Author: Babajanian Karo

ASHOT MANUCHARYAN: FORCES OBJECTIVELY INTERESTED IN FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN ARMENIA ARE NOT RUNNING FOR PARLIAMENT, UNFORTUNATELY

arminfo
Thursday, March 22, 17:21

Forces objectively interested in fundamental changes in Armenia are not
running for the parliament, unfortunately, for some objective reasons,
Ashot Manucharyan, the former member of the Karabakh Committee,
ex-advisor of the Armenian president for national security, told
media on March 22.

He said that in the light of predominance of the oligarchic system
that is feed and supported by external supranational forces, it would
be naive relying on elections as a method to liquidate that system.

“The system remains, decorations change. The fate of political forces
in Armenia is in the hands of those very supranational forces. No
matter whether they are Russian, American or Europeans. All them are
part of the general consumptive system with a psychology of locust.

And they want to establish and strengthen this gradually vanishing
system in Armenia,” he said.

The way out of the given situation, he said, is change of the system
of values inside everyone. “All our problems emerge from the fact
that we protest not against existence of oligarchs, but because we
are not in the place on those oligarchs,” Manucharyan said.

“If at least one of the parties running for the parliament included
the people fighting oligarchy in the Mashtots Park in their tickets,
we could speak of evolution of the institute of elections. While the
names in the party tickets show that the given corrupt system will
further exist,” the politician said.

ARMENIA’S THE RULE OF LAW PARTY PRESENTS ITS ELECTORAL LIST TO THE CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 22, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. The Rule of Law Party has submitted
its proportional list to the Central Election Commission. Meruzhan
Sargsyan, member of the party who submitted the list said that the
list is topped by leader of the party Arthur Baghdasaryan. The list
consists of 173 members.

PRESS RELEASE
ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
CONTACT: Patil Halajian
Tel: 416-250-9807
Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: [email protected]

DATE: March 19, 2012

Ragip Zarakolu, Human Rights Champion, and Zoryan Institute Collaborate in
Turkish Publication of German Foreign Office Archives

Toronto-Ragip Zarakolu, a publisher in Istanbul and a renowned champion of
human rights, has collaborated with the Zoryan Institute to lay one more
building block on the foundation of a common body of knowledge for Turks and
Armenians. Zarakolu, despite being in jail since October 2011 allegedly in
connection with the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) trials, has not
stopped his efforts to bring out the historical truth about the “events of
1915” and thereafter.

On January 12, 2012, Belge Yayýnlarý, Zarakolu’s publishing house, released
Alman Belgeleri Ermeni Soykýmý 1915-16: Alman Dýþiþleri Bakanlýðý Siaysi
Arþiv Belgeleri, the Turkish edition of The Armenian Genocide 1915-16:
Documents from the Political Archives of the German Foreign Office, compiled
and edited by Wolfgang Gust and published originally in Germany. The
original book was the product of some ten years of devoted research, editing
and translating overseen by Wolfgang and Sigrid Gust. It is an extensive
selection of some 218 telegrams, letters and reports from German consular
officials in the Ottoman Empire to the Foreign Office in Berlin describing
the unfolding genocide of the Armenians.

In December 1915, as a response to the criticism and outrage of German
officials in the field over the inhuman treatment of the Armenians, German
Chancellor and Foreign Minister Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg wrote this:
“The proposed public reprimand of an ally in the course of a war would be an
act which is unprecedented in history. Our only aim is to keep Turkey on our
side until the end of the war, no matter whether as a result Armenians do
perish or not.” Imperial Germany was the political and military ally of the
Ottoman Empire. The candor in these documents was possible because they were
marked “confidential,” “very confidential,” or “secret” and “very secret,”
being intended only for in-house use and never for public consumption.
During World War I, only German diplomats and military officials could enter
areas in which the genocide took place relatively unhindered and were able
to send uncensored reports out of the country. Apart from the Americans, who
remained neutral in the war until April 6, 1917, German diplomats and their
informants from the charitable missions or from among the employees of the
Baghdad Railway were the most important non-Armenian eyewitnesses of the
Genocide.

It is ironic to read the report of February 24, 1913, from Ambassador in
Constantinople (Wangenheim) to the Imperial Chancellor (Bethmann-Hollweg)
stating, “Here in Germany, we have become accustomed to viewing the
periodically repeated Armenian massacres as being merely a natural reaction
to the Armenian businessmen’s system of draining others dry. The Armenians
were called the Jews of the Orient, and people forgot that in Anatolia there
is also a strong tribe of Armenian farmers which has all the good
characteristics of a healthy rural population and whose entire wrongdoing
consists of doggedly defending its religion, its language and its property
against the foreign peoples surrounding it.”

This new book is part of the long-term project, “Creating a Common Body of
Knowledge.” There is a need in Turkey at this time for authoritative
information on its suppressed history. The Zoryan Institute seeks to help
provide information to fill this need through systematic scholarly research,
the publication of incontestable information on the Armenian Genocide in
Turkish and other languages, and the distribution of it widely in Turkey and
other countries. Other documentary and analytical publications commissioned
by the Zoryan Institute as part of the “Common Body of Knowledge” include
Hitler and the Armenian Genocide (Belge Publishers) and Judgment at Istanbul
(Bilgi University Press).

The translation into Turkish and publication of the German documents was
very challenging and took seven years. Dealing with the diplomatic German
language and Sütterlin script of the World War I era was particularly
difficult, and the text of the forthcoming English language edition was
helpful in clarifying many passages.

Ragip Zarakolu has been persecuted by the Turkish state for many years for
his public positions on freedom of speech, human rights, and the rights of
Turkey’s minorities. Outside Turkey, he has given lectures and participated
in conferences-including in April 2010 in São Paulo, Brazil at a conference
co-organized by Zoryan-and is highly respected by academic and human rights
organizations. Among his honors, he received the NOVIB/PEN Free Expression
Award in 2003 and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by members of the
Swedish Parliament in February 2012. As a result of his persecution and many
court indictments, he has been officially adopted by PEN.

Commenting on the philosophy behind the “Common Body of Knowledge” project,
K.M. Greg Sarkissian, president of the Zoryan Institute stated, “History is
a stumbling block for peace and stability in the region. True peace can be
achieved only if the nations in the region can talk to each other openly
about their past. Therefore, we see education through the Common Body of
Knowledge as one of the best ways to alleviate the tension between Turks and
Armenians, because it provides a basis of shared knowledge that can counter
generations of hostility and lead to mutual understanding and dialogue.”

The Zoryan Institute is the parent organization of the International
Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, which runs an annual
university program on the subject in partnership with the University of
Toronto, and is co-publisher of Genocide Studies and Prevention: An
International Journal in partnership with the International Association of
Genocide Scholars and the University of Toronto Press. It is the first
non-profit, international center devoted to the research and documentation
of contemporary issues with a focus on Genocide, Diaspora and Armenia. For
more information please contact the Zoryan Institute by email
[email protected] or telephone 416-250-9807.

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
22, 2012

Sunday of the 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 25, 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.
[4]
Click here to learn more about Lent in the Armenian Church.
Links:
4.

Pilgrimage to Anatolia
Participants will have the opportunity to take part in the celebration
of the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Church on the island of Aghtamar

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia

The Eastern Diocese will make a pilgrimage to historic Armenia, from
September 5 to 19.

Participants will have the opportunity to take part in the celebration
of the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Church on the island of Aghtamar
and prayer services at the recently consecrated St. Giragos Armenian
Church of Dikranagerd and the St. Gregory Church in Kayseri.

The pilgrimage also includes visits to Armenia’s magnificent former
capital of Ani and tours of other parts of historic Armenia-Arabkir,
Kars, Aintab, and Malatya, among other cities and villages. The
journey
will include a stop in Istanbul, where pilgrims will visit the
Armenian
Patriarchate.

[5]Click here to view a flyer for more information.
Links:
5.

Primate to visit New England

Primate to Visit New Britain, CT

On Sunday, March 25, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate,
will visit the Church of the Holy Resurrection of New Britain, CT,
where he will preside over the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and
deliver the day’s sermon. The Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, pastor of
Holy Resurrection Church, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy.

Following services, the parish Women’s Guild will host a Lenten
luncheon during which members of the Boyajian family will offer
reflections on lay ministry. For more information, call the church at
(860) 223-7875.

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

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

25 March: Sunday of the Advent

CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Pope Shenouda
His Holiness Shenouda III (1923-2012).

In Memoriam: His Holiness Shenouda III (1923-2012)

With great sorrow, the Eastern Diocese learned of the passing of His
Holiness Shenouda III, pontiff of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and an
inspirational figure who led his people for four decades, on Saturday,
March 17.

`Pope Shenouda led a period of revival for the Coptic Church, during
which he emerged as a true father of his people,’ wrote Archbishop
Barsamian in a letter to the leader of the Coptic Church in North
America, Bishop David. `His flock was able to advance even in the
face
of difficult external circumstances; and when in recent days the
situation took a more painful turn, it was Pope Shenouda who,
fortified
with the power of the Holy Spirit, motivated his spiritual children
to
practice their Christian faith with even greater conviction and
courage.’

In response to the news of Pope Shenouda’s passing, His Holiness
Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
expressed his condolences in a letter to the holy synod of the Coptic
Orthodox Church. On Tuesday, March 20, at Catholicos Karekin’s
direction, a delegation of Armenian clergy attended Pope Shenouda’s
funeral at the 4th-century St. Bishoy Monastery in Egypt. A requiem
service was held at Holy Etchmiadzin on March 21.

In the Eastern Diocese, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, has
directed parishes to remember His Holiness Shenouda III through a
hokehankisd service on Sunday, March 25. Also on Sunday, Archbishop
Yeghishe Gizirian and the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan
Vicar, will represent the Diocese at a memorial service at St. Mary
Coptic Orthodox Church in East Brunswick, NJ.

We join our Coptic brothers and sisters to express our sorrow that the
Christian world has lost a humble and godly leader.

DIOCESAN NEWS

Minister of Defence visits Diocese
Archbishop Barsamian presents Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan with a
gold cross.

Armenia’s Minister of Defense Visits Diocese

On Wednesday, March 21, Armenia’s Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan
visited the headquarters of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America in New York. He was welcomed by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate, who led him and his delegation on a tour of St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral.

In the sanctuary, Mr. Ohanyan and his wife Ruzanna lit a candle and
joined the Primate and cathedral dean, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian,
in reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

The delegation included Deputy Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan;
Ambassador Garen Nazarian, the Permanent Representative of the
Republic
of Armenia to the United Nations, and his wife Nana; and Colonel
Mesrop
Nazarian, Armenia’s Defense Attaché in Washington.

In the Diocese’s reception hall, the guests were welcomed by about 25
leaders of the Eastern Diocese. Among these were Diocesan Council
members Oscar Tatosian, Dr. Raffy Hovanessian, and Papken Megerian;
Dr.
Edgar Housepian and Dr. John Nercessian of the Fund for Armenian
Relief, and FAR’s executive director Garnik Nanagoulian.

Click to [6]read more and to [7]view photos.
Links:
6.
7.

New England Clergy Retreat
Clergy who took part in this week’s Lenten retreat in West Hartford,
CT.

Clergy Retreat Held in Connecticut

Clergy from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Florida, and
Texas gathered this week for a three-day Lenten retreat at the Holy
Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT.

The program began on Monday, March 19, with Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, presiding. Themed `Follow Me,’ the
retreat
explored Christ’s call through Bible study and group discussions
facilitated by the clergy, as well as spiritual reflections offered at
the various prayer services.

The retreat was organized by Diocesan Vicar, the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon
Odabashian. A similar retreat is scheduled for the Mid-Atlantic region
next week.

Acolyte ordinatons at St. Vartan Cathedral
Archbishop Barsamian ordains Levon Asdourian and Arman Uzunyan to the
rank of acolyte.

Two Seminarians Ordained Acolytes Last Sunday

On Sunday, March 18, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
ordained two seminarians to the rank of acolyte at St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral. Levon Asdourian and Arman Uzunyan, students of St. Nersess
Armenian Seminary, were made `tbirs’ by the hand of the Primate.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian,
cathedral dean. The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean of
St. Nersess
Seminary, offered the day’s sermon.

ACEF meeting at the Diocesan Center
ACEF board members at a meeting at the Diocesan Center last week.

ACEF Board Reviews Investment Goals and Policies

The Board of Directors of the Armenian Church Endowment Fund (ACEF)
met
at the Diocesan Center on Friday, March 16, with Diocesan Primate
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presiding.

Board members elected Alyssa Keleshian Bonomo as secretary and
re-elected Charles Simonian to a second three-year term. The board
also
approved the 2012 budget and a distribution of approximately
$3,186,000
to its beneficiaries.

Given the volatile market conditions of the past few years, the
meeting
focused on reviewing ACEF investment goals and policies. ACEF will
review its Target Investment Allocation and make appropriate changes
based on current market trends; it will also review peer institutions
in order to achieve its distribution policy of 4.5 percent for the
immediate future.

Saintly Women’s Day marked across Diocese
Snapshots of this month’s Saintly Women’s Day commemorations.

Saintly Women’s Day Observed Across Diocese

Women’s Guild chapters throughout the Eastern Diocese observed Saintly
Women’s Day on Saturday, March 10, with special services and programs
commemorating the lives of Mary and Martha-the sisters of Lazarus who
have become enduring symbols of discipleship.

Regional commemorations were hosted by the Church of the Holy Martyrs
in Bayside, NY; St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church in Wynnewood, PA; Sts.
Joachim and Anne Church in Palos Heights, IL; Armenian Church at Hye
Pointe in Haverhill, MA; and St. Paul Church in Syracuse, NY.

At each of the gatherings, the participants discussed how the lives of
women saints can inform present-day life in the Armenian Church. Click
to [8]read more and to [9]view photos.
Links:
8.
9.

FAR
Symposium participants during a lecture at the National Medical
Library
in Yerevan.

FAR Hosts Symposium on Geriatric Medicine in Armenia

The Fund for Armenian Relief organized a symposium on geriatric
medicine at the National Medical Library in Yerevan this month. The
symposium was attended by doctors participating in FAR’s Continuing
Medical Education program.

Speakers included Birthright Armenia volunteer Natalie Abrahamian, who
is currently volunteering with FAR’s medical programs, and Dr. Ruben
Hovhannisyan, a professor from Armenia’s National Institute of Health
and the editor-in-chief of the FAR-sponsored Armenian Medical Review
Journal.

The symposium was also broadcast live via Skype at the Ijevan Medical
Center in northeastern Armenia. The broadcast is part of an initiative
to make lectures accessible by medical centers throughout the country.
[10]
Click here to visit FAR’s blog and to read more.
Links:
10.

SMC
Dn. Rubik Mailian leads a session on Divine Liturgy hymns for junior
choir members.

Sacred Music Council Leads Workshops in Midwest

Dn. Rubik Mailian, chair of the Sacred Music Council, conducted choir
workshops in the Midwest last weekend.

On Friday evening, March 16, he met with junior choir members from
Chicago and Wisconsin parishes at the St. George Church of Waukegan,
IL, where he led a two-hour workshop on singing the hymns of the
Divine
Liturgy.

The next morning Dn. Mailian worked with the choir members of St. John
the Baptist Church of Greenfield, WI; Holy Resurrection Church of
South
Milwaukee, WI; and St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI. He emphasized
ensemble skills and reviewed the meaning of the text of the Divine
Liturgy.

Later on Saturday afternoon, Dn. Mailian met with the Chicago area
church choirs at St. James Church in Evanston, IL. After reviewing the
hymns of the Divine Liturgy and the variables for Easter Sunday, Dn.
Mailian introduced the Greek and Russian versions of the `Krisdos
haryav ee merelotz’ hymn. The hymn will be sung in Greek and Russian
during an upcoming ecumenical gathering in Chicago.

Leadership meeting

Leadership Meeting to be Held at Diocese on Saturday

Representatives of the Diocesan organizations, St. Nersess Seminary,
and the Diocesan administration and staff will gather on Saturday,
March 24, for a day-long meeting to discuss the Diocese’s mission and
to begin planning new initiatives for the Diocese and its local
parishes.

The Leadership Meeting is being organized by the Diocesan Council, and
will convene under the presidency of the Primate, Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian. In a letter to the participants, the Primate called the
meeting an opportunity `to come together in a spirit of common
aspiration, to examine the mission of our church, and strategize about
its future.’

The gathering will take place at the Diocesan Center in New York.

Video

Lenten Video Series Continues

On our [11]website homepage and [12]YouTube channel, the Eastern
Diocese is offering a series of brief online videos on Great Lent.
Links:
11.
12.

For this week’s edition, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral, speaks about the Lenten sanctuary. Previous
videos have included a primer on Armenian Church fasting traditions
with the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, and a reflection on the
significance of the 40-day period Christ spent in the wilderness
following his baptism by Diocesan communications director Christopher
Zakian.

PARISH NEWS

Fr. Tateos visits Atlanta Mission Parish
Newly elected Parish Council members with Fr. Tateos Abdalian. From
left: Mari Avedissian, Lena Murad, Vera Nercessian, Murat Corluyan,
Vatche Terzian, John Nercessian, and Laura Stuart.

Atlanta Mission Parish Focuses on Building Community

The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s director of Mission
Parishes, visited the Armenian Church of Atlanta mission parish on
March 16-18. Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, he met
with parishioners to begin implementing a strategic plan developed
last
month during meetings with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan
Primate, and other Diocesan representatives.

The plan calls for the establishment of a school to teach the Armenian
faith and cultural traditions to young parishioners, choir development
opportunities and meetings with the Diocesan Scared Music Council, the
creation of a schedule of monthly home visits, and the establishment
of
a Bible study and ACYOA Seniors groups.

During last weekend’s visit, Fr. Abdalian met with choir members to
practice Easter hymns and conducted a Bible study session for adults.
He also met with young people to begin developing a local ACYOA
chapter.

Also last weekend, the parish held its annual assembly to elect a new
Parish Council and to approve a budget for the coming year.

St. James youth outreach
Sunday School students make Easter baskets for a local food pantry.

Watertown, MA, Sunday School Students Give Back

On Sunday, March 18, the Sunday School of St. James Church of
Watertown, MA, took part in `Service Sunday’-an annual tradition where
students bring in donated supplies and spend the day assembling the
items for local charities.

This year students made 72 Easter baskets for a local food pantry. The
baskets were filled with candy and gifts, and included a special
message from the parish. The children also made boxed lunches and
collected socks, soap, towels, and other essentials for a Boston
homeless shelter.

Fourth graders participated in a special session with the Rev. Fr.
Arakel Aljalian, parish pastor, during which they learned how to make
nshkhar (the bread used in Holy Communion). Fr. Aljalian blessed the
nshkhars and distributed them to the students to take home.

[13]Click here to view photos of `Service Sunday.’
Links:
13.

EVENTS

Sacred Music at St. Vartan Cathedral

Sacred Music at the Cathedral

`An Evening of Worship, Scripture, and Sacred Music’ will be held at
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Saturday, March 24, beginning with a
Vespers Service at 7 p.m.

The program will include hymns from the Sunrise, Peace, and Rest
services of the Armenian Church. The hymns will be sung by the St.
Vartan Cathedral Choir under the direction of Maestro Khoren
Mekanejian.

[14]Click here to view a flyer for more information.
Links:
14.

Art at the Cathedral

Easter Art Exhibit at the Diocese

New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is pleased to announce that a
special art exhibit will be on display in the Diocesan Complex as part
of the upcoming observance of Easter Eve and Easter Sunday on April 7
and 8, 2012.

Behold, All Things Have Become New: Armenian Artists Celebrate Easter
is an exhibition of works by prominent Yerevan-based painters as well
as by prolific Armenian artists based in America. Curator for the
exhibit is Vasken Kalayjian, renowned graphic designer and artist.

Behold, All Things Have Become New will be on display in Guild Hall
and
Yerevan Hall of the St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral complex (630
Second
Avenue, New York City).

[15]Click here to view a flyer for more information.
Links:
15.

YOUTH NEWS

ACYOA-FAR internship

Intern at the FAR Children’s Center in Armenia

The ACYOA Central Council is offering young people ages 20 and older a
unique hands-on learning experience: a 10-week internship opportunity
at the FAR Children’s Support Center in Yerevan, Armenia, from May 29
to August 8.

Interns will work with a professional staff under the guidance and
direction of Dr. Mira Antonyan, the executive director of the
Children’s Center and Armenia’s leading expert in child protection.
They will become familiar not only with the activities of the center,
but also with other relevant child and family protection services and
structures.

Applications for the program are due by April 20. Click to
[16]download
a flyer and an [17]application form.
Links:
16.
17.

St. Nersess Summer conferences
St. Nersess Summer Conferences participants visit the elderly.

If it’s Summer, it Must be St. Nersess

Applications for the St. Nersess Summer Conferences for young people
are now available online. Five conferences are scheduled, each of
which
will include daily worship, Bible Study, and Armenian language
instruction.

Special topics to be explored this year include: `How to Pray,’ `God’s
Plan for You and Me,’ `Growing in Faith through the Badarak,’ `Loving
as Christ Loved,’ `Dating and Intimacy,’ and `Is Forgiveness Possible
for Those Who Commit Genocide?’

The conferences will be preceded by a Deacons Training Program on June
25-July 3. [18]Click here to download a brochure and an application
form.
Links:
18.

ACYOA Juniors retreats continue
Fr. Hovnan Demerjian speaks to ACYOA Juniors about the baptism
service.

ACYOA Juniors Retreats Underway

The fourth ACYOA Juniors retreat of the season took place last weekend
at St. Hagop Church in Pinellas Park, FL. The retreat sessions focused
on this year’s Diocesan theme of `Vocations: The Call to
Serve-Ministry
of the Faithful,’ and participants were encouraged to explore how
each
of them can share his or her God-given talents for the benefit of
others.

Jennifer Morris, the Diocese’s Youth Outreach coordinator, worked with
Yn. Anna Demerjian to prepare for the retreat. The Rev. Fr. Hovnan
Demerjian, parish pastor, served as the retreat chaplain and led two
of
the sessions.

In addition to Bible studies and educational sessions, participants
enjoyed time for outdoor games and activities, including a traditional
campfire gathering which showcased their musical talents. On Sunday
morning, the ACYOA Juniors took part in the celebration of the Divine
Liturgy and enjoyed a Lenten lunch hosted by the parish Women’s Guild.

[19]Click here to view photos from the Florida retreat.
Links:
19.

Below is a schedule of upcoming retreats. To register, contact your
parish pastor or youth minister, or e-mail Jennifer Morris at
[20][email protected].
Links:
20. mailto:[email protected]

April 13-15: New York, New Jersey, and the Mid-Atlantic (Stony Point,
NY)
April 21-22: Texas (Dallas, TX)

LEADER OF HERITAGE PARTY FULFILLS NOT A FOREIGN ORDER BUT AN ORDER OF CONSCIENCE

arminfo
Friday, March 23, 15:42

The joint proportional list of the Heritage party and Free Democrats
party is not a result of the political order or any foreign project,
the leader of the Heritage party, Raffi Hovannisian, said at today’s
press-conference.

“Since publication of our list many people have started watching it
like an order or project. Yes, we really have a goal and belief. We
have been fighting for justice and the future of the country. Yes,
we have got an order, but this is an order of conscience and honor
of our party”, – he said.

He also assured that the proportional list was made on the basis of
voting, it is not the list made by him. If Hovannisian himself made
the list, he would be the 21-st in it. In this context, Hovannisian
welcomes the decision of Karine Hakopyan to leave the party, though
it was rash. “I am happy that Hakopyan understood she may become a
good public activist, but not politician, and I admit her point of
view and criticism which is for the benefit of the party”, – he said.

To note, after publication of the joint list of the Heritage and Free
Democrats parties, secretary of the Heritage board Karine Hakopyan
decided to leave the party as she does not agree to the political
course of the party.

REPUBLICAN PARTY’S LIST DISAPPOINTING – EXPERT

Tert.am
23.03.12

The Republican Party’s list of candidates looks disappointing to many
people. according to Karen Kocharyan, a political analyst.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, the expert said the major problem
in the list is observed after the fifteenth candidate.

“I don’t think this list justifies the statements calling to rejuvenate
the parliament, rule out the election of oligarchs and ensure the
presence of people capable of at least making out the letters,”
he said.

Kocharyan added that the RPA does not benefit from enrolling
representatives of other parties in its list. He said such policies
abase the ruling party.

Alexander Markarov, a political analyst also attending the news
conference, said any party seeks to gain a maximum number votes in
elections, and the principles behind the candidates’ list are based
upon a similar logic.

ARMENIAN FM, FRENCH AMBASSADOR REITERATE POSITIVE DYNAMICS OF DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN- FRENCH RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 23, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS. On the occasion of 20th anniversary
of establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and France
Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian visited March 23 French
embassy to Armenia where he and French ambassador to Armenia met
with the French-speaking students of the Armenian universities. At
the meeting Armenian minister stated that the French-Armenian
relations are based on ancient-long traditions established between
the Armenian and French people and during the past 20 years it has
been succeeded to give new dynamics to the relations, establish
high level political dialogue, form firm legal-contractual basis,
establish close relations between the parliaments of the two countries,
sign extended decentralized cooperation and partnership agreements
between 30 provinces and towns. The minister noted that 155 French
companies are acting in Armenia. With the volume of its investments
in Armenia”s economy France is the second. “The high level of 20-year
long relations has been symbolized by the reciprocal visits of the
Presidents of Armenia and France,” Minister Nalbandian said.

French ambassador to Armenia in his turn pointed out that the warm
Armenian-French relations are as sensitive just as reasonable and
Armenia is one of the unique countries which has a peculiar place in
France”s society.

During the meeting Henry Reynaud and Edward Nalbandian answered the
questions the students were interesting in.

In response to one of the questions Minister Nalbandian said France
is the country that had and has important role in the Artsakh conflict
settlement issue, France is the country that gave shelter to thousands
of Armenians who survived during the Armenian Genocide. “France
was among the first to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide,”
the minister said.

ANC REP SURE OF VICTORY IN ARMENIA PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Tert.am
23.03.12

Gagik Jhangiryan, a member of the opposition Armenian National Congress
(ANC), is sure that the ANC will gain an overwhelming majority in
Armenia’s parliament provided free and fair elections are held on
May 6.

As to the reasons for his not running for parliament from a
single-member constituency, Jhangiryan said: “I have never said I
am going to run for parliament in a single-member constituency. My
brother is running for parliament.”

Arman Musinyan, Spokesman for ANC Chairman Levon Ter-Petrosyan,
stressed that the ANC has not nominated its candidates in all the
41 constituencies. “We have candidates in 38 election districts,
a minor deviation from our previous statement. I think voters will
forgive us,” he said.

FICTION?: ARMY PURSUES AUTHOR AS ARMENIA CELEBRATES ITS STATUS AS “WORLD BOOK CAPITAL”
By Gayane Lazarian

ArmeniaNow
23.03.12 | 15:24

NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow

The author of a book that is said to defame the Armenian Army has been
charged with dissemination of pornographic material and his book,
“Demob Day”, has been removed from some bookstore shelves following
pressure from the Military Police.

Author Hovhannes Ishkhanyan, 24, a computer programmer and former
army conscript, published the book in only 300 copies, about 120 of
which have been sold.

Enlarge Photo “Demob Day” He says he wrote the book in part before
his army experience and completed it after his service and that the
language in the book – while fictional – is based on his experience.

“There is a problem of esthetics here. I have used the real language
which exists in the army, which has caused shock among officials. Had I
written it in nice words, they would not have complained,” Ishkhanyan
says.

Nonetheless Military Police attorney Anahit Yesayan says Ishkhanyan’s
work of fiction distorts truth, defames the military, defends the
state religion of Armenia and Armenian mothers.

Two bookstores in Yerevan have removed the ‘Demob Day’ from sale;
Artbridge cafe/bookstore did not. Director of Bureaucrat bookshop
refused to explain why the book was removed from his shelves, even
though his shop hosted a presentation of the book when it came out
last May.

A Bureaucrat shop assistant who didn’t not want to be named, said
the store was warned by Military Police to remove the book and that
the shop received a follow-up visit from police to make sure it was
not for sale there.

“A private economic entity has the right to choose the products which
are for sale in its shop. I am not against this style of business,”
Ishkhanyan says. “I am against that they impose censorship, and they
do not care what fortune the book will have.”

Helsinki Committee of Armenia attorney Robert Revazyan is surprised
that the Military Police got involved over a piece of fiction.

“It is not important that the fictions are about the army. This is a
piece of literature, where no real characters are represented. They
[the Military Police]were simply offended and try to get revenge,”
Revazyan says.

Samvel Lazarian, editor and translator of ‘Foreign Literature’
literary magazine, believes that Ishkhanyan has presented the reality
surrealistically.

“The force institution has no right to interpose in literature,
in case when murders are committed in its army almost every day,
and almost none of them is being revealed,” he says.

The Military Police report that they have turned to the Ministry
of Culture asking for an expert opinion to find out whether or not
the texts in the book are pornographic. The case materials are sent
to the Central Military Prosecution Office of Armenia to decide the
further actions to be taken related to the book and its author.

Ishkhanyan says that his fictions are not realistic works, they are
absurd and one can never come across such things in life.

In the ‘Military March’ fiction the author described the march of
dead soldiers in the parade ground. The soldiers lug their military
identification cards fastened with thread.

“I remember myself only in the present and I remember all my experience
in the army. I wake up every morning hearing someone’s crying. I wake
up and see that someone, huddled himself up, is sitting on my bed and
crying. When I saw his face I realized that it was me. I asked why
I was crying and I answered that I cry because I serve in the army,”
tells the main character of the book.

Another character of the ‘Demob Day’ is walking along the parade
ground with a throat in his hand, “Was it my fault that I was serving
with people like me, who had said that my throat was golden? Was it my
fault that zampolit (deputy commander in charge of policy) Hovakimyan
catches those things which smell of money, and was it my fault that
zampolit Hovakimyan was so stupid that he did not know that a human
being’s throat cannot be golden? He looked at me greedily, raised
his hand from my shoulder, caught my neck and tore off my throat. I
fell down and died, and he [Hovakimyan] examined the throat and did
not find what he was looking for inside it, so he spat at me and left.”

And in the fiction, according to the preliminary investigation,
here the soldier attacked the officer.

Writer Hovik Chakhchyan says that literature must undergo no
censorship; it is the free expression of mind.

“Here classically only half a step is left to reach censorship. A
book is not a document or a protocol; this is simply a piece of
literature the characters of which can be fictitious. If they [the
Military Police] have found some common features and similarities it
does not mean that they can pursue someone [the author of the book],”
Charkhchyan says.

Ishkhanyan is being pursued under the Article 263 of the Criminal Code
of Armenia (Illegal dissemination of pornographic materials or items).

Those who are charged with this crime are “punished with a fine or
with arrest for the term of up to two months, or with imprisonment
for the term of up to two years.”

The literature circles of Armenia are united to defend the young
writer; his supporters have a page on Facebook. Ishkhanyan has turned
to the Ombudsman of Armenia.

“Personally I am against any bad language or vulgarism in literature;
however I leave all this alone and speak merely about a piece of
literature. Shame on our country, which is going to celebrate the world
book capital day soon, however a writer is being pursued in the same
country, and restrictions are imposed on literature,” Charkhchyan says.

SARGSYAN’S WORD TO KOCHARYAN
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:58:39 – 21/03/2012

Attending the ceremony dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the
Orinats Yerkir Party (Rule of Law), Serzh Sargsyan stated that OYP
policy is moral.

Was Serzh Sargsyan unable to find an indicator of morality other than
OYP the vice-president of which stated prior to the 2008 that if Serzh
Sargsyan is elected president in the first round, the election can be
considered fraudulent. Sargsyan was officially elected president in
the first round. After numerous statements that the elections were
rigged, the OYP finally supported Serzh Sargsyan. Is this force an
indicator of morality for Serzh Sargsyan?

We can remember other expressions of the OYP morality but in this sense
the OYP is not unique in Armenia. For instance, the Republican list
is not a bad indicator of morality either which hosts people who used
to shout abuse at one other in every possible way just a few years ago.

Serzh Sargsyan’s assessment through is intended to hit another target.

Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan’s brother-in-arms and friend in
politics, once alleged the OYP president for high treason after the
latter had had a meeting with a British diplomat. In other words,
Robert Kocharyan accused the OYP and its president of immorality.

Now, dwelling on the OYP morality, Serzh Sargsyan perhaps hints or
shows that the immoral force, as Kocharyan described it, is part of
the government and is considered and declared a moral and reliable
force, while Robert Kocharyan can have no place in government.

It is not accidental that Serzh Sargsyan made this speech after the
press had reported about a meeting of Robert Kocharyan and Vladimir
Putin. Apparently, underlining the OYP’s role in the government,
Serzh Sargsyan tries to show, after meeting with Putin, that Robert
Kocharyan’s attempts to rely on Moscow to return to the government
are useless.

Maybe Serzh Sargsyan uses this chance to highlight that if what
the OYP said was treason, Robert Kocharyan’s meetings in Moscow are
also treason.

Perhaps, this was the message of Serzh Sargsyan’s speech at the OYP
congress. Most probably, Serzh Sargsyan keeps the OYP in the government
for this purpose.