Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

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:

HOME BLESSING AND CHRISTMAS RECEPTION

The Prelate’s annual Christmas reception took place on the evening
of January 6 filling the Prelacy’s Vahakn and Hasmig Hovnanian
reception hall with many well-wishers from the metropolitan New York
area who were greeted by the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, and the
Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan. The traditional Home Blessing service was
offered by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, with the participation of area clergy.

The Armenian tradition of Home Blessing can be done throughout the
year, but is especially popular during the holy days of Christmas and
Easter. During this ceremony, the officiating clergyman blesses bread,
water, and salt,
all considered to be essential to life. It is customary to burn
incense, echoing the words of the psalmist, `Let my prayer be counted
as incense before you.’ (Psalm 41)

O Christ our God, guardian and hope of all our faithful, protect and
keep in peace your people under the protection of your holy and
venerable cross;
and especially this family, their home, the bread, the salt, and the
water. Save them O Lord from visible and invisible enemies and make
them worthy to glorify you with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now
and always, forever
and ever. Amen. (Benediction from the Armenian Blessing of Homes
service).

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral,
leads the Home Blessing service at the Prelacy. From left to right,
Ambassador Garen Nazarian, Permanent Representative of the Republic of
Armenia to the United Nations; Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, pastor of
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey; Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of Eastern Prelacy; Rev. Fr. Mesrob; Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General
of the Eastern Prelacy; Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Director of the
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC); Mrs. Garen Nazarian; and
Deacon Bedros Kalajian.

TWO CANDIDATES FOR PRIESTHOOD WILL STUDY IN ANTELIAS

Two candidates for the priesthood who have been studying in the United
States will travel to Lebanon this weekend to complete their studies
leading to their ordination as priests. The two candidates are Deacon
Diran Der Khosrofian, from St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, and Deacon Harold Nazarian from Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Providence, Rhode Island. Accompanying the two deacons to Lebanon is
Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian, pastor of Sts. Asdvadzadzin Church, who
is chairman of the Prelacy’s Religious Council.

For two years both candidates have been following a special curriculum
of study designed by the Prelate and the Religious Council. They will
now travel to Lebanon to continue their studies at the Seminary of the
Holy See of Cilicia to complete their studies. The two candidates were
given farewell receptions recently by their respective parishes.

Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian with Deacon Diran Der Khosrofian and his
family at St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
where the Ladies Guild hosted a luncheon for their deacon and his
family.

Deacon Harold Nazarian cuts a cake during a reception organized by the
Board of Trustees of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
expressing best wishes and success to Deacon Harold as he completes
the final portion of his studies in the Seminary in Antelias.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

Armenian Churches throughout the world celebrated Christmas on Monday,
January 6, remaining faithful to the original date marking the birth
and baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Antelias, Lebanon, His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, celebrated the
Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator. His
Holiness’ Christmas message was based on peace, following the
teachings of our Lord, the Prince of
Peace, through his parables and his blessing of peacemakers.

The parishes of the Eastern Prelacy celebrated the birth and baptism
with record attendance of the faithful at Christmas Eve and Christmas
Day services. Everywhere children played a major role in the
celebrations. Unfortunately most of our parishes in the Midwest
cancelled services because of the Polar Vortex that brought large
amounts of snow and record-breaking and extremely dangerously low
temperatures.

St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City

Archbishop Oshagan celebrated the Christmas Divine Liturgy and the
Blessing of the Water at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York
City. The
Godfather of the Cross was Haig Nadjarian (kneeling to the right of
the Archbishop), son of Paul and Rachel Nadjarian.

St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts

On Sunday morning, January 5, right after morning service, the Sunday
School presented, in drama form, the readings from the Book of Daniel,
where three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were thrown
into a fiery furnace because they did not worship the golden image of
Nebuchadnezzar. They
were miraculously saved by Divine Intervention. The inspiring
presentation
was enjoyed and appreciated by the parishioners.

Sunday School students at St. Asdvadzadzin Church present a drama from
the
Book of Daniel that is part of the Christmas Eve readings.

Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island

Sunday School students at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, present
a Christmas pageant depicting the birth of Christ.

St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut

On Sunday, January 5, 2014, the Sunday School of Saint Stephen’s
Armenian Apostolic Church of New Britain, Connecticut held its
Christmas Pageant and
luncheon. Mrs. Barbara Bagdassarian, pageant director, presented to
the audience a beautiful rendition of the timely Christmas story of
the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Celebration and enjoyment was had
by all.

St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts

The traditional blessing of the water service at St. Gregory Church,
North
Andover. From left, Dn. John Saryan, Dn. Arek Kalayjian,
Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Godfather Emmanuel Ohannessian, and
Dn. Avedis Garavanian.

St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York

Bishop Anoushavan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of
Water,
on Christmas at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston. The Vicar’s sermon
reflected on the message of `the love of God.’ Following the Liturgy
the Blessing of Water Service, symbolizing the baptism of Christ in
the River Jordan took place with Hovnan Oranjian, altar server, and
graduate of the Sunday School, as the Godfather of the Cross.

St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts

Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian, pastor of St. Stephen’s Church,
Watertown, with the Godfather of the Cross, Andre Avedis Monteiro,
whose birthday is January 6. He is the son of Ted and Salpi
(Badrikian) Monteiro, and the grand-nephew of Archpriest Fr. Zareh
Sahagian.

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, January 12, are: Romans 1:1-7; Luke 2:1-7.

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the
world should be registered. This was the first registration and was
taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own
towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he
was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be
registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a
child. While they were there, the time came for her
to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and
wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there
was no place
for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

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

FEAST OF THE NAMING OF OUR LORD

This Sunday, January 12, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of
the Naming of our Lord Jesus Christ, in accordance with the Hebrew
tradition. The commemoration of this event (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke
1:30-32; Luke 2:21) comes seven days after the Feast of the Nativity
(the eighth day of the octave of Nativity). This event of the naming
and circumcision of our Lord is the basis for the tradition of
baptizing children eight days after birth=80’a tradition that is
rarely followed now.
`After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child;
and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was
conceived in the womb.’ (Luke 2:21)

BIRTH OF ST. JOHN THE FORERUNNER

This Monday, January 13, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of
the
Birth of St. John the Forerunner (also known as St. John the
Baptist). John is an important figure in the New Testament and is
mentioned prominentl6y
in all four Gospels, which indicates that he had an effective ministry
baptizing those who repented their sins. He announced the coming of
`on greater’ than himself who is `to come baptizing not with water but
with the Spirit.’ (See Matthew 3:11-12; Mark 1:7-8; Luke 3:16-17; John
1:26-27). According to the Gospel of Luke, John was the son of
Zechariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a cousin of Mary. John is
considered to be the last of the Old Testament prophets and the
precursor of the Messiah. John is one of the two prime intercessors to
Jesus Christ, the other
being Mary, the mother of our Lord.
`Hasten to our help from on high, Saint John, apostle and prophet and
forerunner and baptizer of the Son of God and intercede for us before
Christ. You are the priest who offered himself on the cross; beseech
him to grant purification from sins to me who composed this hymn and
to those who celebrate your memory; Saint John, intercede for us
before Christ.'(Canon for the Nativity of John the Baptist according
to the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR POSTER

The 2014 color poster of the Liturgical Calendar of the Armenian
Apostolic
Church is now available at the Prelacy. At a glance, one can see the
cycle
of feasts and fasts and seasons of the Armenian Church year, which
begins on January 6, 2014.

An added feature this year is a list of `Basic Facts’ about the
Armenian Church’s liturgical year. This 27×36 inch poster belongs in
every Sunday school classroom.

To order, please contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or at
[email protected]. The cost of the poster is $5.00 plus
shipping and handling.

NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE

CHRISTMAS IN ANTELIAS

His Holiness Aram I celebrated the Holy Liturgy and delivered his
Christmas message on Christmas at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the
Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon. His Holiness stressed the theme of
peace, in keeping with
the message of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. The Catholicos stressed
that the peace of Jesus was built on justice and mutual love, and said
that the Church is called upon to make peace the core of its vocation.

His Holiness spoke of the major conflicts in the countries of the
world, and especially those in the Middle East. In the spirit of the
message of peace that is central to the teachings of Islam and
Christianity, His Holiness
asked Christians and Muslims to denounce violence. The Catholicos
described Lebanon as the ideal model for Christian -Muslim
conviviality. Although not exempt from regional conflicts, Lebanon has
remained a bridge between the East and the West. He urged the Armenian
community to remain united and to help protect Lebanon`s independence
and integrity.

Catholicos Aram concluded his Christmas message by speaking about the
suffering of the Armenian community in Syria. He told the faithful
that we must
pray for the community while helping the community materially until it
can
begin the process of recovery and rebuilding of lives.

HIS HOLINESS MAKES PASTORAL VISITS IN LEBANON
DURING THE NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS SEASON

Birds Nest Orphanage/School
Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by members of the clergy, visited the
Birds
Nest Orphanage and School in Byblos, Lebanon, as well as three other
humanitarian centers on December 23. The sisters of the Kayanian
Order, the members of the Board, the director, faculty and staff,
greeted the Catholicos and his entourage. After watching a special
program prepared by the children
that featured recitations, songs, and dances, His Holiness spoke with
the children while the priests distributed gifts.

The Birds Nest was established as an orphanage/school after the
Genocide of the Armenians in Turkey. Danish Missionaries brought
hundreds of orphaned
children to Lebanon at that time. The institution currently serves
children from broken or poor families and is currently also hosting
children displaced because of the war in Syria.

The Howard Karagheusian Association for Child Welfare
The director of the Howard Karagheusian Association for Child Welfare,
Mr.
Serop Ohanian, welcomed His Holiness Aram I and transmitted the
greetings of the General Director of the Foundation at the
headquarters in the United
States of America. After thanking the director and the staff for their
reception, Catholicos Aram I expressed his appreciation for the work
of the Karaghuesian Foundation in Lebanon for its long years of
service to the Armenian community and particularly for its
family-centered support. The Catholicos thanked and blessed the
personnel for expressing God’s love through their work.

The Armenian Relief Cross (ARC) at the Araxie Boulghourdjian Social
Center
The president of the Armenian Relief Cross (ARC), Mrs. Maral
Hovhannessian, and the director, Verjin Sarafian, welcomed His
Holiness Aram I to their Center. His Holiness thanked the benefactor
of the Center, Mr. Melkon Boulghourdjian, and the members of the ARC
who had come to welcome him. His Holiness said that the Center was
close to his heart because he had been involved in the planning of the
project with Mr. Boulghourdjian while Prelate of Lebanon. He mentioned
the important role of the Social Center during the civil war in
Lebanon and acknowledged its contribution to alleviating the suffering
of many needy Armenian families. He also commended the devotion and
commitment of Armenian women through the Armenian Relief Cross and
wished them a blessed Christmas and a fruitful New Year in 2014.

The Armenian Home for the Elderly
The Armenian Home for the Elderly was the final pastoral visit of the
day for Catholicos Aram and his entourage. After the formal welcome by
the director, Rev. Sebouh Terzian, the clergy accompanying His
Holiness offered a prayer service. The prayer service was followed
with a cultural program prepared and presented by the residents of the
Home. The Catholicos thanked the
members of the board and the director and staff of the Home for their
services to the elderly. Addressing the residents, the Catholicos said
the Home
is not an institution, but a home that belongs to the community, hence
their home. He then announced that he is declaring 2014 as the Year of
the Armenian Elderly.

During the visit to the Karaghuesian Foundation, the Armenian Relief
Cross
and the Home for the Elderly, His Holiness was accompanied by the
Prelate of Lebanon, Bishop Shahé Panossian, other clergy from the Holy
See of Cilicia, and Panos Manjian, a member of the Lebanese
Government, Vrej Saboundjian, the Minister of Industry, and Hagop
Pakradouni, a Member of Parliament.

The Azounieh Sanatorium-Hospital
The next day, December 24, His Holiness Aram I concluded his pastoral
visits with a visit to the Azounieh Sanatorium-Hospital accompanied by
members of the clergy. Following a prayer service, the Catholicos
blessed the patients and thanked the medical staff for the care and
attention they give the residents. Before leaving the
Sanatorium-Hospital, the Catholicos and the clergy, visited the
patients who were bedridden and prayed with them.

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

Birth of Sergei Parajanov (January 9, 1924)

“Everyone knows that I have three Motherlands. I was born in Georgia,
worked in Ukraine and I’m going to die in Armenia,” declared Sergei
Parajanov, one of the most talented names of Soviet
cinematography. Despite running afoul of censorship and repression,
his original cinematic style made significant contributions to
Ukrainian, Armenian, and Georgian cinema.

Parajanov was born in Tiflis, capital of Georgia, to Iosif Parajanov
and Siranush Bejanova. At the age of 21, he traveled to Moscow (1945),
enrolled in the directing department of VGIK (the All-Union State
Institute of Cinematography), the oldest film school in Europe, and
studied under directors Igor Savchenko and Aleksandr Dovzhenko.

In 1948 he was convicted of homosexual acts and sentenced to five
years in
prison, but was released under an amnesty after three months. In video
interviews, friends and relatives contested the truthfulness of the
charges. In 1950 he married his first wife, Nigyar Kerimova, from a
Muslim Tatar family, in Moscow. She converted to Eastern Orthodox
Christianity to marry him,
and was murdered by her relatives because of her conversion a year
later. After her murder, he left Russia for Kiev (Ukraine), where he
produced three documentaries and several narrative films. He married
his second wife, Svetlana Sherbatiuk, in 1956. Their son Suren was
born in 1958 and they divorced in 1962.

In 1964 Parajanov abandoned socialist realism (the state-sanctioned
art style in the Soviet Union) and directed Shadows of Forgotten
Ancestors, a poetic film over which he had complete creative
control. He would later dismiss all films he had directed before 1964
as `garbage.’ This film won numerous international awards and turned
him into a cult director.

He later left Kiev and moved to Armenia. He filmed Sayat Nova in 1968,
choosing the life of the famous eighteenth-century Armenian troubadour
as the apparent subject, but the film was immediately banned. He
re-edited his footage and renamed the film The Color of
Pomegranates. The film won much praise internationally and increased
his popularity as a venerated director.

A still from the movie The Color of Pomegranates.

His projects were systematically banned or scraped between 1965 and
1973 because of charges of deviation from accepted artistic norms,
until Parajanov was sentenced to five years in a hard labor camp in
Siberia on charges of
homosexuality and pornography in December 1973. Many international
artists
protested on behalf of the filmmaker without effect, including
Federico Fellini, Michelangelo Antonioni, Jean-Luc Godard, François
Truffaut, Luis Buñuel, Françoise Sagan, Yves Saint Laurent, Andrei
Tarkovsky, and others. He obtained an early release in December 1977.

The imprisoned filmmaker produced a large number of miniature
doll-like sculptures and some 800 drawings and collages, many of which
are currently displayed at the Parajanov Museum in Yerevan.

Sergei Parajanov, Tarkovsky’s Night Bird, 1987, Collage, Mixed Media.

After his return from prison to Tbilisi, he could not pursue his
career. He was imprisoned again in February 1982 on charges of bribery
and freed nine months later, although his health was seriously
compromised after the harsh conditions of the Siberian camp.

After his release, the support of Georgian intellectuals allowed him
to produce his last two films, which received critical and public
acclaim: The Legend of Suram Fortress (1984) and Ashik Kerib
(1988). He moved back to Armenia, where he started a project that
would remain unfinished: his final film, The Confession. Its original
film footage was assembled and released as
Parajanov: The Last Spring, by his close friend Mikhail Vartanov in
1992.

Sergei Parajanov passed away on July 20, 1990, in Yerevan, a victim of
cancer, at the age of 66. He left a legacy of sixteen films (feature
and documentary), and ten unproduced screenplays and projects,
including films on the Armenian legend of Ara the Beautiful and the
Armenian epic David of Sassoun.

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

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

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

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

Thank you for your help

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 31-Memorial Program dedicated to Sos Sargsyan, Armenian actor,
playwright, people’s artist, and political activist, organized
by Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of New York,
featuring Karine Kocharyan, Voice of Armenians TVNY, at the Armenian
Center, 69-23 47th Street, Woodside, New York. Suggested donation:
$7.00. For information: 718-565-8397.

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

February 2-St. Sarkis Men’s Club, Dearborn, Michigan, presents Super
Bowl Party, at Lillian Arakelian Hall.

February 9-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Book Presentation by
Deacon Shant Kazanjian following the Divine Liturgy at Lillian
Arakelian Hall.

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

March 1-St. Sarkis Sunday School, Dearborn, Michigan, Poon Paregentan
Costume Party for everyone, at Lillian Arakelian Hall.

March 26-St. Sarkis Ladies Guild, Dearborn, Michigan, Mid-Lenten
Luncheon following the Lenten morning service, Lillian Arakelian Hall.

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

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.

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

June 1-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Toronto Children’s Choir
concert in the church sanctuary.

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

ARMENIA’S TOBACCO PRODUCTION CLIMBS 38.5% TO AMD 33.6 BLN IN JANUARY-NOVEMBER

YEREVAN, January 9. /ARKA/. Armenia produced a total of 33.6-billion
dram valued tobacco goods in January-November 2013, which was 38.5%
higher from the same period of 2012, ArmStat reported.

The number of cigarettes produced in Armenia accounted to 6,847.7
million, a 44.5% increase from January-November 2012.

The Customs Service said Armenia exported cigars, cigarillos and
cigarettes worth a total of $50.7 million in eleven months of 2013,
a 2.2-time increase from the same period of the year before. ($1 –
405.95 drams). -0–

12:54 09.01.2014

From: Baghdasarian

ANY PERSON MUST ANSWER FOR HIS DEEDS – GEVORG KOSTANYAN

14:40 ~U 09.01.14

Any person in Armenia, including Chairman of the Tseghakron (Race
religion) party Shant Harutyunyan, will be held responsible for his
deeds if he is found guilty by court, Prosecutor General of Armenia
Gevorg Kostanyan told reporters on Thursday.

On November 5, 2013, Shant Harutyunyan, with a number of his
supporters, with clubs and rods in their hands, attempted a march
from Yerevan’s Freedom Square to the Armenian president’s residence.

As regards Armenian Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Karen
Andreasyan’s report on corruption in the country’s judicial system,
Kostanyan noted that any citizen has the right to appeal decisions
by law-enforcers.

“If any phenomenon is claimed to exist, facts must be presented because
actions are taken on facts rather than on phenomena,” Kostanyan said.

From: Baghdasarian

HOW THE MUSLIM WORLD CAME INTO BEING

American Thinker
Jan 9 2014

Raymond Ibrahim

Arabic-language websites reported earlier this week that the
al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which throughout
the course of the war against the Assad government has committed
any number of atrocities — from decapitating “infidels” to burning
churches — has successfully “forced” two Armenian Christian families
to convert to Islam.

A video accompanies some of these reports. In it, what appears to
be an elderly Armenian man stands alongside an Islamic cleric who
announces the Christian man’s conversion to Islam — to thunderous
cries of “Allahu Akbar!” In his exultation, the cleric makes exuberant
statements like “You see, we have no honor without Islam — without
crying aloud that ‘There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his
prophet!'” (This appears to be another way of saying, “Only by
joining our winning team can you ever escape dishonor,” the lot of
all non-Muslim “infidels.”)

The cleric also adds that, because the man is the head of his
household, his Christian wife and children are all now Muslim as
well — “all praise to Allah!” And if they reject their new Islamic
identity, they become “apostates,” a crime punishable by death.

The rather flippant and sarcastic text that accompanies this video
on some websites points out the obvious:

After decades of peaceful coexistence between the various religions
of Syria, and after decades of living under the moderate form of
Levantine Islam … these two Armenian families were none too keen on
entering Islam or learning of its eminence — except at the hands of
DAASH [al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant], which
has been presenting a “rosy” picture of Islam and Muslims, by way
of chopping heads, whipping people, and general repression. Thus did
these two Christian Armenian families finally enter Islam, willingly —
but only at the hands of DAASH.

In other words, it’s “curious,” to say the least, that Christians who
for generations lived amid moderate Muslim majorities in Syria opted
to remain Christian, are now “suddenly” attracted to Islam — and at
the hands of a jihadi organization that has been bombing churches,
kidnapping and beheading Christians, and teaching even children to
slaughter Christians wherever they may be found.

Sound like genuine conviction to you? Maybe the 2012 news that “a
family of Armenian Christians was found murdered, and all members of
the family horribly decapitated” in Syria is compelling these Armenian
families into seeing the “wisdom” of embracing Islam?

Here we reach an important but overlooked historical point. While many
Christians, past and present, have indeed willingly embraced martyrdom
— the sword, death — rather than recant Christ for Muhammad, the
majority of born Christians, when faced with converting to Islam or
dying, have opted for the former. Indeed, call it a lack of idealism
or a lack of faithfulness, but when faced with converting to Islam or
simply being third-class subjects (dhimmis), throughout the centuries,
countless nominal Christians have opted for the former.

That is precisely how and why the so-called “Islamic world” — the
majority of which was almost entirely Christian before the Islamic
conquests — came into being: a fact Westerners were well-acquainted
with, before the current age of political correctness and downright
deceit fell upon us.

Raymond Ibrahim is author of Crucified Again: Exposing Islam’s New
War on Christians.

From: Baghdasarian

KARABAKH RECORDS PALPABLE PROGRESS IN ISSUE OF INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION: D. BABAYAN

16:02, 8 January, 2014

YEREVAN, JANUARY 8, ARMENPRESS. The resolution introduced by
Assemblyman Gatto on January 6 regarding the recognition of Nagorno
Karabakh as a sovereign state proves that the process of Karabakh’s
international recognition actively moves on. This is a significant
and positive process, which will contribute to the establishment
of bilateral ties between California and the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic. The Press Spokesman of the Artsakh Republic President Davit
Babayan stated this in a conversation with “Armenpress”. In addition
Davit Babayan underscored that the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and the
people of Artsakh express their gratitude to Assemblyman Mike Gatto,
who carried out huge work at the course of these years and contributed
to the process of Karabakh’s international recognition.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) joined with people of Armenian
descent around California and the world in calling for the United
States to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as a sovereign
state. The resolution, AJR 32, invokes strong language from the
United States’ own history regarding the rights of the people to
“self-determination and democratic independence.” If Gatto’s resolution
passes, it would make California the most populous governmental entity
to call for Nagorno-Karabakh recognition, or to recognize it outright.

In 1921, the Soviet Union illegally severed Nagorno-Karabakh, also
known as Artsakh, from Armenia, and placed it under the newly created
Soviet Azerbaijani administration. Seventy years later, the people
there formed the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. On 6 January 1992, the
democratically elected legislature of the Republic formally declared
independence. Since proclaiming independence, the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic has registered significant progress in democracy building,
including a presidential election last year that was assessed by
international observers as free and transparent.

Three organizations that have already expressed support for the
legislation are the Armenian Council of America (ACA), the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA), and the Unified Young Armenians
(UYA).

Assemblyman Gatto has worked closely with each of these organizations
on legislation he has authored in the past, including a resolution
calling for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide and on
legislation extending the statute of limitations for victims of the
genocide to file insurance claims. The Assemblyman has also supported
events sponsored by each organization, including their stellar efforts
to raise money for Armenians in need around the world. “The community
is united in support of recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh,” stated Gatto.

“It has been my privilege on this resolution to work with the leaders
of the local Armenian American community and their outstanding
representatives,” said Gatto. “I am especially honored to introduce
this legislation on a day when Armenians around the world are
celebrating Christmas with family and loved ones.”

Once passed by both houses of the California Legislature, a copy of
AJR 32 will be transmitted to the President of the United States,
the Secretary of the United States Senate, the Clerk of the United
States House of Representatives, and to each member of the California
delegation to the United States Congress.

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the
California State Assembly. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada
Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods
of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills,
Los Feliz, and Silver Lake.

From: Baghdasarian

Turquie : Les journalistes toujours sous tension

Publié le : 07-01-2014

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
invite à lire ce communiqué de presse publié sur le site des Reporters
sans frontières le 25 décembre 2013.

Reporters sans frontières

Publié le mercredi 25 décembre 2013.

Les journalistes une nouvelle fois boucs émissaires de la crise politique

Reporters sans frontières dénonce fermement la volonté des autorités
d’entraver la circulation de l’information sur le scandale
politico-financier qui défraie la chronique depuis une semaine en
Turquie. Restriction drastique de l’accès des médias aux sources
policières, blocage d’un site d’information, licenciement d’une
journaliste de premier plan… Le gouvernement tente par tous les moyens
de contenir les fuites sur ce sujet des plus embarrassants et renoue
avec une rhétorique très agressive à l’encontre des médias critiques.

« Nous sommes vivement préoccupés par la série de mesures liberticides
prises à l’encontre des médias ces derniers jours. En tentant
d’instaurer une censure a priori et a posteriori sur la vaste enquête
anti-corruption qui vise le c`ur du pouvoir, le gouvernement ne fait
que renforcer l’opacité déjà prégnante sur les grands dossiers
politico-judiciaires turcs, au mépris du droit à l’information de la
population sur un sujet aussi important », a déclaré Reporters sans
frontières.

« Ankara semble prendre pour habitude, lorsqu’il se sent en
difficulté, de tirer sur le messager. Les journalistes n’ont pas à
faire les frais de l’affrontement en cours au sommet du pouvoir. Il
est inacceptable que les discours officiels, comme pendant les
manifestations du parc Gezi, continuent d’assimiler les médias
critiques à des ennemis de la nation. »

Le 17 décembre 2013, une trentaine de personnalités de haut rang ont
été interpellées dans le cadre d’une vaste enquête anti-corruption.
Parmi elles figurent les fils de deux ministres, le directeur exécutif
d’une banque d’Etat et un magnat du secteur de la construction. Un
coup dur pour l’équipe gouvernementale, qui doit largement son arrivée
au pouvoir il y a dix ans à ses promesses de lutte contre la fraude et
la corruption. Alors que le scandale n’en finit pas de se développer,
l’exécutif a riposté, se disant victime d’un « complot international »
et limogeant de nombreux hauts responsables de la police à travers le
pays.

Cette affaire est largement interprétée comme un nouvel épisode de la
lutte d’influence au sein de l’élite conservatrice, qui s’approfondit
jusqu’au c`ur du parti AKP au pouvoir à l’approche des élections de
l’année 2014. Depuis plusieurs mois, le conflit s’exacerbe entre
partisans du premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan et tenants de
l’influente confrérie islamique de Fethullah Gülen, qui compte de
nombreux membres au sein de la police et des institutions judiciaires.

L’information tarie à la source, bloquée à la sortie

Le 22 décembre, la Direction de la police a annoncé que les
journalistes n’auraient désormais plus d’accès direct aux institutions
policières dans le cadre de leurs activités professionnelles. En
conséquence, les professionnels des médias ont été priés de remettre
les accréditations et les clés qui leur permettaient de se rendre aux
services de presse d’un certain nombre de commissariats. Ils devront
désormais se contenter des informations officielles distillées lors
des points de presse ou autres briefings. Les associations turques de
défense de la liberté de la presse ont unanimement dénoncé cette
mesure « sans précédent », qui empêchera les journalistes de collecter
les données brutes indispensables à leur travail et prétend les
réduire à de simples relais de la communication policière.

La veille, le site d’information Yeni Dönem (Nouvelle ère), récemment
fondé par le célèbre journaliste Mehmet Baransu et qui était à
l’origine de certaines révélations sur l’enquête anti-corruption,
avait été bloqué. Il devenait ainsi la première victime d’un arrêt
rendu le 20 décembre par le procureur général de la République
d’Istanbul, qui mettait en garde les médias et les sites d’information
contre toute publication susceptible de « porter atteinte à la
présomption d’innocence » ou « à un procès juste et équitable ». Les
autorités de régulation, le Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (RTÜK)
et la Haute instance de la télécommunication (Tib), sont chargées de
veiller à l’application de cette décision.

L’avocat de Mehmet Baransu, Sercan Sakalli, a annoncé son intention de
demander la levée du blocage, mais également de porter plainte auprès
du parquet d’Ankara contre les magistrats à l’origine de cette mesure.
Il souligne que cette affaire provoque un intense débat de société,
que les médias continuent de la couvrir, et que Yeni Dönem n’est pas
le seul support à rendre publics des éléments de l’enquête.

De célèbres journalistes pris pour cibles

Mehmet Baransu était déjà au c`ur du précédent épisode de censure liée
à l’affrontement entre le Premier ministre et le mouvement Gülen. Fin
novembre, il avait publié dans le quotidien libéral Taraf un document
datant de 2004, dans lequel Recep Tayyip Erdogan, l’actuel président
de la République Abdullah Gül et le Conseil national de sécurité (MGK)
demandaient au gouvernement de prendre des mesures pour « en finir »
avec la confrérie. Quelques jours plus tard, le journaliste révélait
que des mesures de surveillance et de fichage des membres de la
confrérie avaient été mises en place par les services de renseignement
(MIT). Bien que l’authenticité de ces documents soit hors de cause,
Mehmet Baransu et Taraf ont été visés par une cascade de plaintes
émanant des services du Premier ministre, du MGK et de la MIT, pour
avoir « diffusé des documents classifiés relatifs à la sécurité de
l’Etat ». Le 7 décembre, le Premier ministre a publiquement assimilé
le travail de Taraf et de son chroniqueur à de la « trahison » et
suggéré que la justice devait les condamner. Ce qui a poussé le
journaliste et son employeur à porter plainte à leur tour pour «
insulte », « diffamation » et « tentative d’influencer le cours de la
justice ».

Mehmet Baransu n’est pas le seul journaliste de premier plan à faire
les frais de la tension politique actuelle. La célèbre chroniqueuse du
quotidien conservateur Sabah, Nazli Ilicak, a été licenciée le 18
décembre, au lendemain d’une apparition sur la chaîne CNN Türk au
cours de laquelle elle appelé à la démission des ministres dont les
fils sont impliqués dans le scandale de corruption. La direction de ce
journal pro-gouvernemental a invoqué une « divergence d’opinions ».

La Turquie occupe la 154e place sur 179 dans le classement mondial
2013 de la liberté de la presse établi par Reporters sans frontières.

Retour à la rubrique
Source/Lien : RSF

From: Baghdasarian

Two more Azerbaijani terrorists killed in Syria

18:16 07/01/2014 » SOCIETY

Two more Azerbaijani citizens who participated in the fighting on the
side of the terrorists have been killed in Syria. According to the
Azerbaijani news agency “APA”, two sites belonging to terrorist groups
fighting against government forces in Syria extended this information.

It is reported that Namik Askerov, who fought with “Frente al Nusra”
group associated with “Al-Qaeda” was killed. Someone called Soltan
Azeri Seifullakh was killed too. Sites also spread photographs of
murdered Azerbaijani terrorists.

According to “APA” in battles against Bashar al-Assad’s forces in
Syria hundreds of Azerbaijanis are involved in various groups, dozens
of them have been killed.

In the last period of time the media reported about a number of deaths
of Azerbaijani terrorists in Syria. In early April, the Turkish sites
have reported that about 30 terrorists from Azerbaijan have already
been killed in Syria. According to the Azerbaijani conflict scientist
Arif Yunus more than 300 Islamists from Azerbaijan are fighting in
Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, according to Arif Yunus and
the “Facthaber’ portal, over 100 Azerbaijani terrorists are fighting
in Syria. Azerbaijani terrorists had even placed an online
video-record calling for “jihad.

The relationship between international terrorist groups and Azerbaijan
originated in the early 1990s. That time, the Azerbaijani army, having
failed in the aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR),
retreated with losses. Trying to save the situation, the Azerbaijani
leadership, headed by Heydar Aliyev attracted to the war against the
Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh international terrorists and members of
radical groups from Afghanistan (groupings of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar),
Turkey (“Grey Wolves”, etc.), Chechnya (groupings Basayev and Raduyev
etc.) and some other regions.

Despite the involvement in of thousands of foreign mercenaries and
terrorists in the Azerbaijani army during the war, the Azerbaijani
aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh Republic failed, and the Baku
authorities were forced to sign an armistice with the NKR and Armenia.
However, international terrorists found ties in Azerbaijan, and used
them in the future. Recruitment was conducted among Azerbaijanis, who
then were sent to Afghanistan and the North Caucasus, where
participated in the battles against the forces of the international
coalition and Russian organizations.

In recent years, the citizens of Azerbaijan are actively involved in
terrorist and extremist activities in Russia, Afghanistan and Syria.
In Azerbaijan the citizens are brought to criminal liability for
participating in “illegal armed groups” in Afghanistan, sentenced to
minor terms of imprisonment.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

Petition Asks Switzerland to Appeal Genocide Denial Verdict

Tuesday, January 7th, 2014

The Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France

PARIS – In the struggle against Turkish denial of the Armenian Genocide,
the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF)
has decided to launch a petition asking Switzerland to appeal the most
recent judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which
found that the ultra-nationalist Dogu Perinçek, president of the
Workers’ Party of Turkey, could not be condemned for saying publicly
in Geneva in 2007 that the `so-called Armenian genocide is an
imperialist lie.’

The full petition can be read and signed at Change.org.

From: Baghdasarian

ANCA-WESTERN REGION 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Friday, January 3rd, 2014

ANCA-WR

ANCA-WR Mission Statement The Armenian National Committee of
America-Western Region is the largest Armenian American grassroots
advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations
around the country, the ANCA-WR works to promote understanding
regarding issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

ANCA-WR Board chairperson Nora Hovsepian

Board Chairperson’s Message I have had the privilege of serving as the
Chair of ANCA WR for two years now though I have served in different
capacities within the organization off and on since the 1980’s. In that
time not a day has gone by that I was not inspired by the work that
is done here and the devotion and perseverance of the people who do
it. From the dedicated and committed volunteers who serve on the Board
of Directors and various committees, to our donors and supporters,
staff and interns, the ANCA is not just a community organization,
but a family that digs its roots deep and expands its branches far –
to fortify, advance and give voice to the Armenian-American community.

We have come a long way, and as our community has grown and evolved,
we have grown and evolved with it to make sure its needs are met. Our
programs have expanded, our staff has increased, and our reputation
and initiatives have become a model for others.

The work of our local chapters has now come to include many community
service initiatives like free legal clinics, community town hall
forums, voter education and registration, pathways to maximize civic
engagement in all levels of government, media response mechanisms,
and other means by which our community can fully integrate, all the
while continuing to stay true to our mission of fighting for Armenian
Genocide recognition and reparations, helping Armenia and Artsakh
develop and prosper, and working hard to ensure the safety and security
of our Homeland against all threats. This multi-disciplinary approach
is more important than ever as it is part of a long-term approach
in ensuring that we have thriving communities across the region that
will help bring justice and accountability in all levels of government
while simultaneously helping to advance the Armenian Cause overall.

In the past two years, we have also created an Advisory Board composed
of our elder statesmen who had the vision to create and develop this
organization and from whose institutional memory, collective wisdom and
diverse experience we have greatly benefitted. We are deeply grateful
to them, and to all of those who have supported the organization over
time and helped us to get to where we are today.

Despite the difficult economic climate, and the many challenges it has
brought, we have been able to continue and expand our work because of
such support and backing of our community. The many accomplishments
we have achieved this year are the result of this partnership and
teamwork. As we move forward, I know we will only be building on the
strong foundation that has been set, stone by stone, for so many years.

By standing together and continuing to develop mechanisms to strengthen
and amplify our community’s voice, I know we will reach even greater
heights of distinction and accomplishments as we continue to strive
toward our ultimate goals.

In Common Cause, Nora Hovsepian, Esq.

Chair, ANCA Western Region

ANCA-WR Board members meet with Calif. Governor Jerry Brown

Strengthening The Grassroots

Powering Up Our Local Chapters Recognizing that our strength lies in
the incredible work conducted by our local chapters in their respective
communities, one of the major undertakings of the ANCA Western Region
in 2013 has been to strengthen and work more closely with our local
chapters. Through allocation of additional resources and support from
the ANCA WR Board liaisons and staff, our local chapters are able to
with greater ease successfully implement programs and initiatives.

The ANCA WR now works alongside with local chapters toward cultivating
relationships with local public officials and entities, is more
involved in community activities and community development, and helps
promote grassroots activism on a local level to be utilized at the
state, regional and national levels in advancing the Armenian Cause.

The results of this effort in the past year have been incredible,
as we have witnessed existing and new chapters become more organized,
active and proactive in addressing issues in their local communities.

Expanding Our Reach Through Town Halls In an effort to educate and
remain in close ties with existing ANCA local chapters and establish
new chapters in the region, the ANCA WR conducted a number of town
hall meetings in Idaho, Texas, Arizona, San Diego, Seattle, Nevada
among other locations.

Given the incredible response by local community members to attend
the town hall meetings and their eagerness to start a local chapter
or become involved with an existing one, the ANCA WR will continue
to host similar community gatherings to engage communities outside
of its headquarters base in Los Angeles, CA.

Making Our Community’s Voice Heard Through Hye Votes In 2012, the ANCA
WR launched the very successful Hye Votes initiative as a region wide,
non-partisan program to engage community members in the electoral
process. The Hye Votes efforts in coalition with our local chapters,
a network of non-profit organizations, student groups, and community
members, are intended to register and encourage the community to vote
in the Elections while also serving as a source for voter information.

For the 2012 Presidential Elections, the 2013 Los Angeles Mayoral
Elections, and more recently for the Montebello City Elections, Hye
Votes along with area specific ANCA WR local chapters, coordinated a
multi-faceted civic participation campaign designed to walk first-time
and disadvantaged voters through the entire political process. The
components of the campaign included: voter registration, voter
education, voter mobilization, voter assistance, voter research,
voting rights advocacy and get-out-the-vote efforts.

The aforementioned combined with on-the-ground field organizers,
advertising, direct mail, trainings, phone banking, and canvassing
resulted in over 5,500 additional registered Armenian voters and
unprecedented turnouts in the Elections by the Armenian-American
community. Given the success and the importance of the initiative,
the ANCA-Western Region is currently in the midst of establishing a
Hye Votes task force to be comprised of representatives from local
chapters to continue implementing the initiative across the region.

California state and local officials during the ANCA-WR trip to Armenia

Elevating Awareness And Advocacy

Legislative Affairs 2013 has been an extremely busy year for the
ANCA WR in the area of legislative affairs. We continued to stand
strong on issues of importance to the Armenian-American communities
by working closely with our national office on proper recognition of
the Armenian Genocide through the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice
Act that was recently introduced in the US House of Representatives,
calling upon the White House and Congress to prominently display
the Armenian Genocide Orphan Rug at the Smithsonian, activating
our grassroots to voice opposition on US strikes against Syria,
and advocating for foreign aid to Armenia and Artsakh.

Moreover, in order to have a stronger presence in the CA State
Capitol and take proactive steps in minimizing the recent efforts of
infiltrating the CA legislature by the Turkish and Azeri lobby, the
ANCA Western Region hired a Legislative Affairs Director to educate
elected officials, hold regular meetings, cultivate relationships,
and work on policy issues as they relate to the benefit of the Armenian
communities in the region, Armenia, and Artsakh.

All the while, our local chapters took on demanding proper
representation in their city institutions, opposing electrical fee
hikes that would heavily impact the livelihood of the Armenian-American
residents in their region, partnering with their school districts to
ensure that Armenian parents and students with language barriers were
able to successfully navigate the education system, and serving as the
bridge between issues in city departments and their Armenian-American
constituency.

Meetings With Officials The ANCA WR held more than 150 meetings in
2013 with just state and federal level elected officials to educate and
advocate on issues of concern to the Armenian-American community. This
high volume number of meetings does not include those held with local
elected officials, appointed high level administrators, any meetings
held by the ANCA National Headquarters, or the local chapters of the
ANCA WR.

Groundbreaking Delegation Trip To Armenia And Artsakh In an effort
to establish direct ties between U.S. elected officials and the
Homeland by providing policymakers with a first-hand understanding
of the rich Armenian history and culture, the ANCA Western Region
helped organize a delegation of prominent city and state officials
for a 5 day in-depth visit to Armenia followed by a two day visit to
Artsakh. The groundbreaking trip, which took place from September 17 to
September 24, 2013 was hosted by the Governments of Armenia and NKR,
and facilitated by the Consul General of Los Angeles in coordination
with the California State Assembly and the City of Los Angeles.

The delegation included CA State Assembly Speaker John Perez,
Assemblymembers Katcho Achadjian, Cheryl Brown, Adrin Nazarian,
Scott Wilk, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield
and Paul Krekorian, Assemblymember Nazarian’s Chief of Staff Dan
Savage, Councilmember Krekorian’s Chief of Staff Areen Ibranossian,
Communications Director Jeremy Oberstein and Director of Planning
and Land Usage Karo Torossian, ANCA WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, and ANCA
WR Executive Director Elen Asatryan. The ANCA WR intends to organize
similar trips on an annual basis.

2013 ANCA-WR Advocay Day in Sacrament

Advocacy Day In Sacramento On April 15, 2013, the ANCA WR hosted more
than 200 activists from all over California for its annual Advocacy Day
and for the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in the California
State Legislature.

Community activists of every age spent the entire day advocating
issues concerning the community by educating their legislators
about the consequences of the denial of the Genocide, while viewing
the month-long exhibit of Armenian American inventors that have
contributed to the well-being of the American population. Participants
also observed the State Assembly’s and State Senate’s commemorations
which recognized various community groups including the ANCA WR. The
day’s events were highlighted by passage of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution in both chambers of the State legislature.

Candidates’ Forum In order to bring together large segments of
the Armenian-American community to hear and interact with political
candidates at the local, state, and federal levels of government, the
ANCA WR organized numerous town-halls and debates during elections. The
most successful of these forums/debates was the Berman and Sherman
debate as it was the first time we watched incumbent congressmen
debate issues of importance to Armenian-Americans that was also aired
live nationwide.

ANCA-WR Executive Director Elen Asatryan speaks to college students
about Hye Tad

Investing In The Future

ANCA WR Internship Program Acknowledging the importance of providing a
pipeline of support to the next generation of our community’s leaders,
the ANCA WR re-launched its internship program for the 8th year in
May 2013, while our Glendale Chapter kicked off its 7th year, and
our Crescenta Valley chapter established one for their region. This
selective, part time, leadership training program provides high
school and college students as well as recent college graduates an
opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of community issues
as well as advocacy efforts on the local, regional, and federal
levels. During their tenure, interns are given valuable opportunities
to interact with public officials, develop leadership and advocacy
skills, represent the ANCA WR at community and media events,
organize various grassroots campaigns and events, work with staff,
Board members, committee members, and local ANCA chapters as well
as attend weekly educational lectures. The multi-faceted internship
compounds professional skill-building with networking opportunities
to promote well-rounded individuals to serve in our community and on
future ANCA Western Region and local chapter committees. The program
hosts spring, summer, and fall sessions.

ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship Program In that same spirit, the
ANCA WR also sponsored two local students to participate in the
prestigious ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship Program in Washington,
DC. The Internship program, now in its 29th year, provides Armenian
American youth leaders from the across the U.S. an opportunity to
learn first-hand about the inner workings of the American political
system during its eight week training session in the nation’s capital.

ANCA WR-AYF Mentorship Program In the summer of 2013, ANCA WR partnered
with the Armenian Youth Federation Western Region to establish a
mentorship program for the youth in the area. Through this new program,
ANCA Professional Network members are paired with AYF members to assist
them with such matters as choosing a college, college applications,
professional development, and professional internships.

Path To College Program (PTC) Originally launched by the ANCA
Glendale Chapter in 2007, the PTC program consists of a series
of forums organized to educate the non-English speaking immigrant
Armenian population about the multitude of opportunities available
to secondary school students. Though the program is geared toward the
non-English speaking immigrant population, it is open to all students
and parents who need assistance.

The objective of the program is to increase high school retention
and admission to college. The forums cover such topic matters as
high school graduation requirements, 4 year plan, English Language
Development classes, the college application process and deadlines,
financial aid, SAT & ACT college admission exams, how to write personal
statements, and the difference between community colleges and 4-year
universities. Given the success and the need in our communities for
such services, the ANCA WR brought the PTC program on the regional
level to help organize similar forum across the region using the
Glendale model.

Key Events

ANCA Grassroots Conference In 2013, the much anticipated Grassroots
Conference returned Thanksgiving Weekend, bringing together 31 expert
panelists and more than 550 hundred activists from all over the world
to analyze issues related to the Armenian Cause and to develop and
promote new avenues of leadership and advocacy. The ANCA Grassroots
Conference has been established as a bi-annual event.

ANCA-WR Annual Gala Banquet The premier annual fundraising event
for the ANCA-WR, the 2013 Annual Banquet Gala was attended by more
than 1,000 activists, supporters, donors and public officials who
came together to acknowledge the work of the organization and to
pay homage to the 2013 honorees Primate of Artsakh Archbishop Barkev
Martirosyan, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Legendary Coach Jerry
Tarkanian, Lifelong Philanthropist Manas Boujikian, Assemblymember
Katcho Achadjian, and Activist and Filmmaker Ara Soudjian for their
contributions to the Armenian Cause.

ANCA-PN Destination Weekend The inaugural event was successfully held
in October, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will hereafter be organized
bi-annually, alternating years with the ANC Grassroots Conference. The
locale will change each year with the goal of bringing together
young Armenian professionals from all over the world to network,
share ideas, identify mentors, socialize, and share their interest
in the Armenian Cause.

ANCA-WR Board of Directors and staff

How does all of this happen? It’s Simple… Through Grassroots Efforts

Because we have a proven track record and the work we do is so
critical, we have hundreds of dedicated community members across
the region who serve on our regional and local boards, committees,
and subcommittees, while others graciously contribute financially to
make our programs and initiatives possible. No matter the size of the
group or task being completed, all of our dedicated volunteers play
a vital role in helping us fulfill our goal of educating, motivating
and activating our community, all the while demanding accountability,
proper representation, and justice from our representatives.

2 Ways You Can Help

1. Donate We rely on region-wide monetary donations for the bulk of
our operating funds. No matter how large or small. Every donation
helps keep our lights on and fuels our advocacy, community outreach,
civic engagement, youth, and development programs. A $15 donation
allows us to purchase a case of paper, while a $100 donation covers
the monthly bill of keeping our community informed of issues that
are important to them through monthly e-newsletters.

You can be sure that we will stretch every dollar of your donation
and ensure that your voice will be heard through local, state, and
federal government agencies and grassroots action on the issues that
matter to you most.

4 Ways To Donate 1. ANCA WR 2. Become a monthly ANCA WR donor.

3. Earmark Your Donation to the ANCA WR Initiative You Care About
Most. Note: Contributions, gifts, and dues to the ANCA WR are not tax
deductible. They support our effective, citizen-based advocacy efforts.

4. Make a tax-deductible gift to the ANC WR and help us continue our
education and community outreach efforts.

Visit to contribute today.

2. Get Involved Contact us at: ANCA Western Region 104 N. Belmont,
Ste. 200, Glendale, CA 91206 (818) 500-1918 [email protected]
facebook.com/ANCAWesternRegion twitter.com/ANCA_WR

ANCA WR LOCAL CHAPTERS

Bay Area Facebook.com/ancasf [email protected]

Burbank 75 E. Santa Anita Ave., Burbank, CA 91502
facebook.com/ANCABurbank [email protected] (818) 562-1918

Central California 2348 Ventura St., Fresno, CA 93721
facebook.com/ANCACentralCalifornia [email protected] (559) 233-2315

Crescenta Valley 2633 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, CA 91020
facebook.com/ANCACV [email protected] (818) 527-6361

Glendale 211 W. Chestnut St. Ste. 302, Glendale, CA
91204 facebook.com/ANCAGlendale
twitter.com/ANCA_Glendale [email protected] (818) 243-3444

Hollywood Facebook.com/AncaHollywood [email protected] (323)
642-8561

Houston [email protected] (281) 202-8274

Orange County facebook.com/ancorangecounty

Pasadena 2242 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
facebook.com/ANCA.PasadenaChapter [email protected] (626)
356-3674 Ext.103

Sacramento [email protected] (626) 394-9832

San Fernando Valley East [email protected]
(818) 497-8790

San Fernando Valley North [email protected] (818) 468-7007

San Fernando Valley West facebook.com/ancasfw [email protected] (818)
533-1918

San Gabriel Valley anca-sgv.com facebook.com/SanGabrielValley
[email protected] (323) 728-6493

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From: Baghdasarian

Cihan News Agency, Turkey
Jan 7 2014

Protest held for fair trial in Dink case

TR_ISTA – 07.01.2014 16:14:14

Protest held for fair trial in Dink case

A large group of people gathered in front of 14th High Criminal Court
of Ä°stanbul protest the court for a fair trial over the assassination
of Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

Third hearing of Dink case was held on Tuesday. People shouted slogans
such as `Killer government will pay off,’ `The ones, who protect
killers, involve in murder’. Writes Oral ÇalıÅ?lar and
Ahmet Ã`mit also participated in the protest.

From: Baghdasarian