Istanbul: Opening Ceremonies For Karagozyan Orphanage Summer Camp

Lraper Church Bulletin 26/07/2005
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
[email protected]
<; OPENING CEREMONIES FOR THE KINALI ISLAND CAMP Photos: ;NewsCode=N000000767&Lang=ENG On Sunday, 17 July 2005, His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey, presided over the opening ceremonies of the Karagozyan Children's Summer Camp on Kinali Island, run by the Alumni Association of the Karagozyan Orphanage. Father Tatul Anusyan officiated at the Divine Liturgy at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church on Kinali Island, while sacred music was provided by the S. Vartanants Choir of the Ferikoy Church. Before the Lord's Prayer, His Beatitude the Patriarch preached on 1 Corinthians 6:19: "Your body, you know, is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received him from God. You are not your own property." His Beatitude the Patriarch touched on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and spoke on the influential role of the Holy Spirit in the salvation of our souls. He said, "We receive the Holy Spirit with baptism and confirmation. Our bodies are dedicated to God with the annointment of the Holy Myron, signifying the Holy Spirit. Our bodies truly become temples of the Holy Spirit with annointing, the reading or hearing of God's word, and the sharing of the holy and life-giving Body and Blood of Christ. Thus the body of the believer is holy. "Marriage through union with the life of another believer is also holy. The believer should live within this reality and take care to keep away from corrupt relationships that pollute the body. Every sort of sexual relationship other than marriage cannot be accepted by the standards of the Holy Book and are unclean. "Even the dead body is considered holy by the Church and is therefore buried with care and with faith. Cemeteries are therefore sacred places and considered to be outdoor churches. Respect should be shown to them, and one should behave there the same way as in the church. "Unfortunately some unaware and ignorant people are seen eating and drinking in cemeteries, which is disturbing. At the conclusion of religious ceremonies in cemeteries, our local tradition calls for the distribution of some 'helva', and that is sufficient. "Some people engage in beautiful and constructive traditions such as ditributing food to needy students and families, or to an orphanage in memory of the departed, which suits our religion." On the occasion of the opening of the Karagozyan Summer Camp, His Beatitude the Patriarch recalled with love the memory of the late Patriarchs Karekin Khacaduryan and Sinorhk Kalustyan. They did everything they could to develop this venture and keep it open. Patriarch Mesrob said that just as the late patriarchs believed in the need for this institution, we should do the same and contribute to it from our material and spiritual resources. The Patriarch welcomed the presence Rev. Gerhard Duncker, the former pastor of the German Evangelical Church of Istanbul, who was present to show his own church's material and spiritual support. The Patriarch also announced with joy that on 28 July four new religious officials will be consecrated. In the prayers of intercession after the Divine Liturgy, the benefactors of the Kinali Island Summer Camp, the founder of the old camp at Boyacikoy, the late Patriarch Karekin I Khacaduryan, and the founder of the Kinali Island Camp, the late Patriarch Sinorhk Kalustyan were remembered. After the ceremonies there was a fellowship meal held in the Krikor Cambazyan playground of the Kinali Island Summer Camp. In addition to the Patriarch, also present were Rev. Gerhard Duncker; Father Tatul Anusyan; Sister Hripsime Sasunyan; Governor of the Princes' Islands, Mevlut Kurgan; Mayor of the Princes' Islands, Coskun Ozden; Assistant Mayor of Sisli, Vazken Barin; Head of the Executive Board of the Karagozyan Orphanage, Dikran Gulmezgil and spouse; benefactors; and school and parish officials. Speaking for the camp administration were Sevan Cavusyan, the chairperson of the camp's executive board, and Talin Nayir, camp director. Everyone then watched with pleasure a show prepared by the children of the camp. A favourite singer, Bartev, also livened up the day with songs. The sub-governor of the Princes' Islands, Mevlut Kurban, spoke and congratulated the Karagozyan Summer Camp on its 40th anniversary. He said he would do what he could as an administrator for education and praised the support of the community in social service. Rev. Gerhard Duncker, representative of the German Evangelical Church in Westphalia, also spoke. He talked about education for children. In offering His Beatitude the Patriarch a cheque for 25,000 Euros from his church's budget as a contribution to the camp's expenses, Rev. Duncker hoped it would also be accepted as a contribution to ecumenical relations. In his closing speech, Patriarch Mesrob praised the camp administration for its efforts to embrace the coming generation and raise it well. He wished them success in their endeavours. The Patriarch then mentioned he was upset about the unworthy and disreputable public conflicts that have recently occurred on Kinali Island between groups of youth. He called on young people to be well-mannered, kind-hearted, balanced, and honourable members of their families and community. The meal concluded with everyone saying together the Lord's Prayer.