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Nobel Peace Prize

10/14/2020

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By: Grace Petoyan,  daughter of Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, St. Gregory Armenian Church, Pasadena, CA
The Nobel Peace Prize is an award for people who have done or are doing an act to improve the world. There are many people who deserve it, yet in my opinion, I believe that the late Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan (1904-1989) is worthy to be the next nominee. He made a great impact on the Armenian community all over the world.  

Born in 1904, in Aintab, Turkey, he was fortunate to be a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. Many people in the Kharpet Genocide and the Armenian Genocide were killed by the Ottoman Turks. He escaped to Syria to continue his life. He attended the Armenian seminary of Jerusalem and ordained a priest in 1928. Then, he moved to London and served there during World War II. In 1957, he was nominated as the Patriarch of Jerusalem but did not receive the position.  

After the war, he was elected to be the Archbishop Primate of the Eastern Diocese of North America. Upon his arrival, he had the vision to purchase an entire city block in midtown Manhattan as the future site of the very first Armenian Cathedral in North America. There, he established eleven churches and ordained twenty-one members of the clergy. 
He also founded the ACYOA which is the acronym for the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America. The four pillars that makeup ACYOA, are worship, education, service, and fellowship. ACYOA is now an active organization, (despite the global pandemic) throughout Europe, North America, and as of recent, Armenia. Currently, I am an active second-generation ACYOA member. 

Nersoyan also developed a program to train youth to become church choir members. This bridges the gap between our ancient hymns and the next generation. Not only did he merge the youth into one nation-wide organization, but he also started an Armenian seminary called St. Nersess Armenian Theological Seminary, located in Armonk, New York. Men and women can both attend where they earn their M.A. in theology. They also train men for the priesthood in the Armenian Church specializing in service in the United States. In order to attend St. Nersess, you must have a Bachelor Degree. As of today, St. Nersess has prepared thirty-seven priests and four bishops. 

St. Nersess is one of my father’s (Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, serving at St. Gregory Pasadena) alma maters. Another great outcome of St. Nersess is the current Primate of the Eastern Diocese, Bishop Daniel Findikyan, who is the first American Armenian born bishop to serve in North America. He was also a dean of St. Nersess Seminary. Another great outcome of St. Nersess, is the Very Reverend, Fr. Aren Jebejian, serving in Detroit, Michigan. He also happens to be Nersoyan’s great-nephew, my father’s classmate, and a good friend.  
​

Although Nersoyan is not with us today, he deserves so much credit for how the Armenian diaspora has become a family. As he did witness the Armenian Genocide and the outcomes of it, he implemented so many ways for the diaspora to connect. Armenia and Artsakh are in challenging times, and we have done so many charitable acts through these organizations to help our brothers and sisters. The worldwide community he started is why we are here today, attending an Armenian church, school, and helping our fellow Armenians, post the first genocide of the 20th century. Therefore. I believe Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.  ​
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​Recent Graduates Participate in Mini-Internships

6/26/2020

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On May 15, Dn. Timothy Aznavourian and Dn. Armen Terjimanian received their MDiv degrees from St. Nersess Seminary and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary without any fan-fare due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Shortly after, the two graduates began mini-internships for the month of June which will end next week on June 30. In addition to the remote courses offered to lay people and clergy this month, the mini-internships were created to replace programs that were cancelled this summer and would have required the graduates' participation. In the near future, with the blessing of His Grace Bp. Daniel Findikyan, Dn. Timothy and Dn. Armen will each begin a year long internship within the Eastern Diocese.
 
We conducted a short Q&A with each graduate regarding their experience these past few weeks.
 
Dn. Timothy Aznavourian
 
Q: Where did you grow up and what is your home parish?
A: I was born in Boston, MA spending my childhood years in Malden, MA. I moved to Pawtucket, RI when I was 10, which is where I have spent the majority of my adult life. My home parish is Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church in Providence, RI.
 
Q: What is your undergraduate degree?
A: I hold a B.A. in Philosophy from Rhode Island College in RI.
 
Q: Where are you interning and what are you doing?
A: I am interning at my wife Julianne Aznavourian's (née Tavitian) parish, Hye Pointe Armenian Church in Haverhill, MA with the Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalyan as my mentor.
 
I have learned much during my mini-internship post-graduation, particularly in the age of COVID-19 and civil unrest. I have learned that the need for the Church to be there for its faithful remains the same, regardless of the circumstances. I have learned that it is important to really listen to the struggles and trials of the flock which is entrusted to our care. I have also learned that it is essential to be able to take direction from experienced and tested leaders of our Church, of which Fr. Vart is a prime example. I sincerely thank Fr. Vart and the Hye Pointe Armenian Church for welcoming me -- albeit for a short time -- into their fold once more!
 
Dn. Armen Terjimanian

Q: Where did you grow up and what is your home parish?
A: I'm originally from Troy, Michigan. My home parish is St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, MI. I also spent 9 years attending St. Mary Armenian Church in Washington, DC, when I lived and worked in the DC region.
 
Q: What is your undergraduate degree?
A: I have a Bachelor of Arts in Film & Video Studies and Political Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, and a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University in New York City.
 
Q: Where are you interning and what are you doing?
A: Currently, I am doing a mini-internship with the Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian (pastor) and the Rev. Fr. Armash Bagdasarian (assistant pastor) at St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, MI.
 
I have hit the ground sprinting in this month-long internship. I've been working with the parish's Armenian Medical Advisory Team (AMAT) on how to re-open the parish to the faithful in a phased manner and also participated in auxiliary zoom meetings. Two weeks ago, I facilitated a virtual Bible Study and delivered the Sunday sermon and will deliver another sermon soon. I've asked Hayr Aren and Der Armash to give me as diverse a parish experience as possible in these tumultuous times. It's been a great experience so far!
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The Need for Vocations

6/4/2020

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For the past number of years, VOCATION DAY had been designated on our Diocesan calendar to coincide with the Feast of Pentecost.  Vocation Day was to awaken the individual conscious mind, especially young men, to consider the vocation of priesthood in the Armenian Church.  This year, there was no such remembrance.  
 
Since the inception of St. Nersess Seminary in 1961, the discussion and need for young men to respond to the call of priesthood and for our young adults - male and female – to prepare for leadership positions in the Armenian Church has been a topic of concern by the Diocesan leadership.  However, it seems that we have been woefully casual in addressing these major concerns and the urgency they demand.
 
Those who were familiar with the clerical leadership that once shepherded the flock of the Armenian Church during the latter part of twentieth century frequently have espoused a yearning for a reemerging of such leaders for today.  I speak of inspirational churchmen such as: Catholocos Khrimyan Hairig; Catholicos Vazgen I; Catholicos Karekin I; Catholicos Karekin Hovsepyantz of the Great House of Cilicia; Archbishop Torkom Koushagian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem; Archbishop Shnork Kaloustian, Armenian Patriarch of Turkey; Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, Armenian Patriarch elect of Jerusalem, Primate of our Diocese and founder of St. Nersess Seminary; Gomidas Vartabed; as well as a multitude of other Bishops, Vartabeds, and Kahanas who served God, their Armenian Church and flock with dedication, courage, and dignity.
 
The same can be concluded with many of the laity of the period. These were men and women of vision and courage who laid the foundation and set the course of our Diocese and many of our parishes.  Standing beside the worldly successful industrialists who became the major benefactors of our communities are those survivors of the Genocide who established our parishes and schools of the Armenian Church in America.  They dedicated their lives to the proliferation of our faith, culture and nationhood.
 
Those who had the privilege of knowing and interacting with these great church leaders saw within each the radiant glory of God's presence.   Thank God for their leadership, devotion, and love.  In many cases, their lives become an inspiration to other men and women to take upon their shoulders the mantle of Godly leadership.
 
Remember that Church leadership does not call everyone, but it is for everyone who is called.  To discern who is called – well, there's the rub. 
 
My long-time friend and Rabbi Elliot Hollin and I were discussing the lack of individuals in both our communities responding to the call of God to serve Him. He reminded me - as a good Rabbi should - of the story of Moses.  Here is the passage to which he referred:
 
But Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." Then the LORD said to him, "Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak." But he said, "O my Lord, please send someone else."  (Exodus 4: 10-13.)  
 
Rebbi reiterated that it is the archetypal story of a reluctant leader. Moses' protests to the unyielding call of God resound every time God's voice summons an unprepared person to a seemingly impossible task. Though leaders of all personality types have balked at God's calling, Moses' personality and life exhibit the telltale signs of introversion. He said, in the Hebrew, the passage literally reads, "I am not a man of words … but I am heavy-tongued and heavy-mouthed."
 
Even when the Lord appeared to him in a blaze of fire with a voice declaring the transcendent Name of “I AM”, Moses hid behind his fears and then behind the elocution and charisma of his brother Aaron.  Moses went before the Hebrew people and into Pharaoh's throne room clutching his brother's coattails.
 
While conjuring up the image of leadership, eloquence of speech, or at least a comfort in speaking with and/or before others, usually is an assumed standard qualification.  But there must be those who perhaps have been called – like Moses – and yet as well, chosen to hide from God because of their falsely assumed inability to speak eloquently.  But the ability to express one's mind through the spoken word only is incomplete in scope. 
 
A musician generates animated emotions without uttering a word, but through the sounds of his instrument. The painter creates beauty and thought through the brush and canvas, chisel and stone. The author uses the written word to convey the expressiveness of the mind.  The athlete excels by his physical abilities and determination to overcome barrier limitations of time, distance, or accuracy. None require the spoken word to supplant their inner thoughts.
 
I am convinced that a calling from God is the determinative factor in the formation and longevity of a leader, not a personality type. God's call sheds light on our darkest hiding places.  He may call some into work for which they may not be perfectly suited, but does so for his greater glory, not theirs. 
 
Any priest worthy of his calling will attest to his limitations.  The lesson of not having or observing to the fullest a VOCATION DAY is a missed opportunity to teach that the power of the Holy Spirit, bestowed upon the Apostles the day of Pentecost, is the same granted to us at our baptism and confirmation and the ability to do those things that perceivably couldn't be done otherwise.   
 
Myself, during various grave and solemn situations with parishioners, I found that the words of comfort I would utter were not those I was capable of speaking on my own, but truly words placed in my mouth by God for the needed comfort of the hearer.    
 
When Moses objected at the burning bush saying that he was a clumsy speaker, God did not disagree with him. He said, "I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak."  (Ex 4.12).
 
I will be with you. I will give you the words. These are the bedrock reassurances that God offers to those he calls to lead.  Leadership credentials are the wisdom and the Spirit of the Lord. God doesn't promise that leadership will be easy or always natural but promises that his presence will go with those he calls, and in his presence is a power that transcends all human abilities.
 
More than a millennium after Moses, God put it to the apostle Paul this way: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness" (II Cor. 12.9).  
 
Paul would then be able to say, "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (Gal 2.20).
 
Fr Tateos R Abdalian
June 2020
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