Armenian Society

Osep Sarafian Passes Away at Age 94
A MASTER WHO LEFT HIS MARK ON ARCHITECTURE
Osep Sarafian Passes Away at Age 94
Master Architect Osep Sarafian passed away last week in Michigan, USA, at the age of 94. A funeral service for Sarafian will be held on January 24, 2026, in Michigan.
Today 14:13
Dink’s Legacy and the Law: Professor Schabas Addresses 19th Memorial in London
Dink’s Legacy and the Law: Professor Schabas Addresses 19th Memorial in London
On January 19, 2026, the Armenian Institute convened its 19th annual memorial event to honor the life and legacy of Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian journalist who was assassinated in Istanbul in 2007. Held in a packed lecture hall in London’s Kensington, the event featured a keynote address by the internationally acclaimed authority on genocide and human rights, Professor William Schabas.
Today 12:58
Making “Good Trouble” Four Decades Apart
Written by Gonca Sönmez-Poole
Making “Good Trouble” Four Decades Apart
What is clear is that the road for those “making good trouble” by disrupting age-old narratives is paved with much struggle and in worst cases by cold-blooded murder. Dr. King paid the ultimate price for his non-violent struggle against discrimination when he was shot on April 4, 1968. Nearly four decades later, Hrant Dink who refused to flee the land he called home was murdered in cold-blood on January 19, 2007.
19 January 2026
"He never gave up the language he believed in, and he never gave up on his [home]land"
HRANT DINK COMMEMORATED ON THE 19TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ASSASSINATION
"He never gave up the language he believed in, and he never gave up on his [home]land"
The demand for justice that remains undiminished after 19 years resonated once again in front of the Sebat Apartment on the 19th anniversary of Hrant Dink’s assassination. Hrant Dink, the founder and editor-in-chief of our newspaper who used to say "It is enough if even one person reads it," was commemorated by thousands of people from all walks of life with the slogan "We are all Hrant." Leda Özber, who is one of Dink's oldest colleagues and the assistant editor-in-chief and visual director of AGOS, delivered this year’s commemoration speech. She spoke about Dink’s understanding of journalism, his struggle for peace, and the 30 year story of Agos shaped by the labor of women.
19 January 2026
Burdur: A Forgotten Armenian Legacy
Burdur: A Forgotten Armenian Legacy
I began my journey to learn of these forgotten communities some 7 years ago, prompted by a volley of questions I posed to my great-aunt concerning my father’s maternal lineage. Entirely unaware of the impact of her reply, my great-aunt remarked, without sentiment, that my great-grandmother was from Burdur.
17 January 2026 Natalie Zakar
A Strange Visit: Ümit Özdağ at the Armenian Patriarchate
A Strange Visit: Ümit Özdağ at the Armenian Patriarchate
Victory Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ, who frequently shares nationalist posts on his social media accounts, visited the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey. According to the statement made by the Patriarchate, Özdağ emphasized that the majority of the centuries-long experience of coexistence passed with good relations and stated that some periods in the past were disrupted by "imperialist provocations." Patriarch Maşalyan, on the other hand, emphasized that expressions that occasionally turn into hate speech in society disturb the youth of Turkey's Armenian community in particular.
13 January 2026
Physically Present, Legally Non-Existent: Turkey’s Armenian Community in Legal Limbo
Physically Present, Legally Non-Existent: Turkey’s Armenian Community in Legal Limbo
The "Legal Personality and Property Issues of Community Foundations in the Context of Minority Rights" conference, organized by the Beyoğlu Üç Horan Church Foundation, has commenced in Istanbul. The two-day event features prominent legal experts and academics specializing in minority issues.
13 January 2026 İşhan Erdinç
"You will protect 'Maral' and keep it alive"
MARAL’S PERFORMANCE AT AKM WATCHED WITH GREAT ADMIRATION
"You will protect 'Maral' and keep it alive"
The Maral Music and Dance Ensemble, operating under the Esayan Alumni Association, organized the final event of its 45th-anniversary celebrations.
26 December 2025
Western Armenian Translation Grant Awarded to Aktokmakyan and Janbazian
Western Armenian Translation Grant Awarded to Aktokmakyan and Janbazian
This year’s grant covered literary works written in Western Armenian from any period and across all literary genres. Among the submissions received, two works were found equally successful by the judges.
24 December 2025 Norayr Olgar
Legislative proposal from Syriac MP: Declare Christmas a public holiday
"CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY" PROPOSAL TO THE PARLIAMENT
Legislative proposal from Syriac MP: Declare Christmas a public holiday
Mardin MP George Aslan has submitted a legislative proposal to the Presidency of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) to declare December 25 Christmas one of the most important holidays in the Christian world a public holiday in Türkiye. In the justification for the proposal, Aslan drew attention to Türkiye’s multicultural structure and the principle of "equal citizenship."
23 December 2025
Tuğçe Yılmaz on Trial for 'Insulting Turkishness' Over Armenian Youth Report: Trial Adjourned
Tuğçe Yılmaz on Trial for 'Insulting Turkishness' Over Armenian Youth Report: Trial Adjourned
Journalist Tuğçe Yılmaz appeared before the judge on Tuesday, December 2, in a lawsuit filed under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) over her article titled “Turkish-Armenian youth speak out: 109 years of lasting mourning.” The trial was adjourned until April 21, 2026.
9 December 2025
Pope Leo XIV Addresses Thousands in Public Sermon in Turkey
Pope Leo XIV Addresses Thousands in Public Sermon in Turkey
On the third day of his visit to Turkey, Pope Leo XIV gave a sermon and celebrated Mass at the Maslak (İstanbul) Volkswagen Arena in front of thousands of people. Attendance at the sermon and Mass was high. Clergy from other Christian communities also joined the Pope on stage. Reservations for the sermon, which was a first, were filled days in advance.
29 November 2025 Marta Sömek
Historic Prayer in Iznik After 1700 Years: A Message of Unity and Peace
Historic Prayer in Iznik After 1700 Years: A Message of Unity and Peace
Twenty patriarchs and clergy gathered in Iznik after 1700 years and prayed together with Pope Leo XIV in the ancient Basilica of Saint Neophytos. The spirit of "unity" signed in Iznik came to the fore once again after 1700 years.
28 November 2025 Marta Sömek
At the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit with the Pope: Excitement, Tears, Faith, and a Divine Moment
At the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit with the Pope: Excitement, Tears, Faith, and a Divine Moment
Pope Leo XIV's "prayer meeting" at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit - Saint Esprit became a shared expression of enthusiasm that overflowed the cathedral and centuries-old faith. Hundreds of people witnessed the historic ceremony that transformed the Pope's "First Apostolic Journey" into a divine moment, as the spirit of "unity" from the First Council of Nicaea prevailed.
28 November 2025 Marta Sömek
Pope Leo XIV in Ankara with 'Peace' Message
Pope Leo XIV in Ankara with 'Peace' Message
Pope Leo XIV, President of the Vatican City State and spiritual leader of Catholics, conveyed the message to journalists on the special plane flying to Ankara, "We hope to emphasize how important peace is for the whole world." The Pope, who was welcomed by clerics and ministers at Esenboğa Airport, visited Anıtkabir. The Pope, also welcomed with an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex, held a private meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
27 November 2025
Paşinyan meets Armenian community, Patriarchate a no-show
Paşinyan meets Armenian community, Patriarchate a no-show
As the Armenian community, has Patriarch Maşalyan whom we have chosen to be our 'leader' delivered on his duties? Even the people who would've responded "Yes" to this question are questioning the Patriarchate's attitude during Paşinyan's visit of Turkey. Especially when the Armeno-Turkish relations are fragile as they are, subjecting the Prime Minister of said country to the inner disagreements within Armenia is nothing short of being politically scandalous. The Patriarchate have committed themselves to this scandal last week and has ignored the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Paşinyan's visit to Turkey, if expressed more contemporarily, they've "ghosted" the prime minister.
27 June 2025 Vartan Estukyan
Difficult to understand the attitude of the Patriarchate / AGOS Editorial
Difficult to understand the attitude of the Patriarchate / AGOS Editorial
The Patriarchate may believe its stance is justified from its own perspective. However, two issues arise here. First, during a visit of such historical significance for Turkey-Armenia relations, the Patriarchate’s stance is hard to comprehend. Beyond that, there are basic rules of courtesy that should be shown to a guest. Second, we must ask this: Is the Catholicos truly a figure entirely outside of politics? Disagreeing with some of Pashinyan’s statements, is one thing, but the Catholicos has also been deeply involved in Armenian politics. We surely remember the support he gave to the opposition movement against Pashinyan in recent years. And earlier years are a completely separate matter.
26 June 2025
The Patriarchate brought shame upon the Armenian community
The Patriarchate brought shame upon the Armenian community
Last week, while wars continued in our region, geopolitical developments changed at an untraceable speed, and diplomacy in the world was completely devastated, President Erdoğan took a historical and hopeful step by inviting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Istanbul for a working visit. While this historically significant visit for Turkey and Armenia was taking place, we witnessed another disgrace that would cause a source of shame for the history of Istanbul Armenians – which we hope will not be repeated – and will be written as a black stain on the history of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey. In the absence of the Patriarch, and probably with instructions from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Patriarchate officials locked the doors of the Patriarchate and played the "we're not home" game with a guest who came to their house, even though they were inside.
26 June 2025 Ari K. Demircioğlu
Historic Greek Orphanage in Istanbul Set to Be Transformed Into a Hotel: “The Patriarchate had to make a rational decision”
Historic Greek Orphanage in Istanbul Set to Be Transformed Into a Hotel: “The Patriarchate had to make a rational decision”
After years of legal battles, efforts to find funding for the renovation of the dilapidated The Pringipos Greek Orphanage (İstanbul-Turkey) , which was returned to the Greek community, have been unsuccessful. The Ecumenical Patriarchate decided to “take the necessary steps to develop tourism activities.” Laki Vingas, who has been working for years to find resources, said in a statement to Agos, “It is impossible for such a large building to survive without a source of income. The Patriarchate had to make a rational decision,” and emphasized that there was no political intervention.
15 June 2025 İşhan Erdinç
Gomidas in Kütahya (Gudina) after 155 years
Gomidas in Kütahya (Gudina) after 155 years
October 20, 2024 was recorded in the city memory of Kütahya as the day that priest Gomidas was remembered publicly for the first time in his birthplace. Gomidas begins his autobiography with the lines, “I was born on September 26, 1869 in the city of Gudina (Kütahya) in Asia Minor, they named me Soğomon.” Based on this document, many Armenians in the past went to Kütahya to see the city where Gomidas was born, and if they could, even the house where he was born. This time, we hit the road to Kütahya as a guest of the Kütahya City Council History, Cultural Heritage and Local Values ​​Working Group.
14 November 2024 Pakrat Estukyan

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Critical development for the the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s properties in Turkey: Maryakop Foundation acquires its legal entity
Critical development for the the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s properties in Turkey: Maryakop Foundation acquires its legal entity
There has been an important development regarding the Maryakop Armenian Church Foundation, which was established to manage the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s properties in Turkey but was given the status of “fused foundation” (foundation with no service left) by the General Directorate of Foundations (GDF) in 1973. A court ruling finalized that the foundation would not be deemed as an fused foundation. Following the decision, the General Directorate of Foundations sent a letter to the relevant places stating that the Maryakop Foundation will be removed from the status of fused foundation and will be registered as an active community foundation.
9 October 2024 İşhan Erdinç
The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos celebrated with a one-week delay in Soumela
The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos celebrated with a one-week delay in Soumela
The Leavetaking (Apodosis) of the Dormition of the Theotokos was commemorated at the historic Monastery of Panagia Soumela in Trabzon, Turkey. Nationalist circles oppose the mass almost every year. This year, the mass was postponed to August 23. The mass was held without the participation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos.
25 August 2024
Bottomless pits of history
Bottomless pits of history
This is not a classic family history search story. Uskan investigates her grandmother, who passed away when Uskan was 16, and whose Armenian identity she knew nothing about because grandmother kept it a secret, and of course her mother Maria, in her village, through official documents and possible church records. This is a search that considers it natural not to find anything because it Uskan aware of what has happened. She wanders through the narrow streets of Adana, the dilapidated corridors of the Apkarian School, and the wild nature of the countryside, turning the camera into a hand that touches the present.
14 July 2024 Pınar Öğünç
The restoration of Diyarbakır Surp Sarkis Church has started
The restoration of Diyarbakır Surp Sarkis Church has started
The restoration of the Surp Sarkis Armenian Church in Diyarbakır began with prayers. The prayer was led by Sahak Maşalyan, the Patriarch of the Armenian community in Turkey. Patriarch Maşalyan also delivered messages about the Armenians' history in the region.
28 June 2024
First step for the renovation of Diyarbakır Surp Sarkis Church
First step for the renovation of Diyarbakır Surp Sarkis Church
The first step towards the renovation of the Surp Sarkis Armenian Church, which has been in ruins for years in Diyarbakır (Dikranagerd), will be taken on June 13. Work will begin with the funds allocated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. However, additional resources need to be found to complete the project.
24 May 2024 Miran Manukyan
Rakel Dink: Once again, they threw the injustice onto our face
Rakel Dink: Once again, they threw the injustice onto our face
Rakel Dink, who made the opening speech of the "Minority Rights in the Centennial of the Republic" conference organized by the Hrant Dink Foundation, touched upon the release of Ogün Samast, the perpetrator of the Hrant Dink murder, 16 years and 10 months after the assassination. Rakel Dink said, "Our quest of justice in Hrant’s case has never been that this or that person is given three or five years more or less. Since day one, we said this darkness should be questioned. We said delivering justice in this case is essential to the democratization of this country. In the wake of what happened, how can we possibly wish that this decision brings all the best to our country?"
17 November 2023
Paylan: “This is an imposition”
Paylan: “This is an imposition”
Garo Paylan, deputy of Peoples’ Democratic Party, defines new electoral regulation for minority foundations as an imposition.
23 June 2022
Malatya Üç Horan Church in preparation for the first Mass in years
Malatya Üç Horan Church in preparation for the first Mass in years
The restoration work at the Üç Horan (Surp Yerrortutyun) Armenian Church in Malatya has been completed. The building, which will serve as both a church and a cultural center, will host the first Mass in decades, on August 29.
9 August 2021
"A state that strives to certify its idiocy to prove that it is not the assassin"
"A state that strives to certify its idiocy to prove that it is not the assassin"
Hrant Dink's commemoration was held online this year due to the pandemic. Hrant Dink's wife Rakel Dink made a speech in front of the headquarters of Agos, where Hrant Dink was murdered. She emphasised the responsibility of the state in the assassination of Hrant Dink. Here is the Rakel Dinks's speech.
19 January 2021
Trans-regional covid-19 solidarity and collaboration by Armenian physicians
Trans-regional covid-19 solidarity and collaboration by Armenian physicians
U.S. based Armenian physicians are engaged in providing Armenia all the assistance they can . For example, they have shared the technology that converts anesthesia devices into breathing equipment . Furthermore, they have also established a network of information sharing and support between Armenia and healthcare experts based in cities where there are substantial number of Armenian residents including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Toronto , Montreal , Paris, London , Lyon, Moscow and Buenos Aires
8 April 2020
AGOS EDITORIAL/ This election will open wounds
AGOS EDITORIAL/ This election will open wounds
However, Bishop Maşalyan and Archbishop Ateşyan have not been attentive to these and other concerns voiced by community members. They are continuing their campaigns. From the look of the scene, it is clear that following through with this election in this haphazard fashion will severely damage us.
4 November 2019
Clergy chooses Maşalyan for Deghabagh
Clergy chooses Maşalyan for Deghabagh
5 July 2019 Miran Manukyan