Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIA’S JUSTICE MINISTER ACCUSES GOVERNMENT OF EXCEEDING CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS

October 17, 2013 | 15:09

YEREVAN. – It is unconstitutional to provide powers to the State
Architecture Committee Adjunct the Government of Armenia.

Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan stated the abovementioned during
Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.

When former Chief Architect of Yerevan Narek Sargsyan submitted the
aforesaid committee’s charter and staff makeup for government approval,
Tovmasyan asked to speak and subsequently made the following statement:

“It remains, in disguised form, that it is this committee that makes
policy in this domain, and this will run directly counter to the
Constitution; the committee cannot make policy.

“The powers of the state agency may be specified solely by the
Constitution and the laws. Here we will confirm that we are giving
powers to the committee, which we do not have by law; we have no
grounds [for giving it powers]. That is, pursuant to the Constitution,
there is nothing about this committee.

“We will observe that the committee will be an advisory body, [and]
its powers must be such that we may normalize these relations by law.”

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

1,000-YEAR-OLD MUSLIM MAUSOLEUM DISCOVERED IN ARMENIA

by Karina Manukyan

ARMINFO
Thursday, October 17, 16:49

A 1,000-year-old Muslim mausoleum has been discovered in the territory
of Dvin, one of the capital cities of ancient Armenia.

Pavel Avetisyan, Director of the Institute of Archaeology and
Ethnography, National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, has told ArmInfo
that the mausoleum dates back to circa XI-XII cc. AD. “We think that
it must have been a large structure consisting of 4 parts with domes
and entrances”, he said. According to him, such mausoleums had became
popular in West Asia since the times of Seljuks. Archaeologists have
discovered only a part of the mausoleum so far.

The ancient city of Dvin was built by Khosrov III of Greater Armenia
in 335 on a site of an ancient settlement and fortress from the 3rd
millennium BC. Since then, the city had been used as the primary
residence of the Armenian Kings of the Arsacid dynasty. After the
fall of the Armenian Kingdom in 428, Dvin became the residence of
Sassanid appointed marzpans (governors), Byzantine kouropalates and
later Umayyad and Abbasid appointed ostikans (governors).

On January 6, 642 the Arabs stormed and took the city of Dvin,
slaughtered 12,000 of its inhabitants and carried 35,000 into slavery.

Under Arsacid rule, Dvin prospered as one of the most populous and
wealthiest cities east of Constantinople. Its welfare continued
even after the partition of Armenia between Romans and Sassanid
Persians, and eventually it became a target during the height of
the Arab invasions. According to Sebeos and Catholicos John V the
Historian, Dvin was captured in 640 during the reign of Constans II
and Catholicos Ezra. The Arabs called the city Dabil. Despite the fact
that Dvin was a battleground between Arabs and Byzantine forces for
the next two centuries, in the 9th century, it was still a flourishing
city. Frequent earthquakes and continued Arab oppression led to the
decline of the city from the beginning of the 10th century. During a
major earthquake in 893, the city was destroyed, along with most of
its 70,000 inhabitants. The Byzantines conquered Armenia along with
Dvin in 1045 from the Bagratunis. In 1064, the Seljuks occupied the
city. The Kurdish Shaddadids ruled the city as Seljuk vassals until
the Georgian King George III conquered the city in 1173. In 1201-1203,
during the reign of Queen Tamar, the city was again under Georgian
rule. In 1236, the city was completely destroyed by Mongols.

STRIKING DIFFERENCES OF TWO CIVILIZATIONS

17:49 17/10/2013 ” ANALYSIS

Geography and antagonism have become inherent elements between
Armenia and Azerbaijan linking them in a way that it cannot do
without comparisons. In this regard it is intolerable to ignore such
an important event like the presidential elections, especially when
both Armenia and Azerbaijan have held it in the current year.

Elections in Armenia were not perfect, everyone understands that,
however in constructional and juridical sense they were so well
organized and with high quality that no comparisons may be made between
our and the so called elections held in Azerbaijan. A lot of factors
and parameters may be brought to support the above said.

However we will bring some of them. None of the political forces in
Armenia has been persecuted. They have all been free to participate in
the elections, while in Azerbaijan many are exiled from the country and
a group of social and political activists (more than 100 according to
the western organizations) are in jails. Rustam Ibrahibekov’s case is
worth mentioning in this context. The latter as a single opposition
candidate was getting ready for opposing Ilham Aliyev, however the
CEC of Azerbaijan rejected his candidacy at the last moment.

The differences are obvious in regard of the resources: If in
Armenia various political forces have more or less equal resources
(administrative, intellectual, financial, political and media), in
Azerbaijan all of this is under the control of one force and this
force is in the President’s Residency. Shortly, from the viewpoint
of electoral process and its result the elections held in Armenia
and Azerbaijan are incomparable. Instead, the attitude of the
international community and the reaction of the administration are
fit to be compared.

The behavior of the international community is obvious for both
countries. The factor of political interest is surely not ignored.

However the international community wants to see in two countries
progress in democracy, human rights and social development in general.

The elections in this regard are the best opportunity to assess it, and
that’s why observing missions are sent to these countries and process
assessment is carried out. In the case of Armenia the result of the
assessment was mainly positive; however some deficiencies were noted
too. As for Azerbaijan it was noted that those were not elections.

There is an essential factor here to be mentioned. As a rule, OSCE
PA and the Council of Europe sent a short-term observation missions
to member countries. These groups mainly consist of MPs, i.e.

politicians. Usually these missions join the ODIHR and give a joint
assessment. It has been this way in case of Armenia and all other
countries. As for Azerbaijan the MP’s had made separate statements
in a style of “God bless Ilham” in the same time contradicting the
ODIHR assessments.

The emotional expressions of Bulgarian and Macedonian MPs do not turn
the Azerbaijani “Disneyland” into elections. However, it is obvious
that the European values gradually degrade under the influence of
oil and caviar. This, naturally, is the problem of Europe and not
Azerbaijan. Europe will lose its grace if it keeps on going in this
way. Anyway, it is also obvious that the elections held in Armenia
and Azerbaijan are incomparable also in regard of assessment of
international observers.

In order to conclude the parallels we are only left to compare the
official reactions of the two countries concerning the assessments of
the elections. To keep the parity I suggest comparing the statements
of the heads of the presidents’ staff of the two countries. In both
cases they suggest the approach of the administration.

The head of the President’s staff of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan had stated:
“The reports were very close to reality and to the elections held in
Armenia. This speaks about the fact that different and sometimes even
competing observation missions have recorded the same result.

In some cases the observed problems and the assessments coincide. They
are mainly the same, because the government, the RA authorities have
done everything depending on them to push the elections forward by one
more step in this process. I am saying one step, because the democracy
and elections, as a very significant component of it, have no border
after which there is nothing left to change or to do. Thus this was
an important one step forward. The formulation of OSCE/ODIHR report
saying that the elections were held by special attention paid towards
preservation of the fundamental freedoms sounded so dear to me. This
is a very important assessment as the main aim of the elections is
protection of fundamental freedoms. The rest of the shortcomings
may be corrected and we will work on them over time,” Vigen Sargsyan
has noted.

Armenia not only admitted the assessment of the observers but also
agreed to cooperate and to correct the existing drawbacks as well
as improving the process. While Azerbaijan was getting ready for
elections, the Armenian president reaffirmed at PACE this approach
and informed about the existence of a corresponding working group.

Here what Vigen Sargsyan’s Azerbaijani counterpart Ramiz Mehtiyev
have stated in connection with the ODIHR report:

“According to our sources the election report draft which lacks any
positive episode has been prepared in the Warsaw based office of
that organization. It should be noted that such deceits are aimed at
flaring up tension and provoking negative processes in the Azerbaijani
society. This means that some observers have been prepared to give
negative assessment to the elections in advance. We can only make a
guess what could the real purpose for such hostile attitude be.”

Ramiz Mehtiyev in his statement has also accused the U.S., and has
noted that ODIHR is dependent on Washington. “That institution is not
an independent organization at all, it cannot operate by itself. OSCE
works by looking at the USA. Keeping in mind that previously the
OSCE had given a non-objectiv, biased assessment, we were against of
inviting them to Azerbaijan during the presidential elections.

However, the Azerbaijani side invited the OSCE/ODIHR taking into
consideration the factor of U.S. council. The comparison of the
reports of U.S. State department and that of OSCE/ODIHR showed that
these reports were twins. This is the case of obvious trust abuse.”

No comments, as they say. We are only left to wait and to see how
the international community will react on Azerbaijan’s demarche, for
Mahtiyev has not only accused Washington of trust abuse but also of
“violating the rights of the U.S. citizens.” As the imposing politician
has called for not giving a way to emotions and not getting tempted
by the U.S. friendship, it is expected that soon Azerbaijan will turn
its back to the progressive world.

Author, Armen Minasyan

Source: Panorama.am

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH EXPORTS INSURING AGENCY

YEREVAN, October 17. / ARKA / . The Armenian government has taken a
decision today to establish an agency for insuring exports. The new
government body will have about 2 billion drams capital.

Earlier finance minister David Sargsyan said this amount would be
allocated from the sale of the first-ever Armenian Eurobonds.

According to the government decision, the agency will have 1.5
billion drams of authorized capital, which is the equivalent of 150,000
ordinary bonds with a nominal value of 10,000 drams each. The remaining
450 million drams will be channeled into creating a reserve fund.

The agency’s shares which are fully owned by the government will
be managed by the ministries of economy, finance, foreign affairs,
agriculture and energy and natural resources.

The agency will focus its activities on insurance of exporters or
their financing banks against the risk of non-payment by the borrower /
buyer, as well as on lowering export rates. ($ 1 – 406.36 drams).

.-0-

– See more at:

ZARUHI POSTANJYAN DEMANDS POLICE TO ISOLATE KHACHIK ASRYAN

by Nana Martirosyan

ARMINFO
Thursday, October 17, 15:48

Armenian parliamentarian Zaruhi Postanjyan demands the Police to
isolate Khachik Asryan, Head of Hayots Artsivner NGO. Postanjyan told
media, Thursday, that Asryan’s calls and threats have been made public
by media.

“The law-enforcement should bring charges against Asryan and isolate
him. These are preventive measures. Otherwise, other people may have
a desire to fulfill Asryan’s demands and threats,” Postanjyan said.

Meanwhile, the parliamentarian said, she understands the criticism
by oppositionists, as they do not threat or offence her.

Postanjyan said that she don’t mind being accompanied by police
officers in public transport and in the street, as people in the
country are persecuted for their political views.

To recall, Zaruhi Postanjyan’s question at PACE’s session about
“President Serzh Sargsyan’s loss of 70 mln EUR at one of the European
casinos” caused a storm of criticism among the Armenian political
forces which think that Postanjyan has defamed the republic.

Afterwards, the parliament speaker expressed an intention to replace
Postanjyan in the Delegation. Quite recently, Zaruhi Postanjyan applied
to Chief of Armenian Police Vladimir Gasparyan to ensure her security
and the security of her relatives against possible attacks of Deputy
Minister of Sport and Youth Khachik Asryan and his supporters.

Postanjyan was seriously concerned about Asryan’s statement that
after Postanjyan’s question to Serzh Sargsyan “it is necessary to
execute Postanjyan by burning, however, not like Joan of Arc but the
way Ramil Safarov should be executed”.

MORE THAN 13 % OF ARMENIAN CITIZENS CONSIDER THEMSELVES POOR

YEREVAN, October 17. / ARKA /. More than 13 % of Armenian citizens
consider themselves poor and – less than 1 % (0.3 percent) rich,
according to the findings of a public opinion survey conducted by
Sociometer polling center. The findings were presented today by the
head of the polling center Aharon Adibekyan.

The survey embraced 2,400 adult citizens from all regions of Armenia.

For comparison, Adibekyan cited data from a similar survey conducted
in 2008 , when only 9.3 % of respondents said they were poor and 0.3
percent said they were rich.

He said one in six ‘poor’ respondent in the 2013 survey believes
that his status is to be blamed entirely on the government, about
half believe the government should support them, and the rest cited
other causes , in particular, local oligarchs.

Adibekyan said also that the majority of respondents – 83 % – in the
2013 survey assessed their state as modest (against 86 % in 2008) ,
and 3% considered themselves well off (against 4.2% in 2008 ) .

According to the official data of the labor ministry, 35 percent of
citizens are poor. -0-

– See more at:

WILL ARCHBISHOP PARGEV BE DEFROCKED?

The archbishop of Artsakh Pargev Martirosyan could be defrocked
following his support to Zori Balayan’s letter calling Russia to
eliminate NKR and annex Karabakh.

As the primate of the Diocese of Artsakh Pargev Martirosyan has always
had certain independence, considering the statehood and special role
of Karabakh in the life of Armenians. This circumstance has always
irritated Garegin II. Their relations have never been smooth.

Now Garegin II has apparently discerned in Pargev’s statement his
aspiration to be the next catholicos. It is known that after the
Treaty of Gulistan which Zori Balayan has mentioned in his letter,
the Catholicosate of Aghvank was eliminated by Echmiadzin. Apparently,
Pargev is getting ready for something similar by supporting the letter.

Besides, since the Armenian Apostolic Church refers to itself as the
safeguard of the Armenian state, it seems even more likely that Pargev
will be defrocked.

Although, the clergymen ruling the church have never hesitated to
hand over the country to invaders.

15:28 17/10/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

22.5 MILLION AMD TO PRESERVE MINAS AVETISYAN MURAL

14:53, October 17, 2013

The Armenian government will allocate 22.5 million AMD to preserve a
Minas Avetisyan mural called “Armenia” that now graces the vestibule of
the cultural center in the village of Vahramaberd in Shirak Province.

The funds will be given to the Minas Avetisyan Benevolent Cultural
Foundation which has carried out preservation work on a number of
other Avetisyan murals.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL BE IN CONNECTICUT

Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate, will travel to Connecticut, where on
Sunday, October 20, he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver
the Sermon at St. Stephen’s Church, in New Britain. Archbishop Oshagan
will be assisted at the altar by Archpriest Fr. Krikoris Keshishian,
pastor of St. Stephen Church. The Prelate will grant acolyte Patrick
Follo the right to wear the stole. His Eminence will preside over the
parish’s 88th anniversary celebration following the liturgy.

BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN WILL BE IN WISCONSIN

Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, will travel to Racine, Wisconsin,
where on Sunday, October 20, he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and
deliver the Sermon at St. Hagop Church. Bishop Anoushavan will be
assisted at the altar by Rev. Fr. Daron Stepanian, pastor of St. Hagop
Church. His Grace will ordain altar servers, and following the
services will preside over the parish’s 75th anniversary celebration.

MUSICAL ARMENIA DEADLINE EXTENDED

Recognizing the importance of discovering and promoting the careers of
exceptionally talented, but not well known, young Armenian musicians
from all over the world, the Eastern Prelacy launched the Musical
Armenia annual concert series in 1982. For more than thirty years the
program has remained true to its objective by encouraging young
Armenian artists and presenting them in recital at Weill Recital Hall
at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

All young soloists and ensembles with at least one member of Armenian
descent are invited to apply. Priority will be given to applicants
currently living or studying in the United States. The deadline for
applications has been extended to October 30, 2013.

For more information and application for the 2014 Musical Armenia
concert click here ().

BIBLE STUDY ON ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO ROMANS

An eight-week Bible study program on St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans,
will begin on Thursday, October 24, and continue on subsequent
Thursdays up to December 19, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East
27th Street, New York City. The Bible studies will be presented by
Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Prelacy’s Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), and is sponsored by AREC and the
Cathedral. Registration, which is required, can be done on line
() or by contacting the Prelacy at
212-689-7810, [email protected], or the Cathedral at
212-689-5880, [email protected]. Or click here
().

ANEC DIRECTOR IS ATTENDING CONFERENCE IN ARMENIA

Dr. Vartan Matiossian, executive director of the Armenian National
Education Committee (ANEC), is in Yerevan, where he is participating
in the Second International Congress on Armenian Studies, with the
theme `Armenian Studies and the Challenges of Modern Times,’ dedicated
to the 70th anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences of the
Republic of Armenia and organized by the Academy.

The sessions of the Congress are taking place at the Academy of
Sciences’ central building, on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue, from October
17-19. Dr. Matiossian will present a paper entitled
`Anti-Immigrationism in the U.S. and the Armenians (1890-1914).’

NEW PRELACY PUBLICATION TO BE PRESENTED

The Prelacy recently published Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian’s
monumental `Commentary on the Nicene Creed,’ in a bilingual English
and Armenian edition. The English translation was prepared by Deacon
Shant Kazanjian, executive director of the Prelacy’s Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC). This important work is based on a
series of lectures delivered by Archbishop Zareh, of blessed memory,
and was published in Armenian in Aleppo in 2008. A presentation of
this new bilingual edition will take place on Wednesday, November 13,
at 7 pm, at the Prelacy offices, 138 E. 39th Street, New York City.

The Nicene Creed is explained, line by line, word by word, in
accordance of the orthodox faith; it presents the beliefs of the
Christian faith that are essential for every believer. Each
theological and biblical term is carefully examined and compared.

Admission is free. Please RSVP by email ([email protected]) or
telephone at 212-689-7810. For more information click here
().

REMEMBRANCE OF CATHOLICOI AT ST. SARKIS

On Sunday, October 13, His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian,
celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York. The Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop
Oshagan, presided over a solemn requiem service offered in memory of
Catholicoi Zareh I and Khoren I on the 50th and 30th anniversaries of
their passing, respectively.

Following church services, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor of
St. Sarkis Church, delivered opening remarks and introduced the
program of the day. Mrs. Karine Kocharian, Director of The Voice of
Armenians TV network, recited the poem, `Khachuh’ by Archbishop
Yeghishe Tourian.

The St. Sarkis Church Choir, directed by Mr. Armen Ardzivian, and
accompanied by Mrs. Haigouhi Megerian, performed the song `Yedeves
Yegour’ and the hymn `Der Getsoh Tou Uzhays.’

The keynote speaker, Bishop Anoushavan, presented the lives and
legacies of Catholicos Zareh and Catholicos Khoren. The lecture was
followed by a video presentation that featured excerpts of the sermon
delivered by Catholicos Zareh I on the first anniversary of his
enthronement. Archbishop Oshagan delivered the closing remarks and
benediction. (Reported by Zaghig Calian)

HERAND MARKARIAN SPEAKS ABOUT ARMENIAN ALPHABET

The month of October is known as Cultural Month for all Armenians
around the world. During this time Armenian churches and organizations
commemorate the Holy Translators who led the Golden Age of Armenian
literature in the fifth century.

Last Sunday, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and Hamazkayin Armenian
Educational and Cultural Society of New York, sponsored a lecture by
Dr. Herand Markarian who spoke about `The Invention of the Armenian
Alphabet.’

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, parish priest, welcomed the attendees and
introduced the speaker, a well-known playwright, poet, and
director. His bilingual lecture focused on the political situation in
Armenia on the eve of the invention of the alphabet, as well as the
life and work of St. Mesrob Mashdotz.

Dr. Herand Markarian speaks about the Holy Translators.

DER MESROB AND `HAYER’ BAND VISIT HOME IN NEW YORK

Last Sunday, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, and members of the `Hayer’ Band visited the New York
Armenian Home in Flushing, New York. Members of the band entertained
the residents, staff, and guests with Armenian folk and contemporary
music.

>From left, Samvel Nersisyan, musical director, Armine Vardanyan,
pianist, members of the band, and Aghavni Ellian, Executive Director
of the Home, and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian.

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, October 20, Sixth Sunday of the Exaltation
are, Isaiah 20:2-21; Galatians 4:3-18; Luke 4:14-23.

Then Jesus filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee,
and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He
began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When
he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the
synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read,
and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the
scroll and found the place where it was written: `The Spirit of the
Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the
poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery
of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the
year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat
down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he
began to say to them, `Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your
hearing.’ All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words
that came from his mouth. They said, `Is not this Joseph’s son?’ He
said to them, `Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, `Doctor,
cure yourself!’ And you will say, `Do here also in your hometown the
things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.” (Luke 4:14-23)

For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().

THE HOLY EVANGELISTS

This Saturday, October 19, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy
Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the authors of the four
Gospels.

Matthew is the patron of the Church’s mission. The Gospel attributed
to him closes with the command by Jesus to His disciples and followers
to, `Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And
remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew
28:19-20)

Mark had significant influence on the advancement of
Christianity. Although the Gospel according to Mark is a narrative of
the life of Jesus, theologians consider it to be a handbook of
discipleship. The dominant message is that being a Christian is not
only believing in Jesus Christ, it is also living according to the
example set by Jesus. According to tradition, Mark was the first
bishop of Alexandria. One of the most magnificent cathedrals in the
world is named after him in Venice, where his relics are kept.

Luke is the author of the third Gospel and the Book of Acts. He is
considered to be the patron of physicians and artists. The Gospel
according to Luke describes Jesus as `the healer of a broken world.’
Luke is also noted for his concern for the poor, the marginalized,
women, and social outcasts. His Gospel does not end with the
Resurrection, but continues to Pentecost and the eternal presence of
Christ in the world. Traditionally he is believed to be one of the
Seventy and the unnamed disciple in Emmaus.

John, often called the `beloved disciple,’ is the author of the fourth
Gospel. He was the only one of the twelve disciples who did not
forsake Christ and stood at the foot of the Cross. Jesus entrusted his
mother to John’s care on the day of the Crucifixion. The best known
verse in his Gospel is John 3:16: `For God so loved the world that he
gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but
have eternal life.’ According to tradition, John left Jerusalem after
attending the first ecumenical council and went to Asia Minor and
settled in Ephesus. He was exiled to the island of Patmos where he
wrote the book of Revelation, although scholars have concluded that
John the Apostle and John of Patmos were two different people.

NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE

HIS HOLINESS ADDRESSES EUROPEAN ARMENIANS

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
addressed the 3rd Convention of European Armenians that convened in
Brussels. In his opening remarks His Holiness urged Turkey to `return
the Armenian churches to their legitimate owners, the Armenian
people.’

Referring to the emerging realities, His Holiness said, `The question
of the Armenian Genocide is acquiring a new form and expression; it is
generating a renewed interest and a new reaction. These factors and
developments, referred to briefly, with their implications need to be
taken into serious consideration as we try to reassess and reactivate
our efforts. However, we must be realistic. We must bear in mind that
activism may soon reach a dead-end if it is not consonant with the
geopolitical realities and interests of the present world; the
scholarly research will be confined to academic circles if it is not
tested by international law, and international laws will be
inapplicable if it is not supported by political will.’

Speaking about the Armenian Church properties, His Holiness stated
that they `cannot be considered abandoned, because the Armenians did
not leave their properties by their own choice. They were threatened
and forced to leave. Hence, the Armenian properties were seized and
confiscated by force. Confiscation of properties under all
circumstances is not only illegal, it is also a crime against
humanity,’ the Catholicos said.

The convention was attended by a number of specialists of genocide and
international law, as well as representatives of the European
Parliament.

SEMINARY BEGINS NEW YEAR

The 84th scholastic year of the Zarehian Seminary of the Catholicosate
officially began last Sunday, with the newly-appointed Dean, Very
Rev. Fr. Housig Mardirossian, celebrating the Holy Liturgy at the
Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Antelias. Returning and
new students and the faculty took part in the Liturgy and received
Holy Communion.

In his sermon, Fr. Housig welcomed the new seminarians to the
community of future spiritual leaders of the Armenian Church. He told
them they were now embarking on a new journey of service.

On Monday, before classes began, seminarians and faculty attended a
thanksgiving ceremony that included prayers, songs, and
messages. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian conveyed the blessings of His
Holiness Aram I, and urged the students to read and discover the Bible
and learn from the teaching and lives of our Armenian Church Fathers.

THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY

(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])

Pen and ink drawing by Minas Minasian.

Death of Gomidas Vartabed
(October 22, 1935)

Gomidas Vartabed was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, but he was
also a victim of it, for he was never able to recover from the
traumatic effects of his short-termed deportation.

Soghomon Soghomonian was born in Kütahya (Gudina), in western Turkey,
on October 8, 1869. His family was Turkish-speaking. He lost his
mother when he was one year old and his father when he was ten. In
1881 he was taken to Holy Etchmiadzin, where he entered the Kevorkian
Seminary.

His exceptional voice and musical abilities attracted special
attention. He studied Armenian musical notes and religious music,
collected popular songs, and made his first attempts at composing. In
1893 he graduated and was designated music teacher and choirmaster of
the cathedral. One year later he was ordained a celibate priest, and
named Gomidas in honor of Catholicos Gomidas, a musician and poet of
the 7th century. In 1895, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite
(vartabed).

He pursued musical studies in Berlin from 1896-1899. He returned to
Etchmiadzin from 1899-1910. He collected close to 3,000 popular songs
and dances, which he mostly arranged for choir versions. He presented
his arrangements of Armenian popular and religious music in Paris
(1906) with great success.

His musical programs included folk and sacred music, but his actions
and ideas upset a conservative faction in Etchmiadzin. After
Catholicos Mgrdich I (Khrimian Hairig) passed away in 1907, Gomidas’
situation became more problematic. He wrote that he could not breathe
and was suffocating in Etchmiadzin. His formal request to become a
hermit and continue his work was denied, and finally he decided to
move to Constantinople.

He created the 300-member `Kusan’ Choir and gave concerts in various
places in the Ottoman Empire and Egypt. Five of its members (Parsegh
Ganachian, Mihran Toumajan, Vartan Sarxian, Vagharshag Srvantzdian,
and Haig Semerjian) took classes of musical theory with him and came
to be known as the `five Gomidas students.’

In April 1915, Gomidas was arrested with more than 200 Armenian
intellectuals and community leaders and exiled to Chankiri. His
behavior changed along the exile route. A few weeks later, while
officiating at a church service, word came that he would be sent back
to Constantinople with a few other notables.

The return was very difficult for him. His friends could not
understand his odd behavior and considered him mad, committing him to
the Turkish Military Psychiatric Hospital. Many of his compositions
and notes were dispersed and lost.

In 1919 he was sent to Paris, where he spent the rest of his life,
first in a private psychiatric hospital and then in the Villejuif
asylum, where he passed away. In 1936 his body was sent to Armenia and
buried in the pantheon named after him, where famous personalities
found their final rest. The Music Conservatory of Yerevan is named
after him, as is the state chamber quartet.

Gomidas was justly termed the Father of Armenian Music, as he rescued
from oblivion more than 4,000 village songs and melodies, and set the
foundation for the scientific study of Armenian music. He also wrote
pieces for piano and songs, fragments for comedies and operas. His
version of the Holy Mass is a classic work, used to this day by the
Armenian Church.

Note: Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History’ are on the
Prelacy’s web site ().

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE
DIFFICULT.

THE NEED IS REAL.
THE NEED IS GREAT.

DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE () AND
SELECT SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.

The Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief is a joint effort of: Armenian
Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Prelacy); Armenian Catholic
Eparchy; Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; Armenian Relief
Society (Eastern USA, Inc.); Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

Thank you for your help.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

October 19-Armenian Friends of America presents `Hye Kef 5′ featuring
musicians Leon Janikian, Joe Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken
Kalajian, Ron Raphaelian, and Jay Baronian, 7:30-12:30, Michael’s
Function Hall, 12 Alpha Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Proceeds to
benefit all Armenian churches in Merrimack Valley and New
Hampshire. Tickets: $40 adults; $30 students; includes
individually-served mezza platters. For information/reservations: John
Arzigian 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan 978-251-8687; Scott Sahagian
617-699-3581; Peter Gulezian 978-375-1616.

October 19-Annual Bazaar of St. Gregory Church, 135 Goodwin Street,
Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, 10 am to 7 pm in church hall. Favorite
Armenian dinners including shish, losh, and chicken kebabs with rice
pilaf. Traditional Armenian and American baked goods including paklava
and spinach-cheese pie. Take-out available by calling
413-543-4763. Raffle drawing with valuable prizes. Admission and
parking are free. For information: 413-543-4763.

October 19-Youth Club Gathering, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York.

October 20-Benefactors remembrance and Au8xiliary bodies appreciation
day, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

October 20-St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin, 75th Anniversary
Celebration to begin with Badarak at 10 am at the church, followed by
a gala `tasting banquet’ and program at the Racine Marriott. For
information: Mary M. Olson, 262-681-1535.

October 24 to December 19-St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, an 8-week
Bible study program beginning Thursday, October 24, and continuing on
Thursdays up to December 19 (no session on Thanksgiving, November
28). Sessions will be presented by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive
Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). Sessions
will take place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street,
New York City, 7:15-8:00 pm, Presentation; 8:00-8:45 pm, Q/A &
Discussion. Registration is required. Register at
or contact the Prelacy 212-689-7810, or the
Cathedral at 212-689-5880.

October 26-Annual Fall Fair sponsored by St. Gregory Church of
Merrimack Valley, 158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts, 10 am
to 7 pm. Armenian foods and pastries, along with gift tables, white
elephant, raffles and games. Fun for the whole family.

October 27-90th anniversary celebration of St. Gregory Church,
Philadelphia, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan,
Prelate. Immediately after the Divine Liturgy at the church’s Founders
Hall, 8701 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19128.

October 27-`Truth or Consequences: Challenges to Armenia’s
Environmental Safety,’ at Pashalian Hall, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral,
221 E. 27th Street, New York City, at 2 pm. Documentary Film and Q&A,
and guest speakers Yeghia Nersessian, Anna Aghlamazyan, and Levon
Galstyan, representing the Pan-Armenian Environmental
Front. Opportunity to meet three activists on the frontlines of
environmental issues in Armenia today.

October 27-A Showcase of Talent, Art Exhibition and Sale, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York.

November 1 & 2-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 57th
Annual Armenian Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm, at Armenian Cultural &
Educational Center (ACEC), 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown. Delicious
meals (take-out available), Armenian pastries, gourmet, Harvest Store,
Books, Raffles, Attic Treasures, Auctions, and more. For information:
617-924-7562 or on Facebook.

November 2-Mid-West Regional Conference for Clergy, Boards of
Trustees, and NRA Delegates, hosted by All Saints Church, Glenview,
Illinois, beginning at 10 am and ending at 4 pm. Members of Prelacy’s
Religious and Executive members will be present.

November 2 & 3-Armenian Fest 2013, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence,
Rhode Island, presents its Armenian Food Festival at Rhodes on the
Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston. Featuring chicken, losh, and shish
kebabs, and kufta dinners, Armenian delicacies, dancing to live music,
arts and crafts, flea market, gift baskets, children’s corner, country
store, jewelry, silent auction, hourly raffles, and grand prize,
$2,000. Children’s dance group will perform on Saturday and Sunday at
5 pm. Armenian food and pastry are available all day. Saturday, noon
to 9 pm; Sunday, noon to 8 pm. Free admission and parking. For
information: 401-831-6399.

November 7-Avak luncheon, noon, Jaffarian Hall, St. Gregory Church,
158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts. Speaker, Dr. Edward
Khantzian, clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School,
`Impressions of a Keynote Visit to Armenia.’

November 10-Ladies Guild of St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, presents The Way We Were Ensemble of New York/New
Jersey in their performance of `The Gamavors,’ at 2 pm in the church
hall. Coffee and reception with cast will follow performance. Tickets:
$20 adults; $10 children under 12. For tickets: Mary Derderian,
[email protected] or 781-762-4253.

November 13-Book presentation and reception for `Commentary on the
Nicene Creed’ by Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian, of blessed
memory. Bilingual edition of this important work will be presented
under the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan at the Prelacy offices, 138
East 39th Street, New York City. English translation was prepared by
Deacon Shant Kazanjian.

November 15-16-17-Annual Bazaar, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen
Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

November 16-Public Relations seminar for New England parishes,
directed by Tom Vartabedian, at St. Stephen Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, beginning at 10 am. Speakers include: Stephen Kurkjian,
three-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist from the Boston Globe,
and Khatchig Mouradian, editor of The Armenian Weekly.

November 16 & 17-Annual ART IN FALL Exhibition featuring national and
international Armenian artists, Hovnanian School, 817 River Road, New
Milford, New Jersey. Fine art including oils, mixed media,
photography, and sculpture in classic, modern, and contemporary styles
by 27 artists. Opening Reception, Saturday, 7 to 10 pm. Cocktails and
Hors D’oeuvres, $30 donation. Sunday, 1 to 4 pm, Refreshments, $15
donation.

November 17-Banquet and Program celebrating the `Year of the Armenian
Mother,’ organized by the Eastern Prelacy, at Terrace in the Park,
Flushing Meadows Park, New York. Watch for details.

November 22 & 23-Fall Food Festival at Holy Trinity Armenian Church,
635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us on Friday from 5
pm to 8 pm and Saturday from noon to 4 pm for shish, losh, chicken
kebob, or kheyma dinners. Country Store and Bake Table. Stock up on
katah, choreg, manti, porov kufta, simit, and much more.

November 24-Special program following the Divine Liturgy presented by
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian commemorating the passing of Catholicos
Zareh I (50th) and Catholicos Khoren I (30th) will take place at
St. Stephen’s Church, 38 Elton Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts.

November 24-Ladies Guild Annual Bazaar, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston,
New York.

December 6-Anniversary celebration by Lowell `Aharonian’ Gomideh, 6:30
pm, St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts;
dinner and program honoring 50-year members Steve Dulgarian and Joe
Dagdigian; remembering the 25th anniversary of the earthquake in
Armenia; soloist Nina Hovsepian, accompanied by Mary
Barooshian. Donation: $20 adults; $10 students.

December 7-Annual Church Bazaar of St. Asdvadzadzin Church,
Whitinsville, Massachusetts, will take place at Christian Reform
Church, 25 Cross Street, Whitinsville. For information: 508-234-3677.

December 7-Annual Holiday Bake Sale, St. Paul Church, 645 S. Lewis
Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois, 9 am to 3 pm. Enjoy authentic Armenian &
American pastries and plan to stay for lunch at St. Paul Café. For
information or pre-orders, 847-244-4573.

December 15-Simply Christmas Concert, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston,
New York.

February 1-Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance, St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.

February 24-26, 2014-Annual Clergy Ghevontiantz Gathering hosted by
Holy Cross Church, 255 Spring Avenue, Troy, New York.

March 28, 2014-Musical Armenia Concert presented by Eastern Prelacy
and Prelacy Ladies Guild, at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, 8 pm.

June 1-Ladies Guild Annual Brunch, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

AZERBAIJANI SIDE RUINS OSCE MONITORING AT LINE OF CONTACT WITH KARABAKH

October 17, 2013 | 14:03

STEPANAKERT. – The monitoring of the OSCE mission at the line of
contact between the armed forces of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh
planned for Thursday was suspended due to fire from automatic weapons
from the Azerbaijani side.

The Azerbaijani side fired in the direction of Karabakh Defense Army,
NKR foreign ministry’s press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The fire was registered by the group of observers from both sides.

Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador
Andrzej Kasprzyk who was heading the mission from the opponent’s side
decided to stop the monitoring for security reasons.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am