Blog Archives

Fifth Clergy Conference Held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On June 6th, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Brotherhood held its Fifth Clergy Conference attended by 81 celibate priests from Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as representatives from the Great House of Cilicia and the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. Following the opening prayer, the organizing committee chairman, Very Reverend Fr. Nareg Berberian of St. David Armenian Church in Boca Raton, Florida, began the conference emphasizing the value of having the clergy assemble every other year to benefit all the clergy who are serving in the different Dioceses around the world. Fr. Nareg Berberian stressed the importance of remaining faithful to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and to His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, as well as working in unity and sharing our brotherly love toward each other. On behalf of the Brotherhood, Fr. Nareg Berberian expressed his gratitude to His Holiness for his fraternal care.

Fr. Aren Jebejian, Fr. Nareg Berberian, Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, His Holiness Karekin II, Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, Fr. Simeon Odabashian, and Fr. Taniel Findilian

Then His Holiness delivered his message and gave his blessing in appreciation of their ministry of service. His Holiness stressed the presence of all the clergy here strengthens and optimistically inspires the church for future generations. His Holiness reminded them that they not only stay connected with their fellow brothers, but also, as brothers in Christ to focus and reflect on their ministry and its role in the life of the church. His Holiness advised them to continue zealously to build up the glory of the Armenian Church with the Christ and our fathers as their spiritual leaders. At the end of his message, His Holiness wished they would stay firm in their vocation and accomplish more in keeping the faith of our people strong as they serve in the vineyard of our Lord.

The subject matter of the conference was how the clergy can spread the teachings of the church through social media. The speaker of this theme was Artur Petrossyan, Director of Communication of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church. Following the PowerPoint presentation, the clergy were divided into four groups to discuss how they can enhance communication between the community and the pastor through the use of the internet, as well as how they can offer spiritual messages to their flock through the same media.

There was one day set aside for missionary outreach in the region of Armavir. More than 120 clergy were dispersed into the different towns and villages to visit families, bless their homes, and visit schools, hospitals and youth centers. On Saturday evening, around midnight, in the Mother See Cathedral, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated and members of the Brotherhood renewed their vocation to serve our Lord and returned back to their parishes with renewed inspiration.

Posted in Armenian Church, News

Genocide Under the Ottoman Empire Discussed in Tampa

In April, the University of South Florida (USF) Libraries Holocaust and Genocide Studies Center welcomed historian Ronald Grigor Suny for its second Armenian Studies event in six months. Turnout was exceptional, with a standing-room-only crowd in attendance.

Suny explored a variety of historic justifications for and ramifications of the Armenian Genocide (1915-1923) as well as killing and deportations of Greeks, Arabs, Assyrians, and others, under the Ottoman Empire. He spoke of first-hand research conducted during numerous visits to Turkey over a 20-year period. During visits to Kurdistan, he spoke with Kurds regarding their historic memory of and, sometimes, participation in the Genocide, having been bribed and coerced by its orchestrators. Most importantly, Suny described a relationship between the marginalization of the Kurdish population in present-day Turkey and the denial of the Armenian Genocide, suggesting that if the Turkish government were to acknowledge the Genocide, removing the ‘national security’ implications it uses as justification now, it would remove a tenet of their justification for failing to grant Kurdistan autonomy.

The talk also related what Dr. Suny sees as hopeful steps, from large, unimpeded demonstrations taking place in Turkey, and his own Workshop for Armenian/Turkish Scholarship (WATS) collaborations, where Turkish and Armenian scholars come together to explore the essential truths of the Armenian Genocide.

“Dr. Suny explained in a highly convincing manner how the reluctance of the current Turkish government to admit to the Armenian genocide was linked to the current Turkish-Kurdish conflict in Eastern Anatolia,” said USF History Professor Kees Boterbloem. “He pointed out, encouragingly, that this denial, a standard adhered to by all of Turkey’s governments since the 1920s, may have had its day.”

The audience discussion that followed the talk raised interesting questions about France and Turkey and admission to the European Union, and an understanding of the difference between the official Turkish government line and the feelings of the Turkish populace.

The USF Libraries Holocaust and Genocide Studies Center wishes to express gratitude to the USF History Department and Golfo Alexopoulos for their sponsorship of this important event.

The Armenian Studies collection at the USF Tampa Library continues to grow, with the acquisition of materials in a wide range of languages. Please contact Merrell Dickey to learn how you can support this initiative: (813) 974-1654 or mdickey@usf.edu.

SOURCE: http://www.lib.usf.edu/donate-usf-library/uncategorized/genocide-under-the-ottoman-empire/?utm_campaign=suny&utm_medium=email&utm_source=&utm_content=finishreadingtextlink

Posted on May 13, 2012 | Image

Armenian Genocide featured in Miami Dade College’s First Annual Genocide Awareness Week

Apr 25

Posted by Florida Armenians

Armenian Genocide featured in Miami Dade College’s First Annual Genocide Awareness Week

By Tina Varjabedian
FLArmenians Miami Contributor

Miami, FL – On Wednesday, April 4, Miami Dade College’s Homestead campus launched their First Annual Genocide Awareness Week with an opening event presenting the Armenian Genocide. Over 200 students and faculty members of non-Armenian backgrounds were present to learn about the history and politics surrounding the events of the Armenian Genocide.

Dr. Jeffery Thomas, Dean of Miami Dade College’s Homestead Campus, enthusiastically gave a welcoming introduction where he emphasized the significance of recognizing what he pronounced as a “denied chapter in world history.” Professor Hannibal Travis, J.D. from Florida International University’s College of Law, presented a discussion about International Law and Middle Eastern Politics. Taniel Koushakjian, Director of Grassroots at the Armenian Assembly of America, concluded the discussion with a segment on Survivor Accounts and Current Political Aspects Surrounding Armenian Genocide Recognition.

The lectures were followed by a “March for Genocide Prevention” ceremony, where students and faculty marched from the auditorium to the campus’s courtyard while holding sunflowers symbolizing the martyrs of the genocide. The event was concluded with a casual Q & A between the event’s speakers and students, while they enjoyed samples of Armenian pastries and music in the courtyard displaying the students’ Genocide artwork.