Author: Badalian Vardan

THREE MORE CONVICTED IN ARMENIAN POWER FRAUD, EXTORTION SCHEMES

Los Angeles Times
April 18 2014

By Christine Mai-Duc This post has been corrected. See the note below
for details.

April 18, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

Three men with ties to the Armenian Power gang were convicted in
federal court this week for their roles in a vast racketeering
conspiracy and a sophisticated debit card skimming scheme that
targeted thousands of customers at 99 Cents Only stores across Southern
California, authorities said.

Two leaders of the gang — Mher Darbinyan, 38, known to some as
“Capone,” and Arman “Horse” Sharopetrosian, 35 — were convicted
Thursday of racketeering conspiracy and extortion, as well as a slew
of other related charges, according to an announcement from the U.S
attorney for Central California.

The two men worked together to shake down a member of the Armenian
community, using threats of violence and at one point arranging for
the victim’s kidnapping at gunpoint, prosecutors said.

>From his prison cell at Avenal State Prison, Sharopetrosian helped
direct the extortion scheme with the help of smuggled cellphones.

The victim paid the pair more than $20,000 over six months, according
to prosecutors.

Darbinyan, of Valencia, also operated a check fraud ring, targeting
bank accounts of businesses and elderly people, and organized the
elaborate card-skimming enterprise, in which devices were installed
at 99 Cents Only discount stores to steal customers’ debit card
information and PIN codes.

Rafael Parsadanyan, a 29-year-old Los Angeles resident and an
associate of the gang, was also found guilty Thursday of 14 counts
of bank fraud for helping Darbinyan run the card-skimming operation,
collecting and storing the money and delivering a payment of $34,000
to a fellow scammer.

The convictions represent some of the last few cases remaining from
a sweeping investigation that involved nearly a dozen federal and
local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Glendale Police
Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the IRS.

Federal prosecutors indicted 90 people in 2011 for crimes ranging from
kidnapping and extortion to identity theft and passing counterfeit
checks. Of the group, 85 have now been convicted.

Darbinyan was found guilty of 57 criminal counts, including bank fraud,
aggravated identity theft and possession of a firearm by a convicted
felon. He faces a maximum of roughly 973 years in federal prison. He
is due in court for sentencing on July 21.

Sharopetrosian, who was convicted of three counts — racketeering
conspiracy, extortion conspiracy and extortion — could be sentenced
to 60 years in federal prison when he returns to court for sentencing,
scheduled for Sept. 15.

Darbinyan faces a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for each of
his 14 counts of bank fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced July 14.

The Armenian Power street gang — known for murders, fraud schemes,
robberies and intimidating witnesses — rose to prominence out of
East Hollywood in the 1980s, its members consisting primarily of
individuals of Armenian descent and those from other countries in
the former Soviet bloc, prosecutors said.

[For the Record 10:20 a.m. PDT April 18: An earlier version of this
post reported that the victim paid his extorters more than $100,000.

The victim paid more than $20,000.]

,0,1948844.story#ixzz2zGMp2jZC

PENSION REFORM: SMALL VICTORY FOR OPPONENTS, BUT UNCLEAR PATH AHEAD

PENSIONS | 18.04.14 | 16:28

By SARA KHOJOYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

The public’s fight against the mandatory deduction component of the new
law on pensions appears to have seen a small victory. The Government
is preparing a project to release sanctions against employers who
have failed to make salary deductions according to the law which the
Constitutional Court has said does not meet constitutional standards.

The executive body announced Thursday evening that measures must be
taken to drop sanctions against employers before thinking of making
changes following the Constitutional Court’s decision on April 2 about
“Accumulative Pension system”. The project that would free employers
from making mandatory deductions is anticipated for discussion in
the National Assembly April 28.

Meanwhile, the Armenian pressure group campaigning against pension
reforms is preparing another strike in front of the president’s
residence. At its rally on April 12 the group demanded that President
Serzh Sargsyan follow the Constitution. This happened after the
Constitutional Court had found some provisions of the pension reform
law anti-constitutional.

“What’s being done now should have been done long ago. The ex-PM was
supposed to have done it,” David Manukyan, Dem.am team member told
ArmeniaNow, adding that this happened as a result of public pressure.

“Just dropping sanctions is not enough,” Manukyan added. “Not only
the sanctions must be dropped, but the style of electronic report
made for the Revenue Committee must be amended. The pension fund
payment field must not be automated.”

For the government not to contradict its own position, according
to which pension reforms will continue and that pension funds must
be paid till September 30, as Manukyan put it, they must officially
announce clearly that “the employers can transfer pension fund payments
only for the citizens who will agree in written form to take part in
that system.”

“This is the very demand in the Court decision – a person must be
able to express his/her will,” says Manukyan.

And before Manukyan and his friends expect practical results from the
government, there are opinions that after September 30 the executive
may turn the pension fund payments into a taxation system.

“If the government doesn’t refuse the mandatory component, a further
possible development of this act is mandatory social payments, which
might be implied upon employers and employees, the state will have
its participation as well. This is, in fact, a tax of a kind,” said
Armenak Chatinyan, Civilnet economic analyst and added that in this
case the conditions worsen for the public and they cannot legally
complain against this.

AGMI PRESENTS PLANS AHEAD OF GENOCIDE CENTENARY

18:03 18.04.2014

Aida Avetisyan
Public Radio of Armenia

The temporary exhibition of the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute
(AGMI) will open on April 21, AGMI Director Hayk Demoyan told reporters
today. He added that the permanent exhibition will open in a year.

Demoyan said the exhibition will be unprecedented with the scope and
the scientific value. The area of the exhibition will be enlarged
through innovative technologies and designing solutions.

“One visit will not be enough to see the whole exhibition,” he said,
adding that every visitor will find new information during the second,
third visits.

Hayk Demoyan said the exhibition is a result of “collective work.”

Last year famous genocide scholar Israel Charney donated whole his
library to the Genocide Museum.

“The Armenian Genocide Museum Institute will grow into a research
center of international significance,” Hayk Demoyan said. He noted
that AGMI seeks to expand the geography of cooperating countries. He
reminded that the Museum has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the Russian “Holocaust” Center
and has established cooperation with the Paris-based Shoah center.

The Genocide Museum Institute is preparing to present 20 temporary
exhibitions in different countries.

Hayk Demoyan said rapid changes are taking place in Turkey and stressed
the importance of raising the awareness about the Armenian Genocide
among the Turkish youth.

TURKEY, FRANCE SEEK TO ‘MEND’ TIES AFTER

Turkish Press
April 17 2014

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

ANKARA – In a bid to repair relations between the two countries French
MPs on Wednesday visited the Turkish parliament.

Turkish-French relations have been strained since the French Parliament
adopted a resolution in 2011 that criminalizes rejection of Armenian
allegations pertaining to the incidents of 1915.

During the First World War, the Ottoman Empire approved a deportation
law for Armenians amid their uprising with the help of invading
Russian army. As a result, an unknown number of people died in the
civil strife. The Armenian diaspora and the state of Armenia term
the incidents as “genocide” and ask for compensation, whereas Turkey
says that while Armenians died during the deportation, many Turks
also died due to the attacks by Armenian gangs all across Anatolia.

Christophe Bouillon, chair of the French-Turkish Parliamentary
Friendship Group, said, after a meeting with deputy speaker of Turkish
parliament, “some people might try to bring the Armenian allegations to
France’s agenda, yet again. We will try to prevent it as the hundredth
anniversary of the incident nears.”

Bouillon added that they are agreeing on Turkey’s proposition that
the 1915 incidents should be dealt by historians, not politicians.

Deputy Speaker of the Turkish parliament Ayse Nur Bahcekapili said
visits between the two countries increased after the election of
French President Francois Hollande.

“I believe the relations will develop on political and economic ties,
as it was before,” Bahcekapili said.

NEW POWER LINE TO CONNECT GEORGIA AND ARMENIA

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
April 17 2014

17 April 2014 – 2:22pm

Georgia and Armenia have signed a deal in Tbilisi today to build a new
40-km power line that would connect the two countries, Trend reports.

The power line will improve energy independence and stability, said
Sulkhan Zumburidze, head of the Council of the board of the State
Energy System of Georgia.

The new power line will replace the 400-KW line.

KUWAIT ALLOCATES $1 MILLION FOR CONSTRUCTION IN NURSING HOME

Thursday,
April
17

At its session today, the Armenian government approved the order of
job seekers’ needs assessment, the standards characterizing favorable
working conditions, the list of necessary documents for registration of
a job seeker, the order and deadline of their submission, and other
criteria, lists and orders concerning registration of job seekers
and their removal from the register and related issues.

The government also approved the draft agreement on a donation by the
Kuwaiti government for construction work in Yerevan nursing home #
1 under the jurisdiction of Armenian Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs. The ministry submitted a request to the Kuwaiti embassy in
2012. In response the Kuwaiti government took a decision to allocate
$1 million for construction work in the nursing home.

TODAY, 19:15

Aysor.am

CHILD OF POOR FAMILY DOESN’T GO TO SCHOOL, NEWBORN DOESN’T HAVE BIRTH CERTIFICATE: SHIRAK CENTRE NGO

04.17.2014 13:21 epress.am

The 8-year-old daughter of a family living in extreme poverty has
never gone to school, and the newborn child doesn’t have a birth
certificate. The family, living in one of the temporary housing
settlements in Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri, is comprised of
three daughters, two of whom are single moms. The women in the video
say they don’t receive social benefits, and they didn’t get a birth
certificate for the two-month-old baby because they couldn’t afford it.

The video was prepared by Shirak Centre [AM], a NGO that solicits
donations and then buys food, clothing, and other supplies for needy
families in Gyumri.

Video in Armenian only.

AN ENCOUNTER WITH DJEMAL PASHA

By Jennifer Manoukian on April 16, 2014

Special for the Armenian Weekly

By Missak Vassilian Translated by Jennifer Manoukian

The following is the account of a 16-year-old Armenian boy’s
unexpected encounter with Djemal Pasha, a member of the the Ittihadist
triumvirate of WWI, in December 1917. It was given to me by his son,
Asbed Vassilian, who sees in this brief exchange a larger story about
the resilience and perseverance of the Armenian people.

Djemal Pasha (on the back seat)

In 1915, the benevolent Turkish government, in its monstrous plan,
did not spare the faculty and students at the Kelegian orphanage in
Chork-Marzban (Dortyol), but instead deported them under the guise of a
brief excursion. I think a Turkish unit from Adana came specifically
to organize the deportation. A handful of students were reunited
with their parents, and some of the older students were sent to the
Dar-el-Eytem Turkish orphanage in Adana. According to the information
we received, barely a few months after arriving at the orphanage, those
boys were sent to the deserts of Meskiné and Der-Zor. Finally, around
20 boys, including myself, were transferred to a German orphanage
in the village of Harni. After about two years of studying German,
Turkish, and other subjects, the German orphanage suffered a severe
financial crisis; they used to give us bread made with barley flour
that had not been sifted, and even this was difficult for them to
secure. During this period of financial crisis, a couple of German
officers came to the orphanage and met with the administration. A
few days after the officers left, around 20 students who had been
studying German for 2 years were assigned to work as translators at
the German military’s station in Ayran. The purpose of that military
facility was to oversee the train traffic on the narrow rail lines
(around 60 centimeters wide) that ran from the station in Ayran to
a station called Incirlik, where two wider rail lines converged.

Kelekian orphange (Via AGBU Flickr)

Around this time, some friends and I went for a stroll around the
market dressed in our school uniforms. That day, two Turkish policemen
arrested us and brought us to their guardhouse. One of my friends fled
and informed the Germans of our arrest. A low-ranking officer and a
German soldier soon arrived at the guardhouse. The Turkish policemen
who had arrested us fled without saying a word. The officer then asked
us why we did not say that we worked for the German military. We said
that we had told them, but that they had ignored it and brought us
to the guardhouse anyway.

After this incident, they fitted us for German soldiers’ uniforms
and turned us into military personnel, so that a similar event would
not happen again. After the wide rail lines between the Ayran and
Incirlik stations were joined, we moved with the entire military corps
to a station calledKelebek. There was work to be done to complete
the joining of the rail lines between Kelebek and Belemedik. At the
station in Kelebek, they housed us in a wooden room in what they
called the barracks. It was one of the nicer Turkish barracks.

Although it was still winter, that day at the end of 1917 was as
sunny as a spring day. Barely a few steps away from where we lived,
nearly all the Turkish officers at that station were lined up. Djemal
Pasha had come from Damascus to meet the officers on his way back
to Constantinople. Curious to see him, some friends and I sat down
in front of the barracks, swinging our feet as we waited. Barely 15
minutes had passed before they announced that he had arrived. He got
out of his special car, dressed in a short coat and flanked by two
bodyguards, and joined the officers a few steps away from us. After
the major met Djemal Pasha, he began to introduce the officers. He had
barely introduced the first officer when thepasha, pointing at us,
asked him who the kids were who were swinging their feet. The major
replied angrily:

“PaÅ~_a hazretleri, bunlar Alman askiar elbisesi giymiÅ~_ Ermeni
cocuklardır. Almanlar bunları tohumluk saklıyorlar.” [“Your
Excellency, those are Armenian kids dressed as German soldiers. The
Germans are keeping them as seeds for the future.”]

Djemal Pasha

The pasha immediately asked him to bring one of the boys over. Since
I was the closest, the major called me over. I approached the pasha
and greeted him. Thepasha asked if I was a soldier. I said that all of
us were, as if he could not have guessed from our uniforms. He asked
what kind of soldiers we were, and I said that we were German soldiers.

Then, he asked how we became soldiers. I said that we were transferred
to the German orphanage in Harni from the Kelegian orphanage in
Chork-Marzban (Dortyol), and that after studying Turkish and German
for two years, they assigned us to be translators for the German
military. After listening to what I had said, the pasha shook his
head slowly, and said:

“Acayip! Demek ki Dörtyol Kelegian mektebinden surgun oldunuz. Ä°ki
sene Almanca ögrendiniz ve Alman ordusunda askiar tercumen oldunuz.

Hey Turkluk, bu milleti mahvedemezsiniz ve bu millet mahvolmaz. Yuru,
kuzum.” [How strange! This means that you were all deported from
the Kelegian orphanage in Dortyol, studied German for two years and
became translators in the German army. Oh Turkish people, you cannot
destroy this nation and this nation will not be annihilated. Go on,
my son, go.”]

And I went on my way.

COALITION IS UNSUITABLE FOR ARMENIA – PUBLICIST

April 17, 2014 | 12:17

YEREVAN. – Armenia needs the formation of an opposition, “Reform”
NGO Director, publicist Karine Hakobyan stated at a press conference
on Thursday.

Being against the idea of a coalition government in a country such as
Armenia, Hakobyan explained that such a coalition is formed at times
of war, when an actual consolidation of the people is observed. As
per the publicist, however, neither one of these exists in Armenia.

In her view, Armenia’s coalition government, which was formed in 2003,
has become a real catastrophe for the country, since its participants
began dividing the domains amongst one another, whereas the political
opposition disappeared.

Arguing that a coalition is formed to weaken the opposition, the
publicist welcomed the Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) Party’s (RLP)
decision to leave the coalition government.

But Hakobyan did not make any conclusions on the actions by newly
appointed PM Hovik Abrahamyan because, in her view, “he has not done
anything yet.”

“One can hope that he will prove to the public the correctness of
his selection [as the new PM],” she said.

In turn, Armenia’s first Human Rights Defender, “Against Legal
Arbitrariness” NGO Executive Director, public activist Larisa
Alaverdyan stated that she does not believe that RLP has now become
an opposition.

Alaverdyan also stressed that Armenia’s political system and the
president play a decisive role in everything in the country, and
therefore even if new faces appear in the next government, significant
changes are not expected.

According to the NGO director, Hovik Abrahamyan’s past track-record
proves that he, based on group interests, abuses the powers at his
disposal.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-686-0710
Fax: 212–779-3558
Email: [email protected]
Web:

** TOP STORY April 17, 2014
————————————————————
Easter
The Empty Tomb by Mikhail Nesterov (1889).

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

On Easter Sunday, April 20, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan
Primate, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral. The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:30 a.m. Click on the
following links to read Archbishop Barsamian’s Easter message in
English
()
and Armenian
()
.

Immediately following the service, the `Release of Doves’ ceremony
will go forth on the cathedral plaza. This year, Dr. Kevork Niksarli
will serve as the godfather of the doves ceremony. An Easter reception
and program will follow in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17 April: Holy Thursday

18 April: Holy Friday

19 April: Holy Saturday (Easter Eve)

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

21 April: Remembrance of the Dead

24 April: Armenian Martyrs Day

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Fr. Nareg Berberian
The Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian has been elected to lead the
Armenian Church of Brazil.

** Diocese of Brazil Elects New Primate
————————————————————
The Diocese of the Armenian Church of Brazil has elected the Very
Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian-formerly a longtime clergyman of the Eastern
Diocese-as its new Primate. The election was held on March
31. Fr. Berberian will be installed at St. Kevork Armenian Cathedral
in São Paulo on April 27.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, appointed Fr. Berberian to serve as the Vicar General of
the Brazil Diocese last summer. He will succeed Archbishop Datev
Karibian, the current Primate, who has announced his retirement.

Most recently, Fr. Berberian served as the pastor of the St. David
Church of Boca Raton, FL.

Click here
()
to read more about his election.

Garen Nazarian
Ambassador Garen Nazarian will return to Armenia after nearly five
years of service at the UN.

** Ambassador Nazarian Concludes Service at UN
————————————————————
Leaders from throughout the New York Armenian community gathered on
Friday, April 11, to bid a fond farewell to Ambassador Garen
Nazarian=80’Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations,
who after nearly five years of service is departing that position to
take up a high post in Armenia’s government.

Some 200 guests, representing the whole range of Armenian-American
organizations, gathered in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium at the
Diocesan Center, to honor Ambassador Nazarian and his family.

In remarks, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian called the
honoree `a man we all admire, who in his distinguished diplomatic
service has earned the respect of one of the world’s great
institutions: the United Nations.’

During his time in America, Ambassador Nazarian has been a great
friend to the Eastern Diocese, and we extend our congratulations and
good wishes for the future. To read more, click here
()
.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
iBook
The iBook is packed with interactive features, including video, music,
and photo galleries.

** Diocese’s iBook Receives Media Award
————————————————————
Earlier this month, the Diocese’s
Transfiguration iBook received one of the 2014 DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards
as part of the annual convention of the Religion Communicators
Council.

The awards are given annually to publications that demonstrate
excellence in religious communications and public relations. The
Diocese’s iBook was recognized in the `Digital Communications’
category.

Released last summer, Transfiguration relates the Gospel story of the
Transfiguration and introduces the ways in which the feast is
celebrated in the Armenian Church. The digital book is packed with
interactive features, including video, music, photo galleries, and
more.

Transfiguration is only available on the Apple iPad. Click here
()
to download your free copy. To view a PDF version of the book, click
here
()
.

Dr. Raffy Hovanessian
Dr. Raffy Hovanessian, this year’s “Armenian Church Member of the
Year,” and Mrs. Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian.

** Public Invited to Diocesan Assembly Banquet
————————————————————
On Friday, May 2, the Eastern Diocese will host a gala banquet as part
of the 112th Diocesan Assembly. The event will be held in the Diocesan
Complex, beginning at 7 p.m.

During the banquet, Dr. Raffy Hovanessian
()
will be honored for his longtime leadership of the community as the
Diocese’s 2014 `Armenian Church Member of the Year.’ Honored as this
year’s `Friend of the Armenians’ will be musician Ian Gillan
()
of the 1970s band Deep Purple, who has been a benefactor of Armenia
since the 1988 earthquake. The Shushi Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral will perform at the banquet.

The public is invited to join the clergy and delegates of the 112th
Diocesan Assembly at this celebration. Click here
()
to view a flyer for ticket information.

The Diocesan Assembly will convene May 1 through 4. Information and
registration forms can be found on the Diocesan website
()
.

FAR
Noravank monastery is among the sites the YP group will visit in
Armenia.

** FAR Announces Young Professionals Trip
————————————————————
For the first time in its 19-year history, the Fund for Armenian
Relief’s Young Professionals Trip is offering prospective travelers
several options to choose from. In addition to the basic tour of
Armenia, which runs from July 7 to 14, participants can extend their
trip by adding a week either in historic Armenia (July 14 to 19) or
Nagorno-Karabagh (July 15 to 19).

The trip is an ideal opportunity for young professionals between the
ages of 23 and 40 to travel to Armenia as a group, and to go beyond a
tourist’s itinerary to learn firsthand about Armenia’s place in the
world. Participants will visit FAR’s projects, engage in dialogue with
religious and government leaders, and gain an understanding of how
Armenia’s future is being shaped with the support of the diaspora.

Click here
()
to learn more about this year’s program, or contact FAR’s Arto
Vorperian at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) for information.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
St. Thomas Church, NJ
ACYOA members present Fr. Anoushian with a $1,000 donation to the
parish.

** St. Thomas Marks 49 Years, Honors Parishioners
————————————————————

On Palm Sunday, April 13, the St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ,
celebrated the 49th anniversary of its consecration. The parish was
once again honored by the presence of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate, who participated in the Divine Liturgy, delivered
the homily, and presided over the celebratory dinner.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory and Mary
Ann Saraydarian and Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Martha Saraydarian
received the `St. Nersess Shnorhali’ Medal, bestowed on them by His
Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, for their 40 years of devotion and dedicated service to the
Armenian Church.

St. Thomas pastor the Very Rev. Fr. Papken Anoushian solemnly read the
encyclical from Holy Etchmiadzin that recognized the honorees. It was
followed by the medals presentation ceremony, conducted by Archbishop
Barsamian.

A Palm Sunday banquet followed the services. The `St. Thomas Award’
was presented to brothers Douglas and Andrew Martaian. As Palm Sunday
is designated as ACYOA Day in the Eastern Diocese, Arianna Cruickshank
and Elsa Kadajyan of the St. Thomas ACYOA chapter presented
Fr. Anoushian with a $1,000 donation to the parish.

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

Palm Sunday in Minnesota
A child during the Palm Sunday procession at St. Sahag Church.

** “Youth Day” at St. Sahag Church
————————————————————

St. Sahag Church of St. Paul, MN, hosted `Youth Day’ on Palm Sunday,
April 13. Children carried palms and took part in a procession with
the Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan, parish pastor.

Following services, they performed a skit titled `I love my church the
most.’ The young people suggested directing the funds collected on
Palm Sunday (almost $600 in total) to Syrian-Armenian relief efforts.

Click here
()
to view photos.

St. Vartan Armenian School, NYC
Classroom renovation sponsors Dr. Kevork and Mrs. Alvina Niksarli
unveiled a new plaque at the dedication ceremony last week.

** New Classrooms for St. Vartan Armenian School
————————————————————

On Saturday, April 12, St. Vartan Armenian School in New York
dedicated its newly renovated classrooms. The renovations were made
possible through a generous donation by Dr. and Mrs. Kevork and Alvina
Niksarli, whose daughter attends the school.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate; the Very
Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral; and the
Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian blessed the new classrooms, which are
located in the St. Vartan Cathedral Complex.

At a program following the ceremony, students recited poems and sang a
song written by Silva der Stepanian dedicated to St. Vartan
Cathedral. Dr. Niksarli said he and his wife were happy to contribute
to the school and felt it an important responsibility to all the
children. He thanked Fr. Kiledjian, school principal Shakeh Kadehjian,
and treasurer Arto Vorperian, who spearheaded the project with the
blessing of Archbishop Barsamian.

Archbishop Barsamian stressed the importance of Armenian schools in
instilling the Armenian faith and culture in the young generation. He
expressed his gratitude to the Niksarli family and to all the
educators, and encouraged the students to continue their hard work.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Saintly Women’ s Day in Watertown, MA
Nancy Kassabian (left) and Rev. Laura Everett at St. James Church.

** Saintly Women’s Day Observed in Watertown
————————————————————

On Saturday, April 12, St. James Church of Watertown, MA, hosted more
than 130 Women’s Guild members and clergy from the New England region
at a Saintly Women’s Day observance. The day included a service and
program dedicated to St. Santoukht, Armenia’s first Christian martyr.

The Rev. Laura Everett, executive director of the Massachusetts
Council of Churches, delivered the homily stressing the importance of
family, respect, and humility. Nancy Kassabian and Hasmig Maserejian
read the biography of St. Santoukht in English and Armenian.

At a luncheon following the service, Gail Talanian O’Reilly, founder
of Made in Armenia Direct, spoke about the talent and perseverance of
the people of Armenia who create handmade crafts for Made in Armenia
Direct.

In addition to St. James Church, the following five parishes took part
in Saturday’s gathering: Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA;
Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA; Holy Translators Church of
Framingham, MA; Church of Our Saviour of Worcester, MA; and Hye Pointe
Church of Haverhill, MA. Also present was the Diocesan Vicar, the Very
Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian.

The event was chaired by Nancy Kassabian and Gail Boroyan. The day’s
proceeds will benefit the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program and
the Vanadzor Old Age Home in Armenia.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Holy Trinity ACYOA, Cheltenham, PA
Cheltenham ACYOA Juniors served homemade soup to raise money for FAR
soup kitchens in Armenia.

** Cheltenham ACYOA Helps Armenia’s Soup Kitchens
————————————————————

On Sunday, March 30, the local ACYOA Juniors served homemade soup to
the parishioners of the Holy Trinity Church in Cheltenham, PA, to
support the `Kitchenware for Soup Kitchens’ project undertaken by the
Fund for Armenian Relief, through its `Ayo’ crowd-funding platform.

Parents and head chefs Maria Javardian and Michele Oskanian were
assisted by their children and `sous chefs,’ Ani Javardian and Bennett
Oskanian, along with other ACYOA Juniors. Together they prepared and
served lentil and pasta fazool soups, assorted breads, salad, and
apples, as part of a `soup kitchen experience’ for the parish.

The ACYOA members had taken inspiration from a news item about a
sister parish, the St. Mary Church of Washington, DC, which had
sponsored a `Souper Bowl’ fundraiser earlier this year. The idea
certainly warmed the hearts of the Cheltenham parishioners, who
supported the fundraiser to the tune of more than $500-a tasty
contribution to the cause of soup kitchens in Armenia.

St. John Church, Detroit
Rev. Fr. Diran Papazian (left) and Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian with
retreat participants.

** Lenten Retreat Held in Detroit
————————————————————

Three speakers were featured in a multimedia presentation which took
place as part of a Lenten retreat at St. John Church in Southfield,
MI, on Saturday, March 29. The retreat focused on how the Resurrection
is celebrated through word, art, and music.

Dr. Vigen Guroian, professor of religious studies at the University of
Virginia, spoke about Christ’s crucifixion and Resurrection, and
shared a personal story of ministering to a father who had lost his
son in the 1988 earthquake in Armenia. The Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian,
pastor of St. John Church, spoke about depictions of the Resurrection
in the Armenian Christian tradition. Dn. Rubik Mailian, the church’s
choir director, spoke about the music of the Resurrection and its
rhythmical application in worship.

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

St. Gregory of Narek Sunday School, OH
Armenian and Sunday School students prepare a luncheon to raise funds
for the Armenians of Kessab.

** Cleveland Youth Raise Funds for Kessab
————————————————————

On Sunday, April 6, the Armenian and Sunday School students of
St. Gregory of Narek Church of Richmond Heights, OH, prepared a Lenten
soup luncheon to raise funds for the Armenians of Kessab, Syria.

Each of the participants mixed in an ingredient and said a prayer as
they prepared the soup. `It was a very uplifting and meaningful
experience for students, and a great opportunity for them to share in
the Christian spirit,’ said the Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, parish
pastor.

Holy Resurrection Church, New Britain, CT

** Easter Eggstravaganza in New Britain
————————————————————

Holy Resurrection Church of New Britain, CT, will host an Easter
Eggstravaganza breakfast on Saturday, April 19, from 9:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m.

The day will feature a pancake breakfast, an Easter egg hunt, and
raffle prizes, among other activities. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

(In last week’s newsletter, we inadvertently stated that the Easter
Eggstravaganza had already taken place and repeated the story and
photos from 2013.)

Upcoming events

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

Sts. Vartanantz Church | Chelmsford, MA
On Thursday, April 24, Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA, will
commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a
requiem service at the church’s martyrs monument. Following the
service, Dr. Ivy Helman, professor of religious studies at Merrimack
College, and Dn. Ara Jeknavorian of the Merrimack Valley Armenian
Genocide Education Committee, will share their experiences in leading
discussions about the Genocide and Holocaust at local high schools.

St. Peter Chuch | Watervliet, NY
Pianists Marina Abrahamyan and Susanna Kirakosyan of Armenia will give
a concert at the Egg performing arts center in Albany, NY, on
Saturday, April 26, at 4:30 p.m.

The program, which will feature works by Armenian and international
composers, is dedicated to the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide of
1915.

The Egg is located at Empire State Plaza in Albany. Click on the
following links to view a flyer
()
or visit the Egg website
()
for ticket information. Tickets are also available through St. Peter
Church.

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
On Saturday, April 26, Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will
commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a
requiem service beginning at 7 p.m. Following the service, the
Aradzani Dance Group will perform a program titled “Songs and Dances
of Historic Armenia.”

Pre-1915 songs and dances will be presented by the Aradzani and Hye
Bar Dance groups. Aradzani will dance to the live music of the
Tarpinian Ensemble. The program will also include background
information on historic Armenia and recitations. For tickets, contact
Robert at (718) 578-6574, or via e-mail at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

Holy Trinity Church | Cambridge, MA
Holy Trinity Church of Greater Boston will host a book talk and
luncheon with Celtics legend JoJo White on Sunday, April 27, at 12
p.m. Mark C. Bodanza, author of Make It Count-a biography of the great
athlete-will also be in attendance.

Reservations must be made by April 23. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call the church office at (617)
354-0632.

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
The ACYOA Seniors of St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White
Plains, NY, will host a spring dance featuring Onnik Dinkjian and the
John Berberian Ensemble. The dance will be held in the church’s Tutak
Hall on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 8 p.m. For information, call the
church at (914) 428-2595.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
ACYOA Day
ACYOA Central Council vice chair Ani Grigorian (center) with ACYOA
members at St. James Church in Watertown, MA.

** ACYOA Day Across the Parishes
————————————————————
Palm Sunday, the feast of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, was
observed across Diocesan parishes on Sunday, April 13. It also marked
the annual ACYOA Day celebration, and in a number of parishes young
people were a focus of the luncheons and programs following services.

ACYOA Central Council chair Jonathan Pelaez traveled to the Church of
the Holy Resurrection in New Britain, CT, where he assisted the
Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, parish pastor, on the altar. After
services, the ACYOA organized a luncheon during which they reflected
on memorable events of the past year. Jonathan spoke about his
involvement in the organization, described the ACYOA’s media outreach
projects, and offered suggestions for strengthening local
chapters. Click here
()
to view a photo.

Ani Grigorian, ACYOA Central Council vice chair, was the keynote
speaker at St. James Church in Watertown, MA, where the ACYOA hosted a
luncheon. The program featured a slideshow highlighting ACYOA
activities and reflections from members. Ani spoke about the recent
activities of the ACYOA Central Council. At the conclusion of the
luncheon, the ACYOA Junior and Senior members presented Ani and the
Central Council with a generous donation for the Nancy Basmajian
Scholarship Fund, which supports participants in the ACYOA Armenia
Service Program. Click here
()
to view the day’s photos.

Armen Terjimanian, ACYOA Central Council public relations coordinator,
visited St. Gregory the Enlightener Church in White Plains, NY. Armen
reflected on his journey in the ACYOA and spoke about the importance
of youth involvement in the life of the church. Liana Kurkjian
prepared a slideshow of photos from the recent ACYOA Leadership
Conference and Chapter Workshop, as well as St. Gregory ACYOA
events. The St. Gregory ACYOA also honored Nectar Sarkissian Munro for
her service as the ACYOA Juniors mentor.

Central Council treasurer Shant Paklaian traveled to St. James Church
in Evanston, IL, where the ACYOA Juniors hosted a Lenten
luncheon. After speaking about the ACYOA’s programming, Shant provided
information on how the community can be involved in supporting the
ACYOA. In the next few years, the Evanston ACYOA Juniors will
transition to a successful Seniors chapter.

Chapter Relations coordinator Daniel Zalinov spoke at his home parish
of St. Sarkis Church in Charlotte, NC. He served on the altar
alongside Dn. Ben Rith-Najarian, deacon-in-charge, and later discussed
his role on the ACYOA Central Council, and the importance of
communication among the various ACYOA chapters.
Program Coordinator Adrienne Ashbahian visited St. Peter Church in
Watervliet, NY, and discussed ACYOA’s programming and the support the
ACYOA Central Council offers to parish chapters.

At Holy Martyrs Church in Bayside, NY, Chelsea Kress, Central Council
secretary, encouraged the young people to form strong bonds through
the ACYOA. Shant Gemdzian played Armenian songs on the alto saxophone,
and the Armin String Ensemble followed with Armenian classics on the
violin. There was also a video presentation and raffle. Click here
()
to view photos.

To learn more about the ACYOA and its programs, visit
For information on joining or starting an ACYOA
chapter, e-mail [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

** Bayside ACYOA in Action
————————————————————
This year’s ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend will be hosted
by the ACYOA Seniors of Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, over
Memorial Day weekend, May 22-26.

The local committee has been working hard to put together a successful
weekend. Click here
()
to view a short video which the Holy Martyrs ACYOA created to showcase
their activities as a chapter. The video was screened at last Sunday’s
Palm Sunday luncheon in Bayside.

To learn more about the ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend,
visit
()
, or log on to the committee’s Facebook page
()
.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
Fr. Daniel
Fr. Daniel Findikyan will speak about Armenian prayer at General
Theological Seminary.

** A Lecture on Armenian Prayer
————————————————————

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary is organizing a lecture titled `Glimpses
into the Heart of an Ancient Christian Spirituality.’

The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, director of the Diocese’s Krikor
and Clara Zohrab Information Center, will speak about Armenian prayer
and consider such questions as: What are the spirit, ethos, and
peculiarities of Armenian prayer? What do these qualities reveal about
the distinctive Christian witness of this ancient church? What
insights might Armenian Christianity offer to others who seek
meaningful faith today?

The lecture is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, beginning at 7
p.m. It will be held at General Theological Seminary in New York City
(440 West 21st Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues). Click here
()
to visit the St. Nersess website for information.

April 24

** Armenian Martyrs Day Observance
————————————————————

Armenian Martyrs Day will be observed at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral
on Thursday, April 24.

The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, will celebrate
the Divine Liturgy beginning at 10:30 a.m. It will be followed by a
requiem service in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide of
1915. A blessing of madagh will take place in Guild Hall following the
service.

The cathedral will remain open throughout the day for prayer and
remembrance.

Jeopardy

** Armenian Schools Jeopardy Tournament
————————————————————

The Diocese’s Armenian Studies department has organized a Jeopardy
tournament for Diocesan Armenian Schools.

The tournament will be held at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church in
White Plains, NY, on Sunday, May 4, beginning at 2 p.m. Questions will
focus on themes related to the Armenian faith and heritage.

For information, contact Gilda Kupelian, the Diocese’s coordinator of
Armenian Studies, at (212) 686-0710, ext. 148.
v