Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

EXPERT: 82% OF ARMENIA’S POPULATION CONSIDER RUSSIA THEIR MAIN ALLY

by David Stepanyan

Thursday, October 24, 18:05

82% of Armenia’s population consider Russia the key ally and friend of
Armenia, chairman of “Integration and Development” NGO, Aram Safaryan,
said at the

international conference “CSTO and Security of EurAsia” held in
Yerevan today, at Noravanq Foundation.

“The results of public opinion poll held by our organization among
1000 respondents above 18, on 5-11 October are evidence of it. We
held the survey to clarify what our population prefer – Russia or the
European Union. So, 67% Armenians prefer Russia. These are the true
results but not the ones published by certain forces in mass media”,
– Safaryan said.

He also added that the population of Armenia see benefits in case of
integration with Russia in the following system making sectors: energy,
transport, direct investments in industry and migration. First of all,
opening of the Abkhazian railway will push the talks about the Customs
Union to the new level. Safaryan thinks that this will allow Armenia
to successfully integrate in the Customs Union. “Slow development of
Armenia’s economy is one of the key reasons of possible distabilization
in the region, especially against the background of neighboring
Azerbaijan. For this reason, we should gain serious economic growth
in the near future, and Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan – are the only
market which will allow Armenia to do it”, – the expert concluded.

From: Baghdasarian

ZARUHI POSTANJYAN: PACE WILL NOT APPROVE ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER’S DECISION TO EXPEL OPPOSITION MP FROM ARMENIAN DELEGATION TO PACE

Thursday, October 24, 18:06

PACE will not approve Armenian Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan’s
decision to expel Heritage MP Zaruhi Postanjyan from the Armenian
Delegation to PACE, Zaruhi Postanjyan said at today’s press conference
in Yerevan.

She said that the new staff of the Delegation will be finally approved
at the January session of PACE. She thinks that PACE will not approve
the new Delegation, because the regulations have been violated. “If
some opposition members of the Delegation were replaced by members of
other opposition parties, Abrahamyan’s decision might be approved,
but when an oppositionist is replaced by a power representative,
it is a rough violation”, she said. Postanjyan added that such a
behavior of the Speaker restricts the freedom of expression in the
country. “Such a behavior of the authorities could have been relevant
in an authoritarian country, but if President Serzh Sargsyan and
Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan give the impression of democracy, they must
obey the laws of democracy”, she stressed.

The MP pointed out that Speaker Abrahamyan’s initiative is also aimed
at isolating the Heritage Party so that only the forces advocating
Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union could represent Armenia on
this important European platform. She stressed that Heritage was the
first to come out against the accession to the Customs Union.

To note, on October 23 Armenian Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan
did not include Heritage Party Faction in the new staff of the Armenian
Delegation to PACE. Earlier in the Parliament, Head of Heritage Party
Faction Zaruhi Postanjyan said that Hovik Abrahamyan tried his best to
prevent any undesirable questions from delegates at PACE. Meanwhile,
parliamentarians welcomed Hovik Abrahamyan’s decision to exempt
Heritage representatives from the Delegation applauding. In response,
Postanjyan promised to take steps over that decision and promised
“hard times” to the ruling Republican Party of Armenia.

To recall, Zaruhi Postanjyan was exempted from the Delegation to PACE
following her question addressed to Serzh Sargsyan at PACE regarding
the money the President allegedly lost at a casino. To not, Zaruhi
Postanjyan has been replaced by Mher Shahgeldyan, representative of
the Orinats Yerkir Party, which is a member of the ruling coalition.

From: Baghdasarian

OVER 300,000 ARMENIAN CITIZENS LIVE IN RUSSIA

October 24, 2013 | 15:58

MOSCOW. – The Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation
(FMS RF) issued statistical data on the number of foreign nationals
that currently live in Russia.

The FMS statistics was conducted on the basis of age.

According to the table posted on the website, 29,053 foreign citizens
under 17 years of age, 106,193 citizens between the ages of 18 and 29,
76,309 citizens between the ages of 30 and 39, 58,033 citizens between
the ages of 40 and 49, 52,048 citizens between the ages of 50 and 59,
and 16,713 citizens that are 60 years of age and over currently live
in Russia.

Overall, there are 338,349 Armenian citizens in Russia.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

EUFOA CHIEF: EP REJECTED PRO-AZERI FORMULATIONS ON KARABAKH

October 24, 2013 – 17:37 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg
adopted two reports outlining amongst others its approach towards
Armenia, for the first time since the announcement of President
Sargsyan to join the Russian dominated Customs Union.

“There was a strange mood in the EP in recent weeks, which I have
never seen before. MEPs shared a mix of worries for the independence
of Armenia and disappointment after almost 4 years of successful
reforms and finalisation of the negotiations for the Association
Agreement and the DCFTA.” EuFoA Secretary General Dr Michael Kambeck
told PanARMENIAN.Net

“On top, a small group of caviar corrupted MEPs tried to misuse
the situation to punish Armenia with the sudden inclusion of
pro-Azerbaijani formulations regarding the Karabakh conflict. In
the end, this has been exposed, and the MEP most strongly behind
this, Pino Arlacchi, is even facing disciplinary actions for his
recent blatantly pro-governmental Election Observation Report from
Azerbaijan. The EP stood by Armenia and underlined that the EU is
still ready to help Armenia with its most pressing homework, i.e.

strengthening the economy, governance and democracy.”

The report on the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Eastern part
of which was drafted by Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, expresses hopes “that
Armenia will continue EU-related reforms, the implementation of which
could lead to the country’s economic prosperity and could help solve
socio-economic and political problems which still persist within the
country.” More importantly, it “calls for a pursuit of cooperation with
the EU, to which the EU is open; Welcomes the implementation of sound
macroeconomic policies and structural reforms in Armenia and further
progress towards meeting the objectives of the [ENP-] Action Plan;”
A paragraph on Nagorno-Karabakh, originally drafted by Pino Arlacchi
and Ivo Vajgl to cherry pick the elements preferred by Azerbaijan,
was reduced in the Plenary to focus on the Minsk Group proposed Basic
Principles, which contain the points important to both sides of the
conflict, including the withdrawal of troops, but also the necessary
security guarantees, the status of Karabakh etc.

The report by Elmar Brok on the Common Foreign and Security Policy
reaffirms that the EU proposed programmes are offers made for countries
like Armenia to freely choose, and that this offer remains on the
table “on the basis of shared common values and solidarity, and to
share with them [explicitly including Armenia] all the advantages of
the EU acquis, along the lines of an Economic Area Plus arrangement”.

Brok, who is also a member of the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council,
explained the EU’s interest in the Plenary: “the development of Europe
depends on the development of the Southern and Eastern neighbourhood.

If there is a Southern and Eastern partnership with growing democracy,
rule of law, economic prosperity and better living conditions, then
this is the best security policy [for the EU].” He reminded also that
Europe has demonstrated many times that democracy and the rule of law
make countries successful, but that the decisions for each country’s
orientation remains in its own capital,” Kambeck said.

From: Baghdasarian

MAJORITY OF YOUNG ARMENIANS WOULD LIKE TO STUDY IN AN EU COUNTRY RATHER THAN IN RUSSIA

YEREVAN, October 24. / ARKA /. A survey conducted by the Eurasian
Development Bank (EDB) revealed that the majority of young Armenians
would like to get higher education at a Western university rather
than at a Russian one.

The findings of the survey were presented today by Aram Navasardyan,
head of the Armenian Marketing Association, commissioned by the EDB
to conduct the survey in Armenia.

According to the study, more than 45% of respondents in Armenia said
they would like to study in an EU member country and only 17 % in a
former Soviet republic, more precisely in Russia.

The survey was conducted in 2012 and 2013, involving more than
14 thousand people in 11 former Soviet republics and Georgia. The
survey includes a series of questions aimed at identifying the views
of citizens and their preferences regarding cooperation with other
countries, particularly, with members of the Russian-led Customs
Union and the EU.

Navasardyan said a comparison of the results of the surveys conducted
in 2012 and 2013 reveals minor changes. Thus, the majority of
respondents in Armenia (67 % in 2013 and 62 % in 2012) were in favor
of Armenia’s joining the Customs Union and more than 90 % of those
surveyed said Russia was a friendly country, highlighting Armenia’s
economic, cultural and interpersonal connections with it.

Navasardayn said the findings were not a surprise, except for Georgia,
where 59 % of respondents this year expressed positive views on the
Customs Union.

“We expected Georgia’s position to change, but did not expect such a
dramatic change, because in the 2012 survey only 30 % of respondents
in Georgia spoke positively about the Customs Union,’ he said.

Navasardian also emphasized that the surveys were conducted in Armenia
before the official announcement that Armenia would join the Customs
Union. He said the Armenian Marketing Association is conducting a new
study to determine the attitudes of citizens to this foreign policy
change. He added that the findings could be presented in a week.

Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is an international financial
organization established by Russia and Kazakhstan in 2006 to help
develop market economies and boost mutual trade ties in member states.

The bank’s authorized stock is over 1.5bln US dollars. The
member-states are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia
and Tajikistan. -0-

– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

IS THIS BALANCE

In answer to innumerable questions asked by citizens and reporters on
the purpose of forwarding Zori Balayan’s famous letter to Putin to the
U.S. and French presidents and what consequences this initiative by
Haik Kotanjyan could bring, the president of the Armenian Association
of Political Scientists Hmayak Hovhannisyan posted the following on
his Facebook wall:

“Haik Kotanjyan’s letter was the unsuccessful attempt of the president
administration to cover up the order to Zori Balayan to write the
letter and balance its bias.

Why unsuccessful? Haik Kotanjyan is not a retired officer but a
general in military service. If you visit the official website of the
RA Ministry of Defense, you will see a photo of Haik Kotanjyan with
insignia and you will learn that he is a serviceman, not a civil
servant of the MoD. The ministry of defense is a security agency,
and those in actual military service cannot express individual
political positions, take the initiative to defend the open letter of
the “freethinker” writer to the head of another state. Hence, Haik
Kotanjyan’s effort to introduce himself as a head of an NGO cannot
mean anything the EU ambassadors. In fact, instead of covering up
they revealed that Zori Balayan’s letter had been ordered from “above”.

One does not need to be Snowden to understand that the embassy of
any more or less big country has special people who collect internet
info on more or less outstanding personalities, process and present
this info to the ambassador. I advise to turn to Ambassador Arman
Navasardyan, the ex-deputy minister of foreign affairs, member of
the board of the Armenian Association of Political Scientists for
more detailed explanation. For my part, I can only add that I respect
Haik Kotanjyan. In 1991 he was elected to the board of the Armenian
Association of Political Scientists during the founding conference but
his membership was terminated when he moved to actual military service.

In fact, the issue is not only Haik Kotanjyan’s status. While one may
justify Zori Balayan’s open letter to the Russian president Vladimir
Putin that stresses the importance of the Treaty of Gulistan signed
between the Russian king and Persian shah 200 years ago by saying
that the letter is about the breakthrough in the Armenian-Russian
relations then, forwarding it to the U.S. president Barack Obama and
the French president Francois Hollande defies a rational explanation. I
insist that the Armenian president shall hold the exclusive right to
address the Russian president on issues relating to Armenia or the
Armenian people, and I equally insist that Zori Balayan shall hold
the exclusive right to forward Zori Balayan’s letter to others.

We are establishing ethics commissions but we have not understood
that communication is a responsible genre and forwarding a letter
addressed to one to another by someone who is not the author of the
letter is an insult to the addressee. If the addressee is a head of
state, forwarding the letter addressed to the head of another state
to him or her could be perceived as an insult for his or her state.

So “balance” also failed. As the saying is, instead of fixing the
eyebrow we plucked the eye of the Europeans and Americans. How could
one ask Francois Hollande to read a letter which does not contain a
single sentence on Armenian-French cultural similarities and focuses
on Armenian-Russian similarities? The same goes for the Americans
and Barack Obama. If balance was the purpose, is this the balance?”

16:13 24/10/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

BREADING OF NON TYPICAL FISH SPECIES SHOULD BE FORBIDDEN IN SEVAN LAKE: SCIENTIST

YEREVAN, October 24. /ARKA/. Breeding of all sorts of fish non typical
for the ecosystem of Sevan Lake, including carp and sturgeon, should
be forbidden in all fish farms around the lake, said Evelina Ghukasyan,
head of the hydroecology and ichthyology institute.

Commercial fish resources have expired in Armenia and biological
diversity of Sevan Lake underwent serious changes, including reduction
of most valuable species and emergence of new fish species that may
cause problems, Ghukasyan said adding that only salmon fishes are
the endemic ones to Sevan.

The new species eat the same food as the endemic ones, some eat even
caviar, she said.

Under a native species restoration government plan, lots of baby
fishes of trout (summer bakhtak and gegharkuni) are released into
the lake every year. But because water is used for irrigation in the
rivers where fishes shed the eggs, natural reproduction is endangered,
the scientist said.

In this respect, the hydroecology and ichthyology institute has
developed a concept to catch mature trout from Sevan and put them
into incubators to preserve them.

This proposal may be submitted while forming a council for fish
population restoration in Sevan under the presidential decree of
October 21 ().

Total fish resources in Sevan are, according to most recent estimates,
80-90 tons.

A study conducted by Armenian and Russian scientists showed the
lake fish resources were over 10,700 tons in 1983, 625 tons in 2005,
253.6 tons in 2006, 279.6 tons in 2009 and over 300 tons in 2010.

Lake Sevan, one of the largest alpine lakes in Europe and Asia,
is located in the heart of the Armenian plateau, at an altitude of
1,914 meters. The lake stretches over 70 kilometers from northwest
to southeast. Its water surface area is nearly 1500 square kilometers.

The lake is the main source of drinking water in the region. -0-

– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF CANADA RESPONDS TO INACCURATE GLOBE AND MAIL ARTICLE

14:17 24.10.2013

Dr. Girair Basmajian, President, Armenian National Committee of
Canada has sent a letter to the Globe and Mail’s editorial staff in
response to a grossly inaccurate and fact-less opinion piece written by
columnist Doug Saunders on October 19, the Horizon Weekly reports. The
letter reads:

“I am writing to you on behalf of the Armenian National Committee
of Canada. The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) is the
largest and the most influential Armenian-Canadian grassroots human
rights organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated organizations
around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of the
Armenian-Canadian community on a broad range of issues.

We write in response to one article published in the Globe and Mail
on Saturday, October 19, 2013 under the title “Genocide – is it a
question worth answering?” and “A Fight Over The Word ‘Genocide’
Is No Way To End The Aboriginal Crisis” by Mr. Doug Saunders.

We are concerned, and the Armenian-Canadian community is outraged,
that this article confuses facts with opinions and doing so confuses
the reader as to whether or not the term “genocide” can be applied
to the events of 1915 – 1923 with respect to the Armenian population
of the Ottoman Empire.

Mr. Saunders begins his column by saying that if the Republic of
Turkey had ever said Canada committed genocide “Ottawa would reject
it, and many Canadians would be outraged to see their country put in
the same column as Nazi Germany.” Does Mr. Saunders have any proof of
this? Has he discussed this matter with Canadian government officials
or is he simply presenting his personal beliefs as fact? We believe
that if the world community concluded that Canada (or colonial powers
governing the areas now constituting Canada) had committed genocide
with respect to its aboriginal population, the Canadian government
would not reject that notion.

Similarly, Mr. Saunders goes on to say “Many people, especially
Armenians, consider it a genocide, although this definition is
controversial” with respect to the Armenian Genocide. What Mr.

Saunders does not say is that the definition is controversial simply
because the Republic of Turkey denies the matter and that just about
every genocide scholar or historian not affiliated with the Republic
of Turkey recognizes that the fact of the Armenian Genocide. Simply
put the Armenian Genocide is controversial the way that the guilt of
a convicted murderer who denies his crime is controversial. A more
accurate statement would be “The Armenian Genocide is subject to a
campaign of denial by the Republic of Turkey.”

Also, Mr. Saunders states “Were those acts, as the genocide convention
requires, committed with “intent to destroy, in whole or in part” the
group’s population? In both the Turkish and Canadian examples, this is
an open question.” There is no doubt by any objective observer that the
Young Turk government intended to destroy the Armenian people in the
Ottoman Empire. Again, the “open question” arises solely because the
Republic of Turkey has acted to make this an open question, whether
through the criminalization of discussion of the topic within its
own borders, its intense lobbying campaign against recognition in
other countries (including Canada) or by funding dubious, one-sided
historical scholarship throughout the world.

Finally, Mr. Saunders states “Nobody wants to be labelled genocidal.

Modern Turks live in a state that was created in the 1920s in
opposition to the Ottomans who committed the Armenian atrocities.

Post-1967 Canadians tend to see indigenous mistreatment as the act of
less tolerant Dominion-era Canadians.” This statement is inaccurate
even within the context of Mr. Saunders’ own beliefs because just
a few paragraphs earlier he states that some Canadians would cheer
being labelled genocidal, but it is also inaccurate in saying that the
modern Republic of Turkey was created in opposition to the Ottomans.

The modern Republic of Turkey arose from the defeat of the Ottoman
Empire following the First World War and while there was some
opposition to the past, by the 1930s the perpetrators of the Armenian
Genocide were being honoured as heroes in Turkey and the state began a
full-on campaign to recognize and glorify many aspects of its Ottoman
past. As someone who has spent considerable time in Turkey, Mr.

Saunders is no doubt aware that the Republic of Turkey is proud of
its Ottoman roots and constantly makes reference to them (except with
reference to its treatment of minorities).

The Armenian National Committee of Canada believes that in order to
counter Mr. Saunders’ conflation of opinion and fact, the Globe and
Mail should provide space for an article to set out the facts on the
Armenian Genocide and to act as a counterbalance to Mr. Saunders’
article. The ANCC would be happy to provide the names of various
prominent Canadian figures who would be willing to author such an
article or, alternately, to prepare the article itself. We believe
that the readers of the Globe and Mail would benefit from having
access to information that accurately sets out the historical truth
of the Armenian Genocide and the following campaign of denial by
the Republic of Turkey rather than simply relying on Mr. Saunders’
confused explanations.

We would also like a meeting with the editorial board of the Globe and
Mail so that we can provide more accurate information about this topic
and we can begin a dialogue about improving communication between
the media and our community. The Armenian-Canadian community is an
important part of this country and we believe that our media would
better serve all Canadians if it better reflected our participation
and history in our country.”

Here is the link to Doug Saunders’s article

From: Baghdasarian

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

** TOP STORY October 24, 2013
————————————————————
Discovery of the Holy Cross
`The Finding of the True Cross’ by the 14th-century Italian painter
Agnolo Gaddi.

** Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
————————————————————

On Sunday, October 27, the Armenian Church will observe the Feast of
the Discovery of the Holy Cross. The feast day marks the
fourth-century =80=9Cdiscovery’ of the actual cross of the Crucifixion
by Queen Helena, mother of the Roman emperor Constantine.

At the advanced age of 80, this pious Christian woman made a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land to identify places where Christ had walked
some 300 years earlier. There, after years of prayer and good works,
Helena was witness to a miracle: at the foot of Golgotha-the hill
where Christ was crucified-workers under her sponsorship unearthed
three wooden crosses.

But which one was the true Cross of Christ? In an ingenious solution,
the workers brought the body of a recently-deceased man to the
site. Placing him on the first two crosses produced no result. But
when he was placed on the third, the body stirred to life. This,
Helena concluded, must be the True Cross-still surging with the
miraculous, life-giving power of Christ’s Resurrection.

The cross is a source of great pride for Armenians as a khachagir-or
“cross-bearing”-nation. Over the centuries, Armenians have borne
Christ’s cross with faith, hope, and love. What was once an instrument
of torture and death would become for Christians the symbol of
salvation, and victory over death.

Click here
()
to read more about the significance of the cross.

Soorp Haroutiun Church, Orlando, FL

** Primate to Visit Orlando Parish
————————————————————

Soorp Haroutiun Church of Orlando, FL, will mark its third anniversary
on Sunday, October 27. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate,
will visit the parish and celebrate the Divine Liturgy.

The Primate will be assisted by the Very Rev. Fr. Anania Tsaturyan, a
visiting priest from Holy Etchmiadzin. Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, the
Diocese’s Music Ministry coordinator, will direct the choir.

A luncheon will follow services, during which the community will honor
several parishioners. Click here
()
to view a flyer with information about luncheon reservations.

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

Wis 14:1-8
Is 33:22-34:1
1 Cor 1:18-24
Mt 24:27-36

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

By the holy cross let us beseech the Lord, that through it He may
deliver us from our sins and save us by the grace of His
mercy. Almighty Lord, our God, save us and have mercy on us. Amen.

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

27 October: Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross

31 October: St. John Chrysostom

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Youth walk in Armenia
Young people walk from St. Hripsime Church to Holy Etchmiadzin.

** A Walk to Renew Faith in Armenia
————————————————————

On Sunday, October 20, young people from across Armenia,
Nagorno-Karabagh, and Georgia took part in a walk in Yerevan and
Vagharshapat to renew their faith and to reaffirm their commitment to
preserving the Armenian Christian spirit.

The route took the group from Freedom Square to Republic Square in
central Yerevan. Young people bore crosses, processional banners, and
signs reading, `Whatever you do, do it with love.’ In Republic Square
the participants boarded shuttles to St. Hripsime Church in
Vagharshapat, and from there they continued their walk to Holy
Etchmiadzin.

A prayer service was held at the St. Drtad open-air altar at Holy
Etchmiadzin, with His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, presiding. `Christ is the light, and we
must allow that light to burn within us,’ His Holiness said. =80=9CThe
Armenian Christian faith has nourished the Armenian people for
centuries, and it is through this faith and through our love that we
can strengthen our homeland and overcome the obstacles we face in our
lives.’

Click here
()
to read an article in Armenian.

Armenian Rug
President Coolidge stands on the carpet woven by orphans of the
Armenian Genocide and presented to the United States in 1925.

** Armenian “Orphan Rug” a Forgotten Artifact
————————————————————

A traditional Armenian rug, woven by orphans in the aftermath of the
Armenian Genocide and presented to President Calvin Coolidge in
appreciation of the United States’ genocide-relief efforts, has
remained in storage at the White House for nearly two decades.

This December, a Smithsonian curator hoped to showcase the rug as part
of an event launching Hagop Martin Deranian’s new book on the subject,
titled President Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug. But the
White House turned down the Smithsonian’s request to loan the rug, and
the event has been cancelled.

The Washington Post’s art and architecture critic, Philip Kennicott,
covered the controversy surrounding the historic rug in an article
appearing earlier this week. Click here
()
to read Kennicott’s piece.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Follow this link to donate now
()
to the 2013 Annual Appeal, and see the item below under `Events’ for
an upcoming Annual Appeal reception in New York.

Christian Education
Sunday School children read a Bible passage together.

** Two New Volumes Added to We Believe Textbook Series
————————————————————
The Diocesan department of Christian Education released two textbooks
in the new
We Believe curriculum series in time for the 2013-14 academic year.

Circles of Faith (Grade Two) comprises 28 full-color individual
newsletter lessons. Through story, song, puzzles, and crafts, second
graders will experience the circles of faith that connect them through
Jesus to a loving God and a nurturing church.

Surprised By Joy: Discovering God (Grade Seven) is designed for middle
schoolers whose faith questions are explored in the context of real
life. Topics include the feelings expressed in the Psalms, connections
between science and belief, understanding spiritual gifts, the life
and teaching of Jesus, and the prayers and sacraments that keep us
connected in a spirit-filled community.

Except for a revised Pre-K program, which is in progress, these are
the final two books in a 10-volume Sunday School curriculum project
that began in 2007. The textbooks present central issues of faith and
Christian living as experienced in the Armenian Church.

Click here
()
to read more about the project and the writers. To order the
textbooks, contact the St. Vartan Bookstore at (212) 686-0710. For
more information, contact Elise Antreassian, the Diocese’s coordinator
of Christian Education, at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

FAR
A mother brings in her son for a medical inspection in Tavush.

** Healthcare Program in Tavush Targets Malnutrition
————————————————————

Efforts to kick off the healthcare component of FAR’s new project,
`Breaking the Cycle of Poverty,’ began earlier this month with the
start of a clinical investigation at Berd Medical Center in Armenia’s
Tavush region. The program’s healthcare component focuses on
identifying the most common problems linked to poor nutrition in
children ages six months to six years, and exploring ways the
education system can help to better provide children with access to
balanced nutrition.

The lab and pediatric departments of Berd Medical Center have received
the necessary equipment and supplies to carry out the study. FAR’s
Medical Program coordinator Dr. Hambartzum Simonyan visited the center
to observe the launch of the investigation. Click here
()
to visit FAR’s blog and to read more.

`Breaking the Cycle of Poverty’ is a comprehensive program sponsored
by the Mardigian Family Foundation with the goal of lifting the people
of the Tavush region out of poverty by empowering them to be
economically independent and self-sustainable.

Needlework exhibit at the Diocesan Center.
Children examine one of Mrs. Gorginyan’s masterpieces on display at
the Diocesan Center on October 13.

** Needlework Exhibit Held at Diocesan Center
————————————————————

On Sunday, October 13, St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York
mounted an exhibition of wondrous lace creations of master needlework
artist Lena Gorginyan. Rendered in intricate lace were crosses,
khatchkars, churches, flowers, doves of peace, and other mystical and
poetic designs-all created from Mrs. Gorginyan’s heart and spirit.

Welcoming more than 200 attendees to the exhibition, event organizer
Angela Kazarian thanked the cathedral dean, the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon
Kiledjian, for supporting and encouraging the exhibition.

Speaking from her perspective as a specialist in the art of
needlework, Ms. Kazarian explained that Armenian needle-lace stands
out as distinct among the many other expressions of the art. Dr. Helen
Evans-curator for Byzantine Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in
New York, and a specialist on Armenian illuminated manuscripts-called
Mrs. Gorginyan’s work `exceptional.’

Click on the following links to read more
()
about the exhibition and to view photos
()
.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
St. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Wynnewood, PA
Archbishop Barsamian presents parishioner John Eskandarian with the
St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal.

** Celebrating 50 Years in Wynnewood
————————————————————

In a gala anniversary weekend, the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob parish
celebrated 50 years in its current church building in Wynnewood,
PA. Through half a century of growth and activity, the church has been
the focal point of community life for the West Philadelphia Armenian
community, and a well-known and highly regarded presence in the
surrounding society.

The commemorative events began on Saturday, October 19, when Loutfig
Arabatlian was ordained as an acolyte, and Steven Keytanjian was
ordained as a sub-deacon, by the hand of Diocesan Primate Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian.
The Primate celebrated badarak on Sunday, after which he presided over
an anniversary banquet in the church hall. Also present for the
occasion was Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan Legate.

Parish pastor the Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian presented the 2013
=80=9CStewardship Award’ to three outstanding parishioners who have
been exemplary and inspirational figures throughout these past 50
years: Helen Amirian, Deacon Minas Mihranian, and Laura Zakian.

As a capstone to the banquet, longtime parish leader John Eskandarian
received the `St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal.’ Archbishop Barsamian
presented the award to Mr. Eskandarian on behalf of the Catholicos
Karekin II, and commended the honoree’s devotion to the youth of the
parish.

The weekend also included a reunion dance on Saturday night. Click on
the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

Heghna Paloian
Mrs. Heghna Paloian at Sunday’s celebration in Chicago.

** At 107, a Survivor in More Ways Than One
————————————————————

During an observance of its 49th anniversary on Sunday, October 20,
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, honored longtime
parishioner Mrs. Heghna Paloian-a survivor of the Armenian Genocide
who turned 107 this year.

Mrs. Paloian and her family took part in the celebration of the Divine
Liturgy on Sunday. In his sermon, the Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian,
parish pastor, spoke about Mrs. Paloian’s unwavering faith in God,
even in the face of hardship and tragedy. He said she serves as an
inspiration to young generations of Armenian Christians.

At a luncheon following services, parish leaders reflected on
Mrs. Paloian’s character and her contributions to the parish. Family
members spoke about the honoree’s warmth and shared personal memories.

Alderman Nicholas Spasto presented Mrs. Paloian with a resolution on
behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Fr. Jebejian congratulated Mrs. Paloian,
and read a letter from Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan
Primate. He concluded the program with a prayer.

Born in 1906, Mrs. Paloian witnessed the deportations of her neighbors
and relatives, and lived for a time in an orphanage until a family
member helped her relocate to the United States. Earlier this week,
the Chicago Tribune featured an article about Mrs. Paloian’s
life. Click here
()
to read the Tribune article.

Holy Resurrection Church, New Britain, CT
Fr. Mouradjian (left) and Fr. Odabashian with altar servers at Holy
Resurrection Church.

** Vicar Visits New Britain Parish
————————————————————

On Sunday, October 20, Holy Resurrection Church of New Britain, CT,
celebrated the 72nd anniversary of its establishment in New Britain,
and the 33rd anniversary of the consecration of its present house of
worship.

The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, visited the
parish and celebrated the Divine Liturgy. In his sermon, he spoke
about the importance of faith and community. During a brunch following
services, Fr. Odabashian presented the parish pastor, the
Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, with a hand cross to mark his 10 years of
service at Holy Resurrection Church.

Later that afternoon, Fr. Odabashian and Fr. Mouradjian met with
members of the Parish Council as they formulated plans for the
renovation of the church hall.

Deacons Training
A deacons’ training workshop will be held in Elberon, NJ, November
1-3.

** Deacons’ Training in Elberon
————————————————————

St. Nersess Seminary will lead a deacons’ training “double workshop”
on the weekend of November 1-3 at St. Stepanos Church in Elberon,
NJ. The workshop is intended for deacons and altar servers serving
parishes in the greater New York/New Jersey region.

The workshop will feature two simultaneous programs, for beginner and
advanced altar servers. The first program will teach participants how
to use the poorvar (censer) and the censing patterns for the Divine
Liturgy. The second program will train participants in the rituals,
music, and deacons’ role in the Armenian Church’s Blessing of Water
ceremony.

The workshop will be led by the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan,
longtime director of the seminary’s Deacons’ Training Program and
current director of the Diocese’s Zohrab Information Center, and the
Rev. Fr. Daniel Karadjian, pastor of St. Stepanos Church.

The program is open to young men ages 14 or older. Click here
()
for information and to download registration forms.

St. James Annual Bazaar
Parishioners prepare kebob in Watertown.

** Watertown Parish Hosts Annual Bazaar
————————————————————

Hundreds gathered at St. James Church in Watertown, MA, last weekend
to take part in the parish’s 66th annual bazaar. Attendees enjoyed
traditional Armenian food and various activities, including a silent
auction, vendor booths, and raffles. Children took part in carnival
games organized by the ACYOA Juniors, and pumpkin decorating offered
by the parish’s Sunday Sprouts program.

Nancy Kassabian and Sandy Raphalian co-chaired the bazaar committee,
which oversaw a large team of volunteers from all parish
organizations.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Holy Martyrs Church, NY
>From left: Dr. Lynn Cetin, Edward and Mary Ann Kazanjian, and
Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan.

** A Presentation on Historic Armenia at Holy Martyrs
————————————————————

On Saturday evening, October 19, Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY,
hosted a presentation on historic Armenia by Edward and Mary Ann
Kazanjian of Belmont, MA. The couple’s talk chronicled their trip to
historic Armenian lands in 2009, and included photographs of cities
and villages-many of which still bear traces of the Armenian
civilization that once flourished in the region.

The Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, parish pastor, thanked the Kazanjians
for their informative presentation. The more than 70 guests then
enjoyed a fellowship hour, during which they had an opportunity to ask
questions. For more information about the Kazanjians and their
travels, visit

The evening was part of Holy Martyrs’ annual Cultural Night event,
which is sponsored by the Jevarjian Family Trust Fund and the Cetin
Family Trust Fund.

Upcoming Events

** Upcoming Parish Events
————————————————————
St. John the Baptist Church | Greenfield, WI
The Cultural Committee of St. John the Baptist Church of Greenfield,
WI, will host a concert by the Mazmanian family on Saturday, October
26, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person, and include a
post-concert reception with the artists.
Click here
()
to view a flyer for information. For reservations, e-mail
[email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

St. Mary Church | Hollywood, FL
St. Mary Church of Hollywood, FL, will host an Armenian Food and Music
Festival on Saturday, October 26 (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.), and Sunday,
October 27 (12 to 7 p.m.). The festival will feature Armenian food, a
live band, arts and crafts vendors, and activities for children. Click
here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Thomas Church | Tenafly, NJ
St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, will host its Food Festival and
Bazaar on October 26 and 27. Enjoy traditional Armenian food, vendors,
and activities for kids. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

The Cultural Committee of St. Thomas Church and the Hamazkayin
Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of New Jersey will present
the screening of Nigol Bezjian’s new film, “I Left my Shoes in
Istanbul” on Sunday, November 3, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call (908) 866-6150 or (201)
567-5446.

Holy Trinity Church | Cheltenham, PA
Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, will host a Harvest Bazaar on
Friday, October 25; Saturday, October 26; and Sunday, October 27.

Enjoy Armenian food and music, vendors, activities for children, and
more. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or visit the parish website at

()
.

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
The ACYOA Seniors of Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will host a
Masquerade Ball on Saturday, October 26, beginning at 8 p.m. Click
here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Holy Martyrs Church will hold its Sunday School 58th Anniversary
Reunion on Saturday, November 2, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Church of Our Saviour | Worcester, MA
The Church of Our Saviour of Worcester, MA, will host its annual
festival on Friday, November 1 (5 to 9 p.m.), and Sunday, November 3
(12 to 4 p.m.).

Enjoy Armenian food-including shish, chicken, and losh kebab and
kheyma-and a variety of baked goods. The Eddie Melikian Ensemble will
perform on Sunday. A White Elephant Sale will take place both days,
and a Kids’ Fair is scheduled for Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.

The festival will take place at the church’s Cultural Center, located
at 34 Boynton Street in Worcester. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Mark Church | Springfield, MA
The ACYOA Seniors chapter of St. Mark Church of Springfield, MA, will
hold its 6th annual autumn dance on Saturday, November 2, at 8 p.m.

For information, and to make reservations, contact Erika Belezarian at
(413) 335-9536 or [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) ; or Talene Jermakian at (413)
374-8556 or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Click
here
()
to view a flyer with ticket information.

Holy Cross Church | Bayside, NY
Holy Cross Church of Union City, NJ, will host its annual Bazaar and
Food Festival on Saturday, November 2, beginning at 5 p.m.

In addition to traditional Armenian food, the evening will feature a
children’s Halloween party, a performance by the Antranig Dance
Ensemble, raffles, and more. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call the church office at (201)
864-2480.

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
The Women’s Guild of St. Gregory the Enlightener Church is taking
advance orders for its one-day-only fall food sale, scheduled for
Sunday, November 17, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Eat in or take out-but
pre-paid advance orders must be received before November 3. Click here
()
for an order form with complete information.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
New York City

** Annual Appeal Reception in New York
————————————————————

On Wednesday, October 30, the Alex and Ani jewelry store in Manhattan
will host a reception to benefit the Diocese’s Annual Appeal. The
event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Richard Hovanissian
Professor Hovannisian will give a talk titled `In Search of Historic
Western Armenia’ at UConn next week.

** Lecture on Historic Armenia at University of Connecticut
————————————————————

The University of Connecticut’s Norian Armenian Programs will host a
lecture by Professor Richard Hovannisian on Friday, November 1, at 7
p.m. Professor Hovannisian’s talk is titled `In Search of Historic
Western Armenia.’

The lecture will take place at the University of Connecticut School of
Social Work (1798 Asylum Ave. in West Hartford, CT). A reception
scheduled for 6 p.m. will precede the lecture. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Holy Land
An aerial view of the Holy City.

** Patriarch of Jerusalem in New York and New England
————————————————————

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City will host a special
event dedicated to the historic Armenian presence in Jerusalem. The
event will take place on Sunday, November 3, and include the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy and a luncheon and program.

Presiding over the badarak and luncheon as a special guest of honor
will be the new Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude
Archbishop Nourhan Manougian. The public is cordially invited to
attend. Click here
()
for a flyer which includes information on tickets for the luncheon.

On the evening of Friday, November 1, the New England regional
churches will welcome Patriarch Manougian with a hrashapar service at
St. James Church in Watertown, MA. A reception will follow. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
ACYOA
Members of the ACYOA Central Council and the Holy Martyrs Sports
Weekend Committee with Archbishop Barsamian.

** ACYOA Central Council Reviews Upcoming Programs
————————————————————

Meeting at the Diocesan Center in New York on Saturday, October 19,
members of the ACYOA Central Council discussed upcoming events and
reviewed a report on the New England Regional Retreat, which took
place earlier this month at Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, MA.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, presided over the
meeting. Also taking part were the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian,
Diocesan Vicar, and Jennifer Morris, director of the Diocese’s Youth
and Young Adult Ministries department.

The Central Council is looking forward to its annual Leadership
Conference, scheduled for November 8-10 at the Don Bosco Retreat
Center in Stony Point, NY (see story below), and the annual Chapter
Workshop, which will take place January 24-26 in St. Petersburg, FL.

Council members also began making plans for the 2014 Armenia Service
Program and future regional retreats. The ACYOA of Holy Martyrs Church
of Bayside, NY, presented an update on their plans for the 2014 ACYOA
General Assembly and Sports Weekend.

On Sunday, October 20, the Central Council visited Holy Martyrs Church
to take part in the Divine Liturgy.

ACYOA Retreat

** Registration Open for ACYOA Leadership Conference
————————————————————

This year’s ACYOA Leadership Conference will convene from Friday,
November 8, through Sunday, November 10, at the Don Bosco Retreat
Center in Stony Point, NY.

The retreat will focus on the Diocesan theme, `Living the Gospel of
Christ,’ and explore ways in which communication helps enhance
leadership. Young adults 18 and over are invited to attend; conference
costs (with the exception of travel) are covered by the ACYOA Central
Council.

For information, or to register, contact Lorie Odabashian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . The
registration deadline is Wednesday, October 30.

From: Baghdasarian

THE INDEPENDENT: MKHITARYAN ORCHESTRATED DORTMUND’S PLAY

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

19:59, 23 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Henrikh Mkhitaryan displayed brilliant
movement, imagination and touch writes, Armenpress reports citing
the Independent.

The British daily commented on Tuesday’s Champions’ League group match
where Arsenal (England) played host to Borussia Dortmund (Germany).

It also reflected on Armenian international and Dortmund midfielder
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s performance in the game.

“For all the excitement about Mesut Ozil, the most creative player
on the pitch was the opposition No 10 – Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

“Liverpool tried to sign him from Shakhtar Donetsk this summer and he
showed exactly why, with a display of brilliant movement, imagination
and touch.

“Of course ‘Mikhi’ put Dortmund ahead after 16 minutes with a clever
disguised finish but almost everything he did was classy , dropping
into spaces to take the ball, turning away from Arsenal players,
winning free-kicks and masterfully orchestrating Dortmund’s play”. 
“Dortmund may have lost Mario Gotze but they have certainly not lost
their spark,” The Independent adds.

To note, the German club won the game by a score of 2-1. The
24-year-old Armenian international was in Dortmund’s starting eleven,
he scored the game’s first goal in the 16th minute, and he was
substituted in the 67th minute.

-dortmund%E2%80%99s-play.html

From: Baghdasarian