Under the patronage of Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon Bishop Shahe Panossian and organized by the ARCL Regional Executive’s Promotional Committee, on the morning of Saturday November 28, 2015 the “Punig” Hall of Aztag Daily witnessed the celebration of Volunteer Day.
Ms Seta Mangassarian delivered the word of the ARCL Promotional Committee. She said that voluntary work represents the capital of the ARCL. With this principle, the ARCL highlights the importance of volunteering and its advantages not only to the ones receiving the benefits but also to those giving them.
Rev. Torkom Donayan, dean of the Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, spoke about the first social servant, Jesus Christ, who, he said, should be the example we should follow. He said that it is a basic principle in life to remain humble without being small and without dwindling, to serve without pretending, to dedicate oneself without discrimination and complaint, while rising with service and receiving more grace by standing by the needy, the orphan, the widowed, the elderly, and by those who have social issues.
The reverend concluded his word saying that volunteer work should be done with a smile and with love, since the deprived need a smile more than food, the elderly and the widowed need affection and care more than help. Moreover, while serving, it is very important to be careful not to hurt the dignity of people. Giving should be done in a way that makes the receiver understand that he is being given his rights.
Then, Minas Atamian, Lori Keshishian and Ari Vartanian greatly impressed the attendees with their performance of native Armenian songs.
In his speech, Yesayi Havatian, Chair of the Battle of Musa Dagh Centennial Central Committee, mentioned the great input and role of the Armenian mother, woman and the young Armenian girl in the Armenian history and talked in detail about the respect and appreciation she had earned through various laws and customs. He stated that throughout the Armenian history, mothers and women have been considered a spring of life and breath; that is why the homeland is called motherland, the language, Mother Language, and the Arax River, mother as well.
Havatian said that it is only possible to bow before the devoted volunteer women of the ARCL and approach them with respect. These women have always been present to help others and to be compassionate towards them. He added that the ARCL is a source of strength and pride in the Armenian reality through which the nation gets stronger and continues on its decisive procession.
Bishop Shahe Panossian spoke as well. He stated that Volunteer Day is celebrated within the ARCL family because the ARCL acts with the gathering and investment of volunteers, the unconditioned devotion of our mothers and sisters. They acknowledge the needs of their community and trusting in their strengths, the ARCL sisters assemble, organize, try to find solutions, and start working to help the needy by extending a hand and lifting them up so they can go on guaranteeing the nation’s advancement.
The bishop said that the ARCL members are resources chosen by God to mitigate the pain of the community, to alleviate its burden, and grant the love of God.
The Volunteer Day celebration was significant this year by the presence of the Lebanese Armenian Young Artists’ artworks. The 2016 ARCL Calendar will feature the works of these young artists as a gesture of encouraging the heirs of the surviving generation after the centennial of the Genocide and giving them a chance to prove themselves in the Armenian life.
A dozen artworks with themes of motherhood, Armenian women, adolescence, culture, rebirth, blossoming, and other themes adorned the entrance of the hall.
At the end of the ceremony, the attendees praised the creations of the young artists and the value they had provided to the ARCL volunteer service.
