Author: Badalian Vardan

JAMES APPATHURAI: NO CONTRADICTION BETWEEN GOOD ARMENIA-NATO PARTNERSHIP AND ARMENIA’S PARTICIPATION IN CSTO

October 18, 2013 | 14:18

YEREVAN. – NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for South
Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai confirmed the Alliance’s
readiness to further assist the reforms that Armenia is carrying out
in defense sector.

The NATO official noted Armenia’s contribution in Afghanistan and
Kosovo which is clear demonstration that Armenia is a contributor to
international security.

During the meetings in Armenia, James Appathurai expressed support
for continued and deeper cooperation between NATO and Armenia when
it comes to reforms.

“NATO is supporting Armenia as it develops its new defense strategies
for helping Armenia modernize its defense education structures. We
are working with Armenia to fight corruption, in particular when it
comes to procurements. We are doing a lot and can do more,” he said,
adding that it is an important period till the October 2014 summit.

The Alliance is looking towards the future of NATO after the end
of ISAF mission in Afghanistan. He stressed that NATO has recently
deepened cooperation with its partners.

“We want deepen it in future and we want to discuss with Armenia
and other partners how they see cooperation in the future. What I
heard from my Armenian interlocutors, starting from the president,
was clear. First there is no contradiction between good partnership
with Armenia and NATO and Armenia’s participation in the CSTO or its
decision on Customs Union, and we share this view,” he added.

Secondly, Armenia intends to continue its contribution to peacekeeping
mission, for example in Afghanistan, which is welcomed by the Alliance.

“Armenia would welcome closer cooperation to support its own defense
reform and priorities, and we will give that,” he added.

James Appathurai called the visit “encouraging” and expressed
confidence that political relations with Armenia will continue and
strengthen.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

GEORGIA’S KEY PRESIDENTIAL RUNNERS UNANIMOUS ON ARMENIA – AMBASSADOR

14:54 ~U 18.10.13

The Georgian ambassador to Armenia said Friday that the main
presidential hopefuls in his country are unanimous in their approaches
to Armenia.

Speaking at debate entitled, Georgian Presidential Elections and
European Perspectives, Tengiz Sharmanashvili said three of the main
candidates realize well the strategic importance of the relations
with the country.

The diplomat noted that the president of Georgia is no longer as
powerful as before as a result of the recent constitutional reforms.

“David Bakradze’s platform contains nothing unexpected. He sees
no other way than European integration though he emphasizes that
an integration into Europe will take long-lasting efforts. George
Marjanishvili does not see an alternative either. Nino Burjanadze is a
well-known figure as she has been an acting president and a supporter
of [President Mikheil] Saakashvili. But their paths split later as she
began criticizing the Saakashvili policies. She considers ties with
the European Union an extremely important thing but she doesn’t say
there aren’t alternatives. She speaks of an approximation to NATO,
not a membership,” he said, dwelling on each of the candidates’ plans.

As for the Armenian president’s decision on the Customs Union (CU)
integration, the ambassador said Georgia never imposes restraints on
a country’s choice while deciding to develop relations. He promised
that his country will not be critical of Armenia in case the latter
decides to become a CU member state.

Armenian News – Tert.am

NATO REPRESENTATIVE TOLD THE “SECRET”

Nobody disputes Armenia’s strategic partnership with Russia, it
is the sovereign decision made by Armenia in a situation we all
understand very well, said NATO SG’s Special Representative for the
South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai in answer to the
question on dependence on Russia.

He noted that Armenia has always followed balance in its foreign
policy, adding that they are conducting a policy of open doors and
are ready to cooperate. However, he says, these open doors are for
expanding and deepening cooperation and should not be taken for the
open doors for the enlargement of the alliance.

He noted that in the result of the balanced policy Armenia has
decided to have a policy and practical cooperation with NATO which
is commendable. He believes that Yerevan wants to discuss with them
what more can be done, and it is not a matter of either or but both.

He said he reiterated in his meetings with Armenian high-ranking
officials NATO’s readiness to support defense reforms in Armenia. NATO
supports Armenia’s new defense strategy, upgrading of military
education infrastructures in line with international standards,
as well as fight against corruption in procurement, he noted.

The NATO official said he had come to Armenia to listen to the opinion
and visions of Armenia on how to deepen cooperation.

He said his interlocutors in Armenia, including the president,
stated clearly that nothing will hinder deepening relations with
NATO along with being a CSTO and Customs Union member, nothing that
they also think so. It has also been reiterated that Armenia will
continue to participate in the international peacekeeping process,
James Appathurai said.

He also noted that NATO has never had a political objective to expand
towards the post-Soviet space, however it is a political priority
to keep NATO doors open for all the democratic European countries
wishing to affiliate with the alliance.

He noted that affiliation to the alliance remains valid for Georgia.

15:06 18/10/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO ATTEND FUNERAL CEREMONY FOR WILFRIED MARTENS IN BRUSSELS

YEREVAN, October 18. /ARKA/. Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan will
head to Brussels Friday night to attend the funeral ceremony for former
Belgian Prime Minister and President of the European People’s Party
(EPP) Wilfried Martens who died on October 10.

Three of Armenia’s political parties – Republican Party of Armenia,
Orinats Yerkir and Heritage – were given an observer’s status in the
EPP on February 10 2012.

The European People’s Party is represented in all political
institutions of the European Union, as well as in the Council of
Europe.-0-

– See more at:

LAWSUITS AGAINST JOURNALISTS INCREASE IN ARMENIA

October 18, 2013 | 12:55

YEREVAN. – The lawsuits which are filed in Armenia against journalists
and the media, and on the grounds of insult and libel, have increased
by eight in the third quarter of this year, and reached twenty.

The Committee for the Protection of Freedom of Speech (CPFS) Chairman
Ashot Melikyan noted the above-said during a press conference on
Friday.

He presented the CPFS 2013 third quarter report on freedom of speech
and violation of the rights of journalists and the media.

In Melikyan’s words, one case of physical violence against journalists
was reported in the third quarter of this year, and there were fifteen
cases of pressure upon the media and their employees.

As for the violations in the right to receive and disseminate
information, CPFS recorded two such cases in the third quarter of 2013.

Ashot Melikyan also noted that the aforementioned pressures were
linked to some events that occurred in the societal life in Armenia.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

October 18, 2013
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA

On Sunday, October 20, 2013, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St.
Sarkis Church in Pasadena.

CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF OUR HOLY TRANSLATORS

October is traditionally designated Armenian Culture Month, a time
when we celebrate the enduring legacy of our Holy Translators, Catholicos
Sahag, St. Mesrob Mashdots, King Vramshabouh, Movses Khorenatsi, Yeghishe,
St. Gregory of Nareg, St. Nerses the Gracious, and many others who brought
about a cultural awakening and enlightenment and gave Armenia its national
character.
Each year on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Translators and
Armenian Culture Month, Forty Martyrs Church and Ari Guiragos Minassian
School of Orange County host a book fair to honor our translator
forefathers.
This year’s book fair was held on Sunday, October 13.
The day began with Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who also delivered the sermon. Parish
Pastor Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian assisted at the altar. A.G. Minassian
School students attended Divine Liturgy.
In his message on the legacy of our holy translators, the Prelate
noted that the fifth century is described as the Golden Age in our nation’s
history essentially because of the invention of the Armenian alphabet and
the translation of the Bible and other important works into Armenian. The
work of the translators began in the fifth century but was continued for
centuries by their students and others they inspired, and their
contributions went beyond the realm of Armenian literature and culture.
They contributed to the overall enrichment of our language with the creation
of new words, and they translated important scholarly works of which the
originals are lost and only the Armenian versions remain today. Thus,
stated the Prelate, the work of our translators was of great value not only
for the Armenian people, but for civilization as a whole.
Referring to the parable of the poor widow’s offering in the day’s
Gospel reading from Mark, the Prelate noted that just as the poor widow put
all that she had in the temple’s treasury, so too did our translators put
all that they had in our nation’s treasury. Their extensive endeavors
required a tremendous amount of dedication and sacrifices. They gave their
all, heart and soul, to their work, for which we owe them an enormous debt
of gratitude, said His Eminence.
In conclusion, the Prelate commended the Pastor, Board of Trustees,
and AG Minassian School administration and PTO for keeping the tradition of
the book fair alive, through which the priceless contributions of our holy
translators are honored and celebrated centuries later.
Following the service, His Eminence headed to “Gugasian” Hall in a
procession to conduct the opening of the book fair.
In her welcoming remarks, AG Minassian School Principal Mrs. Kohar
Zaher highlighted the value of Armenian culture in the hearts and minds of
Armenian youth, and reaffirmed the faithfulness of AG Minassian School
towards the Armenian book and literature. She then invited the Prelate for
the official opening of the fair.
His Eminence once again commended the organizers and stressed the
great importance of preserving our religious and national heritage and
passing them down to coming generations.
The cultural program featured songs and recitations performed by AG
Minassian School students in homage to the legacy of our translators, as
well as performances by Greg Hosharian and Kevork Rosdomian on traditional
Armenian instruments.

EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS
On Friday, October 11, the Feast of the Holy Translators was also
celebrated at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood with evening service
(nakhadonag). The Prelate presided over the service, in which Prelacy
clergy members and deacons participated. Executive Council members Dr.
Navasart Kazazian and Dr. Misak Barsamian were among the faithful in
attendance.
In his message, the Prelate exalted the priceless contributions of
our holy translators and the responsibility each of us bears in preserving
and promoting the Armenian language, literature, traditions, and culture
they bequeathed to the Armenian people centuries ago. Highlighting
specifically the role of St. Mesrob Mashdots, the Prelate pointed out that
in addition to inventing the Armenian alphabet and his translating
endeavors, Mesrob Mashdots also continued the mission of St. Gregory the
Illuminator by preaching to the people. In fact, he was so revered and
admired that he was welcomed by the Armenian people in the same manner that
Moses by welcomed by the Jewish people when he descended from Mt. Sinai with
the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments.
A reception organized by the parish Ladies Guild followed at
“Karapetian” Hall. Following the invocation by the Prelate, Parish Pastor
Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian announced that this was the first time that
the Feast of the Holy Translators was being celebrated at St. Garabed
Church, and on this special occasion, ARS Los Angeles “Mayr” Chapter member
Mrs. Hasmig Kelejian had made a memento for the Prelate, a reproduction of
the Prelacy headquarters, which she and Chapter members presented to His
Eminence.
The Prelate thanked Mrs. Kelejian for the beautiful gift and
conveyed his blessings to the ARS “Mayr” Chapter members and the Ladies
Guild for the warm reception.

PRELACY SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTORS AND TEACHERS ATTEND ANNUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL
SEMINAR

Prelacy Sunday School directors and teachers were invited to the
annual Sunday School seminar, which was held on Saturday, October 12, 2013,
from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm, at the “Dikran and Zarouhi Der Ghazarian” Hall at
the Western Prelacy. The conference was held under the auspices of H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and with the participation of
clergy and over 35 Sunday School teachers.
The main theme of the meeting was “How to conquer challenges Sunday
School students face in the 21st century”. The day began with lunch. The
seminar convened with the invocation by the Prelate, followed by the Sunday
School Anthem and opening remarks by Sunday School Board Co-Chair Mr. Raffi
Torossian.
The first speaker was Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, who spoke on “The
Holy Bible and the Armenian Church within the Sunday School”. He stated, “It
is important in this day and age especially to feature the Bible and the
Church in the upbringing of our youth”. The second speaker was Mrs. Maral
Bedevian, who is the Director of the Sunday School at the North Hollywood
Church. She spoke about innovative ways in which teachers can teach,
focusing on the necessity of using the Power Point program. The final
speaker was Deacon Khatchig Shannakian, who spoke about “Christian ethics
and the challenges the youth face in the 21st century”. He noted,
“Christian ethics does not resemble various other types of ethics, due to
the fact that Christian ethics is based on the Bible and the teachings of
Jesus Christ”. He also noted that Sunday School teachers are at the
forefront for teaching Christian ethics to the students and becoming second
parents to the students.
The lectures were followed by hymnal teachings which were conducted
by Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian.
Thereafter, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian spoke to the teachers about
the nature of their mission in the Church as Sunday School teachers. He also
spoke about the seminar, stating; “As Sunday School teachers, today was a
full day of self reflection, in which we came together to review our faith,
with regards to the faith of the 5th century Holy Translators”. He then
invited the Prelate to deliver his message.
The Prelate began his remarks by commending the speakers and the
teachers for their participating in the seminar. He stated, “Let us close
the seminar by keeping in mind that today is the Feast of the Holy
Translators and if we understand the lyrics of the hymn “Vork Zartaretsin”,
we will realize that the Holy Translators made great sacrifices in keeping
the Christian faith and traditions alive”. His Eminence concluded by stating
that the Holy Translators brought life to the teachings of God through the
translation of the Holy Bible, and that we must live our lives as God wants
us to live and steer clear of the many influences around us which can stray
us away from the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Prelate then presented each
teacher with a gifts of educational and literary values, Mr. Garo
Bedrosian’s three latest books, Feasts of the Armenian Church and National
Traditions (Armenian and English versions), and Journey to the Armenian
Heritage.
The seminar concluded with the benediction by the Prelate and the
Cilician anthem, after which the participants attended a spiritually
uplifting evening service held at the “St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen” Chapel.

PRELATE WELCOMES HAMAZKAYIN SOS SARGSYAN
STATE THEATER COMPANY MEMBERS

On Wednesday, October 16, 2013, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed members of the Hamazkayin Sos Sargsyan State
Theater Company from Armenia, led by Vartan Lazarian and accompanied by
Hamazkayin Western U.S. Regional Executive members. The troupe was invited
to Los Angeles by the Hamakzayin Western Region Executive for a five day
festival of Armenian theater in celebration of the 85th anniversary of
Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society. Archpriest Fr. Nareg
Pehlivanian joined the Prelate in the meeting.
The Prelate welcomed the guests to Los Angeles, first expressing
condolences on the recent passing of their famed artistic director and State
Theater Company founder Sos Sargsyan. His Eminence also wished them success
in their performances over the five-day festival and for the influence and
legacy of Sos Sargsyan to endure forevermore.
The guests gave an overview on the founding of the State Theater
Company and its successes since, stating that in the 1991, while Armenia was
in turbulent state, Sos Sargsyan founded the theater company with the main
purpose of contributing to the rebuilding of Armenia through the arts. The
troupe, which is composed mainly of youth, continued to grow under the
leadership and guidance of its founder, and was reorganized in the year
2000. The guests also elaborated on the four pieces they will perform at
the festival, discussed theater life in Armenia and challenges they have
faced and overcome, and the continued advancement of the State Theater
Company, which since 2003 has been under the auspices of the government.
They also reported that two years ago the government allotted the group land
where they will build a new theater.
The Prelate wished them success in all their performances, commended
the Hamazkayin Western Region for this initiative, and wished them continued
successes in years to come.
In conclusion, the Prelate recited a requiem prayer for the soul of
Sos Sargsyan, and noted that during his recent trip to Armenia to
participate in the Bishops’ Synod, he had the opportunity to pay his
respects at the viewing of Sos Sarsgyan and express condolences to his
family.

PRELATE DELIVERS INVOCATION AT 13TH ANNUAL
GERALD AND MARK GOLF CLASSIC

On Monday, October 14, the 13th annual Gerald and Mark Golf Classic
hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Hank and Rita Khachaturian was held at The Peninsula
Golf and Country Club in San Mateo.
This annual event held in memory of the Khachaturian’s sons, Gerald
and Mark, benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Foundation for Cardiac
Research, and other charities.
The Prelate attended the Awards Dinner and delivered the invocation.
His Eminence thanked the Khachaturian family for their efforts in organizing
this event year after year in memory of their beloved sons Gerald and Mark,
and for their ongoing and generous support of life-changing charities. The
Prelate offered a prayer to the Lord for the souls of Gerald and Mark to
rest in peace in His heavenly sanctuary, and for God to bless the
Khachaturian family with health, happiness, and prosperity, and reward them
according to His holy will for their goodwill and benevolence to society.

MY WEAPON IS MY BIOGRAPHY – EX-CULTURE MINISTER POSITIVE ON WRITERS’ UNION PRESIDENCY PLAN

13:06 ~U 18.10.13

Hovik Hoveyan, a former minister of culture who has placed his bid
in the current campaign for the Writers’ Union president, appears to
be very optimistic about his chances of winning.

In an interview with Tert.am, Hoveyan said that he considers his past
biography a good tool for ensuring his success.

“I see myself in any kind of character. I have proved with my
biography that I can be both a good or bad organizer and a [writer]
with a good or poor creative talent. My weapon is my biography,”
he said, when asked to comment on the traditional disputes over the
character of the Writers’ Union president (whether that person has
to be a good organizer or a good writer).

Hoveyan said that he is very skeptical about the rumors that the
Union no longer serves its real mission.

“Those are gossips. The Writers’ Union is not a dead body. That’s an
organization which must not be discredited; we are sick and tired of
those conversations,” he said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

LE TEMPS DES REFORMES ET DE LA RECONSTRUCTION SPIRITUELLE, PAR SAHAG SUKIASYAN

OPINION

Le 19 Octobre, les membres de l’Assemblée des délégués de notre
diocèse vont se réunir a Marseille pour élire le successeur de
Monseigneur Norvan. Leur tache sera ardue et la succession s’annonce
difficile. Tout d’abord parce que trouver un candidat alliant les
qualités personnelles et les compétences de Monseigneur Norvan sera
une véritable gageure, mais aussi parce que la démission de notre
Primat et la crise qui en a résulté ont profondément troublé
et perturbé notre vie ecclésiale et communautaire. Cependant,
la situation qui prévaut actuellement dans notre communauté n’est
malheureusement qu’un épiphénomène d’une crise plus globale qui
perturbe durablement la vie de notre Eglise depuis plusieurs années.

L’occasion d’un premier bilan pour notre diocèse

Après plus de quatre-vingt ans d’attente, la fondation de notre
diocèse permettait d’espérer des transformations fondamentales dans
notre vie ecclésiale. L’organisation mise en place a partir de 2005/
2006 n’a peut-être pas produit tous les fruits escomptés, y compris
pour Mgr. Norvan, mais elle aura au moins eu le grand mérite de créer
des conditions favorables pour le développement d’une vie ecclésiale
plus conforme aux exigences évangéliques et a l’ecclésiologie de
notre Eglise. Certes, l’impatience et la volonté d’agir rapidement de
ses responsables contrastaient de manière criante avec la période de
stagnation caractérisée par l’absence de transparence et de dynamisme
du précédent Primat et de ses collaborateurs, mais il était aussi
illusoire d’imaginer que tout ce qui n’avait pas été réalisé,
voire distordu durant des décennies, pourrait être réparé ou
réalisé en quelques mois. Avant d’aller de l’avant, il nous faudra
donc faire un bilan de la période qui vient de prendre fin et qui
comporte malgré tout quelques belles réalisations.

En prémices a ce bilan, il apparaît de manière évidente que ce qui
a assurément fait défaut, c’est l’absence de ressources humaines, de
compétentes dédiées a cette tâche. De véritables équipes auraient
été nécessaires afin d’organiser et de promouvoir les actions du
diocèse dans les trois régions et dans les paroisses. Sans doute
l’accent n’a-t-il pas été suffisamment mis sur cette dimension. Mais
surtout, dans le même temps, le peu de moyens humains et financiers
dont nous disposions a été gâché, englouti, par la triste ”
affaire de Nice ”.

Au lieu de nous préoccuper de catéchèse pour nos fidèles, de
pastorale pour nos familles et d’enseignement pour nos enfants, nous
avons dÔ consacrer notre énergie et nos maigres moyens matériels a
résoudre par le recours a la Justice ce qui aurait dÔ être soigné
par la Charité.

Pour de multiples raisons, cette catastrophique ” affaire de
Nice ” avec ce prêtre ” ingérable ” comme l’écrivait notre
Primat dans sa lettre de démission adressée au Catholicos, a été
instrumentalisée par certains acteurs de la vie communautaires qui
n’avaient visiblement d’autre but que d’empêcher la création des
structures diocésaines. Il conviendra donc de faire une analyse
objective de cette crise pour établir les responsabilités des uns
et des autres, et surtout pour rétablir la pleine communion de cette
communauté aujourd’hui divisée avec le diocèse et l’Eglise toute
entière, Eglise dont elle est aujourd’hui coupée. Par ailleurs,
la défense de ce prêtre par le Catholicos jusqu’a sa condamnation
par la Justice, et après même sa condamnation, reste pour tous
incompréhensible alors que d’autres ecclésiastiques ont été
sanctionnés pour des motifs infiniment moins graves. Sa Sainteté
demandait a Mgr. Norvan de défendre ce prêtre ” au nom de l’honneur
de sa soutane ”. Ce prêtre n’a pas eu, lui, le souci de préserver
l’honneur de sa propre soutane, de son évêque, de son Patriarche
et de son Eglise toute entière. Pour la première fois en près
d’un siècle d’histoire de la communauté arménienne de France,
un de nos prêtres a été condamné par un tribunal.

Tous ces événements participent en réalité d’une crise profonde
qui, malgré ce que l’on peut lire dans une certaine presse d’Arménie
et de la Diaspora, n’est pas le fruit d’un complot qui viserait a
déstabiliser l’Eglise Apostolique Arménienne ou a nuire a l’unité
du peuple arménien et a la sécurité de l’Arménie. Cette version
de la ” théorie du complot ” appliquée a l’Eglise arménienne est
tout simplement ridicule et relève du conte pour enfant. Nous n’avons
malheureusement nul besoin de comploteurs pour nuire a notre Eglise.

Le Primat d’Erevan a lui tout seul suffit a organiser la chose.

Nous reconnaître pécheurs

Un des principes de base de l’ecclésiologie des Eglises
traditionnelles, dont la notre, est que bien que composée de pécheurs
– c’est a dire de gens moralement ” mal portants ” – l’Eglise,
en tant que corps mystique du Christ est sainte. Mais aujourd’hui,
la lucidité et le réalisme doivent nous faire admettre que, bien
que sainte, notre Eglise est visiblement malade, alors que chacun
d’entre nous se croit en bonne santé et qu’aucun d’entre nous ne se
reconnaît pécheur.

Pour autant, les fidèles et les religieux d’aujourd’hui ne sont
pas entièrement responsables de cette situation qui n’est pas
nouvelle et qui s’ancre dans une histoire dont nous sommes bien
involontairement les héritiers. Nos difficultés a répondre a cette
situation proviennent en grande partie du fait que nous n’avons pas
la connaissance de cette histoire et surtout d’idée claire de ce
qu’est l’Eglise.

La situation est complexe et grave mais naturellement pas
désespérée.

Chacun d’entre nous, d’où qu’il se trouve, au regard de sa vocation
et de ses compétences, pourra, et devra, contribuer a la réduction
de ces tensions et a rétablir la paix et la concorde dans notre
communauté.

Il y aura du travail pour tous, a condition de bien le vouloir.

Sortir de la crise

Les regards des fidèles de notre diocèse, mais aussi ceux de très
nombreux autres membres de l’Eglise arménienne a travers le monde,
seront tournés vers cette assemblée de nos délégués diocésains
qui se réunira a Marseille le 19 Octobre. Ceux-ci donneraient un
signal fort a l’ensemble de l’Eglise en élisant comme Primat un
homme qui saura être a la fois un père spirituel, un pasteur,
et naturellement un administrateur efficace, un homme a l’écoute
des fidèles, qui saura les représenter auprès du Catholicos et du
Conseil Spirituel Suprême.

Nos prières les accompagneront a l’occasion de cette réunion.

Mais, outre l’élection du nouveau Primat, cette assemblée devra
aussi veiller a rétablir la confiance a l’égard de l’institution
ecclésiale.

Elle doit pour cela :

1- Demander et obtenir des membres du Conseil Spirituel Suprême
de saint Etchmiadzine de revenir sur la formulation finale de leur
communiqué du 30 AoÔt qui constitue une véritable injustice a
l’égard de l’un de leurs aînés et d’un valeureux serviteur de
l’Eglise et du Catholicossat suprême. Nul n’est infaillible et le
repentir est agréable au Seigneur. Il y va de l’honneur d’un homme,
notre Primat, du leur, et de celui de toute notre communauté de
France. Ne pas entendre cela serait une grave faute.

2- Transmettre au Conseil de discipline du saint Siège d’Etchmiadzine
le dossier du père Vatché Hayrapétyan, déja condamné par la
Justice de notre pays, et qui tout récemment a tenu sur une chaîne
de télévision câblée américaine des propos infondés et calomnieux
a l’égard de notre Primat.

3- Reprendre sans tarder le dialogue avec tous les fidèles de la
communauté de Nice afin de hâter leur retour au sein de notre
diocèse et de rétablir la concorde dans cette communauté meurtrie.

Nous recentrer sur la mission première de l’Eglise.

La récente convocation d’un synode général des évêques a Saint
Etchmiadzine a été un événement important non tant par son ordre
du jour mais par sa dimension symbolique puisque pour la première
fois depuis des siècles, il réunissait les deux Catholicos et
l’ensemble des évêques des quatre sièges hiérarchiques de l’Eglise
arménienne.

Toutefois, l’affirmation très symbolique de cette unité ne saurait
nous satisfaire et surtout répondre aux attentes et aux besoins des
fidèles de notre Eglise.

Au dela de la question de l’élection du nouveau primat, la tache qui
nous attend est immense pour mettre aussi fin a la crise générale
de l’Eglise arménienne. La question doit donc être débattue a
l’échelle de toute l’Eglise et pour se faire, la convocation d’un
concile comparable a celui de Vatican II ou a celui que préparent les
Eglises Orthodoxes s’avère a terme absolument incontournable. Mais
il nous faudra organiser très méthodiquement la chose au lieu de
nous contenter plus longtemps de mesures ponctuelles et cosmétiques
comme nous le faisons depuis trop longtemps. L’idée d’un tel
concile n’est ni nouvelle ni révolutionnaire puisque le Catholicos
Kévork V avait souhaité le convoquer en 1917, il y aura bientôt un
siècle. La situation de l’Arménie au moment de la Révolution russe,
puis pendant toute la période soviétique, n’avait pas permis sa
tenue. Aujourd’hui, les conditions pour sa convocation sont réunies
mais elle présuppose une préparation de plusieurs années et la
constitution de diverses commissions qui axeront les débats sur
les questions primordiales du Magistère de l’Eglise, de l’Autorité
en son sein, des divers types de Vocations (pastorale, monastique,
des laïcs, hommes et femmes), de la place et du rôle de l’Eglise
dans notre vie sociale et d’autres domaines a définir ensemble.

Mais avant tout, et plus que jamais dans son histoire, l’Eglise
arménienne doit aujourd’hui réaffirmer sa vocation fondamentale,
la même depuis le baptême du roi Drtad et de la reine Achkhen :
l’Evangélisation. Ainsi, ” Ayant déposée tous les soucis du
monde ”, elle pourra alors ce recentrer sur sa vraie mission. Pour
y parvenir, il lui faut avant toute chose s’émanciper de la tutelle
des politiques. Elle doit cesser d’accepter d’être instrumentalisée
par les pouvoirs qui se succèdent en Arménie et les partis et les
clans en diaspora. L’exemple de sa Sainteté Vazken 1er, d’heureuse
mémoire, doit nous inspirer ce chemin, lui qui avait su avec adresse
assumer pleinement ses fonctions de Pasteur de tous les Arméniens
et de représentation de l’Eglise auprès d’un Etat dont le moins que
l’on puisse dire est qu’il n’était pas favorable a la Religion. C’est
après avoir reconquis son indépendance et renoué avec sa vocation,
après avoir retrouvé la confiance de ses fidèles, qu’elle pourra
les éclairer a la lumière des Evangiles et de sa Tradition sur
des questions aussi fondamentales que les rapports au sein de la
société, la bioéthique, les problèmes sociétaux. Sans vouloir
m’immiscer dans les affaires intérieures de la République d’Arménie,
il me semble d’ailleurs qu’aujourd’hui seule l’Eglise serait capable
d’instaurer dans la société arménienne des rapports d’amour et de
respect dans un pays où les rapports de force et de domination sont la
règle, a condition de le vouloir et de s’en donner les moyens. Dans
ce domaine, le colloque consacré aux relations entre l’Etat et
l’Eglise qui par une extraordinaire coïncidence va se tenir en fin
de semaine a Etchmiadzine, risque d’être aussi décevant que celui
qui avait eu lieu sur le même thème en Mars 2000. Si cette question
intéresse au premier chef les citoyens de la République d’Arménie,
elle n’est pas non plus sans importance et sans conséquences pour
nous, Arméniens de la Diaspora. Un seul Arménien de France a-t-il
d’ailleurs été invité a ce colloque ? Nous le suivrons malgré tout
avec intérêt même si nous ne nous faisons pas beaucoup d’illusions
sur ses conclusions et sur son impact sur notre vie spirituelle tant
en Arménie qu’en Diaspora.

Un concile pour entrer de plain-pied dans le 3ème millénaire

En Juin 2012, un colloque présidé par sa Sainteté le Catholicos
avait été organisé par le conseil de la cathédrale saint Sahak
et saint Mesrop de Marseille. Le thème qui m’avait été confié
était ” Comment l’Eglise arménienne peut-elle entrer dans le 3ème
millénaire et répondre a tous ses défis ? ”. Sans aucune intention
de provocation, j’avais alors débuté mon exposé en affirmant qu’il
lui faudrait d’abord commencer par sortir du 20ème siècle que nous
n’avons pas encore collectivement quitté. Pour des raisons évidentes,
il me semble que ce siècle ne prendra véritablement fin pour nous
qu’en 2015.

Pour l’heure, la plus grande initiative de sa Sainteté Karékine
II serait indubitablement de convoquer ce concile qui s’impose de
manière aussi pressante, en concertation avec les trois autres sièges
hiérarchiques de notre Eglise. Cette assemblée pourrait se tenir
sur plusieurs semaines, voire plusieurs sessions de plusieurs semaines
pour permettre aux diverses commissions de travailler efficacement.

Cela implique avant tout de trouver les hommes et les femmes disposant
des compétences nécessaires pour nourrir et animer ces débats. Nous
le savons tous : ” Pour tout peuple, il n’y a de richesse que ses
hommes et ses femmes ”. Nous trouverons bien ensuite les moyens
financiers nécessaires. L’expérience de l’Eglise Catholique en France
a la fin du 19ème et au début du 20ème siècle démontre que la
bonne santé spirituelle n’est pas conditionnée par la construction
de milliers d’églises comme cela a été le cas. Aujourd’hui, dans
un pays où l’on vend et transforme nombre d’églises et de couvents
en habitations, en commerces, en hôtels, voire que l’on détruit,
cette même Eglise de France invite ses fidèles a une ” nouvelle
évangélisation ” en lui consacrant tous les moyens humains et
matériels disponibles.

Nous aussi, comme les autres Chrétiens de notre pays, nous avons
avant tout faim de ” la Parole de Dieu ”. Et c’est surtout du ”
Pain de Vie ” que nous avons besoin, pas d’idéologie ni de luttes
de pouvoir. Pour recevoir pleinement cette Parole (L’Evangile) et ce
Pain (L’Eucharistie), commencons par reconnaître que nous sommes
tous pécheurs. Dans un langage plus profane, faisons notre auto
critique, et mettons nous tous au travail. Agé de soixante-seize
ans au moment de son élection au siège patriarcal de Cilicie, au
moment où les survivants du Génocide devaient reconstruire l’Eglise
en même temps que leurs propres existences, sa Sainteté Karékine
1er Hovsépian déclarait ” ԳոO~@ծ կայ, կայ ոO~B կայ ”
(Du travail, il y en a, il y en aura encore et encore). En vérité,
une même mission, aussi démesurée que la sienne, mais tout aussi
exaltante, nous attend nous aussi. Les ouvriers ne doivent pas manquer.

Que le Seigneur inspire et guide aussi nos délégués dans leur
mission samedi prochain.

vendredi 18 octobre 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

ZHAMANAK: SHARMAZANOV’S BROTHER TO BE APPOINTED LORI REGIONAL POLICE CHIEF

10:13 18/10/2013 ” DAILY PRESS

The brother of Armenian National Assembly deputy speaker Edward
Sharmazanov, Erik Sharmazanov, will be appointed Lori regional police
chief to succeed Anubagh Hambaryan who has been appointed Armenian
deputy police chief, Zhamanak reports, citing its sources.

Source: Panorama.am

ARMENIA: “IMPRISONED CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY AND UNCONDITIONALLY RELEASED”

Forum 18
Oct 17 2013

By Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service

Armenian Jehovah’s Witnesses have welcomed the release from jail of
nine conscientious objectors to military service. The men all had less
than six months of their sentences to run. However, 20 prisoners of
conscience remain in jail. “Our position is that the 20 imprisoned
conscientious objectors should be immediately and unconditionally
released”, they told Forum 18 News Service. The government has now
introduced alternative civilian service and set up an Alternative
Service Committee to decide on applications for alternative service.

It is due to hold its first full meeting to consider 65 applications –
from Jehovah’s Witnesses and others – in the week of 21 to 25 October.

Yet Jehovah’s Witnesses state that 97 of their young men, including
the 20 prisoners of conscience, have applied to have their cases
considered. Questions also remain over how the Committee will make
decisions. Stepan Danielyan of Collaboration for Democracy notes
that only during the November call-up will it be clear whether the
new system will allow individuals to choose which type of service to
do in accordance with their conscience.

Armenia’s Jehovah’s Witness community has welcomed as “positive”
the release from prison of nine conscientious objectors to military
service in a prisoner amnesty. “The families of the imprisoned men
were overjoyed to welcome their loved ones home,” Jehovah’s Witnesses
told Forum 18 News Service from Yerevan on 9 October. The men all had
less than six months of their sentences to run. However, the Jehovah’s
Witness are disappointed that, although their terms have been reduced
by six months, a further 20 prisoners of conscience remain in prison.

“Our position is that the 20 imprisoned conscientious objectors should
be immediately and unconditionally released.”

Stepan Danielyan of Collaboration for Democracy – which has long
campaigned against the imprisonment of conscientious objectors –
agrees. “It is not right that the 20 are still imprisoned,” he told
Forum 18 from Yerevan on 16 October. “They should be freed and allowed
to perform alternative service.”

Two of the Deputy Justice Ministers involved in the issue were
unavailable each time Forum 18 called. Officials told Forum 18 that
Grigor Muradyan was out of Armenia, while Ruben Melikyan each time
Forum 18 called on 16 and 17 October.

The government has now introduced alternative civilian service and
set up an Alternative Service Committee to decide on individual
alternative service applications (see F18News 6 June 2013
). It is due to hold
its first full meeting to consider 65 applications – from Jehovah’s
Witnesses and others – in the week of 21 to 25 October, two officials
told Forum 18. Yet Jehovah’s Witnesses state that 97 of their young
men have applied to have their cases considered by the Committee
(see below).

Free prisoners of conscience now

Human rights defenders and Jehovah’s Witnesses insist all imprisoned
conscientious objectors should have been freed long ago and that the
remaining 20 prisoners of conscience should be freed immediately.

Armenia committed itself on joining the Council of Europe to introduce
a civilian, non-military alternative service by January 2004, it
failed to do so. It also pledged to release all those imprisoned
for refusing military service in the interim, but continued with a
policy of imprisonment. For this it has been strongly criticised by
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the
United Nations Human Rights Committee (see F18News 20 September 2012
).

In addition, in July 2011 the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)
in Strasbourg ruled in the case of former conscientious objector
prisoner Vahan Bayatyan (Application No. 23459/03) that the right to
conscientious objection is protected by Article 9 (“Freedom of thought,
conscience and religion”) of the European Convention (see commentary
by Derek Brett of Conscience and Peace Tax International at F18News
26 July 2011 ).

The ECtHR also handed down two similar judgments against Armenia – in
cases brought by Hayk Bukharatyan (Application No. 37819/03) and Ashot
Tsaturyan (Application No. 37821/03) – in January 2012 (see F18News
1 February 2012 ).

In November 2012, the ECtHR – in its fourth decision against Armenia
in conscientious objector cases – found in the case of Khachatryan
and Others (Application No. 23978/06) that Armenia had violated the
rights of 17 Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objectors (see F18News
3 December 2012 ).

Jehovah’s Witnesses state that 29 of their young men have been
convicted since the Bayatyan judgment, and a further 33 cases
are pending with investigators or the courts. All were punished or
investigated under Criminal Code Article 327, Part 1, which punishes
evasion of the call-up to military or alternative service. The
maximum sentence under this article was increased to three years’
imprisonment in December 2005.

Nine prisoners of conscience freed, 20 still jailed

Nine imprisoned conscientious objectors were freed on 8 and 9 October
after they were included in a prisoner amnesty. The amnesty, to mark
the 22nd anniversary of Armenia’s independence from the Soviet Union,
was proposed by President Serj Sarkisyan and approved by parliament
on 3 October, the parliamentary website noted the same day.

The longest-serving of the nine amnestied prisoners, Aharon Mushegyan,
had been given a three-year sentence in November 2010. The other eight
were all imprisoned in 2011, serving sentences of 30 or 36 months.

Three of the nine amnestied prisoners had less than 10 days left to
serve at the time of their release, Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18.

Jehovah’s Witnesses remain concerned about the 20 current prisoners.

“Unfortunately, the amnesty only reduced their sentences by six
months,” Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18.

Criminal cases continue

Three Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objectors were sentenced under
Criminal Code Article 327, Part 1 in 2013. Samvel Abrahamyan received
a 30-month sentence on 29 January. Narek Grigoryan, was sentenced to
24 months’ imprisonment on 25 February. Vahagn Paronikyan received
a 24-month sentence on 4 March. However, the three young men were
not imprisoned pending their appeals. Grigoryan’s appeal is due to
be heard at Armenia’s Criminal Appeal Court in Yerevan on 21 October.

A total of 27 other criminal cases under Article 327, Part 1 are
being investigated. Six more are already in the courts, though no
verdict has yet been reached in any of the trials.

All 36 of these individuals have applied for the new alternative
civilian service, Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18. However,
the criminal cases against them have not been dropped. “We have not
received any information about what they are planning to do with them,”
Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18.

Forum 18 was unable to reach Gevorg Kostanyan, Armenia’s Military
Prosecutor, on 17 October.

Civilian institutions

Armenia has long imprisoned those young men unwilling to perform
military service or the alternative service under military control.

All forms of military service were and are unacceptable to Jehovah’s
Witness young men and to at least one member of the Molokan community.

Hundreds of Jehovah’s Witnesses and one Molokan were imprisoned,
with prison sentences of up to three years.

The Justice Ministry finally drafted amendments to the 2003 Alternative
Service Law and to the 2003 Law on Implementing the Criminal Code to
introduce for the first time a genuinely civilian alternative. They
were approved by parliament and signed into law by President Sarkisyan
in May. They came into force on 8 June (see F18News 6 June 2013
).

Under a 25 July government decision, 11 institutions were identified
as places where alternative civilian service would be carried out
including nursing homes, children’s homes and psychiatric clinics. The
11 institutions are controlled by a number of ministries: the Labour
and Social Affairs Ministry, the Health Ministry and the Emergency
Situations Ministry. A separate list identified tasks the alternative
service workers would carry out, including hospital orderly, laundry
worker, kitchen worker, ground staff or emergency rescuer’s assistant.

“We’re not against these institutions,” Jehovah’s Witnesses told
Forum 18. “They are civilian.”

Alternative Service Committee

Under another 25 July government decision, the government appointed
the members of the seven-strong Alternative Service Committee to
review applications for alternative civilian service. Chairing the
Committee is Vache Terteryan, First Deputy Minister of Territorial
Administration. Its other members come from various ministries and
agencies, including the Defence Ministry, Health Ministry, the
Police and Vardan Astsatryan of the government’s Department for
Ethnic Minorities and Religious Affairs. The Defence Ministry’s
representative on the Committee is Deputy Minister Ara Nazaryan,
who is a civilian and not a military officer.

Applications

A total of 97 Jehovah’s Witness young men have made individual
applications to the Committee for alternative civilian service.

Among the 97 applicants are all 20 current conscientious objector
prisoners, who applied for transfer to alternative civilian service by
the 1 August deadline in accordance with the terms of the amendments.

They did so “under protest” to be released from jail, Jehovah’s
Witnesses complained to Forum 18. “We are at a loss to understand
why their applications for alternative service have not yet been
processed and they have not been freed.”

Any young man transferring from prison to the new alternative civilian
service would have the length of time they have been imprisoned
deducted from their alternative service, Jehovah’s Witnesses told
Forum 18.

How will Alternative Service Committee operate?

Human rights defenders have expressed some concern over the role
of Defence Ministry officials in the Alternative Service Committee,
and vagueness over the way it is supposed to operate (see F18News 6
June 2013 ). Forum
18 was unable to reach Deputy Defence Minister Nazaryan on 17 October.

Alternative Service Committee chair Terteryan was unavailable when
Forum 18 called on 17 October. But a colleague from his Territorial
Administration Ministry, Artur Sogomonyan, head of the Municipal
Administration Department, told Forum 18 that the Committee meeting
in the week of 21 to 25 October will consider all 65 applications
it has received. He said these are not only from Jehovah’s Witnesses
but others too, though he would not identify the background of these
other applicants.

It is unclear how the figure of 65 applications that Sogomonyan quoted
matches the 97 applications Jehovah’s Witness state have been made from
their community, or where other applications – numbering at least 32 –
may be in the application process.

Astsatryan of the Department for Ethnic Minorities and Religious
Affairs told Forum 18 on 17 October that the Alternative Service
Committee has held preliminary meetings, but that the meeting in
the week of 21 to 25 October will be the first full meeting and will
consider the applications for alternative service received.

Asked if the Committee will approve applications from individuals
who base their objections on non-religious reasons of conscience,
Sogomonyan of the Territorial Administration Ministry responded:
“Each case will be decided individually.”

Astsatryan of the Department for Ethnic Minorities and Religious
Affairs was also asked by Forum 18 if the Committee will approve
applications from individuals who base their objections on
non-religious reasons of conscince. He replied that “we will listen
and decide on each case. My approach is that alternative service will
be open to religious and non-religious applicants.”

Yet how the Alternative Service Committee will assess
individuals and decide which applicants can proceed to
alternative civilian service remains unclear, according to
Danielyan of Collaboration for Democracy (see F18News 6 June 2013
).

“I asked about the procedures it will adopt, but no one could tell
me,” Danielyan told Forum 18. “This is the most important question –
will alternative service be for all who apply? Or just for religious
objectors? What will happen to the other applicants?” He added that
officials fear many people might apply for the alternative, rather
than for military service.

Danielyan believes only during the November call-up will it be clear
whether the new system is functioning in a way that allows individuals
to make a free choice over which type of service to do in accordance
with their conscience.

Length of alternative service

Human rights defenders have criticised the length of
the alternative civilian service – three years compared
to two years’ military service (see F18News 6 June 2013
).

However, Jehovah’s Witnesses state that the longer alternative service
is not the “main concern” for them. “Alternative service is longer,
but for us the main concern is that alternative civilian service is
not under military control,” they told Forum 18. “It seems this has
now been met.” (END)

More coverage of freedom of thought, conscience and belief in
Armenia and the unrecognised entity of Nagorno-Karabakh is at

A personal commentary, by Derek Brett of Conscience and Peace
Tax International, on conscientious objection to military
service and international law in the light of the European
Court of Human Rights’ July 2011 Bayatyan judgment is at

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

A printer-friendly map of Armenia is available at

All Forum 18 News Service material may be referred to, quoted from,
or republished in full, if Forum 18 is credited as
the source.