The First Years
Homenetmen Operations from Its Founding to Its Cessation in Turkey (November 11, 1918 - September 16, 1922)
November 16, 1918 – With the aim of establishing a sports organization, Krikor Hagopian convened a meeting in Constantinople at the offices of Khorasanjian Khan Hagopian Brothers. Present were Krikor Hagopian, Levon Hagopian, Dikran Khoian, Haig Jizmejian, Carlo Shahinian, and Sirouni. During this meeting, “Hai Marmnakertakan Enthanur Miyutyun” (Homenetmen) was founded. A temporary Central Committee was formed to initiate operations, consisting of Jirayr Khorasanjian, Hovhannes Hintlian, Krikor Merjanof, and Vahram Papazian.
November 1918 – The call by Homenetmen’s Central Committee to Armenian youth to unite under the new organization was met with widespread enthusiasm across all districts of Constantinople. District sports clubs joined the organization and formed its first chapters. Scout units, primarily composed of students from Armenian schools, were also organized.
December 1918 – The Political Council of the Armenian National Central Committee approved Homenetmen’s charter. The organization began to gain public recognition and support from the Armenian community.
January-February 1919 – Refugees of the Armenian Genocide began arriving in Constantinople. Armenian organizations and community members worked tirelessly to provide them with shelter, food, and relief. Homenetmen focused its efforts on emergency aid establishing the first free pharmacy in the courtyard of the Armenian Church in Galatia, as well as a mobile hospital in Scutar. Homenetmen Scouts volunteered to care for those in need. Over two months, they provided aid to nearly 1,500 refugees and patients. Only two patients, who arrived in critical condition, were lost. With the establishment of the Armenian Red Cross, Homenetmen concluded its healthcare efforts.
Winter 1919 – Despite being newly formed, Homenetmen dedicated its resources to addressing public needs. In Scutar, with permission from the local landowner, scouts cut dry trees and delivered them as firewood to refugee shelters. They assisted in gathering orphans and placing them with foster families or in orphanages. Scouts also helped extinguish fires in different areas, maintained order during public events, and provided other community services.
July 14, 1919 – To celebrate France’s National Day, Homenetmen organized a torchlight parade that was met with great enthusiasm from a diverse crowd. Over 200 scouts marched to the music of the “Knar” trumpet band. The procession, led by Krikor Hagopian and Haig Jizmejian, passed through the main streets of Constantinople and reached the French Embassy, where they presented a bouquet and a congratulatory note to the High Commissioner. The impressive display of the scouts’ parade generated significant excitement, leading to numerous donations to Homenetmen.
July 28, 1919 – The Homenetmen Central Committee received a Letter of Blessing from Archbishop Zaven, Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Constantinople. The letter stated: “Organize yourselves, ennoble yourselves, and rise to the highest heights. Fill your hearts and minds with virtue, for you are destined to become the pillars of tomorrow’s sacred homeland.”
August 31, 2019 – Homenetmen organized the first Armenian Olympics in Constantinople at the Union Club Stadium in “Gade” Village. The event was presided over by Patriarch Zaven, and among the distinguished guests was General Crocker, commander of the British forces in Constantinople. The “Knar” trumpet band provided the musical accompaniment. The day’s champion was A. Apelian (from the “Gade” chapter), who won nine first-place, five second-place, and one third-place medals.
September 14, 1919 – Homenetmen expanded its activities to nearby towns, including Adapazar, Rodosto, Bursa, Bardizag, and Izmit. The Homenetmen Adapazar Chapter organized its first sports tournament using local resources.
October 1919 – Homenetmen was operating with 25 chapters across nearly every district of Constantinople and several nearby towns. Ten of these chapters already had their own sports facilities.
October 7, 1919 – An international scouting conference was held at the Center for Scouts in Pera, bringing together representatives from British, American, French, Russian, Greek, and Armenian scouting organizations. Homenetmen was represented by Ardavazt Kavanozian, Jirayr Khorasanjian, and Krikor Hagopian. The conference focused on establishing processes and procedures for harmonious and effective collaboration.
October 25, 1919 – The first issue of “Hai Scout” (“Armenian Scout”), Homenetmen’s semiannual official publication, was released under the editorship of Garo Oushaklian. The publication included sections on sports and scouting and continued its publication until the summer of 1922.
November 9, 1919 – Homenetmen’s 10th chapter, covering the Baltalimani and Bosporus regions, held the inaugural oath ceremony for Armenian scouts.
November 16, 1919 – Homenetmen’s first annual General Assembly was convened. It was decided to hold a follow-up session within the next two months, with the participation of two chief scouts elected by the chapter committees and two delegates chosen from the General Chapter Assembly.
April 11, 1920 – Homenetmen organized a fundraising initiative to provide uniforms for orphaned scouts. The effort involved the sale of cockades and raised approximately 4,000 Turkish Liras.
May 9, 1920 – Homenetmen’s General Assembly was held at the Yesayan School in Constantinople, with delegates from nearly all Homenetmen chapters in attendance. Members elected to the new Central (Executive) Committee included Arshag Hagopian, Krikor Merjanof, Krikor Hagopian, Jirayr Khorasanjian, Dr. G. Moutafian, Hovhannes T. Hintlian, and Boghos Shaboyian.
June 11, 1920 – Homenetmen scouts from Pera, Beshigtash, and Khaskyugh chapters conducted a simulated “siege operations” in Kaghidagh under the leadership of Ardavazt Alaverdi.
June 20, 1920 – Homenetmen scouts took part in an international scouting parade. General Wilson and General Maxwell, the President of the World Organization of Scouts Movements, attended the event. The discipline and skills of the Armenian scouts were met with high praise.
July 26, 1920 – On behalf of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee, Vahan Cheraz, Onnig Yazmajian, and Diran Khoian visited Armenia intending to establish a scouting and sports movement in the homeland.
September 5, 1920 – The first Pan-Armenian Olympics were organized at the Union Club in Constantinople. They were presided over by Archbishop Zaven, the Patriarch of the Armenian Orthodox Church. Noubar Jelalian from the Armenian Sports Club in Sgudar, became the champion of the Games.
October 3, 1920 – At the International Silver Mug Tournament, Homenetmen’s team won the cup against the Irish military team with a score of 1-0.
November 1-25, 1920 – During the 24 days of a fundraising campaign titled “Scouts for Fatherland”, all Homenetmen chapters raised money and collected clothing for scouts in Armenia.
March 20, 1921 – Homenetmen’s General Assembly was held at the Shishli Orphanage in Constantinople. 46 representatives from 16 chapters attended the Assembly. Jirayr Khorasanjian, Haig Jizmejian, Boghos Shaboian, Krikor Hagopian, Carlo Shahinian, and Vahram Papazian were elected as the new Central Committee. Krikor Hagopian and Haig Jizmejian declined their positions, and Ararad Krissian and Hrachya Der Nersessian were elected instead.
March 1921 – A fundraising campaign was carried out by Homenetmen scouts in all the districts of Constantinople. They collected 24 bundles of donated clothing and over 2,500 Turkish Liras to send to their peers in Armenia.
May 1, 1921 – In another fundraising effort, Homenetmen scouts sold cockades and collected 2,525 Turkish Liras for scouts’ gear and clothing.
May 12, 1921 – The Homenetmen Central Committee issued an appeal to all Armenian political parties, urging them not to enroll youth under the age of 18 into their ranks.
May 13, 1921 – The Executive Committee of the Armenian Social Democrat Hnchagian Party in Constantinople responded positively to Homenetmen’s appeal.
May 18, 1921 – The Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) in Constantinople also accepted Homenetmen’s appeal.
May 24, 1921 – A similar response came from the Regional Committee of the Armenian Liberal Party in Constantinople.
May 29, 1921 – The Regional Committee of the Armenian Democratic (Ramgavar) Party in Constantinople also sent a positive reply to the appeal.
June 8, 1921 – Lieutenant-General Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout Movement and first Chief Scout, wrote the following letter to Homenetmen:
The Boy Scouts Association
25 Buckingham Palace, Road London
June 8
Dear Mr. Khorasanjian,
Captain Thesiger has informed me about a visit he paid to your scouts. His account was so positive that I feel obliged to congratulate you on the exceptionally successful inclusion of the ideology of scouting into the education of your boys and girls. It was a pleasure to hear about the warm feelings your scouts have for both their English brothers and for my person. It is my wish that you will inform them how interested I am in their accomplishments and how pleased I am to hear of the good deeds they have done in such a short period of time. I have just recently returned from Palestine, Egypt, and India and would have loved to have the time to visit Constantinople. In Palestine, I had the good fortune of having an Armenian boy scout as a “messenger” and, if he was representing your boys, then your youth are excellent scouts – and in good spirits at the same time – because that boy was always full of enthusiasm, always with a smile and willing to do more, even though he had suffered greatly at the loss of his dear ones in the war. He himself had barely escaped the horror of being killed by some neighbors – he was shot but was fortunately thought to have died immediately upon being wounded. Please convey my dearest wishes to you scouts.
Yours truly,
Baden Powell