New York City Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik hosted the street co-naming of “Armenia Way” at the northeast corner of 210th Street and Horace Harding Expressway, next to the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs on Sunday, September 30, reported the Queens Gazette.
The Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs dates back to the 1950s, when many second-generation Americans moved from the urban centers of the city to northeast Queens. Last year, Community Board 11 voted to approve the co-naming because of the significant contributions of the Armenian community in Bayside.
As a community-oriented place of worship, the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs (209-15 Horace Harding Expressway) has been at the center of civic and scholastic life in Bayside, from educating students at the church’s school to hosting the annual Oceania Street Festival at which congregants welcome their neighbors by the thousands each fall. In celebration of the 60 years of service to the community and to the church’s members, the New York City Council voted to approve the designation of the corner as Armenia Way.
During the early afternoon ceremony, Grodenchik unveiled the street name alongside Father Abraham Malkhasyan, Pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs; Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Armenian Diocese; Congress Member Grace Meng; Assembly Members David I. Weprin, Nily Rozic, and Edward C. Braunstein; Community Board 11 District Manager Joseph Marzilliano; representatives from the Armenian mission to the United Nations; and the Armenian Ambassador to the United States in Washington, DC.
Great, but again, makes absolutely no strides for Armenia’s advancement. Ethnic communities anywhere outside of one’s homeland is temporary at best. Bourj Hammoud, the so-called solid cradle of the Armenian diaspora with its many Armenian named streets, neighborhoods and cultural institutions is headed to marginalization. Why? Because contrary to popular belief, Lebanon is not our homeland. It’s merely a transitory location for Armenians. There were, and will continue to be, an ever growing indigenous population in the area who will eventually take over by shear numbers. Same with any other Armenian city or community outside of Armenia. It will eventually transform and be overrun by other ethnic, religious, or cultural groups. It’s inevitable. This a known fact. The only viable solution is to strengthen the homeland. A place where the natural culture and traditions can flourish. Otherwise, it’s all temporary and futile. No amount of street name changes or community centers can take the place of a homeland. It sounds and feels good, but has absolutely no bearing on the eventual outcome.
You must be “in love” with Turkish “State of Emergency” phenomenon! I am sure you have studied a lot for your “political anti-Armenian comments”
“It will eventually transform and be overrun by other ethnic, religious, or cultural groups”. Yes, Only Turkic herds can overrun Armenian names and churches. We have well-civilized nations in this world, who can understand the pain and suffering of Armenian Nation and appreciate Armenian Civilization in their own countries, although they don’t exist, names will be there forever!
https://www.google.ca/search?q=armenian+street+in+india+and+singapore&rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA816CA816&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiOpuG39_bdAhUl1oMKHVw9AkQQsAR6BAgFEAE&biw=1920&bih=969
On the contrary my brother, I’m merely pointing out that our focus and energy should be directed towards building and strengthening the homeland. No amount of street names, churches, or community centers outside of Armenia will help the Armenian nation. I suggest you read the history of the Boyle Heights district in Los Angeles as it relates to Armenians. You will find that a once thriving and vibrant Armenian community there all but disappeared in the ensuing decades. Overrun by other nationalities and cultures. Churches were abandoned and community centers fell into disrepair. Now, the only remnants of an Armenian presents are a few standing headstones at Evergreen cemetery. Nothing will ever replace a homeland. If you desire to preserve your culture and heritage, then your focus must be on build a strong and independent Armenia. A place where our history, traditions, culture and language can thrive. No amount of street names in New York, Los Angeles, or even Bourj Hammoud can stand the test of time.
We are a small but global nation! We do have our own country, and certainly must strengthen it, but meanwhile we are in and with the entire world! Our hearts and minds are in Hayastan, but since we are a global nation, we leave our footprints in the four corners of our beloved planet Earth in the most positive sense of it!