Author: Badalian Vardan

GENOCIDE: BEL (PS) RESERVE SUR LE TEXTE

Le Figaro

12 janv 2012
France

S’abonner au Figaro.fr Le president du Senat francais Jean-Pierre
Bel s’est montre reserve aujourd’hui sur la proposition de loi de
la droite sanctionnant en France la negation de tous les genocides,
dont celui des Armeniens de 1915. “Je suis de moins en moins favorable
aux lois memorielles”, a-t-il dit, repondant a une question sur sa
position sur ce projet qui doit etre examine le 23 janvier par le
Senat. Mais, “le president du Senat a un privilège extraordinaire,
il n’est pas oblige de voter”, a-t-il dit devant des journalistes
francais, lors de sa première visite a l’etranger, en Allemagne.

Jean-Pierre Bel, premier president socialiste de l’histoire du Senat,
a explique etre “inquiet de l’evolution des relations de la France avec
la Turquie a un moment où on aurait bien besoin de se rapprocher de
ce pays”. Hier, le chef de file des senateurs de gauche avait indique
qu’une majorite d’entre eux voteraient le 23 janvier la proposition
de loi de la droite sanctionnant en France la negation de tous les
genocides. Une majorite de droite etant egalement acquise au texte,
soutenu par le president Nicolas Sarkozy, la proposition de loi devrait
etre adoptee sans amendement par le Senat et donc definitivement par
le Parlement francais.

Le texte, deja adopte par les deputes le 22 decembre, prevoit de punir
d’un an de prison et 45.000 euros d’amende la negation d’un genocide
reconnu par la loi francaise. Une proposition de loi socialiste
penalisant la contestation du genocide armenien avait ete votee le
12 octobre 2006 par l’Assemblee nationale, mais avait ete rejetee le
4 mai 2011 par le Senat, alors a majorite de droite et aujourd’hui
passe a gauche. La Turquie refute le terme de genocide, meme si elle
reconnaît que des massacres ont ete commis et que quelque 500.000
Armeniens ont peri en Anatolie entre 1915 et 1917, les Armeniens
evoquant 1,5 million de morts.

PACE CHAIRMAN: BILL CRIMINALIZING “ARMENIAN GENOCIDE” DEPRIVES PERSON OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Trend
Jan 12 2012
Azerbaijan

Consideration of a bill on the so-called “Armenian genocide” by
the French Parliament is an example of depriving a person of his
fundamental right – freedom of speech, the Turkish Zaman newspaper
quotes Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) Mevlut Cavusoglu as saying.

According to Cavusoglu, Turkey should take steps to prevent the
adoption of the bill by France, and intercultural and inter-religious
dialogue is the most successful way in this regard.

Lower Chamber of the French Parliament adopted a bill criminalizing
the denial of the so-called “Armenian genocide”.

Some 45 out of 577 French MPs participated in the voting, while 38
voted for and seven voted against the adoption of the bill.

The bill demands about a year’s imprisonment and a fine worth 45,000
euros for denial of the so-called “Armenian genocide”.

In response to this decision Turkey announced that it freezes all
diplomatic relations with France.

MPs from the French President’s “Union for Popular Movement” (UMP)
party which has the parliamentary majority, proposed the bill which
aims at criminalising denial of the so-called “Armenian genocide” to
the legislative committee of the National Assembly in early December.

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that the predecessor of the Turkey
– Ottoman Empire had committed the 1915 genocide against the Armenians
living in Anadolu, and achieved recognition of the “Armenian Genocide”
by the parliaments of several countries.

IRAN, ARMENIANS AND ARMENIA

The Commentator

Jan 12 2012

Iran loves to play the card of the strong and mighty benefactor who
should not be crossed. In fact, it is vulnerable and desperate for
any friendship it can have

Written by Ziya Meralon 12 January 2012 at 12pm

The news that the Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar
will be visiting Armenia mid-January might come as a surprise to some.

Yet, Iran has always seen its Armenian population as well as its
links with Armenia as an important asset.

Armenians are the most favoured and relatively privileged of all
non-Muslim communities in Iran today. It is tricky to establish the
exact number of ethno-religious minorities in the country since the
official numbers are politically shaped and minority communities
guard such details and often are not clear themselves.

However, various sources estimate that there are around 300,000
Baha’is, 110,000 Armenian Orthodox, 13,000 Asyrian, Greek and Armenian
Catholics as well as 10,000 Greek and Assyrian Orthodox Christians. In
addition, there are somewhere from 10,000 to 20,000 Protestants and
Evangelicals, most of whom are first generation Muslim converts to
Christian faith. While Iran regularly speaks of a sizeable Jewish
community of more than 10,000, in actuality, their numbers are now
thought to be in hundreds and they live their lives in shadows.

The largest non-Muslim community in the country, Baha’is, face an
aggressive policy of extinction. Iran denies them every human right
imaginable from denial of education and economic opportunities
to denial of holding religious services and regularly detains and
imprisons community leaders and activists on fatal charges of espionage
and national security.

Similarly, Muslim-background Christians are regularly detained and
threatened with the death penalty and often released after paying
hefty bails and turning over the deeds of their houses.

In contrast, Armenians are allowed to live relatively untouched. They
have full freedom of worship and can consume alcohol and hold social
events in designated clubs. They have schools for their children and
by and large have not been the victims of the brutal regime. There
are two seats reserved for Armenians at the Iranian Parliament.

However, just because Armenians do not suffer the same level of abuse
as other religious minorities does not mean that their lives are a
sunny walk in the park.

Throughout the years, Armenian clubs have been raided, Armenian
businessmen and families have been threatened by police and members of
Basij seeking to get extortionate bribes. In Armenian schools, they
are not allowed to teach Armenian culture, religion or language at
adequate levels and schools include Muslim directors and staff members.

Most disturbingly, the text books that are used in the religious
education classes are written by the Iranian ministry of education
and rather than enabling Armenian children learn about their faith,
they are coerced into Islamic thought by text books citing the Qur’an
and Prophet Muhammed without ever stating what the Holy Book or who
the Prophet that is being cited are.

Ironically, Ahmedinejad has allowed more hours of Armenian language
teaching and granted significant state funds to enable Iranian
Armenians to partake in international cultural exchanges and especially
with Armenia.

But receiving Ahmedinejad’s blessings have a price tag, of course.

Helping Armenians is seen as a public diplomacy tool which enables
a good word about his regime in Latin America, France and US.

Ahmedinejad regularly uses the state of their welfare to bolster his
image as a benevolent and tolerant leader.

Good treatment of Armenians in Iran also opens the door for economic
engagement with the diaspora’s homeland. As sanctions hit Iran more and
more, it desperately needs partners that can be a market for Iranian
products but most importantly can supply Iran with needed goods and
be a middle-man for some not-so-straightforward financial transactions.

Armenia too, suffering from the blockade by Azerbaijan and Turkey,
needs a way out of the over dependence to the Georgian border and
the taxes and vulnerabilities that come with it.

So when the Iranian minister arrives in Yerevan, he will be cautiously
but warmly welcomed. What is at stake for Armenians is the vulnerable
lives of more than 100,000 compatriots living in the country and the
desperate needs of the Armenian economy.

While Iran loves to play the card of the strong and mighty benefactor
who should not be crossed. In fact, it is vulnerable and desperate
for any friendship it can have.

FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway

The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one’s belief or religion
The right to join together and express one’s belief

===============================================
Thursday 12 January 2012
RUSSIA: APPEAL TO BE FREED FROM JAIL DUE, BUT CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS
CONTINUE

After seven months’ imprisonment in Russia, Asylzhan Kelmukhambetov is
hoping that his second appeal against an 18-month jail term – due on 19
January at Orenburg Regional Court – will see him freed, his lawyer Raulya
Rogacheva told Forum 18 News Service on 10 January. She said that:
“Asylzhan has been in the prison hospital since his imprisonment suffering
from the effects of diabetes. I saw him yesterday and he was the worst I
have ever seen him.” Although her client does not smoke, he is being held
with others “who smoke constantly”. She said that as a devout Muslim he
only eats halal food, yet the warders bring whatever has been prepared,
regardless of whether it meets his religious dietary requirements. The
trial of four more Nursi readers on the same “extremism”-related charges
resumes in a Krasnoyarsk court on 18 January. Muslim readers of Nursi’s
works frequently face prosecution under Criminal Code Article 282.2
(“Organisation of the activity of an extremist organisation”). Elsewhere in
Russia, other criminal cases are continuing against people for exercising
their freedom of religion or belief. These include Jehovah’s Witnesses, who
are normally prosecuted under Criminal Code Article 282.

RUSSIA: APPEAL TO BE FREED FROM JAIL DUE, BUT CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS
CONTINUE

By Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service

After seven months’ imprisonment in Russia, Asylzhan Kelmukhambetov is
hoping that his second appeal against his 18-month prison term – due on 19
January at Orenburg Regional Court – will see him freed from prison, his
lawyer Raulya Rogacheva told Forum 18 News Service on 10 January. She is
also very concerned about the state of his health. Like many Muslims who
read the works of the late Turkish theologian Said Nursi, Kelmukhambetov
was imprisoned on “extremism”-related charges. The trial of four more Nursi
readers on the same charges resumes in a Krasnoyarsk court on 18 January.

Muslim readers of Nursi’s works frequently face prosecution under Criminal
Code Article 282.2 (“Organisation of the activity of an extremist
organisation”). The Russian authorities insist they belong to an
organisation named Nurdzhular, which was banned as an extremist
organisation by Russia’s Supreme Court in April 2008. However, Nursi
readers insist they belong to no organisation, but simply read his books to
help them understand their faith better (see F18News 29 May 2008
).

“We do not consider justified the ban on the books of the theologian Said
Nursi as extremist, nor the ban on the Nurdzhular organisation, as such an
organisation does not exist in Russia,” notes the Moscow-based Sova Centre.
The independent human rights centre has long tracked the use of
extremism-related laws to punish religious believers and others. “In
practice, prosecutors use the mere study of banned books by Nursi as proof
of membership in it”.

As the number of “extremism” prosecutions continued to rise, in June 2011
Russia’s Supreme Court made clear that cases under “extremism”-related
Articles of the Criminal Code should be very carefully and narrowly framed.
But this has not stopped cases against Muslim readers of Nursi’s works and
Jehovah’s Witnesses (see F18News 19 July 2011
).

The criminal trial of a Jehovah’s Witness married couple, Andrei and
Lyutsiya Raitin, on “extremism” charges under Criminal Code Article 282
(“Actions directed at the incitement of hatred [nenavist] or enmity
[vrazhda], as well as the humiliation of an individual or group of persons
on the basis of .. attitude to religion, .. conducted publicly or through
the media”) is due to resume on 23 January. Jehovah’s Witnesses describe
the accusations as “baseless”, and have pointed out to Forum 18 that the
same day the Raitins’ trial began – 22 December 2011 – fellow Jehovah’s
Witness Aleksandr Kalistratov was finally acquitted on exactly the same
charges. “Unlike Kalistratov, the Raitins held no position of
responsibility in their local community,” Jehovah’s Witness spokesperson
Grigory Martynov told Forum 18. “They’re just ordinary members of the
community”.(see F18News 10 January 2012
).

Article 282.2 “extremism” criminal punishments changed

An extra possibility for punishments under Criminal Code Article 282.2 was
added in the Law amending various Articles of the Criminal Code and other
Laws. This was approved by the State Duma on 17 November 2011, signed by
President Dmitry Medvedev on 7 December 2011, and added a forced labour
possibility. At the same time, punishments under Criminal Code Article 282
were also both increased and added to. Article 282 is the usual choice of
prosecutors seeking to punish Jehovah’s Witnesses exercising their freedom
of religion or belief. However, Article 282.2 is the usual choice of
prosecutors seeking to punish Muslim readers of Nursi’s works exercising
their freedom of religion or belief (see F18News 10 January 2012
).

Russian “anti-extremism” legislation – including Articles 282 and 282.2 –
has systemic problems, as noted in a commentary by Alexander Verkhovsky of
the SOVA Center at F18News 19 July 2010
.

Article 282.2, Part 1 punishes: “Organisation of the activity of a social
or religious association or other organisation in relation to which a court
has adopted a decision legally in force on liquidation or ban on the
activity in connection with the carrying out of extremist activity”.

Punishments under Article 282.2, Part 1 are now: “by means of a fine of
between 100,000 Roubles [19,000 Norwegian Kroner, 2,500 Euros, or 3,170 US
Dollars] to 300,000 Roubles [57,000 Norwegian Kroner, 7,500 Euros, or 9,510
US Dollars],

or of the level of pay or other income of the convicted person for a period
of between one and two years,

or forced labour for a period of up to three years with or without
limitations on freedom for a period of up to two years [a new provision],

or arrest for a period of between four and six months,

or deprivation of freedom for a period of up to three years with of without
deprivation of the right to carry out specific duties or to engage in a
specific activity for a period of up to ten years and with or without
limitations on freedom for a period of up to two years”.

Article 282.2, Part 2 punishes: “Participation in the activity of a social
or religious association or other organisation in relation to which a court
has adopted a decision legally in force on liquidation or ban on the
activity in connection with the carrying out of extremist activity”.

Punishments under Article 282.2, Part 2 are now: “by means of a fine of up
to 200,000 Roubles [38,000 Norwegian Kroner, 5,000 Euros, or 6,340 US
Dollars],

or of the level of pay or other income of the convicted person for a period
of up to 18 months,

or forced labour for a period of up to two years with or without
limitations on freedom for a period of up to one year [a new provision],

or arrest for a period of up to four months,

or deprivation of freedom for a period of up to two years with of without
deprivation of the right to carry out specific duties or to engage in a
specific activity for a period of up to five years and with or without
limitations on freedom for a period of up to one year”.

The forced labour penalties come into force at the beginning of 2013.

In decisions linked to “extremism” legislation, numerous lower court
decisions have found – on highly questionable grounds – that Russian
translations of the Islamic theological works of Said Nursi and Jehovah’s
Witness publications are “extremist” and so placed them on the Justice
Ministry’s Federal List of Extremist Materials (see ‘The battle with
“religious extremism” – a return to past methods?’ F18News 28 April 2009
). Once materials are
on the Federal List, it is then illegal to distribute or store them for
distribution.

Such lower court decisions are of great help to officials seeking to
prosecute Jehovah’s Witnesses and Muslim readers of the works of Said Nursi
for exercising their freedom of religion or belief. A total of 68 Jehovah’s
Witness publications, as well as 15 Russian translations of Nursi’s works,
have already been ruled “extremist” However, a recent attempt to find a key
Hare Krishna book, the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, “extremist” failed in court
in Tomsk (see F18News 5 January 2012
).

Orenburg second appeal

The 42 year-old Kelmukhambetov become the first Muslim reader of Nursi’s
works in Russia to receive a criminal sentence of imprisonment, when he was
sentenced in June 2011. After a trial in the Urals town of Orenburg lasting
nearly a year, Magistrate Valeri Vorobyev at Judicial Unit No. 3 of the
Lenin District sentenced Kelmukhambetov under Criminal Code Article 282.2,
Part 1 to 18 months’ imprisonment. He had not been in detention during the
trial, so was arrested in the courtroom when the sentence was handed down.
Once imprisoned, he was immediately sent to the prison hospital (see
F18News 12 September 2011
).

Kelmukhambetov appealed against his sentence, but Judge Svetlana Shabanova
at Orenburg’s Lenin District Court rejected his appeal in late 2011. The
court website does not appear to list the case and on 12 January the court
refused to give Forum 18 the date of the decision.

He then appealed further to Orenburg Regional Court. The court website
notes that the case arrived at the court on 10 January and lists the appeal
hearing for the morning of 19 January. It gives no name of the judge or
judges due to hear the appeal, and the court refused on 12 January to give
Forum 18 any further information on the case.

“He was the worst I have ever seen him”

Kelmukhambetov’s lawyer Rogacheva insists the case against her client is
“unfounded” and that he has been punished merely for his religious
activity.

She also told Forum 18 from Orenburg that: “Asylzhan has been in the prison
hospital since his imprisonment suffering from the effects of diabetes,”
she complained. “I saw him yesterday and he was the worst I have ever seen
him.”

Rogacheva also noted that Kelmukhambetov is not being treated adequately in
Orenburg’s Investigation Isolation Prison No. 1, where he was taken
immediately after his sentencing. “He is being held there illegally. Plus
his health is bad – he’s in a very bad state, coughing and suffering from
dizziness.”

Although her client does not smoke, he is being held with others “who smoke
constantly”. She said that as a devout Muslim he only eats halal food, yet
the warders bring whatever has been prepared, regardless of whether it
meets his religious dietary requirements.

Krasnoyarsk trial resumes

The trial under Criminal Code Article 282.2 of four more Muslim readers of
Nursi’s works resumes in a court in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk on 18
January. The trial of Andrei Dedkov, Yevgeni Petry, Aleksey Gerasimov and
Fizuli Askarov began under Magistrate Natalya Yermolenko at Judicial Unit
No. 80 in the city’s Soviet District with the first of several preliminary
hearings on 31 August 2011. Dedkov and Petry are being tried under Article
282.2, Part 1, while Gerasimov and Askarov under Article 282.2, Part 2 (see
F18News 31 August 2011
).

The Secretary at Judicial Unit No. 80 – who did not give her name –
described the trial to Forum 18 on 12 January as a “major case” for
Magistrate Yermolenko, the only Magistrate for her Judicial Unit. “She
approaches the case with a sense of responsibility.” However, the Secretary
was reluctant to discuss the trial, including when and how many hearings
have already taken place and when the trial is expected to conclude.

Four trial hearings have already taken place, the most recent in early
December 2011, Nursi reader Dedkov told Forum 18 on 12 January. “At one
hearing an FSB security service officer was questioned, while at two other
hearings secretly recorded video of a group of us meeting to drink tea and
discuss our faith was shown,” he added. “At the final hearing secretly
intercepted telephone calls were heard.” Dedkov said twelve volumes of
evidence still needs to be examined.

“We don’t expect the trial to reach a conclusion for another three or four
months,” his co-defendant Petry complained to Forum 18 from Krasnoyarsk the
same day. “This whole case has been going on for two years.”

Petry complained that he and his fellow defendants have had to devote so
much time to fighting the case. “It is difficult – we can’t leave town
without the Magistrate’s permission, let alone the country, and haven’t
been able to get proper work,” he told Forum 18. “There’s also the worry
over the case and we have also been publicly insulted on television.”

Petry was sceptical that the Magistrate will rule in their favour. “The
court is against us and in any case there’s been an order from above to
sentence us,” he claimed. He insisted he not only wants the accusations to
be withdrawn, he also wants those who brought the case to be fined for
bringing accusations which he claims they know are unfounded.

Chelyabinsk criminal investigation continues

Meanwhile, investigators in Chelyabinsk east of the Urals are continuing to
investigate local Muslim readers of Nursi’s works under Article 282.2, Part
2, Yuri Vlasov, Head of the Department for Especially Important Cases of
the Chelyabinsk Region Investigation Committee, confirmed to Forum 18 from
the city on 12 January. The case is led in Vlasov’s department by Pavel
Derkho. Vlasov refused to say if the case is against any named individuals,
when it was likely to be completed or to give any other information.

On 8 August 2011, a summer home in the village of Aznalino in Safakuleev
District of Kurgan Region owned by Nursi reader Farida Ulmaskulova was
raided. The village is about 90 minutes drive from Chelyabinsk, from where
the raid was organised. Ulmaskulova was teaching seven girls between the
ages of 11 and 17 the principles of Islam and reading the Koran, using a
course devised by the Chelyabinsk Spiritual Union of Muslims. Almost
simultaneously, two homes in Chelyabinsk – Ulmaskulova’s home and the home
of Gulnaz Valeyeva – were raided (see F18News 31 August 2011
).

Ulmaskulova told Forum 18 from Chelyabinsk on 12 January 2012 that
investigators have not told her or Valeyeva who is being investigated or
what specific charges they might face. “We have been questioned as
witnesses so far, not as suspects.” However, she fears that she and
Valeyeva will eventually be charged and brought to trial. She said she had
not been questioned since September 2011, though other family members were
summoned and questioned later in 2011. “Two of the girls I have taught were
summoned and questioned this January,” she told Forum 18.

Ulmaskulova said the whole experience has been “unpleasant”. She also
complained that books confiscated from her – including those by Said Nursi
– have not been returned. “I read them regularly,” she noted. Nor has her
mobile phone or computer discs taken from her been returned.

Novosibirsk criminal investigation continues

Two Muslim readers of Nursi’s works in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk,
Ilham Merazhov and Kamil Odilov, are being investigated under Article
282.2. As part of the investigation, a private home where a group of their
friends were meeting was raided in October 2011, followed by a raid on
Merazhov’s own home (see F18News 14 October 2011
).

The new investigator in the case at Dzerzhinsky Inter-District
Investigation Committee, Stanislav Leiba, told Forum 18 from Novosibirsk on
10 January that the investigation period has just been prolonged and “no
court hearings are expected yet”. He refused to discuss any other aspect of
the case.

Merazhov and Odilov tried to challenge the legality of the search, claiming
that the search warrant made no mention of what officers were looking for.
However, their suit was rejected on 5 December 2011 by Novosibirsk Regional
Court, Merazhov told Forum 18 from Novosibirsk on 12 January.

The two also tried to challenge the opening of the criminal case against
them. “The case is completely unfounded,” Merazhov insisted. Although the
challenge should have been heard within five days, it was “dragged out” for
two months. Finally Judge Igor Temirsultanov of Novosibirsk’s October
District Court rejected the suit on 27 December 2011, Merazhov said. They
have now appealed against this ruling to Novosibirsk Regional Court.

Merazhov lamented that he has not been able to get back his books, computer
and mobile phone confiscated from him during the raid. “I work at the
university and need my computer,” he told Forum 18. “The first investigator
who has now been removed, Aleksei Los, told me I would get them back in a
week. But at the 27 December court hearing, Leiba told me all the
confiscated items have been sent to the FSB.”

Recent sentences

Among other recent prosecutions of Muslim readers of Nursi’s works, Rashid
Abdulov was sentenced under Article 282.2 in the Volga city of Ulyanovsk in
September 2011 to one-year’s compulsory work, but was freed because he had
already spent nearly eight months in custody (see F18News 12 September 2011
).

Six Nursi readers were convicted under Article 282.2 at a two-hour trial in
October 2011 in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, on the River Volga east of the
capital Moscow. Three received prison terms, with Elshan Gasanov receiving
one year’s imprisonment (see F18News 14 October 2011
). (END)

For more background, see Forum 18’s Russia religious freedom survey at
.

Analysis of the background to Russian policy on “religious extremism” is
available in two articles: – ‘How the battle with “religious extremism”
began’ (F18News 27 April 2009
– and – ‘The battle
with “religious extremism” – a return to past methods?’ (F18News 28 April
2009 ).

A personal commentary by Irina Budkina, Editor of the
Old Believer website, about continuing denial of
equality to Russia’s religious minorities, is at F18News 26 May 2005
.

A personal commentary by Alexander Verkhovsky, Director of the SOVA Center
for Information and Analysis , about the
systemic problems of Russian anti-extremism legislation, is at F18News 19
July 2010 .

Reports on freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Russia can be found
at .

A compilation of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) freedom of religion or belief commitments can be found at
.

A printer-friendly map of Russia is available at
.
(END)

© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855
You may reproduce or quote this article provided that credit is given to
F18News

Past and current Forum 18 information can be found at

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 January 12,
2012

Christmas at St. Vartan Cathedral
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Dr. Raffy Hovanessian, godfather of the
Blessing of Water Ceremony.

_Christ’s Birth Celebrated on January 6_

New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral resounded with the Good News of
Christ’s birth on January 5 and 6, as individuals and families, young and
old alike, took part in the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity and
Theophany-Armenian Christmas.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy before a large
crowd. In his homily, the Diocesan Primate noted: `What sets Christians
apart is that we proclaim the Good News. The Good News is timeless,
eternal; always good, and always new. The Good News can sustain us against
all the bad news of the world. Indeed, the Good News has sustained the
Armenian people for countless generations.’

Dr. Raffy Hovanessian served as godfather for the _churorhnek_, or Blessing
of Water ceremony, which followed the Divine Liturgy on Friday.

At a Christmas Day reception in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, the
Akh’tamar Dance Ensemble of New Jersey offered a delightful dance
performance. Concurrent with the Armenian Christmas observances, a special
art exhibit was on display in the cathedral complex: `Armenian Christmas and
the Legacy of Ten Armenian Artists.’

On the prior evening, January 5, Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian had celebrated
the Christmas Eve liturgy in the cathedral. And at local parishes
throughout the Eastern Diocese, Christmas services on January 6 and on
Sunday, January 8 were likewise well attended.

[4]Click here to read more about the cathedral’s Armenian Christmas
celebration.
Links:
4.

To view videos of the services and Archbishop Barsamian’s sermon, [5]click
here.
Links:
5.

Armenian Church in Livingston, NY

_Primate to Visit Holy Cross Church of Union City, NY_

On Sunday, January 15, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will
visit the Holy Cross Church of Union City, NJ, where he will celebrate the
Divine Liturgy and ordain three parishioners to the rank of acolyte. The
three are: Matthew Bagdat, Tadevos Grigoryan, and Garnik Hovannesian.

Services will be followed by a fellowship hour in the church hall.

Scripture of the Week

Is 54:1-13
1Tim 1:1-11
Jn 2:1-11

Prayer of the Week

I thank you and magnify you and glorify you, O Lord my God. Be with me
always according to your unfailing promise that “Whoever eats my Body and
drinks my Blood dwells in me and I in him.” You did say so, you who love
mankind. Uphold the words of your divine and irrevocable commandments. For
you are the God of mercy and of compassion and of love toward mankind, now
and always. Amen.

Upcoming Saints & Feasts

_13 January:_ Feast of the Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ

_14 January:_ Feast of the Birth of St. John the Forerunner

_17 January:_ St. Antony the Hermit

CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Catholicos Karekin II
His Holiness Karekin II conducts the Blessing of Water service at Holy
Etchmiadzin.

_Christmas at Holy Etchmiadzin_

On Thursday, January 6, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of
the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord, and performed the Blessing of Water
service at Holy Etchmiadzin.

The godfather of this year’s Blessing of Water Service was Gabriel
Jambarjin. Armenia’s President Serge Sargsyan and other government officials
were present at the celebration.

In his Christmas message, His Holiness spoke on the importance of love and
faith. `Faith and love are those unshakeable foundations on which our
country and people become stronger and are filled with joy and delight,’ he
said. `The fruits of faith and love are the good works which shall always
accompany us, so long as our path does not divert from Christ’s luminous
path.’

[6]Click here to view a video about the Christmas celebration at the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Links:
6.

Catholicos Karekin II
Fire damaged the Sourp Nshan Armenian Church of Tbilisi, Georgia on January
9.

_Fire Damages Armenian Church in Tbilisi, Georgia_

On January 11, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
all Armenians, summoned a special meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council
at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Two days earlier, on January 9, the
Sourp Nshan Armenian Church of Tbilisi, Georgia, had caught fire by unknown
means. The use of water (instead of foam) to quench the flames caused damage
to the walls of the church and resulted in the collapse of one of its four
standing columns.

The Supreme Spiritual Council released a statement calling on Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili, and His Holiness Ilia II,
Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, to protect and preserve the Armenian
churches in Georgia, as they had agreed during Catholicos Karekin’s 2011
pontifical visit to the republic.

The church previously suffered fire damage in 2002, as well as damage from
an earthquake. Currently an abandoned structure, Sourp Nshan has become a
place for indigents; despite an ongoing dialogue between the Armenian and
Georgian spiritual leaders, the Georgian authorities have not initiated an
agreed restoration of this Armenian monument.

DIOCESAN NEWS

Fund for Armenia Relief Board
FAR’s Board of Directors met at the Diocesan Center on January 10.

_FAR Holds Meeting of Board_

On January 10, 2012, the Fund for Armenian Relief Board of Directors
examined the organization’s successes, Armenia’s present challenges, and
promising ways to further improve FAR’s services.

The past two decades have witnessed remarkable success in FAR’s outreach
programs. From delivering emergency relief in the aftermath of the 1988
Armenian earthquake, to its current leadership role in improving Armenia’s
human services, developing infrastructure, funding research, and advancing
standards of medical care, FAR’s active presence in Armenia has benefited
the quality of life and opportunity for an entire generation of our
countrymen.

As the needs of Armenia have evolved, so too have FAR’s efforts. During the
January 10 gathering, the directors affirmed their commitment to FAR’s core
mission, defined new strategic priorities, and committed to focusing on
empowering the people of Armenia to become active participants in developing
a productive, sustainable society.

[7]Click here to find the latest FAR news.
Links:
7.

Ararat Board meeting at the Diocesan Center
Members of the Ararat Center board met at the Diocesan Center on January 12.

_Ararat Center Board Meeting_

The Board of Directors of Ararat Center of the Eastern Diocese held a
meeting at the Diocesan Center on January 12. Diocesan Primate Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian presided over the gathering.

The board members addressed various topics, including marketing and
maintenance of the facility, fundraising, and the upcoming summer sessions
of St. Vartan Camp.

They also recognized outgoing members Rose Najarian Kedeshian, Karnig
Durgarian, and Steve Megrdichian-all of whom the Primate thanked for their
leadership. Newly elected to the board are Tom Ashbahian (who will serve as
the new board chair) and Aram Hintlian.

Diocesan Sunday School Worship Program
Sunday School students in Framingham, MA, actively participate in Sunday
“family worship.”

_A Helpful Model for Diocesan Sunday Schools _

Since 2009, Diocesan Sunday Schools have been using a `family worship’
model, whereby students divide their Sunday mornings between time spent in
the church sanctuary and time spent in a traditional classroom setting.

After two years of this `pilot program’-and thanks to the dedication of
pastors, superintendents, teachers and parents-Diocesan Sunday School
students and their families are enjoying a more holistic Sunday worship
experience. Sunday Schools have found the effort helpful and productive.
Students are in church more regularly and for longer periods, and are
receiving Holy Communion more frequently.

To read more about this innovative program, coordinated by the Diocese’s
Department of Youth and Education (DYE), [8]click here. And contact your
local parish to find out how your family can become involved in its local
Sunday School program.
Links:
8.

Hye Reflections

_Read the Latest on the Women’s Guild _

The new edition of “Hye Reflections,” the official e-newsletter of the
Women’s Guild Central Council, is now available as a PDF download. To read
the latest news from the Women’s Guild Central Council, updates on the
activities of local parish guilds, and member reflections on the Women’s
Guild’s mission in the Armenian Church, [9]click here.
Parsh Christmas Celebrations
Links:
9.

_View Our “Family Christmas Album”
_
In response to our request last week, a number of Diocesan parishes were
wonderfully generous in sharing photos of their local Armenian Christmas
celebrations. The resulting “family album” is a testimony to the love and
faith of our parishioners.

[10]Click here to view the photo gallery.
Links:
10.

Armenian Church Calendar 2012

_Download the 2012 Oratsouyts_

The 2012 Oratsouyts (Liturgical Calendar) issued by the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin is now available as a PDF document. [11]Click here to download
the Oratsouyts.
Links:
11.

The Armenian-language publication is a daily guide to scripture readings,
hymns, and feast days of the Armenian Church. It has been continuously
published by Holy Etchmiadzin for the past 146 years.

The 2012 edition was prepared by Bishop Mikael Ajapahian, Primate of the
Diocese of Shirak in Armenia, and Bishop Artak Tigranian.

PARISH NEWS

St. Mary Armenian Church, LIvingston
Archbishop Barsamian stands among the students of St. Mary Church in
Livingston, NJ.

_Primate Presides at Livingston Christmas Service_

Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presided over the Armenian
Christmas celebration at the St. Mary Church of Livingston, N.J., on Sunday,
January 8. The Primate delivered a sermon on the meaning of Christ’s birth,
and the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Arakel Vardazaryan-a
young visiting priest who is currently doing an internship at the St.
Gregory the Enlightener parish of White Plains, NY.

In the course of the service, St. Mary Sunday School students sang several
_sharagans_ from the Divine Liturgy-to the delight of parents and the
Primate, who in his sermon congratulated the children, their teachers and
parents on their dedication to bringing the beauty of the _badarak_ to life.

Following _badarak_ and the Blessing of Water ceremony-where young Bedros
Maldjian served as godfather-the Sunday School presented a Christmas pageant
in the sanctuary, which through song, verse, and costume portrayed the
events of Jesus’ nativity. A Christmas luncheon followed in the parish’s
Toufayan Hall.

Although the Livingston church has been without a fulltime pastor since the
summer, it has been holding regular Sunday services thanks to the
graciousness of several visiting priests. Earlier in the week, on the
actual date of the Feast of Theophany (January 6), Fr. Vardazaryan
celebrated _badarak_ at the church; and on the previous night, the Very Rev.
Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, celebrated the Armenian Christmas Eve
liturgy.

Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian
Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian.

_Boca Raton to Celebrate Pastor’s 20 Years of Service_

On Saturday, January 21, the St. David Church of Boca Raton, FL, will honor
its longtime pastor, the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, on the 20th
anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood.

Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian will preside over the
celebratory banquet held in the church’s Mardigian Hall. Fr. Berberian was
the very first priest to receive ordination by the hand of the Primate, in
1992.

Also attending the event will be Diocesan Ecumenical Director Archbishop
Vicken Aikazian, along with clergy from the Diocese and the surrounding
community in Boca Raton.

On Sunday, January 22, Archbishop Barsamian will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy at the St. David Church, during which he will ordain subdeacon Arlen
Avedyan to the order of diaconate.

Those interested in attending should make reservations by January 14; call
the church office at (561) 994-2335 for information.

St. Sarkis Church, Niagara Falls
Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian conducts the Blessing of Water service at
St. Sarkis Church, Niagara Falls.

_Niagara Falls Welcomes Vicar _

The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy at the St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Niagara Falls, NY, on January
8.

Longtime parishioner James Barbados served as godfather during the Blessing
of Water ceremony. More than 40 faithful from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, as
well as some guests from California and Canada, took part in the
celebration.

The Divine Liturgy is celebrated once every month in this parish, which is
located less than a mile from the Falls and the Rainbow Bridge to Canada.

At a brunch following the January 8 liturgy, organized by parish council
chair Ani Avdoian, parishioners broke out into an impromptu sing-a-long.

Atlanta Mission Parish
Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian celebrates the Divine Liturgy in the mission parish
of Atlanta, GA.

_Mission Parishes Celebrate Christmas__ _

Christ’s birth was celebrated with great joy in the mission parish of
Atlanta, GA, as well as at the St. Garabed Church of Baton Rouge, LA. The
Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, Diocesan director of Mission Parishes, travelled
to both communities for the Armenian Christmas celebrations.

In Atlanta, over 65 members of the community gathered on January 5 for the
Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of Water ceremony. Vachagan Arakelyan, a
young member of the community who had emigrated from Armenia, was honored as
the godfather of the cross.

Following the _badarak_, members of the parish council prepared and served a
dinner to the parishioners.

In Baton Rouge, evening services on Saturday, January 7 began with readings
from the prophets foretelling of the birth of Christ. This was followed by
the _`jrakalouyts’ _service, where candles were lit to the proclamation of
the good news of the Christ’s birth, _Krisdos dzuv yev haydnetsav_!

On Sunday, January 8, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated to commemorate the
Feast of Theophany, with the Blessing of Water following. Serving as the
godfather of the cross was Edward Dakessian.

The day’s festivities concluded with a traditional Christmas meal in the
church hall.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Providence
On December 28, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, presented a
concert titled `Silent Night, Holy Night.”

_A Providential Christmas Concert_

On December 28, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, presented a
concert titled `Silent Night, Holy Night’ in the church sanctuary. The
unique concert, an effort of the parish’s Cultural Committee, was a joint
performance by choirs from the Armenian and Syriac Christian traditions.

Parish pastor Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin welcomed the Rev. Fr. Mattias Shaltan,
pastor of St. Ephraim Syriac Orthodox Church of Central Falls, as well as
the faithful of the area Armenian and Syriac communities.

Maestro Konstantin Petrossian directed the Armenian Chorale of Rhode Island
and the Junior Choir of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, while Gabriel Aydin
led the St. Ephraim Children’s and Adult Choir.

The program of Christmas carols and religious music from two distinctive
traditions included a memorable solo performance of `O Come, All Ye
Faithful’ sung by 9-year-old David Alexander. Other vocal and instrumental
solos were offered by Sarkis Yepremian, Gohar Manjelikian, David Griego, and
Mari Panosian.

A lovely post-concert gathering took place in the parish’s Egavian Cultural
Hall, where attendees had an opportunity to share good wishes of the season.

_Upcoming Parish Events _

_Armenian Church of Southwest Florida _
The first Divine Liturgy of 2012 will be celebrated at the Armenian Church
of Southwest Florida by the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar,
on Sunday, January 15. The service will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal
Church in Bonita Springs, FL, beginning at 1 p.m.

A luleh kebab luncheon will follow services (advance reservations are
required for the luncheon). For information, reservations, or to be placed
on the church mailing list, contact parish council chair Carole Meghreblian
at (239) 348-3804.

_St. Gregory the Illuminator Church | Chicago, IL_
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Chicago, IL, will host its 3rd annual
Armenian Winter Fest and Dance on Saturday, January 21, from 4 to 11 p.m.

The evening will feature a special performance by the Armenian Dance Company
of Chicago. Enjoy shish kebob, chicken kebob, and homemade pastries.
Admission is free. For information [12]click here.
Links:
12.

_St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY_
The ACYOA of St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, will
host its annual holiday party on Saturday, January 21, beginning at 8 p.m.

The evening will feature music by Robert Chilingirian, the Khnjooyk Band,
and DJ Glo. Tickets are $20. [13]Click here to view a flyer for details, or
e-mail [14][email protected] to make a reservation.
Links:
13.
14. mailto:[email protected]

EVENTS

Armenian Bible published in 1666 in Amsterdam
The first printed Armenian Bible, published in Amsterdam, 1666.

_Commemorating 500 Years of Armenian Printing_

The Diocesan Center in New York will be the venue for a special presentation
honoring the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing, on the evening of
Tuesday, January 24.

Zakarya Mildanoglu, a columnist for the _Agos _Weekly of Istanbul, will be
the keynote speaker, delivering his remarks in Armenian. Hagop Vartivarian
will be the master of ceremonies.

The event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in Guild Hall of the Diocesan Center,
will take place under the auspices of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern), in collaboration with several organizations.

Admission is free and open to the public. To view a flyer, [15]click here.
Links:
15.

YOUTH NEWS

Khrimian Lyceum
Khrimian Lyceum students visit Armenia’s Mission to the United Nations, in
New York.

_Khrimian Lyceum in International Competition_

Congratulations to the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum for its strong finish in an
international competition of Armenian youth organizations sponsored by the
Republic of Armenia’s Ministry of the Diaspora.

Youth programs from more than a dozen countries were judged on the basis of
their mission and goals, and on submitted statements outlining their
history, recent achievements, future plans, and collaborative efforts within
the broader Armenian community.

The Khrimian Lyceum (a program of the Armenian Studies section of the
Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education) placed 4th place in its
category-which represented the highest ranking among American competitors.
Youth groups from Russia, Spain, Argentina, Georgia, the Ukraine, the
Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria, Estonia,
Karabagh, Australia, and the U.S. were among the contest entrants.

The list of winners will soon be posted on the ministry’s [16]official
website.
Links:
16.

PRESS RELEASE
ARS of Western USA, Inc.
Regional Office
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel. (818) 500-1343
Fax: (818) 242-3732
E-Mail: [email protected]

CONTACT: Talar Aintablian, (818) 500-1343
[email protected]

We’re Bringing Snow to Glendale!

WHAT: The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA will be bringing a
Winter Wonderland to Glendale, featuring 25 tons of snow and two large snow
slides for children of all ages to enjoy; amusement rides, including a
Ferris Wheel and Rock-O-Plane; a children’s games area, and great food. Live
entertainment will include songs and international dance performances.

A large community turnout is expected as
advertisements for the event, including a posting in the Crescenta Valley
Chamber of Commerce’s newsletter, have prompted back-to-back phone calls to
the Regional Headquarters inquiring into event details. It is sure to
provide a great photo opportunity of the community taking pleasure from a
winter experience.

Trivial Admission fee.

WHEN: Saturday, January 14, 2012 (11 am – 10 pm)

Sunday, January 15, 2012 (10 am – 10 pm)
(Sunday only, outdoor rides start at 1 pm)

WHERE: St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church
500 S. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91204

###

SOCIOLOGIST: CRACKDOWN ON SHADY DEALINGS IN ARMENIA MAKES SMALL BUSINESSES MORE VULNERABLE

/ARKA/
JANUARY 12, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, January 12. /ARKA/. Crackdown on shady dealings in Armenia
makes small businesses more vulnerable, Aharon Adibekyan, director
of Sociometer center, said on Thursday.

He told journalists that shadow economy constitutes 20 to 25% of GDP,
and small and medium-size enterprises total 132,923 and make up 97.7%
of all the commercial legal entities and individual entrepreneurs
registered in Armenia.

The results of the studies conducted by the center in 2011 show
that outflow of the population, the falling birth rate, unfavorable
environment for investments and the struggle against shadow economy
that strikes hard at small businesses are among the country’s biggest
troubles.

“Small businesses are defenseless in our country, while everywhere
in the world they are protected very well and ensure ¾ or 85% of
jobs,” Adibekyan said. “If a business has only one source of income,
it is now taxable at all. In the entire world, this is a usual way
for reducing unemployment.”

He voiced criticism at a campaign launched in 2011 by Yerevan
municipality against street kiosks.

“Small kiosks were being closed for tax evasion, but if they paid
taxes, they would face bankruptcy,” he said. “That’s why they should
be relocated or dismantled very carefully.”

The city authorities’ campaign against small retail outlets having
their contract terms expired has prompted vigorous protests. Owners
of kiosks, human rights activists and politicians protested against it.

BAKO SAHAKYAN MEETS WITH ARF ARTSAKH CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Panorama.am
12/01/2012

On 12 January President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan met
with members of ARF Artsakh Central Committee led by representative
of the organization David Ishkhanyan.

At the meeting, the sides discussed issues related to the domestic
and foreign policy of the country.

Bako Sahakyan placed a high value on such discussions, classing them
as a key component of political culture, Artsakh President’s press
office reported.

SERZH AND VOVA’S “FISHING NET”
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:53:41 – 12/01/2012

The Chief of Police of Armenia Vladimir Gasparyan stated about his
intention to throw fishing nets which have caught drug addicts who are
members of the BHP so far. Time will show what else will appear in
the election net of the Police. But this is a very symbolic tactics
especially considering Serzh Sargsyan’s New Year address that the
parliamentary elections are not a means of taking power.

In other words, Serzh Sargsyan will not fight for votes, leaving it
to political forces, but he will be “fishing” with Vova Gasparyan.

No need to get surprised that in Armenia “fish” is more important
than vote. So happens in all the countries with criminal governments,
shaded deals and unlawful guarantees for many years. In such a country
everyone is vulnerable and it is only necessary to throw the “fishing
net” to catch everyone, in this case, it is no longer important how
many votes each will get.

It first of all concerns the pro-government forces. In the
parliamentary election the fight will be tougher between the government
forces rather than with the opposition.

It is no secret that Serzh Sargsyan’s main concern is the Bargavach
Hayastan Party which, unlike the opposition, besides some public
support has also the administrative resource and the money necessary to
keep it. The BHP has influential government resources which can be more
aggressive in case Robert Kocharyan decides to enter into the game.

In this case, only the fishing net can repress the appetite of the
BHP because the election period in 2012-2013 is not only the process
of formation of power for the next 5 years but also the basis of the
2018 presidential election.

ARMENIA’S TOURISM ATTRACTIONS TO BE PRESENTED BY INTERNATIONAL TV CHANNELS

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 12, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: No matter how much advertised tourism
site Armenia is, there is still a lot to be done in this direction.

Head of the Tourism Department of Armenia’s Economy Ministry Mekhak
Apresian told Armenpress noticeable works have been undertaken and
are still ongoing for presenting Armenia as a tourism country through
international TV channels.

“Our country is the first in the Caucasian region to be presented
by CNN and Euronews. The one-minute TV commercials shown by these
channels were followed by the presentation of “Armenia: the Land of
Noah” documentary film which till now is being shown by international
authoritative TV channels,” he noted.

Apresyan said familiarizing visit of representatives of a travel
program of Polish leading TV channel to Armenia was also organized.

Group of ten people visited Armenia’s sightseeing for preparing
a program about Armenia which was to be shown in Poland in a
month. The other important project was the coverage of the opening
of Halidzor-Tatev cable way by Euronews. A familiarizing visit for
representatives of 25 mass media from Russia, France, Italy, the
United States and Britain was organized for Armenia’s coverage by
foreign mass media.

The head of the tourism department stressed that the row of events
addressed to the development of tourism sphere has been fulfilled with
Barbeque and Wine all-Armenian festivals which were widely covered
by CNN, Russian ORT, RTR, MIR and Georgian Rustavi 2.

“In 2012 events addressed to finding new markets will be implemented.

With that aim the country’s tourism will be presented in primary
markets and international tourism exhibitions. It will give the
representatives of the private sector an opportunity to present their
tourism packages and establish business ties with foreign partners,”
Apresyan stressed.

This year it is expected to ensure visit of 900 thousand tourists to
Armenia. In case of preservation of the tempo of such growth about
1 million tourists are expected to visit Armenia in 2013.