Month: November 2009

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

Monday, November 23, 2009

Welcome Reception Held by AGBU Lebanon for Newly Appointed Armenian
Ambassador

On November 11, 2009, the AGBU Lebanon District Committee hosted a
welcome reception in honor of His Excellency Ashot Kocharian, the newly
appointed ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Lebanon. The
reception took place at the Demirdjian Center and was attended by
Lebanese ministers and members of parliament, ambassadors,
representatives of leading organizations, and AGBU benefactors.

AGBU President Berge Setrakian delivered a welcoming speech, in which he
emphasized the importance of Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. He also
outlined the many projects that AGBU administers and contributes to in
Armenia. Anita Lebiar, executive director of AGBU Lebanon, also welcomed
the guest of honor and guests on behalf of the AGBU Lebanon’s District
Committee. She gave an overview of the mission of AGBU and the numerous
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs it runs on six
continents. She wished great success to the new ambassador on his
endeavors in Lebanon.

Ambassador Kocharian expressed his gratitude to the AGBU leadership for
the warm welcome and hospitality he has received personally and, more
importantly, for the continued support that AGBU extends to Armenia.
Ambassador Kocharian also thanked AGBU Lebanon President Gerard
Tufenkjian and presented him with a souvenir plate as an expression of
his gratitude. All attendees joined the AGBU District Committee in
wishing the best to the ambassador and his wife, Kohar Kocharian, and
hoping that they will enjoy the rich Lebanese tradition of warmth and
hospitality in the coming years.

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 program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.

For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit

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

November 23, 2009

___________________________________________

YOUNG ACOLYTES ORDAINED AT ST. JOHN CHURCH OF GREENFIELD, WI

On Sunday, November 15, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited St. John Armenian
Church of Greenfield, Wis., where he ordained three young acolytes and
joined the parish in the celebration of the church’s 69th anniversary.

Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and delivered a sermon
about the importance of giving thanks to God in the Advent season, and
throughout the year.

"In two weeks, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. It is a uniquely American
occasion, but the idea of giving thanks to God during a family meal is
hardly foreign to Armenians," the Primate said. "In our tradition, we give
thanks to the Lord for all His gifts."

"The Eucharist – which means ‘thanksgiving’ – is our way of remembering the
last days of Christ’s ministry: when Christ gave himself for mankind,"
Archbishop Barsamian said. "As Christians, we offer thanksgiving for this
gift, not just one time a year, but every week, through the holy badarak."

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a requiem service was held for Dn.
Sarkis Samuel Avakian, a longtime servant of the Armenian Church, marking
the 40th day of Dn. Avakian’s passing.

A gifted tenor, Dn. Avakian served for many years as a choir director,
helping other parishioners learn and sing the Gomidas badarak. He also
served on the parish council and numerous church committees, and was a
member of the Knights of Vartan.

Both at St. Mesrob Church of Racine, Wis., and at St. John Church of
Greenfield, Dn. Avakian inspired young people to carry forward the rich
heritage of the Armenian Church.

In 2003, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, bestowed the "St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal" on Dn. Avakian, in
recognition of his contributions to the Armenian Church.

"Today, we remember with gratitude the exemplary stewardship and service of
Dn. Samuel Avakian," the Primate said. "We definitely miss his physical
presence here in this sanctuary."

A supportive environment for parish youth

During the ordination service, three young men came forward to be ordained
to the rank of acolyte.

Arek Kashian, Donnie Rask, and William Seabrook began learning the duties
that come with this ordained office of the church at St. Nersess Armenian
Seminary’s summer conferences, which they have been attending for three
years. Their training was supplemented by guidance from the Rev. Fr. Nareg
Keutelian, visiting pastor of St. John Church.

The parish is proud of the young men for their dedication, Fr. Keutelian
said. He added that members of the parish council and other lay leaders work
hard to foster a supportive environment for parish youth. The church has a
small Sunday School and is planning to start a combined Armenian and
religion class soon.

This month’s ordination "testifies to the ongoing life of a relatively small
community that nurtured three priests during their formative years: the Rev.
Fr. Sahag Kashian, the Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, and the Rev. Fr. Arsen
Barsamian," commented parishioner David Luhrssen after the day’s events.

"We are very proud of the three priests from our parish, and we are
continuing in that tradition of training young people," Fr. Keutelian said.
"We hope that some of these young people eventually will be ordained
priests."

Following services, a luncheon was held in the church hall, as some 100
parishioners gathered to mark the church’s 69th anniversary.

Archbishop Barsamian presented the newly ordained acolytes with crosses from
Holy Etchmiadzin. The Primate spoke about vocations and commended the young
men for their commitment to serving the Armenian Church.

"We express our gratitude to the founders of this parish, and to all the
dedicated servants of this parish, and to all those who have continued the
mission of St. John Church during the past 69 years," the Primate said.

William Seabrook, speaking on behalf of his fellow newly-ordained acolytes,
reflected on how Armenian cultural and spiritual traditions have helped
shape his identity. The program also featured the recitation of the poem
"Giligia" by Nicole Kashian and the performance of "Der Getzo" by Fr.
Keutelian.

###

Photos attached.

Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains Arek Kashian, William Seabrook,
and Donnie Rask to the rank of acolyte at St. John Armenian Church of
Greenfield, Wis.

Photo 2: Newly ordained acolytes with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and the
Rev. Fr. Nareg Keutelian, visiting pastor of St. John Armenian Church of
Greenfield, Wis.

PRESS RELEASE
November 23, 2009

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 12th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gaiane Khachatrian
E-mail: [email protected]

AUA Student Receives a Junior Faculty Development Program Grant

Arevik Ohanyan, an American University of Armenia (AUA) student, received a
grant from the Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP), and has been named
a Fellow in the field of Education Administration.

The JFDP program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
of the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the American Councils
for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS. The goal of the program is to
contribute to the development of higher education in participating
countries. To this end, the JFDP provides opportunities for university-level
instructors with strong potential for leadership in their disciplines to
engage in curriculum development and explore alternative teaching
methodologies, expand and enhance the academic knowledge of the subject they
teach throughout a semester in the States, and maintain on-going contacts
between their home and host institutions.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: +374-10-517163
Fax: +374-10-517301
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website:

November 23, 2009

Supreme Spiritual Council Statement on Collapse of
St. Gevork of Mughni Armenian Church in Georgia

On Friday, November 20, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during a meeting of the Supreme
Spiritual Council in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Discussed during
the meeting was the collapse of the St. Gevork of Mughni Armenian Church in
the Diocese of Georgia. At the end of the meeting, the following statement
was released:

The Supreme Spiritual Council regrets to confirm that the St. Gevork of
Mughni Armenian Church (built in 1356) in Tbilisi, Georgia, has collapsed.

The Supreme Spiritual Council regretfully states that years of effort on the
part of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the authorities of the
Republic of Armenia, to regulate the legal standing of the Armenian Diocese
of Georgia and secure the return of Armenian churches, through dialogue with
the authorities of the Republic of Georgia and the Georgian Orthodox Church,
were unsuccessful. The collapse of the St. Gevork of Mughni Armenian Church
is only one of the consequences of the unwarranted delays exhibited by the
Georgian side in the handling of the aforementioned issues. The authorities
of the Republic of Georgia and the Georgian Orthodox Church are wholly
responsible for the collapse of the church.

The indifference exhibited by the Georgian state toward the preservation of
Armenian holy sites does not correspond in any way with: 1) the
establishment of good neighborly relations, 2) fidelity to universal human
values, 3) respect for the rights of ethnic minorities, 4) the constant
statements made by the Georgian state regarding the preservation of the
historical and cultural heritage of their ethnic minorities, and 5) the
Georgian state’s acceptance of responsibilities before the international
community.

The Supreme Spiritual Council calls on the authorities of the Republic of
Georgia and the Georgian Orthodox Church to immediately implement steps to
grant legal status to the Armenian Diocese of Georgia and to return the
Armenian churches in Georgia to the Armenian Diocese of Georgia for the
normal functioning of national-ecclesiastical life for the Georgian-Armenian
community and the safe preservation of Armenian holy sites.

AAC ACCUSES GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES OF INDIFFERENCE TO ARMENIAN SACRED PLACES

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.11.2009 18:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Apostolic Church accused Georgian
authorities of indifference to Armenian sacred places in the country,
what resulted in collapse of Surb Gevorg of Mughni Church in Tbilisi.

"Armenia’s attempts to negotiate the legal status of Surb Gevorg of
Mughni and other Armenian churches in Georgia proved fruitless. The
indifference of Georgian authorities contradicts the country’s
international commitments to establish good-neighborly relations,
to protect the national minorities’ rights and to preserve their
cultural and historical heritage," AAC Supreme Spiritual Council said
in a statement.

The SSC called on Georgian leadership and Georgian Orthodox Church to
grant a legal status to the AAC and preserve Armenians’ sacred places.

FOREIGN MINISTER NALBANDIAN PAYING FORMAL VISIT TO ITALY

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.11.2009 12:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian is on a
formal visit to Rome, where he is scheduled to meet with his Italian
counterpart Franco Frattini and chairman of the Foreign Relations
Committee of the Italian Senate Lamberto Dini.

Minister Nalbandian will also attend the Italian Senate to give a
lecture on Armenia’s foreign policy.

YEREVAN TO HOST NATO ROSE ROTH SEMINAR IN MARCH 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.11.2009 12:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yerevan will host NATO Rose Roth "Regional
cooperation in the South Caucasus. Challenges, Opportunities,
Perspectives" seminar from March 11 to 13, 2010.

"According to an agreement with the Alliance, Armenian will be one
of the working languages of the seminar, so that Armenian MPs can
offer their views," chairman of the Armenian delegation to NATO PA, Mr.

Karen Avagyan told a news conference on Monday.

NATO Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia,
Mr. Robert Simmons and EU Envoy for the South Caucasus, Mr. Peter
Semneby were invited as guest speakers.

Mr. Avagyan described the work of the Armenian delegation during the
55th NATO PA session in Edinburgh as successful. "Stepan Safaryan
gave a report on cyber security. As to Azerbaijani parliamentarians,
they spoke in cliches and received a proper response from the Armenian
delegation," he said.

ARMENIAN SERVICEMEN NEVER SHELLED CIVILIANS

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.11.2009 12:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The ceasefire was violated at the contact line
between NKR and Azerbaijani armed forces on November 21, 22 and 23,
NKR Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry refuted Azerbaijani media reports about a killed
civilian. "The information disseminated by Azerbaijan is untrue. It’s
nothing but a canard of Azerbaijani propaganda machine," it said.

ICON COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF ICON ARAG UNLIMITED TRAFFIC INTERNET OFFERING

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.11.2009 13:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ iCON Communications announced Monday the launch of
iCON Arag, its new unlimited traffic internet offering. Under this
new program, customers can register for unlimited internet with no
activation fee or modem deposit by signing a one-year contract.

The iCON Arag program applies to all of iCON’s existing unlimited
internet service packages, starting with iCON entry at 8,000 drams per
month for up to 128 kbps download to iCON optima, which offers up to
1,024 kbps download for 33,000 drams per month. All of the technical
specifications of these tariff plans have remained the same: there are
no traffic limits or additional usage charges at the end of the month.

In addition, the same terms apply to iCON’s full range of indoor and
USB modems.

"iCON is excited about making iCON service even more attainable to
Yerevan residents," stated Adam Kablanian, Chief Executive Officer of
iCON Communications. "By removing up-front fees but keeping in place
iCON’s simple, unlimited traffic tariff plans, we offer our customers
fast, reliable and affordable internet with no modem fees or surprises
on their monthly bills. Customers get exactly what they sign up for."

New and existing iCON customers now have the flexibility to choose
between iCON’s traditional accounts (modem deposit & activation fee)
and this new one-year contract option (no modem deposit or activation
fee). Both options are available throughout iCON’s expanded network,
now covering over 70 square kilometers including the following
districts: Kentron, Arabkir, Achapnyak, Vahakni Taghamas, Kasakh
village, Zeitun, Kayaran district, Nor Norq sections 2-8, and Avan.

Residents in all of these districts can choose from a variety of
wireless internet modems, including desktop modems and convenient
USB modems that can be carried and used anywhere in iCON’s network.

ILHAM ALIYEV AND SERZH SARGSYAN HELD A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF SOLUTIONS TO THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES

ArmInfo
2009-11-23 10:59:00

ArmInfo. The presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Ilham Aliyev and
Serzh Sargsyan during the sixth meeting in this year, held on Sunday
a detailed discussion of solutions to the most important issues,
the OSCE Minsk Group statement says upon the results of the meeting
of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Munich on November 22.

"The talks, lasted about four hours, were constructive. In some areas,
progress has been made. At the same time some questions are still
open", the statement says.

Moreover, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia have instructed
their foreign ministers to continue their working with Co-Chairs
on these issues. As a next step, the co-chairs intend to organize a
working session with Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers on
the eve of the OSCE Ministerial Council to be held on December 1-2
in Athens.

To recall, the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents was held
in the Consulate General of France in Munich on the initiative of the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmen Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier
(France) and Robert Bradtke (USA).

The talks held with the participation of foreign ministers of
Azerbaijan and Armenia, Elmar Mamedyarov and Edward Nalbadyan, as
well as the personal representative of the OSCE Andrzej Kasprzyk.