Wednesday to study God's Word


Right pic: Hagop Akbasharian (at left), Peggy Cholakian (3rd from left), also in the picture: two French guys who were present in Lebanon.