Frik, the last lesson

I compiled the following I had not heard before. Frik (Armenian: Ֆրիկ) was an Armenian poet of the 13th and 14th centuries. He wrote on both secular and religious topics, and many of his poems are characterized by social criticism. He was the first Armenian poet to compose almost all of his works in the vernacular language (Middle Armenian). (Wikipdia). The attached is a translation of a post in “Հեղինակային ստեղծագործություններ.” Vaհe H Apelian

“The day after Taniel Varoujan’s arrest, a chilling silence hung over the school where he taught. Teachers sat silently in the staff room, while students waited in their classrooms. Tovmas Efendi—the Turkish language teacher, an Armenian apostate who never spoke Armenian—entered the staff room.

He rang the bell and ordered everyone to go to class. The teachers picked up their registers and left. One register remained behind—the one for the class Varoujan was supposed to teach.

Tovmas Efendi picked up the register and went to Varoujan’s classroom.

When he entered, no one paid him any attention.

The students sat frozen in their seats with their heads bowed, assuming they were about to have a Turkish lesson instead of Armenian...

Suddenly, to everyone’s surprise, Tovmas Efendi spoke in pure, beautiful Armenian: - Hello, dear students.

The students spring to their feet and return the greeting.

- What is your lesson?

- Frik, — the students reply.

- The Armenian literature lesson continues, — said Tovmas Efendi, and he conducted a brilliant lesson on the works of Frik.

The next day, Tovmas Efendi was arrested.

August 25, 1915, was the final day of 31-year-old Taniel Varoujan’s earthly life.” 

A.  Nersisyan

p.s. (Note: Taniel Varoujan was also arrested on April 24,1915)

                                                      ***

 Բնագիրը՝

Դանիել Վարուժանի ձերբակալման հաջորդ օրը դպրոցում, որտեղ նա դասավանդում էր, սահմռկեցուցիչ լռություն էր։ Ուսուցիչները լուռ նստած էին ուսուցչանոցում, աշակերտները՝ դասարաններում։ Ուսուցչանոց է մտնում թուրքերենի ուսուցիչ Թովմաս էֆենդին՝ մի հայ դարձուկ, որ երբեք հայերեն չէր խոսում:

Տալիս է զանգը և պահանջում, որ դասի գնան։ Ուսուցիչները վերցնում են մատյաններն ու գնում։ Մնում է մի մատյան։ Դա այն դասարանի մատյանն էր, ուր պետք է գնար Վարուժանը․․․ 

Թովմաս էֆենդին վերցնում է մատյանը ու գնում Վարուժանի դասարանը․․․ 

Երբ ներս է մտնում, նրա վրա ոչ ոք ուշադրություն չի դարձնում։ 

Աշակերտները քարացած, գլուխները կախ մնում են տեղերում նստած՝ կարծելով, թե հայերենի տեղ թուրքերեն են անցնելու․․․ 

Հանկարծ, բոլորի համար անսպասելի Թովմաս էֆենդին մաքուր, գեղեցիկ հայերենով ասում է․

- Բարև՛ ձեզ, սիրելի՛ աշակերտներ։ 

Աշակերտները ոտքի են թռչում ու պատասխանում բարևին։

- Ո՞րն է ձեր դասը։

- Ֆրիկը, - պատասխանում են աշակերտները։

- Հայ գրականության դասը շարունակվում է, - ասում է Թովմաս էֆենդին և հրաշալի դաս է անց կացնում Ֆրիկի ստեղծագործությունների մասին։ 

Հաջորդ օրը Թովմաս էֆենդուն ձերբակալում են։ 

1915 թվականի օգոստոսի 25-ը 31-ամյա Վարուժանի երկրային կյանքի վերջին օրն էր: 

Ա. Ներսիսյան

The National Values of the Armenian Republic

Vaհe H Apelian

Armenia celebrated the 35th anniversary of its independence on September 21 with nationwide celebrations culminating in a major concert, light show and fireworks displayed at Republic Square in Yerevan. 

The celebration was under the "auspices" of Hazaran Bulbul (Հազարան Բլբուլ),  a mythical "Bird of a Thousand Voices" whose magical song could heal the land, restore life, and bring about peace and prosperity. I had not heard of this ancient Armenian folktale mythical bird before, of which the all-Armenian-poet Hovhannes Touanian is claimed to have captured in a poem.  Hazaran Bulbul was depicted hoovering in the sky over Yerevan during the celebration.

The  first 40 minutres of the program featured the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Sergey Smbatyan, the Hovhannes Tchekidjian National Academic Choir and the Karen-Sevak Band. Subsequenly  popular Armenian performers  took the stage. 

In between, between 40 minutes to 43 minutes, the two masters of the ceremony, a man and a woman, took turn in reading national values they claimed the Armenian Republic upholds. I had not experienced such an episode before in any of the independence day celebrations I had watched the program over and over again and painstakingly copied what they read. 

Here are the national values the Armenian Republic holds dear, as read at the celebration of the 35th anniversary of independence of Armenia. The sky was capped by the display of that mythical birth= and the first phrase the Armennians translated upon coming with their own alphabet. 

National Values the Republic of Armenia holds

Independence – Sovereignty – Citizenship – Democracy – and the Army. Անկախութիւնը – ինքնիշխանութիւնը – Քաղաքացիութիւնը – Ժողովրդավարութիւնը - եւ Բանակը։

 

History of Armenia – Armenian Folklore – Epics – Legends – Myths. Հայաստանի Պատմութիւնը - Հայ բանահիւսութիւնը – Էպոսները – Լեկինդները - Առասպելները։

 

The Armenian Language and Writing – Armenian Literature and Science – Knowledge. Հայոց Լեզուն եւ Գրելը - Հայ գրականութիւնն ու Գիտութիւնը -Գիտելիքը։

 

The Pan-Armenian strength—the Armenian Diaspora. Համահայկական մերուժը - Հայկական Սփիւռքը։

 

The Holy Armenian Apostolic Church – The Armenian Catholic Church – The Armenian Evangelical Church – Christianity. Հայ Առաքելական Սուրբ Եկեղեցին - Հայ Կաթողիկէ Եկեղեցին - Հայ Աւետարանական Եկեղեցին - Քրիստոնէութիւնը։

 

The Fatherland/Homeland – the Family – the Individual. Հայրենիքը – Ընտանիքը - Անհատը։

 

Armenian Ashugh, Kusan, Folk, Classical, Composed, and Pop Music. Հայ Աշուղական – Քուսանական – ժողովրդական – Դասական – Հեղինակային -  Էսդրատային Երաժշտութիւնը։

 

The Armenian Dance Art – Visual Art – Armenian Architecture – and Armenian Performing Arts. Հայկական Պարարուեստը – Կերպարուեստը - Հայկական Ճարտարուեստը - ու Հայկական Բեմարուեստը։

 

The Armenian Highland and its biodiversity. Հայկական Բնաշխարը իր կենսաբազմազանուտութեամբ։

 

Progress – Love of Learning – Liberation – Hospitality. Յառաջդիմութիւնը. Կրթասիրութիւնը – Ազատագրութիւնը -  Հիւրասիրութիւնը։

 

Compliance of the law – Humanitarianism – Respect and tolerance towards the religions of other peoples and nations. Օրինապահութիւնը – Մարդասիրութիւնը – Յարգանքն - ու  Հանդուրժողականութիւնը այլ մարդկանց եւ ժողովուրդների կրօններուն նկատմամբ։

 

Fraternal relations with the national minorities of the Republic of Armenia, expressed through Armenian citizenship. Հայաստանի Հանրապետութեան ազգային փոքրամասնութիւնների հետ եղբայրական յարաբերութիւն արտայայտուած Հայաստանի քաղաքացիութեամբ։ 

 

Armenian Heritage: the tangible and the intangible. Հայկական Ժառանգութիւնը՝ Նիւթական եւ ոչ-նիւթական։

 

The Republic of Armenia is our hearth, our home. The people are our family, our heart. We must educate ourselves and develop, and we must develop Armenia. Հայաստանի Հանրապետութիւնը մեր օճախն է, տունը։ Ժողովուրդը մեր ընտանիքնս է, մեր սիրտը։ Պէտք է կրթուիլ, զարգանայ, եւ զարգացնել Հայաստանը։

 

It does not matter where you work or what kind of specialist you are. What matters is how you work and what kind of specialist you are. Կապ չունի որտեղ ես աշխատում, եւ ինչ մասնագետ ես։ Էականը թէ ինչպիսե՞ս ես աշխատում, եւ ինչպիսի՞ մասնագետ ես։ 

 

It does not matter in which city or village you live in; what matters is the kind of citizen you are. What is essential is to be law-abiding, improve your education, not pollute your environment, and not tolerate injustice or wrongdoing—whether directed at you or at others. It is about participating in elections and being a demanding citizen, one who holds others accountable, and, why not, making your mark on the world. Կապ չունի թէ որ մէկ քաղաքում եւ կամ գիւղում ես ապրում։ Էականը թէ ինչպիսի քաղաքացի ես։ էականը լինել օրինապահ, բարելաւել կրթութիւնդ, չաղտոտել միջավայրդ, չհանդուրժել քու կամ դիմացինիդ հանդէպ անարդարութիւնը կամ հանցանքը։ Մասնակցել ընտրութիւններին, լինել պահանջատէր, պահանջուած, ինչու ոչ աշխարհում։

 

To participate in the selection process, to be a claimant—and one who is sought after—why not, on the global stage.Մասնակցիլ ընտորթեան, ըլլալ պահանջատէր, եւ պահանջուած, ինչու ոչ, աշխարհում։

 

To get educated, to work, to grow strong, and to stand firm on the land—such is Armenia. Կրթուիլ, աշխատիլ, ուժեղանալ եւ ամուռ կանգնիլ հողի վրայ՝ այսպէս է Հայաստանը։

 

Link: The Translators' First Phrase - https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-first-phrase-mesrob-mashdots.html

 

The National Values of the Armenian Republic

Vaհe H Apelian

Armenia celebrated the 35th anniversary of its independence on September 21 with nationwide celebrations culminating in a major concert, light show and fireworks displayed at Republic Square in Yerevan. 

The celebration was under the "auspices" of Hazaran Bulbul (Հազարան Բլբուլ),  a mythical "Bird of a Thousand Voices" whose magical song could heal the land, restore life, and bring about peace and prosperity. I had not heard of this ancient Armenian folktale mythical bird before, of which the all-Armenian-poet Hovhannes Touanian is claimed to have captured in a poem.  Hazaran Bulbul was depicted hoovering in the sky over Yerevan during the celebration.

The  first 40 minutres of the program featured the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Sergey Smbatyan, the Hovhannes Tchekidjian National Academic Choir and the Karen-Sevak Band. Subsequenly  popular Armenian performers  took the stage. 

In between, between 40 minutes to 43 minutes, the two masters of the ceremony, a man and a woman, took turn in reading national values they claimed the Armenian Republic upholds. I had not experienced such an episode before in any of the independence day celebrations I had watched the program over and over again and painstakingly copied what they read. 

Here are the national values the Armenian Republic holds dear, as read at the celebration of the 35th anniversary of independence of Armenia. The sky was capped by the display of that mythical birth= and the first phrase the Armennians translated upon coming with their own alphabet. 

The mythical Hazaran Bulbul

National Values the Republic of Armenia holds

Independence – Sovereignty – Citizenship – Democracy – and the Army. Անկախութիւնը – ինքնիշխանութիւնը – Քաղաքացիութիւնը – Ժողովրդավարութիւնը - եւ Բանակը։

 

History of Armenia – Armenian Folklore – Epics – Legends – Myths. Հայաստանի Պատմութիւնը - Հայ բանահիւսութիւնը – Էպոսները – Լեկինդները - Առասպելները։

 

The Armenian Language and Writing – Armenian Literature and Science – Knowledge. Հայոց Լեզուն եւ Գրելը - Հայ գրականութիւնն ու Գիտութիւնը -Գիտելիքը։

 

The Pan-Armenian strength—the Armenian Diaspora. Համահայկական մերուժը - Հայկական Սփիւռքը։

 

The Holy Armenian Apostolic Church – The Armenian Catholic Church – The Armenian Evangelical Church – Christianity. Հայ Առաքելական Սուրբ Եկեղեցին - Հայ Կաթողիկէ Եկեղեցին - Հայ Աւետարանական Եկեղեցին - Քրիստոնէութիւնը։

 

The Fatherland/Homeland – the Family – the Individual. Հայրենիքը – Ընտանիքը - Անհատը։

 

Armenian Ashugh, Kusan, Folk, Classical, Composed, and Pop Music. Հայ Աշուղական – Քուսանական – ժողովրդական – Դասական – Հեղինակային -  Էսդրատային Երաժշտութիւնը։

 

The Armenian Dance Art – Visual Art – Armenian Architecture – and Armenian Performing Arts. Հայկական Պարարուեստը – Կերպարուեստը - Հայկական Ճարտարուեստը - ու Հայկական Բեմարուեստը։

 

The Armenian Highland and its biodiversity. Հայկական Բնաշխարը իր կենսաբազմազանուտութեամբ։

 

Progress – Love of Learning – Liberation – Hospitality. Յառաջդիմութիւնը. Կրթասիրութիւնը – Ազատագրութիւնը -  Հիւրասիրութիւնը։

 

Compliance of the law – Humanitarianism – Respect and tolerance towards the religions of other peoples and nations. Օրինապահութիւնը – Մարդասիրութիւնը – Յարգանքն - ու  Հանդուրժողականութիւնը այլ մարդկանց եւ ժողովուրդների կրօններուն նկատմամբ։

 

Fraternal relations with the national minorities of the Republic of Armenia, expressed through Armenian citizenship. Հայաստանի Հանրապետութեան ազգային փոքրամասնութիւնների հետ եղբայրական յարաբերութիւն արտայայտուած Հայաստանի քաղաքացիութեամբ։ 

 

Armenian Heritage: the tangible and the intangible. Հայկական Ժառանգութիւնը՝ Նիւթական եւ ոչ-նիւթական։

 

The Republic of Armenia is our hearth, our home. The people are our family, our heart. We must educate ourselves and develop, and we must develop Armenia. Հայաստանի Հանրապետութիւնը մեր օճախն է, տունը։ Ժողովուրդը մեր ընտանիքնս է, մեր սիրտը։ Պէտք է կրթուիլ, զարգանայ, եւ զարգացնել Հայաստանը։

 

It does not matter where you work or what kind of specialist you are. What matters is how you work and what kind of specialist you are. Կապ չունի որտեղ ես աշխատում, եւ ինչ մասնագետ ես։ Էականը թէ ինչպիսե՞ս ես աշխատում, եւ ինչպիսի՞ մասնագետ ես։ 

 

It does not matter in which city or village you live in; what matters is the kind of citizen you are. What is essential is to be law-abiding, improve your education, not pollute your environment, and not tolerate injustice or wrongdoing—whether directed at you or at others. It is about participating in elections and being a demanding citizen, one who holds others accountable, and, why not, making your mark on the world. Կապ չունի թէ որ մէկ քաղաքում եւ կամ գիւղում ես ապրում։ Էականը թէ ինչպիսի քաղաքացի ես։ էականը լինել օրինապահ, բարելաւել կրթութիւնդ, չաղտոտել միջավայրդ, չհանդուրժել քու կամ դիմացինիդ հանդէպ անարդարութիւնը կամ հանցանքը։ Մասնակցել ընտրութիւններին, լինել պահանջատէր, պահանջուած, ինչու ոչ աշխարհում։

 

To participate in the selection process, to be a claimant—and one who is sought after—why not, on the global stage.Մասնակցիլ ընտորթեան, ըլլալ պահանջատէր, եւ պահանջուած, ինչու ոչ, աշխարհում։

 

To get educated, to work, to grow strong, and to stand firm on the land—such is Armenia. Կրթուիլ, աշխատիլ, ուժեղանալ եւ ամուռ կանգնիլ հողի վրայ՝ այսպէս է Հայաստանը։

 

Link: The Translators' First Phrase - https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-first-phrase-mesrob-mashdots.html

 

 

 

No other picture embodies what it is all about

Vaհe H Apelian

 

Dr. Yervant Zorian and Catholicos Aram

First and foremost, let me expand on the title of this blog. I used the word picture. In fact, it is more than a mere picture. It is a snapshot because it captures a moment taken without formal setup or professional lighting by a professional photographer in a studio. But I will continue on referring to it as a picture and I would like to note that no other picture I know portrays what the Catholicos Karekin II conflict with the PM Nikol Pashinyan is all about. I know that some, who may happen to read this blog may jump to their guns claiming that the conflict between Yerevan, the seat of the Armenian state, and Etchmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic church, is political at its core, not moral. I disagree. It is moral at its core, not political.

I admit that to catch the attention of readers, I used the picture depicting the moment Dr. Yervant Zorian is kissing the right hand of Catholicos Aram, while the Catholicos Aram appears to be withdrawing his hand also out of reverence. Mrs. Yervant Zorian was showing the same reverence to the Catholicos. These snap shots capture the moral authority the Catholicos projects, for people such as Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Yervant Zorian to bow in front of the Catholicos, with Dr. Yervant Zorian kissing the Catholicos’ right hand and placing it on his forehead as a testament of his obedience to Catholicos's moral authority.

 AGBU magazine depicted the occasion and wrote the following: 

“At a recent special ceremony in Silicon Valley, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia conferred the “Saint Mesrob Mashdots” Insignia on Dr. Yervant Zorian, AGBU Vice President and Founding President of the Armenian Virtual College - AGBU, in recognition of his lifelong pioneering contributions to the fields of technology and education and his unwavering dedication to the Armenian nation. In his remarks, His Holiness highlighted Dr. Zorian’s remarkable scientific and educational legacy, noting that his distinguished career and enduring service to both Armenia and the Diaspora embody the very principles for which the Insignia was established. Upon accepting the Insignia, Dr. Zorian expressed his profound gratitude to His Holiness and reaffirmed his continued dedication to serving the nation and the homeland.”

Catholicos Karekin II is not the Catholicos Armenia needed and needs at this historic junction. His persona is the issue and it is not something that surfaced lately. It was there all along, long ago. Yes, the PM Nikol Pashinyan brought the issue of Catholikcos Karekin II’s persona to the forefront. It is regrettable that the opposition takes to Armenian Apostolic Church for a sanctuary, or a refuge in an attempt to shelter the Catholicos in that centuries old venerable institution. 

Recently Kevork Yazedjian had posted the following letter sent to  Harach Daily in France, regarding Catholicos Karekin II. This is how the letter reads in translation. 

“Esteemed Editorial Staff,

The so-called Supreme Spiritual Council of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin seems to be in permanent session for the purpose of opposing the authorities of the Republic of Armenia. In recent months, not a week goes by without it convening a meeting and issuing yet another statement. “Nor Harach” also reports on both, these meetings and statements, thereby fulfilling its duty as a media outlet. Very well.

However, I wish to clarify that it is necessary to place the words "Supreme Spiritual Council"- SSC- in quotation marks—or, as you see at the beginning of my text, i prefaced those three words with the phrase "so-called"—because the composition of the SSC has been ILLEGAL for two past decades, based on at least three legally vulnerable aspects:

1. The Patriarchs of Jerusalem and Constantinople serve as ex-officio co-chairs of the Supreme Spiritual Council. From the very first day of his enthronement to the present, Patriarch Nourhan has NOT ONCE participated in the Council's meetings, whereas Patriarch Sahak attends them only occasionally. And it is strange that NO ONE ASKS why Patriarch Nourhan consistently refuses to attend the meetings of this so-called Supreme Spiritual Council.

2. ONLY the National-Ecclesiastical Assembly holds the exclusive right to elect members of the Supreme Spiritual Council; yet, the "bold one" has changed—and continues to change—its composition at will, removing whomever he pleases and appointing whomever he pleases. The Supreme Spiritual Council is the supervisory body of the Mother See. Just imagine: its members are supposed to oversee the actions—or lack thereof—of the very Catholicos who appointed them... Furthermore, no one asks why, in the nearly 27 years since the day of his "election," the Patriarch has not convened the General Religious Assembly (GRA). Even during the days of the Soviet atheistic regime, there was never such a long hiatus.

3. Even setting aside the illegality mentioned in point 2, the sessions of the General Religious Assembly (GRA) are unlawful in yet another respect. Only members residing in Armenia participate in its sessions, with members from abroad participating only sporadically. In short, it has been transformed into yet another unlawful instrument of the Patriarch. As for this latest session, the participation of Bishops Aram Ateshyan and Theodoros is entirely unlawful, as they are not members of the GHKh. The same applies to the participation of lawyer Ara Zohrabyan in the recent session; the GRA bylaws make no provision for the status of substitute members. Therefore, esteemed editorial staff, when referring to the GRA, it is necessary to use the phrase "so-called" or to place the body's name in quotation marks. Otherwise, it would appear that “Nor Harach” is legitimizing such blatant illegalities.

With warm regards,

Gevorg Natali

Yerevan, Republic Day, September 21, 2026, morning

This ailing, brilliant young man

Vaհe H Apelian

 

Courtesy Levon Sharoyan. 

Today Levon Sharoyan posted on his Facebook page an article he has written in Ararad Daily about Missak Medzarents on the occasion of the young poet’s 140th birthday (January 19, 1886 - July 5, 1908).

In his article Levon Sharoyan noted the following, I quote::

 “The exceptional study of Missak Medzarents by Siruni was recently published in Yerevan as a beautifully designed volume—serving as a halo upon the poet’s radiant brow—to mark the 140th anniversary of his birth. The work retains its original title, "This Ailing, Brilliant Young Man "—a phrase Charents used to characterize Medzarents.

The work was prepared for publication by two scholars from the Diaspora: Vartan Matiossian (New York) and Rev. Fr. Narek Deyirmenjian (Istanbul). They were assisted by literary scholar Arkmenik Nikoghosyan from Armenia. Through this newly published book, not only does Medzarents rise before us time and again—deepening the love and reverence we hold for him—but an opportunity also arises to "meet" once more H. J. Siruni, one of our distinguished historians of a bygone era. Siruni possessed the unique gift of weaving literary or memoir-based studies together with the events and memorable episodes of the times, narrating them in that enchanting and captivating Western Armenian style which—alas—has vanished from the public, from our contemporary press, and from modern books.

Medzarents and Siruni—two beloved figures who embody the spirit of Constantinople, allowing us to gaze upon the Bosphorus and the vibrant Armenian life that once pulsed along its shores, particularly within the literary realm radianting the somber and sorrowful life of Metsarents once again.» 

A few years ago I translated Missak Medzarents' famous poem  Sweet is the Night, which became a very popular song by composer Hrant Kevorkian, noting an anectode about the song and the composer of the song. The attached video was prepared by Garo Konyalian. 

 

Those interested to read that article may do so by pressing on the link below. 

Link: Missak Medzarents (Միսաք Մեծարենց): Sweet is the Night (Գիշերն Անուշ է) and its composer (Երգահանը) - https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2024/04/missak-medzarents-sweet-is-night-and.html

A politicized biased report

 Attached is my comment to the Armenian Weekly regarding the article that claimed for a headline that « Pashinyan discourages diaspora Armenians from becoming citizens of Armenia» (September 15, 2026) Vaհe H Apelian

 Both of us, my wife and I entered the U.S. at different times and we held on to our green cards for five years before applying for U.S. citizenship. I checked the internet. The 5-year rule appears to be in place towards U.S. citizenship. 

According to this report, that period is 3 years towards the Armenian citizenship, that will grant the person the privilege to vote, that is all. The 5-year for U.S., and the 3-year of lawful residency requirement are reasonable periods for the person to get to know and have a semblance of acculturation of the country they intend to make theirs.  None of us, and friends who were in the same predicament - and there were many of us, - complained because we were in a hurry to vote. Getting by in the new land, is what preoccupied us.

 This report is biased and not properly and appropriately worded for a title. It avoids the rampant abuse of Armenian citizenship when getting Armenian passport for Diaspora Armenians had no strings attached to it. During those early years, many made Armenia a stepping stone on their way to other destinations they could not enter with their passports but entered with the Armenian passport they got.  Many other Diaspora Armenians had their children hold on to their citizenship and passports until a certain age, then appliedd for Armenian citizenship to avoid military service.  

Authenticating birthright as Armenian and getting Armenian citizenship was long due for an overhaul. 

P.S. I have not applied for Armenian citizenship. I have no intention to become a citizen of Armenia although it is my birthright. Attached is my record for my birthright Armenian citizenship thanks to George Aghjayan unearthing my baptismal registration in Lebanon, I presented to the Eastern Prelacy. I have now my official baptismal and birthright Armenia record signed by his Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian. It reads: “We hereby attest that Vahe Apelian, son of Hovhannes Apelian and Zvart Chelebian, was born on July 1, 1946 in Beirut Lebanon and is Armenian by birthright.

Vahe Apelian was baptized according to the rites of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church by Der Housing Kahana Ayanian, having Hratch Tourigian as his baptismal godfather.”

Opting to become a citizen of Armenia is serious commitment and the Armenian authorities need to scrutinize and assure of the intent of the applicant who claims birthright for Armenian citizenship.