Rev. Hagop (Jacques) Tchoughadjian Is Leading the Evangelistic Gatherings in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church

Rev. Tchoughandjian has arrived in Lebanon and is already leading the evangelistic gatherings that are held in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church, organized by the Evangelism Committee of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church.

In the upcoming articles and posts we will be writing more about these important gatherings, where God touches the lives of many and refreshes those who are stagnating in their faith.

Church Sound Seminar Organized by the Strongholds Band



A very well organized seminar was held in Sept 19 in ABTS (Arab Baptist Theological School), by the Strongholds Band.

This seminar was a need for many of the churches and the Strongholds met our needs best. They were very well prepared and gave valuable information for 5 hours. Lucien, who is a professional in sound engineering shared his knowledge with us and he provided techniques and procedures for proper use and handling of the equipments and the cables. He talked about sound waves, different kinds of microphones and their use, cables, mixer, adjusting your voice, room...

There were around 60 youth and young-adults who were participating from Arab Baptist churches and various evangelical churches.

From the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church, Raffi Chilingirian and Mano Chilingirian participated.
From the Armenian Evangelical Church of Ashrafieh, Shahan Kilaghbian and Hagop Harfoushian participated. And Jirayr Ghazarian, a student of the Union.

We thank the Strongholds for meeting our needs, and presenting the seminar in the best way, and providing it for free, without asking anything in return.
We also thank the UAECNE for informing us about this most beneficial, unique and practical seminar.


ABTS premises



A fellow participant, Raffi, Lucien


(L to R): Hagop Harfoushian, Shahan Kilaghbian, Jiro Ghazarian, Raffi Chilingirian, Manoug Chilingirian




The Armenian Bible: Identity, Religion and Challenges in a Post Modern Society

Nicosia, October 2009: The Christianization of Armenia in 301AD has been a turning point in its national history. A new culture was started which was further rooted and implemented with the invention of the Armenian alphabet and the translation of the Bible into Armenian. Since then, the Bible has been the essence of the Christian faith for the Armenian nation and the preservation of its national identity and culture.

Dr. Ari Topouzkhanian’s visit to Cyprus from October 28 to November 2, 2009, was very significant in this respect. A prominent scientist and Bible scholar-translator, Dr. Topouzkhanian stimulated the Armenian audience with his two very inspiring lectures: “Hay Asdvadsashounchi Shaheganoutioune: Badmagan Agnarg yev nerga orerou hramayagane”. (The essence of the Armenian Bible: Historical reflections and the present day challenges); “Havadk yev kidoutioun: Hay Kristonia Yeridasartin penderdouke” (Faith and Science: The Christian Armenian youths’ search for identity). Dr. Topouzkhanian was also the speaker at the Armenian Evangelical Church’s service, celebrating Tarkmanchatz.

Dr. Ari Topouzkhanian’s visit and lectures in Cyprus were organized by the Armenian Evangelical Church. Dr. Topouzkhanian had the opportunity to meet with the leadership of the Armenian community in Cyprus and visit its institutions. He visited the Armenian Prelacy of Cyprus, met with the Armenian representative in the Cyprus Parliament, Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, and visited Kalaydjian Home. He had an audience with the students of Nareg School in Nicosia, challenging them with issues related to Christian faith and science. Dr. Topouzkhanian gave an interview to the Armenian program of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation.

The Armenian Bible is the fundamental source for the preservation of the national identity and the Christian faith of the Armenian nation, the two identities that the Armenian nation has maintained throughout the ages. The challenge today is to pass them on to the next generation.

A New Feature on the Chanitz Blog Greatly Appreciated



A new feature on the blog was added that shows related articles and posts. The added value of this feature is that it not only shows the titles, but also displays the related images. Anyone who is reading an article will find at the end of each article a "You might also like" section, showing 3 images linked to their corresponding articles, as shown in the above example.

Administrator

Pastors and Elders Who Participated in the Sunday Services Held in Mrouj

Organized by the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church and for the first time, Sunday worship services were held in the Arab Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Mrouj, at 10:30am, starting from Sunday, 19 July till Sunday, 27 September.

The following pastors and elders preached:
- Rev. Hovhannes Svajian (pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church)
- Mr. George Khacherian (elder in the Armenian Evangelical Marash Church)
- Mrs. Maguy Arslanian
- Mr. Serop Seropian
- Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian (president of Haigazian University)
- Rev. Soghomon Kilaghbian (pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Ashrafieh)
- Mrs. Vera Svajian (pastor's wife of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church)
- Mr. John Sagherian (elder in the Armenian Evangelical Church of Ashrafieh)
- Rev. Megerdich Karagoezian (president of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East)
- Rev. Hagop Sarkissian (pastor of the First Armenian Evangelical Church)

The following elders led the worship:
- Ms. Ani Baboghlanian (elder in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church)
- Mr. Samuel Svajian (elder in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church)
- Mr. Antranig Messerlian (elder in the Armenian Evangelical Marash Church)

Mr. Raffi Andonian (elder in the Armenian Evangelical Marash Church) and Mrs. Houry Ghazarian (member in the Armenian Evangelical Church of Damascus Syria) played the piano.

We thank each and every person, who participated and helped in this service.

Pictures from Mrouj Sunday Service


Rev. Megerdich Karagoezian (president of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Neast East)


Rev. Megerdich Karagoezian, and Mr. Samuel Svajian (elder in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church)





Not a Spectator Sport

It’s time to get off the couch and into the game!

It has long been known that maintaining a program of physical activity is essential for good health. In the days before health clubs and personal trainers, people’s daily work and routine had activity built in: walking to get from place to place, using human power instead of machine power, playing games, and the like. But even as medical knowledge and practices have advanced, in more affluent societies movement and exertion has diminished, and people have become more sedentary, bringing with it a raft of malaises and social consequences, and no easy way out.

The church has not been spared from this societal trend. The church is the place of God’s dwelling, the temple of the Holy Spirit, the body of Christ, in which each member has an essential function, and when the parts work together in harmony, the body functions properly and enjoys health and unity for the common good (I Cor. 12:7). But rather than being active participants in the life and outreach of this precious body, too often we appear more like persons gathered to watch a sporting event, cheering for one team or booing another, and hoping our players will clinch a victory. This was never the intent of our Lord, when he gave his life at Calvary. Nor was it the intent when he sent his empowering Spirit on the believers at Pentecost.

So how do we remedy this condition of preferring to be spectators, when God has called us to be servants? We can learn from efforts exerted to get people active. The first effort is to raise awareness in order to show how an individual’s sedentary routines are ultimately harmful to persons, families and society in general. At the same time, the benefits of simple, active, healthy living are promoted. We must remind those followers of Christ who resign themselves to a passive faith that they will not only drag down the church, but will make the life of faith seem irrelevant to society. Our family members, friends and coworkers will be deprived of seeing how a child of God meets the challenges of life.

Secondly, exercise promoters devise ways of pulling people “off the couch” and into action, to experience a renewal of vigor for themselves. For example, of late we have been hearing about new exercise video games which require previously passive players to move their entire bodies, and not just their thumbs, in order to play. As a church, we can provide young people short-term projects or host Bible-based discussion groups for various age groups, so that they can experience the rewards and challenges of knowing and living our faith.

Thirdly, as people become self-motivated and attached to a more active life, they find ways to develop more seriously their new found lifestyle. No longer content with “virtual tennis,” for example, they get up, grab a racket and ball, and head to the courts.
Here at this third point is the greater challenge for us: to bring people, step by step, from spectators into action, and therefore into maturity – into a deeper commitment to Christ in every sphere of their lives,building up the church in truth and in love (Eph. 4:12-16). It will take the active participation and dedication of us all, but as we rise from our seats and get in the game, the Lord Jesus will surely transform us – and our world.

In Christ’s love,
Badveli Nishan Bakalian
ARMENIAN MARTYRS’ CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA, USA