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June 16, 2007 — From the community section
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1. Eastern Prelacy Ladies honor Mrs. Lalik Bayrakdarian as "Mother of the
Year" (by Florence Avakian)
2. A testimony to grace, from a land of captivity (by Taleen Nazarian)
* At a San Francisco church, a brave Armenian pastor speaks of life in
Turkey
3. Hundreds walk to save lives through bone marrow registry (by Arin
Mikailian)
4. Disabled children in Armenia get a boost thanks to Nrani (by Lory
Tatoulian)
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1. Eastern Prelacy Ladies honor Mrs. Lalik Bayrakdarian as "Mother of the
Year"
by Florence Avakian
NEW YORK — One of the eagerly anticipated harbingers of spring is the
annual Mothers’ Day Luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG).
This year, it took place on May 7 in the elegant chandeliered roof garden
ballroom of New York’s famed St. Regis Hotel, with more than 125 in
attendance.
Heading the list of dignitaries were Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate
of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Church of America; Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy; 2007 "Mother of the Year"
Lalik Bayrakdarian and her family; acclaimed Metropolitan Opera divas Lucine
Amara and Isabel Bayrakdarian (the latter of whom, a featured soloist at the
Metropolitan Opera this season, is the honoree’s daughter); and noted
concert pianist Lucy Ishkanian.
A warm welcome was extended to the guests by Iris Papazian, the Prelacy’s
communications director, on behalf of the Prelacy Ladies Guild. Noting that
the PLG Mothers’ Day luncheon has always attracted guests from the tri-state
area, she welcomed a contingent from Pennsylvania and Rhode Island as well.
Archbishop Choloyan, whose 40th ordination anniversary is being observed
this year, eloquently paid tribute to motherhood. "Our hopes, dreams,
happiness — and even our pain — are entwined with our mothers," he said.
"She never leaves our thoughts. She has given us our life and its meaning."
Sharing a story from literature, he related how a deceased mother had
returned to earth dressed as a beggar. Shunned by all in her village, she
knocked on the door of her child’s house. When she was asked by her child
why she was dressed in that poor garb, the mother replied that she wanted to
see if her child still had the feelings of humanity she had instilled in
her.
"Our Armenian mother is always with us," the Prelate continued, "and we
always seek her more and more. Today the sacredness of motherhood is in
danger. Without mothers, there is no Armenian community," he declared, as he
introduced the 2007 "Mother of Year," Lalik Bayrakdarian.
Mrs. Bayrakdarian, who single-handedly raised six children after the early
death of her husband, was surrounded at the podium by three of her
daughters, Isabel, Maroujan, Siroon, and her son Carlo. In an elegant speech
she first and foremost thanked God for his many gifts. She thanked
Archbishop Oshagan and the Prelacy Ladies Guild for the honor. "For me
motherhood has been a gift," she said with emotion. "For me, every day is
Mother’s Day."
Recalling the family’s difficult early days in Beirut, she emphasized that
the Armenian Church was the "foundation of our hopes. It was the
unconditional support system that helped us through all our travails. I have
always instilled in my children love and respect for our church." She said
that she and her children are witnesses to the strength and power of God.
She emphasized her reliance on the message in the gospel, saying that if
there is any secret to her success as a mother, it is due to its guidance.
Following the delicious filet mignon dinner, the guests were entertained
with "Musical Sounds of Armenia" as performed by four graduates of the
Juilliard School of music: violinists Kinga Augustyn and Alexandr Dzubinsky,
violist Anush Simonian, and cellist Lilit Kudiyan. Also performing beloved
Armenian melodies were Isabella Alexandrovsky on the kanon, accompanied on
the piano by Vagharshag Ohanyan, with a graceful solo dance performed by
Raele Sabounjian.
Following a raffle drawing of some lovely donated gifts, the Prelate,
whose invocation had opened the event, offered the closing prayer.
Members of the Prelacy Ladies Guild include: Seda Andrikian, Sima
Artinoff, Marion Boudakian, Linda Chirinian, Lillian Hairabedian, Gemma
Melik Vartanian, Lilian Merdinian, Diana Minassian, Seta Nalbandian, Annie
Pampanini, Anna Piliguian, Lucille Sahagian, Anna Semerdjian, Silvia
Setrakian, Ovsanna Tatarian, Rita Tatevossian, Silva Zadourian.
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2. A testimony to grace, from a land of captivity
* At a San Francisco church, a brave Armenian pastor speaks of life in
Turkey
by Taleen Nazarian
SAN FRANCISCO — It is rare enough to hear powerful, inspiring words from a
man who spends his life in harm’s way. But it’s rarer still to come across a
man like Arapkir native Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu.
He captivated his audience at the 81st anniversary banquet of the Calvary
Armenian Congregational Church (CACC) on May 19. Ironically, his message of
grace and peace, coupled with truthful insights into the lot of his fellow
Armenians in Turkey, has brought Rev. Aghabaloghlu anything but peace in the
land where Hrant Dink was assassinated mere months ago. Dink himself was a
friend and a member of Aghabaloghlu’s parish, Istanbul’s Gedik Pasha
Armenian Evangelical Church.
In his presentation, Rev. Aghabaloghlu said he keenly feels the attention
the country’s officials give to every word he utters on Turkish radio,
television, and elsewhere. He has received intimidating visits from
uniformed Turkish police, and is well aware that he could someday share
Dink’s fate.
But for Rev. Aghabaloghlu, submitting to pressure and standing silent on
the question of Armenian history in Turkey would be contrary to his very
essence.
At Calvary Church, he noted the irony of how Armenians are repeatedly told
that they enjoy many freedoms living in Turkey. But in reality, he said,
they are held captive. Armenians are ordered to forget their language and
history, and at the same time, encouraged to support their oppressive
leaders. The Turkish government allows Armenians to study Turkish history,
but forbids them from teaching their own.
To his congregation and to any who will listen, Rev. Aghabaloghlu’s
message is one of reclaiming "ownership" of the Armenian heritage and
Christian religion.
Conveying the sense of Psalm 137, he told the crowd at Calvary Church:
"Psalms says that in a land of captivity, our captors asked us to sing. They
told us, ‘Sing. Sing the Lord’s songs.’ Psalms says that in the land of
captivity, we sat by the rivers; our harps hanging in the trees. How were we
to sing the Lord’s songs?"
In response to the question, Aghabaloghlu quoted Psalm directly —
emphasizing its meaning of never abandoning one’s religious identity: "’If I
forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.’" He added,
"If I forget you, let my tongue be silenced."
* A life transformed
No one could accuse Rev. Aghabaloghlu of forgetting who he is — just as he
cannot forget that his ancestors were massacred precisely because of who
they were. He said that Turkey’s Armenians were targeted for genocide for
two reasons: first because they were Armenian; second, because they were
Christians. As Rev. Aghabaloghlu sees it, these are the same reasons for
their persecution today, and to forget either identity would be tantamount
to cutting off one’s right hand.
With great seriousness, Rev. Aghabaloghlu expressed his ongoing commitment
to keeping true to his faith and heritage. But it was not always that way
for him, and to a rapt audience he related the story of the terrible event
that first motivated him along his present life’s course.
It happened after he and his family ate poisoned food, which resulted in
the death of his two young children. Recovering in the hospital,
Aghabaloghlu’s eye caught sight of a bible on a shelf nearby. His anguish
over his loss had been unbearable, he said, until that moment when he felt
moved to read the word of God waiting for him on that shelf.
The experience ignited his passion to read the bible in what was at that
time an unfamiliar language to him: Armenian. Rev. Aghabaloghlu revealed
that he only learned Armenian six years ago, and with a warm, enveloping
smile, he told his audience: "I love it. It is our mother tongue. It is very
sweet to me."
* The greatest weapon
It would be easy to appear fearless and strong among lambs, but Rev. Krikor
Aghabaloghlu has tested his mettle among wolves. A 1979 graduate of the
University of Istanbul with a major in Turkish history and a bachelor’s
degree in Education, he was denied a teaching position at every school he
applied to in Turkey — which he attributes to prejudice against his
ethnicity and religion. He eventually enrolled in and graduated from Bitinia
Bible School, becoming an ordained minister in 2002. He achieved broad
public notoriety in 2005, when he appeared on a live television broadcast in
Turkey, and forthrightly defended the historicity of the Armenian Genocide
before a panel of deniers. The appearance made him a hero to many Armenians,
but also a threat to "Turkishness."
Hardly ignorant of the risks he takes, Aghabaloghlu says that his
acceptance of God’s grace allows him to be at peace with the truth and the
consequences of declaring it. He related a story, half amusing and half
horrifying, of the warm reception he gave to Turkish police officers who had
knocked on his door to question him in the middle of the night. With his
uninvited guests seated and being served coffee by his wife, Rev.
Aghabaloghlu was asked whether he kept any weapons. He pointed to a box on
the table, and replied that he did. Then he asked his visitors if they would
like to see it. Naturally, the policemen said they would.
At that point, the reverend obliged, reached into the box — and pulled
out a bible. He explained that he held the strongest weapon on earth.
Smiling broadly to his audience at the Calvary Church, Aghabaloghlu added
that the policemen, sensing a sermon, quickly excused themselves from the
Aghabaloghlu home.
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3. Hundreds walk to save lives through bone marrow registry
by Arin Mikailian
GLENDALE, Calif. — The Armenian Bone Marrow Registry held its second annual
walkathon at Glendale High School on Saturday, June 9, to raise funds to
help support its mission of finding bone marrow matches for Armenians
stricken with leukemia and other blood related illnesses.
Over 800 eager participants showed up in walking or jogging gear, water
bottles in hand, and inspired by the prospect of saving lives. Each
participant contributed to the cause by paying a $20 pre-registration or $25
day-of registration fee.
Since its inception in 2000, the AMBR has been a prime resource for
Armenians dealing with blood-related illnesses. Over 12,000 Armenians have
registered to become donors in the past seven years, and almost 700 matches
have been identified.
"Who would not want to save a child’s life?" said walkathon participant
Liana Shahijani, who is also a proud donor. "When I became a donor it was a
great feeling; I can’t begin to put it into words how it feels."
The program’s co-founder and director Dr. Frieda Jordan explained the
significance of establishing a registry with Armenian donors.
"It became very apparent to me seven years ago that Armenian patients
could not find compatible matches in existing registries," said Dr. Jordan.
"They have developed a unique genetic makeup."
Prior to the walkathon, participants enjoyed a small breakfast in the high
school’s main quad area and had an opportunity to sign up as potential bone
marrow donors at a registration booth. About 100 people registered to become
donors, while another booth collected people’s DNA samples using a special
kind of Q-Tip.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, started off
the morning by sharing his blessings with the walkers.
"The Armenian Bone Marrow Registry, to my understanding, is a practical
expression of our Christian faith and love," said Archbishop Derderian.
"This mission has been one of the most sacred initiatives in the life of the
Los Angeles Armenian community."
After the pre-march ceremonies, the walkers moved to the entrance of the
high school’s Moyse Stadium for the ribbon cutting to kick off the
walkathon.
California State Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, Fr. Vazken Atmajian, and
Glendale Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Alice Petrossian
were present along with Archbishop Derderian for the ribbon cutting.
"For a small ethnic group like ours, it’s difficult to find a compatible
match," said Krekorian. "Having a registry for Armenians is vital for those
who are desperate for a donor."
With the snip of the scissors, the walkers headed toward the track without
hesitation to complete either a 5- or a 10-kilometer walk. Participants of
all ages partook in the walkathon — which was what Dr. Jordan said she had
envisioned.
"We wanted this to be a grassroots project," said Dr. Jordan. "We wanted
everyone from every different background to come and participate."
Most participants couldn’t agree more with Dr. Jordan’s reasoning.
"The community is coming together and it’s looking pretty good right now,"
said Arin DerSarkissian as he wiped some sweat off his forehead. "We’re
uniting and making a change together."
* The gift of hope
Despite the presence of prominent figures in the Armenian community, one
couple’s participation in the walk inspired those around them because of
their tragic loss less than two months ago.
In April, Razmik and Arsineh Moghadassian lost their eight-year-old son,
Biurad, who fought a long battle with leukemia. Many walkers hung a picture
of Biurad around their necks to emphasize the importance of having a donor
registry. But even the loss of their child didn’t dissolve couple’s faith in
the registry.
"The main reason I’m still continuing this and helping out is because it’s
not just my kid," said Razmik. "There’s lots of other kids out there looking
for help. Who knows who’s turn is next? Nobody knows. We have to do whatever
we can to increase prevention; it’s insurance for the next group of people’s
lives."
After several hours of walking or jogging, the walkathon participants
regrouped at the high school’s main quad area for refreshments, live
entertainment and personal thanks from Assemblyman Krekorian and Congressman
Adam Schiff.
"We’re working very hard in Sacramento on comprehensive health care
reform," Krekorian said to the walkers. "What you’re doing is what we can’t
do. You’re giving the gift of hope to these families who are desperately
searching for a cure for their child."
Congressman Schiff added his commendation to those who took part in the
march, and how each step the walkers took made a difference for someone’s
life.
"It’s not often you can say that your work is directly contributing to
saving lives," said Schiff. "But here, today, this weekend — we can."
Talin Khachatourian, who serves on the AMBR’s advisory board, also thanked
the event’s numerous sponsors, including the Glendale Unified School
District for endorsing the event.
Dr. Jordan and her fellow AMBR colleagues were presented with a $5,000
check from the Artists For Kids organization, raised through a concert they
held on June 1.
Dr. Jordan then returned to her grassroots motivation and asked everyone
to continue to register and contribute to the cause. "No gift is too small,"
she said in Armenian.
The program was brought to a close with a live performance by singer
Nersik Ispiryan.
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4. Disabled children in Armenia get a boost thanks to Nrani
by Lory Tatoulian
LOS ANGELES — The Nrani association held a kick-off fundraiser on June 1 to
celebrate its inception as an official non-governmental organization (NGO).
The gathering took place at the residence of Greg and Caroline Tufenkian,
who treated their guests to a chartable affair replete with food and
socializing. Most importantly, the evening provided a cozy venue for the
Nrani organization to talk about its critical work in Armenia.
The organization was conceived to help disabled children in Armenia,
concentrating on an early intervention program that assists handicapped
children from birth to age 8. Similar early intervention programs in the U.S.
provided the model for Nrani’s efforts, which were launched in response to
the severe paucity of educational and assistance resources available to
children with disabilities in Armenia.
Nrani provides effective ways to address the needs of children diagnosed
with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down’s Syndrome. It
currently has a center in Yerevan where children come to receive assistance
— a remarkable and welcome development in Armenia, where in the past
children born with these conditions would often have little or no access to
appropriate therapy services.
Beginning as an offshoot of the "Pyunic" organization — created in 1989
to provide services to children disabled in the 1988 earthquake -Nrani
focuses on children already born with disabilities, and aims at
rehabilitation.
* Support for disabled children and their parents
The program itself is the brainchild Lorig Sivazlian, Nrani’s current vice
president and an occupational therapist with a Masters Degree in Child and
Life Development, who for the past 16 years has directed L.A.’s Exceptional
Children’s Foundation.
Lorig’s experience working with ECF — one of California’s oldest and
largest charities serving children and adults with developmental
disabilities and acquired brain injuries — has proved invaluable to Nrani’s
goals in Armenia. She travels to Armenia every three months to monitor the
children’s progress and to ensure the facility is running smoothly.
Addressing the crowd at the June 1 fundraiser, Lorig described the staff
of pediatric therapists she works with in Armenia. "Our staff in Yerevan is
a multi-disciplinary team of trained professionals who evaluate and treat
each child’s cognitive, language, and physical development," she explained.
Sivazlian went on to describe a situation where "there are so many
disabled children in Armenia who need a more promising environment, and who
actually need hands-on help. Some programs in Armenia provide services for
the disabled, but there are no early intervention programs that provide
direct assistance to children. Early intervention is vital, because the
child’s brain stops growing after five years."
She also emphasized the importance of involving the parents of disabled
children in the therapeutic process. "When you have a disabled child, you
need to be trained how to care for that child. We cater to the children as
well as to their parents. These parents need support, too; they need to be
given the right tools to be able to rear their child in the most nurturing
way."
It was a common practice in Armenia for children born with disabilities to
be either left in the home without any special care, or sent to an
orphanage. Often, the desperate parents simply had no recourse to the right
resources to care for their children — and Lorig Sivazlian offered some
stark glimpses into the harsh realities that parents and children alike
sometimes have had to endure.
But against these sad prospects, she added, Nrani offers hope and
encouragement to help save and attend to these children.
* "Nobody else is doing this type of work in Armenia"
Nrani’s Yerevan facility is run by eight trained pediatric therapists;
Armine Avakian is its director. The Nrani Center extends a variety of
services ranging from physical therapy to social and emotional development
classes. Participating children attend three-hour therapy sessions with
their parents, all within a dynamic and enriching environment.
A group of Armenian-American board members forms the central
administration of Nrani. The impressive crew includes psychologists,
occupational therapists, pharmacists, and attorneys. Each individual
contributes his or her talents to make Nrani an effective organization.
Varouj Bedikian serves on the board as president, and at the June 1
fundraiser he reflected on Nrani’s work: "I was introduced to Pyunic eight
years ago, and it was an opportunity for me to help the fatherland and
people who are disadvantaged. I was inspired by the work they were doing and
I chose to participate. World Vision was doing a similar program then, but
they shut down. But nobody else is doing this type of work in Armenia;
through Nrani we now have trained therapists working with these children. If
it wasn’t for Lorig, nobody would have the knowledge how to handle these
children. What she is doing is not replicated anywhere else."
The evening continued with a slide show portraying disabled children at
the center engaged in various rehabilitative activities with the therapists.
The photos testified to the courageous spirit that allows these young people
to defy the odds in their difficult circumstances.
Toward the end of the evening, Lorig remarked: "Every child deserves the
opportunity to develop and grow in an enriching and facilitating
environment." The emphasis on "every" child was not lost on the listeners,
and indeed Nrani’s intention is to expand its efforts throughout Armenia.
The board members made clear that such an undertaking would only be possible
with financial support from the diaspora. But the supporters at the
fundraiser seemed ready to take up the challenge — and ready to turn those
precious "opportunities to develop and grow" into vivid realities for some
very deserving children in Armenia.
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