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BENEFIT EVENING RAISES FUNDS FOR DIKRANAGERD'S ST. GIRAGOS CHURCH
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/06/04/benefit/
By Contributor on June 4, 2014
NEW MILFORD, N.J.--A fundraiser earmarked for the continued restoration
of the St. Giragos Church in Dikranagerd (Diyarbakir) took place on
Sat., May 17 at Hovnanian School's Banquet Hall in New Milford.
(L-R) Dr. and Mrs. Raffy and Vicki Hovanessian, Hirant Gulian, Mrs.
Reyhan Baydemir, Mayor Osman Baydemir, and Dr. Ohan Karatoprak at
the St. Giragos Benefit Evening held in New Milford on May 17.
The occasion provided the opportunity to honor two individuals who
have been critical in the renovation of the church: Vartkes Ergun
Ayik, chairman of the St. Giragos Church of Dikranagerd, who received
the Lifetime Achievement Award; and the Honorable Osman Baydemir,
metropolitan mayor of Dikranagerd, who was given the Friends of the
Armenians Award.
In his welcoming remarks, Hirant Gulian, who has spearheaded
fundraising efforts in the diaspora, recognized Baydemir and Ayik and
their families who traveled from Dikranagerd to attend the benefit. He
presented both with their respective awards and expressed gratitude
for their commitment to the St. Giragos Restoration Project.
On accepting his award, Baydemir said that the pain of the past is
still being felt by the generations that have followed. "Despite all
the suffering we have to move ahead and make things right," he added.
"Armenian brothers should feel ownership of this church because
Armenians are a part of Dikranagerd."
Noting that St. Giragos is the biggest Armenian church in the Middle
East, Ayik stressed how Istanbul and Diasporan Armenians worked
together to collect money for the renovation, and how they received
the moral support of Mayor Beyman since the project's inception.
"This project is an important sign of apology," said Ayik, who
explained that St. Giragos is the most visited church in Turkey and
now holds social activities such as classical music concerts for
the public.
Ayik's daughter Pelin presented a historical slideshow of the city
of Dikranagerd and the St. Giragos Church, which is experiencing
increased numbers of Armenians in attendance during church service.
She stressed that the Turkish government did not contribute to the
project; if the had, she said, it would have turned into a museum
instead of an active church.
Professor Vartan Abdo, the director of the Armenian Radio Hour of New
Jersey, served as master of ceremonies. A special performance was made
by the Akh'Tamar Dance Ensemble of Hye Doon. Musical entertainment
was provided by oud players Udi Yervant from Dikranagerd and Mike
Uzatmajian, as well as by Vicken Makoushian and DJ Berj.
St. Giragos was originally constructed in the 15th century and was
rebuilt in the 19th century after a fire damaged the sanctuary. The
church has seven bell towers, the first of which was built in 1884 (and
was cast by the world famous Zildjian Company), making it the tallest
structure in Dikranagerd. The church is known for its seven altars,
signifying "eternity" in the Armenian alphabet. It can accommodate
more than 2,500 faithful during services.
The restoration project of St. Giragos, which remains in possession of
the Armenian community under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of
Istanbul, began six years ago under the leadership of Ayik. Through
fundraising efforts by the church and worldwide Dikranagerdtsis,
two and a half million dollars has been raised thus far.
Tax-deductible donations for the St. Giragos Church Restoration Project
may be made to the Diocese of the Armenian Church, 630 Second Avenue,
New York, NY 10016 (with the memo: Dikranagerd Fund).
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/06/04/benefit/
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/06/04/benefit/
By Contributor on June 4, 2014
NEW MILFORD, N.J.--A fundraiser earmarked for the continued restoration
of the St. Giragos Church in Dikranagerd (Diyarbakir) took place on
Sat., May 17 at Hovnanian School's Banquet Hall in New Milford.
(L-R) Dr. and Mrs. Raffy and Vicki Hovanessian, Hirant Gulian, Mrs.
Reyhan Baydemir, Mayor Osman Baydemir, and Dr. Ohan Karatoprak at
the St. Giragos Benefit Evening held in New Milford on May 17.
The occasion provided the opportunity to honor two individuals who
have been critical in the renovation of the church: Vartkes Ergun
Ayik, chairman of the St. Giragos Church of Dikranagerd, who received
the Lifetime Achievement Award; and the Honorable Osman Baydemir,
metropolitan mayor of Dikranagerd, who was given the Friends of the
Armenians Award.
In his welcoming remarks, Hirant Gulian, who has spearheaded
fundraising efforts in the diaspora, recognized Baydemir and Ayik and
their families who traveled from Dikranagerd to attend the benefit. He
presented both with their respective awards and expressed gratitude
for their commitment to the St. Giragos Restoration Project.
On accepting his award, Baydemir said that the pain of the past is
still being felt by the generations that have followed. "Despite all
the suffering we have to move ahead and make things right," he added.
"Armenian brothers should feel ownership of this church because
Armenians are a part of Dikranagerd."
Noting that St. Giragos is the biggest Armenian church in the Middle
East, Ayik stressed how Istanbul and Diasporan Armenians worked
together to collect money for the renovation, and how they received
the moral support of Mayor Beyman since the project's inception.
"This project is an important sign of apology," said Ayik, who
explained that St. Giragos is the most visited church in Turkey and
now holds social activities such as classical music concerts for
the public.
Ayik's daughter Pelin presented a historical slideshow of the city
of Dikranagerd and the St. Giragos Church, which is experiencing
increased numbers of Armenians in attendance during church service.
She stressed that the Turkish government did not contribute to the
project; if the had, she said, it would have turned into a museum
instead of an active church.
Professor Vartan Abdo, the director of the Armenian Radio Hour of New
Jersey, served as master of ceremonies. A special performance was made
by the Akh'Tamar Dance Ensemble of Hye Doon. Musical entertainment
was provided by oud players Udi Yervant from Dikranagerd and Mike
Uzatmajian, as well as by Vicken Makoushian and DJ Berj.
St. Giragos was originally constructed in the 15th century and was
rebuilt in the 19th century after a fire damaged the sanctuary. The
church has seven bell towers, the first of which was built in 1884 (and
was cast by the world famous Zildjian Company), making it the tallest
structure in Dikranagerd. The church is known for its seven altars,
signifying "eternity" in the Armenian alphabet. It can accommodate
more than 2,500 faithful during services.
The restoration project of St. Giragos, which remains in possession of
the Armenian community under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of
Istanbul, began six years ago under the leadership of Ayik. Through
fundraising efforts by the church and worldwide Dikranagerdtsis,
two and a half million dollars has been raised thus far.
Tax-deductible donations for the St. Giragos Church Restoration Project
may be made to the Diocese of the Armenian Church, 630 Second Avenue,
New York, NY 10016 (with the memo: Dikranagerd Fund).
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/06/04/benefit/