The Armenian Church

Sharing Our Elders' Wisdom

Wisdom from Our Community

Below are selections from our on-line archive collection of the memories and experiences of our Armenian elders.� This section is updated often so please visit again to find new postings.

Lee Enokian
Chicago, Illinois

I am most proud of the fact that the Armenian nationality and ethnic identity is synonymous with Christianity. Let nothing shake you from your faith in Christ.� Stand by your family. Look out for your family, for if you do not, nobody else will.

Armenian culture is based on the excellence of individual Armenians. Armenia is not, was not and will not be a world power. What it has to offer is the intelligence, creativity, steadfastness and wisdom of its people.

Cherish the United States as much or more than you cherish your ethnic heritage. When your ancestors fled their ancient homeland and disaster faced them at every turn, the United States stood as a beacon of hope and solace for them. The American dream is true. It did welcome the tired, weak, refuse of the world. They had no home or earthly hope and the United States took them in and allowed them to prosper.

Alexandre Saftalov emigrated from Leningrad in 1991. He now lives in Noblesville, Indiana.

He shares is thoughts as an Armenian who has come to the U.S.

I came to the US to find a new political system. My first impressions were of highways and airlines. Also big cities and friendly people.

For a first generation immigrant it is very important to learn culture, language and environment of country where you're living, and at the same time to raise kids and be a good citizen. Every day you have to study everything, that's a very interesting experience and business.

Some of my best times in America have been celebrating Independence Day, July 4th.

My original last name was inherited from two families "Saftal" and "Manuk". These are large and old Armenian families that had branches in Armenia and other foreign countries.

I would like to know more about those two families, and I would like to create the family tree as well. I hope to do a project with youth to complete this.