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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
February 9, 2005
___________________
REAWAKENING THE VARTANANTZ SPIRIT FOR THE ARMENIA OF OUR DREAMS
Each day, as he pauses to admire the beauty and majesty of St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral on Second Avenue and 34th Street, Garnik Nanagoulian,
executive director of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), sees the
legacy of General Vartan Mamigonian and his valiant soldiers. The
Armenian house of worship, standing proudly in the middle of one of the
most powerful centers of the world, is a testament to the Vartanantz
spirit in every Armenian, passed down through generations, to persevere
through challenges and rebuild.
It was this desire to revive the Vartanantz spirit that Mr. Nanagoulian
hoped to express to the more than 200 faithful who gathered at New York
City's St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Thursday, February 3, 2005, to
mark Sts. Vartanantz Day.
In his keynote address for the Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner organized by
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) with the
participation of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Mid-Atlantic
Region, Mr. Nanagoulian highlighted the historic opportunity Armenians
have today to create the Armenia of their dreams, the Armenia that 28
generations of Armenian ancestors have prayed for. Now is the time, he
said, to get involved in nation-building, in laying the foundations of
the country.
"In the battle of Avarayr in the 5th century, the spirit of Vartan could
express itself only in two ways -- live or die. In the end, the
Armenians chose to die rather than give up their holy rights, the
essence of their identity. Today the spirit of Vartan could be
expressed in many ways," said Mr. Nanagoulian who witnesses the
accomplishments of the spirit of Vartan within FAR's donor community on
a daily basis.
SPEAKING ABOUT FAR
Founded in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization that provides short-term emergency relief and implements
long-term programs for the economic growth and social development of
Armenia. It helps the most vulnerable segments of the population -
children and the elderly - and prepares the youth and professionals to
drive the country's new democratic state.
With almost 30 programs to be implemented in 2005, FAR's activities
include a wide range of projects, from operating soup kitchens and
summer camps to providing educational scholarships and scientific grants
to building irrigation systems and university halls.
FAR is recognized within the Diaspora for repeatedly proving that goals
can be accomplished lawfully, transparently and reliably. The
organization's donor community believes in FAR and is proud of its
association. The people of Armenia also believe in FAR. When they hear
that FAR will be implementing a project, they know it will be done.
This trusted reputation, both in the Diaspora and in the Homeland, is
built on 16 years of serving a cumulative 10 million people through more
than 130 relief and development programs in Armenia and Karabagh.
Having partnered with U.S. Government agencies, like USAID and USDA, and
many international nonprofits, FAR has channeled more than $250 million
in humanitarian assistance to Armenia.
Headquartered in New York, FAR has three offices in Armenia and Karabagh
and more than 150 full-time employees. FAR has an outstanding track
record, successfully completing every project undertaken. Relying on
its time-tested operational framework to effectively and efficiently
execute programs throughout the country, including regional and national
projects, FAR is recognized for accomplishing goals on time and within
budget. This successful project track record reflects FAR's standard of
excellence in execution. Today, it is the preeminent relief and
development organization operating in Armenia.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR ARMENIA TODAY
Mr. Nanagoulian underscored the need for a long-term commitment to build
the ideal nation -- "being in it for the long haul in Armenia." Helping
our brothers and sisters in the struggling Homeland "would be in the
spirit of Vartanantz, because it is there, in Armenia, where our future
is. Because it is there, where our roots are. Because this is the land
of Vartan. This is the land I've come from. This is the land we have ALL
come from," he said.
By focusing on the common culture, faith, and history, Mr. Nanagoulian
likened all Armenians, whether from the Diaspora or the Homeland, to
family. He indicated that this shared heritage is a deep connection
that bolsters the pride of each Armenian. "And as an Armenian family,
we have a duty to help the members of our family in the struggling
Homeland. It is a duty, an obligation. An obligation as a choice, a
choice you make for the people you love."
Through FAR's work, the Diaspora contributes to giving hope and creating
opportunities for the people of Armenia. This attention demonstrates
that each individual life means something and that in the Armenia of our
dreams, in a society that is free, productive, consensual, and human,
every human being counts.
Mr. Nanagoulian announced, "we at FAR, realize how fortunate we are to
have a unique chance in our lifetime to see and know an independent
Armenia. This is our chance. It is time to cast our vote for the future
of all Armenians drawing the lessons from our past. In fact, it is the
only vote we have as Armenians, here, in Diaspora." He continued, "by
giving our time, donating money, volunteering our services - we cast our
vote for the future of Armenia, for our future, for the future of
generations of Armenians to come. And maybe our descendants will
celebrate us as warmheartedly in the future as we today celebrate St.
Vartan and his valiant warriors."
(To read Mr. Nanagoulian's remarks, please see the News and Events
section of FAR's website, www.farusa.org.)
ST. VARTAN'S EXAMPLE
"All across the world, Armenians gather on this day to remember and
celebrate St. Vartan," said Garo Sekdorian, Knights of Vartan
Mid-Atlantic Interlodge Grand District Representative on behalf of
Edward Korkoian, Avak Sbarabed. In 451 A.D., General Vartan Mamigonian
set an example by fighting for his holy rights during a battle against
the Persian army, which was intent on converting the Armenian Christians
to paganism by force. Although not victorious on that day, St. Vartan
inspired Armenians to defend their faith for 30 years until the Persians
submitted and allowed the Armenians to be Christian.
In his remarks to the crowd in the Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium,
Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, former Pontifical Legate and Primate of
the Armenian Church of Great Britain, said that every February brings us
the celebration of St. Vartan and the battle of Avarayr. It is a
momentous occasion markings his battle to protect Armenia and our
Christian faith said the Archbishop. "This celebration is the
providence of our Church."
"The Persian Empire, the Ottoman Empire - they have come and gone,"
proclaimed Raffi Nakashian, Mid-Atlantic Interlodge Chairman, who served
as the Master of Ceremonies for the Vartanantz Day Program, "yet the
Armenians, we are still here. We must be doing something right!"
CELEBRATION OF VARTAN
Three local Armenian schools performed at the Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner
in New York: the Hovananian Day School's fourth grade and after-school
program students, led by Anahid Garmirian and Sylva Mesrobyan; the Holy
Martyrs Day School's fourth, fifth and sixth graders, led by Anahid
Boghossian, Janet Marcarian, and Sophie Kerbeykian; and the St.
Illuminator's School's fourth, fifth and sixth grade students, led by
Zemroukhd Markarian and accompanied on the piano by Yn. Marina
Shitilian. The children presented a series of songs, dances and poetry
recitations telling the story of St. Vartan's faith and determination,
and the fight for Armenia and Artsakh, the Armenian name for Karabagh.
The dinner came following a special Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr.
Daniel Karadjian, with the participation of St. Nersess seminarians and
St. Vartan Cathedral deacons.
The 2004 Vartanantz Day Commemoration Committee was co-chaired by Raffi
Nakashian and Ceran Kasarjian, with Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St.
Vartan Cathedral, acting in an advisory position. The members of the
committee were: Hagop Yagliyan, Garo Dursunian, Manug Aydin, Vatche
Aslanian, Tanya Bukucuyan, Arpi Candan, and Kathryn Kurkjian.
ACYOA Juniors from the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Bayside, Queens
were instrumental in ensuring a smooth dinner program. "It has become a
tradition for them to be involved in Sts. Vartanantz Day now," said
Elizabeth Reed, director of the ACYOA Juniors of Holy Martyrs in
Bayside, of the group helping on Thursday night.
-- 2/9/04
E-mail photos available by request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese's website, www.armenianchurch.org.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Garnik Nanagoulian, Executive Director of the Fund
for Armenian Relief, speaks to the more than 200 people who attended the
Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner hosted by the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern) and the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Knights and
Daughters of Vartan.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Faithful of all ages attended the special Divine
Liturgy on Thursday, February 3, 2004, celebrated by Fr. Daniel
Karadjian.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Students in the Hovnanian Day School fourth grade
and after-school program take to the stage to perform during the 2004
Sts. Vartanantz Day program organized by the Eastern Diocese.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): During their performances on Thursday, February 3,
2004, the students of the Holy Martyrs Day School and St. Illuminator's
School presented a program of songs and poetry recitation that were both
patriotic and reflective of the Armenian Christian faith.
# # #
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
February 9, 2005
___________________
REAWAKENING THE VARTANANTZ SPIRIT FOR THE ARMENIA OF OUR DREAMS
Each day, as he pauses to admire the beauty and majesty of St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral on Second Avenue and 34th Street, Garnik Nanagoulian,
executive director of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), sees the
legacy of General Vartan Mamigonian and his valiant soldiers. The
Armenian house of worship, standing proudly in the middle of one of the
most powerful centers of the world, is a testament to the Vartanantz
spirit in every Armenian, passed down through generations, to persevere
through challenges and rebuild.
It was this desire to revive the Vartanantz spirit that Mr. Nanagoulian
hoped to express to the more than 200 faithful who gathered at New York
City's St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Thursday, February 3, 2005, to
mark Sts. Vartanantz Day.
In his keynote address for the Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner organized by
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) with the
participation of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Mid-Atlantic
Region, Mr. Nanagoulian highlighted the historic opportunity Armenians
have today to create the Armenia of their dreams, the Armenia that 28
generations of Armenian ancestors have prayed for. Now is the time, he
said, to get involved in nation-building, in laying the foundations of
the country.
"In the battle of Avarayr in the 5th century, the spirit of Vartan could
express itself only in two ways -- live or die. In the end, the
Armenians chose to die rather than give up their holy rights, the
essence of their identity. Today the spirit of Vartan could be
expressed in many ways," said Mr. Nanagoulian who witnesses the
accomplishments of the spirit of Vartan within FAR's donor community on
a daily basis.
SPEAKING ABOUT FAR
Founded in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization that provides short-term emergency relief and implements
long-term programs for the economic growth and social development of
Armenia. It helps the most vulnerable segments of the population -
children and the elderly - and prepares the youth and professionals to
drive the country's new democratic state.
With almost 30 programs to be implemented in 2005, FAR's activities
include a wide range of projects, from operating soup kitchens and
summer camps to providing educational scholarships and scientific grants
to building irrigation systems and university halls.
FAR is recognized within the Diaspora for repeatedly proving that goals
can be accomplished lawfully, transparently and reliably. The
organization's donor community believes in FAR and is proud of its
association. The people of Armenia also believe in FAR. When they hear
that FAR will be implementing a project, they know it will be done.
This trusted reputation, both in the Diaspora and in the Homeland, is
built on 16 years of serving a cumulative 10 million people through more
than 130 relief and development programs in Armenia and Karabagh.
Having partnered with U.S. Government agencies, like USAID and USDA, and
many international nonprofits, FAR has channeled more than $250 million
in humanitarian assistance to Armenia.
Headquartered in New York, FAR has three offices in Armenia and Karabagh
and more than 150 full-time employees. FAR has an outstanding track
record, successfully completing every project undertaken. Relying on
its time-tested operational framework to effectively and efficiently
execute programs throughout the country, including regional and national
projects, FAR is recognized for accomplishing goals on time and within
budget. This successful project track record reflects FAR's standard of
excellence in execution. Today, it is the preeminent relief and
development organization operating in Armenia.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR ARMENIA TODAY
Mr. Nanagoulian underscored the need for a long-term commitment to build
the ideal nation -- "being in it for the long haul in Armenia." Helping
our brothers and sisters in the struggling Homeland "would be in the
spirit of Vartanantz, because it is there, in Armenia, where our future
is. Because it is there, where our roots are. Because this is the land
of Vartan. This is the land I've come from. This is the land we have ALL
come from," he said.
By focusing on the common culture, faith, and history, Mr. Nanagoulian
likened all Armenians, whether from the Diaspora or the Homeland, to
family. He indicated that this shared heritage is a deep connection
that bolsters the pride of each Armenian. "And as an Armenian family,
we have a duty to help the members of our family in the struggling
Homeland. It is a duty, an obligation. An obligation as a choice, a
choice you make for the people you love."
Through FAR's work, the Diaspora contributes to giving hope and creating
opportunities for the people of Armenia. This attention demonstrates
that each individual life means something and that in the Armenia of our
dreams, in a society that is free, productive, consensual, and human,
every human being counts.
Mr. Nanagoulian announced, "we at FAR, realize how fortunate we are to
have a unique chance in our lifetime to see and know an independent
Armenia. This is our chance. It is time to cast our vote for the future
of all Armenians drawing the lessons from our past. In fact, it is the
only vote we have as Armenians, here, in Diaspora." He continued, "by
giving our time, donating money, volunteering our services - we cast our
vote for the future of Armenia, for our future, for the future of
generations of Armenians to come. And maybe our descendants will
celebrate us as warmheartedly in the future as we today celebrate St.
Vartan and his valiant warriors."
(To read Mr. Nanagoulian's remarks, please see the News and Events
section of FAR's website, www.farusa.org.)
ST. VARTAN'S EXAMPLE
"All across the world, Armenians gather on this day to remember and
celebrate St. Vartan," said Garo Sekdorian, Knights of Vartan
Mid-Atlantic Interlodge Grand District Representative on behalf of
Edward Korkoian, Avak Sbarabed. In 451 A.D., General Vartan Mamigonian
set an example by fighting for his holy rights during a battle against
the Persian army, which was intent on converting the Armenian Christians
to paganism by force. Although not victorious on that day, St. Vartan
inspired Armenians to defend their faith for 30 years until the Persians
submitted and allowed the Armenians to be Christian.
In his remarks to the crowd in the Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium,
Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, former Pontifical Legate and Primate of
the Armenian Church of Great Britain, said that every February brings us
the celebration of St. Vartan and the battle of Avarayr. It is a
momentous occasion markings his battle to protect Armenia and our
Christian faith said the Archbishop. "This celebration is the
providence of our Church."
"The Persian Empire, the Ottoman Empire - they have come and gone,"
proclaimed Raffi Nakashian, Mid-Atlantic Interlodge Chairman, who served
as the Master of Ceremonies for the Vartanantz Day Program, "yet the
Armenians, we are still here. We must be doing something right!"
CELEBRATION OF VARTAN
Three local Armenian schools performed at the Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner
in New York: the Hovananian Day School's fourth grade and after-school
program students, led by Anahid Garmirian and Sylva Mesrobyan; the Holy
Martyrs Day School's fourth, fifth and sixth graders, led by Anahid
Boghossian, Janet Marcarian, and Sophie Kerbeykian; and the St.
Illuminator's School's fourth, fifth and sixth grade students, led by
Zemroukhd Markarian and accompanied on the piano by Yn. Marina
Shitilian. The children presented a series of songs, dances and poetry
recitations telling the story of St. Vartan's faith and determination,
and the fight for Armenia and Artsakh, the Armenian name for Karabagh.
The dinner came following a special Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr.
Daniel Karadjian, with the participation of St. Nersess seminarians and
St. Vartan Cathedral deacons.
The 2004 Vartanantz Day Commemoration Committee was co-chaired by Raffi
Nakashian and Ceran Kasarjian, with Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St.
Vartan Cathedral, acting in an advisory position. The members of the
committee were: Hagop Yagliyan, Garo Dursunian, Manug Aydin, Vatche
Aslanian, Tanya Bukucuyan, Arpi Candan, and Kathryn Kurkjian.
ACYOA Juniors from the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Bayside, Queens
were instrumental in ensuring a smooth dinner program. "It has become a
tradition for them to be involved in Sts. Vartanantz Day now," said
Elizabeth Reed, director of the ACYOA Juniors of Holy Martyrs in
Bayside, of the group helping on Thursday night.
-- 2/9/04
E-mail photos available by request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese's website, www.armenianchurch.org.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Garnik Nanagoulian, Executive Director of the Fund
for Armenian Relief, speaks to the more than 200 people who attended the
Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner hosted by the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern) and the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Knights and
Daughters of Vartan.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Faithful of all ages attended the special Divine
Liturgy on Thursday, February 3, 2004, celebrated by Fr. Daniel
Karadjian.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Students in the Hovnanian Day School fourth grade
and after-school program take to the stage to perform during the 2004
Sts. Vartanantz Day program organized by the Eastern Diocese.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): During their performances on Thursday, February 3,
2004, the students of the Holy Martyrs Day School and St. Illuminator's
School presented a program of songs and poetry recitation that were both
patriotic and reflective of the Armenian Christian faith.
# # #