BEIRUT

Beirut is the largest colony of Hadjin settled abroad. In order to solve the material and educational problems of the survivors, the formation of the Hadjin Compatriots’ Union became a priority, in the cities of Jounieh and then Beirut (1924), with the direct assistance and efforts of the Hadjin lawyer Martiros Seksenyan. A Central Board was established with the following composition:
Martiros Effendi Seksenyan—Chairman,Poghos Tur-Sargisyan—Vice-Chairman,Bedros Grgeasharian (Kartsair)—Secretary,Arsham Lusinyan—Vice-Secretary, Samuel Grgeasharian—Treasurer, Hambartsum Khalchaszyan—Advisor,Stepan Chavtaryan,—Advisor, Khacher Grajyan—Advisor, Abraham Eolmesekyan—Advisor
The primary task of the Central Board was to present the plan for building the New Hadjn district in Beirut to the Great House of Cilicia, Sahak II. Catholicos Khapayan. His Holiness ratified it with the patriarchal blessing in 1924. By letter dated March 15, 1931, the Beirut Armenian National Union appealed to the Central Board of the Hadjin Patriotic Reconstruction Union in the United States to examine the ways of implementing this idea. After long deliberations and discussions, the Armenian National Union decided to build a new settlement in the Motherland, while providing material support to the Lebanese Armenian community. Meanwhile, the oriental carpet merchant from Hadjin, Konstantin Gertmenyan, decided to bring this idea to life with his own money. In 1931, having purchased a huge plot of land in the suburbs of Beirut, he laid the foundation for the construction of the Nor Hadjin district, entrusting this work to his father-in-law, Sargis Teviryan. Mr. Teviryan came to Beirut with about 15,000 American dollars. With a loan of 3,500 gold provided by the Armenian National Alliance, Mr. Gertmenyan With 3000 gold and 1000 Ottoman gold provided by the residents of Hadjin, a plot of land was purchased and distributed to the residents of Hadjin according to the plan. And with part of 15000 American dollars, plots of land were purchased, where buildings and shops were built. Having received the privilege of opening an Armenian school, a school was opened in Beirut named after G. Gertmenyan, with a kindergarten and a primary school, which had 150 students of both sexes, with five Armenian teachers.
The construction of the Nor Hadjin district was also financially supported by the American residents of Hadjin, Harutyun and Stepan Piliposyan. On June 19, 1938, the former spiritual leader of Hadjin, Archbishop Bedros Sarajyan, the general vicar of the Catholicosate at that time, consecrated St. Gevorg Church in the Nor Hadjin district.