PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]
12 December 2006
DIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA REMEMBERS THE VICTIMS OF ARMENIA’S EARTHQUAKE
Sydney, Australia – On Sunday, 10 December, 2006 the Divine Liturgy was
celebrated at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection in memory
of the victims of the Armenian earthquake of 1988 under the auspices of His
Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian. A special requiem service was held for
the repose of the souls of those who perished in the tragic disaster.
The day’s sermon was given by Very Reverend Father Vardan Navasardyan who
recalled the devastation that would claim the lives of more than 25,000
helpless people and leave many countless homeless or injured in much of
north-western Armenia. He reflected on the resilient faith of the Armenian
people which has remained strong even against calamity and hardship.
Following the Liturgy and Requiem services, community members gathered in
the Church Edgarian Hall to partake in a memorial lunch (hokejush) organised
by the Australian branch of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. During the
luncheon, two Year 11 students from the Hamazkaine Arshak & Sophie Galstaun
School recounted their personal experiences and impressions of the
Motherland having visited Armenia in September with their school group.
Students from the AGBU Alexander Primary School also brought their
participation to the gathering reciting the poetry of Silva Gaboudikian. An
audiovisual presentation on the earthquake was presented recalling that dark
day in the pages of Armenia’s history. This was followed by a presentation
of the 15th anniversary celebrations of Armenia’s independence highlighting
how a nation emerged yet again from the doldrums.
The afternoon concluded with the closing address of His Eminence Archbishop
Aghan Baliozian who urged community members to take on dutiful ownership and
responsibility in supporting the Motherland.
Eighteen years on, the impact of the earthquake remains firm in the hearts
and minds of all Armenians. Whilst there has been much redevelopment in the
affected region to bring lives back to normalcy, there is yet more to be
done with scores of families still displaced by the effects of the
earthquake.