Author: Badalian Vardan

OSCE MINSK GROUP HAILS ARMENIA’S COMMITMENT TO REDUCING TENSION ON BORDER WITH AZERBAIJAN

YEREVAN, February 6. / ARKA /. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs from
the USA, France and Russia welcomed Armenia’s commitment to reducing
tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, the US co-chair James
Warlick wrote in his Twitter microblog.

“We had a good meeting with Armenian foreign minister Edward
Nalbandian on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference to
discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We welcomed his commitment to
the reduction of tension in the conflict zone,” he wrote, according
to RIA Novosti. He also posted a photo of the meeting.

Nalbandian’s meeting with Igor Popov (Russia), Pierre Andrieu (France)
and James Warlick (USA), as well as the Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk took place on Thursday
night in Munich.

During the meeting Nalbandian drew the co-chairs’ attention to
violation of ceasefire by Azerbaijan on the border with Armenia and
on the line of contact with the armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

According to him, the leadership of Azerbaijan “hampers the peace
process.” At the same time, Nalbandian confirmed that Armenia
will continue joint efforts with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Grouptowards a peaceful resolution of the Karabakh problem.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted into armed clashes after the
collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s as the predominantly
Armenian-populated enclave of Azerbaijan, sought to secede from
Azerbaijan and declared its independence backed by succeeding
referendum. A truce was brokered by Russia in 1994, although no
permanent peace agreement has been signed.

Since then, Nagorno-Karabakh and several adjacent regions have been
under the control of Armenian forces of Karabakh. Nagorno-Karabakh
is the longest-running post-Soviet era conflict and has continued
to simmer despite the relative peace of the past two decades, with
snipers causing tens of deaths a year.-0-

FATHER TURNS TO CROWDFUNDING SITE FOR HELP RAISING DISABLED SON REJECTED BY HIS MOTHER

After his son, born with Down’s syndrome, was rejected by his mother,
a father has turned to a crowdfunding site to generate funds to help
raise the child alone

‘I looked at this guy and said, “he’s beautiful and I’m absolutely
keeping him”‘ Photo:

By Telegraph Men

10:55AM GMT 06 Feb 2015

A heartbroken father whose son was born with Down’s syndrome in Armenia
has revealed that his wife filed for divorce after he refused to give
up the baby, which she had rejected.

Samuel Forrest then took to crowdfunding site Gofundme to raise money
to return home to New Zealand and raise his son there.

Forrest told ABC News: “This pediatrician walks out of the room with a
little bundle – that was Leo. She had his face covered up and hospital
authorities wouldn’t let me see him or my wife. When the doctor came
out, he said, ‘There’s a real problem with your son.'”

After being told Leo had Down’s syndrome, Forrest said: “I had a few
moments of shock. I looked at this guy and I said, ‘He’s beautiful –
he’s perfect and I’m absolutely keeping him’.”

However, the reaction of Forrest’s wife, Ruzan Badalyan, was very
different. “I got the ultimatum right then,” Forrest said. “She told
me if I kept him then we would get a divorce.”

According to Forrest, it is not uncommon for parents in Armenia to
reject children born with Down’s. “What happens when a baby like this
is born here, they will tell you that you don’t have to keep them,”
he told ABC News. “My wife had already decided, so all of this was
done behind my back.”

Badalyan filed for divorce a week after baby Leo was born, Forrest
said. After that, Forrest, a business contractor, made plans to return
to his native Auckland, using the crowdfunding platform Gofundme.

“As a now solo father, Sam’s aim is to raise enough money to be able
to care for Leo fulltime himself for at least a year, to give him
the love, cuddles & devotion he needs to thrive,” reads a message on
Forrest’s funding page.

Within 24 hours, his story had gone viral and he had received pledges
of over $170,000 (far exceeding his target of $60,000).

Forrest has vowed to use some of the funds to help other families in
Armenia whose children are born with disabilities.

ATTORNEY ARSEN DANIELIAN NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FOR THE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION OF GLENDALE ADVENTIST MEDICAL CENTER

By MassisPost
Updated: February 5, 2015

GLENDALE – Arsen Danielian, Esq., a senior partner at the Glendale law
firm of Baker, Olson, LeCroy & Danielian, has been appointed chairman
of the board for the Healthcare Foundation at Glendale Adventist
Medical Center. He began his two-year term of office January 1, 2015.

As board chair, he presides over a distinguished board of directors
for the Healthcare Foundation at Glendale Adventist Medical Center.

The mission of the Healthcare Foundation is to support the work and
mission of Glendale Adventist Medical Center through philanthropy –
last year, Danielian and his wife, Hasmik, were honored at the
hospital’s gala and received the 2014 Erwin J. Remboldt Founder’s
Award for Outstanding Individual Philanthropy.

“Arsen and Hasmik are wonderful role models for every person and every
social, ethnic and cultural organization in our community. They
demonstrate in their words and actions that when we all work together
toward a common purpose, we all benefit,” says Healthcare Foundation
President Irene Bourdon.

Danielian will lead the board in efforts to expand the community’s
knowledge, understanding and support of Glendale Adventist Medical
Center and to strengthen the relationships between the community and
the Medical Center. In his role as chairman of the board, he will be a
bridge to the business community, the Armenian community; and the
entire Glendale community.

Danielian believes wholeheartedly in the hospital’s mission and deeply
values the vital role it plays in the community. He and his family are
also loyal patients and have adopted Glendale Adventist Medical Center
as their hospital and charity of choice. He has been a member of the
Healthcare Foundation board of directors for more than 18 years and
most recently served as vice chairman. He is also the chairman of the
Ambassadors of Faith of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of
North America and chairman of the board of trustees of the Armenian
Society of Los Angeles.

Over the course of his career as an attorney, Danielian has served on
many national and international councils, assemblies and committees.

In October of 2014 Arsen Danielian was honored with the prestigious
St. Nerses Shnorhali medal and the accompanying Pontifical Encyclical
of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all
Armenians in recognition of his four decades of service rendered to
the Armenian Apostolic Church.

ARMEN RUSTAMYAN: GAGIK TSARUKYAN REPEATED WHAT WE SAID IN 2010

13:51 | February 6,2015 | Politics

At yesterday’s conference, the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) Leader
Gagik Tsarukyan repeated the words said by the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation -Dashnaktsutyun in 2010, Head of the Dashnaktustyun faction
Armen Rustamyan said during the parliamentary briefings on Friday.

“In 2010, I said that Armenia needs a government of a new quality.

Today, they are speaking about the need of a new-quality government.

By saying a new-quality government we first of all mean elimination
of the political monopoly. The ruling party and state are interwoven
today. It is time to find solutions to the main problems in the
country,” Mr Rustamyan said. He suggests involving knowledgeable people
who today reside outside Armenia in the process of state-building.

“The change of government does not only mean a change of persons,
it implies a change of system. The political forces should work
together and present people a concrete program in order not to appear
in uncertainty again. You cannot change everything by changing the
electoral system. This is a delusion,” said the Dashnak representative.

“Armenia needs a government of a new quality, new, educated people. In
this regard I express my will to support such new candidates; I call
upon Armenians living both in Armenia and abroad, specialists with good
education to unite around creating an alternative to our functioning
government,” Gagik Tsarukyan said during the conference on Thurdsay.

ANALYST: TSARUKYAN-INITIATED GATHERING WAS WARNING TO SARGSYAN OVER CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PLANS

Analysis | 06.02.15 | 11:28

By Sara Khojoyan
ArmeniaNow reporter

The conference of ‘non-governing’ forces organized by Prosperous
Armenia Party (PAP) head Gagik Tsarukyan is a warning, first of all,
for incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan and the rest of the government
as well, so that they give up the idea of reforming the Constitution,
analysts say.

“The ball is in the government’s court, but their time is not unlimited
and they have to make up their mind,” Tsarukyan said, addressing the
participants in the event. “Public patience is up, indeed. The Gyumri
incident (when a family of seven was murdered in January), the border
tensions, unbearable inflation, instability of the financial market
must have alarmed the government that the society is on the verge
of huge breakdowns. One wrong move, even a wrong word can take the
people out to the streets.”

Addressing non-governmental forces’ demand to the government to refrain
from constitutional changes, Tsarukyan said that if the government
chooses the option of refusing, then the public has just one thing left
to do – to demand preterm presidential and parliamentary elections.

“Officials should remember that no position is forever, and if the
country’s development and the country’s security need change of
government, then it must take place.”

The PAP head’s speech is primarily a warning to President Sargsyan,
said Cooperation for Democracy Center NGO Chairman Stepan Danielyan.

“If Serzh Sargsyan refrains from constitutional changes, it will
be possible to say that Tsarukyan will achieve his goal. The main
conflict refers to constitutional changes. The purpose of those
changes is expanding Serzh Sargsyan’s and the Republican Party’s rule
for another 10 years,” the political analyst told ArmeniaNow.

According to Danielyan, only a constitutional reform can ensure
President Sargsyan continues his solo rule in Armenia until 2018.

“Starting from the moment when he gives up the changes, it will
mean that he will lose full control over the National Assembly and
the government. The reason is clear – nobody will confide with an
outgoing president, everyone will start tying relations with the next
potential president, and an overwhelming majority of members of the
ruling Republican Party as well,” Danielyan said.

Tsarukyan has some potential and it is not without reasons that he
sees himself as a ‘non-governing’ figure, the political analyst added.

“As a matter of fact, certain sections of the government, such as the
army, state structures, as well as the business-affiliated section of
the Republicans, etc. have maintained their relations also with the
‘non-governing’ camp. Naturally, those ties, with Sargsyan’s rule being
improbable and the financial potential of Tsarukyan and his entourage,
are a serious challenge for the current president and his supporters.”

Political analyst, member of the You Won’t Pass group Armen Grigoryan
shares the analyst’s opinion on Tsarukyan’s potential.

“Non-governing forces have twice made Sargsyan suspend the
constitutional changes, and at this moment there is a high probability
that they will be able to scuttle [the plans] and win.”

“If constitutional changes are cancelled, Serzh Sargsyan will become
very weak, and he will lose his power, and after that there will arise
the question of overtaking the government and one of the potential
candidates is Gagik Tsarukyan,” Grigoryan told ArmeniaNow.

CONTROVERSE SUR LA TAXE SUR LES VENTES : LES COMMERCANTS PRESENTENT DES QUESTIONS AU PREMIER MINISTRE

ARMENIE

Le Premier ministre armenien Hovik Abrahamyan aurait rencontre
un groupe de commercants pour discuter de leurs preoccupations
persistantes au sujet de l’application d’une nouvelle loi sur la taxe
sur les ventes.

Des centaines de representants des petites et moyennes entreprises,
y compris les commercants du marche, ont organise des manifestations
devant le bâtiment du gouvernement depuis le debut de cette semaine
exigeant que la loi, qui est entree en vigueur ce mois, soit mise
au rebut.

La loi en question prevoit effectivement la reduction de la taxe sur
les ventes pour les petites entreprises de 3,5% a 1% mais implique
des règles plus strictes pour la soumission de la documentation
relatives aux ventes aux autorites fiscales. Le gouvernement a deja
une fois reporte son application jusqu’au 1er Fevrier au milieu de
protestations similaires en octobre dernier.

Ceux qui ont rencontre Abrahamyan ont dit au reste des manifestants
que le Premier ministre leur avait promis de trouver des solutions.

Ils ont dit qu’ils ont discute de la possibilite de modifier certaines
dispositions de la loi et meme d’en faire une option plutôt qu’une
obligation pour les commercants.

Certains des manifestants ne sont cependant toujours pas convaincu
par la promesse et ont affirme leur volonte de poursuivre leur lutte
contre la loi.

Plusieurs membres du Parlement representant le parti Armenie prospère,
ont promis de soulever la question a l’Assemblee nationale.

vendredi 6 fevrier 2015, Stephane (c)armenews.com

PROJET L’HERITAGE DU SILENCE -TURKEY, THE LEGACY OF SILENCE

FRANCE

Un web documentaire sur quatre Turcs decouvrant leurs origines
armeniennes… et qui decident de briser le silence. Anna & Guillaume,
realisateurs de Turkey, the Legacy of Silence, sont fiers d’annoncer
l’ouverture d’une campagne de financement participatif. Durant deux
mois, l’equipe du documentaire sollicite des participants pour aider
a boucler la production du film et des web-series dont la sortie est
prevue pour avril 2015.

L’appel est en anglais pour capter des participants a l’international
:

” Depuis une quinzaine d’annees, une interrogation collective autour
de l’histoire et de la fondation de la Republique d’Ataturk a debute
en Turquie. Après des decennies de peur et de secret, certains des
petits enfants d’Armeniens islamises ont decide de briser ce silence
et d’affirmer leur existence. Nous pensons que leurs histoires
sont importantes et indispensables pour le travail de memoire et de
dialogue entre Turcs et Armeniens. C’est pourquoi le webdocumentaire
sera traduit en anglais, en armenien et en turc.

Nous avons besoin d’aide pour donner a ce projet une envergure
internationale.

Si vous aimeriez en savoir plus sur le projet ou
souhaitez nous soutenir, rendez vous sur la page :

Merci beaucoup ! ”

Anna & Guillaume

[email protected]

vendredi 6 fevrier 2015, Stephane (c)armenews.com

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

** TOP STORY February 5, 2015
————————————————————
St. Vartan
A stained glass window at St. Vartan Cathedral depicts the
fifth-century hero.

** Sts. Vartanantz Day
————————————————————
Every year on the Thursday preceding Great Lent, Armenians throughout
the world commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Avarayr
(A.D. 451), in which Christian Armenia, under the leadership of
St. Vartan Mamigonian, fought against the Persian Empire, which aimed
to convert the country to Zoroastrianism.

On the field of Avarayr, outnumbered Armenian fighters faced a mighty
Persian army. St. Vartan and his companions saw a military defeat, but
their unyielding commitment to defend their faith ultimately thwarted
the Persians, and ensured that Christianity would endure in
Armenia. Click here
()
to read more about the Battle of Avarayr on our website, or download
the Diocese’s iBook
()
for an interactive introduction to St. Vartan’s historic campaign.

Two days prior to the Feast of Sts. Vartanantz, the Armenian Church
remembers the sacrifice of St. Leontius (Ghevont) the priest and his
companions. St. Ghevont is one of the great exemplars of the Armenian
priesthood, remembered for his rare courage and resolution at the
Battle of Avarayr.

On the eve of battle, Ghevont celebrated the Divine Liturgy, conferred
the sacrament of Holy Communion on the soldiers, and baptized those
who had not yet been received into the church. His stirring sermon
assured the soldiers that their mystical union with Christ would
survive even physical violence and death. In observance of
Ghevontiantz Day, the clergy of the Eastern Diocese hold regional
gatherings every year. Click here
()
to learn more about St. Leontius and his companions.

Presentation of the Lord to the Temple
The Presentation at the Temple from The Gospel of Khizan (1499).

** Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple
————————————————————
On Saturday, February 14, the Armenian Church will observe the Feast
of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple, a beautiful story from
the infancy of Jesus, in which he is confirmed as the Holy Messiah or
Christ-the world’s long-awaited savior. In Armenian, it is known as
Dyarnuntarach, or “the bringing forward of the Lord.’

Forty days after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph brought their baby to
the temple, as was the pious custom at the time. There they
encountered Simeon, an elderly and devout man who had prayed to God to
keep him alive until he could see the savior promised to mankind.

When Simeon saw Mary and her baby, he sensed God’s presence, and said:
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy
word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared
in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the
Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

Click here
()
to read more, and to find activities and resources for children and
adults.

Lent Begins

** Great Lent Begins on February 16
————————————————————
This year, the Armenian Church calendar designates Monday, February
16, as the first day of Great Lent: the season when Christians
consciously turn away from worldly matters and make the effort-through
prayer, fasting, study, and introspection-to prepare for the spiritual
drama of Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

The Scriptural basis for Lent resides in the 40-day period Christ
spent in the wilderness following his baptism. In the words of
St. Matthew’s Gospel (4:12): “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into
the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days
and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry.”

During Lent we are called to follow the Holy Spirit to confront our
own `inner wilderness’-the realm of spiritual emptiness engendered by
sin, laziness, and vanity. Through prayer, fasting, Bible-reading, and
self-examination, we are given an opportunity to renew our commitment
to God, and gain the strength to work at being more loving, humble,
and gentle. Click here
()
to learn more about the Armenian Church traditions concerning Great
Lent.

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

Is 63:18-64:12
Ti 1:1-11
Jn 7:37-52

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

My soul is always in your hands and I place my hope in your Holy
Cross, O Heavenly King. May the multitude of your saints intercede on
my behalf.

You who are patient with everyone, do not neglect me who trusts in
you, but keep me in peace with your precious and Holy Cross. Amen.

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

7 February: Catholicos St. Sahag Parthev

10 February: St. Leontius the Priest and His Companions

12 February: St. Vartan the Warrior and His Companions

14 February: Presentation of the Lord to the Temple

15 February: Great Barekendan

16 February: First Day of Lent

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Abp. Barsamian Visits Rome
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian with His Holiness Pope Francis.

** Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches Meet
————————————————————
The 12th meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological
Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox
Churches took place in Rome from January 24 to 31, 2015. Meeting at
the Vatican, delegates from the Roman Catholic Church met with
representatives of the Armenian, Antiochian Syrian, Coptic, Ethiopian
Tewahdo, and Malankara Syrian churches.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, was part of the
delegation representing the Armenian Church. Also representing the
Catholicate of the All Armenians was Bishop Hovakim Manukyan,
Ecumenical Officer of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; and the
Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan, Etchmiadzin’s director of publishing. The See
of Cilicia sent Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and Bishop Magar
Ashkarian. Among the Roman Catholic delegation were Armenian churchmen
of the Armenian Catholic order: Archbishop Boghos Levon Zekiyan and
Archbishop Peter Marayati.

His Holiness Pope Francis personally received the Joint Commission
participants on the afternoon of Friday, January 30, at the Vatican’s
Apostolic Palace.

During their time in Rome, Archbishop Barsamian and Bishop Manukyan
met separately with Cardinal Kurt Koch; Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the
Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches; and Cardinal
Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. In the course of
those meetings, they discussed the April 12 mass that Pope Francis
will conduct at St. Peter’s Basilica, in memory of victims of the 1915
Armenian Genocide. They also continued discussions begun last year by
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, regarding the possibility of a papal visit to Armenia
during the current centennial year of the Genocide.

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

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Dr. Edgar Housepian
Dr. Edgar Housepian (1928-2014).

** Memorial Service for Dr. Edgar Housepian
————————————————————
On Saturday, February 14, the Eastern Diocese and the Fund for
Armenian Relief will host a memorial service for the late Dr. Edgar
Housepian=80’an internationally-renowned neurosurgeon and a founding
member of the Fund for Armenian Relief, who passed away on November
14, 2014.

Dr. Housepian was heir to a remarkable family tradition of
compassionate involvement in Armenian life. In an earlier era, his
parents Dr. Moses and Makrouhi Housepian were pioneers in humane
outreach to our homeland. The warmth of their family life in New York
was memorably portrayed in the novel A Houseful of Love, by Dr. Edgar
Housepian’s late sister Marjorie Housepian Dobkin.

Days after the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, Dr. Housepian joined the
late Archbishop Torkom Manoogian and the late Kevork Hovnanian on a
visit to our homeland to assess the damage and formulate a
response. From that trip, the seeds of the Fund for Armenian Relief
were planted. For more than 20 years, Dr. Housepian led FAR’s effort
to restructure the health care system in Armenia. Thanks to his
foresight, a new generation of Armenian physicians would enjoy
invaluable opportunities for training and education.

A memorial service for Dr. Housepian will be held at St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral on Saturday, February 14, at 11:00 a.m. It will be
followed by a memorial luncheon and a special program of remembrance,
beginning at 1 p.m. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate,
will preside.

Armenian Genocide Cintennial

** Resources for the Genocide Centennial
————————————————————
With the 100th year of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide advancing
rapidly, the Eastern Diocese has created a special section on its
website for downloadable resources. Parishes, community groups, and
anyone else can obtain materials to help them inform local press and
reach out to their surrounding communities. Click here
()
to access these resources.

In the meantime, the Armenian-American community is building towards a
national observance in Washington, DC, in May 2015. Special events are
scheduled for May 7 to 9-including an ecumenical prayer service at the
National Cathedral, a Pontifical Divine Liturgy, a memorial concert,
and an awards banquet honoring those who helped the survivors. His
Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia, both will journey to the United States to lead the
Washington commemoration. They will be joined by Armenians from across
the U.S., under the auspices of the Eastern and Western Dioceses, and
the Eastern and Western Prelacies. Click here
()
to learn more about the May events in the nation’s capital.

The Eastern Diocese’s Annual Diocesan Assembly and Clergy Conference
will convene in Washington that same week. Click here
()
to view information for clergy, delegates, and Parish Council chairs.

People in the New York metro region should also reserve the dates of
April 24, 25, and 26 for commemorative events in New York City. These
will include a Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on
Sunday, April 26, with the participation of Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. The annual Times Square
program sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan
will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 26.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian has appointed George and Lorraine
Marootian as Diocesan liaisons to the Genocide commemorative
committees. They will be working with established committees at the
national, regional, and local levels, and have begun reaching out to
our parish communities. Contact them via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Never Forget 1915

** Support the Genocide Awareness Campaign
————————————————————
The Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America (Eastern Region)
is planning a creative national campaign spanning public relations,
social media, and print and broadcast outlets to raise awareness about
the Armenian Genocide in this milestone year.

The committee is raising funds to finance the national
campaign. Please consider supporting this ambitious outreach
effort. Click here
()
to make a donation.

In addition, the Centennial Committee (Eastern Region) has launched a
new website-
()
-which will soon offer a listing of events organized nationwide in
commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. They are asking all local
committees to share their contact information to assist in this
effort.

Concert at St. Vartan Cathedral
Yeghishe Manucharyan performs at St. Vartan Cathedral.

** St. Vartan Cathedral Hosts Opera Concert
————————————————————
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral hosted `An Evening at the Opera’ on
Friday, January 30. The concert featured Armenian and Western opera
music, performed by internationally-acclaimed artists Narine Ojakhyan
and Yeghishe Manucharyan. Lusine Badalyan accompanied on the piano.

The Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, cathedral dean, and Jacob
H. Yahiayan, Diocesan director of administration, welcomed guests, who
included Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Zohrab
Mnatsakanyan.

The concert was made possible by the Dadourian Family Foundation, in
memory of Haig Dadourian. Click here
()
to view photos and a video of the January 30 program.

Lenten Resources

** Download the Lenten Family Resource
————————————————————
Every year the Diocese’s Department of Christian Education produces a
Lenten family resource for distribution to Diocesan Sunday
Schools. This year’s publication is an informational booklet about
Great Lent, accompanied by 20 double-sided bookmarks, each bearing a
Scripture verse and a daily activity.

The packet has been mailed to parishes for distribution to Sunday
School families and staff, but it can also be downloaded by clicking
here
()
.

FAR
Mothers at the Stepanakert maternity ward.

** FAR and AAHPO Train Doctors in Karabagh
————————————————————
The Fund for Armenian Relief recently organized Continuing Medical
Education (CME) seminars in Nagorno-Karabagh. The seminars focused on
modern trends in obstetrics and gynecology and were led by lecturers
Dr. Hripsime Apresyan and Dr. Rusadan Vardanyan.

Participating physicians from Stepanakert and other regions of
Nagorno-Karabagh said they appreciated the opportunity to discuss
local cases and raise questions with other medical
professionals. Click here
()
to read more on FAR’s blog.

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

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
Holy Trinity Church, PA
Parishioners Dr. Garo Garibian and Merle Santerian share recollections
of their pastor’s first five years at Holy Trinity Church.

** Cheltenham Parish Celebrates Pastor’s Milestone
————————————————————
On Sunday, January 25, Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, honored
the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan on his fifth anniversary as Holy
Trinity’s pastor. Some 350 people attended the celebratory event in
the church’s Santerian Hall.

The program included a video message from Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate, who congratulated Fr. Gevorgyan and Yn. Anna on this
milestone. A surprise video message was recorded by Fr. Gevorgyan’s
father in Armenia, and a slide show of photographs showed the young
priest’s journey through seminary in Armenia and his tenure at the
Cheltenham parish. Other activities included music, dancing, and games
for children.

Also celebrating with the community was the Rev. Fr. Karekin
Kasparian, the recently retired pastor of St. Gregory the Enlightener
Church of White Plains, NY, who mentored Fr. Gevorgyan when the latter
first arrived in the Eastern Diocese from Armenia.

`For me, there is no greater joy than to serve God and His people,’
Fr. Gevorgyan said. `This service gives me happiness and lots of
energy.’

Click here
()
to view photos.

New Britain Armenian Church
Hary Mazadoorian Esq., acolytes Matthew and David Marottolo, and
Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian.

** Two Altar Servers Honored in New Britain
————————————————————
Two acolytes were honored at Holy Resurrection Church of New Britain,
CT, on Sunday, January 25. Brothers Matthew and David Marottolo
received the `Deacon Charles N. Mazadoorian Memorial Altar Server
Award’ in recognition for their service and their dedication to
learning the worship traditions of the Armenian Church.

The award was established in 2008 by Harry Mazadoorian, Esq. in memory
of his late brother, Deacon Charles Mazadoorian. The Rev. Fr. Kapriel
Mouradjian, parish pastor, presented the award recipients with an
honorarium and copies of the Deacon’s Guidebook to the Divine Liturgy.

Fr. Tateos Abdalian
Fr. Tateos Abdalian at a service honoring police, firefighters, EMTs,
and other first-responders.

** First-Responders Recognized in Pennsylvania
————————————————————
The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s director of Mission
Parishes who also serves as a police chaplain for the Police
Department of Cheltenham, PA, attended a service honoring local
police, firefighters, EMTs, and other first-responders last month.

The service was held at Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church in
Ardsley, PA, on Friday, January 30, as part of `Catholic Schools
Week,’ during which students, faculty, and staff of Good Shepherd
Regional Catholic School honored first-responders.

Fr. Abdalian has been serving as a police chaplain for the past 10
years. His duties include making hospital visits to officers and their
families, personal counseling, and responding to critical
incidents. He also is an instructor in the Community Policing Program
for civilian personnel.

Saint Egidio Community at St. Vartan Cathedral
The annual Christmas dinner for the Catholic lay community of
Sant’Egidio.

** Reaching Out to the City’s Elderly
————————————————————
On December 25, St. Vartan Cathedral hosted the annual Christmas
dinner for the Catholic lay community of Sant’Egidio. With the support
of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, Diocesan staffers
Jennifer Morris, Eric Vozzy, and Lorie Odabashian organized volunteers
from local Armenian parishes to assist at the dinner.

Sant’Egidio’s guests included the elderly, nursing home residents, and
the homeless. The community was especially grateful for the presence
of the Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian who blessed the meal and helped serve
guests.

Sant’Egidio
()
has a long history in New York City, and has been hosting its
Christmas dinner at the Diocesan Center for the past three years.

Upcoming events

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

St. Gregory the Illuminator Church | Chicago, IL
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, will host a Poon
Paregentan dinner and dance on Saturday, February 14. Highlights
include music by the Kevork Artinian band and a magic show for
children. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Church of the Holy Ascension | Trumbull, CT
The Church of the Holy Ascension of Trumbull, CT, will host a
=80=9CMardi Gras Fun Night’ on Saturday, February 14, from 6 to 10
p.m. Enjoy music, dance performances, and more. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Armenian Church of Southwest Florida | Naples, FL
The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy
at the Armenian Church of Southwest Florida on Sunday, February 8. The
service will take place at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
(3901 Davis Blvd. in Naples). The parish’s annual bake sale featuring
Armenian breads and pastries will follow; a light luncheon will be
served. For information, contact Carole Meghreblian at (239) 348-3804,
or via e-mail at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

St. Mary Church | Livingston, NJ
The Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest New Jersey, in
collaboration with St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, is hosting an
exhibit in commemoration of the 100th year of remembrance of the
Armenian Genocide. The exhibit will open on Monday, February 9
(rescheduled from Jan. 26), with the screening of a film about the
Armenian Genocide. It will run through April 30. Click here
()
for information.

St. George Church | Hartford, CT
The Sunday School of St. George Church of Hartford, CT, will sponsor
special guest Stepan Piligian on Sunday, February 8. Mr. Piligian will
present his “Time Machine” program on St. Vartan Mamigonian. Click
here
()
to view a flyer for information.

The St. George Women’s Guild will sponsor a “Poon Paregentan Family
Fun Day” with dinner, a student talent show, and raffle prizes on
Sunday, February 15. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

The Women’s Guild is also hosting a Lenten Dinner on Saturday,
February 28, with guest speakers Ted and Marianne Hovivian from `NY
Friends of Gavar Special School in Armenia.’ Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, is sponsoring a
=80=9CFamily Fun Night’ on Friday, February 6. Enjoy dinner and
activities for children and families. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

The church will host a Vartanantz Day commemoration on Thursday,
February 12. Services will be followed by a dinner and program. Click
here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
Musicologists Krikor Pidedjian and Ã…=9Eahan Arzruni will give a talk
on Armenian composer Kristapor Cara-Murza at St. Leon Church of Fair
Lawn, NJ, on Thursday, February 19, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Krikor
Pidedjian and Ã…=9Eahan Arzruni will place the work of Cara-Murza in
historical and social contexts and bring to life exchanges with
personalities of the time, such as Khrimian Hairig. They will share
new discoveries, including a Divine Liturgy composed by Cara-Murza
that was found by Krikor Pidedjian. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Leon Church is sponsoring a course for high school students on the
Armenian Genocide. Sessions will be held on Monday evenings, beginning
on March 9. Instructor Khatchig Mouradian will guide participants as
they investigate the political, social, and economic environment in
the Ottoman Empire on the eve of the Armenian Genocide, and consider
questions pertaining to genocide denial, resistance, and
awareness. Mr. Mouradian, a Ph.D. candidate at Clark University, has
lectured widely on the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath. Click here
()
to view a flyer for registration information.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
Diocesan Summer Camps

** Get Ready for the Summer Camp Season
————————————————————
Mark your calendar for a summer filled with friendship, fellowship,
and fun at St. Vartan Camp and Hye Camp. St. Vartan Camp is housed at
the Ararat Youth and Conference Center in Greenville, NY. Hye Camp is
located at Camp Hickory in Ingleside, IL.

Online registration is now open through the new camp website:
Brochures and flyers can be picked up at
your local parish or downloaded on the new website.

To add your name to the camp e-mail list, or for more information,
contact Jennifer Morris, the Diocese’s director of Youth and Young
Adult Ministries, at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

St. Vartan Camp Dates
Staff Training: Wednesday, June 24 – Saturday, June 27
Session A: Sunday, June 28 – Saturday, July 11
Session B: Sunday, July 12 – Saturday, July 25
Session C: Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 8

Hye Camp Dates
Staff Training: Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26
Two-week session: Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 8
One-week session: Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1 (all
participants)
One-week session: Sunday, August 2 – Saturday, August 8 (for those
unable to attend week 1)

** EVENTS
————————————————————
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral

** Vartanantz Day Program at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————
Sts. Vartanantz Day will be observed at New York’s St. Vartan
Cathedral on Thursday, February 12.

The Rev. Fr. Hagop Gevorgyan, pastor of Holy Trinity Church of
Cheltenham, PA, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy beginning at 6
p.m. A dinner and program will follow services.

Christopher Sheklian, a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology at the
University of Chicago, will be the evening’s keynote speaker. The
program also will include a performance by soloists of the St. Vartan
Cathedral Choir.

The Vartanantz Day commemoration is organized by the Eastern Diocese
with the participation of the Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of
Vartan. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Farah Siraj
Fusion artist Farah Siraj will perform during the dinner and music
program on February 14.

** Artist Farah Siraj to Perform at Diocesan Center
————————————————————
The recently-formed St. Vartan Cathedral Community of New York City is
hosting an exciting evening of dinner and music featuring the talented
fusion artist and humanitarian, Farah Siraj.

Farah Siraj has performed around the world, including in Europe, the
Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the United States. She uses her music
to raise awareness for urgent humanitarian causes around the world,
among them the genocides in Darfur and the Republic of Congo, as well
as the military conflicts in Gaza. Click here
()
to read more about her music and humanitarian work.

The event will be held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium (630
Second Avenue, New York City). Tickets are $50 for adults; $35 for
seniors and college students. Advance reservations are required by
February 12; tickets will not be available at the door. Click here
()
to purchase tickets.

** A NOTE TO OUR READERS
————————————————————
The Diocese’s e-Newsletter will not be published on Sts. Vartanantz
Day , Thursday, February 12. We look forward to resuming e-Newsletter
publication on Thursday, February 19.

Armenian Studies Program
Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Coordinator
5245 N. Backer Ave. PB4
Fresno CA 93740-8001

ASP Office: 559-278-2669
Office: 559-278-2669
FAX: 559-278-2129

Visit the ASP Website:

Photo caption:

SAS Conference in Washington, D.C. Seated, left to right: Dr. Rouben
Adalian, Khatchig Mouradian, Asya Darbinyan, and Umit Kurt.

Standing: SAS President Barlow Der Mugrdechian

PRESS RELEASE

Society for Armenian Studies Holds Elections
for Executive Council Officers for 2015

The Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) celebrated its 40th anniversary
at its Annual Membership meeting held in Washington, D.C., held on
Saturday, November 22.

A new Executive Council was elected with Barlow Der Mugrdechian
(California State University-Fresno) chosen as the new SAS
President. Also elected were Vice President Bedross Der Matossian
(University of Nebraska-Lincoln); Secretary Lilit Keshishyan (UCLA);
Treasurer Sergio La Porta (California State University, Fresno); and
advisors Tamar Boyajian (Michigan State University), Marc Mamigonian
(NAASR), and Jean Murachanian (University of New England).

On behalf of the SAS newly elected President Der Mugrdechian thanked
outgoing President Kevork Bardakjian (University of Michigan-Ann
Arbor) and outgoing Secretary Ani Kasparian (University of
Michigan-Dearborn) for their dedicated service to the Society.

`It is a privilege to be elected as the new President of Society for
Armenian Studies. The SAS plays an important role as a forum for
scholars to meet and exchange ideas. SAS members conduct research in
many different fields, but in each case this is related to the study
of Armenia and the Armenian people. This research is shared with other
academics and with the public at large, bringing greater awareness
about Armenian culture,’ stated Der Mugrdechian.

In 2014 SAS held several major activities to mark its 40th
anniversary, including an international Armenian Studies Workshop in
Yerevan, Armenia, October 3-5, with 44 scholars participating from
Armenia and abroad. In November the Society sponsored a two-day
conference in Washington, D.C. on =80=9C Armenians in the Ottoman
Empire in the 19-20th Centuries.’ This year the SAS planning several
activities in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, including co-sponsorship of a major international conference
` Crossing the Centennial: The Historiography of the Armenian Genocide
Re-Evaluated,’ March 19-20, with the Department of History and
Humanitarian Affairs Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
organized by SAS Vice-President Bedross Der Matossian.

The SAS annually publishes a peer-reviewed Journal of the Society for
Armenian Studies , edited by Sergio La Porta, and a Newsletter .

The SAS website, societyforarmenianstudies.com, provides information
about events and activities about the Society. The Society does
encourage supporting membership for those who wish to financially
support the SAS. The Secretariat of the SAS is based in the Armenian
Studies Program at California State University, Fresno. For more
information please call the SAS at 559-278-2669 or send an email to
[email protected].

MEET YOUR CAPTAINS: SAM BABAYAN

The Captain’s Log
Feb 5 2015

If Sam Babayan only had thirty seconds to tell you his life story,
he’d do it in five. “My life is me being torn between things,” the
sophomore said, although that’s not actually as terrible as it sounds.

The first thing Babayan is torn between is which of his parent’s
cooking he prefers. His mother is Dominican and his father is
Armenian, so Sam grew up eating traditional dishes from both of their
homelands. Just don’t ask him to pick a favorite, because he won’t
be able to choose.

In all honesty, such a dilemma has “given me a love of diversity. I
had the privilege of being raised speaking both of their
languages–speaking Armenian and Spanish; that’s actually something
I’m really grateful for,” said Babayan.

Babayan learned English in school, where one day he eventually picked
up his love for psychology and biology–the other things he can’t
choose between. “I really love science a lot, and how quantifiable
everything is, and how there’s a concrete answer to everything. As
difficult as calculus can be, I really like that sometimes…. but then
I go to a psych class and get a multiple choice question where there’s
all kinds of different right answers. It can be really ambiguous,
but I really enjoy it.”

Sam is currently double majoring in cell/ molecular biology and
psychology, and is well aware of what his post-CNU future holds. “I’m
definitely going to grad school. It’s necessary. Med school is an
option, but it’s going to be hard…. Maybe I’d do a doctoral program
for neuroscience, if everything works out.”

But Babayan has no desire to take his practice too far afield. “I
don’t see myself anywhere other than the DC metro area,” he said. “I
was born and raised there; I like the city and there are a lot of
things to experience.”

For the time being, Babayan wants to focus on making it through
undergrad. Unfortunately, this comes with a few tough decisions.

As a freshman, Babayan was a member of the Presidential Leadership
program, but in the beginning of his sophomore year he had to withdraw
to accommodate both of his majors.

He also gave up football–one of his primary reasons for applying to
CNU. “I was originally going to play football for CNU,” he said. “I
played all of high school, and it was an awesome experience that
lead to friendships I’ll have for the rest of my life. That was
something I wanted to continue and hone, but I chose CNU because I
didn’t want the stress of having to play on scholarship.” Ultimately,
things didn’t work out, and Babayan had to walk away from his dreams
of being a Captain on the gridiron.

As it turned out, walking away from one dream opened the door for
another opportunity. “I was approached by a bunch of older guys on the
rugby team who invited me to a few of their practices,” said Babayan.

“It took some getting used to, because [rugby and football] are two
very different sports. They brought me out, and it was the same kind
of brotherhood that I’d found with football in high school.”

Some of his favorite memories concerning rugby involve their public
philanthropy. “We did Dude Looks Like a Lady last year, and it was
really cool to play a full-contact rugby game in dresses.”

Another perk of rugby is that “it isn’t as life consuming as varsity
football was.” So with his free time Babayan participates in a couple
committees for the Delta Upsilon brotherhood, and he also serves as
the fraternity’s IFC representative.

In addition to his time with DU, Babayan is an RA for York River East,
2B. He spent his own freshman year on hall 4A. “I’ve lived in the
same building for half of college,” he jokes. But being an RA “has
been an amazing experience. I wouldn’t trade the relationships that
I’ve built with my residents for anything. They make it all worth it.”