Category Archives: News
Dr. Susan Harper to Present ‘Genocide and American Humanitarianism: Lessons from World War I and Its Aftermath’ in Sarasota
The Sarasota World Affairs Council (SWAC) will host Dr. Susan Harper for an informative presentation on the Armenian Genocide entitled ‘Genocide and American Humanitarianism: Lessons from World War I and Its Aftermath’ at New College of Florida, in Sarasota, FL. The event will take place on Tuesday, January 26 at 6:30 PM in the Sainer Auditorum.
Susan Harper is a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She was Senior Officer at The Pew Charitable Trusts, a graduate of Yale University, and a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. She will discuss the role that the genocide in Armenia played in setting the precedent that has affected American response to genocide in all conflicts since World War I. The knowledge and compassion of Americans in reaction to the catastrophe in Armenia were not successful in stopping the killings, and a terrible precedent was born in 1915, which has haunted the United States and other Western countries throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Harper has researched and presented on the Armenian Genocide for almost two decades.
During the 19th Library of Congress Vardanants Day Armenian Lecture Series at the Library of Congress last year, Dr. Harper presented “American Humanitarianism in the Armenian Crucible, 1915-1923.”
During that presentation, Harper reported her findings about physician missionaries who as part of the overall Near East Relief effort traveled to Armenia and other countries to deliver medical aid in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide. Harper’s presentation focused on the contributions of Dr. Mabel Elliott who tended to the medical needs of refugees in Armenia, Turkey and Greece, and who authored one of the compelling accounts of the era, “Beginning Again at Ararat.”
Held on May 7, 2015 the Vardanants Day lecture coincided with the opening day of events organized by the National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee and the Ecumenical Service held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. later that evening.
In addition, Dr. Harper previously participated in the conference organized in September, 2000 by the Armenian National Institute and the Library of Congress where she presented a paper on the missionary Mary Louise Graffam who witnessed the Armenian Genocide. Her and other presenters’ papers were published by Cambridge University Press in “America and the Armenian Genocide of 1915,” under the editorship of Dr. Jay Winter.
The Sarasota World Affairs Council lecture with Dr. Susan Harper is free for the general public, but reservations are suggested. RSVP to 941-487-4603 or info@sarasotawac.org. A reception with the speaker will follow for SWAC members.
Milestones Observed in Orlando
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, visited Soorp Haroutiun Church of Orlando, FL, last weekend, as the community celebrated the parish’s 30th anniversary, and the fifth anniversary of the church’s consecration.
On Sunday, January 17, Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and blessed the church’s newly installed stained glass windows. In his sermon, the Primate looked ahead to the Diocese’s theme for the coming year: “The Legacy of Our Martyrs: A Gift to Carry Forward.”
“As we step forward into this new year of 2016, we should reflect that even the most worthy legacy has to be freshly appreciated by those who inherit it,” he said. “Each succeeding generation is called to renew the precious legacy we inherited from the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. We are called to make it vital and alive in our own day; to re-connect with it, and let it shine through us to illuminate the world.”
Over the course of several years following the consecration of Soorp Haroutiun Church in 2010, parishioners have been raising funds for the stained glass windows. The windows were completed and installed in the fall, and blessed by the Primate during the celebration this month.
At a luncheon following services, parishioner Lucine Mardirosian-Harvey, who has been involved with the parish since its earliest days, spoke about its history and growth. Young musician Sara Nazarian performed musical selections on the flute.
Archbishop Barsamian noted that the parish has come a long way since its humble beginning in the 1980s, but stressed that the community must continue to look to the future with new plans and ambitions. He also met with the membership committee to discuss ways to grow participation in church activities.
On Saturday evening a dinner was held with the Primate, members of the parish council, and the families who donated the stained glass windows. The latter include Harry and Suzanne Toufayan, Judge Theodore and Ann Takvorian, Michael and Sonia Ohanian, Richard and Cheryl Bagdasarian, and Lucine Mardirosian-Harvey; donors Steve Nargizian, Dorothy Hoagland, and Arlene Viafore couldn’t be present for the occasion.
Also on Saturday, Dn. Vahe Baghdasarian worked with local acolytes in preparation for Sunday’s service. Guest organist Louise Yardumian and her husband Haig, from St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park, FL, practiced with the choir.
Aram Nazarian, parish council chair, said the parish looks forward to having a full-time pastor serve the community in the near future. In the meantime, services are held three times a month by visiting clergy, including the Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, and Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian.
St. Hagop Armenian Church Opens New Hall
PINELLAS PARK, FL – Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park last weekend, as the community celebrated the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord and the opening of its newly built church hall.
On Sunday, January 10, Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and performed the Blessing of Water service. He was assisted on the altar by the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, parish pastor. Dr. Michael Shahnasarian, parish council chair and the main benefactor of the new hall, served as the godfather of the cross.
“The gift of Jesus Christ has inspired the Armenian people to great achievements, and has sustained us through every trial,” Archbishop Barsamian said, as he reflected on the legacy of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.
“The faithful legacy of our martyrs is meant to inspire us,” he added. “To guide our steps, and help us press forward.”
The Primate also recalled the humble beginnings of the St. Hagop parish in the decades preceding the church’s consecration eight years ago. He noted that it was through the faith, dedication, and hard work of the community that the dream of building a church was realized in St. Petersburg.
“Today I am overjoyed to witness yet another accomplishment of this community-the beautiful new hall you have built to nourish our Armenian heritage and culture,” he said. “May God continue to guide you in your ministry and inspire you in all your endeavors as you enter this new chapter in the history of St. Hagop Church.”
At the conclusion of the service, Archbishop Barsamian distributed Bibles to children of the parish. He then led a procession of altar servers, choir members, and the more than 200 parishioners to the new Michael and Jean Shahnasarian Hall, where a blessing service and ribbon-cutting ceremony were performed. A banquet prepared by the Women’s Guild and served by young adults followed.
An incredible community effort
The parish recognized the need for a multi-purpose facility when St. Hagop Church was consecrated in 2007, but during that period other concerns drew on its time and funds. It was not until three years ago that the community launched a capital campaign to raise funds for the hall project. More than $1 million was raised with the help of 175 donors.
“It was an incredible community effort,” Dr. Shahnasarian said, adding that the new facility “gives us a good venue for our ministry.”
On Saturday evening, January 9, the Shahnasarian family hosted a “thank-you” dinner in their home for major supporters of the project. Also taking part in the weekend’s activities was Diocesan Council member Thomas Ashbahian.
In addition to a large space for gatherings, the new building includes a kitchen, Sunday School classrooms, and offices.
“I think a lot of people felt this makes our community complete,” Fr. Demerjian said. “It is a great blessing.”
Stepan Serpekian, chair of the building committee, said the parish looks forward to using the hall to enhance its cultural programming.
“The ribbon-cutting joyfully opened the gates to the future of the children where they can sing, dance, cook, and speak the language that our ancestors gave their lives for,” he said. “Now that this major project has been accomplished, we look forward to developing more cultural events, from dance instructions to cooking instructions to historical presentations.”
Dr. Shahnasarian added that the St. Hagop parish plans to use the new space for Diocesan-level functions as well, including the annual ACYOA Chapter Workshop the parish hosts each winter and the 2017 Diocesan Assembly, which will be held in St. Petersburg. The hall was already put to good use on New Year’s Eve, when the entire community gathered to welcome the new year and celebrate their accomplishment as a parish.
That same spirit filled Sunday’s official opening. “The mood was one of great joy, celebration, pride, and happiness shared by all,” said Charles Sarkisian, building fund chair. “Everyone in our community pulled together to make the event a huge success.”
Florida Armenians 