ARMENIE-AZERBAÃDJAN
L’Azerbaïdjan menace de >
Si le barrage de Minguetchour est mis en danger > a déclaré le ministère azéri de la Défense a
peine 24 heures après les déclarations de Seyran Ohanian, le ministre
arménien de la Défense.
Dans leur communiqué repris par le site Haqqin.az, les Azéris menacent
de donner à l’Arménie
From: Baghdasarian
Putin will try to reconcile Armenian, Azerbaijani leaders- Russian media
09:44 * 09.08.14
As the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents are preparing to meet in
Sochi, Russia, later today for a new round of talks over
Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian Komsomolskaya Pravda has provided its
comments on the expected outcomes.
“Russia has been long acting as a mediator between the two countries
whose relations continue to remain tense for over 20 years,” writes
the publication.
“With almost no direct dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh may enter a heated period at any
moment,” it says.
The paper notes that the repeated ceasefire violations in the border
zones between the two countries claim lives of soldiers on both sides.
The author of the report expresses belief that Russian President
Vladimir Putin will try to persuade the conflicting countries’ leader
to at least avoid the escalation of a renewed war over the disputed
land.
“And though there are no plans for a trilateral meeting in Sochi,
there are still chances that things may change,” comments the paper
The Russia-mediated talks between Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham
Aliyev are set to take place in Mr Putin’s residence in the Russian
resort city.
Armenian News – Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian
ARMENIAN OFFICIAL: DEPLOYMENT OF PEACEKEEPERS IN KARABAKH NOT CONSIDERED
12:57, 08.08.2014
YEREVAN. – The Armenian Armed Forces are independently and successfully
carrying out their mission, Deputy Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan
said in an interview with the Voice of America.
Asked about possible deployment of Russian peacekeepers in the
Karabakh conflict zone, Deputy Minister recalled that there have been
no discussions on the issue.
“The issue of deployment of external forces was considered neither by
Russia, nor any other country or organization. Besides, deployment of
peacekeepers is possible only a certain peace agreement is signed,”
Tonoyan said.
Speaking about upcoming meetings in Sochi, Deputy Minister noted that
the most that he expects is adoption of a new statement following
which Azerbaijan is unlikely to stop its provocative actions.
He believes the international community, by realizing importance of
stability in the South Caucasus, must find leverage over Azerbaijan.
Otherwise, the situation is fraught with turning into bloodshed.
Davit Tonoyan assured that Armenia will continue to maintain balance
in military field, and has purchased military equipment from Russia.
“And will continue to do so, until our neighbor comes to senses,”
he resumed.
Armenia News – NEWS.am
From: Baghdasarian
HAUT-KARABAKH : QUI A INTERET A RELANCER LE CONFLIT ?
REVUE DE PRESSE
La situation autour de la Republique non reconnue du Haut-Karabakh,
enclave entre l’Armenie et l’Azerbaïdjan, s’est tellement attisee
qu’une rencontre sans delai des presidents d’Armenie et d’Azerbaïdjan
est devenue indispensable pour prevenir une nouvelle guerre.
Le premier ministre armenien Ovik Abramian a annonce que cette
rencontre pourrait avoir lieu le 8 ou le 9 août a Sotchi. Sa tenue ete
initiee par le groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE sur le Haut-Karabakh. Outre
l’Armenie et l’Azerbaïdjan, ses principaux participants sont la Russie,
la France et les Etats-Unis.
Si des heurts a la frontière de la Republique du Haut-Karabakh non
reconnue avaient eu lieu il y a six mois, rien n’aurait peut-etre
etonne les voisins proches et lointains d’Erevan et de Bakou. Les
affrontements dans cette zone sont une chose presqu’ordinaire.
Pourtant la crise en Ukraine confère a cette montee de la tension un
caractère sinistre. Alekseï Malachenko, membre du conseil scientifique
du Centre Carnegie de Moscou precise :
” Si cela avait eu lieu il y a six mois, on aurait dit avec certitude
que le regain de tension ne conduirait pas a une effusion de sang
serieuse. A notre regret, cette certitude se dissipe compte tenu de
la situation en Ukraine”.
A l’heure actuelle la Russie n’est pas interessee au degel du conflit
armeno-azerbaïdjanais face a la situation dans le sud-est de l’Ukraine
: car il faudra proteger sous une forme ou une autre l’Armenie qui
va devenir membre de l’Union eurasienne.
“Je ne voudrais pas donner dans le conspirationnisme, mais je n’exclus
pas que la situation actuelle resulte d’une demarche de l’Occident”,
a dit Alekseï Malachenko.
Un autre expert russe, l’analyste du Centre d’etude du Proche-Orient
moderne de Saint-Petersbourg Alexandre Sotnitchenko n’hesite pas a
pointer du doigt les Etats-Unis. Selon lui, un conflit latent dans
la region est un bon instrument pour exercer une pression sur les
pays de la region et sur Moscou.
“Ces derniers temps les Etats-Unis trouvent un avantage dans
l’instabilite permanente au Proche-Orient, Caucase du Sud compris.
Aussi salueront-ils le debut d’une guerre. Mais ils ne donneront pas
le Karabakh a l’Azerbaïdjan. Un lobby armenien puissant existe aux
Etats-Unis. D’autre part, il est clair que si l’Azerbaïdjan reprend
le contrôle du Karabach, sa politique sera encore plus independante”.
Certains experts russes trouvent que les Etats-Unis enveniment a
dessein le conflit “latent” etant donne que l’Armenie est sur la ligne
d’arrivee de l’adhesion a l’Union economique eurasienne de la Russie,
de la Bielorussie et du Kazakhstan.
Selon Andreï Arechev, analyste du Centre d’etude du Caucase et
de l’Asie centrale de l’Institut d’orientalisme de l’Academie des
sciences de Russie, Erevan, après avoir fois opte pour l’adhesion a
cette Union, s’est expose a une pression systemique de la part de
l’Occident. Il n’est pas exclu que le regain de tension autour du
Haut-Karabakh s’inscrive dans la continuite des efforts systemiques
axes sur la responsabilisation de Moscou :
“Je n’exclus pas l’actualisation d’autres conflits le long des
frontières russes, notamment en Transnistrie, en vue de compliquer au
maximum la situation pour Moscou qui se verra oblige de
From: Baghdasarian
AZERBAIDJAN ET LE CONSEIL DE L’EUROPE : UNE CRISE DE LEGITIMITE
AZERBAIDJAN
14 mai marque le plus bas niveau dans le cynisme europeen :
L’Azerbaïdjan, un pays dirige par un gouvernement autoritaire, qui
ces dernières annees a etouffe une presse libre et a musele la liberte
d’expression, assume la presidence du Comite des Ministres de l’Europe,
l’organe de decision.
N’oublions pas que le Conseil de l’Europe (CoE) est cense etre un
organisme voue a la promotion des droits et de la democratisation.
C’est une parodie qu’un pays qui dedaigne les valeurs europeennes
fondamentales soit aujourd’hui a la tete du Conseil.
L’Azerbaïdjan a ete admise au Conseil de l’Europe en Janvier 2001,
malgre les lacunes democratiques bien documentes. L’espoir etait alors
que l’adhesion au CoE exercerait une influence positive sur Bakou,
forcant les dirigeants azerbaïdjanais a adopter un système plus
ouvert. Toutefois, le contraire s’est produit : pendant la dernière
decennie la democratisation de Bakou a diminue de facon constante,
et l’Azerbaïdjan se retrouve systematiquement au bas de nombreux
classements etablis par les groupes de surveillance relative a la
liberte politique, la corruption et les violations des droits.
L’aspect le plus exasperant de la presidence de l’Azerbaïdjan est
que son gouvernement n’a pas reussi a repondre a la plupart de
ses principaux engagements d’adhesion du Conseil de l’Europe. Ces
engagements tenus par l’Azerbaïdjan, entre autres, etaient de liberer
ou d’accorder de nouveaux procès pour les prisonniers politiques
identifies par les organisations des droits de l’homme ; garantir la
liberte d’expression et l’independance des medias ; et modifier les
règles et les règlements concernant les procedures d’enregistrement
et de recours pour les associations publiques.
Presque toutes les reformes qui ont ete promises en 2001 n’ont pas
reussi a se concretiser et il y a une baisse marquee des droits civils
et politiques. Pour faire taire les detracteurs du gouvernement, les
autorites azerbaïdjanaises ont recours a la tactique de la >, dans laquelle les cibles de harcèlement sont arretees,
liberees, puis de nouveau arretees peu de temps après. Juste en un an,
les autorites azerbaïdjanaises ont arrete des dizaines de plusieurs
membres de haut rang de partis politiques d’opposition, de defenseurs
des droits de l’homme, de jeunes militants et des journalistes sur
de fausses accusations ou politiquement motives. Les elections sont
truquees, la corruption est endemique et le pouvoir judiciaire est
subordonne a l’executif.
Le comite de suivi de l’Assemblee parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe
(APCE), l’organisme charge de surveiller les progrès de l’Azerbaïdjan
a respecter ses engagements d’adhesion, a produit huit rapports
d’evaluation sur l >>Azerbaïdjan depuis son adhesion. Ces rapports ont
souligne a maintes reprises les defaillances flagrantes et un tableau
sans fin des violations des droits. Dans un recent rapport, Nils
Muiznieks, commissaire du CoE pour les droits de l’homme, a exprime
sa preoccupation a propos de
From: Baghdasarian
UN VILLAGEOIS ARMENIEN FAIT PRISONNIER PAR L’AZERBAIDJAN
FRONTIERE
Un resident d’un village armenien situe a proximite de la frontière
a ete fait prisonnier par les autorites azerbaïdjanaises jeudi après
etre passe en Azerbaïdjan dans des circonstances controversees.
Selon des informations venues de Bakou, le jeune homme, Karen
Petrossian, a ete capture par les residents du district de Tovuz dans
l’ouest de l’Azerbaïdjan en bordure de la province de Tavush au nord
de l’Armenie. Ils l’ont remis aux autorites militaires.
Le ministère de la Defense azerbaïdjanais a pretendu plus tard dans
la journee que Petrossian etait un membre d’un commando armenien qui a
tente en vain de mener une operation de sabotage transfrontalière. Il
a declare que les troupes azerbaïdjanaises l’ont capture après avoir
tue quatre autres soldats armeniens.
Le ministère armenien de la Defense a qualifie ces allegations de >. > demande le
porte-parole du ministère, Artsrun Hovannisian, au service armenien
de RFE / RL (Azatutyun.am).
Hovannisian a insiste sur le fait que Petrossian est un habitant
civil de Chinari, un village frontalier du Tavush, qui a franchi la
frontière armeno-azerbaïdjanaise par accident. “Selon nos informations,
le gars consomme de l’alcool et a eu quelques problèmes de sante
avant de traverser la frontière >>, a-t-il affirme.
>, a declare Samvel Saghoyan, le maire Chinari. “Nous l’avons
cherche. Son âne a ete trouve, mais lui avait disparu “.
Deux residents d’un autre village du Tavush, Verin Karmiraghbyur,
avaient ete arretes par la partie azerbaïdjanaise près de la frontière
en janvier et mars. Ils ont ete liberes après avoir passe plus d’un
mois en captivite.
L’armee azerbaïdjanaise a affirme que l’un de ces villageois, Mamikon
Khojoyan, un homme de 77 ans, faisait partie de forces speciales
armeniennes ayant tente de passer en Azerbaïdjan. Les responsables
d’Erevan et de Verin Karmiraghbyur avaient tourne en derision ces
allegations. Khojoyan est decede quelques semaines plus tard dans
un hôpital d’Erevan. Les medecins ont constate de graves blessures
infligees lors de la detention en l’Azerbaïdjan.
vendredi 8 août 2014, Ara (c)armenews.com
From: Baghdasarian
BRITISH GOVERNMENT ADVISES AGAINST ALL TRAVEL TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH AND MILITARY OCCUPIED AREA SURROUNDING IT.
APA, Azerbaijan
Aug 7 2014
[ 07 August 2014 11:04 ]
Baku. Anakhanum Idoyatova – APA. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(FCO) has advised against all travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and the
military occupied area surrounding it.
APA reports that the Office recalled that there have been ceasefire
violations along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and line of contact
which resulted in a number of deaths and casualties: “Anyone who has
visited Nagorno-Karabakh without the permission of the Azerbaijani
authorities will be refused entry to Azerbaijan”.
Around 7,000 British nationals visit Azerbaijan every year, mainly
on business. Most visits are trouble free.
From: Baghdasarian
47 ARMENIAN SOLDIERS KILLED NEAR AZERI BORDER: REPORT
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Aug 7 2014
The Azerbaijani army has reportedly killed 47 Armenian soldiers in
recent clashes, as President Ilham Aliyev visited a frontline zone
near the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Citing Russian diplomatic sources, Azerbaijan Press Agency (APA)
reported 47 Armenian servicemen were killed and more than 100
were wounded near the border between the two countries, with the
Azerbaijani Defense Ministry also stating that the Armenians suffered a
“considerably greater number of losses” during the clashes.
Last week the simmering tensions boiled over into the fiercest clashes
seen since a cease-fire was agreed upon in 1994.
Meanwhile, Aliyev was briefed on Aug. 6 by military commanders over
the situation in the Agdam district, where recent clashes erupted.
“The situation is fully under control. Our positions are durable and
strong,” the president said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan and Aliyev for separate meetings at his Black Sea residence
in Sochi over the weekend, while Armenia and Azerbaijan have been
accusing each other of escalating the tensions.
Efforts to reach a permanent settlement in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict have failed despite mediation led by France, Russia and the
United States.
August/07/2014
From: Baghdasarian
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:
August 7, 2014
IN MEMORIAM
SETRAK AGONIAN
1940-2014
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan and the Religious and Executive
Councils of the Eastern Prelacy announce with sorrow the passing of
Mr. Setrak Agonian, a long-time parishioner of St. Illuminator’s
Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in New York City. Mr. Agonian is survived
by his wife, Didi.
Setrak Agonian served as the chairman of the Cathedral’s Building
Committee and was a former member of the Board of Trustees. In 2009 he
received the highest Prelacy award, `The Eagle of the Prelacy,’
as the chairman of the Building Committee during the major renovation
of the Cathedral, in recognition of his extraordinary service to the
Cathedral and community.
Viewing will take place on Sunday, August 10, at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, from 3 to 5 pm. The
Wake/Homecoming service, officiated by Bishop Anoushavan, will take
place the same day from 7 to 9 pm, with a service at 8 pm. The funeral
service, officiated by Archbishop Oshagan, will take place on Monday,
August 11, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral at 10 am. Interment will
follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Queens.
Mr. Agonian was the recipient of several awards, including the Ellis
Island Medal of Honor in 2011. For many years he was involved with the
international sport of wrestling and the Olympics. He was the
president of NYC Metropolitan Wrestling Association. He funded the
expenses of Armenia’s wrestling team making it possible for the team
to participate in the Winter
Olympics in Lillehammer in 1994.
Mr. Agonian was the founder and the CEO of International Creative
Metals, Inc. (ICM), and was the textbook example of a winner. An
Armenian immigrant, he came to the United States from Bulgaria through
the auspices of the American National Committee to Aid Homeless
Armenians (ANCHA) when still in his teenage years with, as he would
often say, `only six dollars and
a sick mother.’ He worked tirelessly to build a successful
business. Today, throughout Manhattan his company’s work can be found
at some of the world’s most famous architectural landmarks.
In lieu-of-flowers donations may be made to St. Illuminator’s Armenian
Apostolic Cathedral.
We pray to All-Merciful God to receive the soul of His faithful
servant in
eternal peace and bliss.
PRELATE WILL PRESIDE AT MADAGH AND BLESSING OF GRAPES
Archbishop Oshagan will preside at the Madagh offering and the
Blessing of
Grapes this Sunday, August 10, during the annual picnic sponsored by
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island. The event will take
place at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Massachusetts.
TEACHERS’ SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY ANEC
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) will sponsor a
teachers’ seminar to be held on August 23, at the Prelacy headquarters
in New
York, from 10 am-4 pm. All schools and teachers are invited to
participate. The program will have the following lectures:
Sossi Essajanian: `Supporting the Next Generation: Early Childhood
Development, Best Practices, and the Armenian Language Teacher’;
Anahid Garmiryan: `To Be or Not to Be a Teacher: the Challenges of
Bilingualism’
For more information, please email ANEC at [email protected] or
call (212) 689-7231/7810.
SIAMANTO ACADEMY WILL RESUME ITS ACTIVITIES
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), jointly sponsored by
the
Prelacy and the Armenian Relief Society, sponsored for many years the
Siamanto Academy for young adults. After a recent hiatus, the Academy
is ready to resume its activities. The Academy offers courses on
Armenian history, culture, and contemporary issues. Classes will take
place on a monthly basis, every second Saturday, beginning in
September at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian
Apostolic Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey), from 2 pm-5 pm. For
additional information, please contact ANEC at
[email protected].
Anais Bayrakdarian and Der Aram at the camp in Dzaghgazor.
A DATEV GRADUATE GOES TO DZAGHGAZOR
Anais Bayrakdarian, a 17-year-old parishioner of St. Sarkis Church in
Douglaston, New York, and a graduate of the Prelacy’s St. Gregory of
Datev Summer Institute, traveled to Armenia in July where she joined
with fifty children from the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship Program at
the week-long camp that takes place in Dzaghgazor, Armenia. Archpriest
Fr. Aram Stepanian, pastor of St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville,
Massachusetts,
has organized and directed this program for the past five years.
Upon her return home, Anais wrote an essay about her
experience. Apprehensive at first, Anais, expressed her concerns about
how the others would respond to her presence. She writes: `…no
sooner had the first day begun that any reservations I had were
unfounded and absurd-the
unbridled love and warm welcome I received was a wonderful assurance
of that. As soon as I was introduced as an American visiting from the
United States, cries of `Hello!’ and `How are you?’ accompanied by
wide, toothy grins could be heard ringing throughout the camp
not only on the first day, but for the entire duration of the
program!’ You can read Anais’ account here
().
Some of the children in the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship Program who
attended this summer’s camp.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, August 10, Third Sunday of Transfiguration
(Eve
of the Fast of the Assumption), are Isaiah 7:1-9; 1 Corinthians
13:11-14:5; Mark 2:1-12.
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he
was
at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for
them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to
them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried
by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of
the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug
through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When
Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, `Son, your sins are
forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in
their hearts, `Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is
blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus
perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions
among themselves; and he said to them, `Why do you raise such
questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
`Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, `Stand
up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son
of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’-he said to the
paralytic-`I say to you, stand up, take your mat and
go to your home.’ And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and
went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and
glorified God, saying, `We have never seen anything like this!’ (Mark
2:1-12)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().
THE HOLY FOREFATHERS
The commemoration of groups of saints is a common practice in the
Armenian
Church. Today, August 7, the Armenian Church commemorates as a group
the Holy Forefathers, namely, Adam, Abel, Seth, Enosh, Enoch, Noah,
Melchizedek,
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Eleazar, Joshua, Samuel,
Samson, Jephthah, Barak, Gideon, and other holy patriarchs.
TWO HUNDRED HOLY FATHERS OF THE
ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF EPHESUS
This Saturday, August 9, the Armenian Church commemorates the 200 Holy
Fathers of the Council of Ephesus (431 AD). Ephesus, the third general
ecumenical council, was convened by order of Emperor Theodosius II to
settle the Nestorian heresy. A large number of high-ranking church
leaders attended, headed by Patriarch Cyril of Alexandria. The
principle decision of the Council was the condemnation of
Nestorius. The Council excommunicated Nestorius and condemned the
heresy, confirmed the Nicene Creed, and approved the title
of Theotokos (God-bearer) for the Virgin Mary.
The Armenian Church accepted the canons and decisions of the council
and designated a day in the liturgical calendar on the Saturday of the
Paregentan of the Assumption to commemorate the holy fathers. The
Armenian Church recognizes the first three ecumenical councils: Nicaea
(325); Constantinople (381); and Ephesus (431), with special days in
the liturgical calendar for all three.
Ephesus is an ancient Greek city that later became the chief city of
the Roman province of Asia at the crossroads of the coastal route
between Smyrna
and Cyzicus. The Temple of Ardemis in the city was one of the great
wonders of the ancient world. St. Paul took Christianity to Ephesus
(Acts 18:18-19). He stayed there for two years during his third
missionary journey.
Ephesus is one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of
Revelation. In chapter 2, Jesus praises the people of Ephesus for
their perseverance and hard work, however admonishes them for
forgetting their first love; their Christianity had become a faithful
ritual rather than a relationship of love to the Lord. Ephesus, now
located within Turkey in the province of Izmir, is a popular
destination for international tourists.
PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF THE
ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
This Sunday, August 10, is the Paregentan, or Eve of the Fast of the
Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. This is a five-day period of
fasting (Monday to Friday) that precedes the Feast of the Assumption
of the Holy Mother which is next Sunday, August 17. Paregentan, which
means `good living,’ is a day of enjoyment and feasting before the
beginning of the
fasting period.
NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
CATHOLICOS INVITED TO JUSTICE & PEACE CONFERENCE
His Holiness Aram I received a delegation from South Korea last week,
who invited him to attend an international conference on Justice and
Peace that
will take place in Seoul, South Korea. The newly appointed Ecumenical
Officer of the Catholicosate, Very Rev. Fr. Housig Mardirossian
attended the meeting. His Holiness welcomed the guests and their plan
for the conference and said, `Presently, many people, like the
Armenians, continue to demand their human rights. It is my firm
conviction that there cannot be peace without justice.’ The Catholicos
said that religions must work for just peace through deeper
involvement in interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
NEW CLERGY APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
His Holiness Aram I announced the following new appointments of
clergy:
(1) Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Pontifical Vicar, Diocese of Cyprus.
(2) Very Rev. Fr. Housig Mardirossian, Director, Office of Ecumenical
Relations and Head of the Communications office.
(3) Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Dean, of Theological Seminary.
(4) Very Rev. Fr. Paren Vartanian, Grand Sacristan, Cathedral of
St. Gregory the Illuminator.
(5) Very Rev. Fr. Vaghinak Meloyan, Director, Program for the
Formation of
married priests.
YOUTH COMMITTEE MEETS WITH CATHOLICOS
The Youth Committee of the Catholicosate met last week with His
Holiness Aram I. The members of the committee were accompanied by
Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, director of the Youth Department.
The committee presented its activity report and the findings of the
survey
they had carried out with its 50 members. The purpose of the survey
was to
identify the expectations of youth from the church. It was decided
that after the compilation of the report and identification of
priorities, the committee would expand its study to all other dioceses
of the Catholicosate.
His Holiness thanked the members of the committee for the study and
said,
`Armenian youth are the life force and future of our church and
society. They should not remain passive members, but should
participate in and contribute to all aspects of our community life.’
He assured the committee that he was committed to empowering the youth
who are ready to act in order to safeguard the memory, traditions, and
values of the Armenian people.
CATHOLICOS MEETS WITH PATRIARCH
His Holiness Aram met with Patriarch Ignatius Aphram II of the Syriac
Orthodox Church at the summer residence of the Catholicosate in
Bikfaya, Lebanon. Also present at the meeting were Very Rev. Fr. Paren
Vartanian, Grand Sacristan, and Rev. Torkom Donoyan, dean of the
Seminary. The Catholicos and Patriarch discussed the situation of
Christians in Syria and Iraq, the forthcoming International Ecumenical
Conference on the Middle East, issues related to the on-going
bilateral theological dialogues with the World Anglican
Communion and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the imperative of
strengthening the historical ties between the two churches.
CATHOLICOS ARAM MONITORS AID TO SYRIAN ARMENIANS
His Holiness Aram I continues to monitor the humanitarian assistance
and rehabilitation programs for the Armenians in Syria. Most recently,
Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of the Diocese of Peria (Syria)
met with His Holiness in Antelias and briefed him on the current
situation of the Armenian community in Aleppo, Damascus, Jezireh,
Latakia, and Kessab, and also reported about humanitarian assistance
and rehabilitation efforts underway.
The Catholicos expressed his appreciation of the work of the
committees and praised their courage in defending the rights of the
Armenian communities. After meeting with the Catholicos, Archbishop
Shahan went to Tartous where he met with the clergy and lay
leadership. He later also traveled to Latakia and Kessab and other
areas in Syria. In each area the Archbishop conveyed the support and
concern of the Catholicos and Armenians worldwide.
Archbishop Shahan celebrated the Holy Liturgy in Kessab on July 27 and
anointed the newly restored altar of the church that had been
desecrated during the recent occupation.
SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER
The crises in Syria, including the recent upheaval in Kessab, require
our financial assistance. Please keep this community in your prayers,
your
hearts, and your pocketbooks.
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. OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR
DONATION TO:
Armenian Prelacy
138 E. 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief
Thank you for your help
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee [ANEC])
Fall of Artzvashen (August 8, 1992)
The Soviet policy of `divide and rule’ created ethnic enclaves (piece
of land surrounded by foreign territory) under various pretexts, such
as the incorporation in Azerbaijan of the highlands of the
historically Armenian region of Gharabagh as an autonomous region (the
lowlands were
directly annexed to that country). It also created exclaves (piece of
land
politically attached to a larger piece, but surrounded by foreign
territory), such as Artzvashen, part of the Gegharkunik province of
Armenia.
The village of Artzvashen was founded in 1854 with the name of
Bashkend by
Armenians from Shamshadin, although an inscription on the
St. Hovhannes church of the village, dated to 1607, attests to an
earlier Armenian presence
on the site.
The encircled land is the location of Artzvashen which is now in the
hands
of the Azeris.
The population of the village was entirely of Armenian origin. It had
a surrounding territory of 40 square kilometers (15.5 square miles)
and enjoyed
a town status in the 1980s, managing four factories. This included a
branch of Haygorg, the Armenian state carpet company.
In May 1991, during the last months of the Soviet Union, when the
conflict
for Gharabagh had already started, the inhabitants of the village
surrendered their weapons to Soviet military units to avert an
imminent occupation.
Indeed, Azerbaijan was prone to occupy those portions of Armenian
territory that were completely landlocked, and one of them was
Artzvashen. After a four-day resistance headed by the unit 016 of
motorized artillery of Vanadzor, Artzvashen was surrendered to
Azerbaijani armed forces on August 8, 1992. According to The New York
Times, Azerbaijan announced the `liberation’ of the town, destroying
enemy tanks and weaponry, and killing 300 Armenian `brigands,’ while
Armenian reports did not mention any dead, but said that 29 people
were `missing without trace.’ The bodies of 12 Armenian soldiers were
later delivered; one of
the Azerbaijani colonels declared: `They fought until the last
bullet. They are the pride of your nation.’
The Armenian population was given one hour to evacuate the
village. According to the Regional Administration of Gegharkunik, 719
families (around 2,800 people) were displaced after its occupation. A
total of 664 families resettled in the towns of Chambarak and nearby
villages, and the rest went to other provinces. The migrants were not
considered a separate commune, but the government of the Republic
decided to create a separate working staff, financed by the national
budget. This staff takes care of problems related to documents and
workbooks of displaced people, as well as claims of property rights
and improvement of living conditions.
Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History’ can be
read on the Prelacy’s web site ().
FROM THE BOOKSTORE
The Prelacy Bookstore has an extensive collection of books (in
Armenian and English) about the Genocide including histories,
historical novels, memoirs, eye witness testimonies, essays, and
poetry. From now through next April we will feature one or two books
each week from the Bookstore’s collection.
Children of Armenia: A Forgotten Genocide and the
Century-Long Struggle for Justice
By Michael Bobelian
This book chronicles the struggle for justice after the Armenian
Genocide and analyzes the reasons why justice is still
missing. Carefully threading archival sources, interviews, and
secondary literature, the author constructs a must-read narrative that
illuminates the lack of substantial official recognition in America
until this day.
Hardcover, $15.00 plus shipping & handling
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To order these or other books contact the Prelacy bookstore by email
([email protected]) or by telephone (212-689-7810.
LIGHTS OUT ACROSS BRITAIN MARK
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT WAR
Lights all across Great Britain were switched off for one hour on
Monday evening, August 4, in a tribute to the dead of the Great War,
now called World War I. The tribute is based on a statement made in
1914 by Lord Edward Grey, the Foreign Minister, who on the eve of the
war said, `The lamps are going out all over Europe. We shall not see
them lit again in our lifetime.’
The total number of casualties in World War I was over 37 million,
with more than 16 million deaths and 20 million wounded making it one
of the deadliest conflicts in human history.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 10-Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
Annual Picnic at Camp Haiastan, 12 noon to 6 pm. Under the auspices of
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Games and the Bouncing
Bubble for children. Delicious shish, lost and chicken kebab
dinners. Choreg and Armenian pastries. Live music by Michael Gregian
and Ensemble. Madagh and Blessing of the Grapes at 3:300 m with
participation of New England clergy. For information: 401-831-6399.
August 10-Annual Church Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes, Holy
Trinity Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us
for a fun
filled day and enjoy our delicious food, music by DJ Shaheen,
backgammon tournament, children’s activities. Begins at
noon. Admission is free. For information [email protected] or
508-852-2414.
August 15-17-Armenian Fest / Blessing of Grapes, All Saints Church,
1701 N. Greenwood Road, Glenview, Illinois. Armenian food, desserts,
beer
and wine, dancing, activities for kids, raffle. Life music Friday,
Saturday, & Sunday. Mr. Ash’s magic show Saturday. Friday 6 pm to 10
pm happy hour; Saturday 5 pm-11pm; Sunday 1pm to 7 pm. Blessing of the
Grapes on
Sunday at 4:30 pm. Free admission.
August 17-Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God and
Blessing of the Grapes, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E. 27th
Street, New York City. Followed by luncheon and cultural program
featuring singer Rouben Voskanyan. Organized by Cathedral’s Ladies
Guild.
August 17-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual
Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes.
August 17-St. Sarkis Church (Dearborn) Grape Blessing Family Fun
Picnic at Kensington Park, Kensington, Michigan. Good food, music,
biking, soccer, dancing, magician, swimming, playscape, kids games,
door prizes, face painting, tavloo tournament and more.
August 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes, 1-5 pm at Saddle River County Park,
Wild Duck Pond area. Music, delicious Armenian food and desserts, arts
and
crafts, and playground for children, cards, and tavloo, and more.
August 17-Feast of Assumption, Blessing of Grapes, and Madagh, Soorp
Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland.
August 23-Teachers’ seminar sponsored by the Armenian Education
Committee (ANEC), at the Prelacy offices in New York, 10 am to 4
pm. All schools and teachers are invited to participate. Lecturers:
Sossi Essajanian, `Supporting the Next Generation: Early Childhood
Development, Best Practices, and the Armenian Language Teacher’ and
Anahid Garmiryan, `To Be or Not to be a Teacher: The Challenges of
Bilingualism.’ For information: [email protected] or
212-689-7810.
August 30-Concert, `Baroque & Before,’ featuring Lucine Musaelian and
Joyce Chen, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E.
27th Street, New York City, at 5 pm.
September 7-Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley,
158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts, featuring musicians
Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Johnny Berberian, and John Arzigian;
presentation by Siroun Dance Ensemble of Central Massachusetts. 12:30
to 5:30 pm, church
grounds. Shish, losh, and chicken kebab dinners, veggie plates,
Armenian pastries, family games and activities.
September 7-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain and Hartford,
Connecticut, Annual Church Picnic after Sunday services will take
place
at The Quartette Club, 225 Wooster Street, New Britain. Armenian
music, dancing, and food.
September 7-Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York, Annual Armenian Picnic,
12pm to 4 pm. Shish Kebob dinner, Lahmajoun for sale, Armenian
pastries, live music. For info: [email protected].
September 7-Lecture `Mkhitar Heratsi,’ by Dr. Gregory Kazanjian, at 1
pm, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York
City. Organized by Cathedral and Hamazkayin of New York.
September 12-St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin, 2nd Annual
=80=9CTaste of the Mediterranean’ Wine Tasting Fundraiser, 4 to 6 pm
at Uncork in downtown Racine. Event will again feature 6 wines for
tasting,
a `mezze’ table, silent auction items, and 50/50 raffle. Cost of the
event is $20 per person or $35 per couple. Last year’s even was a
sell-out, so get your tickets early. For tickets and/or information
contact Mary M. Olson by email ([email protected]).
September 18, 19, 20-2014 Fall Food Festival, Soorp Khatch Church,
Bethesda, Maryland.
September 14-St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New
York, Annual Picnic on the church grounds following church
services. Admission is free. Enjoy excellent kebabs and
salads. Terrific entertainment for everyone and special activities for
children in the `KidZone.’ Music, food, and friends…a wonderful
afternoon. For information 718-224-2275.
September 18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 12th
Annual Golf Classic, River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New
Jersey. Rain or Shine. 11 am registration and Grilled Lunch Buffet; 1
pm Tee Off. Format: Shotgun Scramble (All player levels welcome). Golf
Outing Reservation: $195; limited to first 128 paid golf
reservations. Reservation includes: Grilled lunch buffet, dinner
banquet, golf, cart, and range balls. Contests and
Prizes. Sponsorships available. For information: 201-943-2950.
September 21-Ladies Guild of St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain and
Hartford, Connecticut, will host a Tea party at noon in the church
hall, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut. Brought back by
popular demand. Guest speaker from the Bigelow Tea Company. Goodie
bags for all. Raffle prize is being provided by Armeny Custom Jewelry
Design.
September 21-St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, `Designer Bag Bingo’
luncheon in Founders’ Hall at 2 pm. Fifteen lucky
winners of designer bags, including top labels, Gucci, Prada, Fendi,
Laboutin, Judith Leiber, Chanel, and others. Join us for a fun game of
Bingo, Chinese auction, and enjoy the lavish Chanel inspired theme and
décor, along with champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts. Ticket
sales limited. For reservations and information: Cissy DerHagopian
856-313-6848; Donna Walter 484-354-0388.
October 3-St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Saturday
School Dinner Dance Gala.
October 4-Ordination to the Priesthood of Deacon Diran Khosrofian and
Deacon Harold Nazarian, at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
Island, by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan.
October 19-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan will ordain sub-deacon Ara Stepanian
during the Divine Liturgy and preside over the parish’s 57th Annual
Banquet.
October 12-15-Prelacy Clergy Gathering for Reflection and Renewal at
St. Mary of Providence Retreat Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania.
November 7 & 8-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 58th
Armenian Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at Armenian Cultural & Educational
Center, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts. Meals served from
11:30 am to 8:30 pm (take out is available). Enjoy delicious meals,
Armenian pastries, gourmet items, arts and crafts, books, raffles,
attic treasures. For information: 617-924-7562.
November 21, 22, 23-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar, Food Festival, and Hantes. Mezze and Kebab dinners
(chicken, shish, luleh); dessert table and trays of home-made
delicacies; Boutique
Booths; Chinese Auction; Supervised Game Room for children;
Pre-packaged Monte, Sou Buereg, Kufteh, and Lehmejun; Take-out
available; Live Music for dancing and listening. Traditional Kavourma
dinner on Sunday served immediately after church service. For
information: 201-943-2950.
December 6-2014 Armenian Winter Dessert Festival, Soorp Khatch Church,
Bethesda, Maryland.
December 7-Ladies Guild of St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain and
Hartford, Connecticut, will host a Wine Tasting Party at noon in the
church hall, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain. A wine talk and tasting
will be provided by Taylor Brooke Winery, Woodstock, Connecticut,
owned by Linda Varjabedian Auger.
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]
From: Baghdasarian
AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT DECLARES WAR WITH ARMENIA VIA TWITTER
Malaysian Digest, Malaysia
Aug 8 2014
Details Published on Friday, 08 August 2014 11:40
SOME people use Twitter to complain about their commute or what they’re
having for lunch but for the President of Azerbaijan he took to social
media to declare war.
President Ilham Aliyev posted a torrent of messages on his Twitter
account @presidentaz stating Azerbaijan is in a “state of war” with
Armenia, the first time a country has declared war using the medium.
There has been tension between the two countries since 1988 over
the disputed area of Nagorno-Karabakh — a territory both have
been tussling over since the independence of the Soviet Union. The
conflict, which claimed an estimated 30,000 lives, halted in 1994
with a ceasefire but recent events has seen military action resume.
The first tweets kicked off following an attack launched by Armenian
forces which took the lives of several members of the Azerbaijani
army. President Aliyev claimed how “their blood has been avenged”
and continued with a series of militant tweets describing how “the
war is not over”, “the Azerbaijani army is strong” and “the occupied
territories are our native lands”.
Tweets from @presidentaz:
~ May Allah rest their souls in peace! However, their blood has
been avenged. The Azerbaijani army has dealt a very severe blow to
the enemy.
~ We are not living in peace, we are living in a state of war.
Everyone must know this.
~ The war is not over. Only the first stage of it is. But the second
stage may start too.
~ Our territorial integrity will be restored. There are several
factors that enable this conclusion. Azerbaijan is getting stronger.
~ If the Azerbaijani army starts an offensive, the enemy will find
itself in a very difficult situation.
President Aliyev posted nearly 60 tweets over a short period of time
with each strongly on the offensive. One tweet did state how Azerbaijan
wants war rather than peace, but while they see the disputed territory
as theirs there will be a conflict. The signs of a peaceful settlement
seems to be fading.
~ The weaponry and ammunition we have acquired in recent years suggest
that we can accomplish any task.
~ We will restore our territorial integrity either by peaceful or
military means. We are ready for both options.
The use of Twitter to announce such a politically important situation
shows how important a tool the social media platform has become. We
only hope countries could use social media to soothe relations instead
but we can’t see President Aliyev using any kiss-blowing emojis any
time soon.
From: Baghdasarian