Armenians In Minnesota: The Church Struggling Against Assimilation

ARMENIANS IN MINNESOTA: THE CHURCH STRUGGLING AGAINST ASSIMILATION

Gayane Gasparyan
Minnesota, US

The Armenian communities of Russia and the US are the largest of more
than 80 communities scattered around the world. Although Armenians
of the US are mostly centered in California, some live in other States.

Armenians have been able to maintain their culture and identity in
some states, but have failed to do so in others.

The first Armenian families settled in Minnesota after the Armenian
Genocide. They were later jointed by refugees from Azerbaijan, Iraq
and Egypt. Besides, the State is home to a number of young scholars
working in the Universities of Minnesota.

“Not all of 300-400 Armenian families in Minnesota have managed to
preserve their traditions, identity. This is a foreign country, and
there is a threat of assimilation. About 80 families maintain close
ties with the Armenian Church,” said Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan,
pastor of the Armenian St. Sahag Church.

The Church has been functioning in the city of St. Paul for more than
10 years now. Its architecture is not Armenian. Armenians changed
only the interior as they purchased it in December 2000. The Church
had no permanent priest until it welcomed Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan eight
months ago, who immediately undertook to unite the community.

We are organizing different events trying to return people to their
roots, Fr. Tadevos said. The results are obvious. More and more people
attend Sunday services every week, he added.

As adults are attending Sunday services, children are learning
Armenian. The Armenian Ministry of Diaspora has promised to provide
them with textbooks.

“Next year we want to organize pilgrimage to Armenia; this will
reinforce the ties with the Motherland. A group of Armenians
is visiting the Motherland every year, but that circle should be
expanded. This will inspire many. If the initiative succeeds, we’ll
make it a tradition,” Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan said.

There is an Armenian cultural organization in Minnesota. Also, there
is a dance group, which organizes concerts and festivals.

The Church is cooperating with the cultural center. “We have to join
our efforts to achieve better results on foreign soil,” Fr. Tadevos
said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress