Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Turkish Press
April 25 2014

Armenians focus on Erdogan’s 1915 statement

Friday, April 25, 2014

Turkish Prime Minister’s expression of condolences welcomed by
citizens in Armenian capital.

YEREVAN, Armenia – Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
statement to mark the 99th anniversary of the 1915 Armenian-Turkish
conflict has been welcomed by Armenian citizens in Yerevan.

It was clear on Friday that most Armenians in Yerevan, the capital of
Armenia, had paid attention to Erdogan’s statement of two days
earlier, when he stressed the “common pain” experienced during the
World War One incidents and expressed his “condolences” to Armenians
around the world.

Erdogan had also said that “Armenians who lost their lives in the
events in the early twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our
condolences to their grandchildren”.

Some Armenians on the streets of their country’s largest city told
Anadolu Agency that they found the message a positive step forward,
while others said it was “unsatisfying”.

– ‘Positive development’

The biggest expectation of most Armenians was that the borders with
Turkey would be opened.

One market trader on Hanrapetutyan street in Yerevan, 55-year-old
Anahit Paronikyan, said Erdogan’s statement was a positive development
and there was no need for hostility between the two countries.

“If the borders between Turkey and Armenia were opened, people would
find a chance to know each other. We have lived together so far. There
is no need to be enemies,” he said.

Nara Agilyan, 33, who sells trinkets in the same market, said people
had not turned against Turkey, and that they only wanted respect and
their historical pain to be accepted.

“Erdogan’s statement is very important. The is the first time we have
heard such a statement,” Agilyan said.

– ‘Important step forward’

Anna Hovanisyan, 26, said she had not expected such a statement from
Turkey and she had been surprised when she heard it.

She said that although she thought the statement was insufficient, it
was “a very important step forward”.

A third-grade undergraduate student, Mariam Petrosyan, said she wanted
relations between the countries to normalize.

Stating that she had never been to Turkey, but wanted to go, she
added: “I hope Erdogan’s statement will provide a positive
contribution to our relations.”

From: Baghdasarian

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
April 24 2014

Why is Erdoðan unrivaled?

by Mehmet Yilmaz

“What U.S. presidents would say” was an important agenda item every
year as April 24 approached. Would they say “genocide” or would they
say “Meds Yeghern”?

Let’s remember that when they didn’t pronounce “genocide” it was to be
rejoiced; but then again, the Meds Yeghern attribution was still met
with the feelings of a heart-broken young girl.

But there was one thing we knew: In this land, there were once owners
of all those churches that we could not get rid of, even though we
knocked down one after the other. Now they were not here anymore!

Indeed, with which words this “disappearance” will be defined is
important. Nobody can argue that this is not an important detail.
However, even more important than that is the reality of this
“disappearance.”

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan has shown an example of political
courage that I do not hesitate to applaud. He emphasized that, first
of all, we should as a human beings acknowledge the reality of this
disappearance.

As well as being an example of political courage, it was also an
example of why the politicians of today are not as influential as
Erdoðan.

His words were met by the two major opposition parties as I expected.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli defined it as
“recognizing the Armenian genocide.” He is in a non-contradicting
stance with himself there, precise and direct.

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) statement, meanwhile, showed that
they are between a rock and a hard place. It said they accept the
condolence message but suggested that the prime minister was
“politicizing” the issue and using a humanitarian topic as a “tool for
politics.”

As always, it is a statement that is “half-pregnant.”

This debate shows us why Erdoðan is unrivaled. It’s because his rivals
aren’t able to set the agenda, to utter a new word or to offer a new
perspective to society.

Is the prime minister sincere in this?

While I was reading the prime minister’s statement about sharing the
pain of the Armenians, I thought, “Let’s see what he’ll say in three
years.” This is because we know that he does not regard these topics
as part of a comprehensive political program.

This is what doing politics means to him; he says something if it’s
needed today, and he says something else tomorrow. Consistency is not
a priority.

For example, three years ago he presented the fact May Day was
celebrated peacefully in Taksim Square as his political achievement.
But today the words, “forget Taksim” also belong to him.
He said one thing when the initiative with Armenia was on the agenda;
but when Azerbaijani President Ýlham Aliyev showed the end of the
stick, he started saying something else.

I have a call for the prime minister: Be a man of your word. You said,
“Having experienced events that had inhumane consequences – such as
relocation – during the World War I, should not prevent Turks and
Armenians from establishing compassion and humane attitudes toward one
another.” Well, keep your word.

From: Baghdasarian

Daily Sabah, Turkey
April 24 2014

WHY DO ARMENIANS INSIST ON CALLING IT GENOCIDE?

Genocide became the cement of the Armenian diaspora’s identity. It
became the diaspora’s homeland, a new space in which imagined victims
take refuge in defining who they are by determining whom they are
against

Published : 24.04.2014 01:47:34

M. Hakan Yavuz *

Armenians originally termed the events of 1915 “aghed,” (catastrophe)
or “yeghern” (pogrom), while some scholars have also used
“darakrutiun” (deportation) and “aksor” (exile). After 1965, due to a
number of reasons, especially the concerted efforts of the Soviet
Union, the Armenian diaspora under the leadership of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF), redefined the events of 1915 as
genocide.

Some Armenians insisted on the redefinition of the events as genocide,
while some extremists committed high-profile terrorist attacks and
assassinations of Turkish diplomats. Along with aggressive lobbying
toward the recognition of events as genocide, Armenians narrowed their
own options of reconciliation but provided a new arsenal for outside
forces to be used as leverage against Turkey and Armenians at the same
time.

Those countries that want Turkey to do something for them play the
“genocide card.” As a consequence, the Armenian issue has become an
international bargaining chip. The European Union countries and
especially the U.S. use the “recognition issue” to get concessions on
a number of matters. If the Armenians did not frame the issue within
the concept of genocide but rather within aghed, there might have been
much better prospects for reconciliation between the two sides.

For instance, it was possible, but not easy, to bring some Turkish
intellectuals together around the concept of the Great Catastrophe to
organize an online apology for the mass killings of Armenians during
World War I.

Many of these intellectuals would not have signed on if it was framed
as genocide. This indicates that the word genocide stops all kinds of
dialogue.

In other words, the term genocide leads to a prosecutorial tone of
accusation against the Turks, where as catastrophe opens more room for
contemplating what happened. Marc Nichamian, a French-Armenian
scholar, offers a powerful argument about the negative implications of
this shift from “catastrophe” to “genocide.”

He says, “We have to prove that it is genocide. But the opposite is
true as well, and that is what is terrible. It was genocide, and we
need to prove it for that reason. We need to enter into the endless
game of proving it… There is not genocide without denial. More than
that, the essence of genocide is denial.”

In fact, this shift did not help reconciliation but rather further
radicalized historiographies, and genocide became the refuge of the
contemporary Armenian identity.

The paradox of the situation is that as a result of genocide, Armenian
identity becomes dependent on the politics of the Turkish side. It
constantly requires recognition from its “enemy,” the Turks. When that
recognition is not forthcoming it consumes all the energy and
resources of the community. Since the Turkish state and many scholars
reject the depiction of the events of 1915 as genocide, it deepens
anxiety and leads to a crisis in the definition of being an Armenian.
Why did this shift in terminology take place? Why do Armenians today
insist on the recognition of their sufferings as genocide but nothing
else? Genocide allows scholars to read causes of the 1915 events from
their consequences. It turns the historical debate into a moralist
narrative that seeks to rewrite the chain of events according to a
predetermined concept.

Memory is situated in emotion and solidarity. The Armenian memory of
1915 hinges largely on a trauma that is represented as genocide.

Trauma survives, restructures itself, and becomes the core of identity
through memory. Armenians seek to express their loyalty, anxiety, and
rage in terms of genocide. Genocide captures all these diverse
feelings while providing an essential social glue to establish the
borders of Armenian nationalism and unite the Armenian people. Yet,
they carefully avoid facing or discussing the decision of the Armenian
elite to collaborate with Russia. Genocide as a cover The Armenian
diaspora insists on the use of genocide alone to describe what
happened. In a sense, the study of WWI and the entire Armenian history
in the Ottoman Empire is reduced to the concept of genocide.

Why is this the case? First, genocide keeps emotions in the debate and
especially solidifies a genocide-centric Armenian identity. In other
words, genocide marshals powerful emotions among Armenians to form
powerful political bonds and create a sense of community.

Genocide becomes the cement of the Armenian diaspora identity.
According to a prominent Armenian scholar, genocide is a new religion
for Armenians and there is a competition for the position of high
priest in this new faith. It becomes a diaspora homeland, a new space
in which imagined victims take refuge in defining who they are by
determining who they are against.

It projects a unified victim group (Armenians) under the guise of
genocide and prevents Armenians from acknowledging their own history
by ignoring internal diversity and intra-power struggle within the
Armenian communities, while at the same time reducing hostility among
Armenian political parties.

For instance, the ARF, which was established in 1890 in Tbilisi and
still dominates the diaspora with its nongovernmental structure, is a
political-communal organization that went through several
transmutations and used the genocide discourse for a number of
reasons. It hid successfully behind the politics of the genocide
debate to avoid facing its own past, especially its close political
cooperation with the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP). ARF also
sought to control the various Armenian communities under the genocide
banner and to police the intellectual debate on genocide and the
history of the Armenian community in the Ottoman Empire. It also
transformed itself into a secular church to protect and perpetuate
genocide as a new religion. Those who would deviate from the ARF
version of history were and are disciplined through excommunication.

Second, genocide homogenizes the Armenians as victim and the Turks as
perpetrators. Genocide also privileges victims’ memory and ignores the
memory and suffering of Turks. It allows Armenians to attract the
sympathy of world public opinion by claiming a unique victimhood. This
also forces scholars who disagree with the Armenian genocide narrative
to become more careful in developing counter arguments so as not to be
treated as denialists. In other words, genocide censors and sanitizes
the counter argument and morality rests with the accuser.

Third, genocide allows Armenians to use anti-Islamic and anti-Turkish
images and consolidate the image of the “terrible Turk” or “bloody
Turk.” It uses Islamophobia along with Turcophobia to dehumanize the
Turks as a “genocidal people.” It justifies not only Armenian violence
against Turkish diplomats but also the occupation of one-fifth of the
territory of Azerbaijan, and the killing and ethnic cleansing of Azeri
Turks from the Karabakh region. In fact, the Republic of Armenia
further invested in the cause of genocide in order to mobilize
diaspora communities to justify its ethnic cleansing of Azeri Turks.

By insisting on the label of genocide, the debate in fact radicalized
some Armenian youths and morally armed them to use violence. The
perception of being a victim inadvertently justifies and provides
moral ground to become a victimizer. For instance, in the 1980s, the
Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) killed 46
Turkish diplomats, including several high-ranking ambassadors, to
force Turkey to recognize the events of 1915 as genocide, pay
reparations and cede territory for Armenia. These organized killings
and several shock attacks, like the one at Orly Airport in Paris in
1983 that resulted in the killing of eight people and the attack on
Esenbo?Ä?a Airport in Ankara in 1982 that resulted in the killing of
nine, brought the Armenian issue to the attention of the Turkish
public within the context of terrorism. Indeed, before these attacks,
the Turkish public had forgotten the events of 1915 and there was no
debate about what happened to the Armenians in eastern Anatolia. In
other words, forcing the Turkish state and the public to remember and
face the history of 1915 through these high-level attacks helped to
create a more defensive and dismissive literature about the events of
1915. The key term that was framed to discuss and remember what took
place became “Ermeni Mezalimi” (Armenian atrocities).

In the centennial commemoration of WWI, the Armenians coin the ethnic
cleansing of the Armenian communities from Anatolia genocide, while
the Turkish collective memory appears to be different from that of the
Armenians by glorifying the battles won and celebrating its triumphs
while ignoring darker episodes during WWI. The Armenians, on the other
hand, want to turn the centennial commemoration into a public mourning
of what they lost. Unfortunately, there is very little hope to move
beyond these two diametrically opposed narratives and build bridges
between them.

Gerard Libaridian, the most thoughtful historian of the Armenian
diaspora, aptly sums up the problems of both sides. He says, “The
entrenched position of each side is now part of their [Armenians’ and
Turks’] respective identities, identities that not only define the
boundaries of the ethno-cultural self-definitions but also the
socio-political context within which they see their present and
project the future.” Indeed, there is very little hope if they do not
free themselves from the cages of identities to understand what took
place. Thus, neither of these identity-based narratives provides a
satisfactory historical account that attempts to understand what
happened and why.

The longer version of this essay will be published in “Middle East
Critique,” June 2014). * Professor, the University of Utah

From: Baghdasarian

World Bulletin, Turkey
April 24 2014

Obama terms events of 1915 ‘Meds Yeghern’

“Today we commemorate the Meds Yeghern and honor those who perished in
one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century” Obama said.

World Bulletin / News Desk

U.S. President Barack Obama described events of 1915 involving
Armenians within the Ottoman Empire as “Meds Yeghern,” an Armenian
term meaning “great calamity” in a statement released on Thursday.

In using the term, Obama again refrained, as he did last year, from
describing the events as “genocide,” which he did during his first
presidential campaign.

“Today we commemorate the Meds Yeghern and honor those who perished in
one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century,” said Obama. “We
recall the horror of what happened ninety-nine years ago, when 1.5
million Armenians were massacred or marched to their deaths in the
final days of the Ottoman Empire.”

“I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and
my view has not changed,” said Obama.

Exactly what unfolded in 1915 continues to be a contentious issue
between Turkey and Armenia that has proven a spoiler in relations
between the two neighboring states.

Armenia and the Armenian diaspora claim that nothing short of genocide
occurred at the hands of Ottoman authorities under a relocation order
of some ethnic Armenians. But Turkey says that both Turks and
Armenians died during clashes between Ottoman forces and armed
Armenian groups backed by Russia.

In his statement, Obama called for a “full, frank, and just
acknowledgement” of the events, saying, “Peoples and nations grow
stronger, and build a foundation for a more just and tolerant future,
by acknowledging and reckoning with painful elements of the past.”

On Wednesday, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister,
released a statement in nine languages, including Armenian, in which
he offered condolences to the descendants of Armenians killed during
World War I.

From: Baghdasarian

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
April 24 2014

PM’s statement on Armenian issue receives mixed reactions at home

A group of demonstrators gathering at Ýstanbul’s Haydarpaþa train
station commemorated victims of what they call the “Armenian
genocide.” (Photo: Cihan)

April 24, 2014, Thursday/ 18:52:43/ TODAY’S ZAMAN/ ANKARA

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan’s historic statement in which he
extended, on Wednesday, condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians
who lost their lives in 1915 as a result of the Ottoman government’s
deportation policy, has received a mixed reaction at home.

“Naturally, we also share the pain of all people who lost their lives
[during the deportations],” Haluk Koç, spokesman of the main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), said on Thursday in a
statement that seemed to show at least tacit support for the prime
minister’s message.

But at a press conference in Parliament, Koç also expressed misgivings
about Erdoðan’s intentions, arguing that the step may have come as
part of an effort to boost Turkey’s shrinking prestige in the world.

“Erdoðan has gradually lost, over the past two years, its [Turkey’s]
prestige in the world. He might be, through messages of goodwill,
seeking prestige. If you place this process in a political context,
cut off [the issue] from historical facts, you can be sure that [the
move] will be perceived as an effort to regain prestige,” Koç said.

One day before April 24, when Armenians commemorate the events they
describe as genocide, the statement — a historical first — was
issued on Wednesday on the website of the Prime Minister’s Office in
nine languages, including Turkish, Armenian and English.

“It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an ancient and unique
geography, who share similar customs and manners will be able to talk
to each other about the past with maturity and remember together their
losses in a appropriate manner. And it is with this hope and belief
that we wish that the Armenians who lost their lives in the context of
the early 20th century rest in peace, and we convey our condolences to
their grandchildren,” the statement said.

Giresun University students held a demonstration in the Black Sea
province to denounce allegations of genocide. (Photo: DHA)

Deputy Prime Minister Beþir Atalay on Thursday described the prime
minister’s message on the tragic events of 1915 as “very important.”

“A very progressive statement and a step [forward] was taken on the
issue. This is very important. This is a message that says, ‘Let us
totally resolve this problem,’ while nearing the 100th anniversary [of
the event],” Atalay said during a meeting of the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AK) in Ýstanbul.

During a visit to Çankýrý province on Thursday, Nationalist Movement
Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli criticized the prime minister’s
statement, maintaining that Erdoðan shares the same mentality with
those who chanted the slogan “We are all Armenians” during a
demonstration protesting the murder of Hrant Dink — a Turkish citizen
and Armenian journalist — in Ýstanbul in 2007.

“The prime minister has started to express the same thing [as these
protesters]. This is very much unfortunate. He should immediately
[announce that he has dropped out of] the presidential race,” Bahçeli
said.

Yusuf Halaçoðlu, the MHP’s parliamentary group deputy chairman, also
criticized Erdoðan’s statement. He maintained at a press meeting in
Parliament on Thursday that Erdoðan might move to admit, under
pressure from abroad, that Ottoman Turks had committed genocide
against Armenians.

“Probably, you [Erdoðan] will accept [claims of] genocide [expressed
by Armenians], if you were to feel a little stronger. We will see what
concessions will be asked of the prime minister who took this step,”
Halaçoðlu said. He also accused the prime minister of failing to see
that in the days leading to the deportation of Armenians, 128,000
Ottoman Muslims were killed by armed Armenian gangs who sought
independence from the Ottoman Empire.

In a written statement on Thursday, the pro-Kurdish Peace and
Democracy (BDP) called on Turkey to face its history and apologize to
the Armenian people.

Mehmet Metin Hülagü, head of the Turkish Historical Society (TTK),
said that the Armenian issue was an inheritance handed down to Turkey
by imperialism, while attending a symposium held in Van on Thursday
titled “Armenians in Van during World War One.”

In a statement to Today’s Zaman, Faruk Bal, a former AK Party deputy,
stressed that it will not be possible to resolve the Armenian issue by
one or two statements, such as those Prime Minister Erdoðan has made,
but rather by an organized lobby. Bal noted that the ruling party was
shooting Turkey in the foot by attempting to get Turkish schools
abroad, which form significant elements of the Turkish lobby around
the world, closed down.

Armenian tragedy commemorated

Turkish Armenians, Turkish civil society and humanitarian groups
commemorated the 99th anniversary of the tragic events of 1915 in
Ýstanbul and Diyarbakýr, demanding that the Armenian tragedy of 1915
be recognized as genocide.

In a press meeting on Thursday at the Haydarpaþa train station in
Ýstanbul, from where Armenian intellectuals living in Ýstanbul at the
time were sent away to other parts of the Ottoman Empire, a group of
50 people placed carnations in the sea in commemoration of those who
lost their lives during the deportation in 1915. Members of the
Platform for the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide group held and
banners in Turkish and Armenian that read: “We are commemorating the
victims of the Armenian genocide.”

Human rights groups were scheduled to meet on Thursday in Ýstanbul’s
Beyoðlu district at 7:15 p.m to commemorate the victims.

In the event in Diyarbakýr, Tahir Elçi, head of the Diyarbakýr Bar
Association, maintained that according to international law, the
treatment Armenian people were subjected to at the time amounts to
genocide. “What we demand is […] the recognition [by Turkey] of this
genocide and that justice be done for Armenian victims,” Elçi said.

From: Baghdasarian

Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
3111 Los Feliz Avenue, #206, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Contact person: Dr. Frieda Jordan
Phone: (323) 663-3609
Email:[email protected]

ABMDR Walk of Life to take place on May 3
Armenian community, elected officials
rally in support of life-saving cause

Los Angeles, April 25, 2014 – Walk of Life, the ninth annual walkathon
of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), will take place on
May 3 in Glendale, California.

The highly anticipated event continues to draw strong grassroots
support, particularly from the youth. A cross section of the Armenian
community will participate in this year’s walk, with representatives
and teams from churches, community organizations, patient-support
groups, as well as high-school and university student associations. Also
attending will be several dignitaries, including elected officials and
community leaders.

Walk of Life has three major sponsors: Glendale Memorial Hospital and
Health Center, the Foundation Laboratory, and an anonymous sponsor who
has made a donation in honor of Cynthia Bussey.

`This walkathon is of particular significance to us, as this year
marks the Crystal (15th) anniversary of ABMDR,’ said Dr. Frieda
Jordan, president of the organization, which now works in 20 countries
across four continents. `On May 3, we’d like to see the ranks of
ABMDR expand like never before, specially through the participation of
young people, in support of a great cause that helps save lives across
the world,’ Dr. Jordan added.

The event will start at the plaza of Glendale Memorial Hospital and
Health Center, with event registration beginning at 9 o’clock.
Following a brief opening ceremony, the 5-K walk-run will take the
hundreds of participants on a loop through Glendale. In keeping with
what has become a beloved tradition, walkers will pass in front of the
Armenian Consulate on Central Avenue, where the consul general will
greet and cheer them on.

The walkathon will conclude back at the plaza of Glendale Memorial,
where participants will go on to enjoy a community celebration featuring
music, dance, and food. Throughout the festivities, ABMDR volunteers
will be on hand to provide information and recruit potential bone marrow
donors.

Supporters can participate in Walk of Life as either individuals or
teams, by signing up online (at abmdr.am) or in person at the Glendale
Memorial plaza on the morning of the walkathon. In addition, supporters
can sponsor the participation of family members or friends. ABMDR is
also encouraging virtual walkers: supporters who sign up online even if
they’re unable to participate in the event.

In the run-up to Walk of Life, ABMDR has held several outreach and
public-awareness events in Southern California, including participation
in an Armenian-Genocide commemoration at Glendale High School, where
ABMDR volunteers familiarized attendees regarding the registry’s
mission.

About the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: Established in 1999,
ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians
worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting
and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell
transplants. To date, the registry has recruited over 26,000 donors in
20 countries across four continents, identified 2,481 patients, and
facilitated 20 bone marrow transplants.

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:

April 25, 2014

EASTER IN ANTELIAS

On Easter Sunday, Armenian members of the Lebanese parliament,
ministers, civil society representatives, and more than a thousand
faithful attended the Holy Liturgy at the Cathedral of Saint Gregory
the Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon . His Holiness Aram I based his
Easter sermon on the message of the angel at Jesus’ empty tomb
(Matthew 28:5-7). The Catholicos said that the cross and the
resurrection of Jesus were at the core of Christian faith and the
pattern of Christian history, including Armenian history.
`In spite of all their suffering, Armenians continue their journey
of faith, upholding the Christian principles of justice, peace, and freedom.’

His Holiness also addressed the current situation of Christians in the
Middle East, Syria, and Lebanon. He said that the Middle East is the
home of Christianity and that Christians have remained attached to
their land despite persecutions and sufferings, contributing
profoundly to the flourishing of the region. Our roots are here and so
is our future, His Holiness said. Addressing the situation in Syria,
he said that it was unacceptable that the
Aramaic-speaking population was evicted from the historical Christian
village of Ma’alouia and that the Armenians in Kessab were attacked by
rebels supported by Turkey. The Catholicos asserted that Christians
and Muslims have lived together for centuries and will again build
their lives together.

EASTER AND HOLY WEEK AT PRELACY PARISHES

St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts

The St. Stephen’s congregation taking Communion on Easter Sunday.

Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian with the parishioners whose feet were
washed on Maundy Thursday. In celebration of `The Year of the
Elderly,’ elderly parishioners were invited to participate in the
foot-washing ceremony.

St. Gregory Church, Granite City, Illinois

Bishop Anoushavan with altar servers and parishioners following Easter
service.

All Saints Church, Glenview, Illinois

Maundy Thursday services were celebrated by Bishop Anoushavan at All
saints Church, seen here with Archpriest Fr. Zareh Sahagian and the
twelve participants in the Washing of the Feet ceremony.

Parishioners filled the pews at All Saints Church.

St. Paul Church, Waukegan, Illinois

Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian celebrated the Easter Eve Divine Liturgy
at St. Paul Church, Waukegan, Illinois. He is shown here with
Rev. Fr. Daron Stepanian, pastor, and deacons, altar servers, choir
and parishioners.

St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts

Members of the Sassoun chapter of the AYF in North Andover,
Massachusetts,
sponsored an Easter Day Bake Sale at St. Gregory Church. Proceeds
benefitted the relief fund for Kessab and travel expenses for the
junior seminar.

FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR AMBASSADOR NAZARIAN

A farewell reception for Ambassador and Mrs. Garen Nazarian took place
on Friday, April 11, in Kavookjian Hall of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church,
sponsored by the church and community organizations in the
metropolitan area. Mr. Nazarian has served as the Permanent
Representative of the Republic
of Armenia to the United Nations for the past five years.

Archbishop Oshagan, as well as members of the Eastern Prelacy’s
Religious and Executive Councils attended. In his comments, Archbishop
Oshagan described Mr. Nazarian as a distinguished representative of
Armenia who was ever-vigilant to protect the interests of Armenia. His
Eminence also praised the ambassador for serving the Armenian American
community with care.
`He was always accessible, always ready to listen, always prepared
to support the community. It is, therefore, with a sense of sadness
that we say farewell to Ambassador and Mrs. Nazarian. However, this is
just a temporary farewell. Our paths will surely converge again,
during their continuing service to Armenia.’

Archbishop Oshagan speaking at the farewell reception for Ambassador
and Mrs. Garen Nazarian.

SAVE THE DATES FOR NRA

The 2014 National Representative Assembly (NRA), along with the Clergy
Conference, and the Conference of the National Association of Ladies
Guilds (NALG), will take place May 13-17, hosted by St. Sarkis Church,
Dearborn, Michigan. Delegates and guests will find more information
here ().

DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM FOR YOUTH

St. Gregory of Datev Institute will hold its 28th annual summer
program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 29 to July 6, 2014. The program is
sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC).

For information and registration, please visit the Prelacy website
(armenianprelacy.org/arec/datev).

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, April 27, New Sunday are: Luke 4:14-30;
Acts 5:31-6:7; James 3:1-12; John 1:1-17; John 21:5-25; Matthew
27:50-61; John 20:26-31.

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was
with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among
them and said,
`Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, `Put your finger here and
see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt
but believe.’ Thomas answered him, `My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to
him, `Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which
are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may
come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that
through believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:26-31)

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

(Note: Beginning Monday, April 28 and continuing until Pentecost (June
8) each day four Gospels are read in the following order: 1)
Morning-Luke; 2) Midday-John; 3) Evening-Matthew; 4) Evening
dismissal-Mark).

NEW SUNDAY

This Sunday, April 27, is New Sunday (Nor Kiraki). Easter Sunday is
followed by a period of fifty days (Hinoonk) during which there are no
fasting days or saints days. This period from the Resurrection to
Pentecost (Hogegaloost) is dedicated to the glorification of the
Resurrection. Each of the seven Sundays of Hinoonk has a special name.

This Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter, is called New Sunday,
since the first day of the week through Christ’s Resurrection became
consecrated and Sunday became a dominical day. It is also called
Second Easter (Grgazadiz), which literally means `Easter repeated,’
because it is the eighth day of Easter and a day similar to Easter.

Today, you new peoples, with the heavenly and radiant angels let us
sing to the renewer of the human race who died and arose for us,
saying: May your resurrection be glorified.

Today, sons of Sion, born sons of God by grace in the font for the
renewal for the tomb, saying: May your resurrection be glorified.

Children of faith, celebrating today the feast of Jerusalem on high,
renew the garment of your souls and with the sons of light of the new
Sion bless Christ the King, saying: May your resurrection be
glorified.(Prayer for New Sunday from the Liturgical Canons of the
Armenian Church)

THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])

Self portrait by Panos Terlemezian

Komitas Vardapet by Panos Terlemezian

Death of Panos Terlemezian
(April 30, 1941)

Many Armenian intellectuals were also involved in the movement of
national liberation at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the
twentieth century. Painter Panos Terlemezian was one of them.

He was born in Aygestan, the Armenian suburb of the city of Van, on
March 3, 1865. His father was a farmer. After studying at the
elementary school, he attended the Van Central College (1881-1886),
which he graduated with honors. He became a teacher, while at the same
time he joined the first Armenian political party, the Armenagan
Organization, founded in 1885.

His political activities attracted the attention of the Turkish
government, which tried him in absentia. In 1893 he escaped to Persia
and later to Tiflis, in the Russian Empire. After working for a while
there, he 1895 he moved to St. Petersburg, where he entered the school
of the Art Society. The Turkish government had him imprisoned in 1897
and sent to prison in Tiflis and then in Yerevan, from where he was
exiled to Persia. In 1898 he clandestinely traveled to Paris and
entered the Académie Julian in 1899. He graduated in 1904, when he won
the first prize for his works in the academy’s exhibition. His work
`The Entrance of the Monastery of Sanahin’ (1904) won the gold medal
of an all-European exhibition in
Munich (Germany).

After living and creating in Armenia between 1905 and 1908, he
returned to Paris for the next two years. In 1910 he moved to
Constantinople, where he lived and exhibited until 1913, when he
returned to Van. He was one of the seven members of the military
authority that led the successful self-defense of Van in April-May
1915 and allowed some 200,000 Armenians of the town and the
environment to save their lives. After the evacuation of the town and
the emigration of the population towards the Caucasus, he settled in
Tiflis, where he participated in the organization of the Union of
Armenian Artists.

After the end of the war, Terlemezian lived again on the move. He was
in Constantinople, Italy and France between 1919 and 1922, and crossed
the Atlantic Ocean to the United States, where he lived for the next
five years, always painting and giving exhibitions. Finally, in 1928
he settled in Soviet
Armenia, where he continued producing landscapes, a genre where he
excelled, and portraits of celebrated Armenians. He received the title
of People’s Artist in 1935. He passed away on April 30, 1941. The Art
School (now Art College) of Yerevan bears his name.

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

SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER

The crises in Syria, including the recent upheaval in Kessab, need 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.

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

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

Real Heroes Are Heroes Everywhere

Heroes have been around since the beginning of time. Classical
Armenian used the word Õ¤Õ«Ö=82Ö=81Õ¡Õ¦Õ¶ (tiutsazn, literally
`of the lineage of gods’) with the meaning `hero.’ This is how the
mythical founder of the Armenian nation, Haig, was known by all
Armenian historians of ancient and medieval times: Õ=80Õ¡ÕµÕ¯
Õ¤Õ«Ö=82Ö=81Õ¡Õ¦Õ¶ (Haig tiutsazn).

However, in modern times, both Armenian and English share the common
word hero. While this word of Greek origin (á¼¥Ï=81Ï=89Ï=82, hḠ–
rÅ=8Ds) entered Middle English language via Latin in the fourteenth
century, it entered the Armenian language much later. According to
famous linguist Hrachia Adjarian, Armenian Õ°Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Õ½ (heros
=80=9Chero’) and all nouns, adjectives and verbs derived from it are
only found in the modern Armenian language. It is likely that it
entered
Armenian via French héros. The word tiutsazn from the old language was
not displaced, but used along with heros, although the latter acquired
a more colloquial use.

Thus, nowadays you can say that General Antranig is an azkayin heros
(Õ¡Õ¦Õ£Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶ Õ°Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Õ½, =80=9Cnational hero’), but nothing
prohibits saying that he was an
azkayin tiutsazn. Or, since we are evocating the Armenian Genocide,
one can perfectly honor any of the few actions of self-defense, either
the successful ones (like Van or Musa Dagh) or the not successful ones
(like Shabin Karahisar or Urfa), by referring to them as a herosamard
(Õ°Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Õ½Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ¿, `battle of heroes’), and use tiutsaznamard
(Õ¤Õ«Ö=82Ö=81Õ¡Õ¦Õ¶Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ¿) as a synonym. The memory of the
peaceful people who were forced to fight for their survival rather
than choosing death in exile deserves to be enhanced.

CNN CRITICIZES OBAMA STATEMENT

Although President Obama issued a strong statement on the occasion of
Martyrs Day of April 24, 2014, he again failed to use the word
“genocide.” In this clip CNN criticizes the President’s failure. Watch
the clip below.

()

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 25-St. Illuminator’s Cathedral presents a solo concert at 7:30
pm, featuring tenor Kevork Hadjian in commemoration of the 99th
anniversary of the Genocide. For information: 212-689-5880.

April 26-Armenian Relief Society, Agnouni, Bergen, Shake, and Spitak
New Jersey chapters, present Emmy award winner, Bared Maronian, in his
new documentary film, `Women of 1915,’ 7:30 pm, Sts. Vartanantz
Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Donation $50
(light meal will be served). For information: Arpi Misserlian
973-907-2898; Talin Daghlian 201-446-2316.

April 26-Armenian Genocide Walk in Philadelphia. Registration 12 noon
at Independence Visitor Center (Market Street between 5th and 6th
Streets). Walk begins at 1 pm, followed by program at 2 pm. Featured
speakers: George Aghjayan, `Why Western Armenia’; Pennsylvania State
Senator Daylin Leach, representative of the 17th District. Free bus
transportation from St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Church and St. Gregory
Church. For information: [email protected] and

April 27-Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley
observance, 3 pm, North Andover High School, 430 Osgood St., Arev
Armenian Folk Ensemble performing; joint requiem service by MV
Armenian churches; reception to follow; complimentary admission.

April 27-Annual Times Square Gathering, in commemoration of the 99th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Sponsored by the Knights and
Daughters of Vartan with the support and participation of all churches
and organizations. Free bus transportation from area Armenian
churches, and other locations.

May 1-Avak luncheon at noon, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts. Speaker: Tom Vartabedian, `A 50-Year
Retrospective into Armenian American Journalism,’ with stores and
photos.

May 9-Armenian Relief Society Mayr Chapter of New York presents
=80=9CA Mother’s Day Dinner Dance,’ featuring the Akhtamar Dance
Ensemble and music by Khajag, at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Avenue, Woodside, New York. Adults $40; children (under 10) $15. For
reservations: Anais, 718-392-6982 or Anahid 718-263-9325.

May 10-Unveiling of new genocide memorial by Lowell City Hall,
sponsored by the Armenian Genocide Monument Committee of Merrimack
Valley, 10 am, downtown procession, followed by program at City Hall
and reception in St. Ann’s Church at noon. Musical interlude by
soloist Sevan Dulgarian. Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, MC.

May 10-`Remembering Zahrad’ on the 90th anniversary of his
birth. Sponsored by the Esayan-Getronagan Alumni of New York, 8 pm at
Kalustyan Hall, Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs, Bayside, New
York. Featuring: Arto Krimian, Dr. Herand Markarian, Zivart
Balikjian, Berge Turabian. Admission is free.

May 11-Mothers Day Brunch organized by the Board of Trustees of
St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, following the Divine
Liturgy. Program will follow. Admission by donation.

May 16-Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly (NRA)
banquet hosted by St. Sarkis Church (Dearborn) at Double Tree Hotel
Banquet Hall, 5801 Southfield Service Drive, Detroit. Cocktails 7 pm;
dinner 8 pm. Ticket donation, $50. For reservations contact the church
office, 313-336-6200 before May 9.

May 21-Benefit for Boston’s Armenian Heritage Park, =80=9CChefs Party
for Our Park!’ Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 6:30 pm,
with participation of more than 15 of Boston’s top chefs. Go to
for information.

May 13-17-Clergy Conference and National Representative Assembly, and
Annual Conference of the National Association of Ladies’ Guilds (NALG)
of the Eastern Prelacy, hosted by St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn,
Michigan.

May 18-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Saturday school
year-end hantes, 4 pm.

May 18-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, ARS Havadk
Chapter Bingo Luncheon.

May 24-96th anniversary of Armenian independence sponsored by Lowell
`Aharonian’ ARF, 6 pm, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street, North
Andover, Massachusetts. Dinner, entertainment, and speaker, Baku
pogrom survivor Anna Turcotte, author of `Nowhere, A story of Exile.’
Admission: $20 adults; $10 students.

May 31-The Armenian Bar Association presents a panel discussion about
`Ongoing Legal Efforts and Challenges to Preserve Armenian Antiquities
and Cultural Property,’ at Association of the Bar of the City of New
York, 42 West 44th Street, New York City (between 5th and 6th
Avenues), 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Free admission. For information: Denise
Darmanian [email protected] or 917-848-0968.

May 31-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies’ Guild
Cooking Class, `Short Cuts to Armenian Cooking,’ 11 am, Homemade
Lahmajoon. $15 for each class; $40 for three classes.

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

June 1-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Sunday School
trip to Boston.

June 8-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies’ Guild
Hot Dog Social.

June 16-17-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Sunday School Teens
Seminar at Colombiere Conference and Retreat Center, Clarkston,
Michigan.

June 24-26-Vacation Bible Camp for preschool (age 4) to 6th grade
students at St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, from 10 am to 2
pm. Religious activities, lessons, crafts, and games. For information:
313-336-6200.

June 28-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies Guild
Cooking Class, `Short Cuts to Armenian Cooking,’ 11 am, Mock
Manti. $15 for each class; $40 for three classes.

June 29 – July 6, 2014: St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program
for youth ages 13-18 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC). For information, contact the AREC office at
212.689.7810 or at [email protected].

July 14-39th Annual St. Sarkis Golf & Tennis Classic, Meadowbrook
Country Club, Northville, Michigan. $250 donation for golf breakfast,
lunch, and banquet. $125 donation banquet only. Reservations:
313-336-6200.

July 26-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies Guild
Cooking Class, `Short Cuts to Armenian Cooking,’ 11 am, Boereg. $15
for each class; $40 for three classes.

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.

October 3-St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Saturday
School Dinner Dance Gala.

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

VIDEO – ARAM CATHOLICOS: “THE ARMENIAN NATION EXPECTS RECOGNITION AND COMPENSATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE.”

April 25, 2014

Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia said of Erdogan’s
latest statement: “What took place in 1915 in Turkey wasn’t a result
of war, Mr. PM, rather it was a genocide carried out upon the Armenian
nation, in the legal and political meaning of the word. A genocide
organized and realized by your ancestors, by Taleat and Enver Pashas.

Therefore, the Armenian nation doesn’t expect Turkish condolence and
morality, it expects recognition and compensation of the Armenian
Genocide.”

Watch video

From: Baghdasarian

KARABAKH PRESIDENT EXTENDS SYMPATHIES ON CONSTANTINE ORBELYAN’S PASSING

April 25, 2014 | 17:35

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), or Artsakh, President Bako Sahakyan on
Friday sent a condolence letter to the family of Constantine Orbelyan.

“I have learnt with deep sorrow about the death of renowned pianist,
conductor and composer, People’s Artist of the USSR Constantine
Orbelyan.

“Through his numerous creations and performances the legend of Armenian
bandstand and jazz fascinated the hearts of millions and substantially
contributed to the development and spreading of national culture and
musical art. The recollections of warm meetings with the maestro and
concerts he held in Artsakh will always remain in our memory.

“On behalf of the people, authorities of Artsakh, and myself
personally, I express deepest condolences and support to the family,
relatives, friends, and all admirer of the departed, and wish them
courage and tenacity on this irretrievable loss,” the NKR President’s
message of condolence reads.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN 4 ARMENIAN VILLAGES

April 25, 2014 | 20:52

YEREVAN. – On April 25, the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID), VivaCell-MTS telecommunications company, and the Foundation
for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) announced
the launch of water supply projects that will improve access to
drinking water in four Armenian communities- Berkaber in Tavush
province, and Haykavan, Arazap and Lukashin in Armavir province. The
projects will be implemented as part of the joint agreement, signed
by the three partners in March 2014.

The launch ceremony, held in the village of Lukashin, was attended
by the Head of USAID/Armenia Karen Hilliard, VivaCell-MTS General
Manager Ralph Yirikian, Founder of the FPWC Ruben Khachatryan, Mayor
of Lukashin village Karen Lazarian, and local residents.

Water supply, pressure, efficiency, and safety are severe issues in
each of the four communities. Access to drinking water in homes is
either very limited (2-3 hours a day) or non-existent, which requires
residents to retrieve water by bucket from a nearby source. Water and
energy loss is also rampant due to inefficiency, dated infrastructure,
and lack of metering systems.

“We are all aware of the depleting groundwater resources in the Ararat
valley, due to which a number of villages face water supply issues.

USAID’s goal is to reconstruct the dated and inefficient water
infrastructure which will help save energy and water resources,
as well as provide clean water to local residents,” Dr. Hilliard said.

The projects will address these issues by laying new piping, installing
pumping and reservoir stations where needed, and adding water metering
systems to the water networks to increase efficiency and generate
revenue for the communities.

“Creating and optimizing water supply networks in low-income
communities in Armenia is essential to ensuring people’s quality of
life. Sustainable water infrastructure is a necessary precondition for
the preservation of the communities and their long-term development,”
VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian commented.

Approximately 6,800 people from the four villages will benefit from
these projects, which will be implemented by the USAID Clean Energy
and Water Program in cooperation with FPWC. VivaCell-MTS and USAID
have provided AMD 70 million and AMD 60 million, respectively, for
the implementation of the project.

From: Baghdasarian