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Syrian conflict claims priest's best friend
by Tom Vartabedian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2013-04-07-syrian-conflict-claims-priest-s-best-friend
Published: Sunday April 07, 2013
A saddened Rev. Karekin Bedourian, pastor, St. Gregory Church of North
Andover, relays news of the death of his best friend killed in action
during the Syrian Conflict.
NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. - The war in Syria has taken a personal toll for
Rev. Karekin Bedourian.
His best friend from Kessab was listed among the more recent
casualties. The victim was identified from DNA reports three months
after being listed missing in combat.
"Official figures put the death toll between 70,000-80,000 over these
two years," reports the young pastor of St. Gregory Church. "It's
probably much higher than that. When you lose someone who was your
dear companion, it becomes very personal. I continue to mourn his
death and pray for peace."
Recent tolls have counted more than 60 Armenian fatalities, another 10
missing and hundreds of Armenians without homes. Schools and churches
in Aleppo are closed due to the violence.
Hovag was serving as an officer in the government's army and became
missing after rebel forces invaded his camp. Together they hiked the
mountains of Kessab with Hovag's brother who had become a priest in
Antelias.
Wherever you saw one, you saw the three of them during their Kessab
days. They played on the same streets, attended the same schools and
kicked soccer balls as young athletes. It was that close.
As hiking companions, they were also attached.
"You might credit Hovag with saving our lives," recalled Father
Karekin. "We got lost in the mountains one day and were disoriented
for seven hours in the wilderness. All we saw were sky and trees.
Hovag found the trail after some very deep concern and led us to the
bottom. We could have died."
Father Karekin received the tragic news by telephone from his father.
The two had rekindled their friendship during a return home last year
to baptize his daughter Megheti.
"Who knew that would be the last time we would see one another?" he
lamented. "The last thing we said to one another was to have this war
end and that our people rest in peace and security. My yeretskin
(wife) and I, we sat down and cried over the news. That Sunday, I
offered Hovag a special prayer, along with the numerous children,
adults and soldiers who have died needlessly."
Father Karekin presented some sobering accounts of the turmoil during
a Merrimack Valley gathering for Syrian-Armenian Relief conducted Feb.
23 at his church by the Lowell ARF. An assortment of people braved an
impending snowstorm to donate close to $1,000 for aid.
The collection was among others conducted in the community by the
Prelacy and Armenian Relief Society, raising substantial amounts
overall. Thus far, reports show more than $1 million in aid being
transferred to Syrian Armenians from around the world.
"Conditions are rapidly deteriorating in that battered land," he said.
"Schools and churches are being destroyed. People are at unrest. We
owe it to ourselves to come to their aid and support a necessary
cause. My heart goes out every day to the families who have been
tormented, including my very own. With all the animosity there, we
need a miracle to survive."
Father Karekin spoke of kidnappings. He elaborated on the disturbing
events that reach him every day in that war-torn zone. He talked of
the hunger and the depravation his people face.
"The hand of evil is trying to destroy the peace and stability of
Syria, one of the most peaceful countries in the world," he pointed
out. "We cannot remain indifferent and unconcerned about people who
are experiencing death and affliction."
Father Karekin has been in contact with the Prelate of Aleppo and said
this is not a matter of revolution or power struggle anymore.
"Unfortunately, it's the ordinary people who are victims now," he
confirms. "We hear different media channels, much of it providing
false news unfortunately. I rely on witness accounts from my family
and close friends to get a more accurate report."
The Armenian presence in Syria began during the 11th Century from the
Crusades when people fled Cilicia. By the time of the genocide in
1915, around 200,000 Armenians had settled in that country, before
sending a portion of them to Lebanon and other Diasporan countries.
"Armenians are a vibrant minority group in Syria, always respected for
being good citizens working toward the prosperity of that country,"
said Father Bedourian. "Especially in Aleppo, Armenians have made an
important impact on the city's economy, especially in jewelry and
automobile shops."
The evening was also devoted to a visual presentation on remote
Armenian sites by photojournalist Joe Dagdigian. Net proceeds from
this affair also complemented the collection for Syria.
by Tom Vartabedian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2013-04-07-syrian-conflict-claims-priest-s-best-friend
Published: Sunday April 07, 2013
A saddened Rev. Karekin Bedourian, pastor, St. Gregory Church of North
Andover, relays news of the death of his best friend killed in action
during the Syrian Conflict.
NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. - The war in Syria has taken a personal toll for
Rev. Karekin Bedourian.
His best friend from Kessab was listed among the more recent
casualties. The victim was identified from DNA reports three months
after being listed missing in combat.
"Official figures put the death toll between 70,000-80,000 over these
two years," reports the young pastor of St. Gregory Church. "It's
probably much higher than that. When you lose someone who was your
dear companion, it becomes very personal. I continue to mourn his
death and pray for peace."
Recent tolls have counted more than 60 Armenian fatalities, another 10
missing and hundreds of Armenians without homes. Schools and churches
in Aleppo are closed due to the violence.
Hovag was serving as an officer in the government's army and became
missing after rebel forces invaded his camp. Together they hiked the
mountains of Kessab with Hovag's brother who had become a priest in
Antelias.
Wherever you saw one, you saw the three of them during their Kessab
days. They played on the same streets, attended the same schools and
kicked soccer balls as young athletes. It was that close.
As hiking companions, they were also attached.
"You might credit Hovag with saving our lives," recalled Father
Karekin. "We got lost in the mountains one day and were disoriented
for seven hours in the wilderness. All we saw were sky and trees.
Hovag found the trail after some very deep concern and led us to the
bottom. We could have died."
Father Karekin received the tragic news by telephone from his father.
The two had rekindled their friendship during a return home last year
to baptize his daughter Megheti.
"Who knew that would be the last time we would see one another?" he
lamented. "The last thing we said to one another was to have this war
end and that our people rest in peace and security. My yeretskin
(wife) and I, we sat down and cried over the news. That Sunday, I
offered Hovag a special prayer, along with the numerous children,
adults and soldiers who have died needlessly."
Father Karekin presented some sobering accounts of the turmoil during
a Merrimack Valley gathering for Syrian-Armenian Relief conducted Feb.
23 at his church by the Lowell ARF. An assortment of people braved an
impending snowstorm to donate close to $1,000 for aid.
The collection was among others conducted in the community by the
Prelacy and Armenian Relief Society, raising substantial amounts
overall. Thus far, reports show more than $1 million in aid being
transferred to Syrian Armenians from around the world.
"Conditions are rapidly deteriorating in that battered land," he said.
"Schools and churches are being destroyed. People are at unrest. We
owe it to ourselves to come to their aid and support a necessary
cause. My heart goes out every day to the families who have been
tormented, including my very own. With all the animosity there, we
need a miracle to survive."
Father Karekin spoke of kidnappings. He elaborated on the disturbing
events that reach him every day in that war-torn zone. He talked of
the hunger and the depravation his people face.
"The hand of evil is trying to destroy the peace and stability of
Syria, one of the most peaceful countries in the world," he pointed
out. "We cannot remain indifferent and unconcerned about people who
are experiencing death and affliction."
Father Karekin has been in contact with the Prelate of Aleppo and said
this is not a matter of revolution or power struggle anymore.
"Unfortunately, it's the ordinary people who are victims now," he
confirms. "We hear different media channels, much of it providing
false news unfortunately. I rely on witness accounts from my family
and close friends to get a more accurate report."
The Armenian presence in Syria began during the 11th Century from the
Crusades when people fled Cilicia. By the time of the genocide in
1915, around 200,000 Armenians had settled in that country, before
sending a portion of them to Lebanon and other Diasporan countries.
"Armenians are a vibrant minority group in Syria, always respected for
being good citizens working toward the prosperity of that country,"
said Father Bedourian. "Especially in Aleppo, Armenians have made an
important impact on the city's economy, especially in jewelry and
automobile shops."
The evening was also devoted to a visual presentation on remote
Armenian sites by photojournalist Joe Dagdigian. Net proceeds from
this affair also complemented the collection for Syria.