April 2021 – Page 128 – Armenian Directory & News

Memories of Armenia: St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Yerevan

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Hambik Zargarian

Queens Gazette, NY

April 1 2021

By qgazette | on

Catherine Tsounis

| Queens Gazette

I visited a Holy Land of the first Christians in a pilgrimage of the Holy Martyrs Church before the pandemic and Nov. 2020 Artsakh War. At Easter 2021, I recall memories of Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral. It is the largest Cathedral in the world of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Yerevan. All photos by Lara Ciamician

“St Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral was built by the initiative of the All Armenian Catholicos Vazgen I and was dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the Christianity adoption in Armenia. The Patriarch personally placed a memorial stone in the place of construction of the church. The blessing ceremony of the Cathedral was performed by All Armenian Catholicos Garegin A in 1997 on the day of the Virgin Mary Annunciation feast, on April 7. The Cathedral was built by architect Stepan Qyurkchyan’s project. The remains of St Gregory the Illuminator are kept in the dome. The remains were brought by Garegin the Second in 2000 from St Gregpry the Armenian church in Naples.¹.
<img class="size-medium wp-image-132067 alignright" src=”"https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-2-300×225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-2-300×225.jpg 300w, https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-2-133×100.jpg 133w, https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-2.jpg 360w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />

Who was St. Gregory the Illuminator? “The ancient kingdom of Armenia was the first country to become Christian, and it recognizes Gregory as its apostle. Armenia was a buffer state between the powerful empires of Rome and Parthia (Persia), and both sought to control it. Gregory was born about 257. When he was still an infant, his father assassinated the King of Parthia, and friends of the family carried Gregory away for protection to Caesarea in Cappadocia, where he was reared as a Christian. About 280 he returned to Armenia, where he was at first treated severely, but eventually by his preaching and example brought both King Tiridates and many of his people to the Christian faith. About 300, Gregory was consecrated the first bishop of Armenia. He died about 332. Armenian Christians to this day remember him with honor and gratitude.

<img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-132068" src=”"https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-3-225×300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-3-225×300.jpg 225w, https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-3-75×100.jpg 75w, https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-3.jpg 360w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" />Armenians were the first people to adopt Christianity as the state religion. Tertullian and Eusebius of Caesaria suggest that Christianity was practiced in Armenia as early as the 2nd century. Eusebius also mentions an exchange of letters between Jesus Christ and the Armenian king of Edessa Abkar V (the Black) (9-46 A.D). Legend claims for Armenian the graves of four apostles: Bartholomew, Simon, Thaddaeus, and Jude. It was sometime between 288 and 301 that St. Gregory the Illuminator (Grigor Loussavorich: ca. 240-332), who had been subjected to cruel tortures and incarcerated in a deep well (Khor Virab) for 13 years for refusing to participate in pagan rites, converted King Tiridates (238-314). In 302, St. Gregory was ordained bishop, and in 303 he founded the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, near Mount Ararat, which, to this day, is the seat of the supreme patriarch or catholicos, the head of the Armenian Church. St. Gregory went on to evangelize several other Caucasian nations and baptized the kings of Iberia (Georgia), Lazes and Albania. Sometime before his death he retired to a solitary life in the wilderness. The patron saint of Armenia, he is now venerated in both the Eastern and Latin Church.²

I was impressed by the Armenians devotion to Christianity for centuries. Persecuted by Persia, Turkey, and Communists, they have never faltered. They have fought to the death for their religious beliefs through centuries. As Greece celebrates its 200^th Year Anniversary of Independence from an occupying power, we admire and support the continuous battle of the Armenians to be free.
<img class="size-medium wp-image-132069 alignright" src=”"https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-4-225×300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-4-225×300.jpg 225w, https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-4-75×100.jpg 75w, https://www.qgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-4.jpg 288w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" />

A charismatic priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. Abraham Malkhasyan, invited me to join his August 2018 pilgrimage to Armenia with the Holy Martyrs Church, with the encouragement of Mardiros and Carol Anastasian, under the leadership of President Aram Ciamician in coordination with the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR). Lara Ciamician was the photographer who assisted this writer. Our outstanding, brilliant guide Garush showed us Armenia, a land rich with history and civilization, that is often forgotten because of the horrendous genocide. The Holy Martyrs Church community is energetic, perpetuating the mission of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Queens, New York.

References:

www.yerevan.am/en/st-gregory-the-illuminator-church/
www.satucket.com/lectionary/Gregory_Illuminator.htm

Foreign Ministers of Russia, Armenia discuss humanitarian response in Karabakh

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Emil Lazarian

TASS, Russia

April 1 2021

The Ministers also exchanged their opinions on pressing issues of bilateral cooperation, including contacts on high and the highest levels, as well as preparation to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two states

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed humanitarian and economic issues, connected to Nagorno-Karabakh, during the meeting with his Armenian counterpart Ara Ayvazyan in Moscow Thursday.

"The sides discussed the implementation of the November 9, 2020, and January 11, 2021, agreements of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia. Special attention was paid to pressing issues of humanitarian response in Nagorno-Karabakh, and unblocking of trade and transport ties in the region," Russian Foreign Ministry said in its statement.

"The sides reviewed individual issues of international agenda that pose mutual interest," the Ministry said.

Earlier on Thursday, Lavrov also met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ceyhun Bayramov.

Azerbaijan appears to confirm Armenian use of Iskander missiles

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Emil Lazarian

OC Media

April 1 2021

1 April 2021

By Ani Avetisyan

Iskander missiles on parade in Yerevan. Photo via Wikipedia.

A month after denials by Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan that Armenia had used Iskander missiles during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, an Azerbaijani state body published new evidence that Armenia had indeed used them.

Azerbaijan’s National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) published coordinates of the location of two alleged missile strikes in the city of Shusha (Shushi) as well as photos that appeared to show fragments of the missiles. The fragments contained serial numbers that identified them as Iskander missiles.

An ANAMA representative stated that they had found the missile fragments on 15 March.

Along with Russia and Algeria, Armenia is the only country to possess the Russian-made missiles.

This new evidence of the missiles’ use came a month after Armenia’s Prime Minister criticised the Russian-made missiles as only exploding at a rate of ‘10%’. The claim was met with a swift rebuttal from the Russian Defence Ministry, who claimed that Pashinyan was ‘misled’ and that no Iskander missiles were used during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. After the statement, Pashinyan walked back his claim — and said he agreed with the assessment made by the Russian MOD.

Pashinyan’s initial criticism of the missiles also sparked a national crisis.

Immediately after the comments, Tiran Khachatryan, a member of the General Staff of Armenian criticized Pashinyan’s comments, which resulted in his dismissal; shortly thereafter, the General Staff called for Pashinyan’s resignation. This led to a tense stand-off between the government and opposition, which only partially cooled down when Pashinyan announced that there would be new elections.

Photo appearing to show serial number of Iskander missile. Photo via Caliber.az.

[Read more on OC Media: Armenia’s political crisis continues]

On 26 February, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also denied that the missiles had been used.

‘We did not see any “Iskander” missiles launched’, Aliyev told journalists. ‘This is why, when we heard yesterday’s statement [by Pashinyan on the missiles’ ineffectiveness], we were once more interested [that the missiles may have been used] — but no, we didn’t see them being used.’

On 9 November hours before the signing of the trilateral peace declaration on 10 November, video footage was published online that appeared to show Armenian forces launching two Iskander missiles. Fact Investigation Platform, an Armenian fact-checking organisation, concluded that the footage was enough to confirm claims that Armenia had used the missile during the war.

Later that month, far-right anti-government blogger Artur Danielyan published a video which he said showed the missiles exploding. He claimed the video was filmed on 7 November.

On 16 February, Armenian ex-president Serzh Sargsyan echoed these claims, and criticised Pashinyan for firing the missiles at Shusha near the end of the war, instead of firing them earlier at Azerbaijani targets beyond the line of contact.

Shusha, a hilltop city near the Nagorno-Karabakh capital of Stepanakert (Khankandi), was captured by Azerbaijan during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. It had been under the control of Armenian forces since 1992.

Armenia first received the Iskander-E tactical operational missiles from Russia in 2013. The missiles carry 480 kg warheads and have a range of 280 kilometres. Depending on the type of warhead, Iskander fragments can be deadly at a distance of up to 200 meters from the explosion site. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute database, the 9M723-type rockets that ANAMA has published apparent photos of were delivered in 2016.

Community of Practice unites Armenian national and local stakeholders in the fight against corruption and promotion of open government – News 2021

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Anna Tamamian

Council of Europe

April 1 2021

Co-operation Remote meeting 1 April 2021

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Amelie Tarschys-Ingre (Sweden, ILDG) addressed members of the Community of Practice on public integrity and ethics in local governance in Armenia during an online meeting held on 30 March 2021, by admitting that “there is no such thing as a “corruption-free zone”, but she invited all meeting participants to unite in fight against corruption, which continues to be today one of the major risks for local democracy. She highlighted that “the experience of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe shows that tackling corruption requires long term action covering all aspects of governance and accountability. This is exactly why we, local elected representatives, need to be even more accountable to the citizens we serve than other actors of society or appointed officials. By electing us into office, people have placed their trust in us. Let us be worthy of their trust in us and lead by example, fostering governance that is both democratic and ethical.”

The aim of the meeting was to gather all members of the Community of Practice to discuss and identify challenges faced by national and local authorities in Armenia in terms of corruption, public ethics, transparent governance and citizen participation in decision-making processes. More than 40 representatives of local authorities, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Open Government Partnership Secretariat, Swiss Development and Co-operation Agency, Communities Association of Armenia and others, had an opportunity also to become better acquainted with practical tools developed under the Community of Practice with the support of the Congress during 2020, be introduced with planned activities for 2021-22 and to provide their feedback and suggestions.

Referring to the presentations of experts, national and local stakeholders, as well as of Ms Tarschys-Ingre, members of the Community of Practice have reached a consensus on further actions that national and local authorities need to take to improve local governance and make their communities as corruption-free as possible. They have concluded that the Community of Practice represents a unique platform for a regular dialogue between national and local authorities not only on corruption issues and the promotion of open government, but voiced for exchanges and further support in view of related roles and functions of local elected representatives, the division and scope of their responsibilities, the situation of local finances and the quality of local democracy in Armenia overall.

Event was organised in the framework of the project “Strengthening the Communities Association of Armenia and Transparent, Participatory Local Governance in Armenia”. It is implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, with the financial support of the Swiss government, in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2019-2022.

Sports: World Cup success lifts Armenians after last year’s bitter war

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Maral Chavushian

SuperSport

April 1 2021

| 16:36

Armenians on Thursday were celebrating their tiny Caucasus country's surprising lead in its 2022 World Cup qualifying group with three wins out of three, lifting their spirits after a devastating war with Azerbaijan last year.

For the first time in the country's history, its national team on Wednesday took the sole lead in its Fifa World Cup qualifying group after wins against Liechtenstein, Iceland and Romania.

Traumatised by last year's disastrous defeat in a war with Azerbaijan that has engulfed the country in a political crisis, Armenia's triumphs on the football pitch have provided some semblance of relief.

"Armenians live in constant stress, we can't overcome this state of depression," 65-year-old football fan Khachatur Kharatyan told AFP on Thursday in the capital Yerevan.

"But our team's victory lifted our spirits, showed that we can win even when the adversary is strong," he said.

On Wednesday night, Armenians poured into Yerevan's streets waving national flags to celebrate their country's 3-2 victory over Romania in a qualifier for next year's World Cup in Qatar.

The win made Armenia leaders – with nine points – of Group J that also includes four-time world champion Germany.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on Facebook that the "win after defeat… is dedicated to our brothers" killed in last year's war with Azerbaijan for the control of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The war, which erupted in September and ended six weeks later claiming the lives of some 6 000 people, saw Armenia forced to cede swathes of territories to Azerbaijan.

The Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement was seen in Armenia as a national humiliation, leading Pashinyan to call snap polls in June following months of mass anti-government protests.

For some Armenians, the country's football success could provide political lessons.

"The guys gave us such strong energy, showed that when we are united, when we are one team, we always win," said 29-year-old Yerevan resident Anush Serobyan. "Our people needed that lesson."

If Armenia makes next year's edition of the World Cup, it would be just the third former Soviet state to participate in the tournament, joining Russia and Ukraine.

Armenian Parliament votes to abolish ranked voting system

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Emil Lazarian

Public Radio of Armenia

April 1 2021

The Armenian National Assembly voted to approve amendments to the Electoral Code at first reading. The draft received 83 votes in favor.

The opposition factions did not participate in the voting, Prosperous Armenia did not attend the sitting.

The changes envisage abolishing the ranked voting system and hold the next election in accordance with the proportional voting system.

The changes also foresee certain regulations for holding the elections under the conditions for the pandemic.

The Bright Armenia faction was categorically against the draft. “If the rules of the game change, the legitimacy of the parliamentary elections will be called into question,” leader of the faction Edmon Marukyan said.

Meanwhile, the authorities assure that this change only simplifies the election process.

Slovak Parliament adopts resolution on Nagorno Karabakh, calls for release of POWs

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Markos Nalchajian

Public Radio of Armenia

April 1 2021

During the 25th plenary session the National Council of Slovakia unanimously adopted by 120 votes in favor the resolution “On Nagorno Karabakh” submitted by Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marián Kéry, (SMER-SD/Social Democrats).

The resolution strongly condemns the killings of civilians, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, monuments of cultural and religious heritage, expresses concern over the military involvement of third countries in the conflict and their destabilizing role, and emphasizes that the process of determining the future legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh should be carried out under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, expresses deep concern that prisoners of war and other detainees, including civilians, have not been released in accordance with the provisions of international humanitarian law, in particular the 1949 Geneva Convention.

The resolution calls on the Government of the Slovak Republic, the European Union and international organizations to ensure that all allegations of war crimes, including the use of cluster munitions, are properly investigated, that all prisoners of war and civilians are released immediately, and that international humanitarian organizations enter Nagorno-Karabakh without restrictions.

This is the second resolution on the last 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh adopted by the Slovak National Council. The first resolution on the ongoing conflict in Nagorno Karabakh was adopted by the National Council of the Slovak Republic on October 22, 2020.

Safe YOU mobile app developed in Armenia shields women against domestic violence

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Mary Lazarian

Public Radio of Armenia

April 1 2021

The Safe YOU multi-functional mobile application developed in Armenia safeguards women against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), while providing community and knowledge-based empowerment, Forbes reports.

The Safe YOU journey began in 2018 when the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, a technology business incubator and IT development agency, won the World Bank Group and Sexual Violence Initiative ‘Development Marketplace for Innovation in GBV Prevention and Response’ award for Geeks against GBV project. Following this the winners, a women-led team, researched and designed the concept of the Safe YOU application.

“After weeks of technical development, translations, and design we successfully launched the app, giving our Georgian partners a segregated database to manage their content–including forum posts, and support service providers which, each country manages by a locally licensed partner,” explains social entrepreneur Mariam Torosyan, project team leader that developed the mobile solution, and Founder/CEO of the Impact Innovations Institute (IMIN) which launched Safe YOU in 2020.

Torosyan is proud to be managing a team of four women, ages 22-32. With a background in Human Rights Law and Anthropology, she is a Lecturer of Healthcare Law at Armenia’s Yerevan State Medical University.

Launching amidst a pandemic, and months prior to the 44-day war with neighboring Azerbaijan, challenged funding and promotion of the app in Armenia. The app already has over 500 users in Armenia–ages 20 to 35–and seven consultants. Torosyan has established cooperation with the World Bank and UNICEF and is supported by UNFPA and EU offices of Armenia. Safe YOU plans to target adolescent girls and increase its user base in Armenia to over 100,000 by early next year.

Launched in Armenia in May 2020, Safe YOU scaled to Georgia in July with Union Sapari as its first implementing partner. Amidst the pandemic that spiked GBV incidents, the app was a timely resolve–and now has 5,000 active users and 17 consultants in Georgia.

Users can simply download the free app with verification linked to their cellphone number, last name, and a nickname. Internet connectivity is needed, but Safe YOU covers SMS message costs.

The app’s ‘safe space’ allows anonymous engagement in peer-to-peer discussions and Forums; and users can seek consultations, ask questions, or get urgent help from fully vetted and verified professionals as psychologists, doctors, and lawyers–in curated forums. NGOs can also endorse consultants or use the mobile app to apply to become consultants.

Current negotiations between Safe YOU and several governmental and non-governmental organizations in the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa will potentially lead to the launch of the app in over five countries this year–and an additional 10 in 2022.

“We believe this app will also help the recently displaced Armenian women in the post-war crisis, and women in other countries where we hope to expand and scale this solution,” says Torosyan.

Armenian, Russian FMs discuss Karabakh issue, bilateral relations

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Lena Karagyozian

Public Radio of Armenia

April 1 2021

On the sidelines of the sitting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers in Moscow, Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian had a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

During the private conversation, the Foreign Ministers discussed a wide range of issues related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including the implementation of the November 9 and January 11 trilateral statements and current developments. In this context, Minister Aivazian stressed the need for the immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war held hostage by the Azerbaijani side in violation of their obligations under the tripartite statement.

Minister Ara Aivazian expressed serious concern over the deliberate targeting of Armenian cultural and religious monuments in the territories under the control of Azerbaijan, emphasizing the urgency of taking steps to protect that heritage in various dimensions.

The Foreign Ministers spoke in detail about the wide range of issues on the agenda of the Armenian-Russian allied cooperation, the forthcoming schedule of high-level contacts.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Russia exchanged views on multilateral cooperation.

Armenian students win first prize in C-SPAN’s 17th annual documentary competition

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Elizabeth Jabejian

Public Radio of Armenia

April 1 2021

Sofia Gevorgian and Anahit Malumyan, students at AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Canoga Park, are first-prize winners in C-SPAN’s 20201 national video documentary competition, StudentCam, Asbarez reports.

Middle and high school students were invited to create short documentaries that addressed the public affairs network’s theme of “Explore the Issue You Most Want the President and New Congress to Address in 2021.”

Gevorgian and Malumyan sent in their documentary titled “Dear Congress and Mr. President, Recognize Artsakh.” The budding filmmakers were awarded $3,000 for their work. The video will be shown on C-SPAN on April 18, throughout the day.

The 17th annual StudentCam competition attracted more than 2,300 students to participate with more than 1,200 entries submitted from 43 states and Washington, D.C.

The competition is sponsored by the C-SPAN Education Foundation. The documentaries were judged on how well the students followed this year’s theme, the artistic _expression_, how well they explored all sides of their topic and how they used aspects of C-SPAN programming.