1991_03 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper March 1991

              The Newspaper of the California State University, Fresno
Armenian Students Organization and Armenian Studies Program
Fresno, CA 93740
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Fresno, CA
4U.3 eu.Pd-f.Mr
Hye Sharzhoom
March 1991
Volume 12, No. 3
Supplement to the Daily Collegian
New Clergyman Appointed in Fresno
Rev. Fr. Zumrookhdian Calls For Youth Center
By Armen A. Aghishian
Staff Writer
The following is an exclusive
interview with the newly appointed
pastor of St. Paul Armenian Church of
Fresno, the Very Reverend Sasoon
Vartabed Zumrookhdian:
Hayr Soorp, let's begin with your days
as a student in Armenia. How many
years were you there and where did your
education lead you?
I was in Armenia from 1970 until
1975 as a student in the Divinity
School. Therefore I received my
clerical education in Holy
Etchmiadzin, where his Holy Eminence
Vazken I was my teacher. This was a
great honor for me and an excellent
opportunity to benefit from his vast
experience.
Q: After graduating from the Divinity
School, what was your plan?
After graduating, I went to Toronto,
Canada to continue my education. I
also served at a local church from 1975 -
1982.
After Toronto I traveled to
Cambridge, Massachusetts and stayed
there until 1985 in order to receive my
graduate education in divinity. After
receiving my Masters degree in
Divinity at Cambridge, I went to
Armenia where Archbishop Vatche
Hovsepian ordained me as a celibate
priest, renaming me as Father Sasoon.
After being ordained by the
Archbishop I served as pastor of the
St. James Apostolic church in Sacramento for five years.
Q:   What circumstances brought you to
Fresno?
The main driving force of my
considering to come to Fresno was the
request submitted to me by the Parish
and by pastor Reverend Shahc
Altounian. They invited me here so I
could  establish  a  new  interest  and
involvement in the church and its
surrounding community. Of course
this invitation was first presented to
Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian and,
upon his approval, beginning on
November 1, 1990, I was appointed
pastor of St, Paul Armenian Apostolic
Church.
Q: Considering that you've only been
in Fresno for a short time, is it
possible for you to give us your
impression of the Fresno Armenian
community?
As of yet, I haven't developed an
impression of the Fresno Armenian
community. However, the community
has been friendly and cordial towards
me so far.
Q: Could you make a comparison
between the Fresno and Sacramento
communities?
Making a comparison would be
somewhat difficult. In Sacramento, we
felt like one big family. The members
of the church were more intimate
mainly because the smallness of the
community made interaction between
church members much easier. I can't
say the same for Fresno because I have
only been here a short time, and also
because the population of the Fresno
Armenian community is much, much
greater. It's only a matter of time
because I'm sure that the same
atmosphere will gradually be created
right here in Fresno. Presently,
except for the few families that I knew
before coming here and also the few
families that I have met since, I don't
have a large circle of intimate friends.
Q:   Considering that you are new here
Holv Trinity Apostolic Church
Location:
Ventura Street
Site of the second oldest
Armenian Apostolic
Church in the United
States. Present structure dates back to 1914.
"The red brick church"
as it is dubbed - located
in downtown Fresno at
Ventura and M streets.
to Fresno, and also, considering that
Fresno is one of the oldest and largest
Armenian communities, what
possibilities do you find here?
In Fresno, the opportunities are
unlimited. But today, unfortunatly,
the proper amount of effort has not
been put forth in order to advance the
Armenian culture. The church should
have given guidance in this area but
hitherto hasn't For instance, here in
Fresno there is an Armenian School
which should have had the support of
the community as a whole but hasn't.
We must all work for the success of the
school because that's the best
environment for the development of
the Armenian culture. Furhtermore, we
must aid this establishment, morally
and financially. We must also increase
the number of events here. We must
start a Saturday School where
Armenian language can be taught to
adults. But in order for these goals to
become reality, we need capable
individuals who would be able to
guide, organize, and lead the others. I
am very excited about these goals and
plans. As I stated, the possibilities
here in Fresno are unlimited but we
need to create interest within our own
people.
Q: What can be done to make the
church a more attractive envir-
onmentfor the younger generation?
The church should become an
environment in wheh people can have
the opportunity to meet each other and
See Hayr Soorp, Page 12
Inside....
A Guide to Armenian
Food page 2
Editorials  page 2
Simon page 3
Hye Profile  page 4
Campus Hye Profiles page 4
Local News  page 5
Special Insert
A Guide to Fresno's Armenian
Monuments pages 6,7,8
Hye Sports page 9
Advertisements page 10
Armenian page page 11