The Western Diocese Zvartnots Cultural Committee, under the Auspices of his Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presented an informative lecture on the story of Jerusalem on May 9, 2017, at 7:30 pm., at the Diocesan Hampar Family Room. It was delivered by Dr. Minas Kojayan, who experienced life in Jerusalem as Editor of the "Sion" publication under the Auspices of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

Dr. Simon Simonian, Chairman of the Zvartnots Cultural Committee opened the evening with his welcoming remarks and invited the Lecturer.

Dr. Kojayan started with a 1,600 year old historic overview of Armenian presence in Jerusalem, which over time, boasted a population of 22-23,000 Armenians. The first printing press in Jerusalem was in the Armenian Quarter in 1833 and also the first photographic workshop was founded in 1855.

He mentioned the existence of two orphanages in the aftermath of the genocide. However, he said in 1967 the number declined to 6,700 Armenians, and sadly today, there were only 1000 remaining Armenians in Jerusalem.

He highlighted the three treasures of present day Jerusalem. The properties, the rich culture and the museum archives; such as the miniatures, the manuscripts, the scepter of King Hetoum and the Bible of Queen Yeran. With a sense of urgency in his voice, he said that once the number of Armenians in Jerusalem declined below 500, he feared that according to Jewish Law there would be no Armenian Community left. There was a real threat that it would all be turned into a museum. He stressed that the Patriarchate needed priests who remained in Jerusalem after graduating from the Seminary and that there was a huge amount of antiquities which needed attention.

As his voice weakened, Dr. Kojayan took a break, at which time his talented wife Mrs. Nazeli Kojayan recited a Jerusalem inspired poem by Vahram Mavian.

After that, there was a power point presentation of the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem showing the prime holy sights that belong to the Armenians. The Holy Archangels, the Seminary, the "Armenian Golgotha" on the mountain. The 400 lanterns in St. James Cathedral which are still lit by oil, as well as the Tarkmanchats School, the renovated Gulbenkian Library and some commercial areas.

The program ended with a question and answer session.

Dr. Kojayan is a scholar and an educator who has attended the Hovagimian-Manougian school in Beirut, Lebanon. He has continued his education in Paris, France and later studied in Yerevan, Armenia where he received his PhD degree in 1981.

He has taught Armenian Language and Literature at the AGBU Melkonian Educational Institute in Nicosia, Cyprus and later at the AGBU Manougian-Demirdjian School in California. Additionally he has been Director of the Armenian Studies Department at Northridge University.

In 2014 by the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Nourhan Manoukian, Patriarch of Jerusalem he has assumed his present position as Editor of the "Sion" publication.