NEW MILFORD, N.J.—A Benefit Night to raise funds to restore the St. Giragos Armenian Church in Dikranagerd will take place on Saturday evening, May 14, at Hovnanian Banquet Hall in New Milford.
The evening will feature lively Armenian music by Onnik Dinkjian and his band, dinner, and information about the much-needed renovations to the St. Giragos Armenian Church. In attendance will be Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern); Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan legate; Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople; and Garen Nazarian, Armenia’s ambassador to the UN.
The Benefit Night will serve as an opportunity for the St. Giragos Church Restoration Committee (Eastern USA) to familiarize guests with the pressing reasons to save this symbolic church. Originally constructed in the 15th century, the church was rebuilt and enlarged in 1880 after a fire, which made it the largest Armenian basilica in Anatolia to this day. The first bell tower of the church was built in 1884 (cast by the world famous Zildjian Company), making it the tallest structure in Dikranagerd. Renowned for having seven altars signifying eternity in the Armenian alphabet, the church can accommodate more than 2,500 faithful during services.
Recognizing a need to renovate this historical cathedral, which is the property of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey, a group of concerned Dikranagertsis in Istanbul came together to begin efforts to do so. Restoring the St. Giragos Armenian Church in Dikranagerd will ensure the existence of this significant church for future generations of Armenians.
The Benefit Night will kickoff fundraising efforts on the East Coast on Sat., May 14 at 8 p.m., Hovnanian Banquet Hall, 817 River Rd., New Milford. Donation is $75, limited space. For reservations, call: Hirant Gulian at (201) 313-1762, Zakar Dikme at (646) 387-6512, Hagop Uzatmajian at (201) 261-5771, Charles Pinajian at (201) 891-5420, Hagop Gulian at (201) 599-5996, or Diran Kilerjian at (845) 359-2152.
Waste of $.Why fix churches in Turkey when the anti-Christian Turks will destroy it?
This is the beginning of claiming many other “things” that belonged to Armenians.
Like I just wrote on another thread here re Genocide perpetrated to armenians by ottoman,Ataturk ,young turks great Turkey, they will by and by try everything possible..now this one is top of the line of their cunning mindset(Tigranakert) Diarbakir(kurdish future Capital)they know that.i.e. the cunning turklish diplomacy..
this one is through our PAREMIDS again to even have them renew the church there..no penny from Turkish Govt.(they did that in akhtamar,with very little touristic income…thence better to have the Paremid(not to say Barzamid Armenians) themselves renew it raise $$$in USA, bring them over.Anyhow we(turks) know that eventually that city Diarbakir will be klurdish ,why should we spend money for a place that is swarming with kurds(later some Armenians too) .
My friends, if we have paremids(not to say Barzamids) amongst us then it is Hellal that turkish diplomacy make use of them as …you know what?Barzamid Ermenis…
Of course it will be a good act to renew that church amongst hundreds more ..BUT ON WHOSE TERRITORY UNDER WHAT GOVT.?dAVOUT OGLUSU?,WHO STILL CONSIDER YOU(eRMENIS9 PAREMIDS/BARZAMIDS…
oH IT MAKES ME SICK TO BE CONFIRMED THAT WE STILL HAVE SUCH NAIVE aRMENIANS AMONGST US WHO WILL BE TAKEN IN SO EASILY AND HASTILY..WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE RESULTS…
THAT OF OUR <Q U E S T FOR REAL COMPENSATION-LIKE JEWS GOT FROM GERMANY,for blood moiney and then return of our families/ancestors real estates,arable lands proiperties riches confiscated by their previous Govt(s)…
What a pity we still do not have a ……………………………
SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE DIASPORA….
ESH NAHADAG HAY ZHOGHOVOURT..IS THE TITLE OF A BOOK BY A ISTANBULLA ARMENIAN INTELLECTUAL-NOW IN SOUTH OF FRANCE,IF NOT YET PASSED AWAY…THAT ESCAPED TEH TURKLISH WRATH AND SESTTLED THERE SUNNY S.OF FRANCE
I don’t understand this. Can someone explain to me how raising/donating money to Turkish/Kurdish occupied city is of any benefit to us? It seems to me like it’s a complete waste of money; we’re essentially funding Turkey. Is this church under Armenian control for us to be funding its restoration?
I hope I’m missing something. Feel free to enlighten me.
I understand that it’s the property of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey, but is the situation really that simple?
I’m just trying to get a better understanding of the situation..