While fleeing the Genocide carried out in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 to 1923, many Armenians boarded ships that would take them to America, “the land of peace.” However, many were unaware of the exact country they would land in. They ended up in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and in Chile. The first Armenians are believed to have settled in the small town of Llay-Llay, as it was near the port of Valparaíso. As every capital city, Santiago developed gradually, and many also settled there, joining the Russian and Greek Orthodox communities living there. Most of the Armenians retained the language and speak Western Armenian language.
In 1988, the Armenian community financed the creation of the Plaza República de Armenia in the Ñuñoa commune, at the height of Irarrázaval Avenue, being inaugurated by the then mayor Pedro Sabat. Likewise, the Hai Dun (transliteration of “Armenian house” in Armenian) was founded in the Providencia commune, being the main social and cultural center of the Armenian community in Chile. In the religious field, in May 2011, the Armenian community founded the Hai Dun (transliteration of “Armenian house” in Armenian) in the Providencia commune.
The Hai Dun (Armenian house) has hosted a choir, theater plays, and Armenian classes. Eventually, it developed into a social club, whose legacy is still alive today. Community leaders claim that they need to make sure the young Armenian descendants keep this unity and Armenian identity.
Armenians in Chile say that they have succeeded in keeping their identity and cultural heritage intact even miles away from their homeland, while still blending into the countries that have received them. Thus, most Armenians in Chile are fluent in both Armenian and Spanish, Chile’s language of trade, education, and education.
Most of them belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. In May 2011 Chile received the visit of the Catholics of Armenia and all Armenians, Karekin II, being the first patriarch of Armenia in national history. Two years later, the first priest of the Armenian Apostolic Church for Chile was designated.
Armenia was the first Kingdom to become officially “Christian” in the 300s. Christianity has been part of their identity since that time. Commonly, this is closer to their hearts than dedication to the Lord of lords. There is also an Evangelical community among Armenians in Chile.
They need to rethink Christianity, not as a series of rituals that keep them safe from nations who do not share their beliefs, but as a way of life in true faith towards the son of God, who knows their suffering.
They need the world to change their perception of Armenians as martyrs and, according to the current Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, adopt a new focus on economic development and loyalty to international norms. They need to leave behind the tragic historical events of persecution, to consolidate itself as a safe country with a good military and security strategy.
Pray that Armenians in Chile will turn to Christ as their only hope.
Pray that the Chilean Evangelical churches, which constitute the second-largest religious force in the country, will reach out to the Armenian youth and share the truth of the gospel.
Pray that Armenians in Chile will look to God as their defender and provider and be satisfied with nothing less.
Scripture Prayers for the Armenian in Chile.
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inmigraci%C3%B3n_armenia_en_Chile
https://auroraprize.com/en/armenians-chile
https://www.diarioarmenia.org.ar/presentacion-del-libro-genealogias-de-familias-armenias-en-chile-y-celebracion-del-105-aniversario-de-la-
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
