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will not
Publish an Online Edition on Jan. 13, 2005. Publication will resume on
January 20, 2005.
Happy New Year and Armenian Christmas!
California Courier Online, January 6, 2005

1 – Commentary
Armenian Patriarch of Turkey
Issues Bold Message on Genocide

By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
2 – Andrew Torigian Named
AMAA Executive Director
3 – Diocese APN
To Host Jan 20
Reception
4 – Christmas Concert with Soprano Anna Mayilian,
Armiss Choir, Celebrates Haigazian Anniversary
5 – Armenian Language Course
Offered at University of Venice
6 – Genocide Monument
Council Announces
Design Competition
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1 – Commentary

Armenian Patriarch of Turkey
Issues Bold Message on Genocide

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

Over the years, as various Armenian Church leaders in Turkey, under
pressure from Turkish officials, made disparaging remarks about the
Diaspora’s efforts for the recognition for the Armenian Genocide, I never
hesitated to criticize them. Therefore, it is only fair that these Church
leaders are to be commended whenever they bravely speak out on the Armenian
Genocide, jeopardizing their own position and personal safety.
Patriarch Mesrob II, in his New Year message to the Armenian community of
Turkey, made such a bold statement last week. Surprisingly, a portion of
his lengthy message is devoted to the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. That segment of the statement, issued in three languages, is
entitled “The Great Disaster,” in English, “Meds Yegherni Hishadage,” in
Armenian; and “Buyuk Felaket,” in Turkish. The Patriarch’s statement
appeared on the Patriarchate’s web site and in the Armenian press of
Istanbul.
It is understandable that under the repressive conditions in Turkey, the
Patriarch is forced to use substitutes for the word genocide. For the
benefit of non-Armenian speaking readers, we should point out that “Medz
Yeghern” was used by Armenians to describe the Armenian Genocide before the
word genocide existed. “Medz Yeghern” could be translated alternatively as
” Great Disaster,” “Great Calamity,” or “Great Cataclysm.” Armenians
sometimes still refer to the Armenian Genocide as “Medz Yeghern,” just as
the Jews use the Hebrew word “Shoah” for the Holocaust.
Here is the English version of that segment of the Patriarch’s Message:
“Beloved Church members: one of the painful historical events … has
become known in Armenian literature as Medz Yeghern (The Great Disaster).
The Ottoman government of that time of the Committee for Union and
Progress, citing security reasons in the circumstances of the First World
War, exiled Armenian citizens living in the Ottoman Empire to the deserts
of Syria. However, because the necessary precautions were not taken,
hundreds of thousands of Armenian citizens lost their lives either near
their own homes, or on the journey, or in the desert, or were the victims
of inhuman attacks by opportunists. Of the Armenian population in the
Ottoman Empire, only a small proportion was saved from annihilation.
Whatever the given justification, this great unconscionable disaster has
passed into history as a human drama that took place at the beginning of
the 20th century. Wherever on the globe, every Armenian still feels the
imprint of this Great Disaster in his or her identity and still lives with
the trauma, in some way or another. Throughout the year 2005, on the 90th
anniversary of this event, Armenians will offer to God their prayers and
incense for the souls of their martyrs.”
While the Patriarch is careful not to use the word “Genocide,” – it is a
crime to do so in Turkey — his statement makes it amply clear that the
government of the Ottoman Empire was the organizer of the deportations that
led to the deaths of “hundreds of thousands” of Armenians. In addition to
outright murder, the United Nations defines as genocide the act of
“deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to
bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.”
We should point out that the Patriarch, in his statement, uses the term
“annihilation,” meaning extermination or total destruction, which is
another way of saying genocide.
The Patriarch Mesrob II who is fluent in Armenian, Turkish and English, has
probably written the statement himself in all three languages. A careful
comparison of the three versions reveals subtle differences in the words
used to describe the Armenian Genocide. Even though it is practically
impossible to translate verbatim a text from one language to another, it is
noteworthy that the Armenian version contains the strongest words.
Finally, it is significant that the Patriarch made his bold remarks on the
genocide less than a week after the Prime Minister of Turkey, Abdullah Gul,
announced that the Turkish government would do everything
in its power to counter the Armenian efforts, particularly in view of the
90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
For the first time, and on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, the Patriarch is properly and bravely suggesting that
Armenians in Turkey would be joining their compatriots around the globe in
remembering the “annihilation” of their ancestors. While Armenians might
not be able to hold any public commemorative events in Turkey on that date,
the Patriarch is certain that they carry in their souls the trauma of the
Genocide and the memory of their martyrs!
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2 – Andrew Toriguian Named
AMAA Executive Director

PARAMUS, NJ – Andrew Torigian has been named Executive Director of the
Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), the international
non-profit charitable organization serving in 22 countries.
Torigian had served as the AMAA’s President for an unprecedented seven
years, as Vice President for four years, as Treasurer for two years and as
Personnel Committee Chairman for 17 years. He had been a board member
since 1982, prior to resigning to accept the new post.
No stranger to the post, Torigian has served as acting Executive Director
for seven months in 2001, then for another seven months in 2003, and for
five months in 2004, temporarily filling vacancies, while still serving as
President.
Volunteering has been the hallmark of Torigian’s entire life, ever since he
joined the U.S. Navy Air Corps to be trained as a Navy pilot. He has
served as a Trustee, as well as Treasurer for 13 years of the Armenian
Presbyterian Church in Paramus, and is an Ordained Elder of the Church. In
1995, he was honored as the APC Man of the Year.
Among the many other Armenian organizations for which he has served, he is
on the Board of Directors of the Armenian American Medical Philanthropic
Fund since 1995, is a Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the Home
for the Armenian Aged in Emerson, New Jersey, is a trustee of the Hovnanian
School in New Milford, New Jersey, is on the Board of Managers of Haigazian
University, is a Fellow Trustee of the Armenian Assembly, and was the only
three-term Commander of the Knights of Vartan Lodge #38 and received its
Man of the Year Award in 1998.
His list of services for non-Armenian organizations include being a past
Master of Willard Sylvan Grove Lodge #250 F & A.M.; a member and former
Vice President of the New York Metro Electronics Representative
Association, and is the past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Electro,
producers of the largest electronic shows on the East Coast.
He has served on the Paramus Planning Board for five years and has been the
Commander of the Paramus American Legion Post #207 since 1988 and became
the first and only recipient of its Man of the Year Award, in 2000.
He is the only six-term President of the Paramus Veterans Council. He was
a member of the Bergen County Veterans Committee that established the
“Circle of Honor” at the County Courthouse in Hackensack, New Jersey. He
has been the President of the Paramus Republican Club, the largest in
Bergen County.
In addition, Torigian is an active member of the Gideons, the Paramus
Rotary Club and the Paramus Elks. He received the Humanitarian Award from
the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 2002 for his work in the
community.
Torigian received his BA from NYU’s Washington Square College and BS from
NYU’s School of Engineering where he was elected to Alpha Pi Mu and Tau
Beta Pi’s National Engineering Societies. He was President of Technilease
Corporation, a leasing/rental company specializing in electronic
test-and-measurement equipment before he retired in December 2003. He is a
Senior Life Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
Torigian and his wife, Rose, have three children; Catherine Torigian,
Ph.D., Drew Torigian, M.D., and Christine Torigian, M.D.
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3 – Diocese APN
To Host Jan 20
Reception
BURBANK, CA – The Western Diocese’s Armenian Professional Network will host
a Jan. 20 reception at the Diocese’s Hampar Room, 3325 North Glenoaks
Blvd., Burbank, for guests to meet with and learn about the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Armenia who has recently opened a
branch office in Los Angeles.
The 7:30 p.m. reception, which includes light fare, will have speakers with
discussion to follow at 8 p.m.
edia to meet with and learn
Representatives of the CCI RA will introduce themselves to the community,
talk about the work and role of their regional office in Los Angeles, as
well as provide an overview of their activities and goals. An opportunity
will be provided for discussion.
This event is being sponsored by Nelly Dagstanyan, owner of Quizno’s at
6612 – 902 North Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.
The APN asks all those attending to bring their business cards to
facilitate networking and to assist the APN in creating a contact list for
similar future events.
For more information contact Vahe Ashjian at (818) 212-9976.
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4 – Christmas Concert with Soprano Anna Mayilian,
Armiss Choir, Celebrates Haigazian Anniversary
BEIRUT – The latest event of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Haigazian
University, was a Christmas Concert on Dec. 20-21, in the sanctuary of the
First Armenian Evangelical Church of Beirut.
The concert featured the 60-voice “Armiss” Choir, conducted by Rev. Nerses
Balabanian, pianists Sevan Balabanian and Mathilde-Sandra Cholakian, and
the renowed artist, mezzo-soprano Anna Mayilian from Armenia.
University President Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, noted that this concert
carried a special message: “It is Armenia and Lebanon coming together. It
is talent and discipline joined. It is joy and awe put to music, and music
turned into a sign of life. It is a Christmas story told. It is an act of
hope in an anxious world. It is Haigazian and its supportive community
singing peace, love, and joy together.”
The capacity audience, which included the US Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey
Feltman, Armenian Ambassador Areg Hovannissian, and other religious and
political officials and representatives, enjoyed classical and contemporary
musical masterpieces dedicated to Christmas. Among the pieces impressively
performed by Mayilian, the audience enjoyed little-heard settings of
Armenian songs.
In the past decade, Mayilian has established herself not only in the
Armenian milieu, but on the international stage as well, capturing numerous
European and American prizes. Founder of the “Saghmos” Cultural Center, and
the artistic director of “Music Masters of Armenia,” she released the
recording, “Anna Mayilian: Armenian Sacred Songs” last year, and currently
is preparing a new recording of the sacred music of Krikor Naregatsi.
The Armenian Evangelical Armiss Choir is named after the pen-name of the
pastor, poet, composer and painter, Rev. Armenag Missirian. Established in
1981 by founding conductor Vatsche Barsoumian, the choir was reconstituted
after the Lebanese war by Rev. Nerses Balabanian.
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5 – Armenian Language Course
Offered at University of Venice
VENICE, Italy – The intensive summer course of Armenian Language and
Culture of the University of Venice will take place Aug. 1-19, in
collaboration with the Cultural Association Padus-Araxes. Exams will be
conducted on Aug. 20.
The course has three basic levels from Absolute Beginner to Advanced.
Lessons take place from Monday to Friday, five hours a day in the morning.
Students must be 18 years of age or older.
Tuition fee is 630 euros or its equivalent in other currency. Of this
amount, 400 euros must be sent as a registration fee before March 31. After
this date, the registration fee will be 500 euros. Total payment must be
completed on arrival day.
International back checks or money orders must be made to Associazone
Padus-Araxes, and mailed to the Association, c/o Dipt. Studi Eurasiatici –
S. Polo 2035 – 3-125 Venezia, Italia. Personal checks are not accepted.
Lodging is offered to participants at a Student Home (Residenz Abbazia) in
Venice. Accommodation fee from July 31 to August 22 included is 800 euros
for a single room; 600 euros for a double room. Lunch or dinner will cost
6.5 euros.
For application, send an e-mail to daniela@padus-araxes.com.
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6 – Genocide Monument
Council Announces
Design Competition
GLENDALE – The Armenian Genocide Monument Council of Glendale (AGMCG)
announced on Dec. 22 the launching of their website
and the beginning of their Monument
design competition.
The AGMCG will oversee the design and construction of a commemorative
monument in the City of
Glendale dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The monument
will serve as a befitting venue to begin the educational process of
honoring the memory of those who perished and acknowledging the memories of
the heroic deeds and acts of the Americans whose actions helped save
thousands of helpless Armenian men, women and children from the rage of
the Genocide.
The AGMCG is a newly established organization and is dedicated to enhancing
cross-cultural understanding amongst the different cultural and ethnic
groups in Glendale by promoting respect for past historical events and the
recognition thereof through continuous education, specifically that of the
Armenian Genocide.
In August of 2001, the City Council of Glendale adopted a motion to accept
the gift of a monument to honor the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian
genocide and the memory of Americans whose actions helped save thousands of
Armenian men, women and children from perishing in the genocide.
On April 8, 2003, the Glendale City Council approved the final
location/site for the Genocide monument. The AGMCG has been working very
closely with City staff to oversee the monument selection process and has
established a Selection Committee comprised of community leaders,
architecture and design experts and public officials.
The announcement of the winner of the competition will take place in April
of 2005. April 24, 2005 marks the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. All parties interested in submitting a design may do so by
following the guidelines and rules for submission made available on the
AGMCG website.
For more information, visit
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress