The California Courier Online, June 18, 2020
1 – Armenian Patriarch Suggests Opening Greek
Church for Christian and Muslim Worship
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
2- Armenia Set to Extend State of Emergency, Signs of Pandemic
Stabilizing
3 – AAF Airlifted $181,000 of COVID-19 Medicines, Medical
Supplies to Armenia
4- SD Armenian Community Celebrates Blessing of New Sanctuary Foundation
5- Dr. Sharon Anoush Chekijian receives Fulbright Award to
Republic of Armenia
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1 – Armenian Patriarch Suggests Opening Greek
Church for Christian and Muslim Worship
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
The recently elected Patriarch of Turkey, Sahak Mashalian, continues
his controversial public statements thus antagonizing the Armenian
community of Istanbul and Armenians worldwide. A few months ago he
made critical remarks regarding the resolution adopted by the U.S.
Congress recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
It is clear from the Patriarch’s statements that he wants to
ingratiate himself to Turkish authorities and particularly Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Our repeated advice to him not to
stick his nose in subjects that are not his responsibility has fallen
on deaf ears. He does not seem to understand that he needs to remain
quiet.
The whole world is aware of the controversy revolving around Pres.
Erdogan’s repeated statements to reconvert the Hagia Sophia historic
church to a mosque. In 1935, Ataturk had changed the status of the
mosque to a museum.
Erdogan’s statements had raised a worldwide controversy particularly
in Greece and among Greeks worldwide. Hagia Sophia was designated as a
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Changing its status to a mosque
will certainly anger people around the world.
This is the controversy that the Armenian Patriarch has foolishly
dived into, just to please Erdogan. In recent days, there has been a
lot of criticism about the Armenian Patriarch’s controversial
suggestion.
Had the Armenian Patriarch any wisdom he would have first consulted
with the prominent members of the Armenian community in Istanbul
asking for their opinion. More importantly, he should have asked for
the advice of the Ecumenical Greek Patriarch Bartholomew of
Constantinople. Furthermore, has the Armenian Patriarch thought about
asking for the advice of Islamic leaders in Istanbul whether it would
be acceptable for them to practice their Islamic religion in the same
structure as the Christians? To our knowledge, there is no such site
in the world and the reason is that this is an unacceptable practice
for Muslims.
The Armenian Patriarch’s heretical suggestion would also antagonize
the Muslims in Turkey and President Erdogan. So much for the Patriarch
trying to ingratiate himself to the Turkish authorities!
Patriarch Mashalian is inadvertently supporting the change of the
status of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque with a private area
set aside for Christian worshippers. The only thing the Turkish
authorities will conclude from the Patriarch’s statement is that he is
in favor converting the church to a mosque, ignoring his suggestion
that a corner of the mosque be allocated for Christian worship. How
would the Armenian Patriarch react if someday the Turkish government
decides to convert the Armenian Akhtamar church near Lake Van (now
officially classified as a tourist site) to a mosque, allowing a small
room for Christian worship?
To make matters worse, Patriarch Mashalian made his statement through
a series of tweets. I wonder what prompted him to use the twitter to
make such an announcement with serious consequences. “The Hagia Sophia
should be opened to worship,” he said, stating that it is big enough
for that purpose while suggesting a space for Christians. “Let the
world applaud our religious peace and maturity. May Hagia Sophia
become a symbol of the peace of humanity in our era.”
The Patriarch further stated that humanity was praying for such unity
and suggested sharing the dome of Hagia Sophia: “Even though our
faiths are different, don’t we believe in the same God?” Having been a
place of worship for Christians for 1,000 years and another 500 years
for Muslims, he stated that Hagia Sophia won’t mind it. “Hagia Sophia
was built with the labor of ten thousand workers at an astronomical
cost,” he said pointing out that for over 500 years numerous repairs
have been made on the iconic building by the Fatih Sultan Foundation.
He stressed that their aim was to preserve it as a place of worship,
“not just a museum.” He said it would be more fitting as a place of
worship where believers could kneel down in prayer in awe of the
structure, rather than a touristic site full of visitors rushing
around.” The Patriarch’s statement was immediately publicized by the
Turkish media.
The first harsh reaction to the Patriarch’s naïve suggestion came from
MHP (Nationalist Movement Party) leader Devlet Bahceli who ridiculed
the idea that “Hagia Sophia is a mosque on Friday and a church on
Sunday.”
The Hagia Sophia Cathedral is one of the most significant religious
sites particularly for Greeks. It was built in 537 AD by the Byzantine
Empire. It was the world’s largest building and an engineering marvel
of its time. Hagia Sophia was converted into an imperial mosque in
1453, following the Ottoman occupation of Constantinople, nowadays
Istanbul. The mosque was then converted to a museum in 1935 by
Ataturk’s decree.
There is an interesting historical Armenian connection to Hagia
Sophia. According to Wikipedia, “after the great earthquake of 25
October 989, which collapsed the Western dome arch, Emperor Basil II
asked for the Armenian architect Trdat, creator of the cathedrals of
Ani and Argina, to direct the repairs…. The extent of the damage
required six years of repair and reconstruction; the church was
re-opened on 13 May 994.”
We want to conclude by reassuring our Greek friends that the Armenian
Patriarch’s undesirable statement does not represent the wishes of the
Armenian people.
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2- Armenia Set to Extend State of Emergency, Signs of Pandemic
Stabilizing
By Raffi Elliott
YEREVAN—Armenian officials have expressed cautious optimism this week
that widespread adherence to new social distancing measures in
addition to frantic efforts by first responders may be slowing the
COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who
himself only recently tested negative for the virus which he and his
family contracted a week ago, said on June 9 that while the situation
remains critical, there are signs that the pandemic is stabilizing.
“We may have lived through hell, but just might have avoided a
humanitarian crisis.”
As of June 15, Armenia has registered a total of 17,064 cases of
COVID-19 since the crisis began, while the number of active cases
stands at 10,409. The total number of deaths due to the novel
coronavirus stands at 285.
Armenia has been the hardest hit country in the Caucasus as the virus
began spreading rapidly in the month since strict lockdown measures on
commercial activity were lifted on May 4, causing health officials to
raise the alarm about swiftly dwindling hospital capacity. The country
ran dangerously close to that point last week when Health Minister
Arsen Torosyan announced that nearly all available beds had been
filled and that one would-be-patient succumbed to the virus before he
could be reached by emergency crews—the first such case since the
pandemic began.
According to the Armenian Health Ministry, the situation at hospitals
has been alleviated somewhat, thanks in part to frantic efforts to
expand hospital care capacity. Regional hospitals across the country
are freeing hundreds of beds, while an additional 50 ICUs have also
come online at Yerevan’s Armenia Medical Center and St. Astvatsamayr
Medical Center. Torosyan announced that at least 200 more ICUs are
expected to come online at various hospitals in Yerevan by the end of
the month. These new spots are being staffed by newly retrained
medical personnel, supplemented by specialist volunteers from the
Diaspora. Efforts are being made to fill in the gaps of the country’s
chronically-underfunded polyclinic system, which is now expected to
bear the brunt of care for self-isolating cases. Armenia has also
received medical aid from Estonia and Lithuania, while neighboring
Georgia––which has one of the world’s lowest case rates so far––also
formally offered assistance.
Torosyan, however, warned citizens on Facebook Live against
celebrating too early. “The situation still remains critical, and we
won’t be able to tell for sure whether the virus is receding for a few
more days.” He urged citizens not to fall into a false-sense of
security and maintain strict adherence to social distancing
guidelines.
However, the government’s public health outreach has received
criticism for its inconsistent messaging. Videos depicting the Health
Minister advising against mask use back in March have circulated on
Armenian social media. The Health Ministry responded that this was
mostly due to changes in the World Health Organization’s
recommendations, which Armenia has been following quite closely.
However, the message now remains the same: citizens are required to
wear masks when in public (especially when entering places of
business), maintain a reasonable distance and wash hands regularly.
The government has repeatedly defended the decision to avoid using
excessive force to enforce guidelines following the lockdown, arguing
for civic responsibility and strict adherence to social distancing
guidelines. A campaign led by Pashinyan to shame businesses and
individuals on social media for not respecting the guidelines did
garner criticism as well as vigorous debate online. “What do you
expect me to do? Send in the riot cops on people for not wearing
masks?” Pashinyan asked rhetorically during a Facebook Live broadcast
on June 3. “That’s not my style. The only way to beat this virus is
through understanding and mutual respect.”
In Armenia over the weekend, special attention was paid to applying
stricter guidelines on crowding in front of businesses or offices.
Supermarkets, banks and post offices were among the few ‘essential’
businesses allowed to operate throughout the lockdown and continue to
draw significant patronage as they remain, for many people, the only
way to receive social assistance pensions, pay utilities or purchase
supplies. The policy of restricting access to banks to one patron at a
time was criticized for causing congestion at their entrances, which
Pashinyan has even suggested as a source of at least some recorded
transmissions.
Squares have now been painted on the sidewalk in front of these
establishments to help maintain social distance. However, in order to
reduce reliance on physical displacement to these stores, the
government has been encouraging e-commerce alternatives as well as
digital banking and utility payments. The Central Bank and the
Ministry of Social and Labor Affairs are also working with many banks
to open accounts for many pensioners who still don’t have any, in
order to deposit pension payments digitally.
Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Armenia, Paolo
Spantigati praised Armenia’s economic response to the pandemic during
an interview with Civilnet, saying, “We see that the government is
really trying to address both the supply side and demand side with
this important package of initiatives totalling $300 million or 0.2
percent of GDP, which is a very good response.” The ADB adjusted its
economic outlook for Armenia from a two percent growth back in April
to a 3.5 percent concentration. “This is still much better than the
rest of the region which will experience an economic recession of
between six to nine percent,” Spantigati explained. The ADB is among
several international donors and lenders including the US, the
European Union and the European Bank of Reconstruction and
Development, which has provided financial and technical assistance to
Armenia’s economic response with special zero interest loans aimed at
reviving some of the businesses expected to be most affected by the
global recession including the tourism industry, hospitality and
export-oriented enterprises.
This article appeared in The Armenian Weekly on June 10, 2020.
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3 – AAF Airlifted $181,000 of COVID-19 Medicines, Medical
Supplies to Armenia
GLENDALE—Armenia Artsakh Fund (AAF) delivered an air shipment of
COVID-19 medicines and medical supplies valued at $181,000 to Yerevan,
Armenia on June 12, 2020. This shipment will cover treatment of 1,500
patients in the country.
During the first five months of 2020, AAF also delivered $6 million of
humanitarian assistance to Armenia and Artsakh. Of this amount, the
AAF collected $5.8 million of medicines and other supplies donated by
Americares ($5 million) and Direct Relief ($741,000).
Other organizations which contributed valuable goods during this
period were: The Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corp. ($76,000);
Project Agape ($40,000); Armenian Educational Benevolent Union
($36,000).
The medicines and medical supplies donated during this period were
sent to the AGBU Claudia Nazarian Medical Center for Syrian Armenian
Refugees in Yerevan, Arabkir United Children’s Foundation, Avak
Medical Center, Fund for Armenian Relief, Metsn Nerses Charitable
Organization, Muratsan Children’s Endocrinology Center, St. Grigor
Lusavorich Medical Center, and the health ministries of Armenia and
Artsakh.
In the past 31 years, including the shipments under its predecessor,
the United Armenian Fund, the AAF has delivered to Armenia and Artsakh
a grand total of $897 million worth of relief supplies on board 158
airlifts and 2,470 sea containers.
“The Armenia Artsakh Fund is regularly offered free of charge millions
of dollars of life-saving medicines and medical supplies. All we have
to do is pay for the shipping expenses. We welcome your generous
donations to be able to continue delivering this valuable assistance
to all medical centers in Armenia and Artsakh,” said AAF President
Harut Sassounian.
[email protected].
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4- SD Armenian Community Celebrates Blessing of New Sanctuary Foundation
SAN DIEGO—On Sunday, May 31, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America, officiated the blessing of the foundation of the new
sanctuary in San Diego, California. Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Berjekian,
Parish Priest, Archpriest Manoug Markarian, and Archpriest Datev
Tatoulian also took part in this joyous ceremony. The service also
featured the voices of Deacons Yerevan Ohannessian and Levon Parsegov,
and choir members, led by choirmaster Nishan Chadergian.
Against the backdrop of picturesque landscape and warm sunshine, this
ancient rite consisted of blessing the site of the new church as well
as anointing and laying of the foundation stones that were carved with
Armenian crosses. The sanctuary’s generous benefactor, the
Israelian/Butterfield family, was unable to attend, but will be
individually honored and celebrated at the consecration ceremony in
about a year’s time.
Sixteen godfathers placed the stones at the 16 pillars of the
foundation, each representing a different Apostle and the evangelists
of the Holy Gospels. The godfathers were named because of their
generous stewardship of the Bridge to the Future project, which began
in 2010 as a multi-year capital campaign to build a new church campus
near Del Mar.
The godfathers were Khoren & Kathy Kassardjian, Paul & Rosemarie
(deceased) Kalemkiarian, represented by Honorable Sharon L.
Kalemkiarian , Alan & Mireille Yaghdjian, Carol Vassiliadis
represented by Khoren Kassardjian, Gary (deceased) & Ilse Takessian,
David & Annie Malcolm, represented by Kathy Kassardjian, Armen & Sevan
Derderian, John & Cynthia Andonian, Jim & Jane Sahagian, Paul Esajian,
represented by Karen Esajian, Jack (deceased), Garo & Nina Hachigian,
Berge & Terry Minasian, Harry & George Krikorian, Noubar & Maida
Markarian, Steven & Lisa Kradjian, and Jim & Beth Broussalian.
Godfather of the Altar were Jack & Maro Kalaydjian, represented by
Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Berjekian.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Robert Aboolian, Parish Council
Chairman, stated, “Our generation has been working hard and will
continue along this path to complete the construction of this church
campus. But remember, the purpose of our endeavors is to leave a
legacy for the generations to come. Today, we see the first fruits of
our community’s efforts, dedication, and selfless dedication towards
this project. Our parishioners and spiritual leaders have demonstrated
that they can work well together for the greater good of our church
and community, so I am very optimistic about the future of this
project.”
In his keynote speech, Archbishop Derderian said, “This historic day
is the reflection of our Christian faith and witness to the vision of
our ancestors, for their life’s journey has been with God, a journey
of resilience and resurrection, a journey looking beyond the horizons.
This historic ceremonial rite is an act, which strengthens our faith
in God and our bond with the history of our nation, and is a bridge of
our lives to the future. I wholeheartedly congratulate you as you
launch the start of this monumental project. Be not afraid for the
Lord will guide you and protect us all as long as we stay united in
our prayers. I salute all the Godfathers and all those who have taken
an active and leading role in this project. God, our Lord, will
strengthen the foundation of our new house of worship through your
dedication.”
Closing the short program, Rev. Fr. Berjekian commented, “A decade of
hard work by our enthusiastic community and supporters throughout the
Diocese brings us to this momentous occasion. It is indeed gratifying
to know that future generations of our community will have a beautiful
and blessed sanctuary in which to connect with their Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. Today, we move closer to the completion of this new
edifice ensuring that future generations of our children and
grandchildren will have an opportunity to be baptized and wedded in
the heart of their mother church. With God’s blessings we will soon
witness the physical manifestation of our new and glorious sanctuary.”
The Bridge to the Future project dates back to 2008 when the Trust
Fund Committee of St. John Garabed Armenian Church purchased close to
14 acres of premium property in San Diego, California. In October
2014, the Conditional Use Permit was granted by the City Planning
Commission, and in January 2016, the Coastal Commission approved
construction of the site. In 2017, the project was taken over by the
newly-formed Building Committee to oversee and facilitate the
construction phases. Thanks to a very generous donor, an additional 4
acres of adjacent property was donated to expand the footprint of the
campus.
When completed, the campus will feature a sanctuary designed to
resemble St. Hripsime in Etchmiadzin, elegant social hall, youth
center and gymnasium, education and cultural building with classrooms
and a library, Armenian Heritage Park, picnic and meditation spaces,
and abundant parking. Situated less than a mile from the ocean and
just east of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, this valuable, 18-acre property
promises to become the jewel of the Western Diocese and a destination
for Armenians worldwide. The new property is located at 13860 El
Camino Real in the City of San Diego between Del Mar Heights Rd. and
Via de la Valle.
For more information, visit www.stjohngarabed.com.
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5- Dr. Sharon Anoush Chekijian receives Fulbright Award to
Republic of Armenia
The Yale Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) announced that Sharon
Anoush Chekijian, MD, MPH, has received a J. William Fulbright U.S.
Scholar Program award for her work in emergency systems and curricular
development in the Republic of Armenia.
Dr. Chekijian will base her work, conduct research and lecture at the
American University of Armenia (AUA), as part of a project to
establish a post-graduate program in emergency medicine, to expand and
develop emergency services, and to perform research capacity building
in emergency services provision and evaluation.
Along with the AUA, the National Institutes of Health of Armenia and
the Yerevan Municipal Ambulance Service, she intends to develop a
comprehensive plan to improve emergency care for citizens of and
visitors to the Republic of Armenia. Dr. Chekijian has previously
worked in Armenia in the areas of organ transplantation,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation, traffic safety, and stroke program
development as part of the Stroke Initiative Advisory Task-Force for
Armenia (SIATA). Internationally, Dr. Chekijian has also served as a
consultant for the World Bank, the U.S. Department of State and USAID.
One of a hand-selected group of U.S. citizens who will teach, conduct
research, and/or provide expertise abroad for the 2020-2022 academic
years through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, Dr. Chekijian is
excited about the opportunity to transfer knowledge and strategies
gained from implementing successful projects in the U.S. to Armenia.
“We know that emergency medical systems development is key to
addressing and reducing mortality in a variety of acute conditions
such as heart attacks, strokes and trauma. The current pandemic has
reinforced the importance of a robust emergency response system.
Armenia has become a center for the tech industry as well as tourism.
The improvement of emergency medicine will be a major contributor to
ongoing development in these areas. Having a dedicated group of
emergency medicine trained doctors in Armenia will mean we can expect
a multiplier effect on the healthcare of the country. I am excited to
work as part of a team dedicated to making this happen in Armenia and
at the Yale Department of Emergency Medicine.” Dr. Chekijian said.
A “renaissance” clinical scientist, Dr. Chekijian has multiple roles
in the DEM, at Yale and with national and international organizations.
Clinically, she works as a supervising physician, caring for patients
in three extremely high-volume emergency departments.
Administratively, she is the Medical Director for the Emergency
Medicine Physician Associate and Nurse Practitioner (PA/NP) group, the
inaugural Medical Director for the Yale New Haven Hospital PA/NP
Residency Program, which she developed, she is a faculty Member in the
Division of Global Health and International Emergency Medicine,
Medical Director of Patient Experience and Chair of the Patient
Experience Forum. She is involved nationally as the Chair of the
Society of Academic Medicine’s (SAEM) Academy of Women in Academic
Medicine’s awards committee as well as the Chair of SAEM’s APP Medical
Director’s interest group and SAEM Board of Directors’ Advance
Practice Provider’s Task Force. She has also been nominated as Lead
Ambassador to Armenia from the American College of Emergency
Physicians.
An excellent administrator, educator and global researcher, Dr.
Chekijian is uniquely poised to enhance emergency medicine development
in Armenia. “Dr. Chekijian demonstrates an outstanding spectrum of
experience, professionalism, sensitivity and dedication for her work”
says DEM Chair, Dr. Gail D’Onofrio. “As the founder of our highly
successful PA/NP residency program, now graduating its fifth class, I
am confident that her expertise, compassion, dedication and
determination will achieve similar results in Armenia, advocating for
physicians who would like to practice emergency medicine and improving
healthcare practices. Using internationally recognized guidelines and
standards for emergency systems development, her project promises to
have an enormous impact on emergency care in Armenia. Our department
is proud to support Dr. Chekijian’s work.”
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