Month: November 2009

November 25, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

DIVINE LITURGY AT THE PRELACY CHAPEL

Under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, on Saturday, December 5th, 2009, Divine Liturgy will be celebrated
at the Prelacy St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen Chapel. The service begins at
6:00 p.m.
The celebrant is pastor of St. Mary’s Church Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Torossian.

PRELATE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTENDED OPENING CEREMONY OF THE AZTAG
DAILY "PYUNIK" HALL

During his stay in Lebanon, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, has been participating in official meetings as well as cultural
community events. On Saturday, November 21st, 2009, the opening ceremony of
the Aztag Daily "Pyunik" Hall took place at the Shaghzoian center.
The Prelate attended the event, along with Executive Council Chair
Dr. Garo Agopian and Vice-Chair Mr. Garo Avakian. Also present were
statesmen and community leaders.

PRIME MINISTER OF KARABAKH ARAIK HARUTYUNYAN
VISITS THE PRELACY

On the afternoon of Tuesday, November 24th, 2009, Prime Minister of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Araik Harutyunyan visited the Prelacy where he
was welcomed by clergy and council members. The Prime Minister is currently
in Los Angeles ahead of the upcoming Armenia Fund Telethon.
The Prime Minister’s delegation included Mr. Davit Babayan
(spokesman to the NKR President), Mr. Robert Avetisyan (representative of
the NKR to the United States), Mr. Ara Vardanyan (Executive Director of
Hayastan All Armenian Fund), and Mr. Sarkis Kotanjian (Public Relations
Director of Armenia Fund U.S.).
The delegation was welcomed by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian
representing H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Very Rev. Fr.
Barthev Gulumian, Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian, Rev. Fr. Razmig
Khatchadourian, Central Executive member Mr. Khajag Dikijian, Executive
Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian and members Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian, Mr.
Varoujan Der Dimonian, and Mr. Khatchig Yeretzian, Board of Regents member
Mrs. Maggie Sarkuni, Mr. Vahan Bezdikian, Mr. Herair Jermakian, and members
of the Ladies Auxiilary.
Upon their arrival, the guests gathered at the St. Dertad and St.
Ashkhen Chapel for prayer. They were then given a tour of the headquarters
and became familiarized with the various departments and offices.
The official meeting began with the reading of the Prelate’s
welcoming remarks by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian. As reported earlier,
the Prelate was in Lebanon participating in meetings at the Catholicosate.
Remarks were also delivered by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Mr.
Khajad Dikijian, and Dr. Garo Agopian, all of whom reaffirmed the support of
the Prelacy and our community to the welfare and progress of Karabakh.
Prime Minister Harutyunyan conveyed his thanks for the warm welcome
and for the assistance of the community to Karabakh via Armenia Fund. He
reported on rebuilding projects currently underway in Karabakh and of the
current political situation with regards to Azerbaijan, and also touched
upon the Armenia-Turkey Protocols. The Prime Minister then took the time to
answer questions and give further explanation on specific projects geared at
rebuilding and strengthening Karabakh.
After the meeting the Prime Minister was hosted to a lunch organized
by the Ladies Auxiliary.

6TH ANNUAL ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
SUNDAY SCHOOL GATHERING

Under the auspices of the Council of Oriental Orthodox Bishops, on
Sunday, November 21st, 2009, the 6th annual Oriental Orthodox Sunday
Schools’ gathering took place at St. Ephrain Syriac Orthodox Church in
Burbank. Given that H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who is
a member of the Council, was in Lebanon at the time participating in
meetings at the Catholicosate, the Prelacy delegation was led by Very Rev.
Fr. Muron Aznikian and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian.
The day began with Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Mor
Clemis Eugene Kaplan, (Syriac Orthodox Church) and H.G. Bishop Serapion
(Coptic Orthodox Church). The students participated in the service in their
respective languages. Archbishop Kaplan delivered the sermon on the
following passage from the Gospel of Luke, "Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word of God" (Luke 4:4). Bishop Serapion then explained
to the students what makes the Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac Churches sister
churches and how important collaboration between the churches is. A
question and answer session and discussion followed. The participants also
received Holy Communion.
After lunch, the students, numbering close to 250, were assigned to
groups for the Bible competition on Luke chapters 1-12. Winners were
awarded with trophies and all the students were given mementos to commend
their participation.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

November 25, 2009
SPECIAL THANKSGIVING ISSUE
A MILESTONE EDITION: CROSSROADS NUMBER 300

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Wednesday, November 25, are: 1 Thessalonians
2:1-12; Luke 12:41-48.
Peter said: Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for
everyone? And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and prudent
manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them
their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom
his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he
will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave
says to himself, My master is delayed in coming, and if he begins to
beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get
drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not
expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in
pieces. And put him with the unfaithful. That slave who knew what his
master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will
receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what
deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom
much has been given, m!
uch will be required; and from the one to whom much has been
entrusted, even more will be demanded. (Luke 12:41-48)
For listing of the weeks Bible readings click here
( y/PDF/dbr2009-11.pdf ).

SAINTS THADDEUS AND BARTHOLOMEW
This Saturday, November 28, the Armenian Church commemorates Saints
Thaddeus and Bartholomew, two of the twelve apostles, who were the
first evangelizers of Armenia, and were martyred there, giving the
Armenian Church its apostolic identity and earning them the title,
First Enlighteners of Armenia.
Thaddeus came to Armenia about 43 AD to preach
Christianity. He was martyred in southeastern Armenia. His tomb lies
in the Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus (Iran) where a chapel was
built in the third century.
Bartholomew is believed to have arrived in Armenia about 66
AD. He was martyred in Hadamakert, southeast of Lake Van.
An apostle is someone who is sent, an emissary or ambassador
of the Kingdom of God, sent to announce the Kingdoms coming in Jesus
Christ, and authorized to claim men and womens allegiance to him. We
are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We
beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians
5:20)

Armenian Prayer of Thanksgiving
Let us be thankful for the plenteous gifts of our Lord God, who in
sweet bounty nourishes us day by day of His own will, that He may make
His servants share in spiritual goodness and in the heavenly kingdom,
according to the expectation of our hope. Almighty Lord our God,
preserve and have mercy upon us.
DONT FORGET ARMENIA FUNDS ANNUAL THANKSGIVING TELETHON
FOR FULL DETAILS GO TO

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web
site.
To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] to your address book.
Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

The Genocide Education Project
51 Commonwealth Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 264-4203
[email protected]
www.GenocideEd ucation.org

Contact: Sara Cohan

GENOCIDE EDUCATION PROJECT BRINGS RESOURCES TO NATIONAL HISTORY
TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE
9/11_25_2009.htm

Atlanta, GA –The Genocide Education Project participated in the annual
National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) conference held this year in
Atlanta, GA from November 13-15. As an exhibitor at the conference, The
Genocide Education Project provided educational resources and guidance
to history teachers gathered from across the United States for the top
educational gathering of their field for secondary school educators.

Throughout the two-day event, Executive Director, Raffi Momjian and
Education Director, Sara Cohan spoke one-on-one with individual
teachers, advising them on how to incorporate the Armenian Genocide into
their classroom curriculum. Assisting the effort was Suzanne Aivazian
Cohan, a former public school teacher and counselor, who was able to
provide teachers with her unique and valuable insight as a child of a
genocide survivor. The Genocide Education Project, which participated in
the conference for the seventh consecutive year, provided approximately
one thousand high school and middle-school teachers with classroom
resources on the Armenian Genocide. Many school district supervisors,
school administrators, and college professors also attended the conference.

Keynote speakers included Emory University Jewish Studies professor
Deborah E. Lipstadt, who writes extensively on Holocaust denial and has
also written about the Armenian Genocide. Lipstadt spoke about her
experiences as a defendant in a liable trial in England against the
infamous Holocaust denier, David Irving. Throughout her lecture she
spoke of the importance of fighting genocide denial, including the
Armenian Genocide. She sent a strong message to teachers regarding the
need to combat denial of the Armenian Genocide through education,
prompting additional educators to seek out resources from The Genocide
Education Project.

####

The Genocide Education Project is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)
organization that assists educators in teaching about human rights and
genocide, particularly the Armenian Genocide, by developing and
distributing instructional materials, providing access to teaching
resources and organizing educational workshops.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GREEK TV TO AIR DEBATE ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.11.2009 21:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Greek state-run NET television will air a debate
on the Armenian-Turkish protocols. The current situation and future
processes will be in focus.

ARSENAL VS. STANDARD LIEGE 2-0

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.11.2009 11:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Arsenal confirmed their safe passage into the last
16 of the Champions League following a comfortable 2-0 victory over
Standard Liege, the club which contracted Armenian national team
halfback Hrach Yagan, at the Emirates Stadium.

First-half goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson – both of which came
via mistakes from visiting players – ensured the Gunners progressed
as Group H winners with one match still remaining.

Arsene Wenger made five changes to the side that lost at Sunderland
in the league on Saturday, but the likes of Cesc Febregas, William
Gallas and Andrey Arshavin all started in a strong looking line-up.

There was no repeat of the horror start which the Gunners endured in
Belgium on match-day one when they found themselves two goals down
inside five minutes before bouncing back to win 3-2.

The home side roared out of the starting blocks and dominated
possession with their trademark quick passing and intelligent movement,
football.co.uk reported.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RALPH YIRIKIAN: INNOVATIONS HAVE KEY IMPORTANCE FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.11.2009 12:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian met
Tuesday with the students of Gyumri branch of Yerevan State Economic
University.

During an hour-long lecture, the students were informed of the
Company’s activities and business approaches.

"The knowledge we get through experience is invaluable. It helps make
good progress and save time with direct communication," Mr. Yirikian
said. "We wish to see a flourishing Armenia with highly educated
population. Innovations have key importance for economic growth.

Sharing our experience, we offer you an opportunity to gain knowledge
you can use in your future career."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT JAPAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.11.2009 12:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian will
be paying a formal visit to Japan from November 25 to 27.

Minister Nalbandian will meet with his Japanese counterpart Katsuya
Okada and Crown Prince Naruhito. He is also expected to hold talks
with members of parliament and representatives of Japan External
Trade Organization (JETRO), RA MFA press office said.

MSSO TO PERFORM IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.11.2009 12:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Moscow State Symphony Orchestra (MSSO) conducted by
renowned Pavel Kogan will perform in Yerevan in the framework of Aram
Khachaturian contest on November 25 and 27. The first concert program
includes works by Glinka, Khachaturian, Glazunov, Mussorgsky and Ravel.

It’s notable that the November 27 concert will be conducted by Sergei
Smbatyan, the conductor of State Youth Orchestra of Armenia.
From: Baghdasarian

ALEXANDER MANASYAN ADVISES TO IGNORE ALIYEV’S STATEMENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.11.2009 14:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani President’s statements should be ignored,
political scientist Alexander Manasyan said when commenting on Ilham
Aliyev’s threats of war.

"The Azerbaijani President’s statements are addressed not to Armenia
or OSCE MG Co-Chairs but to his own people," Dr. Manasyan said.

FORMER PRES. TER-PETROSYAN: ARMENIA’S CURRENT RULERS "WILL DEFINITELY GO" SOONER OR LATER
By Appo Jabarian

USA Armenian Life Magazine
November 24, 2009

The recent shifts in Armenia’s political landscape have added to
the dimensions of the intra-national politics with interesting
twists-and-turns. The most revealing public statements by Armenia’s
former Pres. Levon Ter-Petrosyan have raised several eyebrows in
Armenia and the Diaspora.

According to ArmeniaLiberty.org, on Saturday, November 14 Armenian
daily "Haykakan Zhamanak" disclosed additional details of last
Wednesday’s high-level meeting of the opposition Armenian National
Congress (HAK) which began with a keynote speech by its leader Levon
Ter-Petrosyan. The paper says the speech was followed by a "frank
conversation" during which Ter-Petrosyan assured his top loyalists
that Armenia’s current rulers "will definitely go" sooner or later.

The challenge, he is quoted as saying, is to make sure that they
are not replaced by other "petty dictators." He also said that the
international community has given President Serzh Sargsyan a blank
check to do "anything he wants inside the country" in return for his
concessions to Azerbaijan and Turkey.

However, in an effort to carry out his push-pull strategy, he
signaled his "readiness, in principle, to recognize the legitimacy of
President Serzh Sargsyan and … and support other key provisions of
the fence-mending agreements recently signed by Yerevan and Ankara
last month. That includes an explicit and official recognition by
Armenia of its existing border with Turkey."

In recent weeks, Ter-Petrosyan has offered to forge a political
alliance with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun).

But he suddenly resorted to calling the patriotic Armenians and
especially the Dashnak party supporters "extreme nationalists" in
retaliation of Dashnaktsutyun Armenia Supreme leadership’s refusal to
join forces with him. His sense of rejection has fueled his vitriolic
attacks against the Dashnak party.

He said that "according to Dashnaktsutyun, Armenia must build its
relations with Turkey on such conditions that shouldn’t discount
in the future the possibility of presenting the demands for the
latter’s recognition of the Genocide, [return of] lands, and financial
compensation. Turkey would never agree to such conditions; and that
"the notion of ‘historical rights’ is no longer valid in international
relations and international law."

Ankara needs to look no further than Ter-Petrosyan in order to find
a reliable ally in obstructing the justice by derailing the rights
of the victims for reparations and return of Turkish-occupied lands
in Western Armenia, in favor of the perpetrator of Genocide, Turkey.

Interestingly, Armenia’s first president went on to accuse
Dashnaktsutyun, and other political groups and figures sharing its
views on Turkey of adding "non-existent sins to the numerous sins
committed by Sargsyan."

During his Armenian National Congress party’s Nov. 11 general assembly,
he also said that "Despite the impressive protest demonstrations in
Armenia and Diaspora, Serzh Sargsyan …. signed the problematic
Protocols obviously not because of governing based on state and
national interests but to gain international legitimacy and to preserve
his power." Ter-Petrosyan stated that Pres. Sargsyan was assisted in
signing the Armenian-Turkish Protocols by various bodies and entities
and "Armenia’s criminal-oligarchic" structures.

One wonders why Ter-Petrosyan didn’t confront the criminal-oligarchs
during his presidency.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress