Author: Badalian Vardan

Panorama, Armenia
Jan 6 2012

«Christ is Born and Revealed! Blessed is the Revelation of Christ.»

On January 6, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of
the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the
commemoration of the Birth and Baptism of Jesus Christ. God was
incarnated and appeared to the people.
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual commemoration of the birth of
Jesus Christ, celebrated generally on December 25 as a religious and
cultural holiday by billions of people around the world. In the
early-to-mid 4th century, Western Christianity first placed Christmas
on December 25, a date later adopted also in the East. The original
date of the celebration in Eastern Christianity was January 6, in
connection with Epiphany, and that is still the date of the
celebration for the Armenian Apostolic Church and in Armenia. There is
a difference of 13 days between the modern Gregorian calendar and the
older Julian calendar.

Those who continue to use the Julian calendar or its equivalents thus
celebrate December 25 and January 6 on what for the majority of the
world is January 7 and January 19. For this reason, Ethiopia, Russia,
Ukraine, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, and the Republic of
Moldova celebrate Christmas on what in the Gregorian calendar is
January 7; all the Greek Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on
December 25.

During the Baptism of Jesus God the Father said, `This is my Son, whom
I love; with him I am well pleased’ (Mt 3:17) and the Holy Spirit
descended on Christ in the form of dove, so God appeared to the people
for the second time. So, both Theophanies revealed by means of the
Birth and Baptism of Jesus Christ are celebrated in the Armenian
Church jointly on January 6. The feast starts on the eve, in the
evening of January 5, and is continued after the midnight. On the eve
a solemn Candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated and on January 6 a
solemn Divine Liturgy is celebrated.

The Birth of Jesus happened in this way. `In those days Caesar
Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire
Roman world. … And everyone went to his own town to register. So
Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to
Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line
of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be
married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the
time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her
firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a
manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.’ (Lk 2:1-7) The
Son of God was born in poverty, in a manger. The witnesses of His
Birth were the shepherds living out in the fields nearby, whom the
angels had appeared and brought the good news of the Birth of the
Savior singing: `Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to
men on whom his favor rests.’ (Lk 2:18)

Source: Panorama.am

RTBF, Belgique
5 janv 2012

Génocide arménien: Ankara envisage de nouvelles rétorsions contre Paris

MONDE | jeudi 5 janvier 2012 à 10h58

La Turquie pourrait décider de nouvelles mesures de rétorsion contre
la France si le Sénat français adoptait d’ici la fin janvier une
proposition de loi sanctionnant la négation de tous les génocides dont
le génocide arménien, a-t-on appris jeudi de source diplomatique
turque.

“Il se peut qu’il y ait un rabaissement de la représentation
diplomatique turque à Paris, ça paraît probable”, a indiqué cette
source, en allusion à une éventuelle décision d’Ankara de ne plus se
faire représenter par un ambassadeur à Paris mais à un échelon
inférieur.

L’ambassade de Turquie à Paris, de son côté, a confirmé le retour
lundi dans la capitale française de l’ambassadeur Tahsin Burcuoglu
“pour suivre le processus au Sénat”. Le diplomate avait été rappelé en
décembre en Turquie “pour consultations”, après l’adoption de la
proposition de loi par l’Assemblée nationale.

“Toutes les contre-mesures restent en place mais il va revenir pour
suivre le processus du Sénat”, a indiqué à l’AFP le porte-parole de
l’ambassade Engin Solakoglu, rappelant que depuis le vote à
l’Assemblée nationale qui a provoqué la fureur d’Ankara, “il n’y a
plus de visites, plus de contacts bilatéraux, plus de coopération dans
tous les domaines” avec l’Etat français.

Mais, a-t-il souligné, “ça ne concerne pas le secteur privé, les
relations entre les entreprises turques et françaises sont
maintenues”.

Les députés français ont adopté le 22 décembre un texte punissant d’un
an de prison et 45.000 euros d’amende la négation d’un génocide
reconnu par la loi, comme l’est depuis 2001 en France le génocide
arménien de 1915 sous l’Empire ottoman, qui a fait 1,5 million de
morts, selon les Arméniens.

Tert.am, Armenia
Jan 5 2012

`It’s me’ to be premiered in Armenia’s capital

16:40 – 05.01.12

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Armenian army, 32
production and the Goyak cultural center have created a film entitled
`Yes em’ (It’s me).

`Armenia’s minister of defense suggested the idea, and 32 production
has put it into practice,’ Karen Babajanyan, General Producer, 32
production, told Tert.am.

The film was shot at a military unit.

The renowned actor, People’s Artist of Armenia Sos Sargsyan played a
role in the film.

`Young actors mostly constitute the cast, and the film is a real debut
for them,’ Babajanyan said.

The film is planned to be shown in Armenia’s military units. The
premiere is to take place at the Moscow cinema, at 8:00pm, on Jan. 7.

It is a noncommercial film, Babajanyan said.

Karen Babajanyan and Vahagn Grigoryan are scriptwriters.

news.am, Armenia
Jan 5 2012

2011 for Armenia and Turkey is year of missed opportunities –
political scientist

January 05, 2012 | 13:11

YEREVAN. – Armenian Turkish relations do not depend on Armenia’s
domestic situation, the settlement of Armenian Turkish relations only
depend on Turkey. Political Scientist Sergey Minasyan told Armenian
News-NEWS.am in an interview.

`If any factors affect Armenian – Turkish relations then it does not
come from Turkey’s domestic political situation but it comes from
Turkey’s foreign policy. It is quite possible that because of Turkey’s
foreign policy which formally carries the `zero problems with
neighbors’ character Turkey has problems with all its neighbors.
Turkey managed to reach that condition in a very short time,’ Minasyan
mentioned.

According to the expert, if there is any hope that Armenian-Turkish
relations are settled then it will certainly depend on the growth of
Turkey’s problems with its neighbors.

`Only then the renewal of Armenian – Turkish relations settlement
process will be possible as if so Turkey will be able to prove that it
is able to make some constructive steps in its foreign policy. I think
that in 2012 the possibility of that scenario is minimal,’ the
political scientist said.

Estimating 2011 from the view point of settling Armenian Turkish
relations, the expert said that it was a year of missed opportunities
for both countries.

Hurriyet, Turkey
Jan 4 2012

Journalists to remain under arrest

ISTANBUL
Nedim Å?ener.

An Istanbul court ruled for continued arrests of two famous reporters
on trial for alleged links to Ergenekon group.

The pair said that press freedom and journalism itself ` instead of
journalists ` was on trial. The next hearing will take place on Jan.
23, journalists tweeting from the courthouse published on the
microblogging website Twitter.

`My responses to the accusations doesn’t construe acceptance. We are
living in times in which we shall not speak of silence. This is a case
against press freedom,’ said Ahmet Å?ık, one of those on trial.

“The situation is obvious. I do not request a discharge. I request
nothing. I am journalist and I have always been after the truth. I
never got any orders from anyone.’

The eighth hearing of the Oda TV case, in which 14 suspects, including
arrested journalists Ahmet Å?ık, Nedim Ã?ener and Soner Yalçın, are
being tried, continued yesterday.

The case has raised numerous concerns over media freedom in Turkey,
which is currently holding more than 100 members of the news media in
jail, one of the highest numbers worldwide.

`I didn’t bring my book, God forbid it might explode,’ told Å?ık in the
court referring to his book which was declared `illegal’ and
confiscated by police before it was published.

Nedim Å?ener and Å?ık, investigative journalists who were arrested in
March and have been held since in a top-security prison outside
Istanbul, were among the 14 defendants in court to open their defense
yesterday. The defendants are accused of having ties to the Ergenekon
gang, which allegedly tried to overthrow the government by first
fomenting chaos in society.

Many journalists, academics and intellectuals attended the trial in
order to give support to the arrested journalists.

Å?ık has written books about how the Fethullah Gülen movement, which is
centered around a Turkish theologian based in Pennsylvania and is
considered to be close to the ruling party, has infiltrated the
police.

Deriding the case, he said: `With this indictment, you could accuse
all journalists of being a member of Ergenekon. It’s ridiculous. There
is an organization as you claim. But its name is contra-guerilla, that
is, the deep state, not Ergenekon.’

Å?ık said he had never met Yalçın, the journalist and owner of the Oda
TV, a website known for its criticism of the government.

`I have never met Soner Yalçın, whom I am allegedly taking orders
from. Ideologically, we are on opposite sides,’ Å?ık added.

`Eleven people are in their 11th month in jail. We don’t even know
what we are accused of. There’s no crime in prosecutor’s indictment,’
he said.

Å?ener, an award-winning journalist who has written books about
Turkey’s clandestine deep-state activities, greeted observers as he
entered a packed courtroom, saying, `Welcome to the theater’ and
taking a bow.

`I was tried in almost 100 different cases because of what I have
written in previous years. But for the first time in my life, I have
been arrested and tried for a book which I haven’t written,’ he said.

Å?ener said there was a structure inside the police and the national
intelligence services that had tried to cover up the truth of the
assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

`I don’t want my daughter to grow up in a society where Hrant’s
murderers are free,’ Ã?ener said.

Å?ener said he was awarded with many national and international
journalism awards.

`My name is on the `Press freedom heroes’ list at the International
Press Institute with those of [murdered daily Milliyet journalist]
Abdi İpekçi and Hrant Dink. In addition, I was awarded with a PEN
Literary Award which was also given to Hrant Dink and [human rights
defender] Ragıp Zarakolu. Unfortunately Abdi İpekçi and Hrant Dink are
assassinated, I and Ragıp Zarakolu have been arrested,’ Å?ener added.

Several hundred suspects, including retired senior military officers,
academics, lawyers and journalists have been detained in cases related
to Ergenekon.

Yalçın Küçük, an author and television debate show presenter, Yalçın
and several colleagues from Oda TV also participated in the hearing
yesterday.

Also in the dock was a former police chief, Hanefi Avcı, who has
written about the alleged infiltration of the police by Gülenists.

January/05/2012

News.Az, Azerbaijan
Jan 5 2012

France will ‘bury hope’ for opening Turkish-Armenian borders
Thu 05 January 2012 07:53 GMT | 9:53 Local Time

News.Az interviews Muharram Varli, member of the Turkish Parliament.
Has Turkey done enough for now to prevent adoption of the bill
criminalizing denial of the `Armenian genocide’ by the French Senate?

I note that Turkey, already in 2008, made a mistake by attempting to
normalize relations with Armenia. The fallacy of this policy
manifested itself in the first days of its implementation. The
government should not have gone for it as long as Armenia stood firm
in territorial claims against Turkey and Azerbaijan. And now the
government is “reaping the fruits” of the process, initiated by it
three years ago. In other words, one of the evident causes why France
became activated in “genocide” issue is because of “soft policy” of
the Turkish government.

As to the scope of work done to prevent the adoption of the bill, it
was miserable. Thus, that little portion of work conducted by the
Turkish side was unfortunately directed not to making preventive
measures. This work was limited to condemnation of facts i.e. adoption
of so called `Armenian genocide’ in this or that parliament of
European countries. Turkey should have explained to Paris that using
`Armenian issue’ for its internal political goals will do nothing but
exacerbate the situation of France itself.

What levers does Turkey have to prevent the adoption of this document
by the French Senate in 2012?

Turkey along with Azerbaijan should take all possible measures with
joint efforts and means. The Azerbaijani and Turkish parliaments
should also contribute in these efforts. And it’s long overdue for the
parliaments of the two fraternal countries to adopt similar documents
like European countries do.

In addition, Azerbaijan and Turkey in advance, you should prepare a
list of countermeasures, which they will apply jointly against France
in case of adoption of the bill by the Senate of this country. These
countermeasures should consider issues concerning reduction of Turkish
and Azerbaijani political relations with the official Paris, refusing
joint projects with France, as well as refusing import of French
products and boycotting goods produced in France. These measures can
be the first stage of actions to be taken jointly by Baku and Ankara.
They should be continuous. Azerbaijani and Turkey should continue
these measures until the French Parliament refuses from the current
bill.

Will the measures against France be enough so that it gives up the
intention to criminalize the denial of the `genocide’?

Thez might be enough. France is one of the main countries of the
European Union and therefore, it can distrustfully approach to
demarches undertaked by Azerbaijan and Turkey. But nevertheless, Baku
and Ankara should demonstrate a strict position against Paris not in
words but in actions.

If the French Senate adopts the bill, how will be the issue of opening
Turkish-Armenian borders?

Definitely, the Western countries will have to bury the hope for the
normalization of Turkish-Armenian relation and opening borders between
these countries once and for all. The French Senate will bury the last
hopes for the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations.

Certain groups in the Turkish community think that if Turkey
recognizes so called `genocide of Armenians’ then, external pressures
to the country on this issue will rapidly decrease. How are these
expectations justified?

I consider that this will untie the hands of Armenia even more.
Moreover, it will pave the way for the aggressive policy of Armenia.

N.H.
News.Az

vestnik kavkaza, Russia
Jan 5 2012

Mubariz Ahmedoglu rounds up 2011 and makes forecasts for 2012

Mubariz Ahmedoglu, Director of the Baku Center for Political
Innovations and Technologies, said that the main political event of
Azerbaijan in 2011 was obtaining membership in the UN Security
Council. Another achievement is winning the Eurovision Song Contest
2011 in Germany. It all makes a positive image of Azerbaijan in
Europe.

Ahmedoglu noted economic development of Azerbaijan. The budget
exceeded $20 billion, gold and currency reserves – by $40 billion.
Azerbaijan has a share of 83% in South Caucasus, he underlined.

The expert predicts that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would not be
resolved in 2012, the peacekeeping experiment of Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev was fruitless. Ahmedoglu believes that Armenia is to
blame for its lack of interest in settling the conflict and refusal to
make compromise.

Ahmedoglu stressed on military preparations. Peaceful talks and
military preparations had 50/50% of priority. But Azerbaijan increased
military expenses in 2011 and purchased Russian weapons.

The political analyst noted that Azerbaijan held numerous cultural and
religious events. He reminded that Azerbaijan plans to form own
satellite network. The Azerbaijani Ministry for Communication and
Information Technology announced plans to launch two satellites,
rather than one.

Concerning global events, Ahmedoglu emphasized on the Arab world. The
second priority belongs to coping with the economic and financial
recession in Europe and the US. The third position belongs to Russia’s
overcoming the crisis. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia
was dependent on loans from the IMF. Now it is capable of carrying out
reforms and investing, beneficial for the US and EU.

The expert noted the situation in Kazakhstan and Russia. He believes
that certain foreign forces are interest in revolutions in the CIS,
such as the ones in the Arab world.

Ahmedoglu predicts that Russia would be able to realize economic
reforms for its population, small and medium business. The majority of
the population would not be protesting, he says.

Russia will doubtlessly protect its interests in the US and NATO
missile shield formation in Europe. The political analyst is confident
that Russia and the US would improve ties. Islamic threats would rise,
he believes. Tehran may be a closer partner for Russia, Ahmedoglu
believes.

Southern neighbors would try to destabilize Azerbaijan in 2012, he
says. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may have progress because it may
become a major problem for Iran and Russia.

Regarding Russian-Turkish relations, Mubariz Ahmedoglu says that they
will continue improving. The two states signed a deal on construction
of the South Stream in late 2011, running through the Black Sea. Their
relations may be similar to the ties of the US and EU.

Al-Manar TV, Lebanon
(Hezbollah Channel)
Jan 5 2012

Turkey May Step up Actions against France over Genocide: Diplomat

Local Editor

Ankara may step up moves against Paris if the French Senate votes this
month to ban denial of the Armenian genocide.

A Turkish diplomatic source said `there may be a downgrading of the
Turkish diplomatic representation in Paris. It is probable,” if the
upper house of parliament approves the bill criminalizing denial of
the disputed 1915 genocide.

Ankara froze political and military ties with France when the bill was
passed by the National Assembly, and threatened further measures if it
continues through the Senate or is approved by President Nicolas
Sarkozy.
Turkey has withdrawn its ambassador to Paris, but embassy officials
said Thursday that he will return next Monday in order to monitor the
Senate’s handling of the bill.

France recognized the Armenian genocide in 2001, but the new bill
would punish anyone who denies this with a year in jail and a fine of
45,000 Euros (60,000 dollars).

But Turkey is still very sensitive about the issue, and has accused
France of attacking freedom of expression and free historical enquiry.

France is home to an estimated 500,000 citizens of Armenian descent,
and President Nicolas Sarkozy’s UMP party has been accused of backing
the law in order to pander to a key electoral group ahead of
presidential and legislative elections this year.

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 5,
2012

Mother of God

_Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord_

On Friday, January 6, the Armenian Church will celebrate the Feast of the
Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In Armenian tradition, this
feast day commemorates not only the birth of Christ, but also His baptism by
John the Baptist. The latter is remembered through the `Blessing of Water’
ceremony, which follows the Divine Liturgy on January 6.

Today, on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord,
the Armenian Church will celebrate the _Jrakalouyts_ (lamp-lighting)
service. At St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York, services will begin
at 6:30 p.m. with Scripture readings by the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum
students. The Divine Liturgy will follow, celebrated by Archbishop Yeghishe
Gizirian.

On Friday, January 6, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will
celebrate the Divine Liturgy, which will be preceded by a morning service,
beginning at 9:30 a.m. The `Blessing of Water’ will follow the Divine
Liturgy. Dr. Raffy Hovanessian will serve as “godfather” of the Blessing of
Water service.

A Home Blessing service and Christmas reception will follow in Haik and
Alice Kavookjian Auditorium. The Akh’tamar Dance Ensemble of the St. Thomas
Church of Tenafly, NJ, will perform during the reception, which is free and
open to the public.

Concurrent with the Armenian Christmas observances, an art exhibit is on
display in Guild Hall and Yerevan Hall of the cathedral complex. In
“Armenian Christmas and the Legacy of Armenian Artists,” curator Vicki
Shoghag Hovanessian has assembled works by prominent Yerevan-based painters
and by prolific American-Armenian artists. [4]Click here for more
information about the exhibit.
Links:
4.

Armenian Christmas will also be observed at local parishes throughout the
Eastern Diocese; [5]contact a parish close to you to learn their schedule of
services.
Links:
5.

Click to read Archbishop Khajag Barsamian’s 2012 Christmas Message in
[6]English and [7]Armenian.
Links:
6.
7.

Armenian Church in Livingston, NY

_Primate to Visit St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ_

On Sunday, January 8, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will
preside over the Christmas celebration at St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ.

The Rev. Fr. Arakel Vardazarian, who is currently interning at St. Gregory
the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy. Archbishop Barsamian will deliver the homily. The `Blessing of
Water’ will follow the Divine Liturgy.

Later in the afternoon, Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Vardazarian will
conduct the Home Blessing service. A Sunday School pageant and luncheon will
follow.

Scripture of the Week

Heb 1:1-12
Mt 2:13-23

Prayer of the Week

With your peace, Christ our savior, which surpasses all understanding and
speech, defend us and keep us fearless of all evil. Make us equal to your
true worshipers, who worship you in spirit and in truth; for to the
most-holy Trinity is befitting glory, dominion, and honor, now and always.
Amen.

Upcoming Saints & Feasts

_5 January:_ Eve of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ

_6 January:_ Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ

_7 January:_ Remembrance of the Dead

CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Catholicos Karekin II
His Holiness Karekin II conducts the Blessing of Water service (2011).

_Christmas Message of His Holiness Karekin II _

In his Christmas message, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, calls on all members of the Armenian Church to
renew their faith in Christ and to walk with Him on the path of
righteousness.

`Lord, may the graces of your Holy Birth illuminate the entire world, may
the angelic tiding of peace resound in all corners of the earth, may
goodwill and harmony accompany all nations and peoples, and may joy and
happiness reign in all families,’ the message says.

`Let hatred, enmity, despair, indifference, bitterness, and sadness retreat
before the light of your Holy Nativity, and may the whole world be enveloped
with the love and hope you have gifted.’

Click to read His Holiness’s message in [8]English and [9]Armenian.
Links:
8.
9.

DIOCESAN NEWS

Home Blessings in the Armenian Church

_Christmas: A Season of Home Blessing _

The home is a sacred place where family members maintain and share their
values. It is also a place where they are charged with these values to live
a peaceful and God-pleasing life.

According to the traditions of the Armenian Church, God is asked to bestow
His blessing on homes on the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our
Lord. In this season, clergy visit the homes of parishioners and perform the
Home Blessing service.

Parishioners are encouraged to contact their local pastor and request a Home
Blessing service. To learn more about this tradition, and to download the
service booklet, [10]click here.
Links:
10.

Armenian Church Calendar 2012

_Download the 2012 Oratsouyts (Liturgical Calendar)_

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, the Primate of the
Diocese of Shirak in Armenia, and Bishop Artak Tigranian.

Fund for Armenian Relief Christmas party
Children at the Nubarashen #11 Special School in Yerevan enjoy a visit from
Santa, thanks to the generosity of Michael and Marie Haratunian.

_Haratunians Bring Christmas Joy to School in Armenia_

Every year, thanks to the generosity of Michael and Marie Haratunian, a
beautiful Christmas celebration is organized by the Fund for Armenian Relief
for the children of the Nubarashen #11 Special School in Yerevan.

`When we visited the school a few years ago, Marie and I decided to help
these very special kids in any way we can,’ said Michael Haratunian, a
long-time FAR director, and one of the distinguished leaders of the
American-Armenian community.

`It is a place for handicapped children whose parents can no longer take
care of them. The facility, like most of them, needs much improvement. It is
located on the outskirts of Yerevan next to a dirty landfill where all of
the city’s garbage is dumped. We helped in small ways with improvements to
the heating system, kitchen equipment, and recreation rooms. Our help is
small and insignificant compared to the life these children and their
families have to endure.’

The celebration held at the school this week was organized in the true
spirit of Christmas. The children’s hearts were filled with joy and
gratitude for their benefactors’ kindness, love, and compassion. They all
performed in a singing and dancing show, after which a Christmas dinner was
held. Parents traveled from different regions of Armenia to witness the joy
and happiness of their kids.

Call for Christmas photos

_Christmas Photo Album: A Call for Submissions_

How do you celebrate Armenian Christmas in your hometown? Send us digital
photos from your local Christmas church services and other celebrations, and
we will feature them in our online album the week after Christmas.

Please e-mail photos (with your name, city, and country) to
[12][email protected] by Wednesday, January 11.
Links:
12. mailto:[email protected]

We look forward to receiving submissions from the parishes of the Eastern
Diocese, as well as from our readers in Armenian communities across the
globe.

PARISH NEWS

Massachusetts Council of Churches

_Parishes in Mass. to Host Ecumenical Delegations_

On Armenian Christmas delegations of Protestant and Roman Catholic church
leaders from the Massachusetts Council of Churches (MCC) will visit two
parishes of the Eastern Diocese: Holy Translators Church of Framingham, MA,
and St. James Church of Watertown, MA.

The MCC’s special visits, or `ecumenical pilgrimages,’ give church leaders
an opportunity to learn more about the liturgical rites of other Christian
communities.

“Three years ago, we began these ‘ecumenical pilgrimages’ in order to show
the distinctive gifts of each of our churches,’ said the Rev. Laura Everett,
MCC executive director. `We trust that God will use these experiences to
draw Christians closer to the unity Christ desires for His Church.”

The visit to Holy Translators Church will take place on Christmas Eve,
January 5. The visit to St. James Church will follow on January 6, the Feast
of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord.
[13]
Click here to register for the pilgrimages, or visit the Massachusetts
Council of Churches [14]website for more information. To contact the Rev.
Laura Everett, e-mail [15][email protected].
Links:
13.
14.
15. mailto:[email protected]

_Upcoming Parish Events _

_St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ_
St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will host its 5th annual Christmas Dance
on Saturday, January 7, from 7 p.m. to midnight, in the church’s Community
Center.

The evening will feature the Michael Gostanian Ensemble. Tickets are $35 for
adults; $20 for students (ages 10-22). [16]Click here to view a flyer for
more information.
Links:
16.

_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.

YOUTH NEWS

Chapter workshop

_Register for the ACYOA Chapter Workshop _

The ACYOA Central Council will sponsor its 4th annual Chapter Workshop at
St. David Church of Boca Raton, FL, from January 13-15. The workshop will
focus on the basics of being an ACYOA leader and working together to build a
vibrant and successful organization.

The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, will preside over the
weekend’s program. The Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, pastor of St. David
Church, will serve as chaplain.

The ACYOA Central Council strongly encourages all those who are currently in
leadership positions in their respective chapters to attend the workshop.
Representatives from parishes who lack organized chapters but have young
people who are interested in establishing them are also welcome.

Participants will stay at the Hilton in Deerfield Beach, FL. All workshop
sessions will take place at St. David Church, which has graciously
volunteered to host the program again this year. The registration fee is
$175. For more information, or to register, contact Nancy Basmajian, ACYOA
executive secretary, at [17][email protected].
Links:
17. mailto:[email protected]

Numerama
4 janv 2012

Le blog de Patrick Devedjian piraté par des hackers turcs

Julien L.

Après Valérie Boyer, c’est au tour de Patrick Devedjian de subir les
foudres de pirates pro-turcs. Le blog du député des Hauts-de-Seine a
été temporairement attaqué dans la journée de mardi. Les militants du
groupe Akincilar dénoncent le soutien politique qu’a apporté Patrick
Devedjian au texte de loi réprimant la contestation du génocide
arménien.

Les relations franco-turques demeurent passablement tendues, près de
deux semaines après l’adoption par l’Assemblée nationale d’une
proposition de loi, défendue par la députée UMP Valérie Boyer,
réprimant la contestation du génocide arménien. Alors que le site de
la parlementaire a subi une attaque informatique fin décembre, c’est
au tour de Patrick Devedjian d’être la cible de hackers turcs.

Membre de la communauté arménienne, favorable à la proposition de loi,
le président du conseil général et député des Hauts-de-Seine s’est
agacé de l’attitude de ces pirates dans un billet de blog publié
mardi. “On ne saurait mieux justifier la nécessité de la loi punissant
le négationnisme puisqu’un pays étranger agresse des institutions
démocratiques de notre pays”.

Le groupe suspecté d’être à l’origine du piratage du blog de Patrick
Devedjian, Akincilar, s’était illustré quelques semaines auparavant
dans l’affaire du piratage de Charlie Hebdo. Les pirates avaient
expliqué avoir agi contre l’hebdomadaire satirique au nom des valeurs
de l’islam. La rédaction du journal avait confié la direction d’un de
ses numéros au prophète Mahomet, et s’était rebaptisée en Charia
Hebdo.

Ces militants pro-Turquie promettent en tout cas de ne pas en rester
là. Dans un avertissement adressé au Nouvel Observateur, ils annoncent
que “les sites des représentants qui ont eu un rôle important dans la
préparation de cette loi” continueront à être visés. Ceux qui n’auront
pas froissés la fierté de la Turquie seront, bien évidemment, laissés
tranquilles.

La prochaine étape législative se déroulera au Sénat, où les élus
devront prochainement se prononcer sur le texte. S’il est validé par
les sénateurs, il sera ensuite promulgué et entrera alors dans la loi.
D’ici là, nul doute que des hacktivistes turcs continueront de
manifester leur mécontentement en attaquant les sites web des élus
favorables à la proposition de loi.