One Parishioner's Remarkable Experiences in Armenia By Ken Bohegian
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - For two weeks in Mid-June, 19 of us from St. John's here traveled to Armenia. Our priest, Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, who had gone through seminary training with Fr. Nareg of the church in Sisian, adopted that parish as a sister parish. Last year we were able to purchase an auto for him, and this year we purchased a building to be converted as an Armenian school. Besides visiting many areas of Armenia, including Lake Sevan, Giumri, Etchmiadzin, Noravank, and historical sites, we spent time at an orphanage.
The children were overwhelmed and overjoyed to receive many bundles of toys. Last year, one of our members donated $30,000 to modernize the bathrooms, which had been in deplorable condition. We saw all the newly tiled walls and floors with state-of- the-art fixtures from Germany. When the children danced for us, many of our group joined them -- a wonderful day.
We were fortunate enough to meet with the Catholicos on three different occasions, including his stop at a recital in an AGBU soup kitchen. He is a kindly person who speaks very good English and was aware of our aid. Times are really tough in Armenia with some sixty per cent unemployment. Factories are shut down and one sees many major projects in limbo since the breakup of the Soviet Union. No one has the money to complete the unfinished buildings. Half built, they are a sad sight.
I was glad I went despite the sadness. But Armenians are still a proud people. Many of the male population are leaving in order to find employment. That causes a problem for the Armenian women who are of marriageable age.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - For two weeks in Mid-June, 19 of us from St. John's here traveled to Armenia. Our priest, Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, who had gone through seminary training with Fr. Nareg of the church in Sisian, adopted that parish as a sister parish. Last year we were able to purchase an auto for him, and this year we purchased a building to be converted as an Armenian school. Besides visiting many areas of Armenia, including Lake Sevan, Giumri, Etchmiadzin, Noravank, and historical sites, we spent time at an orphanage.
The children were overwhelmed and overjoyed to receive many bundles of toys. Last year, one of our members donated $30,000 to modernize the bathrooms, which had been in deplorable condition. We saw all the newly tiled walls and floors with state-of- the-art fixtures from Germany. When the children danced for us, many of our group joined them -- a wonderful day.
We were fortunate enough to meet with the Catholicos on three different occasions, including his stop at a recital in an AGBU soup kitchen. He is a kindly person who speaks very good English and was aware of our aid. Times are really tough in Armenia with some sixty per cent unemployment. Factories are shut down and one sees many major projects in limbo since the breakup of the Soviet Union. No one has the money to complete the unfinished buildings. Half built, they are a sad sight.