Antilyas Prior to the Catholicosate of Cilicia

Անթիլիասը Մեծն Տանն Կիլիկիոյ Կաթողիկոսարանէն Առաջ (Antilyas Prior to the Catholicosate of Cilicia) was delivered by Mr. Maurice – Missak Kelechian on August 21, 2016 at the Educational Committee of the Armenian Apostolic Church, 6250 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214 California.

“The presentation will take us through a complete journey into Antelias between the years of 1922 to 1932. This includes location of Antelias, history, Near East Relief orphanage from the original tents to the construction of barracks and the first wooden church of Antelias, with unprecedented visual material meticulously researched since 2005.

Անթիլիասը Մեծն Տանն Կիլիկիոյ Կաթողիկոսարանէն Առաջ (Antilyas Prior to the Catholicosate of Cilicia) was delivered by Mr. Maurice – Missak Kelechian on August 21, 2016 at the Educational Committee of the Armenian Apostolic Church, 6250 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214 California.

“The presentation will take us through a complete journey into Antelias between the years of 1922 to 1932. This includes location of Antelias, history, Near East Relief orphanage from the original tents to the construction of barracks and the first wooden church of Antelias, with unprecedented visual material meticulously researched since 2005.

Mr. Kelechian is a global high-tech business developer with expertise in wireless tracking and Asset Management technologies and has a degree in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Kelechian has extensive experience with key US Department Of Defense global operations as well as commercial applications. Currently he is in the Biomedical industry.

Mr. Kelechian is an independent investigative researcher who is passionate about finding untold stories of courageous expressions and services to humanity by the US government, its people, and Near East Relief organization, which became the catalyst for the survival of hundreds of thousands of Armenian victims between 1915-1930. His most recent discoveries include two orphanages in Lebanon: One in Antoura where, between 1915 and 1918, around 2000 orphans were being Turkified by Jemal Pasha and Halide Edib Adivar, and another in Ghazir where, in 1925 the “In Golden Rule Gratitude” special rug was woven by the orphan girls and sent to the U.S. President, Calvin Coolidge to be displayed at the White House.

The Regional Emmy Award nominated documentary, “Orphans of the Genocide”, directed by Bared Maronian, followed Missak Kelechian’s ardent research and findings. His investigative visual work regarding the colossal assistance and the unprecedented aide to the Armenian survivors by the Near East Relief remains to be one of his most valuable works.”