By Dr. Robert Kachadourian
Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian, the executive director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council, a veteran minister, university lecturer, and prolific writer, recently published his 37th book entitled, The Armenian Evangelical World Council. It consists of 33 chapters and 397 pages, with each chapter documented by references.
Published at the beginning of this Centennial year of the Armenian Genocide, the bilingual volume is appropriately dedicated to the blessed memory of the one and a half million Armenians who became victims of the first genocide of the 20th century, perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey.
The text focuses on the history and accomplishments of the Armenian Evangelical World Council (AEWC) since its inception in 1978. Rev. Tootikian provides important background on the establishment of organizations that preceded the AEWC.
He relates the story of the survivors of the genocide who organized new communities in Syria and Lebanon; these became the most important bases for the Armenian Evangelicals who survived those dark days.
After the decimation and the destruction that occurred during the genocide, the Armenian Evangelicals had to regroup. Though it took some time, the forerunner of the AEWC came to be in the early 1950’s, as the Inter-Union Council of the Armenian Evangelical Churches was formed. It was initiated by the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE).
The first UAECNE conference was in Beirut, Lebanon in 1952, followed by one in Marseille, France in 1955, and one in Paris, France in 1965. These three meetings were where the concept of the AEWC was formulated. Rev. Tootikian’s examination of the three conferences of the Inter-Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches is vital, as it exemplifies the desire to have unity among like-minded bodies.
Going through the text provides one the opportunity to follow through with the history of the AEWC. Highlights include the creation of the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh, the 150th anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Church, and the 1700th Anniversary of Christianity in Armenia. The book also examines important issues such as problems in the aftermath of the Armenian earthquake in 1988, the Armenian massacres of the late 1980’s in Sumgait, the accords between Armenia and Turkey, and the mass emigration of Armenians from their homeland.
In his book, Dr. Tootikian ties it all together: where Armenian Evangelicals have been, where they are, and where they are heading. These issues are discussed cogently, and can be considered a service to all Armenian Evangelicals.
If we do not know where we are from and where we are, we can certainly have no concept of where we are heading. The Armenian Evangelical World Council is a roadmap that can begin a much-needed dialogue among us.
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Sadly look at the horrific state Syria is in genocide all over again Lebnon is too close for comfort at this point I hope records manuscripts important historical documents as well as artifacts and pictures have been sent for safe keeping far away from the distruction that is now taking place