Vahe H Apelian
This is the second installment of my “My memorable July dates” blog. The dates I have in mind are July 1, 1846, July 2, 1972, July 4, 1776, and July 9, 1976.
Today, July 1, 2024, the Armenian Evangelical community celebrates the 178th anniversary of its founding. It was founded on July 1, 1846. Missionary Rev. William Goodell was sent on behalf of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission. The largest and most effective missionary organization arguably in the history the U.S. He played a decisive role in the founding of the Armenian Evangelical community.
I have attached quotes from his memoirs as to what his mission was and what he witnessed as the first account of the founding of the Armenian Evangelical community.
Rev. William Goodell’s Mission:
“When Mr. Goodell went to Constantinople, his mission was in the Armenians, who were descendants of the ancient inhabitants of Armenia. The nation embraced Christianity about the commencement of the fourth century; but, like all the Oriental churches, the Armenian had become exceedingly corrupt. It was almost wholly given up to superstitions and to idolatrous worship of saints, including Virgin Mary, pictures etc. The Armenians hold to ……..and worship, the host: and worship the host: and, indeed, hve adopted most of the errors of popery. Nearly half the days of the year are feast -days. Their feast-days are regarded more sacred than the Lord’s Day……” (p. 127)
The Frist Armenian Evangelical Church.
“The evangelical Armenians had, for a long time, met together for mutual counsel and comfort, but they had not separate ecclesiastical organization. Driven therefore, to the last extremity by persecution, they resolved to unite as a branch of the new catholic church of Christ; and with the advice of the missionaries, who prepared for them a platform or conditions, on the 1st July,1846, they entered in solemn covenant as the First Evangelical Church of Constantinople. Of this event Mr. Goodell wrote: -
“This done! On the 1st inst.-an evangelical church was organized upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone. It was a most interesting occasion. The meeting continued four hours and a half, and was one of great solemnity. Forty persons of whom three were women, voluntarily entered into covenant with God and with each other; and we, in the name of all the evangelical churches in Christendom, rose and formally recognized and acknowledged them as a true church of Christ. Then they chose by ballot a pastor and two deacons, together with three others, who are to hold office for the term of one year, and who with the pastor and deacons, form a standing committee or church session, for the examination of candidates, the bringing forward of cases of discipline, etc. To this church some thirty of forty more will probably be added by profession just as soon as time shall be found to examine and propound them.
I did not expect to live to see this day, but I have seen it and glad. ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it’. When I removed to Constantinople fifteen years ago, I felt assured either that the day would come, or the Armenian Church as a body would be reformed; and I never had any anxiety as to the result. I always felt that we were engaged in a great and good work, so great and so good that I would without any impatience have labored on in the same was fifteen years longer, had it so please the great Head of the church.” (p. 317)
The First Ordination
“The pastor-elect of the new church, Mr. Apisosoghom Khachadurian, an Armenian, was ordained on July 7, 1846, all the American missionaries and the Rev. Mr. Allan of the Free Church of Scotland, taking part in the services. Of this occasion Mr. Goodell wrote: -
‘Although the ordination was kept secret on account of our strained accommodations, yet as many as one hundred and eighty or two hundred must have been present, filling every seat and every passage, and standing around the doors. Perfect stillness reigned during the whole, and the attention was profound and solemn. The hearts of the brethren seemed stirred up from their innermost depths. One said the whole place seemed full of angels of light; another, that his very flesh trembled for fear of the Lord and for the glory of His majesty, so sensible did he feel the divine presence.’
The evangelical Armenians who united in their organization adopted a paper containing the reasons which induced them to take this step. It was signed by the pastor, deacons, and committee of the church, and was address, “To the much respected and honored members of the American Board” and is as follows: - (p. 318).
The First Marriage
“The first marriage, according to the simple rites of the Protestant Armenian Church, was celebrated on the 4th of November 1947. Hitherto all marriage ceremonies had been performed by the clergy of the old church; but now that the Protestants had a separate organization, they had no occasion to go back to the old ecclesiastics, nor could they obtain from them any official services. They were excommunicate. The bride, in the marriage alluded to, was a pupil of the Female Seminary of whom Mr. Goodell gives the following sketch: - ” ( p. 327)
Missionary Rev. William Goodell’s farewell address:
“When we first came among you, you were not a distinct people, nor did we expected you ever would be; for we had not sectarian object in view, it being no part of our plan to meddle with ecclesiastical affairs. Our sole desire was to preach Christ and Him crucified. Our object was precisely the same as that of the missionaries to that ancient church in Persia. The labors of those missionaries have produced no separation in that church; but they have been permitted to labor side by side with the bishops and priests, to preach in their houses of worship, to assist in supporting and superintending their schools, and to do much in every way to enlighten and elevate the whole community.” (p.441)
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As to July 4, 1776, America declared its independence. The phrase is mostly known. But what is revolutionary is the concept of the unalienable right to pursue happiness. That surely was and still is revolutionary. (Link:
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As to July 2, 1972 and July 9, 1976, they are personal. If interested I invite you to read the attached blog linked below. Not on July 2, 1972 but on July 9, 1976 I made my was most westerly journey. Read link:
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