Author: Badalian Vardan

” ARMENIA ” EN TABLE-RONDE SUR LES REFUGIES ARMENIENS D’ARMENIE EN FRANCE

VALENCE (DRÔME)

” Armenia ” invitera le public, a une table-ronde et debat sur les
” Refugies Armeniens d’Armenie en France ” vendredi 27 septembre
a 20h30 a la MJC Jean Moulin (Bourg-Lès-Valence). Une occasion de
faire le point sur cette dernière vague de refugies qui arrivent par
dizaines au sein d’une communaute armenienne quelque peu deboussolee
par cette nouvelle vague migratrice, une position difficile entre
aide et indifference…

Krikor Amirzayan (president d'” Armenia “) ” nous avons un reel
problème collectif avec ces nouveaux arrivants. Comment s’organiser
pour les recevoir ? Les encourager a s’installer ou les aider
a repartir au pays ? Alors que la Republique d’Armenie continue
a ce vider par ces vagues d’emigration qui mettent en danger son
avenir demographique, quelle doit-etre l’attitude de la communaute
armenienne face a ces nouveaux immigrants qui n’a pas la culture
de la majeure partie de la diaspora formee a la suite du genocide
? Autant de questions qui traversent les membres de notre communaute
quelque peu desemparee face a cette situation nouvelle. ” Armenia ”
a ete regulièrement interrogee par ces refugies ou les personnes et
organisations qui leur apportaient de l’aide. Nous avons decide de
leur consacrer une soiree afin de nous concerter sur nos positions
respectives qui ne peuvent qu’etre individuelles. Car collectivement,
nous sommes convaincus que la communaute armenienne de Valence au-dela
de France, n’est pas favorable a l’arrivee de ces nouveaux immigrants
qui temoignent un malaise profond sur la situation de l’Armenie. Quels
que soient les actes de ces malheureux, nous ne pouvons que constater
leur desarroi face a la situation economique du pays et des difficultes
economiques et administratives de leur insertion en France “.

Combien sont-ils en France et a dans notre region ? Le president d'”
Armenia ” repond. On sait que depuis l’independance de l’Armenie en
1991 et aujourd’hui, plus d’un million -probablement 1,1 million-
d’Armeniens ont emigre face aux difficultes du pays, la guerre,
le blocus et la crise economique. Pour leur grande majorites, ces
Armeniens se sont installes en Russie -où les Armeniens seraient au
nombre de 2,5 million- et les pays des ex-Republiques sovietiques,
en Pologne, Allemagne, Espagne et Etats-Unis (qui compterait près de
1,4 million d’Armeniens). ” Armenia ” affirme ” il n’existe pas de
statistiques precises. Mais on peut estimer au regard de plusieurs
indices qu’en France, le nombre de ces Armeniens refugies d’Armenie
depuis 1991 est de 40 a 60 000 individus. Mais ces chiffres peuvent
evoluer car la vague migratrice continue en Armenie ! A Valence et dans
la region, les familles venues d’Armenie depuis les vingt dernières
annees pourraient etre estimees de 200 a 250 familles soit entre 800
et près d’un millier de personnes “.

“Armenia” (au centre Krirkor Amirzayan) presentent une soiree sur
les refugies d’Armenie

” Alors que la communaute armenienne de France arrivee au debut
des annees 1920 est largement integree, la lange de ces nouveaux
arrivants qui parlent l’armenien oriental -la diaspora armenienne parle
l’armenien occidental- est parfois incomprehensible par les membres de
la communaute armenienne. Au-dela des barrières linguistiques, viennent
les barrières culturelles. Les Armeniens d’Armenie etant tournes le
plus souvent vers la culture russe et dispose parfois de ses propres
habitudes culinaires ou festives. Autant de differences qui rendent
le dialogue difficile et meme parfois inexistant entre ” anciens ”
et ” nouveaux arrivants “. Enfin, la situation economique precaire de
ces immigrants est egalement un frein important a la communication “.

” Que faire ? Fermer les yeux et les ignorer ? Impossible ! Le devoir
humain individuel appelle a la solidarite. Mais une solidarite marquee
par une retenue pour ne pas encourager cette vague migratrice qui met
en peril l’avenir meme de l’Armenie. Et meme si ces hommes, femmes
et enfants qui echouent dans notre cite après un long calvaire de la
route de l’emigration, la communaute armenienne fait parfois preuve
d’une semi-indifference. Mais il convient de saluer quelques actions
individuelles de solidarite envers ces malheureux “.

” Armenia ” ” on nous a reproche un manque d’enthousiasme ou une quasi
indifference envers ces nouveaux arrivant. Mais ces remarques motivees
par la vue de gens qui souffrent et du devoir humain de solidarite,
manquent neanmoins d’approche plus elaboree et plus profonde face a ce
problème qui met sur la route de l’exil des milliers de malheureux
qui fuient la misère pensant trouver un pays ami, la France, où
tout serait facile. Ces malheureux qui avaient de la France des yeux
teintes de reve et d’ideal, decouvrent desabuses les dures realites
de cette France plongee elle aussi dans une crise economique d’une
ampleur inegalee depuis bien des decennies.

” Armenia ” invite donc le public autour de cette table-ronde,
a exprimer totalement sa position, ses remarques ou ses critiques
envers ce phenomène des refugies d’Armenie arrivant par dizaines
-voir par centaine- dans notre ville depuis quelques annees.

” Armenia ” organise la soiree table-ronde et debat autour du thème ”
Les refugies Armeniens d’Armenie a Valence “, vendredi 27 septembre a
20h30 a la MJC Jean Moulin (20 avenue Jean Moulin, Bourg-Lès-Valence).

Entree libre.

Contact : ” Armenia ” 130 rue Marcel Paul- Bourg-Lès-Valence. Tel. 04
75 83 80 58

e-mail : [email protected]

jeudi 26 septembre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

AMBASSADOR: IF BLACK-LISTED PERSONS COME TO AZERBAIJAN, THEY WILL HAVE BALANCED OPINION

Trend, Azerbaijan
Sept 25 2013

Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 25 /Trend, M. Aliyev/

It would be better if people on the ‘black list’ of the Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry came to Azerbaijan, saw the people, realized the
realities of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and understood that this
is a very significant and sensitive issue for the population, French
Ambassador to Azerbaijan Pascal Monnier told journalists on Wednesday.

In this case, those persons will have not a one-sided, but a balanced
opinion, the Ambassador added.

“I know that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a very sensitive issue
for Azerbaijan,” Monnier said commenting on the presence of names of
French citizens on the list which was released by Baku in connection
with illegal visits to Nagorno-Karabakh.

He noted that France supports Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity.

“Some politicians are invited to this country (Armenia) and then that
country takes them to Nagorno-Karabakh. I personally believe that
the ‘black list’ has always been a signal of displeasure. Because,
these persons have unintentionally violated Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. But I think that exchanges have always been the best way
of solving problems.

It should be noted that the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s unwelcome
persons list includes the names of 331 persons.

ARMENIA’S CITIZENS CAN VISIT 55 COUNTRIES WITHOUT VISA

September 25, 2013 | 16:35

The citizens of Armenia can visit 55 countries without visa
requirements, and the country is ranked 72nd in the Visa Restrictions
Index.

Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Mauritania have the same ranking
with Armenia.

The new Visa Restrictions Index was prepared by Henley & Partners
consulting firm, which analyzed 219 countries.

In line with the new index, the citizens of Finland, Sweden, and the
United Kingdom can enter 173 countries without a visa, thus they are
ranked first in the index.

The second are the citizens of Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, and the
United States.

Russia is ranked 41st, as its citizens can visit 95 countries without
visa requirements, whereas the citizens of Azerbaijan and Georgia
can enter 56 and 60 countries, respectively, without a visa.

‘WE AND OUR MOUNTAINS’ MONUMENT REOPENED AFTER RENOVATION

A scene from the reopening ceremony of the monument

STEPANAKERT-On September 25, the President of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic Bako Sahakyan partook in a reopening ceremony for the
renovated “We and Our Mountains” monument – one of the most iconic
symbols of Artsakh – the press office of the Artsakh President
reported.

The President stressed the importance of maintaining national symbols,
hailing the involvement of the Diaspora in the process.

On that note, President Sahakyan expressed gratitude to philanthropist
Karen Avagyoumyan for financing the renovation of the site, considering
his work an ideal method for maintaining strong ties with one’s
historical homeland.

Artsakh’s Vice President Arkady Ghoukasyan, Armenian National
Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, First Lady of Armenia Rita
Sargsyan, Speaker of the Artsakh National Assembly Ashot Ghoulyan,
Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan, member of the British House of Lords
Baroness Caroline Cox, Ashot Baghdasaryan, son of the monument’s
architect Sargis Baghdasaryan, officials from Artsakh and Armenia,
and guests from abroad partook in the spirited event.

ARMENIAN-MONTENEGRIN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ABOLISHING ENTRY VISAS FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS ON ARMENIAN CABINET

20:04 ~U 25.09.13

At its meeting on Thursday, Armenia’s cabinet is to discuss the
advisability of an Armenian-Montenegrin intergovernmental agreement
abolishing entry visas for holders of diplomatic passports.

The signing of such a bilateral agreement is advisable as Armenia
and Montenegro have no diplomatic missions representing each other,
which complicates the process of getting entry visas for Armenian
and Montenegrin diplomats.

The agreement is supposed to fill the gap and facilitate the
development of friendly relations between Armenia and Montenegro.

Armenia has agreements abolishing entry visas for holders of diplomatic
passports with numerous states, including EU member-states.

Armenia and the EU signed a visa facilitation agreement, which
envisages the abolition of entry visas for Armenian citizens holding
diplomatic passports. Therefore, signing the agreement with Montenegro
will establish a liberal regime of obtaining entry visas for holders
of diplomatic passports.

Armenian News – Tert.am

NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC PRESIDENT RECEIVES ARMENIAN TRANSPORT MINISTRY’S DELEGATION

YEREVAN, September 25. /ARKA/. Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President
Bako Sahakyan received today Armenian transport and communication
ministry’s delegation headed by Minister Gagik Beglaryan, the press
office of the president reports.

Ngorno-Karabakh Vice-premier Arthur Aghabekyan and Industrial
Infrastructure Minister Arthur Ghaghramanyan were present at the
meeting.

Issues relating to cooperation between the two Armenian republics in
transport and communications area were discussed at the meeting.

Sahakyan stressed that cooperation in this will have considerable
impacts on development of transport and communication in Nagorno
Karabakh and on the republic’s whole economy. —0—-

– See more at:

YEREVAN CONFERENCE TO ATTRACT ABOUT $100 MILLION INVESTMENTS

12:04, 25 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: A business conference was held
in Yerevan to attract investments in the fields of information
technologies, pharmaceuticals, tourism and vegetables and fruits
processing. As reported by Armenpress, the conference was organized
by the Small Enterprise Assistance Funds and the United States Agency
for International Development. During the conference the President
of Pragma Corporation Paul Davis stated that the conference aims at
presenting the participants the opportunities of the investment field.

“The attraction of investments in the fields of information
technologies, pharmaceuticals, tourism and vegetables and fruits
processing will help to develop them in Armenia. We hope to attract
about $100 million investments. Via economic growth and employment
promotion this program will assist the Armenian enterprises to get
connected with the world and register a stable growth”, – noted
Paul Davis.

The conference was attended by the representatives of the large
financial institutions, consultative companies, as well as small and
medium enterprises.

$100-million-investments.html

Economic Statecraft, Women and the Fed

The New York Times
Economix / Explaining the Science of Everyday Life
September 26, 2013

By
Simon Johnson

The United States has a long and generally successful track record of
using `economic statecraft’ to advance its positions and values in the
world. It helped rebuild Europe and Japan after World War II, with a
judicious mixture of aid and access to the United States
markets. Similarly, as the Iron Curtain fell after 1989, the United
States stepped in with targeted financial support and general
encouragement to converge on the European Union’s political and
economic institutions. The International Monetary Fund and the World
Bank, where the United States has a big voice, have also played
positive roles in many instances over the last 70 years.

No policy is perfect or without controversy. But surely this approach
is better than relying primarily on military power in the way
preferred by former dominant powers – think of Rome, the Ottomans or
even the British Empire (where there was commerce but also a lot of
coercion).

Can the United States continue to apply the same economics-first
approach to the next frontier in economic development – women’s
rights? Whether Janet Yellen becomes the chairwoman of the Federal
Reserve will provide some insight into the answer.

Analysts of economic development often point to `human capital’ –
education, skills and abilities – as a key determinant of which
countries become rich. Similarly, entrepreneurs typically stress the
importance of skilled labor in determining where they situate and
build their companies. And there is no question that technological
change has increased the advantages, in the United States and around
the world, of people skilled at working with computers (see this
recent commentary by David Autor, my colleague at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and David Dorn).

With skills at such a premium, we should perhaps expect countries to
put as many resources as possible into bringing everyone as much
education as possible. But this is not what we see, particularly with
regard to girls and women in many places.

Women work hard everywhere. One question is whether this work is
remunerated and picked up in official gross domestic product
statistics. The bigger issue is whether women have access to all
available opportunities, including in the school system – as
emphasized by Heidi Crebo-Rediker, former chief economist at the State
Department (see my column about her June speech).

Telling a country it must suddenly find jobs for a lot more people
would obviously not make sense, and that is not what this policy is
about. But increasing the ability to women to become entrepreneurs and
create jobs is not just a smart way to promote medium-term growth, it
is also completely sensible and long overdue economic policy. This
recent report from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows where
female entrepreneurship is already strong and where a boost could make
a difference over the next 10 to 20 years. The numbers for the Middle
East and North Africa are striking.

Under the leadership of Christine Lagarde, the I.M.F. has taken this
issue on board and is working with governments to make sure fiscal and
social support systems are more balanced across the sexes – for
example, flagging and discouraging penalties in the tax system when
spouses work. Public investment in child care often makes a great deal
of sense also, and this has been embraced, at least on paper, by the
current government in Japan. If women’s participation in the labor
force grows, and if these women get good jobs at good wages, this will
greatly help with the fiscal costs associated with a declining and
aging population in Japan.

Perhaps the I.M.F. can develop and regularly publish a set of
indicators, along the lines of the World Bank’s Doing Business
reports, which focus on the varieties of fiscal discrimination that
all kinds of groups face (including but not limited to women).

I subscribe to Daron Acemoglu’s view that the `root causes’ of
economic growth include creating opportunities for meaningful
participation – with property rights and a fair legal system – by a
broad cross-section of society (Professor Acemoglu and I are
co-authors of a number of papers that make this point). In this
context, it makes complete sense to bring transparency and pressure on
all parts of the tax code that discourage women from working.

The State Department says economic statecraft `means harnessing global
economic forces to advance America’s foreign policy and employing the
tools of foreign policy to shore up our economic strength.’

But any sensible economic policy begins at home, with steps including
the creation of role models. (Of course, the tax code also needs to be
addressed; see my post in June for more details)

As one very specific but topical example, consider the Federal Reserve
System. Beginning in 1913, the first 55 people appointed as Federal
Reserve governors were men. Nancy H. Teeters was the first woman
appointed governor, in 1978, and Martha R. Seger was the second,
serving from 1984 to 1991. There have been 89 governors, of whom just
eight have been women.

There has been a shift toward more female participation in the last
two decades, when six women (of the eight total) have become
governors: Susan M. Phillips (1991-98); Janet L. Yellen (1994-97 and
again, as vice chairwoman, from October 2010); Alice M. Rivlin
(1996-99); Susan S. Bies (2001-7); Elizabeth A. Duke (2008-13), and
Sarah B. Raskin (from 2010). Because three of the seven governors have
been women until recently, it would be a surprise if President Obama
allows female participation on the board to drop sharply. (Ms. Duke
left the board at the end of August; Ms. Raskin is the nominee to
become deputy Treasury secretary – a brilliant appointment but one
that creates a definite gap in Fed leadership.)

President Obama should nominate Ms. Yellen as chairwoman of the
Fed. She is the most qualified candidate ever, in my view. As well as
overwhelming support from Democratic senators, leading Republicans may
heed Sheila Bair’s advice and throw their weight behind Ms. Yellen.

Americans can talk all they want about what others around the world
should do. Ultimately, people assess the United States – and follow
its leadership or not – based on what they see done here.

Simon Johnson, former chief economist of the International Monetary
Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at the
M.I.T. Sloan School of Management and co-author of `White House
Burning: The Founding Fathers, Our National Debt, and Why It Matters
to You.’

Biocatalysts Are Transforming Biofuels

The Street
09/25/13

By Dana Blankenhorn

NEW YORK (TheStreet) — Every school kid knows that cows eat grass.

Their digestion systems are able to turn the cellulose in grass into
simple sugars, just as your digestion system does with the starch in
that doughnut you had on the way into the office.

Noubar Afeyan’s Midori Renewables says it has developed a proprietary
biocatalyst that can do what the cow does efficiently. The “rate
limit” for biofuels is this ability to turn cellulose into sugar,
which can then be turned into alcohol, he said.

If any biomass can become sugar for just pennies per pound, it will
transform the business, Afeyan added.

KiOR (KIOR_) also bases its business on a biocatalyst, which in its
case can be used at high temperature to turn biomass into oil and
natural gas liquids. In the first seven months of this year it turned
pine pellets into nearly 360,000 gallons of gasoline, diesel and fuel
oil using its catalyst, at a plant in Columbus, Miss.

This was just one-fourth of its production target, which sent the
stock tumbling, but Raymond James analyst Pavel Molchanov, who is
usually quite bearish, called this a buying opportunity. “The business
model remains valid,” he told RenewableEnergyWorld .

Efficient biocatalysts are the holy grail of the biofuels
industry. What Biofuelsdigest calls “Planet Houston” won’t show
interest in biofuels until it can produce useful refinery inputs at
$2.40/gallon, well below the cost of regular gasoline. Kior thinks it
can get its costs down to $2.25/gallon with an improved facility in
Natchez, Miss.

Afeyan won’t speculate on the cost of his energy, being focused on the
cost of producing the sugar that creates the energy. But the
“performance was compelling,” he said, and his catalyst is non-toxic,
delivering sugar at just one-third the price of other solutions. He
expects Midori to have further announcements in a few weeks.

As indicated above, our body produces biocatalysts naturally, called
protein enzymes, and such enzymes are at the heart of all sorts of
natural chemical transformations, including the brewing of
beer. What’s new is the application of genetic engineering to produce
custom catalysts that can be patented, and the scale on which their
producers wish to work.

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

** TOP STORY September 26, 2013
————————————————————
Holy Cross of Varak
A small church and cross carved on the wall at Hovanavank Monastery in
Armenia.

** Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak
————————————————————

On Sunday, September 29, Armenian Churches worldwide will celebrate
the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak-an observance unique to the
Armenian Church.

In the 7th century, a monk named Totig received a vision of a
brilliant cross descending from Mount Varak (in historic Armenia) and
coming to rest on the monastery at the mountain’s foot. Totig raced to
where the vision had led him, and there found a miraculous Christian
relic: a fragment of the True Cross of Jesus Christ!

How had it gotten there? The relic had been brought to Armenia by
St. Hripsime, in the late 3rd century, during her flight to find
refuge from the persecutions of pagan Rome. When St. Hripsime was
martyred by King Drtad, the hiding place of the cross was
forgotten-and the holy relic had languished in its secret place for
nearly 300 years, before being found again by the monk Totig.

To commemorate this discovery, the catholicos of the time, St. Nersess
the Builder, established a feast day. And the Holy Cross became a
relic of great power in Armenia, moving from Varak to Sepastia and
finally to Van, where it still could be seen by pilgrims-until the
time of the Genocide.

Click here
()
to read a meditation on the meaning of the Season of the Holy Cross.

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

Prv 3:18-26
Is 65:22-25
Gal 6:14-18
Mt 24:30-36

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

Guard us, O Christ our God, in peace under the shadow of your holy and
venerable Cross. Deliver us from the visible and invisible enemy. Make
us worthy to give you thanks and to glorify you together with the
Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.

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

28 September: St. George the Warrior

29 September: Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Bishops Synod
A synod of bishops is underway at Holy Etchmiadzin, with the blessing
and presence of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of
the Great House of Cilicia.

** Historic Bishops Synod Convenes at Mother See
————————————————————

Some 62 Armenian bishops and archbishops from around the word,
representing the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the See of the
Great House of Cilicia, gathered at Holy Etchmiadzin on September 24,
to begin a four-day synod of bishops-the first such meeting in the
church’s modern history.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, presided over the opening of the synod, and will be present
throughout the proceedings.

Also present at the opening ceremony was President Serge Sargsyan of
the Republic of Armenia, who addressed the assembled clergymen.

His Holiness Karekin II and His Holiness Aram I delivered their
respective opening remarks, as did Archbishop Aram Ateshyan,
Patriarchal Vicar of Constantinople.

`The church, which is the Body of Christ and the assembly of the
faithful, should be an institution that speaks to all times. And in
order to fulfill its mission it has a need of improvement and
reform. Our history-with its periods of a divided homeland, natural
disaster, genocide, and Soviet atheism-has not always permitted our
church to engage in such discussions,’ said Catholicos Karekin
II. `But today we can come together, face the challenges of our
church, and make it stronger.’

>From the Eastern Diocese, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian and ecumenical director Archbishop Vicken Aykazian have been
taking part in the proceedings. The bishops synod is scheduled to
conclude on Friday, September 27.

To read more, including Armenian-language texts of the remarks of
Catholicos Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I, click here
()
. To view a video of President Sargsian’s speech, and read an
English-language translation, click here
()
.

To view a gallery of photos, click here
()
.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Diocesan Annula Appeal

** Support the Diocese’s 2013 Annual Appeal
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese has launched its 2013 Annual Appeal-the only
Diocesan-wide fundraiser conducted each year to help the Diocese
undertake the many ministries, programs, and resources that enrich
life in our parishes.

Your thoughtful gift brings light to our local churches. It supports
Christian education, Armenian language instruction, summer camps,
youth programs, mission parish outreach, and the use of new
communication technologies.

To our past and prospective donors, we are deeply grateful for your
support of the creative, educational, and inspirational programs that
lift up Armenian communities throughout the Eastern Diocese.

Please accept this invitation to strengthen our efforts. Your generous
contribution to the 2013 Annual Appeal will help spread the good work
of the Armenian Church across our local communities-and across the
generations.

Follow this link to donate now
()
to the 2013 Annual Appeal.

FAR
Dr. Rafi Avitsian lectures at Yerevan’s Medassist Medical Center.

** Improving Medical Treatment in Armenia
————————————————————

On September 15, the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) and the Armenian
Society of Anesthesiologists organized a one-day seminar at Yerevan’s
Medassist Medical Center dedicated to the topic of
neuro-anesthesiology.

The main speaker at the seminar was Dr. Rafi Avitsian, from the
Cleveland Clinic in the United States. While visiting Armenia,
Dr. Avitsian met with a group of physicians, including trainers from
FAR’s Continuing Medical Education program, and held a workshop on
problem-based learning, where he shared information about the latest
methods of medical education practiced in the U.S.

On September 18 and 19, Dr. Avitsian joined a group of doctors from
leading American and Canadian medical schools for a major symposium on
stroke treatment. The event was organized by FAR, the Neurology Group
of the Armenian Medical International Committee, and Yerevan State
Medical University, under the auspices of Armenia’s Ministry of
Health. More than 400 physicians from Armenia and Artsakh, many from
provincial hospitals, participated in the conference.

Click here
()
to read more on the Fund for Armenian Relief blog.

Let’s Speak Armenian
A new Armenian conversation resource from the Diocese’s Armenian
Studies program.

** New Resource for Learning Armenian
————————————————————

The Diocese’s Armenian Studies program has published a new language
instruction book for the adult learner: Let’s Speak Armenian.

The book is a compilation of everyday phrases to guide and enrich
conversation in Armenian. Its aim is to enable new speakers-especially
adult learners-to develop basic communication skills in our mother
tongue, using a selection of more than a thousand phrases in
transliteration.

The fruit of three years of development and experimentation, Let’s
Speak Armenian is suitable for individual learning and the classroom
setting. Click here
()
to view a flyer with ordering information. Or order online
()
from the St. Vartan Bookstore.

An edition of Let’s Speak Armenian geared towards school-age students
is also available as a free electronic file; for information, contact
Armenian Studies coordinator Gilda Kupelian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Oriental Orthodox Retreat
Participants in the pan-orthodox Spirit Retreat.

** Diocese Participates in Oriental Orthodox `Spirit Retreat’
————————————————————

On September 20-22, 85 Oriental Orthodox youth from communities around
New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, gathered for a weekend of
spiritual refreshment, worship, and fellowship.

The `Spirit Retreat’ was sponsored by the One Conference
International: a pan-orthodox group that cultivates fellowship among
all Orthodox jurisdictions. The annual event, geared towards Oriental
Orthodox youth ages 18 and up, was designed to bring them together to
experience the greater breadth of their family in Christ.

Elise Antreassian, Diocesan coordinator of Christian Education, was
one of the three speakers at the event, providing insight on the
overall retreat theme of `Falling in Love Again.’ Other speakers were
George Hazlaris of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and Fr. Moussa
Shafik of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Heather Skolnick, a Christian Education intern at the Diocesan Center
this past summer and a Sunday School teacher at the Holy Martyrs
Church of Bayside, NY, served as Armenian representative, helping with
workshops and breakout sessions, and visiting churches to recruit
attendees.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
St. John Church, Detroit

** Lecture Series on Sacred Music in Detroit
————————————————————

On September 19 parishioners gathered at the St. John Church in
Southfield, MI, for the latest in a series of lectures on Armenian
sacred music delivered by Dn. Rubik Mailian, music director of the
church’s Komitas Choir and chair of the Diocesan Sacred Music Council.

Dn. Mailian discussed the songs of the Divine Liturgy: their origins,
evolution, and deeper meaning. He gave special attention to the most
ancient forms of the Christian worship service, comprised of readings
from Scripture, a homily, prayers, the Kiss of Peace, thanksgiving,
and communion, followed by a meal among the faithful.

Future topics in the series will include the music of the sacraments
on October 24, and the music of Holy Week in February 2014. The
lectures are free and open to the public; for information contact
Dn. Rubik Mailian at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
.

Armenian Church of Hye Pointe
Fr. Vart Gyozalian and members of the Hye Pointe church.

** A Change of Shabigs at Hye Pointe
————————————————————

Altar servers of the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, in Haverhill, MA,
received a special gift on September 15, as the parish celebrated the
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The parish deacons and members of the choir received new robes, thanks
to a gracious donation by the late Grace Antoian, a longtime member of
the community.

On the same occasion the Hye Pointe Women’s Guild presented new
priestly vestments to the parish pastor, the Rev. Fr. Vart
Gyozalian. Fr. Gyozalian blessed the robes and vestments in a special
ceremony during the badarak.

St. James Church, Watertown, MA
Fr. Arakel Aljalian with members of Watertown’s new fellowship group.

** Watertown Kicks Off New Fellowship Group
————————————————————

More than 50 parishioners from the St. James Church of Watertown, MA,
gathered for a `kickoff reception’ on September 20, to launch a new
group for parishioners aged 25 to 45.

At the Nubar Restaurant in Cambridge, attendees re-connected and
shared ideas for future activities in the company of parish pastor the
Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian.

Among the ideas under discussion were programs for spiritual
enrichment and social gatherings. A general meeting at the Watertown
church scheduled for Sunday, October 20 will announce activities
planned for the fall.

St. Vartan Armenian School
Students of the St. Vartan Armenian School in New York.

** Children and Bikers Honor Armenian Independence
————————————————————

St. Vartan Armenian School in New York City held its opening day on
Saturday, September 21, with a celebration of Armenia’s Independence
Day. During a flag-raising ceremony on the St. Vartan Cathedral plaza,
students sang Armenia’s national anthem, and later learned the
symbolism behind the flag’s red, blue, and orange colors.

Earlier that same day, a group of 30 bicycle riders met at the
cathedral to mark the 22nd anniversary of Armenia’s independence with
a ride down the East Side of Manhattan. The Eastern Diocese and
Armenia’s UN Mission jointly sponsored the ride, which was led by
Armenia’s UN ambassador Garen Nazarian, cathedral dean Fr. Mamigon
Kiledjian, and Diocesan vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian.

To view a photo gallery of the ride for Armenian independence, click
here
()
.

St. Mary Church, Washington DC
David Bakemjian and Nora Armani perform at the Washington parish.

** `Evocations of Armenia’ in Washington
————————————————————

Washington, DC’s St. Mary Church honored the 22nd anniversary of
Armenia’s independence with special services and a cultural program on
Sunday, September 22. During the badarak, parish pastor the
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan conducted the special thanksgiving prayer
for the Republic of Armenia, and offered a requiem service for those
who had given their lives in the cause of a free Armenia.

The parishioners were privileged to share this occasion with Armenia’s
ambassador to the U.S., Amb. Tatoul Markarian, along with the entire
staff of the embassy of Armenia in Washington.

Following services, in a program organized by the St. Mary Women’s
Guild, performers Nora Armani and David Bakemjian offered a
presentation titled `Evocations of Armenia.’ The artists recited,
sang, and played works by Armenian poets and composers, including a
number of sacred hymns.

Bach and Liszt Concert at St. Vartan Cathedral
Kariné Poghosyan and the St. Vartan Chamber Orchestra in the
cathedral.

** `Concerts @ Saint Vartan’ Begins Season
————————————————————

New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral launched its 2013-14
=80=9CConcerts @ Saint Vartan’ series on the evening of Wednesday,
September 25.

Piano soloist Kariné Poghosyan presented a program of music by
J. S. Bach and Franz Liszt, accompanied by the 10-piece St. Vartan
Chamber Orchestra, a string ensemble of Ms. Poghosyan’s colleagues and
students at the Manhattan School of Music. More than 150 people
attended the concert in the cathedral sanctuary.

To view a photo gallery of the concert, click here
()
.

The next concert in the series will feature violinist Nune Melikian on
Wednesday, November 20.

Jacksonville Mission Parish
Fr. Abdalian and parishioners in Jacksonville, FL.

** Mission Parish Weekend in Jacksonville
————————————————————

In his monthly visit to Jacksonville, FL, the Rev. Fr. Tateos
Abdalian, director of Diocesan Mission Parishes, met with local parish
leaders and conferred blessings on parishioners at their homes and
workplaces.

Meeting with the parish council on September 21, Fr. Abdalian listened
to plans for establishing an ACYOA Seniors chapter for the community,
as well as for launching a church school for children. Council members
also discussed renovations to their present cultural facility to allow
it to accommodate a church sanctuary. A dinner and Bible study for all
parishioners followed the meeting.

Fr. Abdalian celebrated badarak the following morning, and conducted
the special thanksgiving prayer for the Republic of Armenia.

Upcoming Events

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

Holy Trinity Church | Cambridge, MA
Holy Trinity’s `1000 Club’ will hold its annual Fall Dinner and
drawing on Thursday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m., in the church’s
Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall (145 Brattle St.,
Cambridge). Enjoy losh kebab and kheyma dinners. Open to the public,
with tickets on sale at the door, and the raffle drawing at 8 p.m.

For information, contact the church office at (617) 354-0632, e-mail
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , or view a flyer by
clicking here
()
.

St. John Church | Southfield, MI
St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit will hold its 44th annual
=80=9CLand of Noah’s Ark Festival,’ Friday through Sunday, September
27-29. Visitors can tour the church sanctuary and its adjacent Alex
and Marie Manoogian Museum, learn some elementary Armenian, feast on a
full array of Armenian delicacies, shop at the vendors’ booths, and
enjoy Armenian music.

For information call (248) 569-3405 or visit the parish website
()
. Click here
()
to view a flyer (which includes details of the pre-festival events on
September 20-26).

Holy Cross Church | New York, NY
Celebrate the church’s name day and the 27th annual pilgrimage to
Charkhapan Sourp Asdvadzadzin on Sunday, September 29. A traditional
madagh meal, program, and awarding of the Mabel Fenner scholarships
will follow badarak. Admission is free. Holy Cross is located at 580
W. 187th St., New York.

St. Mary Church | Washington, DC
Washington’s St. Mary Church will celebrate authentic Armenian cuisine
and culture in its 65th annual food festival, October 2 through
5. Open Wednesday and Thursday, October 2 -3, 11 a.m. to 3
p.m. Friday, October 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9
p.m. Saturday, October 5, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For information, contact
the parish at (202) 363.1923, or
()
. To view a flyer, click here
()
.

Holy Ascension Church | Trumbull, CT
On Friday, October 4, at 7:00 p.m., the Holy Ascension Church of
Trumbull, CT, will hold a traditional kinetson ceremony to honor the
publication of a new book by parish pastor Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian,
titled Fate, Faith, Fun. Via Armenian and English vignettes, the book
follows Fr. Nalbandian’s life journey in different parts of the world.

Abp. Khajag Barsamian will preside at the book presentation and
commemoration of Fr. Nalbandian’s 35th ordination anniversary. The
event is open to the public, and books will be available for
purchase. RSVP to Sonia Trapasso at (203) 916-7156, or via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Holy Ascension Church
is located at 1460 Huntington Tpk., Trumbull, CT.

St. James Church | Watertown, MA
On Saturday, October 5, St. James’ ACYOA Seniors will host a Fall
Reunion Dance, featuring music by Markos and the Hayasa Band. All ages
welcome; mezze will be served. Click to view a flyer
()
with ticket information. To reserve, contact Aaron Derderian at (781)
264-8680, or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
The Men’s Club of Holy Martyrs Church will hold a `casino night’ on
Saturday, October 5, beginning at 7:30 p.m. To view a flyer with
information on ticket prices, click here
()
. The church is located at 209-15 Horace Harding Expressway, in
Bayside.

Holy Translators Church | Framingham, MA
On the weekend of October 5-6, Holy Translators Church of Framingham,
MA, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its consecration. The
celebration will include a dinner-dance on Saturday evening at the
Verve Crowne Plaza in Natick, MA.

Abp. Khajag Barsamian will preside over the badarak on Sunday, which
will include ordinations of deacons and tbirs. For information or to
make reservations, log onto the parish website
()
.

Soorp Haroutiun Church | Orlando, FL
The parish will hold its fall picnic on Sunday, October 6. For
information or to make reservations, contact the church office at
(407) 876-7732, or e-mail [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) . Click here
()
to view an informative flyer.

Sts. Vartanantz Church | Chelmsford, MA
The parish will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the consecration of
its present sanctuary on Sunday, October 13. Diocesan Primate
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian will preside over the occasion, which
includes badarak, ordinations of tbirs, an afternoon reception and
banquet, and an awards ceremony.

The church is located at 180 Old Westford Road in Chelmsford. For
information or to make reservations, contact Rose Amboian at (978)
256-3430, or e-mail [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
Scholar Rifat Bali will discuss his latest book, `Model Citizens of
the State: The Jews of Turkey During the Multi-Party Period,’ on
Tuesday, October 15, at 7:45 p.m., at St. Leon Church. The event is
free and open to the public, with a reception to follow. Click here
()
to view an informative flyer.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
A Place Far Away

** Author’s Talk with Vahan Zanoyan
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, in
collaboration with the Diocesan Armenian Studies program and the Fund
for Armenian Relief, will present a talk by author Vahan Zanoyan on
Thursday, September 26, at 7 p.m.

Mr. Zanoyan will discuss his recent book, A Place Far Away, which
deals with the horrors of human trafficking in Armenia. The event,
followed by a reception, will take place in Haik and Alice Kavookjian
Auditorium at the Diocesan Center in New York. Admission is free.

Click here
()
to view a flyer.

St. George
St. George by Raphael.

** Feast of St. George at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————

Services for the Feast of St. George the Warrior will be held at
St. Vartan Cathedral on Saturday, September 28, starting at 10 a.m.

The Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of the cathedral, will
celebrate the Divine Liturgy. St. Vartan Cathedral is located at 630
Second Avenue, at 34th Street, in New York City.

St. Nersess Seminary

** St. Nersess to Hold `Evening Under the Stars’
————————————————————

St. Nersess Seminary will hold its annual `Evening Under the Stars’
benefit reception and silent auction on Saturday, September 28, at
7:30 p.m.

With the seminary poised to move to a new campus in Armonk, NY, this
will be the final `Under the Stars’ event at the seminary’s current
New Rochelle campus. All funds raised will benefit the ongoing mission
and operation of the seminary.

Click here
()
to log onto the St. Nersess Seminary website for information, and to
view an invitation or bid on an silent auction item.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
ACYOA Jrs. Fall Sports Weekend

** Register for the ACYOA Juniors Fall Sports Weekend
————————————————————

The ACYOA Juniors of the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church in Wynnewood,
PA, will host a Fall Sports Weekend on October 11-14 (the Columbus Day
holiday). The weekend of fellowship, sports, and other fun activities
is open to ACYOA Juniors, ages 13 to 18. Some 200 teens representing
14 parishes from throughout the Diocese are expected to participate.

The Diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Jennifer
Morris, will be present throughout the weekend, and will lead an
Insights program following evening vespers Friday evening.

Saturday will kick off with a full day of sports activities. Team
sports will include volleyball, basketball, and a `futsal’ (indoor
soccer) tournament. Individual competitions include tavloo and
chess. Competions will continue following badarak on Sunday, with an
awards banquet and dance in the evening. A farewell breakfast on
Monday morning will wrap up the weekend.

To register for the weekend, contact the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob
ACYOA’s Sarkis Berberian at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) . For information on the ACYOA Juniors,
contact Jennifer Morris at (248) 648-0702, or via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .