Author: Babajanian Karo

MORE WOMEN IN ARMENIA RECEIVE BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

news.am
December 19, 2012 | 16:48

YEREVAN. – Armenian-American Wellness Center (Mammography Center)
Foundation Director Khachanush Hakobyan underscored the importance
of annual medical checkups.

“The number of our visitors increases every year. More people learn
about the disease [that is, cancer] and receive treatment,” she added
during a press conference on Wednesday.

“More people have visited our center this year as compared with 2011.

We have had 235,000 visitors to date. Over the course of the
fifteen-year activity of the center, 279,419 checkups were conducted,
160,447 of which [were] breast cancer [examinations]. Breast cancer
was found among 6,797 visitors. We are happy that more people are
getting diagnosed, being treated on a daily basis, and we are able
to save lives,” Hakobyan noted.

Also, she highlighted the need for annual medical checkups. “We
should not forget that the breast is the most susceptible part of a
woman’s body. A checkup should be conducted each year,” Khachanush
Hakobyan concluded.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN MEETS WESTERN ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS REPS.

December 26, 2012 – 20:06 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with vice
presidents of Western Armenian National Congress international NGO
Norat Ter-Grigoryants andKaren Mikayelyan.

Stressing the importance of deepening the cooperation between different
segments of Armenian people in implementation of global programs,
the organization representatives briefed President Sargsyan on the
projects protecting the rights and interest of Western Armenians,
further generations of former citizens of Ottoman Empire.

President Sargsyan stressed the need to reap lessons from history,
whilst having a realistic and modern political picture of the goals
of Armenian Genocide recognition campaign.

Western Armenian National Congress is a member of United Nations
Economic and Social Council as a non-governmental organization.

AX ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS-TRADITION IN AZERBAIJAN

19:48, 26 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS: School teacher in Azerbaijani
Lankaran region attacked his neighbor with an ax. In a result the
neighbor has been hospitalized. Doctors are not able to bring him
out of coma. As reports Armenpress Azerbaijani vesti.az writes.

Neighbors’ dispute began because of gates. Lankaran’s teacher Emin
Farzullayev, 24, attacked Zaman Kyazimov, 35, in front of children.

Bleeding Kyazimov was hospitalized by other neighbors, now he is in
coma in Baku Clinical Hospital. Emin Farzullayev has been arrested.

Ax assassination attempts in Azerbaijan appear often and often. About
35 women have been hacked to death in Azerbaijan during this year.

OVER 200 ARMENIAN MILITARY SERVICEMEN RETRAINED IN U.S.

Monday 24 December 2012 13:13

Photo: Press service of Armenian Defense Ministry

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Over 250 Armenian students of military schools and
officers currently study in Russian military-educational institutions.

Head of the Department of Staff and Military Education of Armenian
Defense Ministry Mher Shirinyan said today that the Ministry also
cooperates with the U.S., Great Britain, Greece, China, Poland,
France, Italy and Lithuania in military servicemen retraining sphere.

“Student and officer staff are retrained in the military-educational
institutions of the above mentioned countries. Officer staff study by
short- and long-term programs and the students are retrained according
to the programs of the countries – from 2 up to 7 years.

According to him, largest number of military servicemen are retrained
in U.S. after Russia.

“As of now, the number of military servicemen retrained in the U.S.
who came back to Armenia exceeds 200 people. Over 30 Armenian military
servicemen are currently studying in the U.S.”, noted Mher Shirinyan.

WHO TER-PETROSYAN, TSARUKYAN AND ARF WILL SUPPORT
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

15:34 26/12/2012

Mass abstinence of political forces from the presidential election may
have two reasons: either they agreed to support the same candidate
who will be nominated on the last day or they are going to boycott
the elections.

The fact that Gagik Tsarukyan, Ter-Petrosyan and the ARF will not
boycott the elections or did not announce to support Serzh Sargsyan
or Raffi Hovhannisyan means that another candidate is expected to be
nominated who now prefers keeping silent to keep the intrigue until
the end.

Both Vartan Oskanian and Robert Kocharyan are possible candidates.

Though experts say that Robert Kocharyan will not run without clear
safeguards, the issue of his age arises. If Kocharyan does not run
now, in 2018 he will already advanced in age, plus he will not have
the necessary political capital.

Now Kocharyan will have to choose. Either he admits Serzh Sargsyan’s
victory and avoids the risky competition crossing out his political
career, or he ignores guarantees and runs the risk to remain in
politics. If Robert Kocharyan runs, he may be Serzh Sargsyan’s
main opponent and in 2018 may use this trampoline or hand it to
his successor.

The PAP, Congress and ARF may endorse Kocharyan at least because
they need to keep their political positions by 2018 which will be
lost without participation in this election or boycott.

Otherwise, it is difficult to explain the “epidemic” of withdrawal
from the presidential race. Even if they explain their decision by
the predetermined results of the election, meaningless participation,
there are still doubts because if the reasons they refer to were true,
they would boycotted elections and would have urged people not to
vote. If they don’t do it, they are getting ready for a surprise move.

Although, in the present situation, this step is needed by political
forces and their future nominations, while it makes no difference for
people because the general configuration will not change. Apparently,
we will have to wait till Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan will announce
about their age.

MORE CIVIC ACTIVISM IN 2012: AVETYAN CASE, GREEN CAMPAIGNS SEEN AS STEPPING STONES IN BUILDING CIVIL SOCIETY IN ARMENIA
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN

HUMAN RIGHTS | 26.12.12 | 12:04

The year 2012 in Armenia has been marked by a number of initiatives
that resulted in consolidation of civil society and a successful
outcome of civil campaigns. While problems connected with human rights
protection and environmental issues have not decreased in Armenia,
civic groups have still managed to make a number of achievements due
to their consistent battle.

The greatest civil consolidation took place in June of this year as
reaction to an incident in which a military doctor was beaten to death
at a restaurant owned by pro-government lawmaker Ruben Hayrapetyan’s
family. The man, Vahe Avetyan , a 33-year-old father of two, died in
hospital of his severe head injuries 12 days after the beating in which
several of his friends also suffered at the hands of men believed to
be Hayrapetyan’s bodyguards. The incident angered the civil society
sector, stirring a tide of protest demanding that those responsible
for the incident, including Hayrapetyan, be punished.

As a result, Hayrapetyan resigned his seat in the National Assembly
and apologized for the incident. He, however, was not involved in the
criminal case either as a suspect or witness. (Activists claim the men
were beaten at Hayrapetyan’s orders). The trial of six people accused
in what became known as the Harsnakar case is currently in progress. A
Vahe Avetyan pressure group consisting of civil society activists
was set up in the wake of the incident and it is now following the
course of the trial to alert the public of whatever irregularities
there may be.

Before the Avetyan movement another major victory was one by
environmental activists, who “occupied” a central park in Yerevan
and opposed its being turned into a row of boutiques in mid-February.

Their 90-day consistent struggle culminated in the visit to Mashtots
Part by President Serzh Sargsyan in early May (shortly before the
parliamentary elections) and his effectively ordering the removal of
the kiosks from there .

The park that was previously neglected is now in good order and
serving the recreational needs of the community.

Green activists, meanwhile, were also attentive to environmental
issues outside capital Yerevan, revealing what appeared a case of
illegal hunting in the Khosrov Reserve . A video released by a group
of environmentalists in September showed traces of hunting of some
of the wild animals included in the Red Book of Endangered Species.

As a result, the director of the reserve was fired and activists
were also consistent in monitoring the further proceedings relating
to filling the vacancy.

At the end of the year a group of Jehovah’s witnesses , who are
conscientious objectors, were successful in defending their rights at
the European Court of Human Rights that ruled in their favor against
the Republic of Armenia and awarded them with a total of about $145,500
to be paid to them from the state coffers.

The Armenian society also consolidated around the civil campaign to
render aid to Syrian Armenians suffering from the consequences of a
bloody conflict in the Middle Eastern country. Through the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation a movement was set up, Help Your Brother,
to gather food, medicines and other essentials for Armenians in Syria.

Numerous small and large organizations as well as individual citizens
responded to the initiative. Three airlifts to Syria were organized
at the end of the year.

Despite these apparent achievements by civil society in the field
of human rights protection, much still remains to be done. This
is, in particular, what the annual report of the Armenian Ombudsman
shows. In presenting his report Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan emphasized
that courts, which are supposed to be the main guarantors of human
rights protection, in reality remain one of the most vulnerable points
in Armenia

People with disabilities rallied again to promote better conditions for
public access. Presently, most institutions and few public properties
have proper – if any – access for the physically challenged.

** TOP STORY December 27, 2012
————————————————————
Nativitiy of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The altar icon of St. Hripsime Church in Armenia.

** Christmas Services at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————

The Feast of the Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ will be observed
at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Saturday and Sunday,
January 5 and 6. Click here
()
to view the special liturgical schedule for these “Armenian Christmas”
services.

The Blessing of Water service will follow the Divine Liturgy on
January 6. Sarkis Jebejian will serve as “godfather” of the Blessing
of Water service.

A Home Blessing service and Christmas reception will be held in Haik
and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium following services on January 6. The
Shushi Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan Cathedral, under the direction of
choreographer Seta Paskalian-Kantardjian, will perform during the
reception, which is free and open to the public.

For information on services in your area, contact your local parish
()
to ascertain the date and time of its Armenian Christmas
celebration. Click on the following links to read the Primate’s
Christmas message
()
and to view a brief video
()
about Christmas in the Armenian Church.

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

Is 51:15-52:3
Heb 13:18-25
Lk 22:24-30

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

My soul is always in your hands and I place my hope in your Holy
Cross, O Heavenly King. May the multitude of your saints intercede on
my behalf.

You who are patient with everyone, do not neglect me who trusts in
you, but keep me in peace with your precious and Holy Cross. Amen.

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

27 December: Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

29 December: Holy Apostles James and John, “Sons of Thunder”;
Barekendan of the Fast of Nativity

5 January: Eve of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ

6 January: Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus
Christ

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Newly Appointed Patriarch of Antioch
His Holiness John Yazigi was elected Greek Orthodox Patriarch of
Antioch and All the East last week.

** New Patriarch of Antioch Elected
————————————————————

His Holiness John Yazigi was elected Greek Orthodox Patriarch of
Antioch and All the East last week. A native of Syria, Patriarch John
most recently served as the Metropolitan in Western Europe. He will
succeed Patriarch Ignatius IV, who passed away on December 5.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, sent a letter of congratulations to the newly elected
Patriarch. =80=9CYour election as the first servant of our sister
Church at the threshold of the New Year and Christmas is a sign of
hope as the Church in the Middle East overcomes the grief following
the death of your predecessor,’ he wrote. `May God inspire you to
continue the tireless work of your predecessors in fulfilling the
spiritual needs of His people, by encouraging reconciliation in the
face of conflicts and by promoting ongoing interreligious dialogues.’

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Annual Appeal

** Support the Diocese’s 2012 Annual Appeal
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese’s 2012 Annual Appeal is in its final weeks=80’and
we need your help to make it a success! The Appeal is the only
Diocesan-wide fundraiser conducted each year to help the Diocese
undertake the many ministries, programs, and resources that enrich
life in our local parishes.

We have set a target of $825,000 for the 2012 Annual Appeal. Please
consider making a contribution to help spread the good work of the
Armenian Church across our local communities-and across the
generations.

Follow these links to donate now
()
, and to learn more
()
about the 2012 Annual Appeal.

FAR
The Fund for Armenian Relief is preparing to launch a new social
project aimed at reducing child poverty rates in Armenia.

** FAR Plans New Project to Reduce Child Poverty
————————————————————

The Fund for Armenian Relief is preparing to launch a new social
project aimed at reducing child poverty rates in Armenia. The project
is made possible thanks to the commitment of the Ajemian Foundation
and FAR’s benefactor Peter Sarkessian of Detroit, MI.

The program will bring targeted assistance to children and their
families who face financial hardship and are exposed to other
risks. Struggling families with three or more children in the towns of
Masis and Artashat will be eligible for assistance. The goal of the
new initiative is to empower Armenian families to sustain themselves
and to lead better lives.

Click here
()
to visit FAR’s blog and to read more.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
St. Sahag Church
Children brought to life the story of the Nativity at St. Sahag
Church.

** Christmas Pageant Celebrated in St. Paul, MN
————————————————————

On Sunday, December 23, the Sunday and Armenian Schools of St. Sahag
Church of St. Paul, MN, organized a Christmas Pageant and New Year’s
program.

Following services, parishioners gathered in the church hall where
children brought to life the story of the Nativity and sang Christmas
carols. Armenian School students recited poems as part of the New
Year’s program, or Amanorya Hantes. The day concluded with the arrival
of Santa, who distributed gifts to the young parishioners.

Click here
()
to view photos.

St. Vartan Armenian School
Armenian School students pose for a group photo on the steps of
St. Vartan Cathedral. Click here
()
to view the full photo.

** St. Vartan Armenian School Students Greet Santa
————————————————————

On Saturday, December 22, the students of New York’s St. Vartan
Armenian School were treated to a holiday pizza party and a visit from
Santa Claus. Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian presided over the
program. Also present was the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.

The school’s auditorium was decorated like a winter wonderland by a
group of dedicated parents under the chairmanship of Ani
Manoukian. Children took part in arts and crafts activities, and later
they gathered to greet Santa with traditional Armenian carols,
including `Gaghant Baba’ and `Zankagner.’

Archbishop Gizirian visited all the classrooms and blessed the
students. He expressed his delight in the students’ knowledge, and
encouraged them to keep up their studies of the Armenian language,
culture, and history.

Holy Cross Church of Armenia
Anahid Syourapian leads the choir at Sunday’s Christmas concert, with
Helena Mirzoyan accompanying on the piano.

** Christmas Concert Held in Washington Heights, NY
————————————————————

Holy Cross Church in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood
hosted an English-language Christmas concert on Sunday, December 23,
in the church sanctuary. Some 80 people gathered to celebrate the
Christmas story through Scripture reading and the singing of
traditional Christmas carols.

The program was organized by a group of volunteers under the
leadership of Parish Council member Jon Simonian, Sr. Anahid
Syourapian, director of the Musicocity Choir, led the choir. Helena
Mirzoyan accompanied on the piano. Dn. Krikor Anoushian chanted the
Gospels in Armenian, and Dn. Artur Petrosyan chanted in English.

The program followed the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by the
Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian. The Rev. Fr. Arten Ashjian also took part
in the celebration.

St. James Church ACYOA, Watertown, MA
An ACYOA member wraps gifts for needy families in the Boston area.

** Watertown ACYOA Takes Part in Outreach Project
————————————————————

ACYOA members of St. James Church of Watertown, MA, took part in a
Christmas outreach project by volunteering at a local Christian
charity this month. The project began earlier this winter when the
ACYOA organized a =80=9CGiving Tree’ toy drive at St. James Church,
asking parishioners to select and fulfill wish lists attached to a
Christmas tree at the church.

On Monday, December 17, the young people, led by youth minister Maria
Derderian, traveled to Easton, MA, to deliver the presents they
collected to My Brother’s Keeper. Volunteering in the organization’s
=80=9CSanta’s Workshop,’ ACYOA members spent time wrapping the gifts
and writing Christmas messages to needy families in the Boston area.

Click here
()
to view photos.

St. Gregory Church, Binghamton, NY
Children pose for a photo with Boomer the kangaroo at St. Gregory
Church.

** Children’s Christmas Celebration in Bingamton, NY
————————————————————

St. Gregory Church of Binghamton, NY, held a children’s Christmas
celebration on Sunday, December 16. The children received a surprise
visit from Santa and Boomer, a live baby kangaroo from the local
zoo. A Christmas meal followed the program.

Earlier that day, the Rev. Fr. Daniel Karadjian, parish pastor,
celebrated the Divine Liturgy and held a requiem service for the
victims of the Newtown, CT, school shooting. The parish also conducted
a collection for the Armenian community of Syria.

Upcoming Events

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

Soorp Haroutiun Church | Orlando, FL
Soorp Haroutiun Church of Orlando, FL, will host a New Year Dinner
Dance on Monday, December 31, from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., in the church
hall. Enjoy Armenian music, a potluck dinner, a visit from Santa for
kids, a gift exchange game, and more. For information, call (407)
973-0205, or click here
()
to view a flyer.

St. Thomas Church | Tenafly, NJ
St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, will host a New Year’s Eve
celebration on Monday, December 31, beginning at 8 p.m. Enjoy dinner,
music by DJ Alan Gragossian, and entertainment for children. For
information, call (201) 567-5446, or click here
()
to view a flyer.

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will host its 6th annual `Winter
Dance Armenian Style’ on Saturday, January 12, from 7 p.m. to 12
a.m. Enjoy music by Onnik Dinkjian and the John Berberian
Ensemble. For information, call (201) 444-5475, or click here
()
to view a flyer.

Armenian Church of Southwest Florida
The Armenian Church of Southwest Florida will welcome the
Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Seminary, for the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 13, at 1 p.m. The
service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (3901 Davis Blvd.,
Naples, FL). A Iuncheon and bake sale featuring Armenian breads and
pastries will follow the service. For more information, or to make
luncheon reservations, call (239) 348-3804.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
Movie

** “If Only Everyone” Film Screening at the Diocese
————————————————————

`If Only Everyone’-a new film produced in Armenia-will premiere in New
York on Friday, January 4, at 7:30 p.m.

The screening will take place at the Diocesan Center’s Haik and Alice
Kavookjian Auditorium (630 Second Avenue, at 35th Street, in New York
City). A Q&A with writer, actor, and producer Michael Poghosian will
follow the screening.

Tickets are $20, and may be purchased in advance or at the door. Click
here
()
to view a flyer for more information.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
ACYOA Juniors Retreat
A retreat participant shows off an arts and crafts project (file
photo).

** ACYOA Juniors Retreats to Begin in January
————————————————————

The 2013 ACYOA Juniors Retreat Series will begin in January. To
receive a registration packet for the upcoming retreats listed below,
contact your parish priest or youth advisor, or e-mail Jennifer
Morris, the Diocese’s Youth Outreach coordinator, at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Texas ACYOA Juniors Evening Program
St. Kevork Church, Houston, TX
Saturday, January 26

Western Florida Retreat
St. Hagop Church, St. Petersburg, FL
Saturday, February 2 – Sunday, February 3

New England Regional Retreat
St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center, Contoocook, NH
Friday, February 22 – Sunday, February 24

New York, New Jersey, and Mid-Atlantic Regional Retreat
Don Bosco and Marian Shrine Retreat Center, Stony Point, NY
Friday, March 1 – Sunday, March 3

Michigan/Ohio Regional Retreat
Camp Wise, Chardon, OH
Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10

Wisconsin/Illinois Regional Retreat
Camp Hickory, Ingleside, IL
Friday, March 15 – Sunday, March 17

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 686-0710 | Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web:

CREATION OF FREE ECONOMIC ZONE FOR JEWELRY DISCUSSED IN ARMENIA

12:28, 27 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. The creation of free economic zone
for jewelry is under discussion in Armenia. Also negotiations regarding
the creation of the free economic zone in the territory of “Zvartnots”
Airport are underway. The Head of Foreign Investment Policy Department
of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Lalayan
stated this in a conversation with “Armenpress”. According to him
territories of a number of organizations have already become free
economic zones. Vahagn Lalayan stated: “The creation of new free
economic zones in the territory of the Republic of Armenia is rather
possible. It depends upon the developments and priorities of the
Armenian economy.”

The creation of free economic zones mainly targets to increase
import via the involvement of the foreign investors, creation of
new vacancies, and stabile economic development. Those organizations
acting within free economic zones are free of prophet tax, value added
tax, corporative income tax, property tax and others. The sphere of
scientific technologies is also of a certain importance. Corresponding
legal field has been created to provide activity of the free economic
zones.

15 000 PERSONNES ONT ACQUIS EN 2012 DE LA DOUBLE-NATIONALITE EN ARMENIE
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
jeudi 27 decembre 2012

Le 26 decembre Hranouch Hagopian la Ministre de la Diaspora s’est
rendue a l’Universite Khatchadour Apovian d’Erevan pour y rencontrer
les etudiants qui se preparent a integrer l’education nationale. Lors
de son discours H. Hagopian a insiste sur l’importance des relations
entre l’Armenie et la diaspora armenienne. ” Rien qu’en 2012 nous
avons accorde la double-nationalite a près de 15 000 personnes ”
dit la ministre. La presque quasi-totalite de ces citoyens qui ont
acquis la nationalite armenienne etant precisons-le des Armeniens de
la diaspora. Evoquant le programme ” Ari Doune ” (Viens a la Maison),
Hranouche Hagopian a affirme qu’au cours des quatre dernières annees
près de 3 000 jeunes garcons et filles de la diaspora sont venus
en Armenie passer leurs vacances dans des familles armeniennes et
visiter le pays. Elle a par ailleurs insiste sur le rôle essentiel de
” l’education armenienne ” de ces jeunes de la diaspora pour maintenir
leur lien avec l’Armenie.

jeudi 27 decembre 2012, Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

LA CAMPAGNE CONTRE LES FABRICANTS DE FROMAGE D’ARMENIE EST UNE COMPOSANTE PRE-ELECTORALE
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 27 decembre 2012

Le president de l’union des Fabricants de Fromage d’Armenie Armen
Gigoyan a declare que ” la campagne ” du Service d’Etat pour la
Securite Alimentaire contre les producteurs locaux de fromage n’est
rien d’autre qu’une partie du ” show pre-election “.

Environ 59 entreprises de production de fromage en Armenie sont
obligees de payer 10,4 millions de drams de penalites administratives
au Service d’Etat pour la Securite Alimentaire après une inspection
conduite en septembre et octobre montrant quelques violations de
la securite.

” Pendant les 2 ou 3 dernières annees le gouvernement a continue
a contrôler notre sphère et presque toujours les resultats se sont
avères etre negatifs. Ils ne se sont pas encore rendu compte qu’il
est impossible d’ameliorer la sphère par des inspections d’audit et
du fisc. Ce n’est pas serieux d’organiser un tel show pre-election
” a dit M.Gigoyan lors d’une conference de presse a Erevan.

Selon l’Union des Fabricants de Fromage d’Armenie, il y a presque 70
entreprises de fromage dans la republique.

jeudi 27 decembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com