BENEFIT CONCERT RAISES OVER $14,000 FOR SYRIAN AND IRAQI ARMENIANS
A full sanctuary, uplifting performances, excellent acoustics, professional musicians, heart-wrenching stories. The AEUNA’s December 3 benefit concert for Syrian and Iraqi Armenian refugees at United Armenian Congregational Church, blessing those gathered in Christian fellowship to send support as well as those trying to rebuild their lives thousands of miles away, raised over $14,000.
New Hope Singers and the Harmony Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Talynn Kuyumjian, brought together for this special event, sang and played a moving program of sharagans, classical works, operatic solos, familiar hymns, original arrangements, and Armenian spiritual and folk compositions. The concert was expertly recorded and broadcast live; you can watch the whole program on UACC’s Facebook page.
Rev. Serop Megerditchian, who has been instrumental in assisting newly arrived Syrian Armenians in Toronto, and previously pastored in Aleppo, told of asking an elderly woman how her family was doing. Her response was, “Praise God, we are doing great.” Later, visiting the woman and her family, he found they had almost no possessions and slept on mattresses on the floor. This woman had a grateful heart, great faith, and didn’t want to ask for help.“We need to give them our helping hands even if they don’t talk about needing help,” he said. “Now is the time to embrace them and win them into our community and church family. Already, more than 52 Syrian Armenian families have joined the Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto.”
Rev. Berdj Djambazian, Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian, and Syrian Armenian Relief Fund founder Raffi Kendirjian also spoke, urging those present to help Armenians suffering due to war and dislocation.
These appeals came at the end of the wonderful concert, and the audience filling the sanctuary was truly appreciative.
You can still send a donation for Syrian and Iraqi Armenian refugees to the AEUNA office at the address below or online at aeuna.org (click on PayPal link and indicate Refugee Relief).