Author: Babajanian Karo

Raffi Hovannisian supports Nikol Pashinyan’s idea to start forming new
government of Armenia

ARMINFO
Saturday, March 16, 10:39

Here at Liberty Square we must start forming a new government of
Armenia. So, we need to discuss how we can do it, opposition MP Nikol
Pashinyan said during a rally of Raffi Hovannisian’s supporters on
Friday.

He suggested forming a civil council involving political and public
figures and professionals for considering ways to form the new
government. “It was a kind of velvet revolution,” Pashinyan said.

Hovannisian supported his proposal and said that the council will be
formed this Sunday.

Pashinyan also urged the people in the square to turn the Apr 9
inauguration of Serzh Sargsyan into a miserable event. “On that day
Sargsyan is going to fill with people the biggest hall in Yerevan,
while we will fill the biggest square – the Republic Square. Let’s how
that the real President is not Serzh Sargsyan but Raffi Hovannisian,”
Pashinyan said.

He said that a group of political activists have sent open letters to
Serj Tankian and Charles Aznavour, inviting them to attend the Apr 9
event in the Republic Square. This, in Pashinyan’s opinion, will be an
important message – a logical manifestation of the concerns both of
them expressed earlier.

TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN COMMENTS ON LAUNCHING OF YEREVAN-VAN FLIGHT

APA, Azerbaijan
March 14 2013

“It is not right to regard this flight as a change in Turkey’s position
on Nagorno Karabakh conflict”

Baku. Ramil Mammadli – APA. “Azerbaijani media and society know well
the position of Turkey on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and Armenia.

However, Turkish ambassadors to Azerbaijan have announced their
positions on this up to now. The Turkish President, Prime Minister,
officials and the Speaker of the Parliament have clearly announced
their position on this issue. Flights from Yerevan to Turkey are
operated by private companies. As media reports, these are commercial
flights. Private companies have no problems in Turkey in carrying out
these activities,” said Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan Ismayil Alper
Coskun while commenting on Azerbaijani media reports on launching of
Yerevan-Van flight, APA reports.

Ambassador said that it is not right to issue statements that
commercial flights will change Turkey’s position on Nagorno Karabakh.

“No country supports Azerbaijan’s position on Nagorno Karabakh conflict
more than Turkey, which has closed its borders with Armenia.

I ask media also to highlight Turkey’s positive steps, not to confuse
the people. There is nothing to worry. Turkey’s position on Karabakh
problem, Armenia has not changed,” he said.

BEAST ON THE MOON

Express Milwaukee
March 14 2013

By Shepherd Express Staff

“There was-and there was not,” intones the elderly man in Armenian at
the start and end of Beast on the Moon, Richard Kalinoski’s deeply
affecting play about two survivors of the Armenian Genocide. The
Armenian Genocide was carefully plotted and carried out by the Ottoman
government, resulting in the massacre of 1.5 million Armenian men,
women and children between 1915 and 1917. It is through the desperately
searching voices of 19-year-old Aram and his 15-year-old “mail order
bride” Seta that the underlying psychological horrors of witnessing
such unspeakable atrocities come full circle. In Tandem Theatre’s
production of Beast on the Moon is a poignant, personal testament
to those Armenians who survived, as well as an important, timeless
voice for all those who perished, but still live on in remembrance,
spirit and faith.

Tenth Street Theatre 628 N. 10th St.

Milwaukee, WI, 53233 414-271-1371

ARMENIA’S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REJECTS APPEAL BY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES CONTESTING ELECTION

Montreal Gazette, QC
March 14 2013

By The Associated Press March 14, 2013 1:24 PM

YEREVAN, Armenia – Armenia’s constitutional court has rejected an
appeal by two presidential candidates to annul last month’s vote won
by the incumbent.

The court on Thursday upheld the results of the Feb. 18 election,
in which President Serge Sarkisian easily won a second five-year term
with nearly 59 per cent of the vote. American-born Raffi Hovanessian,
who finished second with 37 per cent, and Andrias Gukasian, who won
less than 1 per cent of the vote, contested the outcome last week.

Hovanessian, Armenia’s first foreign minister after the 1991 collapse
of the Soviet Union, called the election rigged and declared himself
the genuine winner. He has gone on a hunger strike demanding that
Sarkisian step down.

International monitors said the election “lacked competition” but
did not question the legitimacy of Sarkisian’s win.

ARMENIAN COURT TURNS DOWN PETITION TO ANNUL RESULTS OF ELECTION

ITAR-TASS, Russia
March 14, 2013 Thursday 08:21 PM GMT+4

– Armenia’s Constitution Court has turned down a lawsuit filed
by two candidates in the February 18 presidential election, Raffi
Hovannisian, and Andreas Gukassian, who demanded that the results of
voting be annulled.

The judges passed the decision after the hearings that had taken
three days.

Oppositionist candidates challenged the February 25 resolution of
Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission, which stated that the results
of voting were conclusive and the country’s incumbent President,
Serzh Sargsyan had won a new term office.

Hovannisian, 54, and Gukassian, 43, claimed procedural violations
affecting the final results had been committed during the vote-telling.

The former man received 36.74% votes, getting to the second position
from the top. He claimed however that he was the real winner, in the
light of which he demanded that Sargsyan turn state power over to him.

Hovannisian, a former U.S. citizen, was the first Foreign Minister
of independent Armenia in 1991 and 1992. He chairs the parliamentary
oppositionist Heritage party now.

He called a hunger strike last Sunday demanding that Sargsyan quit
the position of President Elect before the inauguration ceremony
scheduled for April 9.

Andreas Gukassian, a prospering businessman, got 0.57% votes that
placed him to the fifth position among the seven candidates.

The CEO who of Radio Hi, Gukassian held a hunger strike in front of
the parliament buildings downtown Yerevan from January 21 through to
February 19. He called on the CEC to revoke Sargsyan’s registration
as a candidate for presidency and urged international observers to
leave the country, saying that their departure would automatically
bring about a cancellation of the election.

AS NEVER BEFORE SERBIA IS CLOSE TO THE SETTLEMENT OF RELATIONS WITH KOSOVO. TOMISLAV NIKOLIC

21:38, 14 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS: Serbia and Kosovo said on Thursday
they were close to a deal to end the ethnic partition of the former
Serbian province with Belgrade coming under increasing pressure from
the European Union as it nears a decision on opening membership talks,
reports Armenpress, referring to Reuters.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said the two sides were “never
closer” to settling their differences, after separate talks with EU
foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton in Pristina and Belgrade.

The clock is now ticking till a mid-April progress report by Ashton
that will decide whether the EU launches membership talks with Serbia,
a major milestone in the country’s recovery from Yugoslavia’s bloody
collapse and a vital signal of stability to much-needed investors.

Majority-Albanian Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008,
almost a decade after NATO bombs wrested control of the territory
from late Serb strongman Slobodan Milosevic to halt a brutal
counter-insurgency war.

But Belgrade retained de facto control over a small Serb pocket of
northern Kosovo, and says it will never recognize its former southern
province as a sovereign state.

The status of the Serb north, where Kosovo’s government has very
little presence, is at the heart of EU-mediated negotiations aimed at
“normalizing ties” between the two.

Progress on the issue will decide whether the EU opens accession talks
with Serbia in June, a process that would drive reform and potentially
lure investors to the biggest economy in the former Yugoslavia.

“Right now we are at the beginning of the end in reaching an agreement
to normalize relations between the state of Kosovo and Serbia,”
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, a former guerrilla commander,
told reporters after meeting Ashton in Pristina.

In Belgrade, Nikolic said the EU might circulate a “non-paper” ahead
of the latest direct talks between Thaci and Serbian Prime Minister
Ivica Dacic in Brussels on March 20.

“We’ve never been so close to an agreement on how to organize life
in Kosovo and to make it possible for all residents there to live as
people should live,” Nikolic said.

In a significant U-turn in official policy, Serbia’s nine-month-old
coalition government, an alliance last in power under Milosevic,
has offered to recognize the authority of Thaci’s government over
northern Kosovo, in exchange for autonomy for the Serbs living there.

But the two sides have been at odds for months over the powers any
Serb institutions in the north would have.

“We want compromise, but we won’t accept humiliation,” Dacic said
after he and Nikolic met Ashton. “That’s our clear message ahead of
March 20.”

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

** TOP STORY March 14, 2013
————————————————————
Sunday of Advent

** Sunday of the Advent
————————————————————

Early in our journey through Great Lent we observed the Sunday of the
Expulsion, which retold the story of mankind’s first disobedience, our
exile from paradise, and the beginning of humanity’s long history of
separation from God.

In a nice expression of symmetry and resolution, Lent concludes with
the Sunday of the Advent (March 17, the sixth and last Sunday of
Lent): that is, the coming of Jesus Christ, through whom God entered
human history and restored what had been lost in the exile from Eden.

The Advent calls to mind the birth and revelation of our Savior, his
subsequent sacrifice for mankind, and his victory over sin and
death. As the last Sunday of Lent, this day is especially devoted to
the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, reminding us that he is our eternal
Lord and King, and that just as everything once began with God, so too
will everything one day end with Him.

Click on the following links to learn more about Lent
()
in the Armenian Church, and to view our 2013 Lenten video series
()
.

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

Is 66:1-24
Col 2:8-3:17
Mt 22:34-23:39

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

We thank you, Father Almighty, who did prepare for us the Holy Church
as a heaven, a temple of holiness, where the Holy Trinity is
glorified. We thank you, Christ the King, who did grant us life
through your life-giving and holy body and blood, grant us forgiveness
in your great mercy. Amen.

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

16 March: St. Gregory the Enlightener (Commitment to the Pit)

17 March: Sunday of the Advent

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Pope Francis
Pope Francis addresses pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square.

** Buona Sera!
————————————————————

The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted into a shout of delight when
it heard the familiar Italian greeting-`Good evening’-from Cardinal
Jorge Mario Bergoglio: his first words spoken as His Holiness Pope
Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, issued a warm congratulatory letter to his brother church
leader, recalling their meeting during his 2011 Pontifical Visit to
the new pope’s native Argentina. `We fondly remember our meetings and
prayers together with Your Holiness in Argentina,’ the Catholicos
wrote, `during which we came to know you as a good shepherd, and a
courageous, wise, and just church leader. We are happy to avow your
sincere love and affection shown towards the Armenian people.’

Already news reports are remarking on the novel background Pope
Francis brings to his new office: he is the first pope to come from
the Western hemisphere; the first from the Society of Jesus. But his
introduction to the world this week showed Pope Francis to be a man
who embodies the age-old virtues of the Christian faith: humility,
simplicity, a loving concern for the spiritual well-being of mankind.

Addressing the crowd for the first time as pope, Francis bowed down
and asked all those listening to remember him in their prayers. We
join our Catholicos, our sister churches, and the world in offering
prayers and good wishes to the new occupant of the Throne of
St. Peter.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
New England Clergy Conference
Clergy pose for a group photo at the retreat center in Connecticut.

** New England Clergy Meet for Lenten Retreat
————————————————————

Clergy in the New England region gathered this week for the annual
Lenten Retreat at the Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford,
CT. The retreat centered on the Diocesan theme `Living the Gospel of
Christ,’ which participants considered through Bible study, the texts
of church fathers, reflections, and worship.

Clergy were especially pleased to spend time with the Very
Rev. Fr. Krikor Maksoudian, and to share his wisdom and
spirituality. Also taking part in the March 4-6 retreat was the
Rev. Fr. Aram Mirzoyan, who is visiting the Eastern Diocese from the
Tavush Diocese in Armenia.

A similar retreat is planned for clergy in the Midwest next week.

Diocesan Council Meeting

** Diocesan Council Prepares for Annual Assembly
————————————————————

Meeting at the Diocesan Center on Thursday, March 14, members of the
Diocesan Council finalized the agenda for the upcoming Diocesan
Assembly and discussed the presentation of this year’s Diocesan theme
`Living the Gospel of Christ.’ The Assembly will be hosted by
St. David Church of Boca Raton, FL, from May 2 through 5.

Council members also reviewed the 2012 budget and expenses, and
drafted a 2013 proposed budget. The Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian,
the new dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, made a presentation on his
vision for the cathedral’s programming. Reports were also heard on the
ACYOA, Diocesan summer camps, and Diocesan facilities.

Holy Week
A relief on the northern wall of the St. Vartan Cathedral complex.

** Holy Week Services at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————

New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will observe Holy Week with a
series of special services, culminating in the Easter Sunday
celebration on March 31. Click here
()
for a complete schedule of services at the cathedral. And be sure to
contact your local parish
()
for information on services in your area.

On Easter Sunday, the Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:30
a.m. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will celebrate the
liturgy and deliver the homily. Immediately following the service, the
Release of Doves ceremony will go forth on the cathedral plaza. This
year, Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian will serve as the godfather of
the doves ceremony. Some traditional children’s Easter activities will
also take place.

FAR
FAR’s Margarit Piliposyan gives a presentation at AmCham.

** FAR Joins American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia
————————————————————

Last month, the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia
()
(AmCham) welcomed the Fund for Armenian Relief among its 13 newest
member organizations. Margarit Piliposyan, FAR deputy country director
and program director, introduced the organization’s mission and
programs during a meeting on public-private partnerships. Click here
()
to visit FAR’s blog and to view a video of the presentation.

AmCham, the leading business association in Armenia, is comprised of
some 100 members from various business segments representing U.S.,
European, and local affiliations. AmCham represents its members’
interests in Armenia to the Armenian government, international
organizations, and to the wider business community.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
Walk Thru the Bible
Parishioners taking part in Saturday’s program at Holy Trinity Church.

** Philadelphia Parishioners “Walk Thru” the Old Testament
————————————————————

On Saturday, March 9, over 100 people took part in “Walk Thru the Old
Testament”-a unique opportunity to learn about the Bible-at Holy
Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA. The program was sponsored by the
Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education in generous partnership
with Holy Trinity Church and St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of
Wynnewood, PA.

The day’s instructor, Roger Petersen, a professor at Cairn University
in Langhorne, PA, offered brief explanations of content and led
participants through gestures and mnemonic techniques to help them
learn and remember the Old Testament story, from Creation through the
prophetic voices that preceded the coming of Christ.

The enthusiasm of the participants affirmed the Department of Youth
and Education’s vision of Christian education as a never-ending,
life-long process. Last weekend’s Walk Thru event is the third
sponsored by the Diocese in different regions, in an effort to infuse
parishioners of all ages with the infectious joy that comes from
knowing Scripture and growing closer to Christ.

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

Saintly Women’s Day in Philadelphia
Marge Tellalian Kyrkostas speaks at the Church of the Holy
Resurrection.

** Saintly Women’s Day Observed in New Britain
————————————————————

The Church of the Holy Resurrection of New Britain, CT, observed
Saintly Women’s Day on Saturday, March 2, with a service and program
commemorating the oil bearing women at Jesus’s tomb. The
Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, parish pastor, and the Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Zohrabian, pastor of St. George Church of Hartford, CT, led the
service, during which Women’s Guild member Rose Mosey read about the
three women who discovered the empty tomb: Mary Magdelene, Mary of
Clopas, and Mary Salome.

A luncheon followed in the church’s Abrahamian Auditorium. Guest
speaker Marge Tellalian Kyrkostas, founder and executive director of
the Flushing, NY-based Anthropology Museum of the People of New York,
spoke about the all-volunteer museum. She highlighted its upcoming
exhibit “Ladies From Your Past,” which presents an overview of key
female figures in world history. The exhibit, sponsored by the
Anthropology Museum and the Armenian Cultural Educational Resource
Center Gallery at Queens College, will run from May 17 through
September 30.

Ms. Tellalian Kyrkostas also screened a documentary short titled
“After Water There Is Sand.’ The film depicts an Armenian widow who
travels to Armenia with her two daughters to fulfill her husband’s
dream of taking a family picture in front of Mt. Ararat.

Members of St. Mark Church of Springfield, MA, and New Britain’s
St. Stephen Church also took part in the day’s service and
program. Click here
()
to view photos.

Fr. Daniel Findikyan
Fr. Daniel Findikyan speaks about artwork depicting the oil bearing
women at Jesus’s tomb.

** Livingston Parish Welcomes New Jersey Women’s Guilds
————————————————————

On Saturday, March 2, the Women’s Guild of St. Mary Church of
Livingston, NJ, hosted a statewide Saintly Women’s Day
celebration. The Rev. Fr. Arakel Vardazaryan, parish pastor, and
clergy from sister parishes led the service. Dickie Marashlian and
Lucille Agababian read about the oil bearing women commemorated this
year.

A Lenten luncheon and program followed. The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel
Findikyan, director of the Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab
Information Center, spoke about various paintings depicting the oil
bearing women at Jesus’s tomb. ACYOA Juniors members and men of the
parish helped serve the luncheon.

Participating New Jersey parishes include St. Leon Church of Fair
Lawn, Holy Cross Church of Union City, St. Stepanos Church of Elberon,
and St. Thomas Church of Tenafly. Click here
()
to view photos.

On March 8, as part of its Lenten lecture series, St. Mary Church
welcomed Dr. Simon Ohanessian for a talk on fasting and the Parable of
the Unjust Judge. On this occasion, the parishioners were honored and
delighted by the presence of Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate of the
Armenian Diocese of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the brother of
Dr. Ohanessian. Click here
()
to view photos.

Cultural Day in Racine, WI
Chef Carrie Nahabedian gives a presentation on Armenian cuisine at the
Barnes and Noble in Racine.

** Racine Bookstore Hosts “St. Mesrob Day”
————————————————————

On Sunday, March 3, parishioners of St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI,
hosted “St. Mesrob Day” at the local Barnes and Noble store. Under the
chairmanship of Irene Nahabedian, the community organized an afternoon
of cultural, educational, and artistic programming.

Speakers included Oscar Tatosian on Oriental carpets, renown chef
Carrie Nahabedian on cuisine, Dn. Charles Hardy on historic Armenian
churches, and Janet Mrazek on her book Door County Outdoors.

On display were paintings by several professional artists of the
parish: Mark Akgulian, Rob Jorgensen, Janet Mrazek, and George
Solakian. Lillian Proctor, Matthew Hardesty, and Mitchell Proctor gave
musical performances.

In the children’s corner Naomi Zeytoonian read from her book Freddie
Fox, and Lisa Akgulian read Armenian folk tales. A special appearance
was made my Mother Goose (Jeanette Lipari). Erik Sahakian-Fiegel
taught chess and backgammon. Children also enjoyed arts and crafts
with Marj Korakian and Tara Mikaelian.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan
Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan (far right) with other participants in this
month’s Muslim-Christian Dialogue in St. Paul.

** St. Paul Parish Takes Part in Muslim-Christian Dialogue
————————————————————

The Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan, pastor of St. Sahag Church of
St. Paul, MN, took part in the Muslim-Christian Dialogue at the
University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, from March 7 to 9.

The gathering focused on two topics: “The Nature of God” and “Faith
and Culture.” Participants included representatives of Protestant,
Orthodox, and Muslim traditions.

Vartanantz Day Celebration in Providence
Armenian School students hold up illustrations of St. Vartan.

** Armenian School of Providence Organizes Parents’ Night
————————————————————

On February 12, the Armenian School of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI, held its second Parents’ Night of the 2012-2013
academic year. Parents visited classrooms to observe instruction and
to take part in the school’s commemoration of Sts. Vartanantz Day.

Students read essays they had written and illustrated on the Battle of
Avarayr. Young people of all ages reflected on the significance of the
event in Armenia’s history, and shared what the sacrifices of the
Vartanantz saints mean to them today.

Click here
()
to read second-grader Simone Semerjian’s reflection.

Upcoming Events

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

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, will screen
“From Westchester to Zion and Ararat”-a video about the parish’s
September 2012 pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Armenia-on Friday, March
15. The evening begins with worship at 6:30, followed by dinner at 7,
and the screening at 7:45. For information, call the church at (914)
428-2595.

St. Mary Church | Livingston, NJ
St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, will hold a `Love Your Church Day’
on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to
help clean the church in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. For
information, call the church at (973) 533-9794.

Holy Cross Church | New York, NY
On Sunday, March 17, Holy Cross Church in Manhattan’s Washington
Heights neighborhood will host a salad-making class following church
services. Garo Petrosyan will lead participants in the preparation of
white bean salad, parsley salad or `tabule,’ and Amenian-style potato
salad. The class is free, but advance reservation is required. For
information, contact Jon Simonian, Sr. at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

Church of the Holy Resurrection | New Britain, CT
The Women’s Guild of the Church of the Holy Resurrection of New
Britain, CT, will hold its annual Bake Sale on Saturday, March 23,
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featured items include choereg, paklava,
yalanchi, cheese boereg, string cheese, and more. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information. To order choreg, contact Hasmig
Cannata at (860) 357-7702.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
Leadership Conference
The retreat was held at the Roman Catholic Seminary of the Immaculate
Conception in Huntington, NY.

** Youth Leaders Gather for Lenten Retreat
————————————————————

Some 50 young people from parishes across the Eastern Diocese traveled
to Huntington, NY, last weekend to take part in a Lenten retreat
focused on this year’s Diocesan theme, “Living the Gospel of Christ.”
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, presided over the
activities on March 8-10.

“The Armenian Church is the stage upon which we can take up Christ’s
ministry,” Archbishop Barsamian said. “Our pious ancestors have
created such a rich, beautiful tapestry of traditions and experiences
within our church. They created it so you could understand who Jesus
Christ is; so you could follow him-and encourage others to do the
same.”

The young people at the retreat were all participants in past Diocesan
programs for youth leaders, including the 2010 Leadership Conferences
and the 2011 and 2012 Youth Pilgrimages to the Holy Land. This month’s
retreat gave them an opportunity to study key points of Jesus’
ministry: his preaching at the Sea of Galilee, his feeding of the
multitude, the Last Supper in the Upper Room, his night spent at the
Garden of Gethsemane, his suffering on the cross, and his resurrection
revealed at the empty tomb.

Through these experiences, the young people deepened their
understanding of what it means to live the Gospel of Christ, and of
how Jesus can guide their lives. They were also encouraged to consider
how they can put their faith into action at their local parishes.

On Sunday morning, Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy,
with young people assisting on the altar and singing in the
choir. After the service, each of the participants approached the
Primate to receive his blessing.

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

ACYOA Juniors Retreat
Retreat participants enjoy a hike at Camp Wise in Chardon, OH.

** ACYOA Juniors Retreats Head to the Midwest
————————————————————

Last weekend, close to 20 teens from St. John Church of Southfield,
MI, and St. Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH, gathered for an
ACYOA Juniors retreat at Camp Wise in Chardon, OH. Throughout the
weekend the participants were encouraged to think about how they can
share the light of Christ in their everyday lives.

Jennifer Morris, the Diocese’s Youth Outreach coordinator, led the
retreat sessions and activities. The Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, pastor
of St. Gregory of Narek Church, served as the weekend chaplain,
leading morning and evening services and Bible study sessions, and
answering questions. In addition to worship and educational sessions,
participants enjoyed an outdoor hike and sports.

On Sunday, the group traveled to St. Gregory of Narek Church for the
morning service and the Divine Liturgy. The retreat concluded later
that afternoon with lunch at the church. Click here
()
to view photos.

The final ACYOA Juniors retreat of the Lenten season will take place
this weekend at Camp Hickory in Ingleside, IL. For information,
contact Jennifer Morris at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

ASP

** Registration Extended for Armenia Service Program
————————————————————

The registration deadline for the ACYOA Armenia Service Program has
been extended to March 29. This year’s trip is scheduled for July
1-20.

The program of travel and service gives young adults (ages 18 to 28) a
unique opportunity to discover their homeland and to serve its people
in a meaningful way. In 2013, the service component of the trip will
be carried out in partnership with the Fund for Armenian Relief and
the Fuller Center for Housing.

For information, click here
()
to view a flyer, or contact Nancy Basmajian, ACYOA executive
secretary, at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

Summer Camps
Flying high at St. Vartan Camp.

** Don’t Miss the St. Vartan Camp Early Bird Deadline
————————————————————

Registration is open for both St. Vartan Camp and Hye Camp. Click here
()
to view a camps flyer, or click on the following links to access Hye
Camp
()
registration materials and the St. Vartan Camp
()
online registration page. Early bird registration for St. Vartan Camp
ends on March 15; register now to save.

Both St. Vartan Camp and Hye Camp are actively seeking staff members,
including nurses, lifeguards, nighttime security, camp office
coordinators, instructors, and counselors. If you are interested, or
know someone who is, contact Jennifer Morris, the Diocese’s Youth
Outreach coordinator, at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

Camp Dates
St. Vartan Camp
Session A, June 30 – July 13
Session B, July 14 – July 27
Session C, July 28 – August 10

Hye Camp
Two-week session, July 28 – August 10
One-week session, July 28 – August 3
One-week session, August 4 – August 10 (for those unable to attend
week one)

For information about the camp programs, contact Jennifer Morris at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

UKRAINIAN EXPERT: AZERBAIJAN’S THREATS TO HIT ARMENIAN CIVIL PLANES WILL NOT PROMOTE DIALOGUE

ARMINFO
Friday, March 15, 16:37

The Karabakh conflict is at a very complicate psychological stage.

Formerly people wanted settlement of the conflict after a military
phase, while now there is a new generation of those who hate their
neighbors and will not support any concessions by their authorities,
Vesti.az reports citing Anna Shelest, Ukrainian political expert,
Regional Branch of the National Institute of the Strategic Studies.

“I don’t expect any breakthrough in the peace process yet. Russia is
a mediator in the Karabakh conflict’s resolution that is objectively
interested in settlement of the conflict,” she said. Shelest said
that both Azerbaijan and Armenia are in the zone of Russia’s direct
interests, the se-called zone of influence, which Moscow has repeatedly
declared about. Nevertheless, the expert believes that Russia may
use the conflict within its interests.

“In this case, not the conflict but the party Moscow will support in
the process is a lever of pressure,” she said.

As for the possible opening of the Stepanakert Airport and Azerbaijan’s
threats to hit the Armenian civil planes. Anna Shelest said that
those threats do not promote dialogue.

“Not planes but the life of passengers is endangered. And the world
community will not be satisfied with such motivations as the closed
air space. If Azerbaijan opposes opening of the Airport, it will
be more logical and efficient if it applies to the ICAO and other
international instances, including OSCE,” the expert said.

ARMENIA’S RETIRED INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALLER UNDERGOES HEART SURGERY

March 15

Armenian national football team and Russia’s FC Krylia Sovetov Samara
retired player Karapet Mikayelyan underwent a hear surgery on Thursday,
Championat reports.

Ever since February 25, the Union of Football Players and Coaches of
Russia was raising money for Mikayelyan’s surgery.

The 935,000 rubles (approx. $30,487)-worth surgery went successfully.

FC Krylia Sovetov and the Football Federation of Armenia were among
those that had provided financial support to Karapet Mikayelyan.

NEWS.am Sport

ARMENIA PROTEST: ACTIVISTS CALL FOR ATTENTION TO GARNI BRIDGE

TERT.AM
15:38 ~U 15.03.13

A crowd of people gathered outside the Ministry of Culture on Friday,
protesting against the reconstruction of the bridge of Garni.

The activists claimed that the medieval construction (11th-13th
centuries) had lost it one time historical-cultural value over
this period.

Speaking to Tert.am, one of the protesters, Argishti Kiviryan,
they accuse the Ministry of contributing to the cultural monument’s
destruction.

“The Ministry is trying to justify its unlawfulness, saying that this
kind of reconstruction is possible. But once you put together an old
photograph with a picture featuring the [bridge’s] present-day image
it will be enough even for a person with an elementary logic to see
that the construction has been destroyed,” he said.

Gor Hakobyan, another protester, said new polished stones and tiles
have caused the bridge to lose its spiritual value.

“It no longer has any value, or even if it does, it has turned into
a completely different monument. We demand an open public account,”
he said, adding that they seek in that way to prevent more such cases
in future.

In letter sent to the Ministry on Monday the activist demanded an
explanation for the existing situation.

Today they submitted the replies to Vladmir Poghosyan, the head of the
Historical-Environment and Historical-Cultural Museum-Reserves Service,
and Dorvard Arushanyan, the head of the Monument Reconstruction
department. Hakobyan promised to meet relevant officials at the
ministry after receiving a conclusion and forming an alternative
opinion.