Month: July 2009

SYRIAN, CZECH, RUSSIAN BUSINESSMEN INTERESTED IN EXPORT OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FROM ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 29, 2009
YEREVAN

After the business forum held within the frameworks of Syrian
President Bashar al Asad’s visit to Armenia (June 17-18) the Syrian
businessmen displayed interest in export of construction materials
from Armenia. Chief Director of Armenian Development Agency Robert
Harutyunian told Armenpress that in Syria there is especially a demand
for cement. This state will also be used as a transit state to the
African market.

The European states are also interested in the purchase of
construction materials. R. Harutyunian informed that a project of
export of construction materials from Armenia is also being discussed
with the Czech Republic. The Czech constructors show interest in
exporting especially the Armenian stones – basalt, travertine,
touf. In the Russian Kaliningrad province there is an interest
towards the decorative facing stones. R. Harutyunian considers it
interesting that in Kaliningrad the constructors got interested in
the four types of stones which were used during the construction of
Armenian Culture House. Chief Director of Armenian Development Agency
noted that each proposal results in the necessity of market study and
we must definitely know how the product must reach the other state
and how much will it cost, whether it will be compatible or not. The
issue of transportation calculation must be solved. As a result of
the crisis the construction and house building sphere has greatly
suffered and according to R. Harutyunian it somehow froze the already
reached agreements with Iran on the construction material export.

NEW YEREVAN-ROME FLIGHT TO BE IMPLEMENTED FROM JULY 15

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 30, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS: Armenian national air-transporter
"Armavia" Airlines will from July 15 implement Yerevan-Rome direct
flight. Press secretary of the company Nana Avetisian told Armenpress
that Rome is the third European city after Zurich and Berlin with which
"Armavia" implements a new flight during this year. The flight will
yet be implemented once a week on Wednesdays.

N. Avetisian informed that during the summer season "Armavia"
restarts the Yerevan-Marseilles flight. From July 7 Yerevan-Batumi
direct flight will also be conducted.

THE NA SPEAKER H. ABRAHAMIAN ADDRESSES A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO THE ARMENIAN PRESIDENT S. SARGSYAN ON THE 55TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 29, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS: The NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan addressed
a congratulatory message to the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on
the 55th birthday anniversary. Public relations department of the
Armenian Parliament told Armenpress that the message particularly
says: "Honorable Mr. President, I heartily congratulate You on your
55th birthday anniversary. Your experience of years contains a great
store of personal devotion which has and will continue to serve to
the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian nation. I’m sure that the
years will still have valuable events to record.

I’m sure that your assets as a leader and a human being – patience,
hard working and tolerance will be an example for each state and
political figure. I’m also sure that with your leadership our state
will achieve new successes and our nation will have new achievements
of unity.

I’m ready to assist all your achievements as much as I
can. Congratulations on your birthday anniversary, I wish you strong
health, power and enthusiasm, success and happiness."

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

BISHOP NAREG CHAIRS THE JOINT COMMITTEE BETWEEN THE WORLD COUNCIL OF
CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN WORLD COMMUNIONS

22-23 June 2009, Bishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer of the
Catholicosate chaired the annual meeting of the Committee between the World
Council of Churches and Secretaries of Christian World Communions. In his
welcome, he expressed his optimism about their work and said: "I am
convinced that our cooperation as churches through councils and Christian
world communions will continue bearing its fruit as we continue to respond
together to the challenges of the 21st century."

After hearing brief reports on ecumenical relations from the participants,
the committee discussed modes of cooperation on the following issues:
Christian-Muslim relations; Joint Assemblies; Bilateral Dialogues and
Christian Unity; 2011 International Peace Convocation organized by the WCC.

The committee is expected to report to the 8th Assembly.

##
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.

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

ARAM I: SERVING THE CHURCH AND THE PEOPLE OF GOD HAS BEEN THE NOBLE
CAUSE AND ONLY GOAL OF MY MINISTRY

On Sunday 28 June 2009, the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, the
Brotherhood celebrated the 14th anniversary of the election and
consecration of His Holiness Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia.

The readings and prayers of the Thanksgiving Liturgy called on people
to denounce material glory and aim at righteousness and spiritual
growth through service. The celebrant Father, Sahak Yemishian,
explained the lesson of the day and linked it to the life and work of
Catholicos Aram I.

After the Holy Liturgy, the members of the Brotherhood and the
faithful walked in procession to the main Hall of the
Catholicosate. In response to the messages he had received, His
Holiness said: "During the past 14 years we have sought and found
glory by serving the Catholicosate. We achieved this by seeking
spiritual power and spiritual values and made these the mission of the
Catholicosate. We embarked on this journey together with the members
of our Brotherhood and the representatives of our Dioceses. We shall
continue this journey as long as God gives us life."

## View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos388.htm#2
***** 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,
http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.o rg The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

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

H.E. CARDINAL ANDRÉ VINGT-TROIS
THE REPRESENTATIVE OF POPE BENEDICT XVI VISITS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

On Monday 29 June 2009, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois visited Catholicos Aram I
after a visit to the President of Lebanon, General Michel Suleiman.

A high-level delegation, including the personal representative of the
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, accompanied the
Cardinal. The meeting, which lasted for more than an hour, was also attended
by Archbishop Komitas Ohanian, Bishop Norayr Ashekian and Very Rev. Krikor
Chiftjian.

The Cardinal and his delegation discussed the evolution of the political
situation in Lebanon and relations between the Vatican and the Armenian
Orthodox Church, particularly the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The Cardinal
also asked for an update on the visit of His Holiness Aram I to the Vatican
in 2008.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos388.htm#5
*****
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.

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

THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES CONSULTS WITH
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

Dr. Guirgis Saleh was among those who visited Antelias on Monday 29 June
2009. Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, Director of the Unit Life and Service,
accompanied him.

The purpose of the visit was to consult with His Holiness Aram I, a
President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on the
restructuring report to the Executive Committee Meeting in 17 July 2009. The
MECC is currently facing difficulties that call for its radical
reorganization. His Holiness Aram I advised the General Secretary to take
into account the current financial crisis and the status of ecumenical
relations in the proposal to the Executive Committee.

##
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.

PRESS RELEASE
Haigazian University
From: Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
P.O.Box. 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090

Haigazian University Baccalaureate Service: A Thanksgiving Ceremony for
the Class of 2009

"You graduates stand at the end of this chapter of your life, the
chapter entitled Haigazian University is about to finish, and the next
chapter of your life now opens before you. What is it that you will
write on those pages? Who will pen the script of your life? Are you
going to pursue what God wants for and from your life or not?," asked
Rev. W. Gregory Lee-Parker, Campus Minister of Haigazian University
facetiously to the graduating class of 2009 during the Baccalaureate
Service, on Sunday, the 28th of June 2009, held in the First Armenian
Evangelical Church in Beirut.

A large number of graduates and their families participated in this
ceremony, a service of dedication and thanksgiving, which began by the
graduating class walking through the church sanctuary during the
processional hymn.

The call to worship was given by student Stepan Harmanlikian,
followed by a hymn of praise, "Be Thou My Vision", with students Issa
Saddi on the piano and Celine Gharibian on the violin, and the prayer of
invocation, delivered by student Makrid Markarian..

In his word of welcome, the President of Haigazian University, Rev.
Dr. Paul Haidostian, invited the graduating class to give thanks to God,
and to evaluate and give deeper meaning to their success.

"Today, we reflect, we evaluate, we want to see the deeper picture,
not only the wider picture of education and growth. Gratitude and
thankfulness are the words that characterize the day. So, during and
after this service, thank God, thank each other, thanks your families,
teachers or staff, thank the guards or the janitors, first thank them in
your heart. This is not a duty, but see if it could be your privilege,"
Haidostian noted.

Several graduates took part in the service: Aline Roussialian
played the prelude on the piano, Tamar Majarian read biblical
selections, Hagop Akbasharian and Nairy Arakelian shared their
reflections as students, while the Spiritual Life Worship Team performed
a song "I will Sing Your Praises Father God".

"For Such a Time as this" was the theme of the message of the day,
delivered by Rev. W. Gregory Lee-Parker, who using the biblical story of
Esther, illustrated to the students how their lives could easily
deteriorate into following after a shadow mission, a mission that looks
good and inviting but is not what God made them for. Rev. Lee-Parker
encouraged the students by pointing out that, like Esther, they are
where they are for a reason…it is not a mistake that they are
graduating from Haigazian University at this time and they need to
embrace the purpose set before them. As in the story of Esther they have
been called, "For such a time as this."

A prayer of dedication by the Vice Chair of the Haigazian
University Board of Trustess, Rev. Robert Sarkissian followed, after
which students Susan Foudoulian and Omar Salam read the pledges of the
graduates to carry the light of truth, freedom & service to the world:
"We, the class of 2009 of Haigazian University, in receiving this light,
pledge to hold high the light of truth, to defend the light of freedom,
and to spread the light of service to our communities, our country and
our world".

While the graduates shared the flame among fellow-classmates, the
Spiritual Life Worship Team sang the song "Here I am to Worship"..

At the end, the President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical
Churches in the Near East, Rev, Megrdich Karagoezian pronounced the
benediction, whereupon the class of 2009 marched out the sanctuary with
the recessional, each carrying a light out into the world.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

New York-Yerevan Videoconference Connects Armenian University Students
on Many Levels

On March 14, over 40 Armenian university students from five universities
in Armenia and six universities in the greater New York area took part
in the first-ever New York-Yerevan student video conference, organized
by AGBU’s Armenian Students Forum (ASF) and the AGBU Young Professionals
of Yerevan.

Representing various college levels and majors, participants came from
Yerevan State University, the French University, the Russian-Armenian
(Slavonic) University, Yerevan State Pedagogical University and the
Yerevan State University of Economics in Armenia, and Columbia
University, Hofstra University, Hunter College, Nassau Community
College, Queens College, and Rutgers University in the United States.
The discussion of issues concerned Armenian students today, with
emphasis placed on the differences between student life in Armenia and
the US.

After a brief introduction, the American students were able to
familiarize themselves with the practices of higher education in Armenia
directly from their peers and to relay to them their experiences of
college learning. Apart from the structure of education, the students
also discussed less formal subjects such as gender perceptions, family
roles, job prospects, the global economic crisis as well as the
elections in Armenia and America and their implications for Armenian
students. Topics such as stereotypes of diasporan Armenians and
"Hayastantsis" (Armenians from Armenia) and cultural differences were
made evident at some points and created some enlightening moments.

Shant Dosttur, a sophomore at Nassau Community College in Garden City,
NY, said, "As we began to speak about things related to school and
leisure time, the awkwardness began to dissolve, and I started to see
that both our groups relate." The students also discussed perspectives
and views regarding Armenian Genocide recognition and its importance on
a global scale, highlighting the difference in the consequences of the
outcome for those living across the border from Turkey, as opposed to
those living an ocean away. The relations between diasporan Armenians
and natives of Armenia weighed heavily in the discussion, and great hope
was expressed for increased collaboration between the two. "Bonds
created among students in different parts of the world will encourage
Armenians throughout the world, especially the young generation, to go
visit their homeland," expressed Nane Ghazarian, a junior at Hunter
College in New York City.

Not surprisingly, after some time, both groups of students soon saw
their discussion proceed along a more lighthearted, humorous vein, and
inevitably the forum was punctuated by a number of witty jokes and
anecdotes. The atmosphere of what evolved into a three-hour cultural
exchange was well described by Henry Dumanian, a sophomore at Hunter
College, who said, "I constantly hear about ‘the people of Armenia’ as
if they were some distant people. This conference put a face to them and
gave them voices. It also helped us see that even though we live an
ocean and two continents away, we share the same concerns and hopes for
our nation."

This unique event proved to be an excellent opportunity for many of the
students to feel more connected to their peers living on the other side
of the Atlantic and to feel more strongly the bond that is shared by all
students, no matter where they are in the world. "It was a very
interesting experience, a chance to get to know better the Armenian
young people in the U.S. We are willing to participate in another
meeting if there is a chance," Yerevan students Lusine Iskandaryan and
Ani Nargizyan expressed collaboratively.

Formed under the guidance of the University Outreach division of AGBU’s
Education Department, the Armenian Students’ Forum (ASF) fosters
cooperation among the various university student groups in an effort to
establish a united front of Armenian student organizations. While
helping to raise awareness of Armenian issues, it provides a platform
for future collaborative opportunities. To date, the ASF has drawn
support from the Armenian student groups of seven universities in the
NY/NJ area, having encouraged the creation of two of those groups
(Fordham University and Hunter College). The group meets monthly with
the hopes of creating a viable platform for interaction, communication,
information-sharing, and joint planning of educational, professional and
social events between the constituent groups.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians on six continents.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Taleen Babayan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

June 30, 2009

_______________________________

PRIMATE RE-CONSECRATES DOORS OF ST. GREGORY ARMENIAN CHURCH OF CHICAGO,
HONORS LONG-TIME PARISHIONER

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian
Church of Chicago, Ill., this month to preside over the re-opening of the
church’s renovated cultural hall and other facilities.

On Saturday, June 20, the Primate re-consecrated the church’s bronze door.
The ceremony was followed by a fundraising banquet in celebration of the
re-opening of the church’s cultural hall. Renovations were launched at the
Chicago church last year, to repair damage caused by a June 2008 fire.

The following day, Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy.
Following services, a Father’s Day luncheon was held to honor the Primate as
the parish’s spiritual father.

During the luncheon, parishioner Violet Koresian was honored with the St.
Vartan Award. Her service to the parish started when she was a member of the
ACYOA, then continued in her involvement with the church choir, parish
council, and women’s guild.

"My legs were wobbling, I was just speechless," said Koresian. "I was very
honored that the Diocese gave me this award, and that Srpazan presented me
with the ‘St. Vartan Award’ and plaque."

The Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian referred to Koresian as a "dedicated and
selfless servant of God" who inspires him with her "love and dedication."

"Violet Koresian is a true steward of the Armenian Church," said parish
council chair Michelle Babikian. "She is a caring, hard-working and generous
individual, and she is an example of someone with devotion and strong faith
to us all."

The Archbishop’s visit rejuvenated the parish after the frightening and
damaging fire that took place last year.

"The reconstruction is a sense of relief and accomplishment following the
fire," said Fr. Jebejian. "We made the House of God whole again. Our goal
was to make a welcoming atmosphere which creates opportunities for
fellowship in our church."

"We journeyed through the difficult days with the love, support, and
dedication of our parish and rebuilt and renewed our church," said Babikian.
"This weekend was a great celebration for the community. Top of Form

Bottom of Form

###

Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian re-consecrates the doors of St. Gregory
the Illuminator Armenian Church of Chicago, with the Very Rev. Fr. Aren
Jebejian assisting.

Photo 2: The Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, and
Diocesan Council Chair Oscar Tatosian present Violet Koresian with the St.
Vartan Award.