Profound changes are underway, random thoughts – 2/2 –

Monday, June 19, 2023

Vahe H. Apelian 

A few days ago, I posted a blog by the same title. In it I wrote that I believe we are in a state of profound change. While the world is changing and changing at a fast rate, the change I referred to obviously was about the Armenian world. Even though the change, maybe seismic and will have its epicenter in the Republic of Armenia but its reverberations and aftershocks will be felt by all of us. Global we are, but we are and remain connected.

In the same blog I wrote that: “It is obvious that the national emblem appears not be sacrosanct anymore. The PM even appeared to ridicule the depiction. But he was not the first to ridicule the coat-of-arms. I had read before, way back, when it was accepted as the third republic's coat-of-arms.” Let us be mindful that the change of the coat- of-arms was seismic for many in Armenia who had grown up in Soviet Armenia having its own coat-of-arms and its own hymn that were being changed as Armenia made its transition in 1991.

The PM cannot change the coat-of-arms, as he cannot make Gyumri the capital city of Armenia. Both are enshrined in the constitution. But when it comes to the coat-of-arms, the constitution provides the overall broad description of the coat-of-arms, the Americans call it the great seal. Let us face it. The coat-of-arms of the first republic and of the present republic abide by the dictates of the constitution, but they are far different from each other. Frankly speaking I do not like the design of the present coat-of-arms. It is not what the first Republic of Armenia had; the one that ARF held with reverence for 70 years on its letter head and when the Republic of Armenia adopted it, removed it from its letterhead because after having guarded it for 70 years, its right owner, the Republic of Armenia reclaimed it. But the two, as I noted earlier, do not convey the same spirit and are far different from each other although both comply by the constitutional guidelines. The present coat-of-arms is stale, it depicts a tamed lion and a domesticated eagle, and artistically is poorer when compared with the fist republic’s coat-of-arms.

Courtesy Garo Konyalian

“No, it is not Nikol Pachinyan who is changing Armenia”, I wrote and I believe that is the case, He is the most visible and the leader of an underlying base, an underlying trend, some of who even proposes to also change the hymn. Ridiculing the PM, chastising or denigrating a messenger will enflame emotions, but will not change a heart or a mind. On the contrary, it may solidify. It is not farfetched to speculate that the 2015 amended constitution may be amended in the future and proposals may be made for an altogether different coat-of-arms design or even for a different hymn. The change will not be by the will of the seating PM but may be led by him. But the change will come about at grass root and at the amended constitutional level. 

Consequently, instead of denigrating or disparaging, it’s high time for the person to make his or her case for the kind of change or not the change the person espouses and live with what may democratically come about.

Profound changes are underway, random thoughts - 1 -

 

Vahe H Apelian

The other day a friend wrote in Armenian, expressing his concerns the way to concerns the way he perceives the PM Nikol Pachinyan is leading the country, wondering that “we cannot turn into another Japan, a resurrected state after a thousand defeats.”

His analogy made me reflective because I believe that we are in a state of profound change. The Americans won the war militarily but more significantly in a short period of time fundamentally changed the age-old Japanese culture centered upon imperial order and system and turned it into a democratic one. The Americans humanized their emperor, who was a living deity, in their Shinto religion and commanded the absolute submission of the Japanese as their manifestation of their absolute patriotic nationalism and obedience to the higher social order in their social hierarchy. It is said when the emperor addressed the Japanese after their surrender, the whole country came to standstill. Tt was the first time that the Japanese heard their emperor speak. Throughout his announcement the country stood in awe and in in a state of shock . Surely, such profound change should not have been easy for the Japanese, especially the older generation. 

The disastrous 44-day second Artsakh war, was a defeat the like of which we had not experienced in our modern history, although our history has never been one of military successes or conquests. We do not have a victor imposing its order upon us, but we have to deal with the post war realities that will change us.

 For start, the revelations of the extent of the corruption that had been endemic among the leadership and their social circles will change our perceptions, hence us in fundamental ways. 

 To point out how profound that change may be let me state that our state emblem or the coat of arm and our national hymn may even change as we question the reality of what stood behind the facade. It is obvious that the National Emblem appears not be sacrosanct anymore. The PM even appeared to ridicule the depiction. But he was not the first to ridicule the coat of arms. I had read before, way back, when it was accepted as the third republic's coat of arms. Upon the decision,  I remember the ARF Bureau issued a ruling to have the coat of arms removed from the official letterheads after seventy years of upholding it there. The circular said that it has now returned to its rightful owner. I was moved when I heard that circular read. 

Lately I have been hearing more the Soviet Armenia hymn with changed lyrics being played on line. I admit I like it. Some are even promoting it as the national anthem of Armenia. The U.S. of America has its hymn but it also has popular songs that are no less patriotic and often sung such as "God Bless of America", which according to Wikipedia, has become the unofficial national anthem of the United States. Another no less popular is “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies”, which is popularly known as “America the Beautiful.”  It will not far-fetched to expect that the music of Soviet Armenia hymn composed by Aram Khatchadourian, with revised wording may become if not the hymn, but as popular as the current hymn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XzrI25wWgI

I had noted the following in my blog regarding the PM’s visit to Ankara to attend the Inauguration of the Turkish president elect Erdogan.  I quote: “But there is more that is going on here, much more than the PM’s diplomatic visit. IT also has nothing to do with the diplomatic visit for IT will be going on with the same pace or vigor, even if the PM had not paid a diplomatic visit. 

We are being tested as never before at least since 1915. We are in a process of change. I quote Anatole France: " All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of our-selves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another!.  We are dying for one life to enter another and that life will be as good and as bad as we make it. "

No, it is not Nikol Pachinyan who is changing Armenia. He has successfully tapped in latent change that has been brewing. That is what successful politicians or political leaders do. Successfully tap in brewing sentiments and lead. 

We have to be cognizant of the necessity to confront and adapt to the inevitable change. Diaspora and Armenia are bound to perceive things differently. This is the time to stand on one’s principle and make a case for it. Blaming the messengers will not help. Making a case may temper the change or shape it. It is the most we can achieve being confronted by the inevitable change. Let us remind to ourselves that the only thing that does not change, is change itself.

 

Armenian Bibles in Our Household: Asdouatzashounch – 3/3

Vahe H. Apelian

(For record)

 

Courtesy Garo Konyalian

My mother had three additional Bibles that are New Testament. They are in Western Armenian, the language she taught. They are:

 

PRINTED BY THE ARMENIAN CATHOLIC PATRIARCHATE IN BZOUMAR, LEBANON, (ՀԱՅ ԿԱԹՈՂԻԿԷ ՊԱՏՐԻԱՐՔԱՐԱՆ)

This Bible has been gifted to her. (Depicted on the far left)

This Bible has been printed by the permission of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate in 1981

Mesrob Vartabed Jourian (Մեսրոպ Վրդ. Ճուրեան) a friar in Bzoumar is mentioned on the front page presumably as the translator in Western Armenian. He thaneds his friends for helping him in the printing of the Bible and singled the Armenian painter Mr. PAUL GUIRAGOSSIAN for illustrating it. The Bible contains several paintings or illustriatons by the famed painter.

 

JERUSALEM PRINTED BIBLE BY THE ST. JAMES MONASTERY (ԵՐՈՒՍԱՂԷՄ ՏՊԱՐԱՆ ՍՐԲՈՑ ՅԱԿՈԲԵԱՆՑ)

This Bible, (depicted in the middle) is printed by the United Bible Society (Աստուածաշունչի Միացեալ Ընկերութիւն) in 1981 by the order of the Catholicos of All Armenians Vazken I, during the Patriarchate of the Archbishop Yegishe, the Patriarch at Holy Jerusalem. (Ի Պատրիարքութեան Տ. Եղիշէ Սրբազան Արքեպիսկոպոս, Սրբոց Երուսաղէմի)։

This Bible has been gifted to her by Kevork Vartabed Yeghiayan, on March 14, 1986. The inscription notes Fanar, a suburb in West Beirut. Hripsimiantz, the Armenian Catholic School for girls is located there. My mothe taught in that school for two years prior to joining the rest of the family in the U.S. at the conclusion of the  1986 scholastic year. the Bible may have been presented to her for a keepsake.

PRINTED BY THE ARMENIAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (ԻՐԱՒՈՒՆՔ ՎԵՐԱՊԱՀԵԱԼ ԱՍՏՈՒԱԾԱՇՈՒՆՉԻ ԸՆԿԵՐՈՒԹԵԱՆ)

On the front page it is noted that the Bible was printed for the Armenian Missionary Association of America by the American Bible Society of America in Lebanon in 1981. My mother has noted that she acquired the Bible in 1988 in California. (Depicted on the far right).

In the preface the following is noted: “This edition of the Bible is not a new translation, but a reprint of the best translation available to our people with some linguistic, grammatical and orthographic corrections. - Աստուածաշունչի այս հրատարկութիւնը նոր թարգմանութիւն մը չէ, հապա մեր ժողովուրդին ձեռքը գտնուող ախարհաբար թարգմանութեան վերահրատարակութիւնն է կարգ մը լեզուական, կէտադրական եւ ուղղագրական սբրբագրութիւններով։)

My Mother-in-Law’s “Jizmejian” Bible

My mother-in-law always referred to her Bible as the “Jizmejian” Bible. For a longtime I had remained under the impression that she had bought the Bible from Jizmejian bookstore in Aleppo. Later on I found out that she had not bought the Bible from the Jizmejian bookstore but she had it bound at the Jizmejian bookstore. In fact when I scrutinized the stamp on its front page it said “ JIMZEJIAN BOOKSHOP – BOOKBINDER’S SHOP – NOR KYUGH, ALEPPO - ՃԻԶՄԷՃԵԱՆ ԳՐԱՏՈՒՆ.ԿԱԶՄԱՏՈՒՆ-ՆՈՐ ԳԻՒՂ). In its days it appears that it was a well-known institution. 

The Bible has been printed in Vienna  in 1930 by the American Bible Society. It is bound in hard black hard cover with a cross imprinted on it. The Binding has stood the test of time and remains firm, tightly binding the Bible in spite of the fact that my mother -in-law read her Bible every day. 

In the Bible she had kept a sheet of paper where she had noted the Armenian naming of the books, both in the New Testament and the Old Testament. I posted a copy below.

I wanted to record the Armenian Bibles we have in our household. These Bibles were printed in different countries in the Diaspora. Most of my generation can attest having a grandparent reading the Bible in Armenian. We all know that reading a book is declining, let alone reading the Bible in Western Armenian, an endangered language.

Armenian Bibles in Our Household: Asdouatzashounch - 2

Vahe H. Apelian

(for record)

 

Before I present the small size Bible my mother had during her student years, I would like to present to you her farewell address to Sunday School and “Chanits” (“ Christian Endavor”) organization, in Keurkune, Kessab, a month before her wedding. She had kept that address all these years and I had it included in her book. She noted the following: “I have worked for years in “Chanits” and in the Sunday School program. Despite my young age, I always held a responsible position. I participated in the special conferences for all the churches in Greater Syria, that was held in Aleppo College. Reverends, Puzant Kalfayan, Haroutiun (Harry) Missirlian and Puzant Roubian led the conferences.”

Attached is my translation of her address: (Բնագիրը կցուած է ներքեւը։)

“To my dear colleagues,

Life is a treasury, dear sisters and brothers, and the young children entrusted to you are the treasures in that treasury. Let us be sure to know that each of them has a latent talent, a rare strength, and an unique uncomprehensible inner spiritual world. Tomorrow's great person may live in each one of them. And you, dear sisters and brothers, are called upon to discover those abilities, to nurture and cultivate them.

That great work and solemn responsibility requires wisdom, indomitable will, unsubdued love, uncompromising faith, and a life of devotion and patience. We must have the Spirit of Christ in us and bare ourselves of the persons we were and renew ourselves in the life of Jesus. We must live an exemplary life in order to have these children live with that kind of life. We need to be inspired by God's breath so that we can prepare this new generation to see the good and the ideal in life.

This service, which you promise to provide for educating an Armenian child with the Holy Scriptures, without any material expectation, you do it for having done a good deed, for the love of Jesus Christ. Be sure, you will never be left unpaid. You will receive your wages from the Heavenly Father. Let us be sure that the greatest reward for good and virtuous deeds is the following word from our Lord: " Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much." (Matthew 25:21).

 If people know how to, more or less, appreciate their own kind; how much more more will our Heavenly Father do, who created us in his own image. God is not unjust, dear ones. read Hebrews 2:10-11, A. 1 Corinthians 5:8.

The world always needs brave, selfless, true Christians, who would not be afraid from the sword or the fire, and  any other difficulty in order to carry out the sacred work. We do this, for these innocent children, in this corner of the world, for the love of Christ. We love Christ, so who can separate us from his love? For His name, every difficulty is a gain for us, right?

We all got closer to each other serving in the big fields of this small village, called “Chanits” and Sunday School. We became close friends, compassionate and caring sisters and brothers. Therefore, be sure that we will always remain bound with an undivided spirit, because we are bound to this sacred endeavor by Christ's love.

I dedicated the youngest and the youthful years of my life to the “Chanits” cause and to the Sunday School. I was always happy and rejoiced my work. And now the ccircumstances of my life will separate me from you. That separation is just a formality. I will continue to be with you and with my favorite work. Wherever I am, I will be happy for you and I will pray for you. May the good God be rewarding and reward you for your work and strengthen you in spirit and in heart.

Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude for the beautiful gift you gave me. Whatever I did for this noble cause is too little for my Savior. I would not find any other joy in life, but the joy of serving in the Lord's Holy Work. That is, to lead a lost soul to God, to take a task and work for the salvation of souls, especially to prepare  the small innocent hearts for the glory of the Lord. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” say the words of the Lord in the Bible.

Stay for the good and be strong in the Lord.

Zvart Chelebian

August, 1945, Keorkune

*****

My mother’s Bible when she was a student

It is a small Bible, measuring 3 x 4 inches. It is noted in Armenian that the Bible was printed in Vienna by the American Bible Society and is dated 1937. An embroidered cross is affixed on the first page, as depicted in the picture above.

My mother has noted in pencil that the Bible was gifted to her by her mother and that she became an obedient student, read it every night and got good grades. “Սյս Սուրբ Գիրքով մայրիկս զիս Հալէպ նիշերս շրջեց. Ամէն օր կը կարդայի , հնազանդ եղայ եւ լաւ դաս ըրի։”

On the first page she has quoted Galatians 6:14, “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died.” She has noted her name and dated July 12, 1942. 

In an inner page, in pencil she has recorded the following. “My sister’s illness started on April 25, 1945 and the death on May 17, at 2:30 am past midnight. She was in her 16^th year. Keorkune”

 

My mother’s personal Bible

My mother’s personal Bible is leather bound and can be zipped. There is no inscription in it other than the notification that it’s “Zvart’s”. The Bible is printed by Middle East Bible Society in 1970. 

*****

Բնագիրը՝

Տարիներ աշխատած եմ Քէօրքիւնէի Երիտասարդց «Ջանից» ու պատանիներու «կիրակնօրեայ»-ի մէջ։ Հակառակ պատանի տարիքիս, միշտ պատասխանատու պաշտօն վարած եմ։ Երկու անգամ համագումարի մասնակցած եմ՛, Մեծն Սուրիոյ բոլոր եկեղեցիներու պատկան «Կիրակնօրեայ Վարժարանի» եւ Երիտասարդաց «Ջանից» Ընկերակցութեանց յատուկ համագումարի, որ տելի կ՚ունենար Հալէպի մէջ Տղոց Գոլէճէն ներրս։ Գլխաւոր պատասխանատուներն էին ՝ Բիւզանդ Գալքայեան, Յարութիւն Մսըրլեան, եւ Բիւզանդ Ռուպեան փորքրերու համար։

Այս գրութիւնը կարդացած եմ գործի ընկերներուս, ամուսնութենէս մէկ ամիս առաջ աշխատանքս դադրտեցնելու առիթով։ Բնական թուղթը շատ աղտոտած ու դեղնած ըլլալուն, նոյնութեամբ գրի առած եմ հոս տարիներ ետք։ Զուարթ Աբէլեան

Իմ սիրելի գործակիցներուն,

Կեանքը գանձարան մըն է, սիրելի քոյրեր եւ եղբայրներ, իսկ ձեզի վստահուած մատղատ մանուկները այդ գանձարանին գանձերն են։ Վստահ ըլլանք որ անոնցմէ իւրաքանչիւրը ունի իր մէջ թագուն կարողութիւն մը, հազուագիւտ զօրութիւն մը, հոգեկան անհaտական ներաշխարհ մը։ Անոնց մէջ կ՚ապրի մի գուցէ վաղուան մեծ մարդը։ Եւ դուք, սիրելի քոյրեր եւ եղբայրներ, կոչուած էք սնուցանելու, աճեցնելու եւ յայտնաբերելու այդ կարողութիւնները։

Այդ մեծ գործին ու սուրբ պատասխանատուութիւնը կը պահանջէ իմաստութիւն, աննկուն կամք, անընկնելի սէր, անխախտ հաւատք, նուիրումի ու համբերութեան արի կեանք։ Պէտք է ունենաք Քրիստոսի Հոգին մեր մէջ։ Մերկանանք մեր նախորդ մարդէն եւ նորոգուինք Յիսուսի կեանքով։ մենք պէտք է ապրինք նուիրական կեանք մը, որ ապերցնենք այս մանուկները այդ կեանքով։ Մեզի պէտք է ներշնչուիլ Աստուծոյ շունչովը, որ կարենանք պատրաստել այս նոր սերունդը, տեսնելիու համար կեանքին բարին ու իտէալը։

Այս ծառայութիւնը զոր կը խոստանաք մատուցել Հայ մանուկին Սուրբ Գրային դաստիարակութեան համար, առանց նիւթական որեւէ ակնկալութեան, կ՚ընէք զայն բարի գործ մը կատարած ըլլալու համար, Յիսուս Քրիստոսի սիրոյն համար՝ Վստահ եղէ՛ք, երբեք անվարձք պիտի չմնաք։ Դուք ձեր վարձքը պիտի ստանաք Երկնաւոր Հօրմէն։ Վստահ ըլլանք, որ բարի ու առաքինի գործերուն համար մեծագոյն վարձատրութիւնը հետեւեալ խօսքն է մեր Տէրոջ կողմէ. «Ապրի՛ս, բարի ու հաւատարիմ ծառայ, դու որ քիչ բանի մէջ հաւատարիմ գտնուեցար, քեզ շատ բաներու վրայ պիտ կեցնեմ» (Մատթէոս 25.21)։ 

Եթէ մարիկ գիտեն գնահատաել իրենց մնանները առաւել կամ նուազ չափով, հապա ո՜րքան մեր Եկնաւոր Հայրը, որ մեզի իր պատկերովը ստեղծեց։ Աստուած անիրաւ չէ սիրելիներ։ կարդա՛ Եբրայեցիս 2.10-11, Ա. Կորնթացիս 5.8։

Աշխարհ միշտ պէտք ունի արիասիրտ, անձնուէր, ճշմարիտ Քրիստոնեաներու։ Սուր գործ մը յառաջ տանելու համար չենք վախնար ո՛չ սուրէն, ո՛չ հուրէն եւ ոչ ալ որեւէ դժուարութիւնէ։ Մենք զայն կ՚ընենք այս անմեղ մանուկներուն, աշխարհի այս անկիւնին մէջ, Քրիստոսի սիրոյն համար։ Մենք կը սիրենք Քրիստոսը, ուստի ո՞վ կրնայ մեզ զատել իր սէրէն։ Անոր անուան համար ամէն դժուարութիւն շահ է մեզի համար, չէ՞....

Մենք ամէնքս այս փոքրիկ գիւղի Ջամից ու կիրակնօրեայ վարժարան կամ դասարան կոչուած մեծ դաշտերուն մէջ իրար աւելի մօտիկ ճանցանք։ Մենք դարձանք սրտակից բարեկամներ, կարեկից քոյրեր եւ եղբայրներ։ Ուստի վստահ եղէք որ պիտ մնանք անբաժան հոգիով։ Քանի այս նուիրական դաշտնին կապուած ենք Քրիստոսի սիրով։

Ես կեանքիս ամենաերիտասարդ եւ նուիրական տարիներս շատ փոքր տարիքէս նուիրեցի Ջանիցի գործին։ Ես միշտ ուրախ եղայ եւ երջանիկ այս գործով։ Ու հիմայ, որ կեանքի պայմանները զիս կը զատեն ձեզմէ, այդ բաժանումը սոսկ ձեւականութիւն մըն է։ Ես շարունակ ձեզի ու այս իմ սիրելի գործին հետ պիտի ըլլամ ուր ալ գտնուիմ։ ՊՒտի ուրախանամ ձեզի համար եւ պիտի աղօթեմ ձեզի համար։ Բարի Աստուած վարձահատոյց ըլլայ ու վարձատրէ եր աշխատանքները եւ զօրացնէ ձեզ հոգիով ու սրտով։

Վերջացնելէ աոաջ կու գամ իմ խորին շնորհակալութիւնները յայտնել ձեզի, ինծի ղրկուած գեղեցիկ նուէրին համար։ Ինչ որ ես ըրի այս վեհ գործին համար, շատ քիչ է եւ իմ Փրկիչիս համար։ Ես կեանքի մէջ ուրիշ ուրախութիւն չեմ գտներ, այլ միան Տէրոջ Սուրբ Գործին մէջ ծառայելու  ուրախութիւնը։ Այն է, կորստեալ մը Աստուծոյ առաջնորդել, ինկած մը վերցնել ու հոգիներու փրկութեան համար գործել, մանաւանդ փոքրիկ անմեղ սրտերը պատրաստել Տերոջ փառքին համար։ « Եթէ այս փորքիկներէն մէկուն ըրիք, ինծի ըրիք» կ՚ըսէ Տէրոջ խօսքը Աստուածաշունչին մէջ։

Մնաք բարիով ու զօրացէ՛ք Տէրոջմով։

Զուարթ Ջէլէպեան

Օգոստոս 19455 Քէօրքիւնէ

 

 

Armenian Bibles in Our Household: Asdouatzashounch - 1

Vahe H. Apelian

(for record)

Different sources in the internet claim that the average number of Bibles in a U.S. household are as follows:

“The average number of Bibles per household is 4.3.”

“The average American home has 4.4 Bibles!”

“The latest from Barna Research says there are 4.7 Bibles per household.”

Surely, we also have at least 5 Bibles in our household. But we also have Armenian Bibles. The Armenians call the Bible Sourp Kirk,  that is to say Holy Book. The Armenians also call the Bible Asdouatzshounch, that is to say Breath of God. With each one of the Armenian Bible, we have a sentimental connection.

We have the following Armenian Bibles

MY MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER’S BIBLE.

It is a, leather-bound Armeno-Turkish Bible.  That is to say the text is in Armenian characters but reads Turkish. My grandmother has noted her name and dated: Digin (Mrs.) Karoun Chelebian, May 9, 1931. The following is noted in English: “Printed for the American Bible Society by the American Press, Beirut, Syria, in 1927”. The pioneer for the Armeno-Turkiish Bible is credited to be missionary Goodell, who played a decisive role in the founding of the Armenian Evangelical Church. (http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2017/04/goodell-among-armenians.html )

My mother has noted in the Bible that it is her mother’s – 1900-June 25, 1976 – Bible and that it should be kept with upmost care.  My mother also notes that her mother claimed to have read it 37 times. I remember her reading the Bible every day.

My maternal grandmother was widowed at a young age. Her 38 years old husband died of “pneumonia”. It would not surprise me that it was malnourishment that was the cause of his death. Having died of “neumonia” was a common attribute to the survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

My grandmother’s bible is also a family chronicle. The Bible page on which the matriarch of the family Karoun (Apelian) Chelebian recorded the births of her children is now torn apart but is kept with the Bible. In her beautiful handwriting my grandmother recorded the birthdates of their children but deferring to her husband. The inscription reads in third person, noting that

Khatcher Chelebian's daughter Zaghganoush birthday 1920 Jan. 22 and her death on 1921, June 27.

His son Antranig’s birthday 1922, March 11.

His daughter Zvart’s  birthday 1924, Sept. 2.

His son Hovhannes birthday 1926, Aug 26.

His daughter Anneg birthday 1928, Sept. 23 and her death 1945, May 17.

The death of Khatcher Chelebian 1930, February 14...at the age of 38. 

On the last page of the Bible she has noted the premature death of her youngest child, her daughter Anna. She has noted the following: “My dearest and sweet Annig was born on September 23, 1928 and was called to her eternal rest on May 17, 1945.”

MY GRANDMOTHER’S GIFTED BIBLE TO HER DAUTHER, MY MOTHER.

My maternal grandmother has gifted a Bible to her daughter my mother. She has inscribed the following on the first page.

“I gift this Bible to my daughter Zvart Apelian. I pray that this Bible be their life long best companion and guide. I remain always pray full for them, her mother Karoun Chelebian…. on April 24, 1954, in Beirut.”

This Bible of the Old and New Testament was printed in Vienna, by the American Bible Society, in 1932. 

 

 

 

“Hayakve”: I am at a loss

Vahe H Apelian

 

There is an initiative that is going in Armenia called “Hayakve”, which is a made-up word and a play on the word “Havagve”, which means get together. Initially I thought that is what the initiative meant, to come together at certain locations and vote for the initiative that will criminalize recognizing Artsakh part of Azerbaijan, and for the sitting government to declare that they, or any Armenian for that matter, remain faithful to the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Armenia, the Constitution and the decision of the Supreme Council of July 8 1992. Otherwise, the government will have to resign ostensibly a government that abides by the dictates of the initiative will be sworn in.

The text of "Hayakve" inititiative is simple. Whoever signs it attest to the following as a Statement of Confirmation (Havasdakir - Հավաստագիր): "Today you take control of the Constitution and laws of your state. the fate of your generations.."

 The following documents in chronological order have been cited pertaining to the “Hayakve” initiative: The Declaration of Independence on 23 August 1990, the September 21, 1991 referendum, the July 8, 1992 Supreme Council declaration, the Constitution of Armenia (1995). I simply could not track down  the July 8, 1992 declration  in the internet. I wish a reader could link to that declaration. But whatever that declaration was, it was made AFTER the referendum that was held on September 21, 1991 that overwhelmingly voted in favor of Armenia secede from the Union of the Soviet Republics and declare Armenia a as free and independent republic.   As to the Armenian Constitution, it pertains to Repubic of Armenia, as stipulated in the Declaration of Independence and naturally there is no  mention of Artsakh in it.

Quoting Wikipedia “An independence referendum was held in the Armenia SSR (note; Soviet Socialist Republic) on 21 September 1991 to determine whether to secede from the Soviet Union. It followed a declaration of independence on 23 August 1990. 99.5% of voters voted in favor, with a turnout of 95%. The country officially became an independent state on 23 September 1991”

What did the August 23, 1990, ARMENIAN DECLRATION OF INDEPENDENCE, declare? I quote its preamble: 

“The Supreme Council of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic

Expressing the united will of the Armenian people;

Aware of its historic responsibility for the destiny of the Armenian people engaged in the realization of the aspirations of all Armenians and the restoration of historical justice;

Proceeding from the principles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the generally recognized norms of international law;

Exercising the right of nations to free self-determination;

Based on the December 1, 1989, joint decision of the Armenian SSR Supreme Council and the Artsakh National Council on the "Reunification of the Armenian SSR and the Mountainous Region of Karabakh;"

Developing the democratic traditions of the independent Republic of Armenia established on May 28, 1918; declares….

1.  The Armenian SSR is renamed the Republic of Armenia (Armenia). The Republic of Armenia shall have its flag, coat of arms, and anthem.”

(Link: https://www.gov.am/en/independence/ )

We have designated September 21 as a non-working holiday and for the past over three decades have been celebrating it as Armenia’s Independence Day. That is to say the declaring that the Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia is a free and independent republic. 

For the past over three decades, there were three successive presidential governments of Armenia, including the last president Serzh Sargsyan, who also was the first post-independence prime minister of Armenia, but resigned only after a week, for reasons we know. None of these governments as well as the present government could recognize the Mountainous Republic of Karabagh (later termed Republic of Artsakh) as a sovereign state, nor recognized it as part of Armenia.  But, in spite of that bitter reality, the “Hayakve” initiative is led by the same principals who regretfully could not recognize Artsakh as an entity outside Azerbaijan.

 If this initiative is meant to criminalize Armenia negotiating with Azerbaijan to recognize its border, with Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, regretful as it is, there is no doubt in my mind that Azerbaijan will have no objection whatsoever as it will seal the fate of the Artsakh Armenians and relegate it to the whims of the Azeri authorities. Let us be mindful that Azerbaijan does not need Armenia to recognize its border. Let us face it, Azerbaijan does not recognize the Russian brokered agreement it signed, it displays an absolute post war control over its border, does not even deploy border guards to secure it. Instead, it has “environmentalists” doing it, As to the world, it has long recognized Mountainous Karabagh / Artsakh as pat of Azerbaijan. 

Consequently, I am at a loss in figuring out what this initiative aims to achieve.

"Hayakve" initiative

 

Hayrabed Effendi’s Prophecy

 Vahe H. Apelian

 I quote from Arpiar Arpiarian's novel “Red Offering” ( Garmir Jamouts - Կարմիր ժամուց). It is Hayrabed Effendi, the protagonist, who is alerting all those around him. He says: “Our elders used to say – “May God not spare the Armenians from the Turkish club. But may God also not spare the Turks from the Moscow’s club”. - From here on, the Turk’s club will swing more forcefully upon our heads, because the Moscow’s club does not appear to be swinging over the Turk’s head.” (You may read the actual quote below)

It is claimed that Arpiar Arpiarian wrote the book in 1901-1902, time frame.  The book was translated to French last year. It has withstood the test of time.

I quote from my blog: (http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2021/12/machiavellis-prince-and-arpiars-red.html)

“The crux of the Arpiar’s novel is the clash between a wealthy Armenian by the name Hayrabed Effendi and a young priest from the interior by the name Hayr Houssig. Hayrabed Effendi was very influential in a suburb of Constantinople called Ortakiugh. The Effendi was a devout Christian and never missed attending mass. He gave generously but was very cautious in anything he thought remotely might raise the ire of the local pasha. 

Der Houssig, on the other hand, was a daring and an enlightened priest who improved the lot of his village. Der Houssing attributed his enlightenment to his understanding of the Armenian bible in vernacular left in the village by an Armenian evangelical pastor, whom the villagers mistreated and let him flee for his life. In fact, when he met the pastor years later, he presented himself as his disciple, to the surprise of the badvelli (pastor) who had a vague recollection of the mistreatment he had received in Der Houssig’s village as well.

 Time passed and the Armenians experienced what must have been the Hamidian massacres. During which time Hayrabed Effendi was imprisoned, humiliated in spite of his good rapport with the pasha. When push came to shove, he had become a nobody. Der Houssing also was imprisoned. When calm returned, both Hayrabed Effendi and Der Houssig happened to meet again and when Hayrabed Effendi found out that Der Houssig’s village had fared well because of the preparations they had vested over the years to be self-reliant in assuring their safety, security  and well-being. 

Hearing that Der Houssig’s village had fared well, it dawned on the Efendi that he had misunderstood Der Houssig instead of appreciating the wisdom of the village priest from the interior of the country, he had chastised him. To make amends for having mistreated the priest, he offered Der Houssig a gold coin. When Der Houssig objected, Hayrabed Effendi insisted, and he said that its his “red offering”. That is to say, towards the purchase of guns.

In nutshell that is what the book is about. It was a mandatory reading in the Armenian schools to laud the virtue of self-reliance through arms. In fact, the cover of the book reflected the theme that our teachers wanted to convey to us." But in reality, that is not all Arpiar Arpiarian wanted to convey.  Those who are interested may read: http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2021/12/arpiar-arpiarians-red-offering.html

I do not know why Hayrabed Effendi said that our ancestors had wished the Turkish club did not spare them. Was it because, on our own, they thought we would not do any better? But their wish that at the same time the Russian club did spare the Turks is understandable.  Over one hundred twenty years ago, Hyrabed Efendi’s prophecy rings true this very day: “From here on, the Turk’s club will  swing more forcefully upon our heads, because the Moscow’s club does not appear to be swinging over the Turk's’head.” 

I quoted Hayrabed Effendi because I think that the Turks and Azeris are mercilessly toying with their political entente, if not their tacit partner, the Russians, if such an adjective can be used in realpolitik. The statements Erdogan makes, the indifference Azeris display, the silence Russians keep, while seemingly Mother Russia  is at the end of its tether in its southernmost portal, the Caucasus, lead me to think that we are in this for the long haul.

In the end, it seems, more than anyone else, all hinges on the legendary resilience of the descendants of the legendary  meliks on the mountainous Karabagh.

Note: The quote in Armenian: «Մեր հիներուն խօսքն էր, թէ «Աստուած տաճկին թոփուզը հայուն գլխէն պակաս չընէ, բայց՝ Մոսկովին թոփուզ ն ալ տաճկին գլխէն պակաս չընէ»։ Ասկէ ետքը տաճկին թոփուզը առաջուընէ աւելի ուժով գլխնուս պիտի զարնուի, վասնզի Մոսկովին թոփուզը տաճկին գլխուն վրայ չի տեսնուիր կոր։»