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WHO WE ARE : A short history of MAA-T
On a brisk fall night of 2006 in Toronto, a group of Armenian literary
enthusiasts gathered for
their regular meeting to discuss their best loved Armenian literature. In
keeping with their
tradition, they had assigned a keynote speaker for the gathering. The evening’s
presenter was Mr. Yetvart Balian, a former student from the Mekhitarian School
in Bolis. He was asked to elucidate his colleagues on the history and numerous
accomplishments of the Mekhitarian
Congregation. Mr. Balian delivered a passionate tutorial which covered the
significant
contributions of this venerated order over the past 300 years. His lecture was
so fervently
delivered that his fellow member, the known Maestro of the Toronto Armenian
Choir, Mr. Sarkis Hamboyan, suggested that Toronto should have a special
commemorative celebration to honour Mekhitar and the Mekhitarian Congregation he
founded. The suggestion was heartily supported by Mrs. Seta Tchakerian, and the
balance of the attendees.
Thus it began!
The Pastor of Saint Gregory Armenian Catholic Church of Toronto, Very Reverend
Father
Yeghia Kirejian was soon on board and at his direction a team of individuals,
mostly former
Mekhitarian Alumni, formed the event organizing committee. The ten members of
the first
Committee were, Fr. Yeghia Kirejian, Mr. Sarkis Hamboyan, Mr. Yetvart Balian,
Mr. Megerdic
Megerdician, Mr. Markar Sharapkhanian, Mr. Harout Mardirossian, Mr. Jean
Abrahamian, Mr.
Movses Hayitian, Mr. Yessaï Sarkissian and for the first few meetings Mr. Hagop
Jambazian.
The committee resolved to prepare a
“Commemorative Evening dedicated to the Merits of the
Mekhitarian Congregation” (
Գնահատանքի երեկոյ
նուիրուած 300 ամեայ Մխիթարեան Միաբանութեան վաստակին ). The first unofficial meeting was held on November 6, 2006, with a
quorum of the
above members in attendance and they decided to call the first official meeting
on January 15, 2007. Tentative dates in May or October of 2007 were discussed
for the Commemorative
Evening, but finalization of these dates was left to the official meeting.
Due to scheduling conflicts and to
accommodate as many members of the committee as
possible the first meeting was held, on 29 January, 2007. At this meeting
elections were held
and Fr. Yeghia was named President, Yessaï was elected Chairman, Sarkis -
Vice-Chair,
Harout - Secretary, Jean - Treasurer, Yetvart - Accountant and the rest of the
committee
members as Advisors. The team decided to set the official date for the
commemoration on
October 27, 2007. They also decided to invite the Abbot General of the
Mekhitarian
Congregation, Father Yeghia Kilaghbian, to preside over the event. At the next
meeting the date was changed to October 20th, to accommodate the Armenian
community of Toronto (HMEM annual gathering was scheduled on Oct. 27th of that
year). At the fourth meeting the date was finalized to take place on November 3,
2007, to accommodate the schedule of the Abbot General who was scheduled to be
in New York at the end of October.
The organizing committee had eleven
meetings in total. Their first task was to create a complete list of al all
Mekhitarian Alumni, from different Mekhitarian Centres worldwide who live in the
Toronto and in the surrounding areas. These lists were used to contact all
Mekhitarian alumni and promote the November 3rd function. The Abbot General
suggested the idea of providing attendees a free new book which details the
history of Armenia and the history of the Mekhitarian Congregation “ From Ararat
to San Lazzaro “ published by the Mekhitarian Monastery in English, Italian,
French and at the time was being translated to Armenian by the Abbot General.
The cost of each book was estimated to be approximately $10.00 including
shipping costs. The idea the Abbot General had was that with that book we would
introduce Mekhitar and the accomplishments of the Mekhitarian Order, over the
past 300 years, to each and every Armenian household in Toronto. The committee
eagerly accepted the idea and actively began promoting it and the event.
Additionally to help mitigate the financial burden, invited all Mekhitarian
Alumni to the first General Meeting scheduled to take place on the May 1, 2007. |
