168 Zham: Armenia’s Three Presidents Unlikely To Meet – Lyudmila Sar

168 ZHAM: ARMENIA’S THREE PRESIDENTS UNLIKELY TO MEET – LYUDMILA SARGSYAN

10:16 ~U 26.09.13

In an interview with the newspaper, Secretary of the Armenian National
Congress (ANC) parliamentary group Lyudmila Sargsyan commented on
the proposal by National Security party Chairman Garnik Isagulyan.

Mr Isagulyan intends to propose that all the three presidents of
Armenia hold a meeting to discuss Armenia’s accession to the Customs
Union and a number of other issues.

“There are rather serious obstacles to such a meeting. I do not think
Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan will agree to meet with
Armenia’s second president Robert Kocharyan and incumbent President
Serzh Sargsyan. He does not see they are concerned over the current
situation and ready to take steps to lead the country out of the
crisis. Also, if the authorities are not ready to punish criminals,
it means they are not ready for general meetings,” the MP said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

Yerevan Press Club Weekly Newsletter – 09/26/2013

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2013

HIGHLIGHTS:

CSF ARMENIAN NATIONAL PLATFORM IS IN RUN-UP TO FORUM IN CHISINAU

MEDIA INITIATIVES CENTER ESTABLISHED FIRST MEDIA MUSEUM IN ARMENIA

RADIO “HAY” GOES ON STRIKE IN PROTEST TO UNSCHEDULED TAX AUDIT

PRESS CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF TIGRAN ARAKELIAN

CSF ARMENIAN NATIONAL PLATFORM IS IN RUN-UP TO FORUM IN CHISINAU

On September 20-22, at “Arthur’s Aghveran Resort”, Yerevan Press Club held
the seminar “Tasks of the Eastern Partnership CSF Armenian National Platform
in the Run-Up to the Forum’s Meeting in Chisinau”. The event was organized
with the support of Friedrich Ebert Foundation and attended by the
ANP-member organizations, which were selected as official Armenian delegates
to the Fifth Meeting of the EaP Civil Society Forum
in Chisinau on October 4-5, 2013.

The seminar started with a brainstorming (moderated by Gevorg
Ter-Gabrielian, Country Director of Eurasia Partnership Foundation) on the
possible frameworks of EU-Armenia future cooperation, given the RA President
Serzh Sargsian’s announcement about Armenia’s intention to join the Customs
Union. YPC President Boris Navasardian, Co-President of the EaP CSF Steering
Committee and Armenian National Platform’s Facilitator, talked about the
priorities and aims of the Forum’s Meeting in Chisinau. YPC Expert Arevhat
Grigorian presented different studies, administered by CSOs within the
framework of Eastern Partnership. Stepan Grigorian, Chairman of Analytical
Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation, told about the activities
of the CSF Armenian National Platform carried out over the year. Tsovinar
Nazarian, member of the “Army in Reality” civic initiative, spoke about the
informal civic activism movements in Armenia. The seminar ended with a
discussion on the Armenian National Platform’s tasks at the EaP Civil
Society Forum’s Meeting in Chisinau.

MEDIA INITIATIVES CENTER ESTABLISHED FIRST MEDIA MUSEUM IN ARMENIA

On September 24, in Yerevan, the Media Initiatives Center (formerly,
Internews-Armenia) held the presentation of Lratun media museum. The first
media museum in Armenia is established by the Media Initiatives Center
within the framework of the
“Alternative Resources in Media” program, supported by the USAID.

The museum’s multimedia concept presents the history of the coverage of
significant events in Armenia over the last 25 years through the use of IT
technologies. The idea to found a media museum came from Newseum
, an interactive museum of news and journalism in
Washington, D.C., which displays how the media describe events of public
significance. Lratun’s establishment was initiated by Nouneh Sargsian,
Managing Director of the Media Initiatives Center, who told the journalists
that such museums are, at first, an opportunity to gather in one place the
different types of media connected to important events, and second, this is
a form of media literacy for the public at large understands what topics and
why the media choose, how they depict them and what they leave to history.

The first exhibit of the newly-created media museum – “An Earthquake that
Shook the Media” – displays how the press, television and documentarians of
the time covered the 1988 devastating Spitak earthquake. According to Vahram
Martirosian, Coordinator of Lratun project, they have chosen the Spitak
earthquake as the first theme for
two reasons: first, the earthquake opened up the Soviet Union to the world
(humanitarian assistance to the victims of the disaster was provided by many
countries, Ed. Note) and changed the media sector, the approach to news
outlets and to journalism; second, this year is the 25th anniversary of the
tragic event.

The travelling exhibition, “An Earthquake that Shook the Media”, will
display in Gyumri on September 26 till October 2, later it will be in
Vanadzor, October 5-15, in Martuni, October 15-19, and in Kapan, October
22-27.

Afterwards, the organizers of the country’s first media museum hope to find
a place in Yerevan where it can operate permanently.

RADIO “HAY” GOES ON STRIKE IN PROTEST TO UNSCHEDULED TAX AUDIT

On September 25, Radio
“HAY” announced that it goes on strike. The reason of the protest is the
order of the RA State Revenue Committee about holding an unscheduled tax
audit in broadcasting companies. According to the September 23, 2013 order
of the State Revenue Committee’s Head, Radio “HAY” and other radio companies
shall be subject to tax assessment to value the “production, mining and sale
of minerals, turnover and volume of provided services, shortage of goods,
factual, including average prices (tariffs) of sales”, notes Radio “HAY” in
its statement. It further says that since the order specifies neither the
scope of audit, which should be related to the radio station’s activities,
nor the methods of assessment, the management of Radio “HAY” has banned the
conducting of the audit. The radio station’s staff considers the actions of
the State Revenue Committee illegal and regards them as an attempt to
interfere in the activities of independent media, aimed at restricting
freedom of speech in Armenia, mentions the statement.

The statement also informs that the strike will last up until October 4. The
daily broadcast of Radio “Hay” will be interrupted for an hour, from 12.00,
and during the rest of time the radio station will operate on an automatic
programming mode.

PRESS CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF TIGRAN ARAKELIAN

Starting from October 21, the daily newspapers “Aravot”, “Hraparak”,
“Zhamanak”, “Zhoghovurd”, “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun”, “Haykakan Zhamanak”, as
well as “168 Hours”, issued three times a week, are posting on their first
or second pages a slogan – “We recognize Tigran Arakelian a political
prisoner and demand his immediate release”. According to Aravot.am
, the campaign is carried out in
agreement with the Armenian National Congress party. Tigran Arakelian is an
activist representing the party.

It should be noted that Tigran Arakelian was arrested in connection to the
incident with police that happened in Yerevan on August 9, 2011 and was
charged with using violence against authorities. On July 20, 2012 the Court
of General Jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash Administrative Districts
of Yerevan sentenced him to six years in prison. The defendant appealed to
the RA Criminal Court of Appeals, which dismissed the complaint. The RA
Court of Cassation partially granted the complaint and returned the case to
the Court of Appeals for new consideration. The trial at the Criminal Court
of Appeals started on August 5, 2013 and is still ongoing. During all this
time, Tigran Arakelian is in custody; the court rejects the repeated motions
of his lawyer to change the preventive measure.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

From: A. Papazian

www.ypc.am

TCA Arshag Dickranian School Celebrates The 22nd Anniversary of Arme

TCA Arshag Dickranian Armenian School
1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Tel: 323-461-4377
Fax: 323-323-461-4247
TCA Arshag Dickranian School Celebrates

The 22nd Anniversary of Armenia’s Independence

Los Angeles, September – 25, 2013 – In observance of the Independence
Day of Armenia, TCA Arshag Dickranian School celebrated the historic
milestone with a formal and artistic program on Friday, September 20th at
the Walter and Laurel Karabian Hall. The event was attended by the Hon.
Suren Vardanyants, the Consul of Economic and Community Affairs of the
Armenian Consulate at Los Angeles.

Upon his arrival to the school, Mr. Suren Vartanyants was escorted to the
school office where he first met with Principal Dr. Manoug Seraydarian,
School Board chairman Mr. George K. Mandossian and board member Mr. Diran
Depanian. Next, the Consul was led to the Walter & Laurel Karabian Hall,
where a multitude comprised of students and parents had gathered to enjoy
the program, which was organized by Armenian Department teachers Mrs.
Anahid Nasoyan, Mrs. Nazelie Kojayan, Mrs. Emma Umroyan and music teacher
Mr. Komitas Keshishyan.

The event started with the greetings of Principal Dr. Serayrdarian, who
concisely described the harsh path to independence as a long but determined
history of will and quest for freedom. Dr. Seraydarian then introduced Mr.
Suren Vartanyants as the honorary guest and speaker of the event and
welcomed students and parents. The Armenian National Anthem “Mer Hayrenik”
by the school choir followed, conveying the national nature of the event.
Eleventh grader Luiza Hekimyan then took the podium and delivered the
opening remarks of the event. Luiza discussed the meaning of independence
and reminded attendants of Armenia’s long struggle throughout history to
gain its independence and be a free country. She also stressed upon the
importance of maintaining the Armenian identity in Diaspora and finding a
balance in any country Armenians are found.

The staged program in its entirety was set up to include a number of
selected poetry recitations of famous Armenian poets such as “Khosk Eem
Vortoun” by Silva Gaboudigian “Hayereni Doun” by Sarmen, national songs
such as “Sardarapat” sung by the school choir under the direction of music
teacher Mr. Komitas Keshishian, traditional Armenian dance and traditional
Armenian music performances. The students performed with devotion,
celebrating the happy day and excited to have a visitor from the Armenian
Consulate.

At the end, Dr. Seraydarian invited Mr. Suren Vartanyants to the podium to
deliver his address. “It is important to preserve our language and religion
in order to preserve the Armenian identity,” said Mr. Suren
Vartanyants. “Don’t
forget that we are representatives and ambassadors of Armenia and thus we
should strive to give the best impression possible to others.”

Dr. Seraydarian then delivered the closing remarks of the event thanking
the performers for the entertainment and the teachers for organizing it.

One of the significant merits of Arshag Dickranian School is its ability to
set up a cultural program of prime caliber within a short period of time
due to the creativity, organization and dedication both on the part of the
teachers and students. The student program presented in observance of the
22nd anniversary of Armenia’s Independence proved to be another example of
such talent.

Prior to his parting, Mr. Suren Vartanyants met with 10th grade student
Jenny Chilingirian for an interview that will be published in the school
newsletter at the end of the month.

Located at 1200 North Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, the TCA Arshag
Dickranian Armenian School is a federally tax exempt, Pre-K to 12th grade
private educational institution. For more information visit

###

www.dickranianschool.org.

ALMA: Story SLAM with Norah Dooley, September 28

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Library & Museum of America
65 Main St., Watertown, MA. 02472
Tel: 617-926-2562
Web:
Email: [email protected]

Every Object Has a Story
Story Slam with Norah Dooley

DATE AND TIME
Saturday, Sept. 28
4:00-6:00PM
LOCATION
ALMA

Contemporary Art Gallery
3rd Floor

ADMISSION
A donation appreciated
Refreshments following program

Learn to tell your own story and listen to others tell theirs. Join us
for an afternoon led by Norah Dooley of massmouth on September 28 at
4:00. This workshop on the timeless art of storytelling will combine
entertainment and learning to tell one’s own story so others will
listen.

Our topic will be objects that have special meaning in our
lives. Bring your own object – an ordinary household item or a special
heirloom.

The workshop begins with a short concert of stories by previous
winners of massmouth story slams. Then all participants join in
one-on-one exercises designed to turn personal experiences into a
story and, if you wish, into a performance. Finally, names are drawn
at random for a story slam competition with everyone a winner.

Norah Dooley is “an entrancing storyteller” (Boston Globe),
teacher/coach and co-founder of massmouth and project director of
StoriesLive. She is also an author and has created spoken word CDs.

This program is supported by the Watertown Community Foundation and by
Judith Saryan.

http://www.almainc.org/

eNewsletter of the Eastern Diocese – 09/26/2013

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web:
Email: [email protected]

** TOP STORY September 26, 2013
————————————————————
Holy Cross of Varak
A small church and cross carved on the wall at Hovanavank Monastery in
Armenia.

** Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak
————————————————————

On Sunday, September 29, Armenian Churches worldwide will celebrate
the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak-an observance unique to the
Armenian Church.

In the 7th century, a monk named Totig received a vision of a
brilliant cross descending from Mount Varak (in historic Armenia) and
coming to rest on the monastery at the mountain’s foot. Totig raced to
where the vision had led him, and there found a miraculous Christian
relic: a fragment of the True Cross of Jesus Christ!

How had it gotten there? The relic had been brought to Armenia by
St. Hripsime, in the late 3rd century, during her flight to find
refuge from the persecutions of pagan Rome. When St. Hripsime was
martyred by King Drtad, the hiding place of the cross was
forgotten-and the holy relic had languished in its secret place for
nearly 300 years, before being found again by the monk Totig.

To commemorate this discovery, the catholicos of the time, St. Nersess
the Builder, established a feast day. And the Holy Cross became a
relic of great power in Armenia, moving from Varak to Sepastia and
finally to Van, where it still could be seen by pilgrims-until the
time of the Genocide.

Click here
()
to read a meditation on the meaning of the Season of the Holy Cross.

** Scripture of the Week
————————————————————

Prv 3:18-26
Is 65:22-25
Gal 6:14-18
Mt 24:30-36

** Prayer of the Week
————————————————————

Guard us, O Christ our God, in peace under the shadow of your holy and
venerable Cross. Deliver us from the visible and invisible enemy. Make
us worthy to give you thanks and to glorify you together with the
Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.

** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
————————————————————

28 September: St. George the Warrior

29 September: Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Bishops Synod
A synod of bishops is underway at Holy Etchmiadzin, with the blessing
and presence of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of
the Great House of Cilicia.

** Historic Bishops Synod Convenes at Mother See
————————————————————

Some 62 Armenian bishops and archbishops from around the word,
representing the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the See of the
Great House of Cilicia, gathered at Holy Etchmiadzin on September 24,
to begin a four-day synod of bishops-the first such meeting in the
church’s modern history.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, presided over the opening of the synod, and will be present
throughout the proceedings.

Also present at the opening ceremony was President Serge Sargsyan of
the Republic of Armenia, who addressed the assembled clergymen.

His Holiness Karekin II and His Holiness Aram I delivered their
respective opening remarks, as did Archbishop Aram Ateshyan,
Patriarchal Vicar of Constantinople.

`The church, which is the Body of Christ and the assembly of the
faithful, should be an institution that speaks to all times. And in
order to fulfill its mission it has a need of improvement and
reform. Our history-with its periods of a divided homeland, natural
disaster, genocide, and Soviet atheism-has not always permitted our
church to engage in such discussions,’ said Catholicos Karekin
II. `But today we can come together, face the challenges of our
church, and make it stronger.’

>From the Eastern Diocese, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian and ecumenical director Archbishop Vicken Aykazian have been
taking part in the proceedings. The bishops synod is scheduled to
conclude on Friday, September 27.

To read more, including Armenian-language texts of the remarks of
Catholicos Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I, click here
()
. To view a video of President Sargsian’s speech, and read an
English-language translation, click here
()
.

To view a gallery of photos, click here
()
.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Diocesan Annula Appeal

** Support the Diocese’s 2013 Annual Appeal
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese has launched its 2013 Annual Appeal-the only
Diocesan-wide fundraiser conducted each year to help the Diocese
undertake the many ministries, programs, and resources that enrich
life in our parishes.

Your thoughtful gift brings light to our local churches. It supports
Christian education, Armenian language instruction, summer camps,
youth programs, mission parish outreach, and the use of new
communication technologies.

To our past and prospective donors, we are deeply grateful for your
support of the creative, educational, and inspirational programs that
lift up Armenian communities throughout the Eastern Diocese.

Please accept this invitation to strengthen our efforts. Your generous
contribution to the 2013 Annual Appeal will help spread the good work
of the Armenian Church across our local communities-and across the
generations.

Follow this link to donate now
()
to the 2013 Annual Appeal.

FAR
Dr. Rafi Avitsian lectures at Yerevan’s Medassist Medical Center.

** Improving Medical Treatment in Armenia
————————————————————

On September 15, the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) and the Armenian
Society of Anesthesiologists organized a one-day seminar at Yerevan’s
Medassist Medical Center dedicated to the topic of
neuro-anesthesiology.

The main speaker at the seminar was Dr. Rafi Avitsian, from the
Cleveland Clinic in the United States. While visiting Armenia,
Dr. Avitsian met with a group of physicians, including trainers from
FAR’s Continuing Medical Education program, and held a workshop on
problem-based learning, where he shared information about the latest
methods of medical education practiced in the U.S.

On September 18 and 19, Dr. Avitsian joined a group of doctors from
leading American and Canadian medical schools for a major symposium on
stroke treatment. The event was organized by FAR, the Neurology Group
of the Armenian Medical International Committee, and Yerevan State
Medical University, under the auspices of Armenia’s Ministry of
Health. More than 400 physicians from Armenia and Artsakh, many from
provincial hospitals, participated in the conference.

Click here
()
to read more on the Fund for Armenian Relief blog.

Let’s Speak Armenian
A new Armenian conversation resource from the Diocese’s Armenian
Studies program.

** New Resource for Learning Armenian
————————————————————

The Diocese’s Armenian Studies program has published a new language
instruction book for the adult learner: Let’s Speak Armenian.

The book is a compilation of everyday phrases to guide and enrich
conversation in Armenian. Its aim is to enable new speakers-especially
adult learners-to develop basic communication skills in our mother
tongue, using a selection of more than a thousand phrases in
transliteration.

The fruit of three years of development and experimentation, Let’s
Speak Armenian is suitable for individual learning and the classroom
setting. Click here
()
to view a flyer with ordering information. Or order online
()
from the St. Vartan Bookstore.

An edition of Let’s Speak Armenian geared towards school-age students
is also available as a free electronic file; for information, contact
Armenian Studies coordinator Gilda Kupelian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Oriental Orthodox Retreat
Participants in the pan-orthodox Spirit Retreat.

** Diocese Participates in Oriental Orthodox `Spirit Retreat’
————————————————————

On September 20-22, 85 Oriental Orthodox youth from communities around
New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, gathered for a weekend of
spiritual refreshment, worship, and fellowship.

The `Spirit Retreat’ was sponsored by the One Conference
International: a pan-orthodox group that cultivates fellowship among
all Orthodox jurisdictions. The annual event, geared towards Oriental
Orthodox youth ages 18 and up, was designed to bring them together to
experience the greater breadth of their family in Christ.

Elise Antreassian, Diocesan coordinator of Christian Education, was
one of the three speakers at the event, providing insight on the
overall retreat theme of `Falling in Love Again.’ Other speakers were
George Hazlaris of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and Fr. Moussa
Shafik of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Heather Skolnick, a Christian Education intern at the Diocesan Center
this past summer and a Sunday School teacher at the Holy Martyrs
Church of Bayside, NY, served as Armenian representative, helping with
workshops and breakout sessions, and visiting churches to recruit
attendees.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
St. John Church, Detroit

** Lecture Series on Sacred Music in Detroit
————————————————————

On September 19 parishioners gathered at the St. John Church in
Southfield, MI, for the latest in a series of lectures on Armenian
sacred music delivered by Dn. Rubik Mailian, music director of the
church’s Komitas Choir and chair of the Diocesan Sacred Music Council.

Dn. Mailian discussed the songs of the Divine Liturgy: their origins,
evolution, and deeper meaning. He gave special attention to the most
ancient forms of the Christian worship service, comprised of readings
from Scripture, a homily, prayers, the Kiss of Peace, thanksgiving,
and communion, followed by a meal among the faithful.

Future topics in the series will include the music of the sacraments
on October 24, and the music of Holy Week in February 2014. The
lectures are free and open to the public; for information contact
Dn. Rubik Mailian at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
.

Armenian Church of Hye Pointe
Fr. Vart Gyozalian and members of the Hye Pointe church.

** A Change of Shabigs at Hye Pointe
————————————————————

Altar servers of the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, in Haverhill, MA,
received a special gift on September 15, as the parish celebrated the
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The parish deacons and members of the choir received new robes, thanks
to a gracious donation by the late Grace Antoian, a longtime member of
the community.

On the same occasion the Hye Pointe Women’s Guild presented new
priestly vestments to the parish pastor, the Rev. Fr. Vart
Gyozalian. Fr. Gyozalian blessed the robes and vestments in a special
ceremony during the badarak.

St. James Church, Watertown, MA
Fr. Arakel Aljalian with members of Watertown’s new fellowship group.

** Watertown Kicks Off New Fellowship Group
————————————————————

More than 50 parishioners from the St. James Church of Watertown, MA,
gathered for a `kickoff reception’ on September 20, to launch a new
group for parishioners aged 25 to 45.

At the Nubar Restaurant in Cambridge, attendees re-connected and
shared ideas for future activities in the company of parish pastor the
Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian.

Among the ideas under discussion were programs for spiritual
enrichment and social gatherings. A general meeting at the Watertown
church scheduled for Sunday, October 20 will announce activities
planned for the fall.

St. Vartan Armenian School
Students of the St. Vartan Armenian School in New York.

** Children and Bikers Honor Armenian Independence
————————————————————

St. Vartan Armenian School in New York City held its opening day on
Saturday, September 21, with a celebration of Armenia’s Independence
Day. During a flag-raising ceremony on the St. Vartan Cathedral plaza,
students sang Armenia’s national anthem, and later learned the
symbolism behind the flag’s red, blue, and orange colors.

Earlier that same day, a group of 30 bicycle riders met at the
cathedral to mark the 22nd anniversary of Armenia’s independence with
a ride down the East Side of Manhattan. The Eastern Diocese and
Armenia’s UN Mission jointly sponsored the ride, which was led by
Armenia’s UN ambassador Garen Nazarian, cathedral dean Fr. Mamigon
Kiledjian, and Diocesan vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian.

To view a photo gallery of the ride for Armenian independence, click
here
()
.

St. Mary Church, Washington DC
David Bakemjian and Nora Armani perform at the Washington parish.

** `Evocations of Armenia’ in Washington
————————————————————

Washington, DC’s St. Mary Church honored the 22nd anniversary of
Armenia’s independence with special services and a cultural program on
Sunday, September 22. During the badarak, parish pastor the
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan conducted the special thanksgiving prayer
for the Republic of Armenia, and offered a requiem service for those
who had given their lives in the cause of a free Armenia.

The parishioners were privileged to share this occasion with Armenia’s
ambassador to the U.S., Amb. Tatoul Markarian, along with the entire
staff of the embassy of Armenia in Washington.

Following services, in a program organized by the St. Mary Women’s
Guild, performers Nora Armani and David Bakemjian offered a
presentation titled `Evocations of Armenia.’ The artists recited,
sang, and played works by Armenian poets and composers, including a
number of sacred hymns.

Bach and Liszt Concert at St. Vartan Cathedral
Kariné Poghosyan and the St. Vartan Chamber Orchestra in the
cathedral.

** `Concerts @ Saint Vartan’ Begins Season
————————————————————

New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral launched its 2013-14
=80=9CConcerts @ Saint Vartan’ series on the evening of Wednesday,
September 25.

Piano soloist Kariné Poghosyan presented a program of music by
J. S. Bach and Franz Liszt, accompanied by the 10-piece St. Vartan
Chamber Orchestra, a string ensemble of Ms. Poghosyan’s colleagues and
students at the Manhattan School of Music. More than 150 people
attended the concert in the cathedral sanctuary.

To view a photo gallery of the concert, click here
()
.

The next concert in the series will feature violinist Nune Melikian on
Wednesday, November 20.

Jacksonville Mission Parish
Fr. Abdalian and parishioners in Jacksonville, FL.

** Mission Parish Weekend in Jacksonville
————————————————————

In his monthly visit to Jacksonville, FL, the Rev. Fr. Tateos
Abdalian, director of Diocesan Mission Parishes, met with local parish
leaders and conferred blessings on parishioners at their homes and
workplaces.

Meeting with the parish council on September 21, Fr. Abdalian listened
to plans for establishing an ACYOA Seniors chapter for the community,
as well as for launching a church school for children. Council members
also discussed renovations to their present cultural facility to allow
it to accommodate a church sanctuary. A dinner and Bible study for all
parishioners followed the meeting.

Fr. Abdalian celebrated badarak the following morning, and conducted
the special thanksgiving prayer for the Republic of Armenia.

Upcoming Events

** Upcoming Parish Events
————————————————————

Holy Trinity Church | Cambridge, MA
Holy Trinity’s `1000 Club’ will hold its annual Fall Dinner and
drawing on Thursday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m., in the church’s
Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall (145 Brattle St.,
Cambridge). Enjoy losh kebab and kheyma dinners. Open to the public,
with tickets on sale at the door, and the raffle drawing at 8 p.m.

For information, contact the church office at (617) 354-0632, e-mail
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , or view a flyer by
clicking here
()
.

St. John Church | Southfield, MI
St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit will hold its 44th annual
=80=9CLand of Noah’s Ark Festival,’ Friday through Sunday, September
27-29. Visitors can tour the church sanctuary and its adjacent Alex
and Marie Manoogian Museum, learn some elementary Armenian, feast on a
full array of Armenian delicacies, shop at the vendors’ booths, and
enjoy Armenian music.

For information call (248) 569-3405 or visit the parish website
()
. Click here
()
to view a flyer (which includes details of the pre-festival events on
September 20-26).

Holy Cross Church | New York, NY
Celebrate the church’s name day and the 27th annual pilgrimage to
Charkhapan Sourp Asdvadzadzin on Sunday, September 29. A traditional
madagh meal, program, and awarding of the Mabel Fenner scholarships
will follow badarak. Admission is free. Holy Cross is located at 580
W. 187th St., New York.

St. Mary Church | Washington, DC
Washington’s St. Mary Church will celebrate authentic Armenian cuisine
and culture in its 65th annual food festival, October 2 through
5. Open Wednesday and Thursday, October 2 -3, 11 a.m. to 3
p.m. Friday, October 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9
p.m. Saturday, October 5, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For information, contact
the parish at (202) 363.1923, or
()
. To view a flyer, click here
()
.

Holy Ascension Church | Trumbull, CT
On Friday, October 4, at 7:00 p.m., the Holy Ascension Church of
Trumbull, CT, will hold a traditional kinetson ceremony to honor the
publication of a new book by parish pastor Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian,
titled Fate, Faith, Fun. Via Armenian and English vignettes, the book
follows Fr. Nalbandian’s life journey in different parts of the world.

Abp. Khajag Barsamian will preside at the book presentation and
commemoration of Fr. Nalbandian’s 35th ordination anniversary. The
event is open to the public, and books will be available for
purchase. RSVP to Sonia Trapasso at (203) 916-7156, or via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Holy Ascension Church
is located at 1460 Huntington Tpk., Trumbull, CT.

St. James Church | Watertown, MA
On Saturday, October 5, St. James’ ACYOA Seniors will host a Fall
Reunion Dance, featuring music by Markos and the Hayasa Band. All ages
welcome; mezze will be served. Click to view a flyer
()
with ticket information. To reserve, contact Aaron Derderian at (781)
264-8680, or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
The Men’s Club of Holy Martyrs Church will hold a `casino night’ on
Saturday, October 5, beginning at 7:30 p.m. To view a flyer with
information on ticket prices, click here
()
. The church is located at 209-15 Horace Harding Expressway, in
Bayside.

Holy Translators Church | Framingham, MA
On the weekend of October 5-6, Holy Translators Church of Framingham,
MA, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its consecration. The
celebration will include a dinner-dance on Saturday evening at the
Verve Crowne Plaza in Natick, MA.

Abp. Khajag Barsamian will preside over the badarak on Sunday, which
will include ordinations of deacons and tbirs. For information or to
make reservations, log onto the parish website
()
.

Soorp Haroutiun Church | Orlando, FL
The parish will hold its fall picnic on Sunday, October 6. For
information or to make reservations, contact the church office at
(407) 876-7732, or e-mail [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) . Click here
()
to view an informative flyer.

Sts. Vartanantz Church | Chelmsford, MA
The parish will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the consecration of
its present sanctuary on Sunday, October 13. Diocesan Primate
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian will preside over the occasion, which
includes badarak, ordinations of tbirs, an afternoon reception and
banquet, and an awards ceremony.

The church is located at 180 Old Westford Road in Chelmsford. For
information or to make reservations, contact Rose Amboian at (978)
256-3430, or e-mail [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
Scholar Rifat Bali will discuss his latest book, `Model Citizens of
the State: The Jews of Turkey During the Multi-Party Period,’ on
Tuesday, October 15, at 7:45 p.m., at St. Leon Church. The event is
free and open to the public, with a reception to follow. Click here
()
to view an informative flyer.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
A Place Far Away

** Author’s Talk with Vahan Zanoyan
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, in
collaboration with the Diocesan Armenian Studies program and the Fund
for Armenian Relief, will present a talk by author Vahan Zanoyan on
Thursday, September 26, at 7 p.m.

Mr. Zanoyan will discuss his recent book, A Place Far Away, which
deals with the horrors of human trafficking in Armenia. The event,
followed by a reception, will take place in Haik and Alice Kavookjian
Auditorium at the Diocesan Center in New York. Admission is free.

Click here
()
to view a flyer.

St. George
St. George by Raphael.

** Feast of St. George at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————

Services for the Feast of St. George the Warrior will be held at
St. Vartan Cathedral on Saturday, September 28, starting at 10 a.m.

The Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of the cathedral, will
celebrate the Divine Liturgy. St. Vartan Cathedral is located at 630
Second Avenue, at 34th Street, in New York City.

St. Nersess Seminary

** St. Nersess to Hold `Evening Under the Stars’
————————————————————

St. Nersess Seminary will hold its annual `Evening Under the Stars’
benefit reception and silent auction on Saturday, September 28, at
7:30 p.m.

With the seminary poised to move to a new campus in Armonk, NY, this
will be the final `Under the Stars’ event at the seminary’s current
New Rochelle campus. All funds raised will benefit the ongoing mission
and operation of the seminary.

Click here
()
to log onto the St. Nersess Seminary website for information, and to
view an invitation or bid on an silent auction item.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
ACYOA Jrs. Fall Sports Weekend

** Register for the ACYOA Juniors Fall Sports Weekend
————————————————————

The ACYOA Juniors of the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church in Wynnewood,
PA, will host a Fall Sports Weekend on October 11-14 (the Columbus Day
holiday). The weekend of fellowship, sports, and other fun activities
is open to ACYOA Juniors, ages 13 to 18. Some 200 teens representing
14 parishes from throughout the Diocese are expected to participate.

The Diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Jennifer
Morris, will be present throughout the weekend, and will lead an
Insights program following evening vespers Friday evening.

Saturday will kick off with a full day of sports activities. Team
sports will include volleyball, basketball, and a `futsal’ (indoor
soccer) tournament. Individual competitions include tavloo and
chess. Competions will continue following badarak on Sunday, with an
awards banquet and dance in the evening. A farewell breakfast on
Monday morning will wrap up the weekend.

To register for the weekend, contact the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob
ACYOA’s Sarkis Berberian at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) . For information on the ACYOA Juniors,
contact Jennifer Morris at (248) 648-0702, or via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

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Crossroads E-Newsletter – September 26, 2013

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:

BISHOPS SYNOD IN ETCHMIADZIN

In what is believed to be the first such gathering in 600 years,
nearly all of the Bishops of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church have
gathered in Holy Etchmiadzin for the Synod of Bishops that began on
Tuesday, September 24,
and will continue through tomorrow, Friday, September 27, with the
blessings and presence of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia.

Following the opening prayer, a requiem service was said for the souls
of recently departed Archbishop Shahan Svakian and Archbishop Ardavast
Terterian, as well as for the souls of all deceased clergymen.

Armenia’s president, Serzh Sarkisian, attended the opening ceremony
and welcomed and addressed the participants. Opening remarks were
given by Catholicos Karekin II, Catholicos Aram I, and Archbishop Aram
Ateshyan, Patriarchal Vicar of Constantinople.

In his opening address, Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians, spoke
of the political circumstances that have created hardship for the
Armenian people, as well as the natural disasters, massacres, pogroms,
the Genocide, and
the Soviet years of atheism. He said today the Motherland is
independent and the Church is free to carry out reforms.

In his opening address, Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia, spoke about
various theological and ecclesiastical issues and said that if the
Church is not reformed it will turn into a museum. Building a church
is important, he said,
but becoming a church is much more important. He noted that we have to
preserve traditions, but not idolize them.

Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan traveled to Etchmiadzin last
week
and are participating in the historic gathering that has brought
together Armenian bishops from all over the world. The Synod is
studying issues and challenges facing the church and nation, and the
question of reforms in the
canons and liturgical practices of the Armenian Church. The two main
subjects on the agenda are canonization of the victims of the Armenian
Genocide and the Baptismal ceremonial rite.

Read the entire opening remarks (in Armenian) of President Sarkisian,
Catholicos Karekin II, and Catholicos Aram I here
().

Video of message of Karekin II here
(). Video of message of Aram I
here ().

Der Khatchadour speaking to the parishioners of Holy Trinity
Church. Archbishop Oshagan is on left and Yeretzgin Marie is at right.

ORDINATION OF DEACONS, PARISH ANNIVERSARY, AND RETIREMENT OF DER
KHATCHADOUR MARKED IN WORCESTER

Archbishop Oshagan celebrated the Divine Liturgy, delivered an
uplifting sermon, and ordained two deacons on Sunday, September 15, on
the occasion of
the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, at Holy Trinity Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts. Ordained to the deaconate were Berj Bardizbanian and
Hovsep Yaghmourian.

Following the Liturgy His Eminence presided over the 79th anniversary
of the parish and the retirement of Archpriest Fr. Khatchadour
Boghossian, after 18 years of service to three Prelacy parishes,
namely, St. Asdvadzadzin Church (Whitinsville), Holy Trinity Church
(Worcester), and Sts. Vartanantz (New Jersey). The Mayor of Worcester
attended the celebration and congratulated Der Khatchadour on the
occasion of his retirement and expressed appreciation of his service
to the Armenian Church and the Worcester community, before presenting
him with the keys to the city of Worcester.

Der Khatchadour expressed his gratitude to God for guiding him after
graduating from the Theological Seminary of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia to teach and then serve as a priest to communities in Syria,
Lebanon, France, and the Eastern United States. Der Hayr expressed his
thanks to Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of blessed memory, and to
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan for their
spiritual guidance. He thanked his spiritual brothers as well as all
of his parishioners for their loyal friendship and support.

Archbishop Oshagan congratulated the parishioners on the occasion of
the parish’s 79th anniversary, and expressed appreciation of Der
Khatchadour’s pastoral service to three Prelacy parishes. He wished
Der Hayr, Yeretzgin Marie, and their children Vicken and Taline, good
health and happiness.

HUYSER MUSIC ENSEMBLE CONCERT CELEBRATES ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE

Tony Bennett Concert Hall at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in
Astoria, New York, was filled to capacity last Saturday, September 21,
for the
St. Illuminator’s Huyser Music Ensemble’s performance of
`The Sound of Freedom: A Celebration of Independence,’ under the
direction of Harout Barsoumian, Founder and Artistic Director, and
Karine Barsoumian, Musical Director. The performance included a
special presentation by the Vanush Khanamiryan Dance Academy of New
York, and pianist Karine Poghosyan.

H.E. Garen Nazarian, Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the United
Nations, was present and addressed the gathering, praising this
spirited celebration of the 22nd anniversary of Armenia’s
independence.

Huyser Music Ensemble’s goal is to keep Armenian music alive by giving
outstanding performances that bring joy, pride, and tears to the
audience, as this concert did. A diverse and appreciative audience
gave the performers a well-deserved extended standing ovation.

Ambassador Garen Nazarian addresses the performers and audience with
thanks for this special celebration of Armenia’s independence
anniversary.

A scene from the performance.

EXALTATION OF THE CROSS IN NEW JERSEY

Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, was filled with
parishioners to participate in one of the most loved Feast days in the
Armenian Church, The Exaltation of the Cross (Khachverats).
Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, pastor, spoke about this Feast day which is
one of five Tabernacle Feasts in the Armenian Liturgical
Calendar. From the earliest centuries of Christianity the Cross became
a venerated object and looked upon as
the way to salvation and eternal life.

Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian celebrates the Exaltation of the Cross with
deacons and altar servers at Sts. Vartanantz Church, New Jersey.

Following the Divine Liturgy the celebrant, altar servers, choir, and
parishioners proceeded to the church’s large hall where the Andastan
service was performed followed by the blessing of the Rehan (Basil)
and Madagh.

MUSICAL ARMENIA DEADLINE EXTENDED

Recognizing the importance of discovering and promoting the careers of
exceptionally talented, but not well known, young Armenian musicians
from all over the world, the Eastern Prelacy launched the Musical
Armenia annual concert series in 1982. For more than thirty years the
program has remained true to its objective by encouraging young
Armenian artists and presenting them in recital at Weill Recital Hall
at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

All young soloists and ensembles with at least one member of Armenian
descent are invited to apply. Priority will be given to applicants
currently living or studying in the United States. The deadline for
applications has been extended to October 30, 2013.

For more information and application for the 2014 Musical Armenia
concert click here ().

TREASURE-TROVE OF ART FOUND

On Tuesday, September 24, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, received a visit from
Thomas Schultz, who recently became the owner, along with his friend
Larry Joseph, of
thousands of paintings by a little known Armenian American artist,
Arthur Pinajian, who died in 1999 at age 85.

According to the story told by Mr. Schultz, he and his friend
purchased an
old ramshackle bungalow in Bellport, New York, in 2007, with the
intention
of renovating it and selling it. Inside the bungalow they found
thousands of paintings and drawings by said Arthur Pinajian, a former
resident of the
property who struggled throughout his life to find success in the art
world. He left instructions that upon his death all of his art work
should be discarded. Rather than destroying the art work, his family
just left them in
the bungalow. Mr. Schultz and Mr. Joseph paid an extra $2,500 and took
possession of the art collection and invested thousands of dollars
restoring the artwork.

The pieces include abstract expressionist paintings, landscapes,
sketches from the Second World War, illustrations for 1930s comic
books, and images from the 1960 Woodstock artist colonies. After
having the collection appraised, Mr. Schultz opened an art gallery in
Bellport where most of Pinajian’s works are being stored. The artwork
was appraised to be worth millions of dollars.

The Cathedral is planning to have an exhibition in the near future.

ANEC WILL PRESENT `ARMENIAN WOMEN AS ARTISTS AND MOTHERS’

The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) is sponsoring a
symposium, `Armenian Women as Artists and Mothers,’ in celebration of
the Year of the Mother of the Armenian Family. It will take place on
Saturday, October 5, 2013, from 2-6 pm, at Pashalian Hall,
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. The
lecturers will be
Jennifer Manoukian (Columbia University), Dr. Vartan Matiossian
(ANEC), and Dr. Melissa Bilal (Columbia University). For more
information about the event, click here
().

BIBLE STUDY ON ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO ROMANS

An eight-week Bible study program on St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans,
will begin on Thursday, October 24, and continue on subsequent
Thursdays up to December 19, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East
27th Street, New York City. The Bible studies will be presented by
Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Prelacy’s Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), and is sponsored by AREC and the
Cathedral. Registration, which is required, can be done on line
() or by
contacting the Prelacy at 212-689-7810, [email protected], or
the Cathedral at 212-689-5880, [email protected]. Or click
here ().

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, September 29, Third Sunday of the
Exaltation (Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak) are, Proverbs 3:18-26;
Isaiah 65:22-25; Galatians 6:14-18; Matthew 24:30-36.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all
the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man
coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will
send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his
elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

>From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes
tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So
also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the
very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until
all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.
But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of
heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:30-36)

For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().

FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS OF VARAK

This Sunday, September 29, is the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak, a
feast that is unique to the Armenian Church and is celebrated two
weeks after the Exaltation of the Cross. After coming to Armenia, the
Hripsimiantz Virgins lived near Mount Varak. They had brought with
them a fragment of the True Cross. Fleeing persecution, they sought
refuge on the mountain where Hripsime hid the cross among the rocks
before fleeing to Vagharshapat. In 653, a hermit named Todik found the
hidden cross. He followed a brilliant light that illuminated the
mountain and guided him inside the church to the altar
where he found the cross. The light shone for twelve days. In memory
of this event, Catholicos Nerses (the Builder) established the Feast
of the Holy
Cross of Varak. He wrote the beautiful hymn, `By the Sign of Your All
Powerful Holy Cross,’ (Nshanav Amenahaght Khatchit).

The Monastery of St. Nishan (Varakavank) was built on Mount Varak,
which is in the southeastern region of Van. It was home to one of the
greatest libraries and museums, filled with ancient and modern books
and works of art. The Monastery became even more prominent when
Khrimian Hayrik established a
publishing house and a school there hoping to make the monastery an
educational center. He founded the first newspaper to be published in
historical Armenia, Artsiv Vaspurakani (The Eagle of Vaspurakan). The
massacres and deportations of 1915 destroyed Hayrik’s hopes and plans,
as well as so much more. Varakavank was destroyed by the Turkish army
on April 30, 1915, during the siege of Van.

Varagavank in 1900.

Varagavank today.

SAINT GEORGE (KEVORK) THE COMMANDER

This Saturday, September 28, the Armenian Church commemorates
St. George (Kevork) the Commander, a third century Roman general who
challenged the Emperor’s persecution of Christians by publicly tearing
up the Emperor’s decree, and he urged others to follow his example. To
this day he remains a popular saint in the Armenian Church and is the
patron saint of soldiers and scouts. As in many other instances, the
Armenians have given
St. George an Armenian national character. The Feast of St. George is
always on the Saturday before the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak
that is preceded by a period of fasting. Although the fast is not
connected to St. George, through the centuries it has been popularly
identified as the Fast of St. George.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY
IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.

THE NEED IS REAL.
THE NEED IS GREAT.

DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE () AND
SELECT SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.

The Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief is a joint effort of: Armenian
Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Prelacy); Armenian Catholic
Eparchy; Armenian
Evangelical Union of North America; Armenian Relief Society (Eastern
USA, Inc.); Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

Thank you for your help.

THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY

Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee

Foundation of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (October 1, 1921)

The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL; in Armenian, Ramgavar
Azadagan
Goosagtsootioon) was founded in Constantinople on October 1, 1921. It
is considered the continuation of the first Armenian party, the
Armenagan Organization, which was created in 1885 in Van.

The Democratic Liberal Party was the result of the alliance of four
liberal and conservative parties from Western and Eastern Armenia: the
Armenagan Organization, which had lost its headquarters in Van after
the genocide; the Armenian Constitutional Democratic Party
(1907-1921), which had acted within the frame of constitutionalism in
the Ottoman Empire after the Ottoman Revolution of 1908; the
Reorganized Hunchakian Party, a right-wing split of
the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party after 1896; and the Armenian
Popular Party, founded in 1917 in Tiflis (Tbilisi) after the model of
the Russian Constitutional Democratic (Kadet) party.

The party advocated liberalism and capitalism, while the other two
political parties, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the
Hunchakian Party,
had a left-leaning platform. For the next seventy years, the action of
the
Democratic Liberal Party, as well as of the other two, was limited to
the Diaspora, since Armenian political parties were banned by the
Communist regime in Soviet Armenia. Its position, nevertheless, has
consistently been one of support for Armenia, regardless of the regime
or government in charge.

The party established its main headquarters in the Middle East (Egypt
and later Lebanon), with branches in various communities, particularly
Syria, Greece, France, the United States, Canada, and Argentina,
publishing newspapers and magazines in some of them. Nowadays, it has
the following media in the Diaspora: Zartonk (Beirut), Arev (Cairo),
Nor Ashkharh (Athens), Abaka (Montreal), Nor Or (Pasadena), The
Armenian Mirror-Spectator (Boston), Sardarabad (Buenos Aires). It has
had representation in the Lebanese Parliament
since 2000 as a member of the Future Movement chaired by the late
prime minister Rafik Hariri (now called March 14 Alliance).

After the independence of Armenia and the disappearance of the
one-party system, the Democratic Liberal Party of Armenia was founded
in 1991 as a local counterpart to the Diasporan party. Various rifts
within the party caused the formation of a second party, the
Armenakan-Democratic Liberal Party, in 2009. Both parties were unified
in 2012 under the name `Democratic Liberal Party (Armenia).’ The
newspaper Azg, one of the most respected press organs in Armenia, was
founded by the party in 1992, but in the last few years became an
independent, non-partisan newspaper.

Note: Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History’ are on the
Prelacy’s web site ().

ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER

Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee

The `Apple’ That Came from China . . . or India

You cannot compare apples with oranges, but of course, you can compare
an orange and a Õ¶Õ¡Ö=80Õ«Õ¶Õ» (narinch), because both refer to the
juicy fruit used to make your everyday breakfast beverage and both
have the same origin. And, as we will see, apples were somehow part of
the origins of the English orange.

Oranges probably originated in Southeast Asia, and were already
cultivated
in China around 2500 B.C. However, the ultimate origin of both English
orange and Armenian narinch (pronounced narinj in Classical Armenian)
is India. The fruit was called naranga, which means `orange tree,’ in
the Vedas, the sacred books of Indian religion written in Sanskrit,
although the origin of the word is unknown. It seems to come from a
non-Indo-European language of the Indian peninsula, such as Telugu,
Malalayam, or Tamil.

The fruit went from India to Western Asia with the Arabs as
intermediaries. Along went the name: it remained as narang in Persian,
turned naranj in Arabic (Arabic does not have a g), and became narinj
in Kurdish and Armenian. According to German linguist Heinrich
Hubschmann and his disciple Hrachia
Adjarian, the Armenian word originated from Persian narang.

The fruit went to Europe through Portuguese travelers to China, and
through Arabs. It received the name of `Chinese apple’ in some
languages: they are called sinaasappel in Dutch and appelsin in Low
German, literally `China’s apple’ (hence Russian апелÑ=8CÑ=81ин
apelsin `orange,’ which you may hear sometimes in Eastern
Armenian). Interestingly, `Chinese apple’ is the name of the
pomegranate in British English.

Interestingly, Spanish and Portuguese most probably adopted the word
through Arabic influence in the Iberian Peninsula (Spanish naranja and
Portuguese laranja), but Portugal helped spread the word to Southern
Europe and the Middle East: Greek Ï=80οÏ=81Ï=84οκάλι (portokáli)
and Turkish portakal. Believe it or not, Arabs today call the fruit
burtuqÄ=81l برتÙ=82اÙ=84; the word nerinj is used for a different
citric.

The name and the fruit reached England through a more indirect
path. Old Italian borrowed the word from Arabic and turned it into
melarancia (mela + (n)arancia `apple of orange’). The French calqued
the word from the Italians and turned it into pome orenge (`apple of
orange’). Finally, Old English borrowed orenge/orange from Old French,
without the `apple’ part. (In the end, the French dropped the word
`apple’ too.) And this is how English orange sounds quite close to
Armenian narinch, only with the vowel o at the beginning.

There is one difference, though: orange in English means both the
fruit and the tree. In Armenian, we have two different words, although
close enough: narinch for the fruit and Õ¶Õ¡Ö=80Õ¶Õ»Õ¥Õ¶Õ« (narncheni)
for the tree. The suffix eni is equivalent to the English
=80=9C-tree,’ as in khntzoreni `apple tree.’

Note: Previous entries in the `Armenian Language Corner’ are on the
Prelacy’s web site ().

FAMED ACTOR DIES

Renowned Armenian actor, playwright, artist, and political activist,
Sos Sargsyan, passed away today at age 84. He was born in the Lori
region of Armenia and moved to Yerevan in 1948 where he worked as an
actor in Armenia’s Youth Theater. He graduated from the Yerevan Fine
Arts and Theatre
Institute in 1954. He performed at the Sundukyan Drama Theatre of
Yerevan,
and served as director of the Yerevan Institute of Theater and
Cinema. He starred in 20 films and worked in the Russian cinema. He
was awarded the St. Sahag-St. Mesrob medal by His Holiness Karekin II
in 2000 in honor of his
extraordinary 70-year career in the arts.

After Armenia’s independence he entered the political arena of Armenia
as an activist. He was a candidate for president in 1991, representing
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, and elected to parliament in
2009.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 5 to October 3-`A Brief Introduction to Modern Armenian
Literature,’ a series of five seminars presented on Thursdays, 7 pm to
8:30 pm, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New
York City. Sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee
(ANEC) and the Cathedral. Presented by Vartan Matiossian, Ph.D.

September 26-Presentation and signing of A Place Far Away, a powerful
portrayal of the realities of human trafficking in Armenia, 7 pm at
Kavookjian Auditorium, St. Vartan Cathedral, 630 Second Avenue, New
York
City. Sponsored by the Armenian Studies program of the Department of
Youth
and Education, the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, and the
Fund for Armenian Relief. All proceeds from the book are being donated
to organizations devoted to protecting children and fighting human
trafficking.

September 26-`Breakfast at Tiffany’s,’ sponsored by the Ladies Guild
of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, at the home
of Mr. & Mrs. Peter and Irene Vosbikian, Moorestown, New
Jersey. Sumptuous
brunch, vendors, Chinese auction, $50 per person. For reservations for
the
brunch contact: Mari Degirmenci 610-353-9199; Ashkhen Setrakian
610-527-3119; Cissy DerHagopian 856-231-9447; Theresa Hovnanian
856-231-1544. Transportation available from St. Gregory Church;
departing 9:30 am and return trip at 3 pm. For transportation
reservations ($20 per person) contact: Helen Guveyian 610-742-5871.

September 29-St. Sarkis Cultural Committee presents a lecture by
Dr. Gregory Kazandjian, MS, DDS, on Mkhitar Heratsi, master physician
of Cilician Armenia during the 12th century. Mkhitar is considered to
be the father of Armenian medicine and he wrote many medical
texts. Lecture is at 1 pm at St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street,
Douglaston, New York. Free
admission. For information: 718-224-2275.

October 5-Symposium `Armenian Women as Artists and Mothers,’ 2-6 pm,
sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) at
St. Illuminator Cathedral Pashalian Hall, 221 East 27th Street, New
York City, in celebration of the Year of the Mother of the Armenian
Family. Lecturers: Jennifer Manoukian (Columbia University), `Zabel
Yessayan: Mother and Activist,’; Vartan Matiossian (ANEC), `Armen
Ohanian: An Armenian Woman of the World,’ and Melissa Bilal (Columbia
University), `Lullabies and Tears: On Armenian Grandmothers and
Granddaughters in Istanbul.’

October 5-St. Paul Monthly Movie Night featuring a documentary about
Our Motherland-Armenia-with introduction by Rev. Fr. Daron Stepanian,
7 pm, at St. Paul Churchy, 645 S. Lewis Avenue, Waukegan,
Illinois. Light refreshments. This is a free event. For information:
Arda Haroian-Bowles, 847-445-7934.

October 6-Special program following the Divine Liturgy presented by
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian commemorating the passing of Catholicos
Zareh
I (50th) and Catholicos Khoren I (30th) will take place at Soorp
Khatch Church, 4906 Flint Drive, Bethesda, Maryland.

October 13-Special program following the Divine Liturgy presented by
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian commemorating the passing of Catholicos
Zareh I (50th) and Catholicos Khoren I (30th) will take place at
St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York, under
auspices of Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan.

October 19-Armenian Friends of America presents `Hye Kef 5′ featuring
musicians Leon Janikian, Joe Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken
Kalajian, Ron Raphaelian, and Jay Baronian, 7:30-12:30, Michael’s
Function Hall, 12 Alpha Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Proceeds
to benefit all Armenian churches in Merrimack Valley and New
Hampshire. Tickets: $40 adults; $30 students; includes
individually-served mezza platters. For information/reservations: John
Arzigian 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan 978-251-8687; Scott Sahagian
617-699-3581; Peter Gulezian 978-375-1616.

October 20-St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin, 75th Anniversary
Celebration to begin with Badarak at 10 am at the church, followed by
a gala
`tasting banquet’ and program at the Racine Marriott. For information:
Mary M. Olson, 262-681-1535.

October 24 to December 19-St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans,
an 8-week Bible study program beginning Thursday, October 24, and
continuing on Thursdays up to December 19 (no session on Thanksgiving,
November 28). Sessions will be presented by Dn. Shant Kazanjian,
Executive Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC). Sessions will take place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221
East 27th Street, New York City,
7:15-8:00 pm, Presentation; 8:00-8:45 pm, Q/A &
Discussion. Registration is required. Register at
or contact the Prelacy 212-689-7810, or the
Cathedral at 212-689-5880.

October 27-90th anniversary celebration of St. Gregory Church,
Philadelphia, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan,
Prelate. Immediately after the Divine Liturgy at the church’s Founders
Hall,
8701 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19128.

November 1 & 2-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 57th
Armenian Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm, at Armenian Cultural & Educational
Center, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown. Delicious meals (take-out
available), Armenian pastries, Arts and Crafts, Books, Raffles, Attic
Treasures, Auctions, and more. For information: 617-924-7562.

November 2-Mid-West Regional Conference for Clergy, Boards of
Trustees, and NRA Delegates, hosted by All Saints Church, Glenview,
Illinois, beginning at 10 am and ending at 4 pm. Members of Prelacy’s
Religious and Executive members will be present.

November 2 & 3-Armenian Fest 2013, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence,
Rhode Island, presents its Armenian Food Festival at Rhodes on the
Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston. Featuring chicken, losh, and shish
kebabs, and kufta dinners, Armenian delicacies, dancing to live music,
arts and crafts, flea market, gift baskets, children’s corner, country
store, jewelry, silent auction, hourly raffles, and grand prize,
$2,000. Children’s dance group will perform on Saturday and Sunday at
5 pm. Armenian food and pastry are available all day. Saturday, noon
to 9 pm; Sunday, noon
to 8 pm. Free admission and parking. For information: 401-831-6399.

November 10-Ladies Guild of St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, presents The Way We Were Ensemble of New York/New
Jersey in their performance of `The Gamavors,’ at 2 pm in the church
hall. Coffee and reception with cast will follow performance. Tickets:
$20 adults; $10 children under 12. For tickets: Mary Derderian,
[email protected] or 781-762-4253.

November 15-16-17-Annual Bazaar, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen
Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

November 16-Public Relations seminar for New England parishes,
directed by Tom Vartabedian, at St. Stephen Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, beginning at 10 am. Speakers include: Stephen Kurkjian,
three-time Pulitzer
Prize winning journalist from the Boston Globe, and Khatchig
Mouradian, editor of The Armenian Weekly.

November 16 & 17-Annual ART IN FALL Exhibition featuring national and
international Armenian artists, Hovnanian School, 817 River Road, New
Milford, New Jersey. Fine art including oils, mixed media,
photography, and sculpture in classic, modern, and contemporary styles
by 27 artists. Opening Reception, Saturday, 7 to 10 pm. Cocktails and
Hors D’oeuvres, $30 donation. Sunday, 1 to 4 pm, Refreshments, $15
donation.

November 17-Banquet and Program celebrating the `Year of the Armenian
Mother,’ organized by the Eastern Prelacy, at Terrace in the Park,
Flushing Meadows Park, New York. Watch for details.

November 24-Special program following the Divine Liturgy presented
by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian commemorating the passing of Catholicos
Zareh I (50th) and Catholicos Khoren I (30th) will take place at
St. Stephen’s Church, 38 Elton Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts.

December 7-Annual Church Bazaar of St. Asdvadzadzin Church,
Whitinsville, Massachusetts, will take place at Christian Reform
Church, 25 Cross
Street, Whitinsville. For information: 508-234-3677.

December 7-Annual Holiday Bake Sale, St. Paul Church, 645 S. Lewis
Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois, 9 am to 3 pm. Enjoy authentic Armenian &
American pastries and plan to stay for lunch at St. Paul Café. For
information or pre-orders, 847-244-4573.

February 24-26, 2014-Annual Clergy Ghevontiantz Gathering hosted by
Holy Cross Church, 255 Spring Avenue, Troy, New York.

March 28, 2014-Musical Armenia Concert presented by Eastern Prelacy
and Prelacy Ladies Guild, at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, 8 pm.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s 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]

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

http://www.armenianprelacy.org/
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Noubar Afeyan: Biocatalysts Are Transforming Biofuels

Biocatalysts Are Transforming Biofuels

The Street
09/25/13

By Dana Blankenhorn

NEW YORK (TheStreet) — Every school kid knows that cows eat grass.

Their digestion systems are able to turn the cellulose in grass into
simple sugars, just as your digestion system does with the starch in
that doughnut you had on the way into the office.

Noubar Afeyan’s Midori Renewables says it has developed a proprietary
biocatalyst that can do what the cow does efficiently. The “rate
limit” for biofuels is this ability to turn cellulose into sugar,
which can then be turned into alcohol, he said.

If any biomass can become sugar for just pennies per pound, it will
transform the business, Afeyan added.

KiOR (KIOR_) also bases its business on a biocatalyst, which in its
case can be used at high temperature to turn biomass into oil and
natural gas liquids. In the first seven months of this year it turned
pine pellets into nearly 360,000 gallons of gasoline, diesel and fuel
oil using its catalyst, at a plant in Columbus, Miss.

This was just one-fourth of its production target, which sent the
stock tumbling, but Raymond James analyst Pavel Molchanov, who is
usually quite bearish, called this a buying opportunity. “The business
model remains valid,” he told RenewableEnergyWorld .

Efficient biocatalysts are the holy grail of the biofuels
industry. What Biofuelsdigest calls “Planet Houston” won’t show
interest in biofuels until it can produce useful refinery inputs at
$2.40/gallon, well below the cost of regular gasoline. Kior thinks it
can get its costs down to $2.25/gallon with an improved facility in
Natchez, Miss.

Afeyan won’t speculate on the cost of his energy, being focused on the
cost of producing the sugar that creates the energy. But the
“performance was compelling,” he said, and his catalyst is non-toxic,
delivering sugar at just one-third the price of other solutions. He
expects Midori to have further announcements in a few weeks.

As indicated above, our body produces biocatalysts naturally, called
protein enzymes, and such enzymes are at the heart of all sorts of
natural chemical transformations, including the brewing of
beer. What’s new is the application of genetic engineering to produce
custom catalysts that can be patented, and the scale on which their
producers wish to work.

Economic Statecraft, Women and the Fed

Economic Statecraft, Women and the Fed

The New York Times
Economix / Explaining the Science of Everyday Life
September 26, 2013

By
Simon Johnson

The United States has a long and generally successful track record of
using `economic statecraft’ to advance its positions and values in the
world. It helped rebuild Europe and Japan after World War II, with a
judicious mixture of aid and access to the United States
markets. Similarly, as the Iron Curtain fell after 1989, the United
States stepped in with targeted financial support and general
encouragement to converge on the European Union’s political and
economic institutions. The International Monetary Fund and the World
Bank, where the United States has a big voice, have also played
positive roles in many instances over the last 70 years.

No policy is perfect or without controversy. But surely this approach
is better than relying primarily on military power in the way
preferred by former dominant powers – think of Rome, the Ottomans or
even the British Empire (where there was commerce but also a lot of
coercion).

Can the United States continue to apply the same economics-first
approach to the next frontier in economic development – women’s
rights? Whether Janet Yellen becomes the chairwoman of the Federal
Reserve will provide some insight into the answer.

Analysts of economic development often point to `human capital’ –
education, skills and abilities – as a key determinant of which
countries become rich. Similarly, entrepreneurs typically stress the
importance of skilled labor in determining where they situate and
build their companies. And there is no question that technological
change has increased the advantages, in the United States and around
the world, of people skilled at working with computers (see this
recent commentary by David Autor, my colleague at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and David Dorn).

With skills at such a premium, we should perhaps expect countries to
put as many resources as possible into bringing everyone as much
education as possible. But this is not what we see, particularly with
regard to girls and women in many places.

Women work hard everywhere. One question is whether this work is
remunerated and picked up in official gross domestic product
statistics. The bigger issue is whether women have access to all
available opportunities, including in the school system – as
emphasized by Heidi Crebo-Rediker, former chief economist at the State
Department (see my column about her June speech).

Telling a country it must suddenly find jobs for a lot more people
would obviously not make sense, and that is not what this policy is
about. But increasing the ability to women to become entrepreneurs and
create jobs is not just a smart way to promote medium-term growth, it
is also completely sensible and long overdue economic policy. This
recent report from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows where
female entrepreneurship is already strong and where a boost could make
a difference over the next 10 to 20 years. The numbers for the Middle
East and North Africa are striking.

Under the leadership of Christine Lagarde, the I.M.F. has taken this
issue on board and is working with governments to make sure fiscal and
social support systems are more balanced across the sexes – for
example, flagging and discouraging penalties in the tax system when
spouses work. Public investment in child care often makes a great deal
of sense also, and this has been embraced, at least on paper, by the
current government in Japan. If women’s participation in the labor
force grows, and if these women get good jobs at good wages, this will
greatly help with the fiscal costs associated with a declining and
aging population in Japan.

Perhaps the I.M.F. can develop and regularly publish a set of
indicators, along the lines of the World Bank’s Doing Business
reports, which focus on the varieties of fiscal discrimination that
all kinds of groups face (including but not limited to women).

I subscribe to Daron Acemoglu’s view that the `root causes’ of
economic growth include creating opportunities for meaningful
participation – with property rights and a fair legal system – by a
broad cross-section of society (Professor Acemoglu and I are
co-authors of a number of papers that make this point). In this
context, it makes complete sense to bring transparency and pressure on
all parts of the tax code that discourage women from working.

The State Department says economic statecraft `means harnessing global
economic forces to advance America’s foreign policy and employing the
tools of foreign policy to shore up our economic strength.’

But any sensible economic policy begins at home, with steps including
the creation of role models. (Of course, the tax code also needs to be
addressed; see my post in June for more details)

As one very specific but topical example, consider the Federal Reserve
System. Beginning in 1913, the first 55 people appointed as Federal
Reserve governors were men. Nancy H. Teeters was the first woman
appointed governor, in 1978, and Martha R. Seger was the second,
serving from 1984 to 1991. There have been 89 governors, of whom just
eight have been women.

There has been a shift toward more female participation in the last
two decades, when six women (of the eight total) have become
governors: Susan M. Phillips (1991-98); Janet L. Yellen (1994-97 and
again, as vice chairwoman, from October 2010); Alice M. Rivlin
(1996-99); Susan S. Bies (2001-7); Elizabeth A. Duke (2008-13), and
Sarah B. Raskin (from 2010). Because three of the seven governors have
been women until recently, it would be a surprise if President Obama
allows female participation on the board to drop sharply. (Ms. Duke
left the board at the end of August; Ms. Raskin is the nominee to
become deputy Treasury secretary – a brilliant appointment but one
that creates a definite gap in Fed leadership.)

President Obama should nominate Ms. Yellen as chairwoman of the
Fed. She is the most qualified candidate ever, in my view. As well as
overwhelming support from Democratic senators, leading Republicans may
heed Sheila Bair’s advice and throw their weight behind Ms. Yellen.

Americans can talk all they want about what others around the world
should do. Ultimately, people assess the United States – and follow
its leadership or not – based on what they see done here.

Simon Johnson, former chief economist of the International Monetary
Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at the
M.I.T. Sloan School of Management and co-author of `White House
Burning: The Founding Fathers, Our National Debt, and Why It Matters
to You.’

Two Armenians Kidnapped In Aleppo

TWO ARMENIANS KIDNAPPED IN ALEPPO

15:55, 24 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: Several days ago two Armenians were
kidnapped in Aleppo. Armenpress was informed about it from the Facebook
page of the Security Union of the Syrian Armenians. The kidnapped
Armenians are father and son 73-yearold Vanes and 50-year-old Minas
Levonyans. Last week it became known that another three Armenian
young people were kidnapped.

In Aleppo the kidnapping of the citizens has become a common thing. It
is very dangerous to come out of the city.

By the UN data, during the two-year bloodshed in Syria since March
15 2011 more than 100 thousands of people have fallen victims.

Currently 4,5 million refugees live in Syria and 1,5 million – in the
neighboring countries. Several tens of Armenians have been killed in
the result of the collisions. Notwithstanding that difficult situation,
many Syrian Armenians continue leaving in Syria. The governmental
forces try to liberate Aleppo from the opposition. Every day heated
collisions and bombings are taking place, causing sufferings of the
peaceful population, the Armenians as well.

From: A. Papazian

http://armenpress.am/eng/news/734156/two-armenians-kidnapped-in-aleppo.html

Paruyr Hayrikyan: Customs Union "Threatens," While European Union "O

PARUYR HAYRIKYAN: CUSTOMS UNION “THREATENS,” WHILE EUROPEAN UNION “OFFERS”

24.09.2013

Paruyr Hayrikyan

Armine Gevorgyan
Public Radio of Armenia

“The shot on January 31 marked the start of the process of Armenia’s
involvement in the Customs Union, which was finalized on September 3,”
leader of the National Self-Determination Union Paruyr Hayrikyan told
reporters today.

The former presidential candidate means the assassination attempt
against him during the election campaign. Yesterday the court ruled
to sentence ex-candidate Vardan Sedrakyan to 14 year sin prison for
masterminding the attack against Hayrikyan.

According to Paruyr Hayrikyan, the Customs Union “threatens,” while
the European Union “offers.” Therefore, a voluntary union created on
the basis of violence cannot live long.

“Once I joked that Armenia may once be the only member of the Customs
Union, and even Russia may leave it some day,” Hayrikyan said.

From: A. Papazian

http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/09/24/paruyr-hayrikyan-customs-union-threatens-while-european-union-offers/