Month: February 2015

Armenia’s ancient civilization remains exotic and unknown in West: The Telegraph

13:51, 28 February, 2015

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: The ancient civilization of Armenia
remains exotic and unknown in the West, but a holy monk from Lake Van
has just been declared a Doctor of the Church. Armenpress reports,
citing the article, written in the Telegraph by Christopher Howse:
“There’s a little book on my shelf that I can’t read. It is in
Armenian, and I cannot even make out the attractive curly alphabet.
Byron, by all accounts, did rather better, taking lessons in the
language, from 1816, at the monastery where my book was printed.
This is at San Lazzaro, an island in Venice, between San Giorgio and
the Lido. It was granted to the Armenian monks in 1717. The little
community was brought there in that year by their first abbot Mechitar
of Sebaste, after whom the monks are called Mechitarists.
This monastery was of Armenian Catholics, in other words, Armenians
who recognized the primacy of the Pope. The majority of Armenians
belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. Armenians are fond of telling
you that theirs was the first country to adopt Christianity, in 301,
thanks to St Gregory the Illuminator. Armenia, with its Indo-European
language unrecognizably related to ours, has a proud civilization, but
to say that its history in recent centuries has been difficult is an
understatement.
I was thinking about the Armenians because, in the bright winter sun
on Tuesday, I stumbled across the Armenian Church in Kensington, St
Sarkis, its white Portland stone shining exotically amid the red-brick
mansion flats around it. It was built in 1922 in memory of the
philanthropist Calouste Gulbenkian’s parents.
The Prince of Wales visited the Armenians in London a few weeks ago at
their nearby church of St Yeghiche as part of his efforts to draw
attention to the plight of Christians in the Middle East. He mentioned
the destruction last November (by Islamists of the al-Nusra Front) of
the Armenian church at Deir ez-Zor in Syria. It had been built as a
memorial to the thousands of Armenian refugees from Turkey who died
there in the second decade of the 20th century.
With these thoughts in mind, I discovered that Pope Francis had last
Saturday named a great Armenian saint, Gregory of Narek (pictured
above), as a Doctor of the Church. That is a rare title, there having
been only another 35 in the history of the Church – people like St
Jerome or St Athanasius.
St Gregory (950-1003) lived as a monk at Narek, near Lake Van in what
is now Turkey. A little more than 1,000 years later, the great
monastery with its conical domes in the Armenian style was destroyed
and the Armenians living around it killed.
St Gregory of Narek’s best-known work, the Book of Prayer, also called
the Lamentations, might have been written as a meditation on that
disaster and the episodes of martyrdom that have punctuated Armenia’s
history. The saint’s aim is to bring God’s mercy to bear on mankind so
that it might share in God’s nature. “This book will cry out in my
place, with my voice, as if it were me,” he wrote. “May unspeakable
faults be confronted and the traces of evil wrung out.”
Last year Pope Francis met the Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, Karekin II, and spoke about martyrdom as a way of reuniting
the Church. He had sketched out his thoughts before by remarking: “In
some countries they kill Christians for wearing a cross or having a
Bible; and before they kill them they do not ask them whether they are
Anglican, Lutheran, Catholic, or Orthodox.”
In St Gregory of Narek’s day, the Armenian Church, having followed its
own path after the Council of Chalcedon in 451, was presumed by the
Orthodox and by Western Catholics to be monophysite in teaching, with
false beliefs about the nature of Jesus as God and man. It could
hardly have been the case in practice, and the Catholic recognition of
St Gregory and other Armenian saints demonstrated a shared faith. The
proclamation of him as a doctor sets the seal on that unity of belief.
In these murderous times, Christians in the East need all the unity of
spirit they can muster”.

Armenian parliament discusses preparations for Armenian Genocide
Centennial Commemoration events

17:20, 27 February, 2015

YEREVAN, 27 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. On February 27, Speaker of the
National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Galust Sahakyan moderated
a consultation devoted to preparations for the events dedicated to the
Centennial of the Armenian Genocide at the Golden Hall of the National
Assembly. Among the participants of the consultation were deputies of
the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and members of the
staff. As the Department of Public Relations and Mass Media of the
National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia reports to “Armenpress”,
main coordinator of the events dedicated to the Centennial of the
Armenian Genocide, Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic of
Armenia Vigen Sargsyan delivered a speech.

In his speech, Sargsyan presented the goals and objectives and future
actions of the State Commission on Coordination of the events for the
commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the
program and schedule of events to be held in Armenia and abroad, as
well as the parliamentarians’ participation in the implementation of
those events.

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia to help give new impetus to cooperation
between U.S. and Armenian cities

17:17, 27 February, 2015

YEREVAN, 27 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan met
with newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
to the Republic of Armenia Richard Mills. As the Department of
Information and Public Relations of Yerevan Municipality reports to
“Armenpress”, congratulating the Ambassador on the start of his
diplomatic mission in Armenia, the mayor expressed certainty that the
cordial relations established with the U.S. Embassy would continue and
voiced hope that the warm and friendly relations established between
Yerevan and U.S. cities would develop more effectively due to the
Ambassador’s active support.

“The cooperation between Yerevan Municipality and the U.S. Embassy in
Armenia has truly been effective and constructive, and in the context
of development of Armenia-U.S. relations, we attach importance to the
roles of the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia and the
Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America.
Taking into consideration the fact that Los Angeles and Cambridge are
sister cities with Yerevan, I also look forward to your active support
to further strengthening and expanding cooperation with Yerevan’s
sister American cities in different sectors of municipal economy,” the
mayor underscored.

Expressing gratitude for the cordial reception and the congratulatory
remarks, Ambassador Richard Mills mentioned that he was willing to
support and assist within the limits of his powers in the
establishment, strengthening and deepening of bilateral relations with
other U.S. cities. “I assure you, Mr. Margaryan, that I will do
everything possible to give new impetus to the multifaceted
cooperation between the cities of the two countries,” the Ambassador
mentioned.

Armenia’s Ambassador to U.S. and Congressman Dold discuss action plan
for Armenian Genocide Centennial

15:02, 27 February, 2015

YEREVAN, 27 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. On February 25, Ambassador of the
Republic of Armenia to the United States of America Tigran Sargsyan
had a meeting with newly appointed Co-Chair of the Armenian Caucus of
the U.S. Congress, Congressman Robert Dold (R-Illinois). As the
Department of Press, Information and Public Relations of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia reports to “Armenpress”,
Ambassador Sargsyan congratulated the Congressman on assuming office
and wished him success in fulfilling his duties.

The Ambassador presented the preparations for the events dedicated to
the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, and importance was attached
to the United States’ participation in the events in Armenia and
abroad.

Paul Krekorian Leads LA’s Sponsorship of Genocide Centennial Events

Friday, February 27th, 2015

>From l to r: Tereza Yerimyan, Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, Councilman
Paul Krekorian, Nora Hovsepian and Garo Ghazarian

LOS ANGELES–Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian is
spearheading the City of LA’s sponsorship of events commemorating the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Krekorian, the first
Armenian-American ever elected to the City Council, has introduced
motions that show the city’s commitment to human rights and justice.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, who represents Council
District 13, which includes Little Armenia, has also led efforts to
ensure the Armenian Genocide is properly commemorated in LA, along
with fellow Councilmember Paul Koretz.

Here’s what the city is doing:

-City Sponsorship of Events: Designating Armenian Genocide Centennial
observance activities as official citywide special events.

-“America We Thank You” Library Event: Providing funding for and
co-sponsoring the Armenian National Committee of America-Western
Region’s “America We Thank You: An Armenian Tribute to Near East
Relief” premiere of Near East Foundation traveling exhibit entitled
“They Shall Not Perish: The Story of Near East Releief” at the Los
Angeles Central Library in March and April. The exhibit highlights the
outpouring of generosity by the American people and government during
and in the immediate aftermath of the Armenian Genocide.

-March for Justice: Providing funding and support for the “March for
Justice” on April 24 that begins in Little Armenia. Councilmember
Mitch O’Farrell introduced a motion, seconded by Paul Koretz, to place
50 banners in the 13th District along the March for Justice route.

-Street Banners Across the City: Providing street banners positioned
around the city to promote the March for Justice.

-Centennial Art Contest: Hosting the Centennial Art Contest with the
winner’s artwork to be featured on city buses in April.

-Turning City Hall Purple: Lighting City Hall’s façade in purple for
the week of April 24 to symbolize the forget-me-not, the official
emblem of the worldwide observance of the Armenian Genocide
Centennial.

-100 Pomegranate Trees: Planting 100 pomegranate trees in parks
throughout the city, including at City Hall.

-Councilmember O’Farrell is working with Councilmember Krekorian’s
office as well as other Council offices to identify funding sources
for this event that involves multiple districts.

“The City of Los Angeles is committed to recognizing the Armenian
Genocide and educating people throughout the city about our continued
struggle for justice,” said Councilmember Krekorian. “There will be an
extraordinary exhibit at the city’s Central Library that highlights
America’s generous support for the Armenian people, along with banners
advertising the ‘March for Justice’ across the city. Because of my
efforts, we will also light City Hall in a purple glow to symbolize
forget-me-nots, display art commemorating the centennial on city
buses, and plant pomegranate trees throughout LA’s parks. This is an
unprecedented commitment by Los Angeles to our community and to
telling our story. I’m proud to have helped make it happen.”

From: A. Papazian

AYF Leads Protest Challenging Azeri Aggression, Championing Artsakh’s
Freedom – Video

Friday, February 27th, 2015

Armenians in Washington D.C. protest Baku’s continuing aggression
against Armenians

WATCH: Pro-Aliyev Counter-Protesters Chant ‘Ramil Safarov, Ramil Safarov’

WASHINGTON–Members, alumni, and supporters of the Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF) braved sub-freezing temperatures today outside the
Azerbaijani Embassy in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 25th
anniversary of the Baku massacres, condemn Baku’s ongoing
anti-Armenian aggression, and call for freedom and security for the
independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.

“Armenians in the Greater Washington Area — like our sisters and
brothers across America and around the world — share a core commitment
to championing Artsakh’s freedom and confronting Azerbaijan’s
aggression,” said AYF “Ani” Chapter Chairwoman Sevan Simonian. “We
were proud today to stand up for our community’s values – even against
the hateful tirades of pro-Aliyev counter-protesters.”

A small group of staff and supporters of the Azerbaijani Embassy
staged a counter-protest, repeatedly chanting the name “Ramil
Safarov,” in an apparent attempt to intimidate those gathered for the
AYF vigil. Safarov is the admitted and unapologetic axe-murder who
killed Armenian Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan during a NATO
peace-training exercise in Hungary. In 2012, after serving only a
fraction of his sentence in Hungary, Safarov was extradited to
Azerbaijan, where he was immediate pardoned, promoted and praised, a
moved that was broadly condemned worldwide, including by President
Obama.

Following the vigil, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian of Soorp Khatch Armenian
Apostolic Church led the D.C. community members in prayer in memory of
the victims of the Baku, Sumgait, Kirovabad and Maragha massacres and
all those who lost their lives during the Artsakh liberation movement.

Rebuilding from the Rubble of Sumgait

Friday, February 27th, 2015
by Serouj Aprahamian

The majority of the members in the all-female Gomk Agricultural
Cooperative are refugees who fled from Azerbaijan and resettled in
Armenia after independence.

BY SEROUJ APRAHAMIAN

GOMK, Armenia–On February 27, 1988, Armenians living in the city of
Sumgait were subject to a brutal pogrom by rampaging mobs. These
massacres spilled into the towns of Baku and Kirovobad, as well. Two
years later, Armenian civilians living in the Azerbaijani capital of
Baku were likewise attacked for seven days straight.

Over 200,000 Armenians were forced to flee and find refuge in Armenia
as a result of these incidents and the ensuing war in
Nagorno-Karabakh. With the trauma of massacre in their minds and
little to nothing to their name, they were forced to start again in
the newly independent republic of Armenia.

Mariam Abrahamyan, a resident of the border village of Gomk, is one
such survivor. Originally from Baku, she fled with her husband and
newborn baby, settling in Gomk in the summer of 1988.

“My husband was a taxi driver in Baku,” she explains. “Two men sat in
his cab one day and he overheard them talking about Sumgait, saying
the same fate awaited Armenians in Baku. He knew from that day on that
if we stayed, we would be struck down too.”

With nowhere to hide, the family fled the country with other refugees.
They arrived in Armenia without a cent in their pocket. They didn’t
even know how to speak Armenian.

They were given a small house by the government, but transitioning
from an urban life to a rural one was a major challenge in itself. The
family had to learn farming, animal husbandry, and adapt to the
hardships of the countryside.

“The important thing is that they didn’t destroy us,” says
Abarahamyan. “They weren’t able to kill us.”

Like Abrahamyan, the majority of families in Gomk are refugees from
Azerbaijan. The will to survive and stick together as a community is
what got them through the “dark years” of the early 1990’s and allowed
them to rebuild from the rubble of war.

“Our happiness and strength comes from the fact that people assist
each other here [in Gomk],” says Abrahamyan. “Nobody’s life is easy
but all you have to do is pick up the phone and they’ll be there to
help you.”

In 2012, Abrahamyan joined an Oxfam-sponsored initiative to form an
agricultural cooperative in the village. Together with other female
farmers, she operates a greenhouse that grows tomatoes, green beans,
cucumbers and other crops. The all-female cooperative is run
democratically as a social enterprise, which allocates a percentage of
its annual funds to social projects in the community.

The greenhouse has proven to be an efficient source of income and
empowerment for the residents of Gomk. By pooling their resources
together, they are seeing that they can develop economies of scale and
better resolve the socio-economic problems in their village.

In turn, the solidarity and success of the cooperative has reinforced
Abrahamyan’s commitment to the land. As someone who has felt the
trauma of massacre and ethnic cleansing, she is quick to emphasize the
security of living in her homeland.

“This is where I feel safe and welcome,” explains Abrahamyan when
asked if she has ever thought about leaving the country. “No one in
the village has any negative intent towards us. Everyone in this
village is like a family. I feel secure here.”

The story of Abrahamyan and the female farmers of Gomk is one of
overcoming the carnage of massacre with the will to persevere and
rebuild. What’s more, Abrahamyan and fellow cooperative members are
leading the way in offering an alternative mode of development for the
country–one based on solidarity and sustainability, rather than
individualism and exploitation.

Twenty-seven years after the Sumgait pogroms, it is important not only
to remember the suffering caused in those horrific days but also the
remarkable perseverance of those who survived.

Those interested in lending a hand to Mariam and the Gomk Agricultural
Cooperative in their current drive to purchase a mini-tractor for
their greenhouse can make a secure online donation today.

Martiros Saryan portrayed a different Armenia, today marks the
painter’s birthday

14:46, 28 February, 2015

YEREVAN, 28 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. Great patriot, phenomenal painter,
intellectual…The friends and relatives of Martiros Saryan, as well as
art lovers and those who appreciate his work gathered near the statue
of the painter and paid tribute to him on February 28th, which marks
Saryan’s birthday. This year marks the painter’s 135th birthday
anniversary.

Director of the Home-Museum of Martiros Saryan, the painter’s
granddaughter Ruzan Saryan says Saryan was eternal. “We celebrate this
day and take pride once again in the fact that the Armenian nation has
individuals like Martiros Saryan who left a legacy and art that we can
be proud of,”the painter’s granddaughter mentioned, as “Armenpress”
reports. Ruzan Saryan is certain that many foreigners view Saryan’s
paintings and visit Armenia to see what a heavenly land is portrayed
in his paintings.

Sculptor Levon Tokmajyan is the creator of the statue of Martiros
Saryan. “When I was working on the statue for years, I would ask
myself what Saryan should look like. He described Armenia for us
through his paintings. Armenians have many gifted painters who have
portrayed Mount Ararat, but no painter saw Armenia as Saryan did.
Saryan is the symbol of the Armenian nation. The sun and light are
seen in his art,” Levon Tokmajyan mentioned.

Trial against Valery Permyakov to Be Held by Russian Military Court,
According to Russian Judge

02.28.2015 12:04 epress.am

Russia’s North-Caucasian Regional Military Court (main office in
Rostov) will soon hold trials of a number of controversial cases,
including the case of Valery Permyakov, Russian soldier accused of
murdering theAvetisyan family on January 12 in Gyurmi. As reported by
Russian TASS news agency yesterday, February 27, the latter statement
was made by the Military Court’s presiding Judge Mikhail Ptitsin
(pictured).

Permyakov is currently at the Gyumri’s 102nd Russian military base,
where a psychological and psychiatric examination is taking place.

The North-Caucasian Regional Military Court has judicial authority
over Russia’s 15 units in Russia’s Southern, North-Caucasian and
Crimean regions, as well as the Russian armed forces military bases
and other entities in Armenia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.

The Russian 102-nd military base soldier Valery Permyakov is charged
by Armenia’s Investigative Committee for murdering 7 members of the
Avetisyan family in Gyumri. A criminal case has been initiated in
accordance with Article 104.2.1 (murder of two or more people) of the
RA Criminal code. According to official sources, the soldier has
admitted his guilt. Nevertheless, the Russian side has not transferred
Permyakov to the Armenian law enforcement. Permyakov has also been
charged with Article 105.2 and 338.2 of the Russian Criminal code for
murder and desertion.

According to the official information, Permyakov was arrested on
January 13 by Russian border guards near the Armenian-Turkish border
and was handed to the Russian military base leadership, which resulted
in a wave of major dissatisfaction in Gyumri. On January 15 thousands
of people protested in Gyumri demanding that the Russian soldier be
transferred to Armenian law enforcement.

From: Baghdasarian

Armenian businessman Abram (Hamlet) Amirkhanyan committed suicide from
gun presented to him by former police chief

15:30 / 28.02.2015

Armenian businessman Abram (Hamlet) Amirkhanyan who committed suicide
on February 16 in his apartment shot himself from VIKING gun.

Nyut.am source reports that he had all the necessary documents for
legal possession of the gun which appeared to be presented to him by
former chief of the Armenian police Alik Sargsyan, who is currently
consultant to Armenia’s president.
A criminal case has been opened into the case under Article 110 of the
Armenia’s Criminal Code [driving someone to commit suicide]. According
to one of the causes of the suicide, the businessman shot himself
because of huge debts reaching few millions dollars.

Nyut.am