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

We are Easter People


Nicosia, April 2010: “We Armenians are Easter people”. This is how Rev. Dr. Vartkes Kassouni
challenged the Armenian community during the Armenian Evangelical Church Easter service held in
Nicosia on April 3, 2010.
Rev. Kassouni’s sermon was based on Acts 2: 22-24: “But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power”. He said, “Today, we are among you for exactly the same reason. The Risen Lord has made us alive with him, and we have lived a life of witness and celebration of that fact, beginning in Cyprus and literally taking us around the world with this glorious message”.
Rev. Kassouni’s message was a challenge to be “energized by the Easter Faith because we are Easter people”. He then concluded, “We commemorate today the 95th year of the Armenian Genocide,. Something much more powerful than human strength has carried us through the hell of genocide to the new life in 2010, to which we are all witnesses today. It is the living Christ who first descended into hell and then he rose the third day”.
Mr. Hrayr Jebejian led the service. Mrs. Lynda Kassouni-Walker (Rev. Kassouni’s daughter) and her husband, Mr. Steve Walker (on guitar), together with Rev. Kassouni sang a beautiful hymn. Vahe Jebejian led the hymn singing on the piano, and Alik Jebejian offered a musical piece on the flute from Haydn. Memorial testimonies were also held during the services for two family members who went to be with the Lord, Mrs. Khatoun Barsoumian and Mr. Varouj Chirkinian.



During his stay, Rev. Dr. Vartkes Kassouni had the opportunity to meet with the leadership of the Armenian community in Cyprus. He was a guest in the home of the Armenian Representative in the Cyprus Parliament, Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian. He visited the Armenian Prelacy and met the Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian. He also visited Nareg School in Nicosia and
met with the headmaster, Mrs. Vera Tahmazian. Rev. Kassouni also met with painter and educator, Mr. Vartan Tashjian. Mrs. Sossy Der Torossian interviewed Rev. Kassouni and broadcast it from the Armenian program of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation on Saturday, April 10.
This was Rev. Kassouni’s first “come back” to his own community in Cyprus since he left for the US 60 years ago. Rev. Kassouni was born in Larnaca, studied in the American Academy and immigrated to the US to pursue his theological training. He has served in a number of Armenian Evangelical churches and para-church organizations in the US as well as within local constituencies.

Hrayr Jebejian