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Armenians of Australia, Past and Present: Looking Forward to
Refreshing New Breezes
20:29, January 1, 2013
http://hetq.am/eng/news/22000/armenians-of-australia-past-and-present-looking-forward-to-refreshing-new-breezes.html
By Arthur Hagopian
Sydney, Jan 1, 2012 - For the Armenians of Australia, the year 2013
may turn out to be one of the most "interesting" (if not momentous) of
times in the century-old history of their presence in this lucky
country.
Relieved at having survived the global calamity foretold for December
21, 2012 by the ancient Maya Codex, they stand on the threshold of a
new era in this hospitable diaspora.
As they await the arrival of a new spiritual leader, dispatched by the
mother church following the death of the charismatic former primate,
Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, they will be looking forward to the future
with mixed feelings.
The Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, has
designated one of his most outstanding bishops, Haigazoun Najarian,
as the new Armenian primate of the diocese of the Armenian church of
Australia and New Zealand, an unknown entity to most.
His appointment is to take effect from January 1.
"Bishop Najarian leaves his position as the pontifical Legate of
Central Europe and Sweden to which he was appointed in 2010. Based in
Vienna, Austria he tended to the spiritual needs of Armenian
communities in more than a dozen countries," a church statement says.
Najarian served in the Eastern Diocese of the United States as Vicar
General and has been pastor of a number of parishes in both the US and
the UK.
A graduate of the Gevorkian theological seminary at the Mother See of
Etchmiadzin, in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, where he also
lectured, he completed his studies at St Augustine's College in
Canterbury, King's College in London and St Andrew's College in
Scotland, obtaining his Masters in History at Columbia University in
New York.
Najarian will arrive in Sydney in time to celebrate Armenian Christmas
on January 6, in accordance with the church's old "domar" (calendar).
His takeover is expected to be a smooth process, facilitated by
Baliozian's savvy administration and firm management that has
contributed significantly to the enhancement of the church's economic
standing.
He will also be following in the footsteps of the region's s first
primate, Archbishop Karekin Kazanjian (1968), who was later to be
crowned Patriarch in Turkey, after serving as Grand Sacristan of the
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, regarded by Armenians as their
second most important spiritual fount after Etchmiadzin.
Will Najarian take the helm of the Armenian church in Australia (and
New Zealand), wafting on refreshing new breezes that could herald a
new, dynamic chapter in relations with his fold?
The situation in Australia today is a far cry from a century before,
when Armenian pioneers began landing here, spurred by the Kalgoorlie
gold rush in Western Australia. There were no priests among the
prospectors and they had to trudge for miles to hear a semblance of
divine service conducted by laymen.
(The first Armenian clergyman, Father Asoghig Ghazarian, arrived in
Australia in 1954, following the founding of the first Church Council
in Sydney).
The devastation caused by the First World War spawned another influx
of displaced Armenians, their number swollen by yet another, more
desperate wave of migration after the Second World War.
The wave peaked in the early sixties as more Armenians sought the
safer haven of the land Down Under, "a land of opportunity and a place
that valued the rights of democracy."
Their numbers have broken through the 50,000 mark (minuscule compared
to the million or so in the US and Canada), concentrated primarily in
the two capital cities, Sydney and Melbourne, the majority of the
emigrants tracing their roots back to the troubled, simmering cauldron
of the Middle East, with Lebanon's contribution accounting for the
lion's share.
A generally industrious and loyal community, the Armenians here have
prospered on the whole -several, like Gladys Berejiklian (New South
Wales State Transport Minister) and Joe Hockey (Federal Deputy
Opposition Leader), have risen to political prominence, while others,
like the Soghomonian and Hovagimian brothers, have created powerhouses
in the automotive and associated industries.
"The Armenians of Australia have a lot to be thankful for," as one
community leader averred, noting that unlike the unsettled political
discombobulations in the Middle East and the proliferation there of
totalitarian and police states, "people here enjoy the protection of a
stable, democratic government, access to health and economic
security, and the freedom and opportunity to be and do what they
aspire to."
They have their own schools, churches and political parties.
"You can even stand up in the street and criticize anyone, to their
face, without fear of persecution, harassment, imprisonment, or even
death, as is the norm in some third world countries," he added.
What they don't have is unity.
"It is true that no two Armenians will ever agree on one thing, but
despite their differences, when they come together, the are family,
and they know how to have a good time," he said.
The recent visit to Sydney of veteran crooner Harout Pamboukjian
solidly buttresses this assertion.
Pamboukjian sang only half a dozen songs, but his electrifying
performance at an annual Armenian festival, galvanized his audience.
In the euphoric spirit of the moment, they had him carried on their
shoulders, tossing and turning in an ocean of ecstatic Armenian faces,
swarming all over him.
They had come from all parts of the city, the young and the old,
hippies, businessmen, students, children of varying ages, even some
people in wheelchairs, blue-collar workers, to hear Harout sing
Armenia, and accord his unforgettable "Asmar Aghchig" tribute to dark
complexioned girls.
The nationalistic songs echoed along the venue, Darling Harbor's
Tumbalong Park, where over 15,000 thousand fans had congregated, in a
massive, unprecedented and vociferous show of Armenian camaraderie.
Armenians are fiercely proud of their church, though attendance at
Sunday mass remains pedestrian.
"The Armenian Apostolic Church has been more than a center of
Christian faith and worship. It has been a gathering place for
Armenians to enrich their Christian faith, connect with their
ancestral roots, to connect with other Armenians, to forge new
friendships, new bonds and generally encompass everything Armenian. It
continues to uphold this function until today," the church says.
"Akin to the beautiful worship services of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, is the vibrant community life that reflects not only religious
teaching but cultural personality. The legacy of 1700+ years of
Armenian Christianity (from 301 CE, when Armenian became the first to
accept Christianity as its state religion), continues in this part of
the world with the loving spirit of perpetuating our beautiful
heritage through the saving grace of our Christian faith," the church
says.
Yet, behind the seemingly contented facade there lingers, in the heart
of many of these "bantukhds" ("exiles"), particularly those who were
uprooted when in their youth or middle age, a lingering nostalgia for
good old days in the home country, where friendship is forever and
loyalty to the family second only to God.
"I live in a block of 37 units, and it's like a ghost town. Not a
single one of my 'odar' (non-Armenian) neighbors has ever knocked on
my door to say hello, or inquire about me," one matron complains,
echoing sentiments all too pronounced among migrants from the East.
"They rarely speak, ignoring each other when passing, totally absorbed
in themselves."
"If this were in Bourj Hammoud, Aleppo, or the Old City (of
Jerusalem), we would all be all over the place, transforming this
block into an oasis of joy and laughter, card-games and kebabs on
Sundays. Every one would be welcome at every home. You would not even
need to know on my door. You would just walk in," she says.
"And when you walk in the street, a hundred people will know you and
greet you, and wish you well. Here, no one bothers to look you in the
face. If your eyes ever meet, all you get is a bland smile that seems
to say: 'keep off, not interested.'"
"Back home, we used to kiss our parent's and grandparent's hands, even
our aunts and uncles, but here, of course, the young today don't know
what it is to respect the elders."
Her children were all born in Sydney.
"They love it here, but I don't think I will ever get adjusted or
reconciled to this 'odaroutyoun' (exile)," she continues.
And she has been here for nearly 20 years.
Refreshing New Breezes
20:29, January 1, 2013
http://hetq.am/eng/news/22000/armenians-of-australia-past-and-present-looking-forward-to-refreshing-new-breezes.html
By Arthur Hagopian
Sydney, Jan 1, 2012 - For the Armenians of Australia, the year 2013
may turn out to be one of the most "interesting" (if not momentous) of
times in the century-old history of their presence in this lucky
country.
Relieved at having survived the global calamity foretold for December
21, 2012 by the ancient Maya Codex, they stand on the threshold of a
new era in this hospitable diaspora.
As they await the arrival of a new spiritual leader, dispatched by the
mother church following the death of the charismatic former primate,
Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, they will be looking forward to the future
with mixed feelings.
The Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, has
designated one of his most outstanding bishops, Haigazoun Najarian,
as the new Armenian primate of the diocese of the Armenian church of
Australia and New Zealand, an unknown entity to most.
His appointment is to take effect from January 1.
"Bishop Najarian leaves his position as the pontifical Legate of
Central Europe and Sweden to which he was appointed in 2010. Based in
Vienna, Austria he tended to the spiritual needs of Armenian
communities in more than a dozen countries," a church statement says.
Najarian served in the Eastern Diocese of the United States as Vicar
General and has been pastor of a number of parishes in both the US and
the UK.
A graduate of the Gevorkian theological seminary at the Mother See of
Etchmiadzin, in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, where he also
lectured, he completed his studies at St Augustine's College in
Canterbury, King's College in London and St Andrew's College in
Scotland, obtaining his Masters in History at Columbia University in
New York.
Najarian will arrive in Sydney in time to celebrate Armenian Christmas
on January 6, in accordance with the church's old "domar" (calendar).
His takeover is expected to be a smooth process, facilitated by
Baliozian's savvy administration and firm management that has
contributed significantly to the enhancement of the church's economic
standing.
He will also be following in the footsteps of the region's s first
primate, Archbishop Karekin Kazanjian (1968), who was later to be
crowned Patriarch in Turkey, after serving as Grand Sacristan of the
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, regarded by Armenians as their
second most important spiritual fount after Etchmiadzin.
Will Najarian take the helm of the Armenian church in Australia (and
New Zealand), wafting on refreshing new breezes that could herald a
new, dynamic chapter in relations with his fold?
The situation in Australia today is a far cry from a century before,
when Armenian pioneers began landing here, spurred by the Kalgoorlie
gold rush in Western Australia. There were no priests among the
prospectors and they had to trudge for miles to hear a semblance of
divine service conducted by laymen.
(The first Armenian clergyman, Father Asoghig Ghazarian, arrived in
Australia in 1954, following the founding of the first Church Council
in Sydney).
The devastation caused by the First World War spawned another influx
of displaced Armenians, their number swollen by yet another, more
desperate wave of migration after the Second World War.
The wave peaked in the early sixties as more Armenians sought the
safer haven of the land Down Under, "a land of opportunity and a place
that valued the rights of democracy."
Their numbers have broken through the 50,000 mark (minuscule compared
to the million or so in the US and Canada), concentrated primarily in
the two capital cities, Sydney and Melbourne, the majority of the
emigrants tracing their roots back to the troubled, simmering cauldron
of the Middle East, with Lebanon's contribution accounting for the
lion's share.
A generally industrious and loyal community, the Armenians here have
prospered on the whole -several, like Gladys Berejiklian (New South
Wales State Transport Minister) and Joe Hockey (Federal Deputy
Opposition Leader), have risen to political prominence, while others,
like the Soghomonian and Hovagimian brothers, have created powerhouses
in the automotive and associated industries.
"The Armenians of Australia have a lot to be thankful for," as one
community leader averred, noting that unlike the unsettled political
discombobulations in the Middle East and the proliferation there of
totalitarian and police states, "people here enjoy the protection of a
stable, democratic government, access to health and economic
security, and the freedom and opportunity to be and do what they
aspire to."
They have their own schools, churches and political parties.
"You can even stand up in the street and criticize anyone, to their
face, without fear of persecution, harassment, imprisonment, or even
death, as is the norm in some third world countries," he added.
What they don't have is unity.
"It is true that no two Armenians will ever agree on one thing, but
despite their differences, when they come together, the are family,
and they know how to have a good time," he said.
The recent visit to Sydney of veteran crooner Harout Pamboukjian
solidly buttresses this assertion.
Pamboukjian sang only half a dozen songs, but his electrifying
performance at an annual Armenian festival, galvanized his audience.
In the euphoric spirit of the moment, they had him carried on their
shoulders, tossing and turning in an ocean of ecstatic Armenian faces,
swarming all over him.
They had come from all parts of the city, the young and the old,
hippies, businessmen, students, children of varying ages, even some
people in wheelchairs, blue-collar workers, to hear Harout sing
Armenia, and accord his unforgettable "Asmar Aghchig" tribute to dark
complexioned girls.
The nationalistic songs echoed along the venue, Darling Harbor's
Tumbalong Park, where over 15,000 thousand fans had congregated, in a
massive, unprecedented and vociferous show of Armenian camaraderie.
Armenians are fiercely proud of their church, though attendance at
Sunday mass remains pedestrian.
"The Armenian Apostolic Church has been more than a center of
Christian faith and worship. It has been a gathering place for
Armenians to enrich their Christian faith, connect with their
ancestral roots, to connect with other Armenians, to forge new
friendships, new bonds and generally encompass everything Armenian. It
continues to uphold this function until today," the church says.
"Akin to the beautiful worship services of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, is the vibrant community life that reflects not only religious
teaching but cultural personality. The legacy of 1700+ years of
Armenian Christianity (from 301 CE, when Armenian became the first to
accept Christianity as its state religion), continues in this part of
the world with the loving spirit of perpetuating our beautiful
heritage through the saving grace of our Christian faith," the church
says.
Yet, behind the seemingly contented facade there lingers, in the heart
of many of these "bantukhds" ("exiles"), particularly those who were
uprooted when in their youth or middle age, a lingering nostalgia for
good old days in the home country, where friendship is forever and
loyalty to the family second only to God.
"I live in a block of 37 units, and it's like a ghost town. Not a
single one of my 'odar' (non-Armenian) neighbors has ever knocked on
my door to say hello, or inquire about me," one matron complains,
echoing sentiments all too pronounced among migrants from the East.
"They rarely speak, ignoring each other when passing, totally absorbed
in themselves."
"If this were in Bourj Hammoud, Aleppo, or the Old City (of
Jerusalem), we would all be all over the place, transforming this
block into an oasis of joy and laughter, card-games and kebabs on
Sundays. Every one would be welcome at every home. You would not even
need to know on my door. You would just walk in," she says.
"And when you walk in the street, a hundred people will know you and
greet you, and wish you well. Here, no one bothers to look you in the
face. If your eyes ever meet, all you get is a bland smile that seems
to say: 'keep off, not interested.'"
"Back home, we used to kiss our parent's and grandparent's hands, even
our aunts and uncles, but here, of course, the young today don't know
what it is to respect the elders."
Her children were all born in Sydney.
"They love it here, but I don't think I will ever get adjusted or
reconciled to this 'odaroutyoun' (exile)," she continues.
And she has been here for nearly 20 years.