By Hrayr JebejianIt was indeed a very good opportunity to visit the Armenian Evangelical community in Alexandria, Egypt, on Sunday, February 18, 2007. On a recent business trip to Cairo, Egypt, I took the chance to visit our community and participate in the evening service held on the same day at 7:30 in the evening.
The formation of the Armenian Evangelical Church and community in Alexandria goes back to as early as the 1920s. The present church premises were built in 1949. Sam Khounganian, a dentist by profession, is actively involved in leading the Armenian Evangelical ministry. The Armenian community has decreased significantly in number in Alexandria mainly because of emigration over the years.
Father Krikor Mouradian, the Armenian Orthodox “Der Hayr” in Alexandria, along with members of the Armenian Evangelical Church, and friends in the Armenian community were among the attendees of the Church service on this Sunday. Dr. Sam Khounganian led the service, and I had the chance to share and preach from the Word of God. Father Krikor Mouradian offered a closing reflection followed by the Bahbanitch. The service was followed by a reception, where we all had the chance to meet and have fellowship together.
One of the highlights of our Armenian Evangelical Church ministry is the Sunday School led by Mrs. Limi Cholakian-Khounganian. Limi is a well-trained educator in Christian Ministry, and leads the children?s program every Thursday evening in the Armenian Evangelical Church. Around 15 children attend the Sunday School and learn the Word of God through this very valuable ministry.
Prior to the service, Dr. Sam Khounganian and I paid a visit to the Armenian Orthodox Church and the Prelacy. We had the opportunity to meet with Father Krikor Mouradian and leaders of the Armenian Orthodox church. The Armenian community in Alexandria consists of around 700 people. The Armenian Orthodox, Evangelical, and Catholic churches serve the community along with three Armenian cultural organizations and associations.
The Armenian Boghossian and Melkonian School, within the premises of the Armenian Prelacy, is still rendering its services to the community with 35 students. The Armenian Orthodox Church was built in 1884. The Armenian Community in Alexandria is small, but it is doing its best to “keep the fort” and make sure that the Message is passed on to the next generation. Having said that, do we need big numbers to make a significant change? The experience of Alexandria shows that “small” can definitely be “significant”.
Photos:
1) The Armenian Evangelical church, Alexandria.
2) With Members of Armenian Orthodox church, Alexandria
1) The Armenian Evangelical church, Alexandria.
2) With Members of Armenian Orthodox church, Alexandria
I was born in Alexandria. Attended Boghossian Azkain Varjaran. My brothers and myself attended the Sunday school. I am saddened to see the small number of children attending the Sunday School. At that time (year 1954 to 1957) we were more than 75, sometimes 100 children. I will pray for the work and patience for the team of the Khounganians and the Ganimians. Now we are in Montreal, Canada and are blessed with 2 Evangelical churches, 4 Apostolic churches, 1 Brethren and 1 Catholic Armenian Church. My sincere salutations to the Armenian people.
Chouchan Basmadjian (Ajemian)