Author: Babajanian Karo

Charles Aznavour to give a farewell concert in London

13:43 14.12.2013

Charles Aznavour

After the concert at the Royal Albert Hall in October, Charles
Aznavour will be back on stage in London for a farewell concert to
mark his 90th birthday, frenchradiolondon.com reports.

During the 60-year career, legendary French Armenian singer Charles
Aznavour has more than 100 million album sales and over 1,200 songs.

He starred in 80 films and performed thousands of concerts worldwide.

AGREEMENT ON ABOLITION OF RUSSIAN EXPORT DUTIES FOR ARMENIA MAY BE RATIFIED IN Q1 2014

December 14, 2013 | 00:37

YEREVAN. – An agreement on the abolition of Russian export duties for
Armenia may be ratified in the first quarter of 2014, Deputy Economy
Minister Tigran Harutyunyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin in a declarative manner has
already approved such an intention. Now it is for the ministries and
parliaments of the two countries,” Harutyunyan said.

He did not rule that the agreement will be ratified by the parliaments
of Armenia and Russia until the end of the first quarter of 2014. It
will not work de facto, till it comes into force.

During the official visit to Armenia, Russian President Vladimir
Putin decided to abolish export duties for Armenia on a number of
important goods, particularly oil, raw diamonds.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

AHMET DAVUTOGLU REFUTED REPORTS THAT THEY WILL OPEN BORDER WITH ARMENIA IF 2 REGIONS ARE RETURNED

APA, Azerbaijan
dec 13 2013

[ 13 December 2013 14:16 ]

Baku. Anakhanum Hidayatova – APA. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu refuted the reports that they will open the border with
Armenia if they return 2 occupied regions of Azerbaijan, said
editor-in-chief of Armenian “Jamanak” newspaper published in Turkey
Ara Gochunyan in his interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty,
APA reports. Gochunyan was one of the journalists who accompanied
Davutoglu in Armenia.

Gochunyan noted that Davutoglu had a warm meeting with his counterpart
Edward Nalbandian: “He said though there are differences in the
positions of the sides, Turkey believes that positive result can be
achieved, if such meetings are held frequently. Ankara wants to build
the relations with Yerevan at the highest level. The ministers had open
and frank conversation. Obviously, it is impossible to solve everything
immediately, but it’s impossible to solve the problems without a
meeting. It is important to conduct a dialogue. Davutoglu said that
the meeting was useful to overcome the psychological barrier. Solid
psychological foundations should be established to normalize the
relations and it will be possible to discuss any idea basing on it.”

DEPORTATION OF ARMENIANS INHUMANE, DAVUTOgLU SAYS IN YEREVAN

APA, Azerbaijan
dec 13 2013

[ 13 December 2013 22:54 ]

Baku-APA. In the first high-level visit from Turkey to Armenia in
five years, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said Turkey has
never supported deportation, which is an inhumane act and impossible
to approve of, referring to the controversial events of 1915, APA
reports quoting Today’s Zaman.

Paying a one-day visit to Yerevan to attend the Organization of the
Black Sea Economic Cooperation’s (BSEC) 29th assembly of foreign
ministers, Davutoglu had an approximately two-hour-long meeting with
his Armenian counterpart, Eduard Nalbandyan, and gave positive signals
of restoring ties between Turkey and Armenia — who have been at odds
over allegations of genocide and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict —
after their meetings.

“We never supported the deportation. This is an inhumane act and it
is not possible to approve of this,” Davutoglu was quoted as saying
in the Turkish media on Friday, inferring the deportation of Armenians
in 1915 which is defined by Armenia as “genocide.”

While responding to the questions of reporters after the bilateral
meeting, Foreign Minister Davutoglu said he had the opportunity to
have a long talk with Nalbandyan in a warm and candid atmosphere
after a long time.

“Our meeting has importance regarding overcoming the psychological
threshold. … In that regard, it [the meeting] was useful,”
Davutoglu noted.

He said everyone knows the differences of opinion between Turkey
and Armenia but the important point is to come together despite the
dissention. “We want to have the highest-level relations with Armenia.

… Our government has extended efforts for this, as you can see. Our
proposal to create a peace basin in the Caucasus in parallel with
bilateral relations between Turkey and Armenia is still on our agenda,”
he said.

He also refuted the Turkish AkÅ~_am daily’s report alleging that
Turkey would reopen its border with Armenia on the condition that
Armenia leaves two of Azerbaijan’s occupied territories, saying he or
other government officials have never said or shared information on
anything of that sort. He defined such reports as speculative. “Our
priority is to build dialogue on a sound psychological basis and
continue on that,” the foreign minister noted.

While addressing reporters, Davutoglu also spoke of cooperation
between Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan and underlined that Ankara wants
Yerevan to be one of the main partners of these economic projects.

He said during his meeting with Nalbandyan that the two discussed
bilateral ties and perspectives about the Caucasus region. He stated
that all problems cannot be resolved immediately, referring to the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue…***

TURKISH-ARMENIAN WRITER TO BE SENT TO JAIL AFTER LOSING APPEAL IN ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION TRIAL

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Dec 13 2013

ISTANBUL – Agence France-Presse

Sevan NiÅ~_anyan during the opening of a rock-cut tomb near Å~^irince,
in Ä°zmir province, last year. NiÅ~_anyan accused the court of issuing
a ‘politically-motivated’ verdict. DHA photo

The Supreme Court of Appeals on Dec. 12 approved the two year jail
sentence given to the Turkish-Armenian writer and linguist Sevan
NiÅ~_anyan, charging illegal construction in Ä°zmir’s Å~^irince
village, where he lives.

NiÅ~_anyan also faces a 13.5-month prison sentence pending appeal
after being sentenced last May by an Istanbul court for alleged
blasphemy in a blog post supporting the controversial anti-Islam film
“Innocence of Muslims.”

Nisanyan, who accused the court of issuing a “politically-motivated”
verdict, said Dec. 13 he would be sent to jail next week.

In a country littered with illegal construction, he said the court
ruling on Dec. 12 was punishment for his outspoken views about the
restrictions on freedom of expression in Turkey.

“It is politically motivated because in this community, those who
try to be an individual and stand firm on their ideas have always
been punished,” NiÅ~_anyan told AFP.

The 56-year old is one of the leading linguists of Turkey. He turned
Å~^irince into a booming holiday spot after he bought several ruined
Greek houses and turned them into hotels.

Thousands of people from around the world flocked to Å~^irince in
December 2012, believing the village – where many Christians say
the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven – would be spared from the Mayan
doomsday.

NiÅ~_anyan’s conviction over his September 2012 blog post defending
the anti-Islam film that ridiculed the Prophet Mohammed had sparked
outrage among right groups.

“Mocking an Arab leader who centuries ago claimed to have contacted God
and made political, financial and sexual benefits out of this is not a
crime of hatred,” NiÅ~_anyan wrote. “It is an almost kindergarten-level
test of what is called freedom of expression,” he added.

His words touched a nerve in the country and he received hundreds of
death threats after the court decision.

On May 22, the day of the sentencing, NiÅ~_anyan retweeted his
blog post, writing, “Let’s share the article that was sentenced to
13-and-a-half months at the Istanbul 10th Criminal Court for insulting
religious bla-bla.”

NiÅ~_ayan’s blasphemy sentence cannot be converted to a financial
penalty because of a previous conviction.

December/13/2013

DAVUTOGLU IN YEREVAN: MIRACLE DID NOT HAPPEN

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 13 2013

13 December 2013 – 8:38pm

The meeting between the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu,
and his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, was expected to become
the main event of the Summit of Foreign Ministers of the Organization
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The Turkish media reported
that the Turkish Minister had urged to stimulate bilateral dialogue
as well as writing about rumours that Davutoglu was going to offer to
open the Armenian-Turkish border in exchange for opening the borders
of two Azerbaijani regions occupied by Armenia.

The meeting between Davutoglu and Nalbandian was held behind closed
doors, and after the meeting both politicians declined to make any
comments. Later, the Turkish minister denied rules of the intended deal
on the border opening. The Armenian side in its statements seemed to
refer to the same “roadmap” aimed at restoring the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

Armenian and Turkish experts comment on Davutoglu’s visit to Yerevan
to Vestnik Kavkaza.

“Today, Turkey is not ready for revolutionary actions,” the deputy
director of the Caucasus Institute, Sergey Minasyan, said. Specialist
on Turkey Andranik Ispiryan expressed an opinion that perhaps
Turkey’s visit to Yerevan was an attempt to counterbalance Putin’s
recent statements on the strengthening of Russian influence in the
South Caucasus.

In his turn, a journalist and political scientist, an expert on Russia
and the CIS Dzhenk Bashlamyshly, noted that such meetings are very
useful for discussing stalling issues. “There have been no official
contacts between Turkey and Armenia for four years now. Of course, one
cannot expect concrete results from the first meeting. The position
of both sides is clear. Armenia does not want to return the occupied
territories to Azerbaijan, which negates all attempts at conflict
resolution, while Turkey does not benefit from this situation, from
this status quo which, in fact, explains its current activity,”
Bashlamyshly said.

Associate Professor of the School of International Relations at the
University of Economics and Technology TOBB (Ankara), Togrul Ismail,
pointed out that the visit of Davutoglu was important to Turkey. The
expert said that Turkish-Armenian meetings are necessary. However,
he doubted any real progress on the issue will be achieved as long
as Armenia does not decide for itself whether it wants peace in
the region. “After all, what has Armenia done so that Turkey would
open its borders? It is a very delicate question and a lot depends on
Armenia in this regard, on its desire to achieve peace in the region,”
Ismail said.

The meeting between the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu,
and his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, was expected to become
the main event of the Summit of Foreign Ministers of the Organization
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The Turkish media reported
that the Turkish Minister had urged to stimulate bilateral dialogue
as well as writing about rumours that Davutoglu was going to offer to
open the Armenian-Turkish border in exchange for opening the borders
of two Azerbaijani regions occupied by Armenia.

The meeting between Davutoglu and Nalbandian was held behind closed
doors, and after the meeting both politicians declined to make any
comments. Later, the Turkish minister denied rules of the intended deal
on the border opening. The Armenian side in its statements seemed to
refer to the same “roadmap” aimed at restoring the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

Armenian and Turkish experts comment on Davutoglu’s visit to Yerevan
to Vestnik Kavkaza.

“Today, Turkey is not ready for revolutionary actions,” the deputy
director of the Caucasus Institute, Sergey Minasyan, said. Specialist
on Turkey Andranik Ispiryan expressed an opinion that perhaps
Turkey’s visit to Yerevan was an attempt to counterbalance Putin’s
recent statements on the strengthening of Russian influence in the
South Caucasus.

In his turn, a journalist and political scientist, an expert on Russia
and the CIS Dzhenk Bashlamyshly, noted that such meetings are very
useful for discussing stalling issues. “There have been no official
contacts between Turkey and Armenia for four years now. Of course, one
cannot expect concrete results from the first meeting. The position
of both sides is clear. Armenia does not want to return the occupied
territories to Azerbaijan, which negates all attempts at conflict
resolution, while Turkey does not benefit from this situation, from
this status quo which, in fact, explains its current activity,”
Bashlamyshly said.

Associate Professor of the School of International Relations at the
University of Economics and Technology TOBB (Ankara), Togrul Ismail,
pointed out that the visit of Davutoglu was important to Turkey. The
expert said that Turkish-Armenian meetings are necessary. However,
he doubted any real progress on the issue will be achieved as long
as Armenia does not decide for itself whether it wants peace in
the region. “After all, what has Armenia done so that Turkey would
open its borders? It is a very delicate question and a lot depends on
Armenia in this regard, on its desire to achieve peace in the region,”
Ismail said.

DAVUTOGLU: PEACE IN SOUTH CAUCASUS IS MAIN OBJECTIVE OF TURKEY

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 13 2013

13 December 2013 – 4:36pm

The Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkey will
use all its power to ensure peace in the South Caucasus.

He noted that the main objective of Ankara is not only to open the
border with Armenia, but also to achieve a long-term peace in the
Caucasus.

Davutoglu said that the peace in Ankara is based on three components:
relations between Turkey and Armenia; relations between Azerbaijan and
Armenia and relations between ethnic Turks and Armenians in the world.

Davutoglu also mentioned establishing a dialogue between Georgia and
Abkhazia as a key to peace in the region.

AN ARMENIAN EXAMPLE THE REST OF THE WORLD SHOULD FOLLOW. ARIANNE CAOILI

December 13, 2013 | 22:57

One of the first questions I am often asked is whether I will
teach my future children chess. The query is soon followed with
a confirmation that if I do, they will certainly be geniuses and
conquer the heights of the chess world. Although I can’t agree with
the theory of an automatic transfer of any particular chess prowess
(if such a thing even exists), my answer is always a resounding and
very smugly proclaimed, “Yes”.

An Armenian Example the Rest of the World Should Follow

A lot of my childhood friends who achieved a decent playing standard
(and who had the ambition), are now extremely successful in their
respective fields with a sack of scholarships and a killer resume in
their back pockets. They are some of the brightest and most realistic
people I know. And we all admit that chess has played a major role
in shaping our character and attitudes towards risk-taking, failure,
and strategizing our lives so that there is purpose in action.

At a recent event in Yerevan, the US Ambassador, John Heffern, extolled
the merits of the game, claiming that “chess expands horizons and views
of what is possible in the world. A child’s circumstances – income,
family, background, should not limit or determine their future”. Amen
to that; but one could replace the word ‘chess’ in that sentence
with any sport. What makes chess so special? So special in fact,
that Armenia is the only country in the world that has made chess
compulsory in schools since 2011. Because let’s face it: not all of us
can be a Levon Aronian. Why go to the extreme of making it mandatory?

I won’t bore you with the usual suspects of the virtues of teaching
children chess: improved social skills (when taught in class, for
example), sharper and deeper concentration, improved problem solving
capacity and cognitive performance, and knowing that there is always
someone better than you. The lead Armenian psychologist in charge of
monitoring performance has confirmed that even at this stage of the
program’s infancy, key indicators beam with success. Charities also
use chess to distract children from the streets and drugs, and studies
show that it can even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. But I
propose three other main reasons why kids should learn chess. These
reasons are profoundly practical (and depending on the child’s
personality and upbringing, their effect can be especially potent).

Firstly, chess accustoms one to continual disappointment, and
therefore breeds courage and resistance to failure. Probably the
wisest words ever said to me occurred when, as a twelve year old, I
whined about some devastating loss as being unfair “because I played
so well”. My former team captain snapped back at me almost immediately
to terminate my self-pity, and said in a very matter-of-fact fashion,
that “the world is not a fair place. The sooner you get over that,
the better”. What brilliant words to a child and how true they ring
on and off the chess board.

Many tournament players can still feel the sting in their heart when
they think of that one (or two, or several) moments where they missed
their chance(at first place, or a grandmaster title, for example)
because they played badly or their opponent played better during a
few seconds in their personal history that proved to be a crucial
and infinitely cruel moment. Or perhaps a bit of luck was involved:
a few seconds of lost concentration, a miniscule overestimation, or
time mismanagement. In the end, they packed up and went home with a
heaviness in the pit of their stomach and a bit of their heart eaten
away – and worst of all, with the understanding that ‘my best was
not good enough’.

But it is not all misery: sometimes you find yourself on the other
side, where luck has surrounded you as a shield with favor, perhaps
when you most did not deserve it. (In one of the best books I’ve
ever read, Thinking, Fast and Slow, Nobel Prize-winning economist
Daniel Kahneman firmly establishes the major role of luck in random
environments – such as in business: “the comparison of firms that have
been more or less successful is to a significant extent a comparison
between firms that have been more or less lucky”. The brilliance
or incompetence of any CEO in fact has little bearing on corporate
profitability or stock returns. In chess as in life, randomness is
everywhere, engendering both elation and castration – the point is
to fight on rather than wallow in self-absorbed depression).

Before his recent comeback fight in which he completely outclassed
his opponent, legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao was probed on
the question of whether his last match (in which he was surprisingly
knocked out) had any effect on him. His reaction was sublime: you get
knocked out – so what – that’s boxing, and that’s life. In boxing you
learn the lesson with several blows to the head; at least in chess
only your ego is damaged.

Secondly, chess acquaints one to the fleeting face of opportunity. At
any given moment, opportunity reveals itself in many guises, and it
must be snatched away like the last pretty village maiden. Because
if you don’t, she is gone in a flash or your opponent will take her
as his own. Opportunity must be sought after or created but never
squandered. If the world is not fair – and it isn’t – you will not
be handed victory. But to take advantage of opportunity you need a
fighting spirit and the tenacity to actively seek out any and all
resources available.

IntermediateSchool 318, an inner-city public school in New York,
has a poverty rate of 70-75%. You could say that their pupils are
instinctively combative: because they have learned, or at least have
seen their parents learn, that to achieve ‘the American dream’, they
must worm their way out of the muddy trenches of a low socioeconomic
and minority wasteland, where there is no pity, and nobody near to
give you a hand up. I don’t think it is a coincidence that they are
record-holding winners of 30 national school championships – and I
am even tempted to draw a parallel here with Aronian himself.

Lastly, chess cultivates an obsession with the future. After all,
it is a game of prediction. Chess favors those who are objective, and
any long variation of moves eventually begs the question, ‘so what?’ A
child’s argumentation is sharpened due to the prioritization of the
macro-strategy: it forces them to always find an answer to ‘so what’
or ‘what now?’ in ‘because of this’. It is a way of disciplining
decision-making to be made with a future birds-eye view evaluation
and a keen awareness of consequences. You must not only predict the
opponents motives and future, but also plan your own (and according to
available resources). Meaningless moves will be punished. As old King
Solomon once cautioned: “When there is no vision, the people perish”.

Now,give me an individual with all of that wisdom, and that’s the
kind of person I would want to hire. That’s the kind of person who
will succeed in whatever path they choose in life. No degree from any
university in the world can offer as much value as these qualities. A
government program that cultivates a generation of these kinds of
thinkers will be paid back many-fold.

Arianne Caoili

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

December 13, 2013
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO CELEBRATE DIVINE LITURGY AT THE CRESCENTA VALLEY PARISH

Saturday, December 14 is the Feast of St. James of Nisibis. On this
occasion, we congratulate our faithful bearing the name Hagop.
By the invitation of the Crescenta Valley Church Pastor and Board of
Trustees, on Sunday, December 15, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at the parish,
which holds its services at the Prelacy hall.

PRELATE PRESIDES OVER ST. GREGORY CHURCH 47TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN SAN
FRANCISCO

On Saturday, December 7, 2013, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, traveled to San Francisco where he joined the parish
community in celebrating the 47th anniversary of the establishment of St.
Gregory Church.
On Saturday evening, the Prelate attended a New Year and Christmas
dinner organized by the Ladies Auxiliary and hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Sako and
Nora Shirikian. Mrs. Shirikian welcomed the Prelate and guests and conveyed
season’s greetings to all. She also recited a poem by Mesrob Der Mesrobian,
a conversation between new and old years in which the old asks from the new
to convey a message to mankind; to live in such a manner that you do not
have regret tomorrow for something you could have done today but chose not
to.
Ladies Auxiliary Chair Mrs. Ano Chakalian delivered welcoming
remarks and invited the Prelate for the blessing of tables and his message.
The Prelate greeted the members of the Ladies Auxiliary, expressing
appreciation for their efforts in organizing the dinner. His Eminence
reflected on the past year with its joys and sorrows alike, and in the words
of the poet wished for the new year to be filled with goodness. He
commended the devoted servants of the church and wished they continue their
path of service to new successes.
On Sunday morning, His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy and
delivered the sermon at St. Gregory Church. Parish Priest Archpriest Fr.
Khoren Habeshian assisted at the altar. Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan
School and Sunday School students participated in the service.
Prior to the sermon, on behalf of the parish community Fr. Khoren
welcomed the Prelate, expressing appreciation for his presiding over the
anniversary celebration.
The Prelate first greeted the faithful and congratulated the Pastor,
Delegates, Board of Trustees, Ladies Auxiliary, altar servers, choir, and
all the volunteers for their service, and invited the congregation to join
them and contribute their part in the advancement of the parish. Speaking
on the 47th anniversary, he stated that it is not only an occasion to
celebrate the nearly half-century history of the church and honor the
founding generation, but also as an opportunity to pledge to working towards
future successes by building on the achievements of the past.
Next, given that it was the third Sunday of Advent, His Eminence
reflected on the divine gift of redemption and salvation offered to us by
the Birth and Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ and the tidings of peace,
love, hope, and goodwill. The Birth of our Savior continues to offer hope,
inspiration, and meaning to our lives, and guides us towards goodness, love,
and righteousness, said the Prelate, and as faithful Christians we must give
thanks and gratitude to Almighty God each and every day for His abundant
blessings. His Eminence noted that this time of year however is an
exceptional opportunity for Thanksgiving and Christian charity as it is the
season of giving and sharing our love and blessings with the less fortunate.
On Thanksgiving Day, this spirit of kindness and charity resonated
throughout the Armenian nation as Armenians around the world rallied to
support the Armenia Fund Telethon benefitting our brothers and sisters in
Armenia, Artsakh, and Syria, stated His Eminence, but we must be mindful of
their needs throughout the year. Furthermore, referring to the message of
the day’s Scripture reading from Luke 14:12-24, the Prelate stated that we
must give with good intentions, without the expectation of reward or honor.
His Eminence commended the generosity of all the sponsors who contribute to
the progress of our homeland, among them Vartkes Anivian who recently passed
away in Armenia, and conveyed his condolences to his widow Alice and family
members.
It is the duty of every Armenian Christian to serve God, and to
serve for the advancement of our church, nation, and community; if we are to
sustain our faith, language, values, and culture for centuries more, we all
need to take an active role and work together with brotherly love and unity
towards that goal. We must begin with our youth, planting the seeds of our
faith and heritage in them now so they grow cemented in their Armenian
identity and eager to take on leadership roles, continuing the path and
mission of our forefathers, stressed the Prelate.
In conclusion, he congratulated the parish family again on their
anniversary, and once more called on the faithful to join together and serve
for the progress of St. Gregory Church, KZV School, and the community with
renewed vision and vigor, with faith and devotion, and most important with
humility, selflessness, sincerity, and without the expectation or motive of
accolades or honor.
Given that December 7 was the 25th anniversary of the devastating
earthquake in Armenia, during the requiem service, prayers were offered for
the tens of thousand of our brethren who lost their lives in the tragic
earthquake. By the ordinance of the Prelate, requiem prayers were offered
in all Prelacy Churches for the souls of the victims.
The service was followed by a luncheon in honor of His Eminence
hosted by the Board of Trustees and Ladies Auxiliary at “Vasbouragan” Hall.
KZV students Talar Arzoumanian and Nayri Ayanian recited Vahan
Tekeyan’s “The Armenian Church”, after which Board of Trustees Chair Mr.
Rostom Aintablian delivered his welcoming remarks. Mr. Aintablian greeted
the Prelate, wishing him health and success. Addressing the guests, the
Chairman congratulated the 47th anniversary of the parish, promising that in
2016 the 50th anniversary will be celebrated with great ceremony. Fr.
Khoern also conveyed his congratulatory remarks, and invited the Prelate for
his message.
Referring to the words of our Lord from Luke 8:18, “For whoever has,
to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to
have will be taken from him”, the Prelate said if we see that our efforts
are not enough to achieve success, with regards to preserving our identity
and heritage, than more needs to be done so that our identity is not lost
what we do have is not taken from us, as it says in the passage. In
conclusion, the Prelate again commended all the church servants and the
importance of such gatherings after church services as a means of fostering
Christian love and fellowship among the faithful.
The celebration came to a close with the benediction by the Prelate,
after which His Eminence had a private meeting with the Pastor and Board of
Trustees.

CHAMLIAN FIRST GRADERS VISIT PRELACY TO CONVEY CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO THE
PRELATE

On many occasions throughout the year, students of Prelacy Schools
visit the Prelacy to meet with H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, receive his paternal blessings and message, and become better
acquainted with the Prelacy and its endeavors. Each year prior to the
Christmas break, the first grade class of Vahan and Anoush Chamlian pays a
visit to the Prelacy to convey their Christmas greetings to the Prelate and
receive a lesson on the feast from His Eminence.
This year’s visit took place on Tuesday, December 10, 2013. Ninety
students, accompanied by Vice-Principal Rita Kaprielian, Armenian teachers,
and parents, arrived at the Prelacy and were welcomed by the Prelate at the
“St. Dertad and St. Askhen” Chapel. His Eminence was joined by Archpriest
Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian, Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, Rev. Fr. Gomidas Torossian,
and Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian.
The visit continued at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall.
Schoolteacher Armenig Hairabedian greeted the Prelate and clergy, and
described the visit as an opportunity for the young students to convey their
well wishes to the Prelate for the New Year and Christmas and to hear his
message on these occasions.
Before presenting a program of songs and recitations, four students
conveyed New Year and Chrismtas greetings and well wishes to the Prelate,
and promised that they would follow the message of St. Mesrob and Vartan
Mamigonian and live as proud Armenians.

Mrs. Hairabedian invited the Prelate to deliver his message. With a
slide-show presentation His Eminence told the story of the Birth of our
Lord, from the Annunciation of the Angel to His Birth in Bethlehem to the
visit of the shepherds and magi. The interactive session included a back
and forth exchange of questions and answers between the Prelate and
students. The Prelate announced his great joy at the Christmas gift he had
just received, the gift of their visit and their pure and sweet wishes,
stating that soon we will all be filled with great joy as we celebrate the
Birth of the Baby Jesus. God gave mankind the greatest gift by sending His
only-begotten Son, said His Eminence, and advised the students to follow in
the example of Jesus Christ and live with prayer and good deeds, trusting in
the care of the Lord. In conclusion, the Prelate reminded them to keep
their promise and remain allegiant to the values of St. Mesrob Mashdots, St.
Vartan Mamigoniaan, and the forefathers of our faith.
At the conclusion of the program the students presented gifts to the
Prelate, and His Eminence presented them with illustrated Bible story cards.

PRELATE ATTENDS MEET AND GREET WITH
SENATOR DARRELL STEINBERG

On Friday, December 13, the Prelate attended a meet and greet with
California Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg hosted by the ANCA
– WR at Peschekerian Center in Glendale.
Among the official guests in attendance were Los Angeles City
Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Glendale City Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan,
and Glendale Board of Education members Nayiri Nahabedian and Dr. Armina
Gharpetian. ANC-WR Board members and staff were joined by community leaders
and members who had come for the opportunity to personally meet and converse
with the Senator.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by ANC-WR Board Co-Chair Mrs. Nora
Hovsepian. Councilmember Krekorian introduced Senator Steinberg, who
affirmed his support for Armenian Genocide recognition and his readiness to
continue working with the ANCA on issues relating to the Armenian community.

PRELATE ATTENDS RETIREMENT CELEBRATION FOR GLENDALE POLICE CHIEF RONALD DE
POMPA

On Thursday, December 12, the Glendale Police Foundation and the
Glendale Police Department held a retirement celebration dinner honoring
Chief Ron De Pompa’s 36 years of service to the community and welcoming new
Chief Robert Castro.
The Prelate attended the celebration where he delivered the
invocation and his message. He was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian.
St. Mary’s Church Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Zareh Markarian was also in
attendance.
The Prelate met personally with and conveyed his well wishes to
both the outgoing and incoming Chief of Police. In his invocation, His
Eminence thanked and commended Chief De Pompa for his 36 years of service to
public safety and wished him healthy and happy years to come as he enters
retirement. He welcomed new Police Chief Robert Castro and wished him
success as he assumes his new responsibilities. The Prelate also offered a
prayer for the safety of all police officers and safety personnel as they
serve for the protection of our communities.

PRESENTATION OF VERY REV. FR. MURON AZNIKIAN’S
NEW BOOK HELD AT THE PRELACY

On the evening of Friday, December 6, 2013, the Western Prelacy
hosted the book presentation of Christian Education Director Very Rev. Fr.
Muron Aznikian’s The Christian Armenian Family and Christian Education. The
event was held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate and was organized by the Board of Trustees of the North Hollywood
Parish. The Prelate presided over the event, joined by clergy members and
Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian.
Board of Trustees Chair Mrs. Seta Tarpinian welcomed the guest and
invited Mrs. Takouhie Arzoumanian, who would serve as the evening’s Master
of Ceremonies. The MC reflected on the value of the book and invited Dr.
Onnik Keshishian to present the book.
A cultural program followed, presented by St. Mary’s Church soloists
Rima Garabedian and Vahakn Hovents.
Mrs. Sona Madarian then introduced Fr. Muron and invited him to
deliver his remarks on this occasion. Fr. Muron thanked the Prelate and
organizers for their support and efforts, and stressed the imperative of
upholding Christian values within our families and instilling them in new
generations.
The program concluded with the Prelate’s message. His Eminence
commended the publication of a book on this important subject matter, and
that the compiling of writings by Fr. Muron, previously published in the
Prelacy’s and Catholiciosate’s publications, can now be made available to
families in one complete volume. The Prelate reminded the guests that His
Holiness Aram I had dedicated the year 2004 to the Armenian Family, and on
that occasion the Prelacy had highlighted the importance of Christian
education and instruction in the Armenian family as a defense against
outside influences. The Prelate also stated that this publication is an
invitation for readers to remain allegiant to the values that shape our
identity as Armenians and form Armenian families on the foundations of our
religious and national heritage. His Eminence concluded by commending the
initiative to make copies of the book available to the public at no cost and
allocating donations received to the North Hollywood Parish in support of
its plan to have its own church.
The event came to a close with the Prelate’s benediction and the
Cilician anthem, after which guests enjoyed a reception hosted by the Board
of Trustees.

MP WHO OFFENDED JOURNALISTS IS SURE HE WON’T BE PENALIZED

12.13.2013 01:41 epress.am

Republican Party of MP Manvel Badeyan, in conversation with Epress.am,
said he is convinced that the journalists’ appeal to the Ethics
Commission will not have any negative consequences for him, since he
didn’t violate any ethical norms.

He repeated that he considers some journalists to be “schemers” and
“that’s the way it is; there’s no ethical violation in that”.

“Is it news to you that some journalists are engaged in intrigues? I
compared the journalist with a Yazidi street cleaner, and I said, you
have less brains than him – because you don’t know that the majority
of street cleaners are Yazidis. Wake up early in the morning and see,”
he said.

Asked whether that comparison, nevertheless, is not offensive to
the Yazidi people, Badeyan said: “On the contrary, I said the Yezidi
street cleaner is smarter than that journalist.”

As for future contact with journalists, the MP said he will gladly
deal with “smart journalists,” while he won’t speak to “fools”.

Recall, in parliament on Dec. 10, a journalist had asked the MP
whether it was appropriate that the program “What, Where, When” was
broadcast on Armenian television in the Russian language. “Are you
really that low-levelled that you think like that? If this question
was asked by some Yazidi on the street I wouldn’t be surprised,
but do you really think like that?” MP Badeyan replied, adding that
“the working language of that program is Russian.”

Insulted by Badeyan’s comment, members of the Sinjar Yezidi National
Union protested outside the National Assembly, bring along a roll of
toilet paper and an image of a donkey to give to the MP.

Later, Sinjar Yezidi National Union issued a statement that Badeyan
had apologized to the Yazidi people.