Day: May 14, 2024

Armenians hold deep reverence for the roles of “mother” (mayrig) and “grandmother” (medz mayrig), praising their love and devotion, which bind families together. Mother’s Day in the United States, celebrated annually on the second Sunday in May, honors maternal bonds and recognizes the positive impact of mothers on families and society. While many cherish the tradition of treating their mothers to a special dinner, some may reflect on past celebrations and loved ones lost.

Karen Jeppe, c. 1930. (Houshamadyan The Royal Danish Library. Courtesy of Mihran Minassian)

If given the chance to share a Mother’s Day dinner with anyone from history, I would eagerly choose Karen Jeppe, a mayrig by choice. A Danish missionary and trailblazing business leader, she dedicated her life to rescuing and empowering women and children who survived the Armenian Genocide. Jeppe defied societal norms and risked danger to answer her calling, establishing innovative programs for self-sufficiency and serving as a beacon of hope in dark times.

In my imagined dinner with Jeppe, surrounded by the aroma of traditional Armenian dishes, I would express admiration for her multifaceted role as both a mother and a father figure to Armenians. Despite societal constraints, she assumed the duties of a priest and provided a loving home for orphaned children. I would ask for her thoughts on being revered as the “Mother of Armenians,” considering evolving social norms and persistent gender stereotypes.

Jeppe’s response would likely reflect her humility and devotion to her calling, acknowledging the privilege of being called “Mayrig” and the complexity of gender roles in society. She might express gratitude for the opportunity to serve her adopted family and the need for continued reflection on societal beliefs and progress.

In our imagined conversation, we clear the table and reset for a sumptuous feast, with mixed aromas from savory roast lamb, buttery rice pilaf and hearty traditional fasoulia (green bean stew)—a heavy main course to complement the meat of the conversation.

Armenian genocide survivors making needlework at one of the workshops at the Aleppo Reception Home, c. 1925. Karen Jeppe sits on the far left. (Houshamadyan. Source: Grégoire Takankédjian collection, Valence)

Me: “You broke traditional gender roles during this era and accomplished extraordinary results, despite the oppression of women. Your talent for business and negotiation is remarkable, credited with saving Armenian embroidery from annihilation. Even esteemed by Sheiks and Muslim leaders, your influence was unparalleled. Where did you find such confidence and knowledge?”

Jeppe: “Thank you for your kind words. From the beginning, I believed in integrating women into the workforce and reviving Armenian culture through quality craftsmanship. Our focus on excellence and skills training empowered Armenians to thrive.”

We both feel nourished, our hearts full. Once again, we take a break and reset the table with sweet desserts and Armenian coffee.

Me: “Could you share with me a story of one of your rescues?”

Jeppe: “Ah, the sweetness of this delicious paklava and the boldness of the coffee bring to mind a bittersweet tale of Astrig. While gathering water, one of my rescuers encountered Astrig, who was living in a nearby Muslim tent and was about to be sold into marriage. In whispered tones, she agreed to escape with the rescuer from the desert to Aleppo. My son Misak met her at the agreed-upon time and drove her away in our Ford car, outpacing the pursuing Muslim tribe leaders on horseback. Thank God, it was a successful escape, and Misak and Astrig arrived safely at the Rescue Home. It’s important to note that not all rescues had such fortunate outcomes. However, this one ended with hope. Astrig was recognized by a friend visiting the Rescue Home and was ultimately reunited with her mother. Sadly, not all rescues had such happy endings. Thank you for allowing me to reminisce about this comforting memory.”

Me: “Before I ask one last question, I want to sincerely thank you for making this dream come true. I am in awe of your resilience, leadership and Christian faith and want to learn from you. What advice would you share on being a strong mission-driven leader?”

Jeppe: “Thank you, dear. I am honored to share my wisdom. Be part of something greater than yourself, and use your talents purposefully. Remember these words: ‘She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue‘ (Proverbs 31: 25-26).”

Happy Mother’s Day to the special mayrig, medz mayrig or mayrig by choice in your life, past or present. 

Author information

Victoria Atamian Waterman

Victoria Atamian Waterman is a writer born in Rhode Island. Growing up in an immigrant, bilingual, multi-generational home with survivors of the Armenian Genocide has shaped the storyteller she has become. She is a trustee of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church and chair of the Armenian Heritage Monument in Whitinsville, MA. She is the author of “Who She Left Behind.”

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A lot has happened in Armenia this past week that has shaken to the core the incompetent, inexperienced, defeatist and deceptive Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who should have resigned on Nov. 10, 2020, the day he signed the capitulation agreement with Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan came to power by exploiting the people’s gullibility and their resentment of the former leaders. He claimed that he would bring peace to Armenia, their sons would no longer die in wars, they would live in prosperity with high-paying jobs, there would be no corruption and a plethora of other falsehoods with which he misled the public.

Drunk with his newly-found power, Pashinyan became completely unhinged. He arrogantly announced, while he and his mob of followers surrounded the parliament building in 2018, that either he would become the Prime Minister or Armenia would not have a Prime Minister! This is the pronouncement of a self-declared democratic leader who became a dictator.

During the campaign for the parliamentary elections in 2021, Pashinyan stood on a stage holding a hammer and promised to crush the heads of his political opponents. He also pledged to slam his Armenian rivals to the wall and flatten them on the asphalt. This is his crude understanding of democracy.

Pashinyan told his crowd of followers in 2018 that he would leave his office when the people demand his resignation. Since then, he has ignored all demands for his resignation, clinging to his seat of power. During one of the many demonstrations calling for his resignation, when a journalist asked him if he would keep his word and resign, he pompously replied, “They aren’t people,” implying that he considers only those who support him as “people.”

Even though Pashinyan’s supporters falsely claim that he was elected prime minister, the fact is that he was not, since the prime minister’s post is not an elective position. He was chosen by his parliamentary majority, which is composed of equally incompetent and inexperienced young men and women.

Pashinyan has no tolerance for dissent. If anyone living in Armenia dares to criticize him, the prime minister orders his well-fed police squad to lay the critic on the ground, beat him up and arrest him. His top ally, Alen Simonyan, the chairman of the parliament, spit on the face of an Armenian in the street just because he criticized him. And if a Diaspora Armenian disagrees with Pashinyan, he will not be allowed to enter Armenia after he arrives at the Yerevan airport. Under Pashinyan, Armenia has become a dictatorship, ruled by the whims of one man.

Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan leading “Tavush for the Homeland” (Photo: Hoory Minoyan)

Now, along comes Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the Primate of the Diocese of Tavush, who opposes Pashinyan’s arbitrary decision to turn over four Armenian border villages to Azerbaijan without a referendum and parliamentary approval.

The archbishop has come immediately under vicious attacks by Pashinyan himself and his cronies, including the thousands of fake Facebook followers who are paid to defame anyone who dares to criticize the prime minister.

Pashinyan called the archbishop and his supporters “drug lords” and “foreign agents sent from overseas” without a shred of evidence. It is very ugly when the head of a government uses street language to denigrate his political opponents. Anyone who dares to criticize Pashinyan is immediately labeled “a Kremlin agent” who is paid thousands of dollars to “undermine the country.” Why should anyone get paid to undermine Armenia when Pashinyan is already undermining the country all by himself?

In a strange turn of events, the archbishop has copied the same tactic Pashinyan used to come to power by marching from Gyumri to Yerevan in 2018. Thus Srpazan is giving Pashinyan a dose of his own medicine. The only difference is that Pashinyan violated many laws to come to power by smashing the doors of the Armenian radio station’s headquarters, surrounding a courthouse with his followers to prevent the judges from entering the building and blocking the entrances to the parliament.

The archbishop has advantages and disadvantages. Srpazan is a clergyman whose weapons are truth and morality. He preaches peace, love and non-violence. All attempts by various opposition groups to topple Pashinyan by street protests in the past six years have failed. The archbishop is the only person who has gained the trust of a large number of Armenians who eagerly joined his march from Tavush to Yerevan. Tens of thousands of Armenians flooded the city’s main square to listen to his message.

When Srpazan arrived in Yerevan on May 9, he announced that he was giving Pashinyan one hour to resign. When the hour passed and there was no resignation, the archbishop did not want to go to the next step of urging his followers to storm the building and oust the prime minister. Instead, Srpazan announced a series of civil disobedience acts throughout the country.

Srpazan is now consulting with various opposition leaders to discuss the next steps. If and when Pashinyan resigns or is impeached, both unlikely scenarios, the archbishop said that a transition government will be formed, which will later hold elections for parliament to choose a new prime minister. It remains to be seen if Srpazan’s peaceful plans will succeed to oust Pashinyan.

The best reason for getting rid of Pashinyan is that the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey have eagerly praised Pashinyan for his repeated and endless concessions. Prominent Azeri analyst Ali Hajizade even suggested the possibility of sending Azeri and Turkish troops to Yerevan to support Pashinyan’s government!

All patriotic Armenians, putting aside their internal differences, should form a coalition to establish a transitional government that will hold the next elections. Public pressure must be exerted on Pashinyan to resign as soon as possible before the country ceases to exist due to attacks by internal and external enemies. This may be the last chance to save Armenia.

Author information

Harut Sassounian

California Courier Editor

Harut Sassounian is the publisher of The California Courier, a weekly newspaper based in Glendale, Calif. He is the president of the Armenia Artsakh Fund, a non-profit organization that has donated to Armenia and Artsakh one billion dollars of humanitarian aid, mostly medicines, since 1989 (including its predecessor, the United Armenian Fund). He has been decorated by the presidents of Armenia and Artsakh and the heads of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic churches. He is also the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

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