The Educational Council of ARF "Garmir Ler" Committee's organized commemoration event of the Armenian Genocide took place on Friday, 24th of April at 5:00pm in "Hedwig" hall. Among the guests were "Garmir Ler" Committee members, the three pastors, representatives of associations in Anjar and large number of compatriots.

                                       
After the Lebanese and the Armenian anthems, Mr. Hagop Aintablian made the opening words on behalf of the "Garmir Ler" Committee, then invited Mr. Kevork Bebejian to perform a bunch of Armenian national and patriotic songs.

                
After presenting the main aspects of the Armenian genocide, Dr. Ara Ananyan, the speaker of the day, spoke about the main developments of the Armenian cause during the last decade especially about the entrance of Turkey in the European Union. The event ended by a prayer made by Rev. Father Shod Karakashian.

On Thursday evening, April 23, the AYF "Shavarsh Misakian" Chapter gave our community another opportunity to hear more accounts and remember the 1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, by organizing a vigil that took place in the "Hedwig" Hall beginning from 8.30 pm.

            
The vigil which was attended by Lebanese MP member and  ARF candidate of the Armenian Orthodox seat oz Zahle, Mr. George Kasarji, ARF "Garmir Ler" Committee representative, the three pastors and hundreds of our compatriots began after the Lebanese and the Armenian anthems.

Ms. Nare Havatian made the opening words on behalf of the LEM "Shavarsh Misakian" chapter, the choir of the Arm. Evan school presented a bunch of Armenian national songs, then the speaker of the day, Dr. Nora Arisian was invited to convey her message.

After mentioning the great effort of the Armenian organizations for making the Armenian cause recognized by different countries around the world, she spoke about the valuable hidden archives of the Syrian press that she revealed during her research. At the end of her message Dr. Arisian said: "We need to raise awareness and make it known that we shouldn't forget."
The program continued by a poem gracefully recited by a student from the Arm. Evan. School after which the choir of the KGSS presented a bouquet of armenian patriotic songs. "Godorazn Ankout" elegantly was sang by a student from the Arm. Catholic Church.

       
At the end, a documentary film was screened about the Armenian genocide. The event was followed by a candlelight march towards the "St. Paul" church where a prayer was made by the three pastors in front of the Mousadagh Martyrs' monument and flowers were placed in front of the model of Dzizernagapert.

Commemorating The 100th Anniversary Of Giligia Massacres

The second commemorative event took place on Saturday 18th of April, by the organization of the ARF "Garmir Ler" Committee's Educational council in the "Mousa Ler" hall at 8:00 pm.
The conductor of the conversation, Mr. Hagop Aintablian, after speaking about the declaration of 1908th dissolution of the Ottoman empire, the incidents that happened the following years and the well planned massacres of Giligia introduced the lecturers.

The first speaker, Rev. Vatche Ekmekdjian, the leading reverent of Aleppo's Evangelical church widely spoke about the political situations back then and emerged particulate facts to present the real face of the Young Turks.

                       
Then Mr. Hagop Cholakian, a lecturer in the Armenian department of the "Caren Yeppe" college of Aleppo talked about the great loss of Kesab, another Armenian region which was also exposed to the brutality of the Ottoman Empire and also paid a high wage.

                                     
The massacres of Mousadagh were spoken by Mr. Yessayi Havatian. He said: "Although the loss of Mousadaghians were less that any other Armenian district, but we also had 100 martyrs."
Mr. Havatian briefly spoke about how Mousadaghians felt the danger and began to defend themselves.
At the end, the audience were given the chance to express their points of views and ask questions to the lecturers.

Engagement

Congratulations to our compatriot Dr. Noubar Kevorkian who got engaged to Ms. Sarine Arslanian from Beirut on Saturday, 17th of April.

"Our Martyred Writers Convey..."

Armenian genocide 94th anniversary commemorative events planned by our chapters and committees began on Thursday, 16th of April in the "Mousa Ler" hall by the organization of the Hamazkayin "B.Sevag' Chapter, having as a lecturer Mrs. Salpie Kurkjian -Tashjian.

                            
After making the opening words on behalf of the chapter, Mr. Hagop Aintablian said that the April 2009 can be the corner stone of the Armenian cause regarding the latest statements made by the US president.
With a special literary way, Mrs. Tashjian revived the spirit of our 20th century writers, and presented the humble Armenian life and culture.

The Annual Feast Of Our Elder Compatriots

On Wednesday 15th of April, the annual feast for the old compatriots of our village took place in the restaurant "Arev" by the presence of 175 elder compatriots.

After the welcoming words, the representative of the chapter invited the conductor of the feast Mrs. Santoukht Hergelian, who made our aged feel in a festive mood.

The students of the KGSS also participated in the feast by performing two Armenian dances and Mrs. Maral Shannakian-Atamian who elegantly sang two songs.

A Memorial Service For The Soul Of Zaven Tashjian

The Memorial service for the soul of our national martyr Zaven Tashjian, took place after the Holy Mass on Monday 13th of April in the National cemetery of Anjar, in the presence of the family members, relatives, representatives of associations and organizations in the village and large number of compatriots.

                             
After the Memorial services the compatriots gathered around his tomb where a bouquet of flower was replaced and a prayer was made for his soul. The condolences were then received by his family members and the “Garmir Ler” Committee members, in the "S.Zeitlian" center.

Easter Sunday!!!

On Sunday 12 of April, the three churches of Anjar were full of hundreds of believers who had come to celebrate the resurrection of our saviors, Jesus Christ.

In the "St. Paul" church the Mass was followed by a reception in “K. Guilbenkian” hall organized by the Vestry and Women Association of the church.

Holy Week Of Easter In Anjar

All the ceremonies of the Holly week of Easter took place in Anjar starting from Thursday afternoon, where the ceremony of “Vodenleva” took place in our churches, which was followed by the “Latsi Kisher” at night. 

   
And on Friday the ceremonies of the funeral of Jesus Christ took place with the moving Procession (Tapor) in the streets. Many of our compatriots attended these Holy ceremonies trying to revive their Christian faith and be the one with Christ on that day of His suffering. 

Prelate Kegham Katcherian Visited "K. Guilbenkian" Sec. School

On Wednesday April 8, 2009 Prelate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian visited K.G.S.S.

He was greeted by the principal Mr. Armen Tashjian, the trustee board, the pastor, the vestry, the students and the parents in front of the "St. Paul" church.

After the welcoming ceremonies, the crowd headed towards the "K.Guilbenkian" hall where a special event was prepared by the students of the school.

After the Lebanese and the Armenian anthems, the director of the school Mr. Armen Tashjian expressed his happiness for this special visit and told that through this event the prelate will be able to witness the talents of our students and bless their educational pathway.

           
By enchanting voices the choir of the school performed a bunch of beautiful Armenian songs. The two dancing groups of the school fascinated the compatriots by Armenian dances, while others gracefully recited poems and played musical pieces on piano and guitar.

The prelate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian concluded the ceremony by conveying the message of the day.  After expressing his deepest gratitude for such a great event, he told the new generation to keep up their heroic values and stressed that the Armenian national school resembles a vivifying spring from which all our national fields are irrigated.   

Parliamentary Elections...

On Tuesday 7th of April, at around 9:00pm, "Garmir Ler" Committee members welcomed the previous parliament member Mr. Fouad El Turk to discuss various issues concerning the parliamentary elections which are going to take place at the beginning of June.

Children's Day By LOKH "Aghtamar" Chapter

On Sunday 5th of March, LOKH "Aghtamar" Chapter organized children's day in the "K. Guilbenkian Hall. 

The Children's Day provided our children a special opportunity to spend wonderful time with the Easter Bunny and the clown, which created a positive and lovely moments in their memories by dancing, singing and participating in various fun activities.

   
Once again LOKH "Aghtamar" chapter came to prove that their role is not to provide medical care only but to their best in creating unforgettable childhood to our children.

Palm Sunday

The sunny spring weather made up the yard of "St. Paul" Church full of hundreds of compatriots who had come to celebrate the entry of the Lord to Jerusalem, the Palm Sunday, which was celebrated this year on 5th of April.

 
Children dressed up with their new clothes and beautifully decorated candles on their hands gathered all around the church.

The Mass began at 9:00 am followed by the procession (Tapor) at 11:00. Rev. Father Ashod Karakashian & Rev. Father Arsen Keshishian with the choir, led the long row of children and parents moving slowly around the church, with candles and olive branches praying for hope and peace to come soon to earth.

                             
In the afternoon, the ceremony of "terenpasek" took place to be followed by a series of other ceremonies this week, getting ready for the Easter next Sunday. Palm Sunday was also celebrated in the Evangelical and Catholic churches, which were also full of compatriots belonging to these denominations.