Month: October 2006

ARMENIAN PM RECEIVES JAPANESE AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

Armenpress
Oct 25 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian received today newly appointed Japanese ambassador to
Armenia Yasuo Sayitoy (residence Moscow).

Governmental press service told Armenpress that the prime minister
congratulated the ambassador on his new appointment wishing him
success in his high mission.

The prime minister also expressed hope that the ambassador will
continue the effective cooperation with the Armenian government
like the other ambassadors who have exerted great efforts for the
consolidation and development of relations between the two countries.

Margarian pointed out that Armenian authorities underscore the further
development of friendly relations with Japan and said that Armenia
remembers that the Japanese government has been supporting Armenia
for about 10 years.

During the meeting the sides also underscored the cooperation within
the frameworks of international organizations.

FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway

The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one’s belief or religion
The right to join together and express one’s belief

========================================== ======
Wednesday 25 October 2006
GEORGIA: "ORCHESTRATED REACTION" AGAINST RELIGIOUS MINORITIES’ BUILDINGS

Georgian politicians and the Georgian Orthodox Church continue to deny the
continued impossibility for religious minorities to openly build places of
worship, Forum 18 News Service has found. "The difficulties we face are
linked not to laws, but to a climate that has been artificially created
and which forces us – in order not to stir up aggression – not to
undertake construction," Catholic Bishop Giuseppe Pasotto told Forum 18.
Amongst religious minorities facing this intolerance are Baptist churches,
Pentecostals, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the True Orthodox Church.
Elene Tevdoradze, Chair of the Parliamentary Human Rights and Civic
Integration Committee, denied to Forum 18 that problems exist, as did the
Deputy Chair of the Committee, Lali Papiashvili. She told Forum 18 "No,
no, that’s not true. It’s obviously not true." Zurab Tskhovrebadze of the
Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate also denied that religious minorities face
obstruction in building.

GEORGIA: "ORCHESTRATED REACTION" AGAINST RELIGIOUS MINORITIES’ BUILDINGS

By Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service <;

Three years after the change of regime that saw the end of most violent
mob attacks on religious minorities, Georgia’s political class remains in
denial about the continued impossibility for religious minorities to build
new places of worship openly, religious minority leaders have complained to
Forum 18 News Service. "Especially in places which had Catholic churches
which have been confiscated by the Orthodox, the Catholic faithful have
the right – as a minimum – to have a church. But up till today this
remains impossible," Georgia’s Catholic bishop Giuseppe Pasotto told Forum
18 from the capital Tbilisi [T’bilisi] on 19 October. He said there has
been no improvement since 2003.

Forum 18 has found that while some faiths can quietly build unobtrusive
places of worship under the guise of private homes or offices – as long as
they do not look like places of worship – religious communities whose
places of worship are distinctive and indeed almost any place of worship
of a minority faith in a small village face obstruction or de facto bans.

"In the major centres all construction recognised as Catholic arouses an
orchestrated reaction," Bishop Pasotto complained. "The difficulties we
face are linked not to laws, but to a climate that has been artificially
created and which forces us – in order not to stir up aggression – not to
undertake construction."

This is a long standing problem facing religious minorities within Georgia
(see F18News 14 November 2003
< e_id=184>). A major factor
behind it is that some Georgian Orthodox priests persistently incite mob
violence against religious minorities (see eg. F18News 25 May 2005
< e_id=569>). Intolerance of
religious minorities is widespread within Georgian society, despite some
legal improvements (see F18News 24 May 2005
< e_id=568>).

Typical of the "aggression" Bishop Pasotto complained of was a mob
invasion in September and subsequent petition campaign against the
completion of an Assyrian Catholic centre in Tbilisi. This will also
include a sanctuary for religious worship (see F18News 19 October 2006
< e_id=857>).

In 2005, a church that a Baptist community was trying to build in
Zestafoni, a town 45 km (30 miles) east of Kutaisi [K’ut’aisi], was
attacked. "We laid the foundations, but as soon they found out, the
Orthodox priest came with others and broke them down," Pastor Levan
Akhalmosulishvili, a leading member of the independent Association of
Christian-Baptist Churches, told Forum 18 on 18 October. "The Orthodox
told us openly: ‘Society, government and parliament support us!’" Building
work has still not been able to resume, he added.

Also forced to a halt was construction of a home for a Baptist deacon, in
the village of Velistsikhe in Gurjaani district of eastern Georgia. This
was attacked by mobs in 2004 (see F18News 5 November 2004
< e_id=446>). "The district and
village authorities have told us not to use the half-finished building,"
Pastor Akhalmosulishvili reported. "Criminals threatened to destroy it if
we resume building. The authorities told us they would not defend us."

Asked what officials say when congregations of his Association ask if they
can build places of worship, Akhalmosulishvili responded: "They look at us
as though we’re mad. It’s fantasy to even think of building."

Giorgi Khutsishvili, head of the Tbilisi-based International Center of
Conflict Negotiations, is blunt. "Can religious minorities build places of
worship? No," he told Forum 18 from Tbilisi on 18 October. "This becomes
such a hot topic." He attributes this to the "mentality of the majority"
who, he says, regard the Orthodox Church as having the status of a state
Church. "The Orthodox can build any church anywhere, but all others are
alien."

Khutsishvili says every time "fundamentalists" learn a non-Orthodox place
of worship is being built they move in. "The government is quiet and does
nothing," he told Forum 18. "It tries to mediate, calming the
fundamentalists and the religious minorities. But it doesn’t resist the
fundamentalists, so they continue their activities."

He added that the lack of a religion law that would allow religious
minority communities to gain legal status as religious organisations (only
the Orthodox Patriarchate has such legal status) also hinders building
minority places of worship.

Bishop Pasotto complains that in recent years all the Catholic Church has
been able to build is "tiny places of worship in out of the way villages".
He expresses frustration that officials – who he says are not opposed to
Catholic activity – tell them they cannot change the situation. "The most
unpleasant thing is that from the political side, for all religious
problems – such as over a law on religion – there is complete inaction. Is
this from incompetence? Is this from fear?"

Bishop Pasotto’s frustration is echoed by Archbishop Malkhaz
Songulashvili, head of the Georgian Baptist Church, the largest Baptist
church in the country. "Everyone has the right to build a church, mosque
of temple, but this is impossible at the moment," he told Forum 18 on 4
October. "Religious communities cannot build a place of worship, only an
NGO office."

But Elene Tevdoradze, a parliamentary deputy who chairs its Human Rights
and Civic Integration Committee, denies this. "There’s no such law that
bans non-Orthodox faiths from building – if minority faiths do everything
according to the law, they can build places of worship," she claimed to
Forum 18 from Tbilisi on 18 October. "They shouldn’t be afraid. The policy
of the government is clear: everyone has the right to carry out their
faith." But she dismissed the experience of religious minorities of
repeated obstruction and threats of aggression when they try to build.

Her lack of concern was shared by the Deputy Chair of the Committee, Lali
Papiashvili. Asked by Forum 18 why religious minorities cannot build
places of worship she responded: "No, no, that’s not true. It’s obviously
not true." She said no religious minorities have complained to her about
this. "The government’s doesn’t have a policy not to allow other faiths to
build. Until we get complaints that they have problems I can’t believe
this." Asked whether she has talked to religious minorities she said "No."

Zurab Tskhovrebadze, spokesperson for the Orthodox Patriarchate, equally
denies that religious minorities face obstruction in building. "Any
churches can be built," he insisted to Forum 18 on 19 October. "There is
no law that says the Georgian Orthodox Church has to agree any such
building." Asked why this happens in practice, he responded: "When we meet
people of other faiths, they don’t complain to us about this."

One community that has not tried to build any new places of worship in the
past fifteen years but which faces absolute refusal to return its historic
places of worship confiscated during the Soviet period is the Armenian
Apostolic Church. Levon Isakhanyan, assistant to the Armenian Bishop of
Georgia, Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, said his Church is currently seeking the
return of six churches, five in Tbilisi and one in the southern town of
Akhaltsikhe [Akhalts’ikhe], which has a majority Armenian population. "All
these churches, that served the Armenian community for centuries, are today
shut and made no use of whatsoever by any denomination," he told Forum 18
from Tbilisi on 25 October. "The condition of these churches is
appalling."

Isakhanyan cited the diocese’s lack of status as a legal entity – a
problem shared by all non-Orthodox religious communities that refuse to
register as non-profit entities – as an excuse officials use to refuse to
consider such applications. He also complained that politicians and
nationalists who oppose the churches’ return often claim that their
ownership is "disputed". He insists the Georgian government has
responsibility to resolve the Church’s problems.

Likewise, Bishop Pasotto complains that six Catholic churches in major
towns – the port of Batumi [Bat’umi], Kutaisi [K’ut’aisi], Gori, Ivlita,
Ude and Akhaltsikhe – were "illegally" given to the Orthodox and have not
been returned, a problem he points out is shared by the Armenian Apostolic
Church. By contrast, he says the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate has been
able to recover its property confiscated during the Soviet period.

Asked why he believes non-Orthodox cannot build places of worship, Bishop
Pasotto responded: "The idea that a church that is built would be a public
sign which could influence people and be a source of proselytism against
the Orthodox Church."

Forum 18 could find only a handful of non-Patriarchate places of worship
now being openly built without problems. Fr Gela Aroshvili, a True
Orthodox priest under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Ephraim Spanos of
Boston, USA, reported that two of his congregations that had long been
obstructed from building can now do so.

He said the Tbilisi congregation began work on a small church in February
in the city’s Saburtalo district with permission from the local authority,
though the church is registered as a private house. He said the exterior is
now complete, but the interior is not yet ready to allow services to take
place. "It looks like an Orthodox church, but there’s no sign outside
saying it’s a True Orthodox church," he told Forum 18 from Tbilisi on 18
October. "I don’t know if the Patriarchate complained, but we’ve faced no
problems." Fr Aroshvili added that their congregation in Kutaisi has also
gained permission to build a house. He insisted they would build it in
traditional Orthodox church style with a cross on the top.

However, he said there has been no progress in rebuilding their burnt-out
church destroyed by a mob in the village of Shemokmedi in south western
Georgia in October 2002 (see F18News 7 April 2003
< e_id=27>). "We’re not hurrying,
but we do want to rebuild," Fr Aroshvili told Forum 18. "But the
authorities are still not responding."

One other minority place of worship that is being openly built is a new
church for a Russian-speaking Pentecostal congregation in Tbilisi, which
was repeatedly prevented by the police and by violent mobs from holding
services in the home of the pastor, Nikolai Kalutsky. Pastor Kalutsky won
an eventual victory in the Constitutional Court in May 2005 that such
bans, attacks and obstructions violated his religious freedom (see F18News
25 May 2005 < 569>). Following
this court victory, a Presidential Decree awarded the congregation land in
Tbilisi’s Isani district to build an alternative place of worship.

Kalutsky told Forum 18 that official registration of the land as his
property was completed at the beginning of October, and work began
immediately. "Permission was given for a private house, but the building
will look like a church from the outside," he told Forum 18 from the
building site on 24 October. "We couldn’t do it any other way because we
have no legal status as a religious community." He said the Prosecutor’s
Office had summoned him to tell him that, if the community faces any
obstruction, it is to notify the Prosecutor immediately. Pastor Kalutsky
was told that the Prosecutor will then take appropriate measures to allow
building to proceed.

Asked why his congregation is now able to build on land given free of
charge by the state, after so many years of harassment, Kalutsky
responded: "What happened to us reached the outside world – everyone had
heard of them. Politicians realised this."

Bishop Oleg Khubashvili, who leads the Pentecostal Union to which
Kalutsky’s congregation belongs, told Forum 18 that the Union has been
able to buy a building in Tbilisi to turn into its offices. (The Union has
legal status as a non-profit organisation). "Later we plan to turn part of
it into a sanctuary," he told Forum 18 on 24 October. "If we built a
church from scratch, I can’t say what the reaction would be."

The Jehovah’s Witnesses – who suffered more than a hundred violent
attacks, mostly unpunished, between 1999 and 2003 – say that they have
been able to build Kingdom Halls across Georgia in the last few years,
including about ten in Tbilisi. "It’s strange, given all the attacks,"
Jehovah’s Witness leader Genadi Gudadze told Forum 18 from Tbilisi on 24
October. "Sometimes life is surprising," he added, laughing.

But the Jehovah’s Witnesses have been careful. "We don’t advertise that
we’re building Kingdom Halls, but everyone round about knows what they
are," Gudadze reported. "They deliberately aren’t large or lavish, so
don’t attract attention."

Like other faiths, the Jehovah’s Witnesses choose not to place signs
outside their places of worship. "We understand that in a normal country
there should be such signs," Gudadze added. "But we don’t want extra
attention." (END)

For the comments of Georgian religious leaders and human rights activists
on how the legacy of religious violence should be overcome, see
< _id=499>

For more background see Forum 18’s Georgia religious freedom survey at
< id=400>

A printer-friendly map of Georgia is available at
< s/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=georgi& gt;
(END)

© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855
You may reproduce or quote this article provided that credit is given to
F18News

Past and current Forum 18 information can be found at

UN Development Programme (UNDP) Armenia

14, Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 375010, Armenia
Tel: +374 10 56 60 73 + 121
Mob: +374 91 43 63 12
Fax: +374 10 54 38 11
E-mail: [email protected]
URLs:

PRESS RELEASE

October 25, 2006
CONTACT: Aramazd Ghalamkaryan
E-mail: [email protected]

UNDP AND HAYASTAN ALL-ARMENIAN FUND JOIN EFFORTS TO ALLEVIATE RURAL
POVERTY IN ARMENIA

/Yerevan, October 25, 2006/ – Today, in the UN House in Yerevan, United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
signed a memorandum of understanding to closely cooperate in the area of
rural poverty alleviation in Armenia.

Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UNDP resident representative in Armenia and Ms.
Naira Melkumyan, Chief Executive of the Fund signed the memorandum.

Ms. Vidal noted in her speech: "Rural poverty alleviation is a serious
concern both for the government and the United Nations’.

Rural poverty eradication was the focus of the recently held
Armenia-Diaspora Third Conference. UNDP and Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
also participated in the conference and presented their respective
programmes in the field.

As of today, village development plans for 20 communities are already
developed with direct participation of the village inhabitants and the
local self-governance bodies, with UNDP’s assistance. UNDP’s support
will not be limited only to infrastructure, but to local projects in the
villages that generate jobs.

"We are very happy with the partnership with Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
that we formally establish today. We strongly believe that through
joining our efforts we will be able to achieve much more in our fight
against poverty in the country," – mentioned Ms. Vidal.

Ms. Melkumyan, in her answers to the journalists’ questions, mentioned:
"We and UNDP agree on the methods to be used while supporting Armenian
villages. Namely, we tend to provide means to build houses and not
ready-made houses. That is, we want to create all the necessary
conditions for villagers to become wealthy. Only in this case we will be
successful in our endeavours."

Currently, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s activities focus on improvement
of large-scale physical and development infrastructures. The Fund has a
proven track record: 138 miles (220 km) of roads, 81 miles (130 km) of
waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential
buildings, and 14 healthcare institutions.

UNDP is the UN’s global development network. We operate in 166
countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and
national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they
draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

* * *

/For additional information and packages of development plans for 20
border villages, please contact Mr. Aramazd Ghalamkaryan: tel.: +37410
566 073, ext. 121, +37491 436 312, e-mail: [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>./

* * *

The story on UNDP website:

PRESS RELEASE
HAMAZKAYIN – BOSTON
Contact: Ara Nazarian
Phone: 617.924.8849
Email: [email protected]

The Armenian Genocide: Current Turkish Historiography with Respect to
Marsovan in 1915

Lecture by Dr. Hilmar Kaiser

The Armenian Student Organization of Harvard University is hosting a
lecture by Dr. Hilmar Kaiser. The lecture is scheduled for Wednesday,
October 25, 2006 at 7:30 PM, to be held at Room P-02 of Hilles Hall [59
Shepard Street, Cambridge, MA – right off Garden Street]. The lecture
offers a re-examination of the current and older publications on the
town of Marsovan during the summer of 1915. Although Marsovan was an
Ottoman provincial town of minor importance, it has nevertheless
attracted attention from historians due to the relatively dense
documentation of the deportations and massacres of 1915. Mostly American
missionaries left behind a series of accounts on their experiences in
the form of reports, affidavits, memoirs, letters, and a diary. Together
with US consular reports, this documentation allows a rather detailed
reconstruction of the deportation policies at Marsovan, including the
murder of prisoners and deportees by Ottoman security forces.

The findings from this paper were discussed at relevant conferences in
Istanbul and Ankara in 2006.

###

Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933

PRESS RELEASE ~ October 25, 2006

(617) 923-1933
AYF-YOARF Hosts Annual Senior Seminar at Camp Haiastan

WATERTOWN, Mass. – From October 6 to 8, Armenian Youth Federation (AYF)
members from across the Eastern Region gathered at Camp Haiastan in Franklin,
Mass., for an annual seminar, this year focused on knowledge and activism.

Over 40 AYF senior members from Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New Jersey, New
York, Boston, Albany, Chicago and Providence attended five lectures and
various night activities organized by the AYF Seminar Committee.

"Senior Seminar is one of many events we have on the AYF calendar and
actually one of the best ones," said AYF Seminar Committee chairperson Nora
Keomurjian, "It provides our membership the unique opportunity to really get
to know one another, which they otherwise do not have at the larger events."

The first lecture on Saturday, "The AYFer: Birth of Activism," was given by
Dr. Ara Chalian from Philadelphia. Attendees spent the full session
discussing the role of AYF leadership in the Armenian community and what
exactly that should be. In a discussion format the group considered issues
of what leadership is and talked about successful examples.

Following Chalian was Dr. Asbed Kochikian who presented "Modern Armenia:
Challenges from Within and Without." The lecture focused on the political
scene in Armenia, with a lively discussion about the problems, their source
and the future direction of politics as they affect the people in Armenia.

The afternoon session featured a lecture titled "The Lebanese Israeli
Conflict and its Effect on the Armenian Community: What Does the Future
Bring?" Given by Jirayr Beujekian, the talk covered historical and
contemporary issues in the Lebanese Armenian community and its future
directions.

The final session of the day was given by Kochikian who outlined
"Nagorno-Karabakh Yesturday and Today." During the lecture Kochikian gave a
detailed historical account of the conflict in its political dimension.
After the lecture, all attendees were divided into groups for a game based
on the Karabagh war.

"The topics were intriguing, which made for interesting conversations," said
AYF Central Executive member Lauren Da Silva, "The lecturers discussed
current affairs, which opened the mind of the attendees."

During the evening, the group went out to Pinz, a bowling ally/arcade, to
spend some time relaxing after a long day of discussion and capture the
flag. Following the outing, members returned to camp where they sang
Armenian patriotic songs by the bonfire.

The following morning, the final lecture was given by the AYF Central Hai
Tahd Council, with Washington AYF member Vahan Callan. The group discussed
Hai Tahd activism by students on university campuses. In his portion, Callan
outlined his experience in Michigan starting a campus Armenian club. The
group also outlined other methods of becoming active: supporting fellow
student groups with similar goals, and attending and organizing lectures.

"This year’s senior seminar was a great way to bring together the leaders of
the AYF community," said New Jersey AYF member and seminar attendee Serge
Kechichian, "The discussions and lecturers were very informative and
worthwhile."

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Seminar 1: Over 40 AYF senior members attended lectures and various night
activities organized by the AYF Seminar Committee

Seminar 3: Dr. Asbed Kochikian (center) presented a lecture on modern
Armenian politics, bring to light the problems, their source and the future
direction of politics in the Republic

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian General Benevolent Union Inc.
Dr. Rita Kuyumjian
Chairperson
805, Manoogian street
Ville St-Laurent, QC H4N 1Z5
Tel: 514-748-2428
Fax: 514-748-6307
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

VIKEN L. ATTARIAN SELECTED AS REGULAR PANELIST ON RADIO CANADA
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM

Montreal, October 20, 2006 – AGBU Montreal is proud to announce that RCI
(Radio Canada International), the international radio broadcasting arm of
the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), has selected its former
chairman, Mr. Viken L. Attarian as a regular panelist for its new
programming lineup starting on October 30, 2006.

The new program is called The Link, presented by host Marc Montgomery. It
will focus on various current affairs in Canada which have an international
dimension. The panelists will articulate positions of immigrant citizens
who have a wider range of views on international matters.

"I was honored to accept this offer" said Attarian, "because it allowed me
to present to a worldwide audience my perspective on important matters. Our
world is constantly evolving and as citizens, we should not only be
continuously informed, but also continuously engaged. Democracy demands
nothing less and this program allows me to do precisely that. Being engaged
in debate and have my voice heard."

The first broadcast of The Link will be on October 30th as part of the new
program lineup. The first topic of discussion is "On the eve of the 1st
anniversary of the riots in France, can what happened there happen in
Canada?", further discussion topics include a focus on the contentious topic
of dual citizenship, very relevant in view of the recent evacuation of
Canadian citizens from Lebanon; the issue of recruiting doctors from
developing countries, the topic of prayer spaces in public schools and so
on.

RCI broadcasts regularly in nine languages to the whole world on a variety
of mediums. It can be listened to on analog short wave frequencies, live and
directly on the Internet and on the Sirius satellite network. Information
about RCI, its programs and schedules can be found at .

AGBU Montreal congratulates Mr. Attarian on this achievement. AGBU Montreal
urges its members and the Armenian public to support this initiative, by
listening to this new program, writing letters of encouragement to the RCI
editorial team and management and also by spreading the word about this
program to their personal networks.

For further information, please contact the AGBU at 514-748-2428 or at
[email protected]. Information about AGBU Montreal can be found at
our website at

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Missionary Association of America, Inc.
31 West Century Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
Tel: 201-265-2607
Fax: 201-265-6015
[email protected]

The AMAA Board of Directors with great sorrow announces the passing away
of its Ex-Executive Director, and Executive Director Emeritus, Rev. Dr.
Giragos H. Chopourian, who made the transition from life on earth to life
in eternity on October 11, 2006.

Dr. Chopourian was a great servant of God. He dedicated his entire life
to the Lord. He served the Lord and our communities around the world with
faithfulness, courage and wisdom. Through his selfless and dedicated
services he touched the lives of thousands of people. His departure is a
great loss for us but is a gain for eternity. May God bless his memory.

A celebration of Dr. Chopourian’s life will be held on Saturday, October
28, 2006, at the Armenian Martyr’s Congregational Church, 100 N. Edmonds
Avenue, Havertown, PA (Tel 610-446-3330). The celebration will begin at
noon with lunch followed by memorial service at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rev. Giragos
and Yeprouhie Chopourian Endowment Fund with the AMAA, c/o 31 West Century
Road, Paramus, NJ 07652.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

October 25, 2006
___________________

PARISH HONORS PAST GENERATIONS WHO LAID FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH

By Jake Goshert

One-hundred years ago, the Armenians in Union City, NJ, had humble jobs.
They were factory workers and janitors. They might have made about $7 a
week.

They had very little, and lived simple lives. But there was one thing
missing from their community: A church. Though the community had solidified
into a parish in 1891, it took eight years for the community members to
raise the $1,000 needed to start construction of the Holy Cross Church.

"The founders really did sacrifice," said Nubar Dorian, Diocesan delegate
from Holy Cross. "They decided to start collecting themselves among
themselves, to put $1 every week took aside for this project. It took seven
years of collecting pennies and quarters. And they weren’t able to build
anything but a plane structure. Our church, when you go by, if not for the
cross you wouldn’t know it was a church because the building is plain. But
they gave from the heart. That’s the significance of our anniversary."

The church marked its 100th anniversary on October 15, 2006. It is the
oldest Armenian Church location still in operation in the United States.

FOLLOWING A LEGACY

"This is an example of how our grandparents and parents believed in the
church so much that they were ready to sacrifice," Dorian said. "It is a
wonderful example, not of do what I say, but look at what I have done and
follow it. And our present members are really dedicated to the church and
continuing that legacy."

The parish can actually be considered a grandfather community. Its leaders
went on to form many of the Armenian Churches in New Jersey as demographics
shifted and the Armenians moved throughout the state. And though that
demographic shift might have decreased the size of the Holy Cross community
in recent years, the parish’s spirit is still alive and well.

"We have deep faith in the mission of the church," Dorian said. "The
continuity of the church is assured, even if at a reduced pace. Because it
is not the number of parishioners, it is the dedication of the parish
members."

THANKING THE PAST

About 425 people attended the anniversary event, including Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, who celebrated the day’s Divine
Liturgy; the parish’s former pastor, Archbishop Vache Hovsepian; and Bishop
Sion Adamian from the Armavir Diocese in Armenia.

"To me, the importance of an occasion that calls for looking back can lose
its importance, if in looking back we fail to learn the lessons of our
history, to unify us in our efforts going forward," the Primate said.
"That, to me, is why an anniversary, such as this one, is so important. The
vision forward is fortified and made bold by looking back, by looking
reverently on the foundation stones of our heritage and history, on which we
seek to build for tomorrow and beyond."

"Armenians, in Union City, were few in number at the turn of the century.
And, we were poor," the Primate added. "Nevertheless we summoned the
resolve to build. Can you imagine? New to this country, outsiders, with
limited means, yet motivated with hope and vision to build a church. They
built in hard times. I hope every time you enter this place you are both
humbled and inspired by the vision and labor of those now long departed."

The parish’s pastor, Fr. Vazken Karayan, said the Primate’s message was
fitting, because the parish today is truly buoyed by the efforts of
yesterday.

"Thanks to the former parishioners, who contributed so much, we have this
divine institution," Fr. Karayan said. "They sacrificed everything,
because, although they didn’t have money to purchase a house for themselves,
they found money to build a church. This was very touching and very
though."

During the celebration, five individuals from the parish were honored with
pontifical encyclicals from His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians. They were Dn. Hagop Hovsepian, Sylvia Bozoyan,
Philip Arpiarian, Ann Dadaian, and Mary Shalakian.

But the day was not focused on those who had given to the parish in the
past. It was forward looking, with young children from the parish’s Sunday
School getting involved.

"It was symbolic of the changing of guards," Fr. Karayan said. "It is
important because the new generation, the children who receive Christian
education in our Sunday Schools, will be the future parish council members
who will carry the torch of our Christianity."

PROVIDING TOOLS

While the founding generation secured a building, following parishioners
gave the church a solid financial footing to grow. The parish manages a $2
million endowment fund, which provides continuing financial strength to the
parish.

"Today we are the luckiest generation," Fr. Karayan said. "We inherited a
priceless treasure, the church. It is our moral responsibility to plant
healthy spiritual seeds in the hearts of our young generation. I hope we
will all follow in the footsteps of our ancestors, imitate their genuine
faith, selfless devotion, exemplary commitment, and remarkable dedication.
Today we remember them with pride and gratitude."

"It is our duty to perpetuate the legacy which they left behind," he added.
"The legacy they left behind is beyond appreciation."

— 10/25/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, is greeted by parishioners as he enters the Holy Cross Church of
Union City, NJ, during the celebration of the parish’s 100th anniversary on
October 15, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Hundreds of parishioners fill the Holy Cross Church of
Union City, NJ, during the anniversary badarak, which included music by the
Gomidas Choir.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Fr. Vaken Karayan, pastor of the Holy Cross Church of
Union City, NJ, speaks to the parishioners during the banquet on October 15,
2006, marking the parish’s 100th anniversary.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): During the banquet marking the 100th anniversary of the
Holy Cross Church of Union City, NJ, on October 15, 2006, the Primate and
Fr. Karayan join the five parishioners honored with pontifical encyclicals
form His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians: Dn. Hagop Hovsepian, Sylvia Bozoyan, Philip Arpiarian, Ann
Dadaian, and Mary Shalakian.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

October 25, 2006
___________________

YOUNG PEOPLE DESCEND UPON BOSTON AREA FOR FUN

Young people from several parishes gathered in Watertown, MA, on Columbus
Day weekend, October 6 to 8, 2006, for this year’s Archbishop’s Tournament.

The sporting events were held at the Health Point Gym in Waltham, MA, the
training home of the Boston Celtics. To the enjoyment of the fans in the
stands, the teams, comprised of 60 ACYOA members from five parishes, played
with all their heart and soul. Many games were decided in the last few
seconds, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats.

The tournament finals were on Sunday, following the badarak at the host
parish of St. James Church. Teams from the Church of the Holy Martyrs from
Bayside, NY, and the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, faced off for the
title. In the end, Holy Martyrs took home the trophy.

"This year’s Archbishop’s Tournament was another great example of how our
ACYOA continues to flourish," said Ara Janigian from the Sts. Sahag and
Mesrob Church of Providence, RI. "We not only enjoy the spirited
competition, but also the fellowship of other Armenians."

The ACYOA is dedicated to continually strengthen events such as the
Archbishop’s Tournament to meet the needs and serve the Armenian youth in
communities throughout the Diocese. Visit for updates and
coming events.

— 10/25/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Teams compete at the Archbishop’s Tournament, which ran
from October 6 to 8, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Basketball players take a shot during the 2006
Archbishop’s Tournament, hosted by the St. James Church of Watertown, MA.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

October 25, 2006
___________________

SPORTS WEEKEND STRENGTHENS CHURCH CONNECTIONS TO YOUTH

Start with some basketball and sports, mix thoroughly with friends and fun,
before adding a dash of Christian fellowship. That’s the winning recipe for
the ACYOA Jrs. Sports weekend.

Over Columbus Day weekend, October 6 to 8, 2006, 176 young participants from
18 parishes participated in the weekend, which was hosted this year by the
Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA.

While the weekend was centered on sports, it also included ample Christian
ministry opportunities. The weekend began with an evening prayer service
before participants headed home to their host families.

Early Saturday morning the fun and games started with team sports and
individual games, followed by a dance in the evening. On Sunday morning,
the participants came together during Divine Liturgy and then headed
straight to the gym for the finals.

Trophies were awarded in red carpet style at the Sunday night "Hollywood
HYElights" banquet. The girls’ basketball trophy went to the 16-member team
from the St. James Church of Watertown, MA. The trophy for boys’ basketball
was earned by a team comprised of members from several parishes. The co-ed
volleyball trophy went to the St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C.

The ACYOA Jrs. from Washington, D.C., also took home the honor of earning
the most overall points from team and individual games. While the
participants from the Church of the Holy Translators in Framingham, MA, were
honored with the "Best Team Sportsmanship Award."

BUILDING CONNECTIONS

This was the first time in more than two decades that Holy Trinity hosted
the annual event. Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, the youth director of the Cambridge
ACYOA Jrs., attributes much of the weekend’s success to the enthusiasm
demonstrated by the entire parish.

Pastor of Holy Trinity, Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, agreed that the opportunity
not only brought together young people from throughout the Diocese, but
bonded the parishioners in Cambridge.

"From our parish perspective, hosting the Sports Weekend was a wonderful
opportunity to bring together the many skills and talents of our
parishioners," he said. "Our hope is that every teen who participated in
this Sports Weekend will leave Cambridge with stronger connections to their
own parish, with an appreciation for being together as young Armenians, and
with the realization that they are loved by God and His church. Our church
is blessed to have such young people."

For more information about upcoming events for ACYOA Juniors please contact
the Diocesan coordinator of youth outreach, Jennifer Morris, at
[email protected].

— 10/25/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Zachary Haydanek from the host parish, Holy Trinity
Church OF Cambridge, MA, reads the lections for the day during Divine
Liturgy as part of the ACYOA Jrs. Sports Weekend.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): ACYOA Jrs. members from the St. James Church of
Watertown, MA, hang out at the gym before their next big game during the
ACYOA Jrs. Sports Weekend October 6 to 8, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): ACYOA Jrs. from the Church of the Holy Translators in
Framingham, MA, pose with their chaperones after receiving the honor for
best sportsmanship at Sunday night’s dinner dance capping off the AYOCA Jrs.
Sports Weekend, October 6 to 8, 2006.