paul chaderjian

by Paul Chaderjian Chennai, India - The bells of the Armenian Church in India's fourth-largest city rang once again on Sunday, November 9, after decades of silence. Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, came to Chennai from Holy Etchmiadzin to reconsecrate the newly renovated Soorp Asdvadzadzin or St. Mary Mother of God Church. Chennai - formerly known as Madras - is approximately 850 miles from Kolkata and on the southeastern coast of India and the Bay of Bengal. This city, created by the British in the 18th century, was once home to a vibrant Armenian community. Part of the legacy of the Armenian merchants who once thrived in India is a set of foundations that support Armenian community and church activities in the country. It's not known whether any Armenians live in Chennai now. Erma Aghajanyan and Parthic Rathanam, a husband and wife now living in Lake Victoria, Tanzania, attended the reconsecration service Sunday. They said that they were planning to buy an apa...

The sermon of Karekin II at St. Mary’s Published: Wednesday November 12, 2008 Chennai, India - We heard earlier today in the gospel that a house that's built on sand does not stand the test of time, but a house built on a strong foundation withstands all trials and storms. For 300 years, this house of the Lord has stood steadfast and unshaken. It is built on the rock and faith of our fathers. It is that same faith today that has restored this church. We commend the Armenian Community Council of India and Rev. Fr. Oshagan Vartabed Gulgulian for their devoted and vigilant work, which has restored and ornamented this church and made it vibrant once again. We hope that this newly reconsecrated church once again will fulfill its mission in Madras, to the residents of the Armenian community in India, as well as Armenian visitors who come to India. We hope to soon assign a permanent priest to Madras following the completion of construction work, so that the doors will ...

by Paul Chaderjian The Armenian Reporter Agra - A diverse group of Armenians have gathered for a group picture in front of one of the most beautiful structures in the world - the Taj Mahal. They are trekking through some of the most remote areas of what were part of some of the greatest empires and kingdoms of days past. Among the travelers is Armen Aroyan, 65, an electronic engineer from Southern California, who has led more than 60 tours to Historic Armenia since 1991. "I've always heard about the past glory of the Indian-Armenian community," he says. "I have heard that the first Armenian periodical came out in Madras by someone named Shmavonyan. It was called Aztarar and was published about 200 years ago." Mr. Aroyan says that he is fascinating with the idea that the local Armenian community was so strong and with an advanced Armenian culture that the community could produce a periodical. "I was always fascinated by the churches they had her...

Celebration marks 300th anniversary of St. Nazareth Armenian Church   By Paul Chaderjian Armenian Reporter  Published: Friday November 07, 2008 RAJDANI EXPRESS TRAIN FROM NEW DELHI TO KOLKATA, India, Nov. 7  - After jetting across the Pacific and Atlantic, boarding planes in Australia and Austria, enduring layovers in Hong Kong and Dubai, hundreds of Armenians from all over the world are gathering this week in Kolkata, the historic former seat of the Mogul and British rulers of these regions and home and focal point of the once-thriving Armenian communities in Northeast India. On this Thursday into a Friday morning, one group participating in this multinational pilgrimage is on a 16-hour, cramped train ride into Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta. The group's mission it to join others from around the world in celebrating the 300th anniversary of the founding of the St. Nazareth Armenian Church of Kolkata. Joining the pilgrims to Kolkata will be Karekin II...

Volunteer doctors, nurses performing cleft lip, cleft palate surgeries by Paul Chaderjian Published: Saturday October 11, 2008 Yerevan - They came to Armenia from Minnesota and the Midwest - the American Heartland - on a medical mission. They came to heal those born with one of the most common birth defects around the world - cleft palates and cleft lips. "Overnight we change people's lives," said volunteer Heidi Shafland, a pediatrics ICU nurse from Children's Hospital in Minnesota. "Many children with cleft lips or cleft palates don't go to school. They don't leave their house. They don't have jobs. They don't marry, and we can change someone's future overnight." After more than a dozen hours of travel and little rest overnight, Ms. Shafland and 18 other volunteers from the United States - surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, coordinators, and medical record specialists - reported for duty at a local medical center l...

World’s top cleft surgeon heals Seda’s broken smile by Paul Chaderjian Lusnaghbyur, Armenia - For the Galstyan-Davtyan family in this remote village near Gyumri, life has been more difficult than the usual post-earthquake struggle for survival. Sixteen months ago, the family's new bride, Pepron Yeghoyan, gave birth to a baby girl; the newborn, Seda Davtyan, had a cleft palate and cleft lip. The Galstyan-Davtyan family's journey from the maternity ward to Dr. Les Mohler's operating room at the Arabkir Medical Center in Yerevan this week has been a test of their faith, a daily struggle to keep Seda alive, keep her nourished, keep her from choking on milk, and protect her from the public. Often, on their way to doctors or to pick up government-allocated baby formula, ignorant folk would react with such insensitivity that family members would be left in tears. "When Seda was born, I couldn't even hold the child after birth. I had not heard of ...

Cafesjian Family Foundation takes the lead in organizing Smile Network mission to Armenia by Paul Chaderjian Published: Tuesday October 07, 2008 Yerevan - Every morning, four-year-old Gayane cries and begs not to be taken to school. She covers her mouth so that people don't see her lips. But they do, and they often react. Gayane was born with a cleft lip - a genetic defect also known as cheiloschisis. In Armenia, they still call it a "harelip," a pejorative other cultures and nations have already retired from their languages. No matter what it's called or the age in which we live, people on the streets here often stare at Gayane. Kids at school don't want to be around her. Some classmates make snide remarks. Others tease and bully her. Some adults here think of the split in her lip as a curse or a sign that she is mentally disabled. Unfortunately, Gayane's story is not unique; but this weekend, Gayane tortured life will change forever thanks to...