Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church's Banquet

On Sunday, 20 November, after the worship service, the banquet of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church took place in the church hall. Ms. Vartoug Balekjian welcomed everyone and emceed the event. Participating in the program were:
- Ms. M. Khoshafian, playing 2 spiritual songs on the piano
- Ms. R. Der Sarkissian, playing a song on the piano
- Mr. G. Aroyan, recited a poem
- Mr. H. Gojigian's visual poetry was displayed
- Mr. M. Chilingirian, led the "Who Will Be the Millionaire?" game with questions from the Bible



Mr. and Mrs. Gojigian





Mr. and Mrs. Bakalian




Mr. and Mrs. Missakian


Mr. and Mrs. Boynerian


Rev. and Mrs. Sabounji


Rev. and Mrs. Karagoezian


Dr. and Mrs. Karageuzian and Mr. and Mrs. Mamigonian


Mr. and Mrs.Karageuzian




Mr. and Mrs. Geyikian



Churches in the Middle East re-affirm their commitment to peace

14.12.11

At the significant event of the 10th General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Christians in the Middle East renewed their commitment to unity, dialogue and peace amidst varied political developments in the region, as well as elected a new general secretary.

The assembly was held from 20-30 November in the ancient city of Paphos and was hosted by the Orthodox Church of Cyprus.

Participants addressed the theme “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart” (Acts 4:32) relevant to the churches in Middle East and beyond.

“In these critical historical moments, which your region and churches are going through, you could not have found a more pertinent and inspiring theme for your assembly, than the one you have chosen, which expresses diversity in unity,” said the World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, in his message for the MECC assembly.

Churches from various Christian traditions, including Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelical and Catholic churches participated in the assembly.

Together they elected Fr. Dr Paul Rouhana from the Maronite (Catholic) Church in Lebanon, as general secretary to serve for the next four years. Rouhana was the former dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Holy Spirit University in Kaslik, Lebanon.

A communiqué issued at the end of the assembly also highlighted “churches’ commitment to participate in the building of a new future for the Middle East.”

“Churches call upon all the faithful to hold steadfast to their hope in the peaceful coexistence of the peoples of the Middle East. Thus they support the recent and ongoing movements of reform, change and development for the common good of humanity,” states the communiqué.

While expressing solidarity with the Middle Eastern churches, Tveit also stressed that, “ecumenical family has always regarded your region with a special interest because the faith that it holds has its roots here.”

“Your continuous presence and active participation in the life of the different societies to which you belong have been a remarkable witness to the Christian faith,” he added.

Source: WCC

“So They Set Out”

“One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, Let us go across to the other side of the lake. So they set out” Luke 8:22.

Jesus asks his disciples to take the boat to “go across to the other side of the lake”. They set out. As they reach the middle of the lake, they are caught in a terrible storm and the disciples are terrified. “Master, we are perishing,” they cry. Jesus calms the storm and says to his disciples, “Where is your faith?”

The shepherds are also “filled with fear” when “the angel of the Lord appeared to them”. The angel calms them down and says “Fear not”. The shepherds then decide to “go over to Bethlehem” in search of the “Star”.

The three wise men, too, are “caught” by Herod as they are on their way to search for the “Star”. Their inquiry “troubled” Herod and “all Jerusalem with him”. Nevertheless, they “went on their way” until they reach the place where the “child was”.

Similarly, we all face many challenges as we “set out” to live our daily lives. The Middle East is in the midst of great storms, uncertainties, and fear. The whole world is plagued with unprecedented economic, social and political unrest. How do we tackle these challenges? Where and how can we find peace?

In the Scriptures! The latter puts it explicitly: Peace is the natural consequence of faith. Faith will calm our anxieties. It will remove fear from our hearts. It will provide tranquility in times of uncertainty. What is really important though is to follow the Star that will take us to the place where the child is. It is the place where the Word became flesh and dwelt in us, Emmanuel.

The Armenian nation has been through many trials and trying experiences; however, our ancestors did not lose their Faith when they were forced to “set out” on their journey into the unknown. They maintained their Faith at the cost of martyrdom, having the assurance of the Resurrection. They followed the Star, the Christmas, the start of a life which culminated in Easter, the Resurrection.

Kristos dsenav yev haydnetsav. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Hrayr Jebejian

Armenian Minister of Education visits Haigazian University

Armenian Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan paid a visit to Haigazian University on Friday, November 25, 2011, together with a delegation of seven people including the Armenian ambassador to Lebanon and embassy staff. Ashotyan first held a private meeting with the University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, at which he was introduced to the university.

Haidostian presented an overview of Haigazian University, including the majors being offered and the current student body, as well as tuitions and sources of financing. In addition, Haidostian elaborated on the Armenological Review, a university publication whose authors and contributors are mostly Armenians from Armenia. He also introduced the minister to the newly established Armenian Diaspora Research Center.
Minister Ashotyan spoke of the possibility of pursuing joint degrees in partnership with Armenian universities, with an idea of cross-registering students from Armenia to Lebanon and vice versa. The minister expressed great willingness on his part to provide his support for finding prospective Haigazian students in Armenia. He anticipates mutual cooperation between Haigazian University and Armenian universities, facilitating the exchange of students.
Following this private meeting, the minister had an open gathering with the HU faculty, staff and students. Ashotyan explained the reason for his visit to Lebanon was an invitation from his counterpart, the Lebanese Minister of Education, highlighting the cooperation between the two countries. The key aim of this visit is the furnishing of 120 science laboratories in Lebanese schools,a gift being offered by the Republic of Armenia.
The minister discussed the current agenda for higher education in Armenia, with a focus on improving the quality as well as the affordability of higher education. The ministry, which is constantly monitoring the quality of education in the country, has seen the rise of 33 centers of higher education by the end of 2011.
The visit was concluded with an exchange of gifts. President Haidostian offered several HU books from the university’s publications while Minister Ashotyan presented him with a framed copy of the Lord’s Prayer in Armenian.