Author: Badalian Vardan

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

December 21, 2006

PRELATE WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY THIS SUNDAY;
VICAR IN CONNECTICUT
The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, will preside over the Divine Liturgy at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, this Sunday, December 24.
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, will officiate the Divine Liturgy and
deliver the sermon this Sunday at St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain,
Connecticut.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CONTINUES DIALOGUE WITH YOUTH
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, continues
his series of dialogues with the youth. The seventh in the series was issued
this week entitled, "A Few Perspectives for the Renewal of the Armenian
Church."
His Holiness begins his message by referring to his gathering with the
youth which took place in Dearborn, Michigan, December 2 and 3. "The renewal
of the Armenian Church was the core of this gathering," His Holiness writes.
"In my dialogue with the youth I touched on a number of issues and
identified challenges pertaining to this pertinent theme. By carefully
listening to them, I became more aware of their expectations as well as of
their unwavering dedication to our Church and its values and traditions.
The Catholicos’ message focuses on the renewal of the Church. "The
renewal of the Armenian Church is an urgent necessity. In order to carry on
its God-given mission efficiently, our Church is called to keep pace with
the changing conditions of modern societies. Therefore, the question is not
why renewal, but rather how renewal? The renewal of our Church will not be
accomplished simply by shortening the liturgy and introducing certain
adjustments within the church structures. This perception must be changed.
Renewal is not easy; it is a long, critical and all-embracing process. The
Church’s total life in its institutional and spiritual, theological and
liturgical dimensions and manifestations must be included in any serious
renewal process."
To read the entire message click

WCC MODERATOR AND GENERAL SECRETARY
VISIT CATHOLICOSATE
The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Dr. Sam
Kobia, and the newly elected Moderator, Rev. Dr. Walter Altmann, traveled to
Lebanon to visit His Holiness Aram I at the Catholicosate in Antelias. The
two senior officials of the WCC came to Antelias to thank Catholicos Aram
for his great contribution to the WCC and his service as Moderator during
the last 15 years. They also met with the Catholicosate’s Ecumenical
Committee.

ST. DAVID THE PROPHET-KING;
HOLY APOSTLE JAMES, BROTHER OF THE LORD
On Saturday, December 23, the Armenian Church commemorates David the
Prophet-King and James the brother of the Lord. David was the youngest of
eight brothers and was brought up to be a shepherd where he learned courage,
tenderness and caring. David became the second king of Israel. In Scripture
the name is his alone which shows the unique place he has as an ancestor and
forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the New Testament there are more
than 50 references to David, including the title given to Jesus-Son of
David. David was a poet and some of the Psalms are his work.
James, the brother of our Lord, became a leader of the early Christian
Church following the Resurrection. According to tradition he was appointed
the first bishop of Jerusalem by the Lord Himself.

ST. STEPHEN THE PROTO-DEACON AND FIRST MARTYR
On Monday, December 25, we commemorate the life of St. Stephen the
Proto-deacon and First Martyr. After Christ’s Ascension, the apostles went
about spreading the Word of the new faith. It soon became apparent that more
persons more needed to serve the churches. A selection of seven worthy
individuals were made to serve the holy altar, and called deacons
(sarkavag). The most noteworthy of the original seven deacons was Stephen
and the Feast of St. Stephen is an important feast day in the Armenian
Church. It is also a day of honor for all deacons of the church. St. Stephen
was the first martyr for his faith and is therefore often called
"proto-martyr."

HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL
On Tuesday, December 26, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy
Apostles, Peter and Paul. On the day of the Crucifixion, Jesus came to Paul
and asked him to tell the other apostles of His appearance and give them His
message. This, in spite of the fact that at the time of the judgment of
Jesus, Peter denied knowing Him. Peter was known for his oratory skills and
used this talent to spread the Word and Christianity. The Roman Catholic
Church considers Peter as its founder. The Armenian Church has great love
and reverence for the Apostle and the name Peter (Bedros) is a popular
choice for newborns.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This Sunday, December 24, is the fifth Sunday of Advent. We continue our
period of quiet introspection in anticipation of the celebration of the
birth of our Savior on January 6. The biblical readings for this Sunday are:
Isaiah 41:4-14; Hebrews 7:11-25; and Luke 19:12-28.

IN THE MEDIA THIS WEEK
Last Sunday’s Book Review section of the New York Times featured a review
of Taner Akcam’s new book, "A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the
Question of Turkish Responsibility." The reviewer, Gary J. Bass, gives the
book a very positive review. The reviewer notes, "He [Akcam] directly
challenges the doubters back home, basing his powerful book on Turkish
sources in the old Ottoman script-including the failed Ottoman war crimes
tribunals held after World War I. Although he bolsters his case with
material from the American, British and German archives, he writes that the
remaining Ottoman records are enough to show that the ruling party’s central
committee ‘did deliberately attempt to destroy the Armenian population.’ "
Taner Akcam’s book is available at the Prelacy bookstore. For information,
[email protected] or 212-689-7810.
An op-ed column in the Boston Globe on December 13, by Charles Fried
entitled "Getting at the Truth" speaks about the recent conference in Iran
on the Holocaust. While condemning the conference, he notes: "But
Ahmadinejad’s tortured logic seems almost broad-minded compared with
Turkey’s stringent criminal prohibition on any suggestion that such a thing
as its genocide of the Armenian people ever happened. Many brave Turkish
writers and journalists have suffered persecution in recent times for
proclaiming what no reasonable person would deny. Yet the Armenian genocide
is as certain a historic fast as Hitler’s European Holocaust, for which
Ataturk’s may well have served as a model and feasibility study. Turkey and
Iran turn truth into either a crime or charade."
And.as we told you several weeks ago, the History channel on cable TV
will be showing a documentary on "The Spear of Christ." It is scheduled to
air in most areas tonight as part of the "Decoding the Past" series. Check
your local listings for the exact time. The filmmakers went to Armenia to
investigate and film the Holy Lance in Etchmiadzin. Four artifacts claim to
be the holy spear, which is believed to have miraculous powers. The sites
are in Austria, Poland, the Vatican, and Armenia. Some viewers who have seen
a preview say that there are some inconsistencies, such as maps that
identify an area as "Turkey" at a period when there was no such country.
Watch it and see what you think.
Finally, a report on the internet states that Sylvester Stallone would
like to end his movie career with Franz Werfel’s "Forty Days of Musa Dagh."
Stallone, whose sixth Rocky movie opened this week to universal critical
acclaim, has reportedly wanted to make this epic movie "detailing the
Turkish genocide of the Armenian community in 1915," for years. "The movie
would be ‘an epic about the complete destruction of a civilization,’
Stallone said. Then he laughed at the ambition. ‘Talk about a political hot
potato. The Turks have been killing that subject for 85 years.’ "

WINTER SOLSTICE
Tomorrow, December 22, is the first day of winter. The wet and mild
weather here on the east coast has kept the ground soft and the grass green.

DECEMBER 24 OR JANUARY 6?
This Monday, December 25, is the day that nearly all of Christendom
celebrates the birth of our Lord. Originally all Christians celebrated the
birth, the baptism, and the visit of the Magi on January 6. Of course, no
one knows the exact birth date of Christ. In the fourth century the Roman
Catholic Church changed the date from January 6 to December 25, to coincide
with a pagan feast dedicated to the Sun. The Council of Chalcedon endorsed
this change; however, the Armenian Church remained faithful to the original
date and continues to celebrate the birth and baptism on January 6. Today
the Armenians are the only Christians who still celebrate Christmas on the
original date of January 6.
In the Holy Land, the Orthodox churches still follow the old calendar (a
difference of twelve days) and, therefore, the Armenians celebrate Christmas
on January 18.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey and ARF Dro Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton, New Jersey. Featuring
Arthur Apkarian and Armenia Band. For full information contact the church
office 201-943-2950.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Party, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston,
New York.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Party, St. Gregory Illuminator Armenian Church,
Granite City, Illinois.

January 6-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
first Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.

January 6-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, annual Christmas
luncheon hosted by the Ladies’ Guild following church services on Saturday,
January 6. Adults $15; children 12 and under $10. For
reservations/information, 201-943-2950.

January 6-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Christmas party and
special program for Saturday and Sunday school students.

January 28-Annual Membership Meeting, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda,
Maryland, at 1 pm.

February 4-St. Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of the church
and requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York.

February 11-General Membership meeting and elections, St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.

February 17-St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, Annual
Membership Meeting.

February 18-Poon Paregentan, Eve of Great Lent, International Cuisine Night,
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

March 25-Musical Armenia 2007, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, 2 pm.
Featured artists: Aleksandr Nazaryan (viola) and Serge Barseghian (basso).

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NEXT MEETING OF OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO BE HELD JANUARY

Today, Azerbaijan
Dec 20 2006

The next meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs is expected to
take place late January-early February, said Matthew Bryza’s press
secretary Michel Stevens.

He told the APA that the regulation issue of Nagorno Karabakh will
be discussed in the meeting. Besides, the co-chairs will set the date
of the next visit to the region. Michel Stevens said that it has not
decided where the co-chairs would meet.

It should be noted that, the last meeting of the co-chairs took place
on in Madrid December 13.

The co-chairs informed the next chief of OSCE, Spain Foreign Minister
Miguel Angel Moratinos about the details of the negotiations of the
regulation of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

URL:

IN GURGEN ARSENIAN’S OPINION, NO SHOCKS AND CONFLICTS ON IDEOLOGICAL GROUND ARE EXPECTED IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Dec 20 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. "Armenia’s political and economic
development proceeds in an exact liberal direction," Gurgen Arsenian,
Chairman of the United Labor Party (ULP) and parliamentary faction
of the same name, declared at the December 20 press conference. He
estimated home political situation in the country as normal. In
his words, the situation in Armenia does not suppose any shocks
and conflicts on the ideological ground. As regards ULP’s activity,
G.Arsenian reported that the party is in natural working process and,
in particular, active party building continues ar present: "We are
content with the results and prospects of party building that is going
on for already three years." ULP Chairman stated that currently the
number of party members without Yerevan territorial branch amounts
to about 17 thousand people. In his words, the number of members of
party’s Yerevan branch is being clarified at present. G.Arsenian said
that at the enlarged party meeting held the day before they made a
decision "about coming out of usual working regime and launching a
preelection campaign." In connection with the Armenian President’s last
statement on supposed staff of the future parliament and in particular,
the fact that ULP was also among the parties named by the President,
G.Arsenian said: "I have not come here for disputing the President’s
opinion, the President is the most informed official of the country."

RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily
21/12/2006

According to the Armenian national safety document, the
Armenian-Georgian relations are characterized as strategic, while,
according to the relevant Georgian document, these relations are merely
friendly. The relations with Azerbaijan are strategic for Georgia,
instead. Mr. Oskanian, RA Foreign Minister, explained that Georgia
is really a country of strategic importance for Armenia, as the gas
pipeline passes through its territory, as well as the goods transfers.

He added that it is up to Georgia to decide what kind of relations
it will have with Armenia.

As for the cooperation between the European Union and Armenia, Oskanian
said that the relations will develop in two directions, in particular,
he meant multilateral relations with the very EU and the commission,
and, secondly, bilateral relations between Armenia and the EU member
states. He added that they will specify what programs they will carry
out with a concrete state only in January- February. Mr. Oskanian also
informed that in the first half of the next year they will begin the
process of evaluating the NATO IPAP implementation in the past period.

KAREL DE GUCHT: THE PERSPECTIVES OF THE KARABAKH ISSUE ARE MUCH BETTER

ArmRadio.am
19.12.2006 12:10

In 2006 the parties to the Karabakh conflict have approached the
settlement of the issue on the basis of fundamental principles. OSCE
Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht said in
an exclusive interview with " Armenpress." "The latest fundamental
principles are reasonable and are a good basis for further progress. I
do believe in the opportunity of coming to an agreement," he noted.

Under the authority of Karel de Gucht, positive progress was registered
last year. Particularly, the perspectives of the Karabakh issue
are much better than a year ago. The negotiations in 2006 brought
the parties closer to reaching an agreement based on fundamental
principles. He expressed hoe that next year the two Presidents will
double their efforts to synthesize the basic principles as soon
as possible.

Karel de Gucht considered the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group extremely
valuable, particularly their activity in the direction of elaborating
a document of "fundamental principles."

Let us remind that starting January 1, 2007 Spain will assume OSCE
Chairmanship.

NATIONAL PECULIARITIES OF SECURITY
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 19 2006

Although Robert Kocharyan’s interview on TV cannot be considered as
a masterpiece of this genre, ideas were expressed which can make the
process move. In addition, this process can be rather dangerous for
the society. Robert Kocharyan stated openly that the seminars held
in Armenia on Western grants threaten the national security. This
approach could be expected, it was even belated, considering that
several months ago Vladimir Vladimirovich Brezhnev, like most Russian
media already refer to Putin, who has become the model of an "ideal"
leader for Robert Kocharyan, declared the NGOs financed with Western
money "persona non grata". Hence, Robert Kocharyan was even late.

This delay has a reason, however. First, Armenia is a small country
and cannot afford to declare that the Western grants are a threat,
especially when these grants sustain the government as well. Besides,
if they immediately did in Armenia what they did in Russia, it would be
evident that Robert Kocharyan is imitating Putin. Now it is the best
time for such a statement. Even Putin has forgotten that he rejected
the NGOs, and now these NGOs are operating in Russia, though sometimes
they face problems. And the most important thing that makes the moment
convenient is the National Security Strategy that is being worked
out and will soon appear on the desk of the president. The taskforce
on the strategy led by the pillar of the security of Armenia Serge
Sargsyan, adopted the final draft unanimously in the morning of the
same day when Robert Kocharyan answered the so-called questions of
news reporters. The threat followed the strategy.

What threat is it? Where does it come from? It is amazing but
the threat comes from the place where Robert Kocharyan, Vardan
Oskanyan and Serge Sargsyan were and will be often and with smiles
on their faces. These "threatening" grants are the money of the EU,
the governments of the United States, the U.K., Germany and other
countries of Europe, which comes to Armenia via the NGOs. This money
or the announced purpose does not differ from the Japanese, Chinese,
Indian, American grants the government gets to develop agriculture,
or the Norwegian grants for building houses for refugees. In both
cases the grants are intended to sustain development in Armenia.

Simply in one case the focus is on the spheres of economy, in the
other case the development of the non-governmental sector. In addition,
it is highly disputable which one is more important for the country,
a developed economy or a developed non-governmental sector, which is
an alternative to the system of governance and, in fact, it acts as
a restraint on the arbitrariness of the government. In this respect,
the threat is evident. And when the president of Armenia, the foreign
minister or the pillar of the national security go abroad and meet
the governments and organizations threatening our security with happy
and satisfied faces, ostensibly they carry out an intelligence mission.

However, we must be grateful that the president of Armenia did not
ban the NGOs. He even said they cannot ban them but it is necessary
to explain to the public to help them detect the lure. They will ban
when the public will not understand the explanation, and the strategy
will have been adopted. Besides, if they start banning everything now,
what are they going to ban in the pre-election period?

SIMON MAGHAQIAN’S ‘NEW TEARS OF ARAX’ TELLS ABOUT JUGHA KHACHKARS
By Aghavni Haroutiunian

AZG Armenian Daily
19/12/2006

These days mark one year of destruction of the Armenian khachkars
and tombstones in Jugha. A 5-minute film about this barbaric act is
available now at , Simon
Maghaqian informs.

The film titled "New Tears of Arax" tells about the shameful
destruction of Armenian monuments by Azerbaijani soldiers and cries
out for justice.

HAYRIKYAN WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTIONS IN AN ALLIANCE

A1+
[07:40 pm] 18 December, 2006

Lead of Union for National Self-Determination Paruyr Hayrikyan
announced in "Urbat" club that he will participate in the elections
in an alliance.

Nevertheless, he has not yet decided which force he will join.

According to the leader of the UNSD, the worst thing is that
after 15 years of independence we are going farther and farther
from democracy. "The authorities have not been formed by the true
democratic way. I was the leader of the true democratic powers, and
I was banished. I was not someone extraordinary, but they realized
that they had to get rid of the leader", he said.

He noted that the history repeats itself. "Shamiram created that
Armenian Pan-National Movements, and Robert Kocharyan is creating
‘Prosperous Armenia’.

Parallels are not by chance. Today parties are not formed on the
ideological ground", Hayrikyan said.

Paruyr Hayrikyan mentioned that in any case the elections cannot be
considered fair as before the elections parties often give people
money. "Those who say the elections are fair, are eight accomplices
of those who fabricate them, or frauds".

TURKISH MFA DISSATISFIED WITH THE ARGENTINEAN LAW ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmRadio.am
18.12.2006 14:00

Turkish MFA has issued a statement, in which it condemns the adoption
of the law on Armenian Genocide during December 13th sitting in
the Argentinean Senate. The statement notes that Turkey condemns
and denies all the groundless accusations from legal and historical
perspectives, Azeri "Trend" agency informs. It is noted that this
decision will damage the bilateral relations and hope is voiced that
the President of Argentina will be reasonable enough not to ratify
the Senate’s decision.

Let us remind that according to the decision of the Argentinean
Parliament, April 24 has been declared "The day for tolerance and
respect between peoples" and a day off for Armenian students and
workers.

WORKING GROUP FORMED BY INSTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN OMBUDSMAN VISITS
ARRESTED ZHIRAYR SEFILYAN AND HIS ASSISTANT

Yerevan, December 16. ArmInfo. A working group that was formed by the
instruction of Armenian Ombudsman Armen Haroutunyan visited Zhirayr
Sefilyan and his assistant Vardan Malkhasyan at the penitentiary
Yerevan-Kentron, Friday. To recap, Sefilyan and Malkhasyan have been
arrested for public calls for force change of power in
Armenia. Zhirayr Sefilyan (a citizen of Lebanon) occupies the post of
the Coordinator of "Union of Armenian Volunteers" public and patriotic
initiative, Head of the public and patriotic organization "For
protection of liberated territories."

Armenian Ombudsman press-service reports the working group took first
hand view of the conditions the arrested are kept in. Zhirayr Sefilyan
and his assistant were not dissatisfied with the treatment of the
penitentiary officers.

However, they were dissatisfied that the court chose the arrest as a
measure of restraint. They think they will not affect the
investigation process if left at large. They called the arrest
groundless. Zhirayr Sefilyan said all the speeches made at the meeting
of the organization "For protection of liberated territories" were
recorded and are kept by the National Security Council.