Author: Badalian Vardan

GREEK CYPRUS CRIMINALIZES DENIAL OF ALLEGED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
April 2 2015

Greek Cyprus on Thursday made it a crime to deny claims that Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire were victims of a genocide campaign a century
ago, a move likely to rile Turkey as peace talks on the ethnically
split island remain stalled.

The Greek Cypriot parliament passed a resolution penalizing denial of
genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, modifying existing
legislation, which required a prior decision by an international
court to make denial a crime.

“Today is a historic day,” said Yiannakis Omirou, the speaker of
parliament. “It allows parliament to restore, with unanimous decisions
and resolutions, historical truths.”

The east Mediterranean island, split into a Turkish Cypriot north and
a Greek Cypriot south after a Turkish military intervention in 1974
that followed a Greek-inspired coup, was in 1975 one of the first
countries in the world to recognize the Armenian claims of genocide,
commemorated annually on April 24.

Turkey accepts that many Armenians died during World War I but says
the death toll offered by the Armenians, up to 1.5 million people,
is inflated, further denying that the deaths resulted from an act
of genocide. Ankara says Turks were also killed when Armenians took
up arms in pursuit of an independent state in collaboration with the
Russian forces then invading eastern Anatolia.

Armenia, on the other hand, accuses the Ottoman authorities at the
time of systematically massacring large numbers of Armenians, then
deporting many more, including women, children, the elderly and the
infirm, in terrible conditions on so-called death marches.

The issue has long been a source of tension between Turkey and several
Western countries, especially the United States and France, both home
to large populations of the ethnic Armenian diaspora. Greek Cyprus
also has an Armenian population.

The Greek Cypriot government has been at loggerheads with Turkey for
decades. Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations have lived estranged in
the south and north, respectively, since 1974, but seeds of division
were sown earlier when a power-sharing government crumbled amid
violence in 1963.

THE LEGACY OF LOST THINGS

Kirkus Reviews (Print)
April 1, 2015, Wednesday

FICTION; General

Debut author Zilelian’s story follows a family of Armenian immigrants
struggling to adapt to the American way of life while also contending
with traditional coming-of-age conflicts. While navigating issues
of immigration and cultural assimilation, the family struggles with
its own inner dysfunction: two parents embroiled in an unhealthy
relationship, a missing daughter, and another daughter desperately
grappling with the disappearance of her sister. As more characters
become involved in the drama of finding Araxi, the family is forced
to begin communicating.

Though painful, this communication breaks open new opportunities for
growth. Told in third person, the novel shifts to a new character in
each chapter, allowing for the slowing of time and a careful view of
how each character’s life is affected by the developing plot. Concrete
details-ragged robes, chipped coffee mugs, leaky toilets, and worn,
old music boxes-bring the domestic landscape to life, offering more
than just a generic suburban family for the reader to hear, see, and
sometimes smell. Voices are unique, from the annoyed, depression-dulled
voice of the mother to the feeble, yet intelligent, voice of Sophie,
the younger daughter. Sophie’s fascination with Araxi and her sister’s
companion, Cecile, comes through in her thoughts: “She pictured them
walking alongside each other, Araxi with her long dark hair and brown
eyes, hands shoved in her pockets, and Cecile with her shoulders thrown
back, and her waist length blond hair tied in a high ponytail.” The
story shifts back and forth from the narrative of the family, aching
for information about Araxi, to the journey of Araxi and Cecile, both
of whom have run away and must face obstacles on the road, at motels,
and with one another. A lyrical description of a family’s search for
their daughter and for their humanity.

Publication Date: 2015-03-03 Publisher: BH Publications Pte Ltd.

Stage: Indie ISBN: 978-0-9905732-2-7 Price: $14.95 Author: Zilelian,
Aida

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

APRIL 2, 2015

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem

(Kovya Yeroosaghem Uzder)

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!

Christ is risen from the dead, alleluia!

To Him who is risen from the dead, alleluia!

To him that enlightened the world, alleluia!

Read the Prelate’s Easter Message, `Resurrected Life’ in Armenian
() or English
().

CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIONS

Centennial commemorations of the Armenian Genocide are taking place
throughout the world. The national observance in the United States
includes special events that will take place over a three-day period
(May 7, 8, 9) in Washington, DC, that includes an ecumenical prayer
service, a Pontifical Divine Liturgy, a memorial concert, and an
awards banquet honoring those who helped the survivors. The
Catholicoi, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will be
present to preside over the events.

For Listing of Events in Washington, DC and New York City click here
()

For more information about the national observances in Washington go
to
()

PONTIFICAL VISIT

May 10-June 4, 2015

The Pontifical Visit National Steering Committee under the presidency
of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan and chairmanship of Jack Mardoian,
Esq., has
been meeting regularly since last year to plan every detail of the
visit of His Holiness Aram I to the Eastern Prelacy. The pontifical
visit will begin on Sunday, May 10, with the conclusion of the
three-day 100th anniversary commemorations in Washington. His Holiness
will visit parishes in the Eastern Prelacy where he will be warmly
greeted by the faithful of all ages. He will connect with young adults
at seminars in New York (May 16) and Boston (May 30), and he will
visit with the youthful members of the AYF Juniors at their annual
weekend seminar on May 24 at Camp Lutherlyn in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Watch this space for weekly updates. Information about the pontifical
visit is also available on the Prelacy’s web page. To go there now
click here ().

NEW JERSEY HOSTS REGIONAL CONFERENCE

The Prelacy’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference convened last Saturday,
March 28, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey. The conference was attended by clergy, members of the boards
of trustees, and
delegates to the National Representative Assembly, as well as members
of the Prelacy’s Religious and Executive Councils.

Archbishop Oshagan addresses the participants in the Mid-Atlantic
Conference.

Archbishop Oshagan and Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian with the participants.

DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM FOR YOUTH 13-18

The 29th annual summer program for youth ages 13-18 is scheduled to be
held at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania,
from June
28-July 5, 2015. Sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), the summer program offers a unique weeklong
Christian educational program for youth. It aims to instill and
nurture the
Armenian Christian faith and identity in our youth through a variety
of educational activities, coupled with daily church services and
communal recreational activities. For information and registration,
please visit the Prelacy’s website at armenianprelacy.org/arec/datev
or contact the AREC
office at 212-689-7810 or [email protected].

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, April 5, Easter Sunday are: Acts 1:15-26;
Mark 16:2-8

Evening Gospels: Luke 24:13-36; John 20:1-18; John 5:24-30; John
19:31-37;
John 20:19-25

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd
numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, `Friends, the
scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David
foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested
Jesus-for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this
ministry.’ (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his
wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all
his bowels gushed out. This became known to all the residents of
Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama,
that is, Field of Blood.) For it is written in the book of Psalms,
`Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no one to live in
it’; and `Let another take his position of overseers.’ So one of the
men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus
went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the
day when he was taken up from us=80’one of these must become a witness
with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called
Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they
prayed and said, `Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one
of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and
apostleship from which Judas turned aside
to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell
on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:15-26)

For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().

MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY

In the Armenian tradition, the day following each of the five major
feast days, is Memorial Day, or Remembrance of the
Dead. Traditionally, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated on this day, and
afterwards the faithful visit the graves of their loved ones that are
blessed by the priest with chants and incense.

FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY

This Tuesday, April 7, is the Feast of the Annunciation to the Virgin
Mary. This feast day is always commemorated on April 7, nine months
before the birth of Christ. The Feast celebrates the announcement made
by the archangel Gabriel to Mary that she would bear the Son of God,
as foretold by the Prophet Isaiah (7:1) and as related in the Gospel
of Luke (chapter 1).

Rejoice Mary, holy Mother of God, for the Lord has come suddenly into
your
purified temple; we bless and magnify you. Rejoice closed door through
whom no one has passed except the Lord God of Israel; we bless and
magnify you. Rejoice sealed fountain of the living water giving to you
thirsting nature as drink; we bless and magnify you.

(Canon for the Annunciation to the Holy Mother of God from the
Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)

WITH OUR PARISHES AND COMMUNITY

St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown

Archbishop Oshagan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the
sermon on Palm Sunday at St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown,
Massachusetts.

Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield

Bishop Anoushavan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the
sermon on Palm Sunday at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New
Jersey.

All Saints Church, Glenview

Archpriest Fr. Zareh Sahakian, pastor of All Saints Church in
Glenview, Illinois, with altar servers and members of the Angels
Choir.

St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston

Bishop Anoushavan presided at the Remembrance of the ten virgins
service at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

Hovnanian School, New Milford

Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan, and Rev. Fr. Hovnan with the
upper grade students at the Hovnanian School in New Milford, New
Jersey, and administrators and faculty.

The children perform for their guests.

Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Emerson

Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan, and Rev. Fr. Hovnan conduct a
prayer service for the residents of the Armenian Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center in Emerson, New Jersey.

The clergymen with Andrew Torigian, chairman of the Board, and Matthew
Russo (right), administrator of the Emerson Home.

THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER

Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)

A Very Public Word

The Armenian word enthanoor (Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80) has quite a
ubiquitous meaning. It is an adjective that usually
means `general,’ as it appears in the name of various Armenian
organizations. For instance, such is the case of the Armenian General
Athletic Union (Hay Marmnagrtagan Enthanoor Miootioon, Õ=80Õ¡Õµ
Õ=84Õ¡Ö=80Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Ö=80Õ©Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Ô¸Õ¶Õ¤Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80
Õ=84Õ«Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶), usually known by its acronym Õ=80Õ=84Ô¸Õ=84
(Homenetmen).

Now, we know that the English word general comes from the Latin
generalis,
meaning `relating to all, of a whole class, generic’ (from
genus `stock, kind’). The Armenian word enthanoor has a meaning quite
close to Latin generalis, and it comes from Classical Armenian or
krapar (Yeznik Koghbatsi used it in his Refutation of the
Sects). Every Sunday, the faithful join to recite the Credo of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, written in Classical Armenian, where it is
said: `We also believe in only one, universal, and apostolic holy
Church.’ Here, the word for `universal’ is enthanragan
(Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶).

Now, the word enthanoor is actually a compound of an adverb and an
adjective: ent + hanoor (Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤ + Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80), where ent means
`together, under’ and hanoor (`all, every’). Literally, it would mean
`altogether.’
Ent is an adverb that did not enter modern usage, but hanoor has been
used
at times, and one can find it here and there, for instance in the
expression hanoor martgootioone (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80
Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ¤Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶Õ¨ `the entire humankind’).

Hanoor, composed by the prefix han, more commonly used as ham
(Õ°Õ¡Õ´), which means `all,’ and the familiar adverb oor (Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80
`where’), is particularly interesting for its many derivations. For
instance, the same as the English public (from
the Latin publicus, meaning `of the people; general’), the
Armenian language created the noun hanrootioon
(Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ `public’) and the adjective hanrayin
(Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶ `public’). Consequently, republic (from Latin res
publica `public affair, the state’) became hanrabedootioon
(Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡ÕºÕ¥Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶, which literally means `the state
of all’).

Another example is omnibus, from the same Latin word that means `for
all.’ The English word came from the French voiture omnibus
(=80=9Ccarriage for all’), which was probably the inspiration for the
Armenian version: hanragark (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¼Ö=84 `carriage, vehicle
for all’).

In the end, here are a few more usual terms that come from the very
prolific hanoor, despite being a word that has fallen from usage in
colloquial language:

Hanrakidaran (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Õ£Õ«Õ¿Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ¶ `encyclopedia’)

Hanrahashiv (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Õ°Õ¡Õ·Õ«Ö=82
`algebra’)

Hanrakve (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Ö=84Õ¸Ö=82Õ§ `referendum’)

Hanrakoomar (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Õ£Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¡Ö=80 `grand total’)

Previous entries in `The Armenian Language Corner’ are on the
Prelacy’s web site ()

SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER

The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance.

Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your
pocketbooks.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY
IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.

THE NEED IS REAL.

THE NEED IS GREAT.

DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON
LINE. TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE
() AND SELECT SYRIAN
ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU. OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR
DONATION TO:

Armenian Prelacy

138 E. 39th Street

New York, NY 10016

Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief

Thank you for your help

THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY

Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)

Birth of Ara Sarkisian (April 4, 1902)

One of the familiar views around the Opera of Yerevan is that of the
statues of Hovhannes Tumanian and Alexander Spentiarian. Those two
works were co-authored by Ghazar Chubarian and Ara Sarkisian in 1957.

Sculptor Ara Sarkisian was born in Makriköy (now Bakirköy), in the
outskirts of Constantinople, on April 4, 1902. He studied in the local
Dadian School. His family moved to the suburb of Pera (Beyoglu) in
1914 and he continued his studies in the Essayan School. His uncle
Sarkis Sarkisian was a well-known architect, and advised his nephew to
deepen his knowledge of art.

The sculptor at work in his studio.

During the war years, Sarkisian abandoned his studies and pursued
menial jobs to make ends meet. Afterwards, he studied in the School of
Fine Arts of
Constantinople from 1919-1921, where he produced original busts, as
well as compositions of tragic subjects inspired by the Armenian
massacres and the war.

He finished the four-year program in two years and continued his
studies at the Academy of Fine Arts of Vienna (1921-1924), where he
participated in local exhibitions.

However, it remained secret for decades that Sarkisian had been an
assistant to Arshavir Shiragian both in his operations in Rome
(December 1921) and
Berlin (April 1922). He had helped chase the targets with his
excellent command of Turkish and his photographic memory.

After graduation, he took Soviet citizenship and arrived in Yerevan on
April 26, 1925, where he spent the rest of his life. He set the
grounds of Armenian professional sculpture and he specialized in bust
sculptures, creating works inspired by Armenian writers, scholars,
artists, and historical figures. One of his most important works, the
statue `Mesrob Mashdots and Sahak Bartev’ (1943) is placed near the
main building of Yerevan State University.

Sarkisian’s statue of Hovhannes Tumanian located in Freedom Square,
adjacent to the Yerevan Opera.

Sarkisian opened the section of sculpture at the technical school of
art and production of Yerevan where he taught from 1925-1930. At the
same time, he organized the Armenian branch of the Society of Painters
of Revolutionary Russia and became its president. He tried to bring
together the Armenian painters in the early 1930s and succeeded in the
foundation of the Painters
Union of Armenia in 1932, together with Gabriel Gurjian and Mikayel
Arutchian. He became the first secretary of the Union until 1937 and
was instrumental in the foundation of the Art Institute (now Academy
of Fine Arts) of Yerevan in 1945, which he directed until 1959. Later,
he became chair holder
and head of the art studio at the Institute.

In 1959 Ara Sarkisian left for Brussels to participate in `Expo-59′
with his works. There, by chance he met his brother Patrick, whose
existence he had hidden from the Soviet authorities for almost four
decades. His brother worked for USAID and was a leader of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation in Athens. These two facts did not go
unnoticed by the KGB. Sarkisian returned to Yerevan and was forced to
resign as director of the
Art Institute.

A memorial monument to the sculptor in Yerevan created in his style.

He remained under surveillance for the rest of his life. The memoirs
of the participants in the Nemesis Operation started to appear in the
1960s, such as Shiragian’s memoirs, but Sarkisian’s name was never
mentioned, except as A.S. when needed. However, apparently a newspaper
in Beirut mentioned his complete name and this did not escape the
attention of the secret police.

In 1969 Sarkisian suffered a fracture in a leg and was admitted in the
hospital, where he was writing his memoirs. He also wrote his
will. The Nemesis Operation and any activity related to the A.R.F.,
together with the existence of a former member of the party, now a
prominent Soviet artist, were problematic issues for the Soviet
intelligence. It appears that this was enough reason to make both the
memoirs and author disappear.

The sculptor left the hospital, totally cured. The same day, he had a
violent fever and died two days later, on June 6, 1969. His death is
still surrounded with mystery.

A museum dedicated to the works of Ara Sarkisian and Hakob Kojoyan was
opened in 1993, located on Pushkin Street in Yerevan, near the church
of Surp Zoravor. The museum was last renovated in 1980. Recently, the
Armenian Students Association raised funds to help catalogue and
digitize the important documents and manuscripts housed there, which
are in poor condition. The project is being carried out by the
Johannissyan Institute, a newly formed research institute in Yerevan.

Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History’ are on
the Prelacy’s web site ()

()

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST WITH FR. NAREG TERTERIAN

(Pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York)

This week’s podcast: Holy Week Special. Click the image above to
listen.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 1-30-Photography exhibit by Tom Vartabedian commemorating the
Centennial at Haverhill Public Library, 99 Main Street, showing images
of
the country and its people, including scenes of the eternal flame at
Tzizernagapert. The exhibit is next to the Children’s Room in the
upstairs gallery.

April 7-`The Centenary of the Armenian Genocide: What have
we learned?’ lecture by Dr. Richard Hovannisian, sponsored by
Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Kean University, Union, New Jersey,
Kean Hall at 7 pm. Admission is free.

April 11-Concert by the Armenian Society Areni Choir, conducted by
Armine Vardanyan, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, 6 pm, at The Queens Theater in the Park, 14 United Nations
Avenue South, Flushing Meadows Park, Corona. Also featuring renowned
guest singers and musicians, as well as the Antranig Dance
Ensemble. For tickets ($40 and $50): 732-982-7364.

April 12-`A Tribute to Survival,’ concert, sponsored by the Armenian
Martyrs’ Memorial Committee of Rhode Island, featuring The Armenian
Chorale of Rhode Island, directed by Maestro Konstantin
Petrossian, accompanied by Mari Panosian and symphony orchestra. Guest
artists: Gohar Manjelikian, Joanne Mouradjian, Kate Norigian, Debra
Takian Pjojian, Elizabeth Souin, Vagharshag Ohanian. Musical
instrumental selections by David Ayriyan on Kemancha and David
Gevorkian on Duduk. The Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston, directed
by Apo Ashjian will perform. Park Theatre,
848 Park Avenue, Cranston, Rhode Island, at 3 pm. Free admission and
parking. Valet parking available. For information:

April 21-The Armenian Poetry Project Presents, `Commemorating the
Centenary of the Armenian Genocide: A Reading in Remembrance,’ Holy
Cross Church, 580 West 187th Street, New York City, 7 pm. For
information: Lola Koundakjian, [email protected].

April 23-Canonization of the Armenian Martyrs of 1915 in Holy
Etchmiadzin, Armenia.

April 24-Centennial Memorial Dinner, sponsored by Providence ARF,
hosted by the Armenian Cultural Association of America, Inc., Omni
Providence Hotel, One West Exchange Street, Providence, Rhode
Island. Cocktails 6 pm; dinner 7 pm. Emcee: Honorable Scott Avedisian,
Mayor of Warwick; guest speaker, Marian Mesrobian MacCurdy, author of
`Sacred Justice: The Voices and Legacy of the Armenian Operation
Nemesis.’ $50 per person. Reserve by email: [email protected] or
by phone: Raffi Rachdouni 401-226-2305; Paula Burke 401-282-0459.

April 25-Connecticut Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day at the
Connecticut State Capitol at 11 am. Keynote speaker: Noted author
Chris Bohjalian.

April 25-Armenian Genocide Centennial commemoration sponsored by the
Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley (Massachusetts), 10 am
at Lowell City Hall, following a procession from John Street, led by
the Armenian American Veterans. Participants are asked to gather at
9:30 am. Luncheon buffet to follow with the showing of a film.

April 26-Centennial commemoration of Genocide. Joint united Divine
Liturgy at St. Vartan Cathedral, New York City. Celebrant, Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian; homilist, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. To be
followed by Times Square gathering `100 Years to Remember.’

April 27-`Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide,’ by Drew University Center for Holocaust/Genocide Study in
Madison, New Jersey at 7 pm. Testimony of Andranik Vartanian
(1900-2007), presented by his daughter Susan Vartanian Barba; `Undoing
Denial: The Armenian Genocide and Art’ presented by Neery
E. Melkonian;
Concert by the Armenian folk group, Zulal, an a cappella trio will
present
Armenian village folk melodies. Free and open to the public. RSVP
encouraged: (973) 408-3600 or [email protected].

May 7, 8, 9-National Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration in
Washington, DC, organized under the patronage of the Diocese and the
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Presided by His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of
Cilicia. May 7, Ecumenical
Service at the National Cathedral, 7 pm; May 8, A Journey Through
Armenian
Music at the Music Center at Strathmore, 7:30 pm; May 8 & 9, Exhibits,
Films, and Events at various venues; May 9, Divine Liturgy at the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 10 am;
May 9, A Time to Give Thanks, banquet, 5:30 pm, Marriott Marquis.

May 10 to June 4-Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Aram I to the
Eastern Prelacy.

May 12-`Anatolia, Land of Armenians Until the 1915 Armenian Genocide,’
presentation by Margaret Tellalian-Kyrkostas, executive director of
the Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and the Armenian
Cultural Educational Resource Center Gallery at Queens College, 7 pm
in the Lapham Meeting Room at the Port Washington Public Library.

June 3-6-National Representative Assembly hosted by St. Stephen’s
Church, Watertown, Massachusetts.

June 18-Annual Cigar Night and Dinner, Men’s Club of St. Gregory
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts. Drawing of
Super Raffle of 2015 Mercedes Benz-CLA 250 will take place. Raffle
tickets
can be purchased online (saintgregory.org/organizations/mens-club).

June 28-July 5-29th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer
Program for youth ages 13-18 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). For information and registration, please
visit the Prelacy’s website at armenianprelacy.org/arec/datev or
contact the AREC office at 212-689-7810 or [email protected].

July 18-Blessing of the Holy Muron (Oil) by His Holiness Aram I, at
the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias,
Lebanon. For
details click here.

October 5-9-Clergy gathering of Eastern, Western, and Canadian
Prelacies.

November 15-90th Anniversary Banquet, St. Stephen’s Church, 167
Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut. Watch for details.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add
[email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

US LAWMAKER URGES TURKEY-ARMENIA RECONCILIATION

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
April 2 2015

02 April 2015 21:00 (Last updated 02 April 2015 21:02)

Republican congressman wants Obama to form committee to reconcile
Turkish-Armenian relations.

WASHINGTON

A U.S. lawmaker has asked President Barack Obama to set up a committee
to improve and enhance Turkish-Armenian relations.

“Turkey and Armenia are very important to the American interests,”
congressman Curt Clawson wrote in a letter to House colleagues
in an attempt to garner support for his resolution that seeks to
find reconciliation between the two states. “U.S interests (in the
region) can be advanced by both countries acting to cultivate peace
and understanding.”

Turkish-Armenian relations have long been marked by strong tensions
due to the events of 1915, when a certain number of Armenians were
relocated by the Ottoman Empire for supporting the Russian invasion
of Anatolia during World War I.

Clawson called on Obama “to designate a task force comprised of members
of Congress, administration officials and representatives from Turkey
and Armenia charged with working toward equitable, constructive,
stable and durable relations.”

“This is the first time that we see a draft bill of that kind in the
Congress,” said Derya Taskin, president of the New York-based Turkish
Institute for Progress.

She said she supports Clawson’s “historical,” bill and pointed out
that the Turkish Institute for Progress is also working to help
resolve Turkish-Armenian relations.

Several congressional committees have passed resolutions that accuse
Turkey of “genocide” during the 1915 events.

The Armenian diaspora in U.S. has at times been influential in getting
lawmakers to issue some of those resolutions.

The Turkish government has repeatedly called on historians to study
Ottoman archives pertaining to the era in order to uncover what
actually happened between the Ottoman government and its Armenian
citizens.

The debate on “genocide” and the differing opinions between the
present day Turkish government and the Armenian diaspora, along with
the current administration in Yerevan, still generates political
tension between Turks and Armenians.

Turkey’s official position against the “genocide” allegations is
that they acknowledge that the past experiences were a great tragedy
and that both parties suffered heavy casualties, including hundreds
of Muslim Turks. Turkey agrees that there were certainly Armenian
casualties during World War I, but that it is impossible to define
these incidents as “genocide.”

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710 or (973) 943-8697
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

** TOP STORY April 2, 2015
————————————————————
Easter

** He is Risen!
————————————————————
This Sunday, the worldwide Armenian Church will celebrate the Feast of
the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ-the most important
day of the year in our church calendar.

On Easter Sunday, April 5, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan
Primate, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral. The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:30 a.m. Click here
()
to read Archbishop Barsamian’s Easter message in English and Armenian.

Immediately following the service, the `Release of Doves’ ceremony
will go forth on the cathedral plaza. This year, Armenia’s Ambassador
to the United Nations Zohrab Mnatsakanian will serve as the godfather
of the doves ceremony. An Easter reception and program will follow in
Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.

Click here
()
for a complete schedule of Holy Week and Easter services at the
cathedral. And be sure to contact your local parish
()
for information on services in your area.

St. Mary
A depiction of St. Mary found at Holy Etchmiadzin.

** Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
————————————————————
On Tuesday, April 7, the Armenian Church will celebrate the
Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. This feast day is one of five devoted
to the blessed mother of Jesus Christ, and the first such feast to
arise in a given year. It concerns the defining event of Mary’s life:
her realization that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of
His Son.

The announcement came by way of the angel Gabriel, and it troubled
Mary at first. But Gabriel tried to allay her fears: `Behold,’ he told
her, `you shall conceive and bring forth a son, and call his name
Jesus. He shall be great, and be called the Son of the Highest…and
of his kingdom there shall be no end.’

In her youthful sweetness and innocence, Mary asked the angel how this
could ever come to pass. Gabriel’s reply-`With God, nothing shall be
impossible’-is one of our greatest expressions of Christian hope. And
Mary’s reply is equally great for the example it sets for all people
who sense God’s hand in their lives: `Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
let it be unto me according to thy word.’

Nine months later, her son was born-and with him, the hope of the
world’s redemption. It’s worth noting that the Armenian Church’s fixed
date for the Annunciation, April 7, comes exactly nine months before
the Armenian Church’s fixed date for the celebration of Christmas,
January 6.

The entire touching story is told at Luke 1:26-38. Click on the
following links to read more
()
about St. Mary, and to view a brief video
()
.

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

Acts 1:15-26
Mk 16:2-8

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

We rejoice with great joy for the Good News of the resurrection of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has been the fruit and the first
born of all that have fallen asleep. He has destroyed the gates of
hell, and loosed the tyranny of death; and he gave us the firm hope of
the renewal of the life of all men.

In faith let us ask of our Savior Jesus Christ that he may please to
make us worthy of his resurrection, and to transform our lowly body
into the likeness of his glorious Body. For the very God, Jesus Christ
our Lord, has promised to grant this great and ineffable gift to them
that love him.

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

2 April: Holy Thursday

3 April: Holy Friday

4 April: Holy Saturday (Easter Eve)

5 April: Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

6 April: Remembrance of the Dead

7 April: Annunciation to the Virgin Mary

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Pope Francis
His Holiness Pope Francis will celebrate a special Mass in memory of
the Armenian martyrs of 1915.

** A Spiritual Journey to Rome
————————————————————
His Holiness Pope Francis has announced that he will celebrate a
special Mass in memory of the Armenian martyrs of 1915. The leader of
the Roman Catholic Church will celebrate the Mass on Sunday, April 12,
at the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, Italy.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia, will both be present at the Mass. Armenia’s President
Serge Sargsian and dignitaries of the Republic of Armenia will also be
in attendance.

For Armenian-Americans interested in participating in this historic
occasion, a special `spiritual journey’ is being organized by the
Eastern and Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church of America, under
the auspices of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian.

Click here
()
to download a flyer that contains basic information on the trip to
Rome (scheduled for April 9-13), as well as the relevant contact
information.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Sunday School Workshop
Elise Antreassian (second from left) with educators in Massachusetts.

** New England Sunday School Superintendents Meet
————————————————————
On Saturday, March 21, Sunday School superintendents representing
eight schools in the New England region gathered at the Church of the
Holy Translators in Framingham, MA, for the annual meeting of the New
England Region Sunday School Superintendents Association (NERSA).

During the three-hour session facilitated by Laurie Bejoian, NERSA
chair, and Elise Antreassian, the Diocese’s director of Christian
Education, the 10 participants reviewed new developments since the
ground-breaking National Superintendents Summit held last July. They
also heard a presentation on the Christian Education section of the
Diocesan website and received information on the department’s social
media presence and other resources.

Participants discussed future curriculum formats, which will emphasize
electronic and interactive approaches, and shared ideas and
concerns. The primary focus of the association will be their teaching
staffs in an effort to create a stronger `disciple-making’ team. A
teacher workshop is scheduled for October 2015.

FAR
Doctors at the CME seminar in Nagorno-Karabagh earlier this year.

** Video on FAR’s Continuing Medical Education in Armenia
————————————————————
Earlier this year the Fund for Armenian Relief organized Continuing
Medical Education (CME) seminars in Nagorno-Karabagh. The seminars
focused on modern trends in obstetrics and gynecology and were led by
lecturers Dr. Hripsime Apresyan and Dr. Rusadan Vardanyan.

Now FAR has made a video about the seminars featuring feedback
provided by the participating physicians from Stepanakert and other
regions of Nagorno-Karabagh. Click here
()
to visit FAR’s blog and to view the film.

Working with the Armenian American Health Professionals Organization
(AAHPO), FAR has been implementing Continuing Medical Education
sessions in Nagorno-Karabagh since 2011.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
St. Thomas Church, NJ
ACYOA members present Fr. Papken Anoushian with a donation to the
church.

** St. Thomas Church Marks 50th Anniversary
————————————————————
On Palm Sunday, the St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, celebrated the
50th anniversary of its consecration. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate, delivered the homily and presided over the
celebratory dinner that followed the
badarak.

At the anniversary banquet parish pastor the Very Rev. Fr. Papken
Anoushian led the parishioners in a program that included tributes to
the parish-builders of the past, a multimedia presentation on
St. Thomas’s history, and lively performances by talented
parishioners. The present centennial anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide was a recurring theme of remarks and reflections throughout
the day.

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

Palm Sunday at St. James
Parishioners exit St. James Church in Watertown at the conclusion of
Palm Sunday services.

** Palm Sunday Observed Across the Parishes
————————————————————
Local Armenian churches celebrated Palm Sunday and ACYOA Day with
services and activities for young people.

At Hye Pointe Church of Haverhill, MA, the Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalian,
parish pastor, blessed children at the conclusion of the Divine
Liturgy. The ACYOA Juniors and Seniors organized a dinner and program,
during which ACYOA member Julianne Tavitian spoke about her experience
volunteering in Armenia last fall. ACYOA Central Council vice chair
Jonathan Pelaez spoke about the organization’s activities. An Easter
egg hunt was organized for the Sunday School students.

An `ACYOA Day Palm Sunday Banquet’ was held at St. James Church of
Watertown, MA. ACYOA members served the more than 250 parishioners
taking part in the celebration. The program, dedicated to the
centennial year of the Armenian Genocide, included reflections by the
ACYOA members and a recitation of Barouyr Sevag’s poem Menk keech enk
(=80=9CWe are few’) in Armenian and English.

In Livingston, NJ, parishioners at St. Mary Church enjoyed a talent
show put on by the local children. They also raised funds to support
orphans in Armenia.

The mission parish of St. Garabed Church of Kansas City, MO, welcomed
the Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s director of Mission
Parishes, on Palm Sunday. Following the Divine Liturgy, the community
gathered in the church hall for fellowship. On Saturday, Fr. Abdalian
met with members of the Parish Council to discuss future plans for the
community. The St. Garabed mission parish collected food items to
donate to a local food pantry in remembrance of the children who
perished in the Armenian Genocide.

Members of the St. Vartan Cathedral Community and its dean the Very
Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian gathered to honor Archbishop Yeghishe
Gizirian following Palm Sunday services. The afternoon event was held
at the home of Parish Council chair Mr. and Mrs. Hagop and Sylva
Svajian-Yahiayan (Mr. Yahiayan is also the Diocesan Director of
Administration). Click here
()
to read more about the gathering.

Click here
()
to view photos of these Palm Sunday celebrations.

Shnorhali Concert
The concert was held at St. Malachy’s Church in New York City.

** Shnorhali Choir Performs in Manhattan
————————————————————
On Sunday, March 22, the Shnorhali Choir of the Church of the Holy
Martyrs of Bayside, NY, gave a concert in observance of the centennial
year of the Armenian Genocide. The performance was held in the Actors’
Chapel of St. Malachy’s Church in Manhattan.

Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian opened the program with a
prayer. Dr. Lynn Cetin, chair of the parish’s centennial commemoration
committee, welcomed guests.

Under the artistic direction of Maestro Vagharshak Ohanyan, the
Shnorhali Choir sang traditional Armenian songs. Special performances
were also made by soloists Ruthann Turekian and Yn. Karine Malkhasyan,
the Arekag Children’s Chorus, cellist Laura Navasardian, and Maestro
Konstantin Petrossian. The Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, pastor of Holy
Martyrs Church, closed the concert with a pastoral message.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Genocide Pins

** South Milwaukee Creates Centennial Emblem Pins
————————————————————
This spring, Holy Resurrection Church of South Milwaukee, WI, is
making available forget-me-not lapel pins (the forget-me-not flower is
the official emblem of the 100th year of remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide).

The pins are 7/8 of an inch across, and crafted using the cloisonné
decorating technique. The packaging includes a small box and a card
explaining the elements making up the forget-me-not emblem
()
.

To place an order, visit the parish website at

Judge Sahagian
The Honorable Judge Mary Anne Sahagian at Sts. Vartanantz Church.

** Genocide and the Courts
————————————————————
Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA, concluded its Lenten program
dedicated to the centennial year of the Armenian Genocide with a
presentation by the Honorable Judge Mary Anne Sahagian, First Justice,
Essex County Massachusetts. Judge Sahagian spoke about seeking
reparations through the judicial system.

She discussed lawsuits in U.S. federal courts, where class-action
filings have focused on insurance and banking institutions with links
to victims of the Genocide, and spoke about the possibility of seeking
recognition through international courts. She also shared the personal
story of her family’s survival, and emphasized the importance of
keeping alive the memory of the martyrs of 1915.

St. Mary Church, Livingston, NJ
Dr. Herand Markarian, Fr. Arakel Vardazaryan, and parishioners at
St. Mary Church.

** The Voices of Martyred Armenian Writers
————————————————————
St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, hosted an evening with Dr. Herand
Markarian author of
The Martyred Armenian Writers: 1915-1922. The anthology includes the
works of 13 Armenian writers martyred in the Armenian Genocide. During
the presentation, parishioners read dramatic passages from the book.

Click here
()
to view a video of the event.

Ararat Center

** Ararat Center Reaches Out to Local Community
————————————————————
On Saturday, March 7, the Girl Scouts troop of Greenville, NY,
highlighted Armenian culture at its annual `International Day’
celebration. Greenville is home to the Ararat Center, the Eastern
Diocese’s retreat, camp, and conference facility.

Paul Ventura, the Ararat Center’s executive chef and client relations
manager, spoke about the mission of the Ararat Center. The Greenville
troop showcased Armenian books, photographs, maps, hand-crafted tiles,
Armenian pottery, and other objects. With Mr. Ventura’s help, they
also prepared Armenian food, including pilaf, lahmajun, and
traditional sweets.

Upcoming events

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

St. Hagop Church | St. Petersburg, FL
The Florida Holocaust Museum will screen the documentary film “Orphans
of the Genocide” on Thursday, April 9. Filmmaker Bared Maronian will
speak about the documentary and answer questions. For information,
contact the Florida Holocaust Museum at (727) 820-0100, or visit their
website at
()
.

St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church | Wynnewood, PA
>From April 10 to 12, the five Armenian churches of the greater
Philadelphia area will present a symposium titled “We Not Only
Survived, We Thrive,” and an exhibit of Ottoman-era artifacts and
documents as part of the city’s observance of the Armenian Genocide
centennial year.

The symposium and exhibit will be held at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob
Church of Wynnewood, PA. Dr. Richard Hovannisian, Professor Emeritus
of Armenian and Near Eastern History at the University of California,
Los Angeles, will deliver the keynote address. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Gregory of Narek Church | Cleveland, OH
On Friday, April 10, St. Gregory of Narek Church will host a talk by
Dr. Ani Kalayjian on `Generational Healing: Transforming Anger and
Denial into Peace.’ The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. Click here
()
to download a flyer.

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will host a concert by the
Aradzani Dance Ensemble in observance of the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. The program will feature songs and dances of
Historic Armenia. The concert will be held on Saturday, April 11,
beginning at 8 p.m. in the church’s Kalustyan Hall. Admission is
free. For information, call the church office at (718) 225-0235.

St. Thomas Church | Tenafly, NJ
St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, will mark the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide with services on Friday, April 24, and a special
program at Ellis Island on Saturday, April 15. At Ellis Island, a
prayer service and laying of flowers ceremony will be held. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Church of Our Saviour | Worcester, MA
The Church of Our Saviour of Worcester, MA, will commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Saturday April 18 and Friday,
April 24. On April 18, a march to City Hall from the Lincoln Street
Tunnel will begin at 12 p.m., followed by the planting of a Genocide
memorial tree at 1:30 p.m. At 2:15 p.m. an ecumenical service will be
held at St. Paul’s Cathedral (at 38 High Street).

On April 24, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Church of
Our Saviour, beginning at 6 p.m. Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian will be the
celebrant; the Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, of Holy Trinity Armenian
Church, will be the homilist.

Armenian Church of Austin | Austin, TX
The Armenian community of Texas is sponsoring a `Texas Peace March’ at
the State Capitol in Austin to commemorate the 100th year of
remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. The march is scheduled for
Saturday, April 18. Bus transportation will be provided from
Dallas. For information, contact Hamlet Sarokhanian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Holy Trinity Church | Cambridge, MA
On Sunday, April 19, Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA, will host a
concert titled `Lest We Forget’ in observance of the 100th year of
remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. The concert will be given by the
Erevan Choral Society, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the church
sanctuary. Click here
()
to visit the parish website for information.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI
The Women’s Guild of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI,
will observe `Saintly Women’s Day’ on Saturday, April 18. The day[`s
program will be dedicated to the unnamed women of the Armenian
Genocide. Women’s Guild Central Council chair Nancy Kassabian will
deliver the keynote address. For information, contact the church at
(401) 272-7712.

St. James Church | Richmond, VA
St. James Church of Richmond, VA, will host an ecumenical prayer
service and program on Saturday, April 18, at 11 a.m. The Very
Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, will preside. Guest clergy
representing local churches will be in attendance. The service is
organized in memory of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and of all
those who have fallen victim to crimes against humanity. At a madagh
luncheon following the service, keynote speaker Aram Hamparian,
executive director of Armenian National Committee of America, will
make a presentation. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

A requiem service will be held at St. James Church of Richmond, VA, to
commemorate the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide on Sunday, April
19. Fr. Odabashian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and perform the
requiem service, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
The Gomidas Choir of the Eastern Diocese, under the direction of Kris
Kalfayan, will sing the hymns of the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the
Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, on Sunday, April 19. Later
that day, the parish’s Culture Committee will host a performance by
pianist Karén Hakobyan as part of the 13th annual Lionel Galstaun
Memorial Concert. Click here
()
to download a flyer with concert reservation information.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
ACYOA Day
ACYOA members in Hartford.

** ACYOA Day in the Eastern Diocese
————————————————————
ACYOA Central Council members were active throughout the Diocese this
Palm Sunday to address parishioners and local young people on the
traditional occasion of `ACYOA Day’ in the Eastern Diocese.

Chair Ani Grigorian visited St. Mary Church in Hollywood, FL, which
hosted a Palm Sunday luncheon for 80 people. Vice chair Jonathan
Pelaez shared Palm Sunday with members at Hye Point parish in
Haverhill, MA, where around 150 parishioners gathered for a luncheon
and program. Treasurer Shant Paklaian traveled to St. David Church in
Boca Raton, FL, for a luncheon hosted by local ACYOA seniors. Public
relations coordinator Sarine Atamian visited the St. George Church in
Hartford, CT, and Secretary Chelsea Kress spent Palm Sunday with the
St. Mark Church in Springfield, MA.

Diocesan coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Lorie
Odabashian spent the day with the parish community in St. Mary’s
Church in Washington, DC. All the visitors spoke about their personal
influences, and encouraged local youth to take advantage of
programming offered by the Diocese.

Click here
()
to view photos.

ASP
ASP participants volunteer in Gyumri.

** Register for the Armenia Service Program
————————————————————
The ACYOA Central Council has opened registration for this year’s
ACYOA Armenia Service Program, scheduled for July 1 to 20. The program
of travel, service, and worship gives young adults (ages 18 to 30) a
unique opportunity to discover their homeland and to serve its people
in a meaningful way. ACYOA members leave Armenia with a connection to
their faith and heritage that continues to inspire them throughout
their lives.

This year’s trip leader will be the Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan
(`d36ac740&e=3aa2e2c3e9&utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=79ce1e05ce-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3f0172fcf2-79ce1e05ce-159688434)
, pastor of St. Sahag Church of St. Paul, MN. The Dadourian Foundation
is providing generous scholarship funds to help offset costs for the
first 20 applicants to the ASP program. In addition, the ACYOA Central
Council is offering scholarships to participants in need of financial
assistance.

Click on the following links to view a flyer
()
and to download an application
form. ()
For more information on ASP and the scholarships, contact Jennifer
Morris, the Diocese’s director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
or (248) 648-0702.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
Divine Liturgy at Lafayette University

** Divine Liturgy to be Celebrated at Lafayette College
————————————————————
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocese’s Ecumenical Director and
Legate, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Lafayette College in
Easton, PA, on Wednesday, April 8. The service is scheduled to begin
at 7 p.m. at Colton Chapel.

It is being organized in commemoration of the centennial year of the
Armenian Genocide, and sponsored by the Acopian family and the
Lafayette Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Catholicos Hovsepiants
Catholicos Karekin Hovsepian is one of three clergymen Dr. Roberta
Ervine will speak about next week.

** Zohrab Center Lecture Next Week
————————————————————
On Wednesday, April 8, Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor of Armenian
Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, will give a lecture titled
=80=9CPicking Up the Pieces: Three Bishops and their Vision for the
Armenian Church circa 1920.’ The event is scheduled to begin at 7
p.m. at the Diocesan Center.

Her presentation will focus on three distinguished clergymen-Yeghishé
Tourian, Papken Guleserian, and Karekin Hovsepian-and how they
realized a vision for the Armenian Church in the aftermath of
1915. Click here
()
to read more on the Zohrab Center’s blog.

Times Square

** Genocide Centennial Observance in Times Square
————————————————————
Every Armenian in the greater New York region needs to be a part of
the centennial observance of the Armenian Genocide in New York City on
Sunday, April 26. The day will begin with the Divine Liturgy at
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, scheduled for 10 a.m. Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy; Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan will deliver the sermon.

A procession to Times Square will depart the cathedral at 12:00
p.m. The program in Times Square will begin at 1:45 p.m. The 2015
Genocide Commemoration in Times Square is organized by the
Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan, in affiliation with the
Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America (Eastern Region).

Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

April 24 at NYC

** April 24 Events in New York City
————————————————————
On Friday, April 24, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral and St. Illuminator’s Armenian
Cathedral.

A march to the Turkish Consulate, jointly organized by ARF and ADL,
will be depart from St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral and
St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral at 12 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

In the afternoon, a vigil will be held at the United Nation’s Dag
Hammarskjold Plaza (East 47th Street at Second Avenue). The program
will include traditional Armenian songs, poetry readings, and
remarks. It is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN: GENOCIDE TOUR MORE IMPORTANT THAN NEW MUSIC

Rolling Stone Magazine
April 2 2015

“We want to help prevent what happened to the Armenians happening to
other people,” drummer John Dolmayan says

By Kory Grow April 2, 2015

System of a Down, whose members are all of Armenian descent, will
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide later this
month with their first-ever concert in the country. It’s an event –
along with an international Wake Up the Souls tour that kicks off
Monday in Los Angeles – that means so much to them that drummer John
Dolmayan prioritizes it above making new music.

“This is something that transcends the music,” he said Wednesday on a
media conference call. “This is more important than a next System of
a Down album. This is something that is far-reaching and even bigger
than the Armenian genocide itself….We want to help prevent what
happened to the Armenians happening to other people.”

Dolmayan echoed the sentiments of frontman Serj Tankian, who told
Rolling Stone earlier this year that there was an “openness” to work
on new music. “We do want to get together after the tour and talk
about writing,” Dolmayan said.

The purpose of the teleconference was to raise awareness around
the genocide’s anniversary, since Turkey – whose Ottoman regime
executed around 1.5 million Armenians around 1915 – continues to deny
the incident. Dolmayan and Tankian, who also participated in the
call, underscored how much it meant to them to encourage Turkey to
acknowledge the event. “[The genocide] is still with us,” the singer
said. “The denial is a spit in the face of that every year.”

“It stays with you,” Dolmayan said. “It’s still with me today,
because of the stories that we did hear [from our families].”

The band’s first-ever gig in the country of their ancestors will
take place in capital city Yerevan’s Republic Square on April 23rd,
and it has planned special components to the concert to honor
their countrymen. “We have two songs that are about the genocide,”
Tankian said. “One, from our first release, called ‘P.L.U.C.K.’ and
the other from one of our latest albums, [2005’s] Mezmerize, called
‘Holy Mountains.’ The set will actually start with ‘Holy Mountains,’
and then we have a small video presentation, and ‘P.L.U.C.K.’ will
go into that.”

The singer described the video presentations as a three-part animated
video explaining what happened during the time of the genocide,
how it led to other holocausts throughout the last century and how
it continues to impact people today.

The concert itself – which the band is documenting and hopes to post
online – will be free, an important aspect of the event. “Armenia is
not a wealthy nation,” Dolmayan said. “A lot of people, if we were
to charge even a nominal fee, would not be able to pay the ticket
price….We didn’t want to make a profit off the show. The show has
a greater meaning for us. Sometimes you do things not for profit,
and this is one of those times.”

Dolmayan said he would love to see Turkey acknowledge the genocide
in his lifetime. “It would be a very healing thing for us,” he said.

“We’ve had to carry this weight around for our entire lives. Our
parents carried it for their entire lives, and our grandparents
carried it. It would relieve that weight…and I think in a lot of
ways it would relieve the weight off the people of Turkey’s shoulders
as well. Coming to terms with something that you’ve run away from
for so long is important for your healing process.”

In his previous interview with Rolling Stone, Tankian said that the
band’s Turkish fans have come to their defense when the country’s press
attempted to smear them. “They wrote to the editors of those newspapers
who were planting this misinformation, this disinformation, and fought
for us,” the singer said. “Our jaws dropped. Here we have fans in
Turkey that are protecting System of a Down. No society is unipolar.”

NEVER AGAIN: FAMILY’S STORIES RECALL ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

MPR News, Minnesota
April 2 2015

People & Places Dan Olson · Apr 2, 2015

Bedros Keljik escaped his homeland amid a rising tide of Turkish
nationalism. He managed to save his parents and most — but not all —
of his siblings from what would become the Armenian genocide.

He found his way to St. Paul in 1899 where he and a partner opened
a rug store downtown at 4th and Market streets near Rice Park.

More than a century later, the business thrives in south Minneapolis
in a shop run by his grandson Mark. Even in prosperity, though, the
family has never lost sight of what Bedros and other Armenians endured.

April marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. As many as
1.5 million perished at the hands of Turkish forces. To commemorate,
the Keljiks are sharing some of their family’s stories. That
includes one about a French captain who told police that his boat
was essentially French soil, a declaration that saved Bedros and
his brother.

Bedros later lectured widely on what was happening in his homeland
to sound the alarm. Mark hopes remembering atrocities from a century
ago will help avert future genocide.

Click here < > to
hear more from the Keljik family.

CYPRUS CRIMINALISES ‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’ DENIAL

Yahoo! News
April 2 2015

Nicosia (AFP) – The Cypriot parliament unanimously approved Thursday
a law that makes it a crime to deny that mass killings of Armenians
under the Ottoman Empire in 1915 amounted to genocide.

The law also establishes April 24, the date the killings began,
as a national day of remembrance in Cyprus, much of whose Armenian
community descends from survivors of the killings.

Cyprus itself was Ottoman until coming under British rule in the 19th
century and has been at odds with Turkey, the empire’s successor,
since being invaded by it in 1974 after a coup aimed at uniting the
island with Greece.

Armenia says an estimated 1.5 million people were killed by Ottoman
forces in what it calls a genocide.

Turkey, which rejects the term “genocide,” puts the death toll at
500,000, blaming it on World War I raging at the time and starvation.

Around 20 nations, including France and Russia, recognise the killings
as genocide.

The measure is an amendment to existing legislation against racism,
hate crimes and xenophobic behaviour.

Parliamentary speaker Yiannakis Omirou called the vote “historic”
and said the legislation enables parliament “to restore, by decisions
and resolutions, the historical truth”.

He said the massacres constituted “one of the largest and most heinous
crimes in the modern history of mankind”.

“Despite the recording of these events by hundreds of independent
witnesses, the Armenian genocide has only been recognised by a small
number of countries,” added Omirou.

Cyprus also claims that the 1974 Turkish invasion and seizure of the
island’s northern third was tantamount to ethnic cleansing, splitting
the country between a Turkish Cypriot north and Greek Cypriot south.

FRENCH LAWMAKER MOCKED AFTER DRAFT LAW COPIED AND PASTED FROM WIKIPEDIA

Washington Post
April 2 2015

French politician Valerie Boyer and her staff seem to like Wikipedia —
too much, maybe. Their admiration for the online encyclopedia will now
be forever documented in governmental transcripts, after the opposition
politician presented a draft law which was allegedly copied from the
platform in large part. She and her assistants didn’t even remove
Wikipedia’s footnotes, according to French newspaper Le Figaro.

On Tuesday, French media outlets exposed the plagiarism when they
analyzed the law proposal which argues that France should recognize
the Assyrian genocide during the World War I under the Ottoman Empire.

As WorldViews reported earlier, in the final days of the Ottoman
Empire, hundreds of thousands of ethnic Armenians and Assyrians were
killed. Armenians argue that the killings were committed by Turkish
soldiers, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has refused to
acknowledge the historical guilt.

Speaking to Le Nouvel Observateur’s Rue 89, an unnamed assistant to
Boyer confirmed the allegations: “There are only few information
on this subject, so the MP decided to overtake some wordings from
Wikipedia.” The assistant was also quoted as saying that the copied
sentences had been fact-checked before being published.

Boyer is considered an expert on the topic among French politicians —
an aspect which has raised larger questions over how much politicians
really know about the goals they pursue.

This tweet, published by an Armenian organization last month, appears
to show the MP during a commemoration of the killings in Marseille
in the south of France.

“In their haste, the delegates did not even take the time to erase
the traces of their iniquities. In their reckless and rude act of
plagiarism they even copied the links leading to the original sources
of the encyclopedia,” France’s leading center-left Le Monde newspaper
commented.

The incident has certainly shed an uncomfortable light on the
conservative UMP opposition party, headed by former president Nicolas
Sarkozy. The party had recently been shaken by a series of scandals
and internal squabbles.

Sarkozy himself acknowledged in a recent interview with Le Figaro
that his party’s “brand is a little worn off.” Last month, however,
the UMP party made unexpected gains in local elections and can now
even hope to win the 2017 presidential elections.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL IMPACTS LOCAL RESIDENT

Plainville Citizen
April 2 2015

1 Comments

Published: April 2, 2015
By Ken Liebeskind , The Plainville Citizen

The 100th year anniversary of the Armenian genocide, which took the
lives of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire between 1915
and 1923, is being celebrated this month with a ceremony at the state
capitol on April 25. One of the attendees will be Harry Terdjanian, a
New Britain resident whose family survived the genocide and immigrated
to the area in 1975. Terdjanian, who owns AutoMaster in Southington,
spoke with the Citizen about the genocide and his family’s experience.

Citizen: Give us a history lesson on the Armenian genocide.

Terdjanian: It’s a tragic story that most people are unfamiliar with,
although there are large Armenian communities that teach it in their
school systems and four Armenian churches in Connecticut and two in
New Britain, including the Armenian Apostolic Church where I worship.

In 1915-1923 the Turkish government decided to eliminate Armenians.

Half of Armenia was controlled by communist Russia and half by the
Turkish Ottoman Empire. The Turks were losing their grip and through
genocide tried to eliminate the Armenians. It was the first genocide
of the 20th century and the Holocaust was a blueprint of the Armenian
genocide. 1.5 million Armenians were killed over an eight year period.

The genocide was sponsored by the Turkish government. The Turkish
Army slaughtered women, children, the elderly and innocent unarmed
citizens. Victims were drowned and marched into the Syrian desert
without food and water. Their property was confiscated and they were
stripped of their rights. The government renamed towns and villages
with Turkish names.

Citizen: Turkey doesn’t admit it was responsible for a genocide.

Terdjanian: Not many criminals are willing to admit to their doings,
you have to bring them to justice. There was overwhelming evidence
that genocide had taken place as it was unfolding. Henry Morgenthau,
the U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire was an eye witness who wrote
books about the genocide and with his help money was sent for relief
efforts. It was the first large scale relief effort by the U.S.

Citizen: Tell us about your family’s experience during the genocide
period.

Terdjanian: I was born in Turkish occupied Armenia. We lived with the
consequences of the genocide. We were the minority with little rights
and were not allowed to have our own Christian name. Every Armenian
name ends with “ian” and we weren’t allowed to have that. I was born
in 1968 but things hadn’t changed since the genocide with unfair
conditions. We survived the genocide but we were treated as infidels
like they wanted to finish the job. We were clearly a minority and
they made us feel humiliated, the government and the people at the
local and state level. We looked in 20 countries to find a home and
found one in the U.S. with fortune and luck. We settled in Connecticut
in 1975 and became citizens. We’re thankful for the country we can
call home. I came with my parents, brother, sister and grandmother.

All still live in the area except my grandmother. I wanted to secure
justice for her but she didn’t see it. The perpetrators were never
brought to justice although the three leaders of the genocide were
convicted by a world court.

The event at the state capitol begins at 11 a.m. on April 25. The
Armenian flag will be flown outside the capitol on April 24, which is
the 100th anniversary of the genocide which began on April 24, 1915
when the Turkish government placed 200 Armenian community leaders
under arrest in Constantinople. A reception will follow the program
with Chris Bohjalian, the acclaimed author who wrote “The Sandcastle
Girls,” a novel about the Armenian genocide, as the keynote speaker.