Author: Babajanian Karo

ARMENIA-ASSIMILATED STATUE OF JESUS CHRIST ERECTED IN SYRIA

11:51, 18 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS: 39-meter-high bronze magnificent
statue of Jesus Christ, assimilated in Armenia, was erected in
Saidnaya, Syria on October 14. The statue, placed on the top of the
Cherubs’ Mountain, is called “I have come to save the world”. It is
one meter higher than the statue of Christ in Brazil.

Armenpress reports, quoting Komsomolskaya Pravda, that during the
three days of the dissembling of the statue, the war actions were
suspended. The idea of placing the statue occurred five years ago
to the businessman Yuri Gavrilov, who was assisted also by a Syrian
businessman. Two days after the placing of the statue the author of
the idea Yuri Gavrilov passed away, leaving behind him a magnificent
work to Syria and the world

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

His Holiness Aram I meets representatives of countries and institutions at
the European Union (EU) in Brussels

Antelias – On the occasion of his presence in Brussels to address the 3rd
Conference of the Armenian Genocide Committees in Europe, Catholicos Aram I
of Cilicia had the opportunity to meet the representatives of countries and
institutions at the EU during formal dinners.

At a luncheon offered by the Ambassador of Lebanon to Belgium, the
Catholicos met representatives of the Lebanese community in Brussels,
representatives of the Vatican and others. The Catholicos thanked the
Ambassador for the invitation and his welcoming speech, where he emphasized
the contribution of Lebanese Armenians to Lebanon and the peaceful
co-existence of its people. His Holiness spoke of the important role Lebanon
has played and continues to play as the bridge between the East and the
West.

Catholicos Aram I met representatives of different countries at a dinner
offered by the Ambassador of Armenia to the European Union in honor of His
Holiness and Pako Sahakian, President of Karabagh. Catholicos Aram I met
representatives of different countries. During the formal speeches, both the
Catholicos and the President of Karabagh addressed the issue of the Armenian
Genocide, its recognition by Turkey and obligations for reparations. Both
speakers assured the audience that Armenians, whether in Armenia, the
Diaspora or Karabagh would express their demand for justice with one voice.

Before leaving for the airport, His Holiness Aram I and the President of
Karabagh laid a wreath on the monument of the Martyrs of the Armenian
Genocide in Brussels. The Ambassadors of Lebanon and Armenia accompanied His
Holiness to the airport.
##
Photos:

FRANCE : INAUGURATION DU CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA MEMOIRE ARMENIENNE

Publie le : 18-10-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
propose ce communique de presse publie sur le site Lyon-Communiques
le 14 octobre 2013.

Lyon-Communiques

Communique le 14/10/2013

Photo : Centre National de la Memoire Armenienne, Decines

Inauguration du Centre National de la Memoire Armenienne

dimanche 20 octobre 2013

32, rue du 24 avril 1915, 69150 DECINES

Madame Aurelie FILIPPETTI, Ministre de la Culture et de la
Communication, representant Monsieur Francois HOLLANDE, President de
la Republique Francaise, inaugurera le Centre National de la Memoire
Armenienne.

La construction, a l’architecture ambitieuse, de cette nouvelle
structure innovante et unique en diaspora s’est achevee en decembre
dernier. Elle a ete possible grâce aux partenaires publics locaux
comme la Region Rhône-Alpes, le Conseil General du Rhône, le Grand
Lyon, les mairies de Decines et Meyzieu, la Fondation BULLUKIAN et
les amis donateurs prives.

Depuis bientôt un siècle, les Armeniens en diaspora luttent pour que
leur culture, leur histoire, marquees par le drame du Genocide de 1915,
ne disparaissent pas et soient transmises enrichies aux generations
futures ainsi qu’aux citoyens des pays dans lesquels ils vivent.

C’est de cette necessite qu’est nee l’idee d’une telle institution,
s’articulant autour d’une triple vocation : 1. Abriter un centre
de documentation normalise, classe SUDOC et en reseau avec d’autres
centres en FRANCE, en Europe et dans le monde entier et une mediathèque
aptes a assurer la conservation et la transmission des archives
officielles ou privees.

2. Developper un centre de recherche pluridisciplinaire sur la culture,
l’identite, les consequences tant collectives qu’individuelles du
Genocide des Armeniens, les dynamiques des echanges interculturels.

3. Faire vivre et evoluer l’heritage dont nous sommes depositaires
a travers des activites en direction du public par une politique de
mediation culturelle reellement ouverte en accord avec notre ligne
directrice de conduite : “rester soi en devenant autre”.

La dimension et les objectifs de ce centre depassent ainsi le niveau
local et regional. Il sera un pôle porteur d’une intelligence
collective ouverte, car si la memoire armenienne en est le socle
fondateur, le CNMA travaille sur des thematiques universelles telles
que l’immigration et l’exil, les crimes contre l’humanite et la perte
de sens, l’histoire et la memoire, la diversite culturelle…

Le 20 octobre 2013 marquera le debut des activites du Centre et de
son ouverture au public.

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Lyon-Communiques

ART OU GASPILLAGE : LE COUT D’UN CONCERT D’UNE CHANTEUSE LORS DE LA FETE DE L’INDEPENDANCE SUSCITE LA CONTROVERSE EN ARMENIE

ARMENIE

Les Armeniens ont encore une fois ete irrite par la facon dont le
gouvernement depense l’argent public. Cette fois-ci la cause des
plaintes est le concert solo Place de la Republique a Erevan par
la chanteur Nune Yesayan le 21 Septembre, le jour qui marque le 22e
anniversaire de l’Independance. Beaucoup de gens pensent que les fonds
de l’Etat auraient pu etre depense plus intelligemment et efficacement
ce jour-la.

Il est apparu cette semaine que l’organisation du concert en presence
de l’ensemble des dirigeants du pays a coûte aux contribuables près de
55 millions de drams (environ 135000 $) alloues par les fonds publics
de reserve. La somme a ete fournie au ministère de la Culture, qui,
a son tour, a transfere a l’ONG de bienfaisance Nune Yesayan. Cette
depense a ete formulee dans le budget comme un don, avec le ministre de
la Culture Hasmik Poghosyan en charge des activites. Le gouvernement
a justifie le coût en ” levant la sensibilisation et l’information
dans les arts au sein de la societe civile “.

Pendant plusieurs jours, ce ” don ” a ete un sujet de debat sur les
sites de reseaux sociaux en Armenie, avec la plupart des utilisateurs
de Facebook faisant des critiques acerbes contre le gouvernement sur
ce qu’ils croient etre les depenses injustes et imprudentes. Beaucoup
de gens croient que dans un pays qui a un taux de pauvrete superieur
a 35 pour cent payer plus de 100000 dollars a un chanteur est juste
une moquerie du peuple.

Certains disent que l’argent aurait pu etre depense pour l’achat
de maisons pour plusieurs familles sans abri ou investi dans le
developpement des villages situes le long des frontières que les gens
abandonnent en raison de conditions sociales defavorables. Meme les
blogueurs generalement favorables au gouvernement se sont prononces
negativement sur la question.

Tigran Kocharyan, par exemple, a ecrit avec sarcasme : ” Qui a
tire sur Nune [Yesayan] qui lui a donne 54 millions de drams ? ”
(Une reference a la compensation de 20 millions de drams pour les
besoins medicaux payes a partir des caisses de l’Etat a l’ancien
candidat a la presidentielle Paruyr Hayrikyan qui a ete blesse par
balle au cours de la campagne electorale plus tôt cette annee).

Ce n’est pas la première fois que le public exprime son mecontentement
face aux depenses du gouvernement. Un mecontentement semblable a ete
cause par la celebration de l’an dernier consacre a l’anniversaire
d’Erevan pour laquelle un certain nombre de personnalites du showbiz
russes avait ete invite. L’achat de toilettes publiques bio coûteuses
est egalement devenu un sujet de discussions. Le mois dernier il a
ete prouve que les deux toilettes qui ont coûte au contribuable plus
de 150000 $ chacune n’etaient pas en etat de marche.

Nune Yesayan elle-meme a refuse de donner des commentaires sur les
aspects financiers du concert de la Fete de l’Independance. Elle a
declare au site de nouvelles locales, News.am, qu’elle a ete offensee
par les medias et n’avait rien a dire a ce sujet. L’artiste a seulement
dit qu’elle faisait son travail et a conseille aux gens de discuter
de son concert [plutôt que de l’argent] qu’elle-meme a suggere comme
n’etant pas important.

Le sociologue Aharon Adibekyan pense que l’insatisfaction des gens
est plus liee a la partie substantielle du concert plutôt que son
aspect financier.

” Si cet argent devait etre reparti entre les participants au concert,
chacun d’entre eux recevant très peu il n’aurait pas ete de question
d’argent. Ce fut un festival, un concert qui a lieu chaque annee. On
peut etre critique du contenu, peut-etre du fait qu’il s’agissait d’un
concert en solo, surtout que l’argent est depense pour l’installation
et l’assemblage de travaux, les questions techniques. S’il y avait
eu un evenement plus festif plus interessant, peut-etre que cela
n’aurait pas cause tant de mecontentement ” a declare le sociologue.

Vahan Tumasyan, directeur de l’ONG du Centre Shirak traitant des
questions de personnes sans abri et la promotion de la charite dans
la province de Shirak, a dit que meme s’il n’y avait aucun problème
avec les consequences du tremblement de terre de 1988 en Armenie,
avec un tel niveau de pauvrete gaspiller aujourd’hui des fonds publics
ne doit pas etre autorise.

” Le problème, en general, c’est que le lien entre le gouvernement
et le peuple est absent. Les autorites sont isoles et sont plus
preoccupes par la creation de conditions correspondantes pour leur
environnement proche “, a explique Vahan Tumasyan.

Par Siranuysh Gevorgyan

ArmeniaNow

vendredi 18 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

LES CHANGEMENTS DE LA POLITIQUE ETRANGERE N’AFFECTENT PAS LA COOPERATION AVEC L’OTAN

DEFENSE

L’Armenie demeure resolue a approfondir ses relations avec l’OTAN,
meme après la decision de sa direction de rejoindre l’Union douanière
avec la Russie, a declare jeudi un haut fonctionnaire armenien.

Koryun Nahapetian , president de la commission parlementaire armenienne
sur la defense et la securite, a declare que ce changement controverse
de la politique etrangère n’affectera pas le ” plan d’action de
partenariat individuel “, ou IPAP , avec l’OTAN, qui a ete lance
en 2005 et a ete modifiee a plusieurs reprises depuis lors. ” Nous
n’avons pas l’intention de geler , suspendre ou interrompre les
activites prevues par ce programme , ” a-t-il declare lors d’une
conference de presse.

” En ce sens , notre partenariat avec l’OTAN va plutôt vers
l’approfondissement. Nous jouissons d’ une grande confiance de nos
partenaires et nous en avons justifie par nos actions “, a declare
Nahapetian en faisant notamment reference a la participation
de l’Armenie a des missions dirigees par l’OTAN au Kosovo et en
Afghanistan.

La presence permanente d’environ 200 soldats armeniens met en evidence
la plus grande cooperation entre l’alliance occidentale et cet etat
du Caucase du Sud fortement dependant de ses liens militaires etroits
avec la Russie . L’Armenie a egalement procede a une reforme de ses
forces armees dans le but de les mettre en plus grande conformite
avec les normes de l’OTAN.

” Nos activites menees dans le cadre de l’Organisation du Traite de
securite collective et notre eventuelle adhesion a l’ Union douanière
[ dirigee par la Russie ]ne doivent pas nuire au developpement de
nos relations avec l’OTAN “, a souligne Nahapetian .

En visite a Erevan en septembre de l’annee dernière , le Secretaire
general de l’OTAN Anders Fogh Rasmussen a egalement insiste sur le fait
qu’il n’y a ” aucune contradiction ” entre l’adhesion de l’Armenie
a l’alliance dirigee par la Russie et des liens plus etroits avec
l’OTAN. Rasmussen a parle du ” potentiel de developpement de notre
partenariat. ”

Par ailleurs , le representant special de l’OTAN pour le Caucase du
Sud , James Appathurai , etait a Erevan jeudi, où il a rencontre
le President Serge Sarkissian et le premier vice- ministre de la
Defense Davit Tonoyan. Le bureau de Sarkissian a declare que les
deux hommes ont loue ” l’agenda profond et global ” developpe par
l’Armenie et l’OTAN.

Selon une declaration distincte du ministère de la Defense armenien ,
Appathurai et Tonoyan ont discute de la mise en ~uvre de l’ IPAP .

vendredi 18 octobre 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

HUNGARIAN AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN: “THE REPORTS ON HUNGARIAN STUDENTS’ VISIT TO NAGORNO KARABAKH ARE BEING SPECIFIED”

APA, Azerbaijan
Oct 17 2013

[ 17 October 2013 17:38 ]

Baku. Shamil Alibeyli – APA. Hungarian Embassy in Azerbaijan is
investigating the reports that a group of Hungarian students guided
by teacher on Armenian studies Balint Kovacs visited Armenia, and
then the occupied Nagorno Karabakh.

Hungarian ambassador to Azerbaijan Zsolt Csutora noted that this
information is more like false: “Taking into account that diplomatic
relations between Armenia and Hungary have been cut, our embassies
do not operate, I think that it has been fabricated by the Armenian
press. Our embassy has sent a questionnaire to the relevant structures
of Hungary to verify the reports”.

The Ambassador added that the official website of the Hungarian
Foreign Ministry regularly posts information calling not to visit
Nagorno Karabakh: “It is said that it is prohibited to visit these
territories without the permission of Baku”.

Armenian media reported that Hungarian students guided by Balint
Kovacs paid a 10-day trip to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. According
to the information, during this trip, Hungarian students met with
the Armenian students and said that the two nations had friendly
relations and that these relations must be continued. Kovacs called
Nagorno Karabakh an integral part of Armenian culture.

ARMENIA, ARGENTINA DISCUSS SETTING UP JOINT TEXTILE FIRM

Fibre2fashion.com
Oct 17 2013

October 17, 2013 (Armenia)

Armenia, a mountainous country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia,
and Latin American country of Argentina have discussed setting up of
a joint textile company in near future, ARKA News Agency reported.

Speaking to reporters, after the first Armenian-Argentinean Business
Forum, organized by Armenian Development Agency (ADA) jointly with
the Embassy of Argentina in Armenia, ADA director Robert Harutyunyan
said both countries may jointly establish a textile company in the
near future.

The Argentine delegation at the Business Forum comprised of
representatives of 25 companies, including some textile firms, and
was headed by Foreign Trade Secretary Mrs. Beatriz Paglieri.

The Business Forum was aimed at promotion of trade and economic
relations between two countries and at providing an opportunity for
Armenian businessmen to present their business proposals.

Mr. Harutyunyan said Armenian textiles are already exported to
Argentina, but in very small quantities.

He added that the main objective of ADA is to explore new ways to
export Armenian products to the Argentine market.

In 2012, Armenia’s total exports to Argentina were valued at US$
7.5 million.

Argentina is one of the largest foreign investors in Armenia, and in
invested US$ 76 million in the first half of this year, according to
the National Statistical Service of Armenia.

Textiles sector was one of the 11 sectors identified by the Armenian
Government in December 2011, as a part of its export-oriented
industrial policy. Subsequently, in 2012, Italian lingerie brand La
Perla invested in Armenia.

>From January to July 2013, Armenia produced 1,409 million pairs
of knitted garments and hosiery, showing a rise of 37.7 percent
year-on-year.

Fibre2fashion News Desk – India

PROFILE IN COURAGE

Warwick Beacon, RI
Oct 17 2013

Submitted photo

Last week, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, along with chief judge of
the Rhode Island Family Court Haiganush Bedrosian and the Armenian
National Committee of Rhode Island, hosted a reception at City Hall for
Mayor Abdullah Demibras, mayor of the Sur municipality in Diyarbakir,
Turkey. Pictured above is School Committee Chairwoman Beth Furtado, who
attended the reception, with Demibras, Avedisian and Bedrosian. City
Council President Donna Travis, Council members Steven Colantuono,
Camille Vella-Wilkinson and Joseph Solomon, and School Committee
members Karen Bachus and Gene Nadeau also attended.

Demibras, who is of Kurdish ancestry, was put in jail for providing
health prevention information in Armenian and Kurdish. After his
release, he campaigned to restore and re-open the St. Giragos Armenian
Apostolic Church in Diyarbakir. “Having Abdullah here in the city of
Warwick is like having a profile in courage among us,” said Avedisian,
who attended the re-opening of St. Giragos. “Having the courage of
his convictions led him to be jailed but yet he persevered and was
even more popular in his municipality.”

,86417?category_id=4&town_id=1&sub_type=stories

EDWARD MILITONYAN SAYS HE’LL PROMOTE REFORMS IN WRITERS’ UNION IF ELECTED PRESIDENT

20:34 ~U 17.10.13

In an interview with Tert.am, Edward Militonyan, the Armenian writer
and publicist who has nominated his candidacy for the Writers’ Union
president, shares outlook of future reforms in case of being elected.

He also addresses the generation gap between the younger and older
writers and the measures he thinks the Union’s president has to take
or avoid taking when seeing indifference to social and political
processes by the intellectual circles.

Mr Militonyan, when the rumors about candidates for the Writers’
Union president just began flaring up, you said you weren’t going to
nominate yourself.

I haven’t made a statement of the kind. I said only that I would think.

Well, and you did.

Thinking is not enough. I have been a secretary here for nine years
and we have an objective to continue the joint work we have done with
[late President of the Union] Levon Ananyan and the other secretaries.

And why not, to also expand and preserve what is good.

It was widely discussed that the young writers wished to a candidate
of their own and that a major contender for the older generation
would be one of them. But that didn’t happen …

That’s absolutely untrue. The younger [writers] have talked that over.

We have talked to them and worked together. That’s not something new;
we have worked and will work with the younger [generatio].

So, you are not a self-nominee.

I have been nominated by a team of writers whose names will be
partially published in Grakan Tert [the Literary Newspaper, the
Union’s official publication].

You, and the other two candidates, Hovik Hoveyan and David Sargsyan,
are representatives of the same generation.

We do not represent the same generation. They are a little younger,
but I do consider all my peers, be it though with a slight difference.

What chances do you think your rivals have?

I do not think anything at all. They all are my friends who wish to
run [in the election]. I do not consider it a sporting competition;
it is for the [writers’] congress to decide things.

Your vision of reforms in a nutshell. What are you planning to do
with the platform you are going to unveil?

The platform, with its keynote provisions, will be published tomorrow.

We have many unresolved problems that have to do with writers’
creative potential and their social situation. So we must try, in
the course of time, to resolve those problems, as well as continue
doing the other good things that have been done.

What solution do you see to writers’ social problems?

The social aspect is a complicated one, as it ranges from apartment
building to living standards and employment. There are keynote
provisions addressing all those issues, and that will be realized in
the course of time if the congress elects me.

An issue traditionally discussed from one election to another is
whether the Writers’ Union president has to be a person with a good
creative talent or someone who is a good organizer.

I do not distinguish the two from one another. Neither is there a
law saying the two have to be together. But one person can embody both.

And we have had such presidents – Levon Ananyan, Vareges Petrosyan,
Avetik Isahakyan, Edward Topchyan, Hrachyan Hovhannisyan and Vahagn
Davtyan. They were people who did and had chances to do good work.

Hence, to say that the [president] must be only a good organizer or
just a person with a good talent is not right.

** TOP STORY October 17, 2013
————————————————————
Sts. Sahag and Mesrop Church

** Wynnewood Parish to Mark 50 Years
————————————————————

St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church will celebrate the 50th anniversary of
the parish’s relocation to Wynnewood, PA, this weekend.

On Saturday, October 19, the church will hold a gala dance, from 8
p.m. to 1 a.m. On Sunday, October 20, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy, ordain altar
servers, and preside over a 50th anniversary banquet. There will be a
program and awards presented to outstanding parishioners, including
John Eskandarian who will receive the `St. Nersess’ medal.

Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

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

Is 20:2-21:6
Gal 4:3-18
Lk 4:14-23

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

O Giver of good gifts and bountiful in all your gifts, immortal God,
we beseech you, dispel from us gloomy and dark thoughts, preserve us
from the deceits of the tempter and grant us in faith to take refuge
in the all-Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and always. Amen.

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

19 October: Holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

20 October: Sixth Sunday after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Releasing doves in Yekaterinburg, Russia
Parishioners release doves at St. Hovaness Garabed Church.

** Yekaterinburg’s New Church
————————————————————

On Saturday, October 12, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, consecrated a new Armenian
Church in Yekaterinburg, Russia. He was assisted by Archbishop Yezras
Nersisyan, Primate of Armenian Church Diocese of New Nakhichevan and
Russia, and other clergy.

Construction of St. Hovaness Garabed Church began in 2003, some 15
years after local Armenians first organized a parish in Russia’s
fourth-largest city. It was made possible through the generosity of
benefactor Masis Nazarian, as well as the efforts of the local
Armenian community.

Among those present at last weekend’s consecration were government
officials and religious leaders, including the head of the Russian
Orthodox Church in Yekaterinburg, Metropolitan Kirill. At his
invitation, His Holiness Karekin II visited the museum built on the
site of the execution of Tsar Nicholas and the Russian royal family,
who were killed by the Bolsheviks in 1918.

Click here
()
to view photos of the consecration service.

New Museum in Armenia
Yervand Kochar’s 1959 sculpture `Melancholy’ at the entrance of the
Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art.

** Transforming Armenia’s Art Scene
————————————————————

An article appearing in the New York Times earlier this week
highlighted the work of the Armenian Center for Contemporary
Experimental Art.

Located in Yerevan, the center was founded by the Eastern Diocese’s
former chief administrator, Edward Balassanian, and his wife, Sonia,
to host exhibits by emerging artists, as well as concerts and other
performances.

Click here
()
to read the Times article.

** 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, and see the item below under `Events’ for
an upcoming Annual Appeal reception in New York.

Diocesan Council Meeting, October 17, 2013
Diocesan Council members reviewed the progress of the 2013 Annual
Appeal.

** Diocesan Council Discusses Fundraising, Strategic Planning
————————————————————
Meeting at the Diocesan Center on Thursday, October 17, members of the
Diocesan Council received an update on the progress of the 2013 Annual
Appeal and discussed ways they could strengthen the fundraising
campaign.

Council members also heard about the mission parishes, discussed
strategic planning initiatives, and reviewed the Diocese’s religious
education programming. Archbishop Barsamian presented a report on last
month’s bishops synod at Holy Etchmiadzin.

Oriental Orthodox Concelebration
Archbishop Barsamian was among the celebrants at the Oriental Orthodox
Concelebration of the Divine Liturgy in New Jersey.

** Divine Liturgy Concelebration
————————————————————

On Saturday, October 12, the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox
Churches sponsored the annual Oriental Orthodox Concelebration of the
Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church in Paramus, NJ.

Clergy, altar servers, and choir members of the Armenian, Coptic,
Ethiopian, Malankara, and Syrian Orthodox Churches took part in the
service. Celebrants included Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of
the Eastern Diocese; Archbishop Cyril Aphrem Karim of the Syrian
Church; Archbishop Abune Zekarias of the Ethiopian Church; Archbishop
Mor Titus Yeldo of the Malankara Church; Bishop David of the Coptic
Church; and Bishop Makarios of the Eritrean Tewahedo Church.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Participants in the Oriental Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation
meeting. Click here
()
to view a full-size photo.

** Oriental-Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation Meets
————————————————————

Clergy of the Eastern Diocese took part in a meeting of the United
States Oriental Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation on October 10 and
11, at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in New York City.

Representing the Armenian Church were the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel
Findikyan, Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Very Rev. Fr. Aren
Jebejian, and seminarian Eric Vozzy. Fr. Findikyan spoke about the
Diocese’s efforts to grow its community of faithful, while
Fr. Jebejian described the recent bishops synod at Holy
Etchmiadzin. Fr. Odabashian explained the election process for
catholicoi of the Armenian Church.

Board Book
The new book is illustrated by Anush Movsesian Avejic.

** New Board Book for Toddlers
————————————————————

The Diocese’s department of Christian Education has released a new
book for toddlers, titled When I Go To Church. At 5′ X 5,’ the book
is sized for a child’s small hands and made of thick, coated cardboard
to withstand the curiosity and energy of the youngest worshipers.

Its 15 pages feature simple bilingual text lines describing what
children experience in church-praying, lighting candles, singing,
receiving Holy Communion, and more. Best of all, children will be
entranced by the illustrations of Anush Movsesian Avejic whose winning
renderings are certain to charm toddlers into looking again and again.

Ideal for church pews and Sunday School and Armenian School
classrooms, the book also makes a perfect gift for baptisms, name
days, birthdays, and Christmas. When I Go To Church is available from
the St. Vartan Bookstore. Click on the following links to read more
()
about the book and the artist, and to order a copy
()
.

FAR
Students at the newly renovated Gavar Special School in Armenia.

** School in Armenia Receives Much-Needed Renovation
————————————————————

Armenia’s Gavar Special School celebrated the completion of
renovations on September 17. The school now has a new main entrance
with a wheelchair-accessible ramp, as well as new equipment for its
rehabilitation and physical therapy room.

The effort was spearheaded by the Gavar Special School #1 New York
Auxiliary Committee member Cano Ozgener and the committee’s longtime
partner, the Fund for Armenian Relief.

The Gavar Special School #1 was established 35 years ago to serve
children with physical and mental disabilities.

Click on the following links to view a video
()
in Armenian about the September17 ceremony, and to read more
()
on FAR’s blog.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford, MA
Archbishop Barsamian ordains altar servers at Sts. Vartanantz Church.

** Chelmsford Parish Celebrates Milestone
————————————————————

Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA., marked its 35th anniversary
with services and a program last weekend.

On Saturday evening, October 12, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan
Primate, met with the parish pastor, the Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan,
and members of the parish council and parish delegates. He spoke about
the historic bishops synod, which convened at Holy Etchmiadzin last
month, and he also highlighted Diocesan programs. Parish leaders
shared with the Primate updates on local programs.

On Sunday, October 13, Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine
Liturgy and gave a sermon on the importance of the cross as a symbol
of victory and hope. Following the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop
Barsamian ordained five altar servers.
The Primate then led the congregation in a special service of
veneration of the St. Vartan the Brave relic-a piece of stone
encrusted with the blood of Armenia’s 5th-century warrior saint, and
encased in a beautiful silver cross. The Primate had brought the relic
to Chelmsford from St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City, where it was
first unveiled on the occasion of the cathedral’s 45th anniversary in
September.

Later that afternoon, some 180 people gathered in the church’s
Kazanjian Ballroom to mark the church’s 35th anniversary. During the
banquet, the parish honored longtime members Patricia Amboian and
George Simonian with the `St. Vartan Award.’

Click on the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

Holy Translators Church, Framingham, MA
Archbishop Barsamian ordains altar servers in Framingham.

** Holy Translators Church Marks 10th Anniversary
————————————————————

The Church of the Holy Translators of Framingham, MA, marked its 10th
anniversary on October 5 and 6. Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian visited the parish on this occasion and presided over the
celebration.

On Saturday, October 5, the parish hosted a dinner-dance at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel in Natick, MA. On Sunday, October 6, parish pastor, the
Rev. Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and
Archbishop Barsamian ordained altar servers.

The congregation then took part in a special service of veneration of
the St. Vartan the Brave relic-a piece of stone encrusted with the
blood of Armenia’s 5th-century warrior saint, and encased in a
beautiful silver cross. The Primate brought the relic to Framingham
from St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City, where it was first
unveiled on the occasion of the cathedral’s 45th anniversary in
September.

Click on the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

ArmeniaFest in Dallas, TX
Dancers perform at ArmeniaFest.

** In Dallas, a Marriage of Faith and Culture
————————————————————

The St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX, held its 18th annual
`ArmeniaFest’ on the weekend of October 11-13. ArmeniaFest is
considered one of the best-attended community festivals in Dallas, and
this year’s event was no exception, with the parishioners coming
together to bring Armenian culture and cuisine to their neighbors in
the city.

The weekend also marked the first Divine Liturgy celebrated by the
parish’s newly-ordained pastor, the Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian, in
Dallas. Fr. Ajamian was greeted with flowers and lit candles, as the
parish gave thanks for the blessing of a new pastor. The
Rev. Fr. Mikael Devejian was also present to offer his heartfelt
congratulations and blessings on the occasion.

In a homily, Fr. Ajamian remarked on the significance of celebrating
his first badarak in the parish on its ArmeniaFest weekend. `For
Armenians, faith, culture, and family go together,’ he said, as he
blessed his flock.

To view photos of the occasion, click here
()
.

Members of the Armenian Inter-Communal Committee of
Philadelphia. Click here
()
to view a full-size photo.

** Honoring Half a Century of Armenian Christian Fellowship
————————————————————

The Philadelphia-area Armenian community marked a milestone in an
exemplary history of fellowship and cooperation on Sunday, October 13,
when the Armenian Inter-Communal Committee of Philadelphia (AICCP)
celebrated its 50th anniversary.

About 200 people representing the area’s three Armenian Apostolic
churches, as well as its Armenian Catholic and Protestant communities,
gathered at the Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational Church in Haverford,
PA. During a program which included musical performances and
recitations, the history of the organization was described by current
AICCP chair Hrant Jilozian, and by the Rev. Fr. Zaven Arzoumanian (a
former pastor of the Diocesan parishes in Wynnewood and Cheltenham),
who addressed the gathering in a video-taped presentation.

Of special interest was a visual retrospective of photos and papers
from the archives of Hagop Kitabjian, who spoke about the formation of
the organization and its achievements through the years.

The churches and their people get together every year to observe
Vartanantz and Martyrs Day, and support each other informally on other
occasions.

Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs
Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan explains the importance of acolytes to young
parishioners.

** Learning the Badarak in Bayside
————————————————————

After a brief summer recess a new season of youth activities has begun
at the Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY. The parish pastor, the
Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, has been actively recruiting youngsters
for the church’s Acolyte Training Program and Junior Choir.

An orientation session was held on September 13, where Fr. Malkhasyan
explained to a group of young students the importance of acolytes and
of vocal music in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Since that
initial gathering, the youngsters have met with much enthusiasm to
learn their respective roles.

In addition to the acolyte and Junior Choir programs, the Bayside
church has a dedicated group of young men in its Deacons’ Training
Program, as well as active chapters of the ACYOA Juniors and Seniors.

Armenian Church in Baton Rouge, FL
Women prepare the traditional jidabour meal at St. Garabed Church.

** Baton Rouge Remembers the Defense of Hadjin
————————————————————

Each year, the parishioners of the St. Garabed Church in Baton Rouge,
LA, commemorate the heroic defense of the Armenian town of Hadjin. The
event has been honored annually for more than 25 years by the Baton
Rouge parishioners-many of whom trace their family roots to Hadjin.

The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, Diocesan director of mission parishes,
celebrated badarak at the parish on October 13, which was followed by
a hokehankisd service and the traditional blessing of madagh. Visitors
had come from as far away as Los Angeles and Texas for the annual
event.

The prior evening had been spent preparing the traditional jidabour
meal, with parishioners of all ages taking part in the night-long task
of stirring the ingredients-principally meat and grain-in large
cooking pots. After badarak on Sunday the faithful gathered in the
church hall, where Fr. Abdalian blessed the food that was shared by
all.

The historic defense of Hadjin began in earnest on March 31, 1920. In
the prior cataclysm of the Genocide, a population of some 20,000 had
been reduced to 8,000. For seven months the Hadjin Armenians defended
their town against savage attacks from an overwhelming Turkish force;
but by mid-October, with only 480 men remaining, the defenders could
no longer hold their position and chose to abandon the city, fleeing
in small groups south towards Feke and on to Adana. Those who could
not escape were massacred without mercy.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Upcoming Events

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

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
On Friday, October 18, St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will present
Migirdic Migirdicyan, chairman of Haystan Foundation, Toronto, who
will give an illustrated presentation on the Karabagh movement. The
event is scheduled for 8 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Leon Church will host the 77th annual St. Leon Food and Arts
Festival on Friday, October 18; Saturday, October 19, and Sunday,
October 20. Enjoy Armenian food and cultural programming featuring
live musical and artistic performances. For more information, click
here
()
to visit the parish website, or call Berj Akian at (201) 745-1999.

St. Gregory the Enlightener | White Plains, NY
St. Gregory the Enlightener Church Women’s Guild and Men’s Club are
sponsoring wine and cheese tasting night on Friday, October 18. Wine
connoisseur Derek Kruizenga will guide you in sampling wines and
appetizers. RSVP by October 11 is required; contact Sylvia Kruizenga
at (203) 637-3638, or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
. Click here
()
to view a flyer with ticket information.

St. George Church | Hartford, CT
St. George Church of Hartford, CT, will host its annual “Armenian Food
Fest” on Friday, October 18 (5 to 8 p.m.), and Saturday, October 19
(11 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Enjoy lamb, chicken, and luleh kebab; vegetarian platters; and
Armenian breads and pastries. The fest also features an iPad raffle
and a country store offering jams and other delicacies. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Mary Church | Livingston, NJ
`Cultural Night’ at St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, will feature a
multi-media presentation on `A Journey to Historic Armenia,’ by Edward
and Mary Ann Kazanjian. Via photos, video, and music, the Kazanjians
document their 3,000-mile adventure visiting some 30 historic Armenian
villages.

The event will take place on Friday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m., in the
parish’s new Toufayan Hall. It is open to the public (with a small
donation), hosted by the parish YPA and 3Ms groups, with a reception
to follow. Click here to view a flyer for information.

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will sponsor a multi-media
presentation on `A Journey to Historic Armenia,’ by Edward and Mary
Ann Kazanjian. Via photos, video, and music, the Kazanjians document
their 3,000-mile adventure visiting some 30 historic Armenian
villages.

The event will take place on Saturday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the
church’s Kalustyan Hall. It is free and open to the
public. Refreshments will be served. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. James Church | Watertown, MA
St. James Church of Watertown, MA, will hold its annual bazaar on
Friday and Saturday, October 18 and 19. Enjoy kebabs, kheyma and
eetch, boereg, manti, yalanchi, choereg, khadaif, and other