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Archbishop Choloyan: Syrian-Armenian Community in Danger, Help Required
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/09/19/archbishop-choloyan-syrian-armenian-community-in-danger-help-required/
September 19, 2012
In a recent interview with the Hairenik Weekly, Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Eastern U.S.,
urged Armenians worldwide to help the Syrian-Armenian community
increasingly threatened by the turmoil in Syria.
Prelate Oshagan Choloyan
Choloyan stressed the important and exemplary role the Syrian-Armenian
community has played throughout the years. `The Armenians of Aleppo
inherited the unique Armenian spirit that it directly acquired from
the soil and water of the homeland, the spirit which was resurrected
after the genocide, especially in Aleppo,' he said. `Hence, Aleppo
remained true to our roots, in terms of traditions and heritage.'
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I has also called upon all Armenians, and
especially to the parishes under the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate
of the Great House of Cilicia, to come to the assistance of the
Syrian-Armenian community, said Choloyan. His Holiness wants to ensure
that the community protects its properties, schools, churches, and
centers, while also providing humanitarian aid to community members.
Choloyan commended the Syrian-Armenian youth for the role they have
played thus far. `I want to note, with gratitude and pride, the
sacrifice of the...youth, who willingly organized and - even under the
threat of death - are providing aid to families in need,' he said.
`Together and in one spirit, all of us must engage in this sacred
endeavor, taking as example the unified sprit of the Armenian
community leaders in Syria...'
Choloyan said Catholicos Aram I canceled his trip to the U.S. after it
became clear the Syrian-Armenian community was in danger, and that his
presence was needed in the Middle East.
Heeding the Catholicos' call, the central committee for the `Syrian
Armenian Relief Fund' was established. Unfortunately, it was not
possible to organize under one banner the various organizations in the
Eastern U.S., something that was done in the Western U.S. and in
Canada. During their first meeting, the committee decided to dedicate
September - and the following months - to raising funds, until the
Syrian-Armenian community reestablishes itself, and unitl its members
are able to return to a normal and productive life.
The committee has undertaken four measures for a successful campaign:
First, they will appeal to those families and individuals on their
mailing list. Second, they will collect donations through their
churches. Third, they will donate all proceeds from the dinner
reception in honor of the Catholicos's visit to aid the
Syrian-Armenian community. (The dinner reception, slated to take place
on Oct. 7 in New York, has not been canceled despite the Catholicos's
decision to stay in the Middle East; the dinner is being held in
appreciation to those individuals and organizations that aided the
Armenian people following the genocide, including the Near East
Relief, ANCHA, and Fridtjof Nansen.) Fourth, they will appeal to
Syrian-Armenians who are prepared to contribute large funds to the
relief initiative. Currently, the committee is working on producing a
brochure outlining the current conditions.
`We greatly appreciate the campaign already initiated by the Armenian
Relief Society,' Choloyan said in the interview. `We also appreciate
the kindness of all those who, before our campaign even started, have
made their generous contributions. This is the best expression of the
conscientiousness of Armenians.'
According to Choloyan, the committee decided to send all donations to
the Prelacy, and from there to the Cilician Catholicosate. Bank
transactions are not currently possible in Syria due to sanctions
imposed by the U.S. that make such transactions illegal, noted the
archbishop. Catholicos Aram I has maintained contact with Armenian
community leaders in Syria, with whom he occasionally meets, and the
transfer of funds will be made through this route.
`No one should be satisfied by saying, `I gave what I could, now it's
up to others.' In matters of national concern, that other is also us.
Only through our togetherness, can our united strength be manifested.
It is our heartfelt prayer that the bombing ceases, that enmities
subside, so that as loyal Syrian citizens, the Syrian-Armenians commit
themselves to the establishment of peace and reconstruction,' Choloyan
said.
`If our education has given us the sense of belonging to one nation
and one fate, now is the moment to prove it. As the Apostle has said,
if one part of the body hurts, the whole body hurts...' he continued,
adding, `Being Armenian is a duty; being Armenian is sacrifice. Let us
not forget that being Armenian is also dignity and pride. And to stay
true to our heritage, we are going to help our compatriots who are in
a difficult situation. It is not forgivable to find excuses in face of
daily turmoil in Syria.'
To contribute to the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, make your checks
payable to the `Armenian Apostolic Church of America,' noting in the
memo, `Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief.' Send your checks to the
Armenian Prelacy, 138 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/09/19/archbishop-choloyan-syrian-armenian-community-in-danger-help-required/
September 19, 2012
In a recent interview with the Hairenik Weekly, Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Eastern U.S.,
urged Armenians worldwide to help the Syrian-Armenian community
increasingly threatened by the turmoil in Syria.
Prelate Oshagan Choloyan
Choloyan stressed the important and exemplary role the Syrian-Armenian
community has played throughout the years. `The Armenians of Aleppo
inherited the unique Armenian spirit that it directly acquired from
the soil and water of the homeland, the spirit which was resurrected
after the genocide, especially in Aleppo,' he said. `Hence, Aleppo
remained true to our roots, in terms of traditions and heritage.'
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I has also called upon all Armenians, and
especially to the parishes under the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate
of the Great House of Cilicia, to come to the assistance of the
Syrian-Armenian community, said Choloyan. His Holiness wants to ensure
that the community protects its properties, schools, churches, and
centers, while also providing humanitarian aid to community members.
Choloyan commended the Syrian-Armenian youth for the role they have
played thus far. `I want to note, with gratitude and pride, the
sacrifice of the...youth, who willingly organized and - even under the
threat of death - are providing aid to families in need,' he said.
`Together and in one spirit, all of us must engage in this sacred
endeavor, taking as example the unified sprit of the Armenian
community leaders in Syria...'
Choloyan said Catholicos Aram I canceled his trip to the U.S. after it
became clear the Syrian-Armenian community was in danger, and that his
presence was needed in the Middle East.
Heeding the Catholicos' call, the central committee for the `Syrian
Armenian Relief Fund' was established. Unfortunately, it was not
possible to organize under one banner the various organizations in the
Eastern U.S., something that was done in the Western U.S. and in
Canada. During their first meeting, the committee decided to dedicate
September - and the following months - to raising funds, until the
Syrian-Armenian community reestablishes itself, and unitl its members
are able to return to a normal and productive life.
The committee has undertaken four measures for a successful campaign:
First, they will appeal to those families and individuals on their
mailing list. Second, they will collect donations through their
churches. Third, they will donate all proceeds from the dinner
reception in honor of the Catholicos's visit to aid the
Syrian-Armenian community. (The dinner reception, slated to take place
on Oct. 7 in New York, has not been canceled despite the Catholicos's
decision to stay in the Middle East; the dinner is being held in
appreciation to those individuals and organizations that aided the
Armenian people following the genocide, including the Near East
Relief, ANCHA, and Fridtjof Nansen.) Fourth, they will appeal to
Syrian-Armenians who are prepared to contribute large funds to the
relief initiative. Currently, the committee is working on producing a
brochure outlining the current conditions.
`We greatly appreciate the campaign already initiated by the Armenian
Relief Society,' Choloyan said in the interview. `We also appreciate
the kindness of all those who, before our campaign even started, have
made their generous contributions. This is the best expression of the
conscientiousness of Armenians.'
According to Choloyan, the committee decided to send all donations to
the Prelacy, and from there to the Cilician Catholicosate. Bank
transactions are not currently possible in Syria due to sanctions
imposed by the U.S. that make such transactions illegal, noted the
archbishop. Catholicos Aram I has maintained contact with Armenian
community leaders in Syria, with whom he occasionally meets, and the
transfer of funds will be made through this route.
`No one should be satisfied by saying, `I gave what I could, now it's
up to others.' In matters of national concern, that other is also us.
Only through our togetherness, can our united strength be manifested.
It is our heartfelt prayer that the bombing ceases, that enmities
subside, so that as loyal Syrian citizens, the Syrian-Armenians commit
themselves to the establishment of peace and reconstruction,' Choloyan
said.
`If our education has given us the sense of belonging to one nation
and one fate, now is the moment to prove it. As the Apostle has said,
if one part of the body hurts, the whole body hurts...' he continued,
adding, `Being Armenian is a duty; being Armenian is sacrifice. Let us
not forget that being Armenian is also dignity and pride. And to stay
true to our heritage, we are going to help our compatriots who are in
a difficult situation. It is not forgivable to find excuses in face of
daily turmoil in Syria.'
To contribute to the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, make your checks
payable to the `Armenian Apostolic Church of America,' noting in the
memo, `Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief.' Send your checks to the
Armenian Prelacy, 138 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016.