$200,000 Raised at AMAA Centennial Celebrations in Australia

SYDNEY, Australia—To celebrate its 100 years of outstanding service to Armenian communities around the world, the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) and its partners have been organizing worldwide centenary celebrations throughout 2017-18.

A scene from the AMAA Centenary Worship Service (Photo: AMAA)

The AMAA was established in 1918 in Worcester, Mass. as a response to the suffering and the devastation of the Armenian Nation.”We founded the Armenian Missionary Association of America with a deep conviction that our martyred Armenian nation will survive and will continue to exist as a nation… Therefore, it is indispensable that we contribute to the revitalization of our Armenian heritage and spiritual life.” (Rev. Mihran T. Kalaidjian, first Executive Director of AMAA, 1918).

Following the first centenary event, which was held in New Jersey on Oct. 21, 2017, the second event was held Down Under on March 15-18, in Sydney, Australia, organized by the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia (AMA-Australia) under the leadership of its President/CEO Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian.

To partake in AMAA’s Centennial fundraising effort, AMA-Australia elected to renovate AMAA’s four kindergartens in Artsakh: the Hagop and Lydia Baghdikian Kindergarten in Stepanakert, the Hagop Garebed Bilezikian Kindergarten in Shushi, the Rev. Dr. Movses Janbazian Kindergarten in Martakert, and the Askeran Kindergarten.

The events in Australia were held under the auspices of His Excellency Arayik Harutunyan, State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, who was specially invited by AMA-Australia to participate in the celebrations representing the Republic of Artsakh and its President Bako Sahakyan. Many overseas guests from Armenia, France, Lebanon, Syria, and the United States were also present including Dr. Nazareth Darakjian, President of the AMAA, and Zaven Khanjian, Executive Director/CEO of the AMAA.

Artsakh State Minister Araik Harutunyan addresses the guests at the Centenary Banquet (Photo: AMAA)

The centennial celebrations in Sydney commenced on March 15, with a special screening of Director Jivan Avetisyan’s film ‘The Last Inhabitant,” the story of the 1988 expulsion of an Armenian village Gyurjevan in Soviet Azerbaijan. The screening, held in Hoyts Movie Theater, was open to the public.

The following night, on March 16, a cultural event celebrating the AMAA Centenary was held at the prestigious Concourse Theater and showcased performances by various Armenian and non-Armenian artists. Many distinguished guests were present at both events, including representatives of Federal and State officials; representatives of the Uniting Church of Australia; and His Grace Bishop Haigazoun Najarian, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia and New Zealand. Artsakh State Minister Harutunyan expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the invitation and for all the efforts by AMAA in support of our beloved Artsakh. The cultural event concluded by a benediction offered by Primate Bishop Najarian.

The AMAA Centennial Worship Service was held on March 18 at the Armenian Evangelical Uniting Church of Sydney led by the pastor of the Church Rev. Hagop Sarkissian. The Sanctuary and the adjacent Hall where the service was fed on a large screen were filled to capacity. Among the worshippers were His Excellency Minister Harutunyan; Mr. Kaylar Michaelian, Permanent Representative of Artsakh in Australia; NSW Premier Honorable Gladys Berejiklian; Her Worship Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney of the City of Willoughby; Rob Floyed representing the President of the Uniting Church in Australia Stuart McMillan, and many distinguished guests.

(R to L) Dr. Nazareth Darakjian, President of AMAA Board with NSW Premier Honorable Gladys
Berejiklian (Photo: AMAA)

A special plaque was presented to Premier Berejiklian who greeted the audience and expressed her thanks for this special award. She congratulated the AMAA for its 100 years of faithful service and wished the Association many more years of outstanding service. Zaven Khanjian, AMAA Executive Director/CEO addressed the congregation and brought the greetings of the worldwide AMAA family. Rev. Dr. René Léonian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches of Eurasia, delivered the message and spoke about the mission of the AMAA in particular and the mission of the Armenian Evangelical churches worldwide in general. All the guest ministers from overseas participated in the Worship Service with prayers and reading of the Scriptures.

A scene from the visit with His Grace Bishop Haigazoun Najarian Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
Australia and New Zealand (Photo: AMAA)

The highlight of the Centennial events was the Banquet held at the Miramare Gardens in Sydney. Among the 280 guests, there were many distinguished guests, including representatives of the Uniting Church of Australia, His Grace Bishop Haigazoun Najarian, and Father Parsegh (Basil) Sousanian of the Armenian Catholic Parish Community of Our Lady of the Assumption. AMAA President Dr. Darakjian in his remarks recounted a brief history of the AMAA and highlighted some of the giants of the Association such as Rev. Dr. Giragos Chopourian and Rev. Dr. Movses Janbazian. “It is our duty to be faithful to this legacy and pass it on to future generations,” said Dr. Darakjian. AMAA Executive Director/CEO Zaven Khanjian delivered the keynote speech, concluding, “Looking forward, the AMAA is on track with an ongoing journey of goodness. God has called the AMAA to face our nation’s spiritual and humanitarian challenges and assume a leadership role. We are called to continue to sow hope, win a smile, realize a dream, feed the hungry and save a soul.” Khanjian thanked all those involved in this memorable and historic celebration.

A scene from the AMAA Centenary Banquet (Photo: AMAA)

During the Banquet a special tribute was paid to the late Rev. Dr. Movses Janbazian, former Executive Director of the AMAA, for his faithful service and his vision to establish AMA-Australia as a branch of the AMAA 18 years ago. A Pontifical Encyclical (Kontak) by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the See of Cilicia was read by Rev. Dr. Youmshajekian and presented to Rev. Janbazian’s wife Louisa Janbazian. Vahak Janbazian, on behalf of the Janbazian family, thanked for this special tribute bestowed upon his father. Hagop Janbazian, Rev. Janbazian’s brother, who could not be present at this special event, eloquently expressed his gratitude for this special tribute via a video presentation.

A Pontifical Encyclical (Kontak) by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the See of Cilicia was read by Rev. Dr. Youmshajekian and presented to Rev. Janbazian’s wife Louisa Janbazian (Scan: AMAA)

Rev. Dr. Youmshajekian, on behalf of AMA-Australia, presented special plaques to the sponsors, donors and guests and to Minister Harutunyan, who graciously travelled to Australia to be part of these special centenary celebrations.

Dr. Nazareth Darakjian, President of AMAA Board (L) and Zaven Khanjian Executive
Director/CEO of AMAA Present a special appreciation gift to Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian,
President/CEO of AMA-Australia (Photo: AMAA)

In his concluding remarks, Minister Harutunyan once again thanked AMA-Australia for this special invitation to represent the Artsakh Republic. Mr. Harutunyan spoke about the current situation in Artsakh. “I praise the AMAA’s mission in Artsakh” he said, “and particularly the work it does for the welfare of the children who are our future generations.”

Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian (L) hands a commemorative plaque to Artsakh Prime Minister Araik Hartunyan (Photo: AMAA)

The Banquet concluded with the singing of the Hayr Mer (The Lord’s Prayer) and a Benediction delivered by Rev. Berdj Djambazian, President of the Armenian Evangelical World Council.

The cutting of the AMAA Centenary cake (Photo: AMAA)

During the course of the week, the overseas guests paid official visits to Primate Najarian of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Father Sousanian of the Armenian Catholic Parish as well as to the Hamazkaine Galstaun College and AGBU Alexander Primary School.