Month: August 2008

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE REPRESENTATIVE
OF SHEIKH KABALAN

His Holiness Aram I received the representatives of the Shiite Spiritual
Leader Sheikh Kabalan in the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s summer residence in
Bikfaya on August 18. Sheikh Kabalan’s son, the director of the Imam
Mousasader Foundation, and the Mufti of the Shiite community of Baalbeck met
with the Armenian Pontiff as well the Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon,
Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Bishop Norayr Ashekian and Dr. Jean Salmanian (a
member of the Lebanese Christian-Muslim Dialogue committee).

A special event will be held in Lebanon soon to mark the memory of Imam
Mousasader. Sheikh Kabalan’s representatives invited His Holiness to
personally attend the event and deliver a speech.

Both sides engaged in a discussion of the Christian-Muslim dialogue, turning
the meeting itself into a dialogue based on mutual respect and trust between
the two religions. They stressed the importance of dialogue and reassessed
the activities carried in this respect for the sake of ensuring cohabitation
and cooperation between the communities of Lebanon.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos304.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext. 202
Fax: +37410. 565601
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

20-08-2008

Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian comments on the question by "Zaman"
newspaper

QUESTION: How will you comment Turkish Prime Minister’s statement on the
intention to start talks with Armenia?

ANSWER: Armenia was always in favor of dialogue and talks, particularly on
the issues concerning cooperation and security in our region.
Turkish Prime-Minister’s statement on the intention to start talks with
Armenia on this agenda could be welcomed.-0-

Javakhk Armenians Call for a Federal Georgia

AKHALKALAKI, Georgia (A-Info) — The following is the declaration of
the the Council of Armenian Non-Governmental Organizations of
Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli.

DECLARATION

Now that the military operations have stopped and the repositioning
of military forces in the country is slowly retuning to the status quo
ante of August 6;

When the conflicting parties and the international community are
searching for ways out of the current situation and in order to
re-establish the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty;

It is clear, that the main victim of attempts to resolve inter-ethnic
issues through military operations is the peaceful population, without
any positive movements on the political front, on the contrary, with
complicated political consequences;

We, the public representatives of the Armenian population of
Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli, concerned with re-establishing
peace and stability in our country, assert that:

a) In order to re-establish Georgia’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty and, as a guarantee to the country’s stability and
democratic development to resolve the ethnic conflicts in an
objective, just and legal manner, Georgia should have a federal state
structure, composed of territorial units and a central government;

b) Under the federal system of state structure, the central
authorities of Georgia will retain all the powers provided by the
subsections of the first section of Article 3 of the Constitution of
Georgia;

c) The basis for the creation of the territorial units should be the
needs for preserving and advancing the ethnic identity of the
nationalities comprising Georgia’s population;

d) Samtskhe-Javakheti — with its current boundaries and with the
neighboring mainly Armenian-populated areas of the Kvemo Kartli region
— should have the status of a territorial unit comprising the
Georgian federal state, with broad self-governing rights, including
the right to free elections by the population for all local
self-governing bodies and jurisdiction over cultural, educational and
socio-economic policies, as well as the spheres of public order, local
self-government and environmental protection in Samtskhe-Javakheti;

e) Guarantees should be provided through the constitution, that the
Armenian language will be a regional official language in
Samtskhe-Javakheti, in addition to the official state language;

f) The representation of Samtskhe-Javakheti in the legislative,
executive and judicial branches of government of Georgia should be
constitutionally guaranteed.

It is about time, that the political elite of Georgia acknowledge,
once and for all, that:

– The way to the development and strengthening of the state is through
its formation on the basis prescribed above;
– In order to re-establish the integrity of the country the
law-abiding citizens should be sufficiently appreciated, their
concerns and reasonable demands should be heard, and they should be
provided with at least as much jurisdiction as is being promised to
those who have raised arms against the state;
– The country’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures first of all
requires complete adoption and application of European values and the
complete and immediate realization of obligations — including those
regarding the full protection of national minorities — undertaken
vis a vis European institutions.

We are aware that this declaration will not be received unequivocally.
There will be efforts to misconstrue or misuse it. But we, as
citizens concerned with Georgia’s destiny, could not refrain from
repeating the truth, which we have been proclaiming for years. We are
guided solely by the the interests of Georgia and Samtskhe-Javakheti,
which is a component unit of the country. This is what the memory of
those who fell during the last clashes requires; this is what the
right of return of those hundreds of thousands of the recently
displaced people requires; this is what the future of Georgia
requires.

Council of Armenian Non-Governmental Organizations
of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli.

19 August 2008, Akhalkalaki
[email protected]

-0-
20080819-a

>>>>>

(c) Copyright A-INFO

ainfonewsagency@gmai l.com

Developing Telecoms (press release)
Aug 19 2008

Research and Markets releases "Armenia – Telecoms Market Overview & Statistics"

By Michael Schwartz
20 Aug 2008 at 00:00

Analysis, Armenia, Telecoms, Markets, Deregulation, CEE: Dublin-based Research and Markets has emerged as one of the most prolific publishers of telecoms analysis and forecasting. Reports on developing markets are no exception. We submit below just one of the many releases we have received from Research and Markets.

Armenia’s telecommunications sector is small but growing. With over 600,000 fixed-line subscribers for a population of around 3.5 million, the level of investment in infrastructure and new services has begun to increase. There are, however, major structural issues to be addressed in the sector.

For example, although ArmenTel, the country’s national telecoms provider, was granted exclusive rights to provide all telecoms services until 2013 (apart from data services), a second mobile service provider was launched in mid-2005 after the government awarded a licence to K-Telecom (trading as VivaCell). The mobile market has been growing strongly and in late 2007 plans to award a third mobile operator licence were announced.

The new report looks at the overall state of telecommunications in Armenia and provides a selection of pertinent market statistics. These include a brief overview of progress made to date in the Armenian market and the breakdown of ArmenTel’s monopoly. The new players are in turn discussed and assessed. To round off the report before it concludes with the statistical sections, the consequences of foreign investment are reviewed.

WordPress.com
American Jewish Committee to Lobby for Azeri Interests, Announces Director
August 19, 2008, 7:51 am

jewish-committee-to-lobby-for-azeri-interests-anno unces-director/

BAKU (Asbarez)-The Executive Director of the American Jewish
Committee,David Harris, was in Baku Saturday where he told journalists
at a pressconference that his organization would lobby on behalf of
Azerbaijan’sinterests in the United States.Harris was visiting
Azerbaijan on the invitation of Azeri President IlhamAliyev. During
his two-day visit he met with the President, ForeignMinister, Prime
Minister and other officials.`[The] AJC has long appreciated the
importance of Azerbaijan as an exampleof religious tolerance and a
proven friend of the United States and Israel,’Harris said. `We valued
this opportunity to learn more about this strongally in a challenging
and critical region. We look forward to sharing ourviews about
Azerbaijan’s key role when we return to the United States.’However,
Harris’ remarks stand in stark contrast to significant
documentedevidence to the contrary. Azerbaijan’s numerous political as
well as socialhuman rights abuses both against its Azeri majority as
well as its ethnicminorities, including Armenians and have been widely
reported in US press aswell as international human rights bodies.But
according to the Harris, `Azerbaijan is critical to Western
energysecurity and to the avoidance of a potentially dangerous
monopoly in themarket for natural gas.’ The South Caucusus, he
explained, is witnessing ahistoric event in Georgia because the recent
outbreak of fighting in SouthOssetia is important not only for
Georgia, but also the whole region,including Azerbaijan and its
territorial integrity.The AJC will lobby for the US Government to pay
more attention to the workof the OSCE Minsk Group, mediating the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict betweenArmenia and Azerbaijan, Harris said,
adding `the Nagorno-Karabakh conflictwas the key issue of discussion
during my visit to Baku. We will work toimprove the OSCE Minsk Group’s
mission in the settlement of the conflict.’The Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, which has yet to be resolved, is in danger oferupting as
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev continues to make loudercalls for
renewed war to `take back’ Karabakh by force. Making the situationin
Azerbaijan more tense is the growing uncertainty over the outcome
ofAzerbaijan’s upcoming Presidential elections, slated for October
15.There is a definite cult of personality that is being established
thatthreatens the viability of democratic development in
Azerbaijan. Aliyev hasbeen propping up billboards throughout the
country, depicting his father,the late president Haydar Aliyev and
himself in a manner reminiscent of theStalinist Soviet Union and 1980s
Iraq under Sadam Hussein.Aliyev has faced persistent criticism over
his heavy-handed treatment ofindependent media and opposition
parties. Meanwhile, over a million Azerirefugees from the Karabakh
Conflict still live in shantytowns and abandonedtrain carts. Human
rights violations are at an all time high, as severemedia restrictions
continue to result in the imprisonment and torture ofjournalists and
opposition activists. According to Eurasianet, Aliyev’srecent claims
that his government allegedly oversaw the creation of 650,000new jobs
by the end of 2007 are not being received well by most ofAzerbaijan’s
population, which has yet to feel the affects of the country’smassive
oil revenues.With less than three months to go until elections are
held in Azerbaijan,controversy is looming over President Ilham
Aliyev’s failure to solve manyof the country’s social ills. With
Karabakh a major election issue inAzerbaijan, Aliyev has sought to
exploit nationalist fervor surrounding theunresolved conflict to
detract from his administrations failures at home. Inrecent months, he
has been touring the country and delivering, publiclycalling for a new
war and threatening to take Karabakh back by force.On June 26, Aliyev
staged the country’s first military parade in 16 years,and announced
his intentions to build a military industrial complex thatwould
support a second round war with neighboring Armenia
andNagorno-Karabakh.Azerbaijan ethnically cleansed its Christian
Armenian minority in a seriesof pogroms and massacres as the Soviet
Union was collapsing, forcing theArmenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, an
Armenian enclave forced into Azerbaijan,to declare
independence. Karabakh’s democracy movement, legal by thestatutes of
the Soviet Constitution, triggered a brutal military attack onthe
enclave by Azerbaijan, sparking a conflict that ended with a
Russianbrokered ceasefire in 1994.Azerbaijan has been using
petrodollars from the BTC pipeline to beef up itsmilitary, purchasing
armaments and vehicles from France, the United Statesor the former
Warsaw Pact. According to Stratfor, `Azerbaijan’s armament nowhas many
wondering if Baku is planning another conflict against a neighborthat
has been cut out of the region’s recent energy wealth.’A renewed
conflict would halt any possibility of Caspian energy reaching
thewest, and be a direct threat to U.S. and European interests in the
region.Following an unprecedented violation of the Nagorno-Karabakh
ceasefire byAzeri forces on March 5, Stratfor intelligence wrote in an
analysis piececiting the growing threat to regional security of a
richer and strongerAzerbaijan.`Azerbaijan has grown stronger and
richer following the 2006 completion ofthe Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC)
oil pipeline, which Western companiesdeveloped to feed oil to Europe,’
it said. `The BTC led to a morepro-Western Azerbaijan, and the
tremendous new wealth it generated hashelped the country increase its
defense spending from $175 million in 2004to more than $1 billion at
the start of 2008.’ Azerbaijan’s military budgethas since reached $2
billion.’Energy wealth has doubled Azerbaijan’s gross domestic
product;Azerbaijan’sdefense budget has jumped from just a few hundred
million a year to abillion this past year,’ Stratfor wrote earlier in
2007. `The country isarming itself, and neighboring Armenia is closely
watching. The twocountries have been deadlocked over the Azerbaijani
secessionist region ofNagorno-Karabakh – a conflict that has flared
into a war in the past.Azerbaijan’s armament now has many wondering if
Baku is planning anotherconflict against a neighbor that has been cut
out of the region’s recentenergy wealth.’Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s
longstanding insistence to isolate fellow US AllyArmenia, from
regional development projects, namely the BTC pipeline, andthe
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Ralway, have further jeopardized the security
andstability of US interests in the South Caucasus.During the planning
stages of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline,Azerbaijan pressured
British Petroleum to bypass a more economic acommercially secure route
that went through Armenia, a fellow US partner inthe region. In 2003,
New York Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-07) criticized the routing of
the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and gas pipeline during the
HouseInternational Relations Committee markup of the reauthorization
for theOverseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). The Committee
wasconsidering the OPIC’s application for political risk insurance
inconnection with construction of the BTC pipeline.At the
markup’sCongressman Crowley stated: `American taxpayers are beingasked
to help cover hundreds of million of dollars in increased costs forthe
BTC pipeline route that would bypass the more economic and
commerciallyviable route through Armenia. If the Caucasus region’sin
my opinion’sis tomove forward’swe must ensure that all countries move
forward together at thesame time. Choosing favorites in the Caucasus
will not promote regionalstability’seconomic integration’sand
peace.’Despite all this, Harris assured Azerbaijan’s leadership that
hisorganization would work for the interests of Azerbaijan in the
UnitedStates.`As your friends, we will try to do something for this
but it mostly dependson Azerbaijan itself. Americans shouldn’t only
know Azerbaijan as anenergy-rich country but also as a country that
made important contributionsto peacekeeping efforts in Iraq and
Afghanistan,’ he said, promising to takesteps towards the
strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and theUnited State.`We
will work to improve the relations between the United States
andAzerbaijan,’ he said. `We will also pay attention to Americans’
education[of Azerbaijan] to convey to them the basic knowledge about
Azerbaijan andto inform the political circles and U.S. presidential
contenders aboutAzerbaijan.’Meanwhile, the Azerbaijan Press Agency
reported on Monday that theIzmir-based Azerbaijan Culture Center has
began a petition drive demandingthat the Turkish-Armenian border
remain closed until the withdrawal ofArmenians from the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.The head of the Center, Jamal
Mammadkhanoglu, underscored that the bordersshould not open without an
`Armenian withdrawal from Azerbaijani lands.’`Turkey has to maintain
its embargo against Armenia for that,’ he said.`Otherwise, Azerbaijan
has no other option but to liberate its lands throughmilitary
force.’Azerbaijan and Turkey must unite as one nation, like `a
clenched fist,’ hesaid.

Turkish ambassador: `Turkey will not open borders with Armenia as long as
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is not restored’
19 Aug 2008

Baku. Elbrus Seyfullayev-APA. Chairman of the State Committee with Religious
Associations Hidayat Orucov has met with the Turkey’s Ambassador to
Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilic. The State Committee told APA Orucov informed his
guest about the religious situation in the country and underlined the
tolerance between the national and religious minorities in Azerbaijan.
`Every citizen’s freedom of faith and other rights are protected. The
religion is separate from the state in Azerbaijan, but all religious
confessions have been provided with the conditions for free activity’.

Ambassador Hulusi Kilic expressed his satisfaction with the development of
relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan. `Turkey will develop its
cooperation with Azerbaijan in all spheres henceforth’.

Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the ambassador said the
Turkey’s position in this issue was clear. `Despite pressures from Europe
and all the West, Turkey will not open its borders with Armenia as long as
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is not restored. We are always together
with Azerbaijan in this issue’.

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2008
Contact: Ani Garabedian

ANC-WR Extern Spotlight: Armine Sargsyan

Los Angeles, CA – As one of seven Interns for the Armenian National
Committee – Western Region’s Summer 2008 Internship – Externship
Program (ANC-WR IEP), Armine Sargsyan has immersed herself in the
promotion of bilateral ties between American and Armenian cities. As
an Extern for the Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association (GGSCA),
Sargsyan generates press and is helping organize the GGSCA fifth
anniversary celebration event.

"Being an Extern with GGSCA has allowed me to become a more active
member of my community," said Sargsyan. "I’ve always wanted to
contribute to the Armenian American community and this Externship was
the perfect opportunity," she added.

In addition to the work assigned to her by GGSCA, Sargsyan has spent
numerous hours volunteering for ANC-WR during the Navasartian Games
and for the Armenian Relief Society during the Mayor’s Day of Service.

Sargsyan attends UCLA, where she studies political science. After
graduating, Sargsyan plans to attend graduate school where she will
specialize in international relations.

Sargsyan has been a long time community activist and is a Model United
Nations (MUN) member at UCLA. As a MUN participant, Sargsyan learned
about the ANC-WR IEP through a friend and was enthusiastic to partake
in the program.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in
the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States
and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances
the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

August 19, 2008
Contact: Ani Garabedian

ANC-WR Extern Spotlight: Araz Parsgehian

Los Angeles, CA – As an extern with the Armenian National Committee
Western Region’s 2008 Summer Internship and Externship Program (ANC-WR
IEP), Araz Parseghian has been working with ANC’s Professional Network
(ANC-PN) to organize a professional panel for current and former
interns to learn about career options in Public Media and Government
Affairs. Since the start of the program, Parseghian has developed a
variety of skills and gained vast experience in his challenging and
government-oriented work.

"I have enjoyed meeting people who have great concern about Armenian
issues and working with them to help ensure that the Armenian American
community’s voice is heard," said Parseghian. "This Externship has
broadened my networks and allowed me to apply my knowledge within the
Armenian American community."

In the past several weeks, Parseghian has been working closely with
the ANC-PN by revamping their website and planning several events for
them. In addition to assisting with the Interns’ voter registration
drive, Parseghian has taken the lead in expanding outreach for the
Internship-Externship Program.

Parseghian received both his Bachelor of Science in Business
Management and his MBA from Woodbury. He currently works for a bank
and as well as being an entrepreneur.

Prior to his Externship, Parseghian volunteered at the ANC-WR on
several occasions. While volunteering for the organization, Parseghian
learned about the Internship-Externship Program and was eager to take
on the challenge.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in
the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States
and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances
the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.

Armenian National Committee – San Francisco Bay Area
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, California 94118
Phone: 415.387.3433 Fax: 415.751.0617
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

August 19, 2008

Contact: Roxanne Makasdjian

Telephone: 415.387.3433

REP. SPEIER COSPONSORS RESOLUTION ON DINK ASSASSINATION

— Cites need for Armenian Genocide recognition and increased U.S. aid
to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh

SAN MATEO, CA – In a meeting with Armenian American community members
led by the Bay Area Armenian National Committee (ANC) and the Armenian
Assembly of America (AAA), Congresswoman Jackie Kanchelian Speier
(CA-12) agreed to join the growing list of cosponsors of House
Resolution 102, a resolution condemning the 2007 assassination of
Armenian newspaper editor Hrant Dink in Turkey. Dink’s murder is
widely believed to have been a reaction to his publications about the
Armenian Genocide.

In the meeting at Rep. Speier’s San Mateo, California office, the
Congresswoman stressed the need for continued vigilance to achieve
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and for increased U.S. aid to
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. She also urged greater participation in
public affairs by the Armenian American community.

"I am encouraged when we are able to work collaboratively to achieve
our common objectives of securing recognition and justice for the
Armenian Genocide and enhancing U.S. relations with Armenia – an
increasingly vital ally in the Caucuses," said Rep. Speier. "We most
certainly must rectify the past, while keeping a keen eye on the
future. I look forward to the day when thousands of Armenian Americans
converge on Capitol Hill, united in advancing this important cause."

The community members at the meeting thanked the Congresswoman for
signing onto HR 106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and for joining
the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues within days of taking her
House seat earlier this year. The meeting was attended by Valina
Agbabian, Sako Bezdjian, Armen Carapetian, Sebouh Der Kiureghian,
Levon Ishag, Matt Senekeremian, Margaret Shamlian, and Khatchig
Tazian.

"Congresswoman Speier is always very accessible, receptive, and has a
deep understanding of our issues," said long-time Bay Area ANC
activist Khatchig Tazian. "We are fortunate to be represented by one
of the few Congressional members who keeps well informed, has a real
commitment to our issues, and works hand-in-hand with us to achieve
our mutual goals."

The group discussed a wide range of issues of concern to Armenian
Americans, including the latest efforts in the House to fight back the
Bush Administration’s attempts to cut U.S. aid to Armenia and tip the
balance of military aid in favor of Azerbaijan. Also at issue was the
unsettling effect Azerbaijan’s recent hostile actions and aggressive
rhetoric are having on the Nagorno-Karabagh peace negotiations, and
the serious challenges the ongoing crisis in Georgia is presenting to
Armenia, Karabagh, and Armenians living in Javakh, the Armenian
enclave within Georgia’s borders.

When presented with an overview of the ANCA Capital Gateway and AAA
internship programs, Rep. Speier enthusiastically welcomed the
opportunity to host the next generation of Armenian American activists
in her offices. Congresswoman Speier also expressed her pleasure to
serve as an honorary chair for the ANC-WR 24th Annual Banquet to be
held on October 12, 2008, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in
Simi Valley.

Congresswoman Speier is one of two current members of the U.S. House
of Representatives of Armenian descent, along with Bay Area
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OBSERVES THE FEAST OF SAINT MARY

"WE WILL COLLECTIVELY FIGHT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF SPIRITUAL AND MORAL
VALUES"

SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

The Catholicosate of Cilicia ceremoniously observed the Feast of Saint Mary
on August 16 during the Holy Mass officiated by His Holiness Aram I on a
special altar built for this purpose outside the St. Asdvadzadzine Monastery
in Bikfaya.

Armenian believers take unique spiritual relish in this traditional feast
held annually in the Monastery in Bikfaya, which they visit in large numbers
on this occasion.

The Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian performed
the Holy Mass. The believers sung the hymns led by the Seminary choir.

According to the traditions of the Armenian Church, His Holiness Aram I
performed the blessing of grapes, which symbolizes the presentation to God
of the earth’s harvest and the prayers of its people. After the service, His
Holiness delivered his sermon to the believers, among which the number of
youth was noticeable. Also attending the service were several young
Armenians who were participating in the Catholicosate’s youth conference
from various corners around the world.

The message was delivered by His Holiness Aram I. The main theme of the
message was the crucial importance of spiritual and moral values. In his
introductory remarks His Holiness pointed out the meaning and importance of
moral and spiritual values that must govern our individual and community
life. He said: "These values give substance and identity to our life. These
values ensure the quality of our life. They come to us from the Bible and
our church fathers. As Christians, we must respond positively to these
values with the profound sense of faithfulness and responsibility".

After these general remarks, with a more specific approach, His Holiness
first focused his attention on family by stressing the unique role of family
in Christian life. "Family is the backbone of a society and the heart of
Christian community. It is in the family that a child is grown up and formed
with Christian values and teachings. In a world in which the family is
exposed to the kind of trends which this integrate the family life and
jeopardize its Christian values, we must pay a particular attention to
family life, safe guarding its integrity and morality".

The second point of emphasis of His Holiness was the actual state of
Christian education on Armenian schools. Catholicos Aram I "reminded the
crucial importance of Christian education. For us, Christians, there is only
one education: Christian education. Our approaches, methodologies and
perspectives may be change in the course of time and in different contexts,
but the essence of Christian education based on Biblical teaching and values
must remain the same. Our schools must integrate Christian education, beyond
being a learning process as a formation process, in there curriculum and
activities". His Holiness also reminded the faithful that a few weeks ago a
conference was held with his initiative specifically on reorganizing
Christian education in the Armenian schools.

His Holiness gave a special attention in his message to the youth. He said
that a pan-Diaspora Armenian Youth conference is taking place at the
Catholicosate. He expressed his joy about the active and serious
participation of young people from different parts of the world. His
Holiness said "This is the time that we start listening what the youth are
saying. We must engage in dialogue with them. A meaningful interaction with
the youth is crucial for the progress and wellbeing of our church and
communities. Youth should not remain on the periphery of our life. They must
become active participants in all aspects of our church and community life.
This is the message that I gave to youth".

The Pontiff raised his prayers to St. Mary for her mediation with her
God-given Son to grant peace, love, unity, harmony and progress to the
Armenian nation.

Until late in the evening, believers stayed in the Monastery, renewing and
strengthening their faith on this occasion. They returned home with the
modest spirits of pilgrims and the kind feeling of benevolence. A number of
pilgrims had attended the Vespers Service the night before and spent the
night in the Monastery in preparation for the next day.

Holy Mass was also held in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral on
Sunday marking the Feast of St. Mary. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian officiated
the Mass and performed the blessing of the grapes.

The following day, Monday August 18, was Remembrance Day for the dead. Holy
Mass was also held on this occasion in the Asdvadzadzine Chapel in Bikfayya,
where the nation’s dead were remembered alongside the benefactors of the
Chapel Mr. and Mrs. Yervant and Alice Demirdjian. Prayers were recited and
incense was burnt in their memory.

At noon, the Cilician Brotherhood members, the members of the women’s
committee of Antelias and Seminary student joined His Holiness in the
Seminary’s lunch hall over the now traditional table of love.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos303.htm
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.