Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Tamara Karakashian
Editor
On Wednesday, November 20, 2002, the Armenian Studies Program and the Armenian Students Organization were honored to have His Excellency Leonidas T. Chrysanthopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to Canada, speak as part of the ASP Fall Lecture Series.
Ambassador Chrysantho-poulos had been the Greek Ambassador to Armenia in 1993-1994, and after his re-assignment to Ottawa, he started compiling his notes to write a book about his experiences-the newly released Caucasus Chronicles: Nation Building and Diplomacy, 1993-1994, published by the Gomidas Institute.
The Ambassador has a lengthy family legacy in the Greek Foreign Ministry. Both his father and his grandfather were Ambassadors. Being the son of a diplomat he was used to living in various places throughout the world. Although he has been thoroughly impressed with the cultures of the countries he has lived in, he says that he has not been entirely influenced by them.
Living in Armenia was challenging for the Ambassador. Since there was power for less than an hour a day the Ambassador believes that he had more time to think. The Ambassador feels that many people throughout the world especially here in the United States should devote more time to simply thinking.
Photo: Prof. Dickran Kouymjian presenting Ambassador Chrysanthopoulos a copy of the exhibition catalogue “Armenian Relics of Cilicia” currently on display in Athens’ Benaki Museum. The catalogue was sent especially by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the See of Cilicia, to the Ambassador.
While the Ambassador was in Armenia the war in Karabagh was raging and he did not visit Karabagh because of his position. He asked if he could go incognito, however the authorities said it was not a good idea. One experience that saddened the Ambassador was the fact that some of the Armenian people had to resort to selling their family heirlooms to simply afford to eat.
He observed that people did not bargain on prices because one felt sad for the situation. The diplomats were also affected by the harsh conditions in Armenia such as lack of power and water supply and he recounted how it took him up to two hours in the morning for simple preparations.
The Ambassador believes that the influence of the Armenian Church has always been strong in Armenia. Although some persecution occurred during Stalin’s rule, the Russian and Greek Orthodox churches felt the same persecution.
Ambassador Chrysanthopoulos made the comment that once Armenia became independent, the Church did not mingle with politics. He encouraged this action stating that the role of the church has nothing to do with politics.
The Ambassador read a few excerpts from his book, sharing his experiences in Armenia, some dangerous and some humorous, with the standing room only crowd of students and members of the Fresno community. A lively question and answer period followed the lecture and the Ambassador autographed copies of his book.