Community Concern: Will New Vardenis School Be Ready By September?

COMMUNITY CONCERN: WILL NEW VARDENIS SCHOOL BE READY BY SEPTEMBER?
Kristine Aghalaryan

A new school was set to be built this year in the Aragatzotn village
of Vardenis, to replace the crumbling structure now in use, but
construction has yet to begin just three months before the start of
the new school season.

The state government has allocated 155 million AMD for the new school
that can house120 students.

Village Mayor Kamo Petrosyan told Hetq that the community has written
to President Sargsyan requesting that he intervenes to speed things up.

From: Baghdasarian

http://hetq.am/eng/news/27143/community-concern-will-new-vardenis-school-be-ready-by-september?.html

Autoroute Reliant Erevan Et Stepanakert En Trois Heures

AUTOROUTE RELIANT EREVAN ET STEPANAKERT EN TROIS HEURES

L’ensemble de la presse rend compte de la reunion du Conseil des
tutelles du Fonds Hayastan preside par Serge Sarkissian, a l’occasion
de laquelle a ete approuve le projet de construction de l’axe routier
reliant Vardenis (rive sud du lac Sevan) a Mardakert, au nord-est du
HK. Cette autoroute permettra de reduire a trois heures le trajet
entre Erevan et Stepanakert. Selon le directeur executif du Fonds, Ara
Vardanian, le coût de la construction de cet axe de 114 km s’elève a
30 M USD. Cette nouvelle autoroute devait non seulement contribuer au
developpement de la region de Martouni (Armenie), mais aussi au
tourisme. Le projet ne pourra etre mis en place que suite a la
collecte de fonds a l’occasion du nouveau telethon du Fonds Hayastan
qui se tient chaque annee en novembre.

Par ailleurs, le President Sarkissian a evoque la crise syrienne,
indiquant que l’Armenie continuera a faire de son mieux pour ameliorer
le sort des Armeniens de Syrie, qu’ils soient en Armenie ou en Syrie.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 31 mai 2013

vendredi 7 juin 2013,
Stephane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

Muggers Dressed As Soldiers Stage Attack In Children’s Park

MUGGERS DRESSED AS SOLDIERS STAGE ATTACK IN CHILDREN’S PARK

13:24, June 5, 2013

The police report that they have taken into custody two twenty year-old
men suspected of a string of robberies and assaults in Yerevan.

The first incident took place on March 30, when the two men entered
the apartment of a young man and proceeded to beat him up. They got
away with 200,000 AMD in cash and some jewellery.

On June 1, the two men, dressed as soldiers, mugged a young man in
Children’s Park on Beirut Street, taking his wallet and cell phone.

Police say they stolen goods have been confiscated and that a
preliminary investigation has been launched.

From: Baghdasarian

http://hetq.am/eng/news/27084/muggers-dressed-as-soldiers-stage-attack-in-childrens-park.html

AGBU Focus 2013 Takes San Francisco, Raising Funds for AGBU GenNext

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU)
Contact: David Ojakian
510.393.1806
[email protected]

AGBU FOCUS 2013 HEADS WEST, TAKES SAN FRANCISCO

Seventh FOCUS Weekend to Raise Funds for AGBU GenNext Mentorship
Program

With summer approaching and preparations well underway, an exciting
buzz has spanned the globe for the seventh AGBU FOCUS weekend, as the
world class event heads west to San Francisco, California. As
literary great William Saroyan proclaimed, `No city invites the heart
to come to life as San Francisco does. Arrival in San Francisco is an
experience in living,’ which hundreds of AGBU young professionals from
around the world will soon discover. The four day event will take
guests through San Francisco’s rich culture and nightlife, to the
region’s scenic wine tasting and picturesque backdrops, offering
visitors and locals alike a FOCUS experience like never before.

Since its launch in New York City in 2001, AGBU FOCUS has
distinguished itself as a premier event for Armenian young
professionals (YPs). What started as a signature anniversary
celebration is now a sensational biennial weekend event, offering YPs
an opportunity to connect with hundreds of international peers while
highlighting the direct and positive impact of AGBU’s programs on
generations of Armenians. Over the past 12 years, AGBU FOCUS has
brought together over 2,500 YPs in 5 different cities: New York City
(2001, 2007), Montreal (2003), Miami (2005), Chicago (2009), and Paris
(2011). Now in 2013, FOCUS takes on San Francisco and is set to
attract a truly diverse network of individuals.

`We are thrilled to host this exciting event in our backyard and look
forward to welcoming a truly global young professional crowd. An
incredible weekend awaits attendees of this year’s FOCUS. For the
first time on the west coast, the four day event-filled weekend will
showcase San Francisco and wine country in unique ways exclusive to
FOCUS 2013,’ said AGBU FOCUS 2013 Co-Chair Steven Cherezian.

AGBU FOCUS 2013 kicks off Thursday, August 1 with Perspectives, an
engaging panel discussion and networking opportunity for guests to
share viewpoints on a hot topic. The panel will be held downtown at
Spur Urban Center, a non-profit incubator for research, education, and
advocacy. Excitement continues on Friday, August 2with an
all-inclusive wine tour, lunch, and tasting at Chateau St. Jean Winery
in beautiful Sonoma wine country, and Friday night, the action will
shift to one of San Francisco’s elite nightclubs. Saturday, August 3
features FOCUS on Art at SoMA district’s 2nd Street Gallery, and
culminates that evening with the FOCUS 2013 Gala set in the stunning
San Francisco City Hall. Completing the memorable weekend, a farewell
brunch on Sunday will offer YPs the perfect opportunity to bid
farewell to the friends and the city where they are bound to leave
their hearts.

With the move west, AGBU FOCUS 2013 raises funds for AGBU’s Generation
Next Mentorship Program (GenNext) in Los Angeles. Created in 1997 by
a handful of YP volunteers under the auspices of the AGBU, and with
the assistance of the Glendale Unified School District, the goal of
GenNext is to assist Southern California youth of Armenian descent by
providing them with positive role models, guidance, and support.
Through one-on-one mentoring, monthly group activities, and parenting
seminars, the program has aided and supported Armenian students who
are faced with difficult choices in today’s often tense school
environment including issues of acculturation, drug and alcohol abuse,
peer pressure, violence in schools, gang involvement, and other
serious adolescent challenges. Throughout the year, mentors and
mentees make a commitment to one another, developing a unique
friendship which allows the mentor to become a guiding force in the
student’s life.

`One of the highlights of AGBU FOCUS is the charitable aspect of the
event. With FOCUS being hosted in California for the first time,
GenNext is an ideal benefactor. Our fundraising is underway, and the
event will also help increase awareness of the important work AGBU
GenNext is accomplishing in Southern California,’ expressed AGBU FOCUS
Co-Chair Greg Nemet.

Hundreds of young Armenians have already benefitted from GenNext’s
programming; however, with a waiting list of more than 90 at-risk
adolescents at any given time, today’s fundraising efforts are
critical to the program’s long-term sustainability and expansion. AGBU
FOCUS donors will be making a direct and lasting impact on the future
of our bright and promising youth in Southern California.

AGBU FOCUS San Francisco 2013 ticket packages are on sale now and
weekend accommodations are available at a discounted rate at the Hotel
Adagio near Union Square. For more information about the weekend’s
events and to register, purchase tickets, or book hotel rooms, visit
To donate to FOCUS 2013 in support of

AGBU GenNext, visit or call AGBU at
212-319-6383. For more information about AGBU GenNext, visit
For any other questions or inquiries, please
contact FOCUS Coordinator, Sharis Boghossian, at [email protected].

Also, `Like’ the AGBU FOCUS Facebook Page at
and invite your network of Armenian YPs to
the Facebook Event Page by searching for `AGBU FOCUS in San Francisco
2013′ under events and joining the event.

One of the goals of AGBU FOCUS is to develop a new international
network of alumni, Young Professionals (YPs), and friends of AGBU
between the ages of 22-40 that reflects the diverse nature of the
Armenian community. The weekend is also designed to pay tribute to and
create awareness of AGBU’s numerous youth programs and its investment
in young Armenians across the globe.

From: Baghdasarian

www.agbufocus.org.
www.agbufocus.org/donate
www.agbugennext.org.
www.facebook.com/agbufocus

Crossroads E-Newletter – June 6, 2013

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:

June 6, 2013

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN TRAVELS TO LEBANON

Archbishop Oshagan has travelled to Antelias, Lebanon, where next week
he will head the Eastern Prelacy’s delegation to the World General
Assembly of the Holy See of Cilicia. The Assembly will convene at the
Catholicosate in Antelias starting Wednesday, June 12 through to
Saturday June 15. Delegates representing all of the dioceses under the
jurisdiction of
the Cilicia See will participate.

VICAR LECTURES IN CANADA

Bishop Anoushavan traveled to Canada last month where on May 22nd he
was invited to speak about His Holiness Catholicos Zareh I and His
Holiness Catholicos Khoren I. This year marks the 50th anniversary of
the passing
of Catholicos Zareh and the 30th anniversary of the passing of
Catholicos Khoren.

On May 24, the Vicar attended the 45th anniversary celebration of the
ordination of His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the
Prelacy of Canada.

Bishop Anoushavan spoke about the life and service of Catholicos Zareh
I and Catholicos Khoren I in Canada.

Bishop Anoushavan (left) and Archbishop Souren Kataroyan, with
Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, who celebrated the 45th anniversary of his
ordination to the priesthood.

VICAR WILL ATTEND EVENTS

Tomorrow evening, June 7, Bishop Anoushavan will attend a concert
dedicated to the 300th Jubilee of Sayat Nova at the Armenian Center in
Woodside, New York.

On Sunday, His Grace will preside over the Divine Liturgy celebrated
by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York. Immediately thereafter he will attend the 110th anniversary
concert dedicated to composer Aram Khatchadourian.

BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN JOINS IN WHITINSVILLE ACTIVITIES

Parishioners and friends of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, were spiritually and physically refreshed and renewed
in a
weekend of worship and biking.

On Sunday Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, delivered the
sermon and presided over the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archpriest
Fr. Aram
Stepanian. Bishop Anoushavan’s sermon focused on the deliverance of
St. Gregory the Illuminator from the pit, and the Feast of Holy
Etchmiadzin. The Liturgy was followed by the Blessing of the Water
ceremony with the
relic of John the Baptist by Der Aram and the Vicar.

The previous day, the Vicar joined parishioners on a bike ride at
Narragansett Bay that was followed by a fellowship meal outdoors.

Bishop Anoushavan, Der Aram, and altar servers during the Blessing of
the Water ceremony.

Bishop Anoushavan and Der Aram with parishioners on Saturday
activities that began with a bike ride and ended with a picnic and
fellowship.

SUNDAY SCHOOL GRADUATES IN NEW JERSEY

Last Sunday, Sts. Vartanantz Church Sunday School ended the school
year with a program and graduation ceremony and celebration for six
students. Graduates of 2013 are: Nairi Asadurian, Peter Baghdadlian,
Celina Bozoian, Armand Charkhutian, Shaunt Doghramadjian, and Aram
Kouyoumdjian.

Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian with staff members and the 2013 graduates of
the Sunday School.

Der Hovnan joins the graduates in cutting the celebratory cake.

FLAG BLESSING IN WORCESTER

Archpriest Fr. Khatchadour Boghossian and Archpriest Fr. Vazken
Bekiarian lead the flag blessing ceremony at Holy Trinity Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts, on May 26.

FLAG BLESSING IN CHICAGO

Archpriest Fr. Zareh Sahakian, pastor of All Saints Church, Glenview,
Illinois, blesses the tricolor Armenian flag before it is raised on
the flag pole outside the church and community center.

DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM

Registration is still open for the 2013 St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute for youth ages 13-18 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 30 – July 7, 2013. The Program is
sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC). For registration and information, please contact the AREC
office at 212-689-7810 or at [email protected] or click here
().

SUMMER CAMP FOR ORPHANS

The 4th annual summer camp for orphans will take place in Dzaghgatzor,
Armenia, July 4 to 11. Sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy, each year
more
than fifty orphans enrolled in the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship
Program (ages 13 to 16) attend the camp where they learn about the
Armenian Church, attend worship services, share in Christian
fellowship, and enjoy recreational activities and field trips. The
camp is directed by Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian, pastor of
St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, with the help of
the Prelacy’s Armenia office, the St. Nerses the Great Charitable
Organization. To make a donation toward expenses of the camp contact
Der Aram by email ([email protected]) or by telephone (508-865-2454).

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, June 9, Third Sunday after Pentecost, Eve
of the Fast of our Holy Father St. Gregory the Illuminator are: Isaiah
1:2-15; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 12:1-8.

Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to
make you obey their passions. No longer present your members to sin as
instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who
have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God
as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over
you, since you are
not under law but under grace.

What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace?
By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone
as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of
sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to
righteousness? But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves
of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to
which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin,
have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms
because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented
your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater
iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for
sanctification.

When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to
righteousness. So what advantage did you then get from the things of
which you now are
ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been
freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is
sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is
death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord. (Romans 6:12-23)

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

ST. NERSES THE GREAT AND BISHOP KHAT

This Saturday, June 8, the Armenian Church commemorates Catholicos
Nerses the Great and Khat the Bishop. Nerses the Great was the father
of Catholicos Sahak I. He succeeded two catholicoi whose reigns were
unexceptional, and the people were eager to return to the line of
their beloved Gregory the Illuminator. Nerses was a student of
St. Basil of Caesarea, one of three great Cappadocian Fathers. Nerses’
pontificate was the beginning of a new era. He brought the church
closer in service to the people, rather than to royals and nobles. He
convened the Council of Ashtishat that resulted in numerous laws on
issues related to marriage, worship, and customs.
He built many schools, hospitals, and monasteries. He sent monks to
preach
the Gospel throughout the country. His bold actions resulted in great
displeasure by the royal family and in 373 he was reportedly poisoned
by the king. His accomplishments for the spiritual and social
well-being of the common people earned him the gratitude of the entire
nation and the honorific
`Great.’

Khat the Bishop worked closely with St. Nerses the Great. Like Nerses
he had great passion for social issues, especially helping the
poor. Nerses entrusted most of the benevolent work of the church to
Khat. He is so closely associated with St. Nerses that the church
honors them on the same day.

By the light of unspeakable grace of your divine knowledge you arose
on the land of Armenia, merciful heavenly Father; have compassion on
us who have
sinned. Saint Nerses, pure in soul, from birth you were chosen to
inherit the paternal lot of shepherding righteously and lawfully. You
adorned the Church with the laws of truth and established good order
within it; through his prayers have mercy on us, O Christ.

(Canon to the Holy Patriarch Nerses the Great from the Liturgical
Canons of the Armenian Church)

CONSTANTINE AND HIS MOTHER HELENA

This Tuesday, June 11, the Armenian Church remembers Constantine the
Great and his mother, Helena. Constantine was the first Christian
emperor
of Rome. In 330 he founded Constantinople as a `second Rome,’ and
considered himself to be a servant of God. He was buried amid the
apostles in the basilica he founded in their honor in
Constantinople. Helena followed her son in becoming a Christian and
devoted her life to charitable work. She built many churches and
monasteries and is believed to have played an important role in the
recovery of the true cross in Golgotha. She is also believed to have
helped find Christ’s exact place of burial where later the Church of
the Holy Sepulcher was built.

CILICIAN DELEGATION ATTENDS ENTHRONEMENT IN JERUSALEM

Archbishop Varoujan Herkelian, Catholicosal Vicar of the Diocese of
Cyprus, and Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran,
represented His Holiness Aram and the Holy See of Cilicia at the
enthronement of Archbishop Nourhan Sarkissian as the new Armenian
Patriarch of Jerusalem that took
place on Tuesday, June 4. He succeeds His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom
Manoogian, of blessed memory.

KARAGEUZIAN FOUNDATION DIRECTOR IN ANTELIAS

Dr. Walter Bandazian, the Director of the Karageuzian Foundation,
headquartered in New York City, met with His Holiness Aram last
Saturday, June 1, at the Catholicosate in Antelias. Dr. Bandazian was
accompanied by Mr. Serop Ohanian, the director of the Foundation’s
office in Lebanon. Dr. Bandazian makes annual visits to the
Foundations three overseas centers, Lebanon, Syria, and Armenia. The
Catholicos received a briefing on the Foundation’s humanitarian aid to
the Syrian Armenian community through its offices in Syria and
Lebanon.

ECONOMIC MINISTER FROM ROMANIA IN ANTELIAS

Varoujan Voskanian, the Minister of Economy and Trade of Romania, met
with His Holiness Aram I, during official visit to Lebanon. They were
joined by the Armenian Ministers and Parliamentarians of Lebanon. This
was Voskanian’s second visit to the Catholicosate. Five years earlier,
while on an official visit, His Holiness awarded him with the Knight
of Cilicia insignia in recognition of his achievements.

Discussions during this meeting focused on the current situation in
Lebanon, economic relations between Lebanon and Romania,
Armenia-Diaspora relations, and the forthcoming 100th anniversary
commemorations of the Genocide.
Before leaving the Catholicosate, the Minister paid his respects to
the victims of the Armenian Genocide in the Holy See’s Martyrs Chapel.

NEW CD OF HYMNS RELEASED

The director of the Christian Education Department and conductor of
the Shenorhali Choir, Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan was joined by two
choir
members to present the first copy of a new CD to His Holiness
Catholicos Aram. The CD includes hymns, melodies, and songs from the
Armenian Liturgy and ancient music performed by the choir, organist
Hasmig Kasparian, and soprano Shoghik Torossian. Besides being a
source of spiritual and uplifting listening, the new CD can be used as
a teaching resource for church choirs.

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.

WORLD PREMIERE PRESENTED IN GREAT NECK

The world premiere of a play, `Found,’ written by Anoush
Baghdassarian, was presented last weekend at the Public Library of
Great Neck, New York, for two performances on Friday and Saturday
evenings. The playwright is a senior at Great Neck South High
School. Next year she plans to attend Claremont McKenna College in
California, majoring in theatre and international relations. She will
be going to Oxford this summer to study Shakespeare at the British
American Drama Academy. The topic of the play is the Armenian
Genocide, a topic she has passionately been informing people since she
was in sixth grade. The play takes place in 1915 and 1925 in the
historic Armenian city of Van.

At the premiere of `Found’, left to right, Dr. Louis Najarian, Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian, Anoush Baghdassarian, and Dr. Herand Markarian.

Attending the premiere was Mary Badham (third from right in this
photo) who at age ten played the role of Scout in the award winning
movie `To Kill a Mockingbird,’ based on the book by Harper Lee.

TURKEY: FROM THE EXPLOITATIONS OF YESTERDAY
TO THE POLICE VIOLENCE OF TODAY

For nearly two weeks citizens of Istanbul of all ages and from all
social and political backgrounds have been participating in
demonstrations that began peacefully in Gezi Park, the largest public
park in Istanbul. After harsh reprisals from the police, demonstrators
have increasingly clashed with the authorities.

The demonstrators are protesting the imminent destruction of Gezi Park
to make way for the construction of a large shopping mall to be based
on the Ottoman-style military barracks that ironically was built by
the famous Turkish Armenian architect, Balian.

For many days the activists have been chanting, “Gezi is ours!” It is
a chant that the Armenians can also shout. What many do not know is
that
for 370 years a large portion of what now is Gezi Park was an Armenian
cemetery, the cemetery of Pangalti, believed to be the largest
non-Muslim cemetery in Istanbul. Founded in 1560, it was demolished in
the 1930s. The cemetery’s marble tombstones were sold and used for
other construction projects. A section of what once was the Armenian
cemetery of Pangalti is now the location of the Divan Hotel, the
Hilton Hotel, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, and the headquarters of Turkish
Radio and Television.

The activists want to preserve the park as an open and green space and
are challenging the escalating authoritarianism of Prime Minister
Erdogan. They should also be cognizant of the history of this as well
as other locations as properties that were confiscated from
non-Turkish minority citizens in the aftermath of the genocide of
1915.

Birth of Aram Khachaturian (June 6, 1903)

Thirty-five years after his death, Aram Khachaturian remains the most
widely known Armenian classical composer of all times. His `Sabre
Dance,’ the electrifying dance of the final act of the ballet
=80=9CGayane,’ made him known on a popular level worldwide. A few
years ago, the first notes of the `Sabre Dance’ were even the score
for an advertisement of hair shampoo in American TV, while some music
of his other world-famous ballet, `Spartacus,’ appeared
most recently in the animated film `Ice Age: The Meltdown.’

Khachaturian was born in Kojori, near Tiflis (Georgia), on June 6,
1903, the youngest of five children. Young Aram was admitted to the
Commerce School in Tiflis in 1913, but he preferred music. He learned
to play woodwind instruments and became a member of a woodwind
orchestra.

His elder brother, Suren, who was the stage director of the Second
Moscow Art Theatre, took him to Moscow in 1921, where he entered the
Gnessin Musical College. The future composer did not even know how to
read music at the time. He quickly showed his talent for composition
and in 1925 Mikhail Gnessin suggested he join his newly-opened
composition class. Four years
later, Khachaturian transferred to the Moscow Conservatory. He
graduated with highest grades and composed his first big work, the
First Symphony, in 1934, after marrying his classmate, composer Nina
Makarova, the year before. In 1937 he became deputy chairman of the
Moscow branch of the Composers’ Union, and then was appointed chairman
of the Organizing Committee of Soviet Composers in 1939. The first
ballet also came out that year. It was initially called `Happiness,’
but Khachaturian later reworked it into the ballet `Gayane.’

The years 1936-1947 were the most prolific in Khachaturian’s life. He
wrote music for dramatic performances and movies, songs, and religious
music, including the Concerto for Violin (1941), the Concerto for
Cello (1943), the Second Symphony (1946), the Third Symphony (1946),
and the Symphonic Poem, later entitled the Third Symphony (1947).

The composer joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in
1943. In 1944 he composed the music of the anthem of Soviet
Armenia. However, he temporarily fell from official favor in 1948. The
Symphonic Poem, ironically written as a tribute to communism, earned
Khachaturian the wrath of the
Party. Andrei Zhdanov, secretary of the party’s Central Committee,
delivered the so-called Zhdanov decree in 1948. The decree condemned
composers Dimitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Khachaturian, and
others as “formalist” and “anti-popular.” The three named composers
had already become established as the so-called “titans” of Soviet
music, enjoying worldwide reputation as some of the leading composers
of the 20th century. Nonetheless, all three were forced to apologize
publicly.

Despite this episode, Khachaturian returned to official favor. He
received numerous state awards both before and after the decree: for
example, four Stalin prizes (1941, 1943, 1946 and 1950), one Lenin
prize (1959), a
USSR State Prize (1971), and the title of Hero of Socialist Labor
(1973). Khachaturian went on to serve again as Secretary of the Board
of the Composers’ Union, starting in 1957 and was also a deputy in the
fifth Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union (1958-1962). In 1951 he
became professor at
the Gnessin State Musical and Pedagogical Institute (Moscow) and the
Moscow Conservatory.

Although Khachaturian lived outside Armenia, he has been an iconic
figure for generations of Armenian composers, and many important
names, such as Arno Babajanian, Alexander Harutiunian, Edgar
Hovhannisian, and Tigran Mansurian, among others, were particularly
influence by him. Most of his works are saturated with centuries-old
motifs of Armenian culture. Khachaturian encouraged young composers to
experiment with new sounds and find their own voices. His colorful
orchestration technique is still noted for its freshness and vitality.

Khachaturian’s ballet `Spartacus’ premiered in December 1956, and its
music was featured in various series and films in the West. His
seventieth anniversary was officially celebrated in Moscow
and Yerevan. He passed away in Moscow on May 1, 1978, and was buried
in the `Gomidas’ Pantheon in Yerevan, together with other great
Armenian personalities.

The composer’s picture is featured on the 50 dram Armenian banknote,
as well as in various Soviet, Armenian, and Russian stamps. Various
streets in Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan are named after
him. His house-museum was opened in Yerevan in 1982.

>From Everything to Nobody

There are extremes, and there are middle points. This is how we have
the words `everything’ and `nothing,’ but also `something’ and
`anything.’ We have their equivalents in Armenian too, indeed, with
two alternatives for the same word `thing.’ The most common is Õ¢Õ¡Õ¶
(pan), which is a modern use of this word; the same word Õ¢Õ¡Õ¶ meant
`word, speech’ in Classical Armenian: `Ô» Õ½Õ¯Õ¦Õ¢Õ¡Õ¶Õ§ Õ§Ö=80
Ô²Õ¡Õ¶Õ¶’ (I sgzpane er Pann, `In the beginning was the Word’).

Now, we have the following equivalences between Armenian and English

Armenian

English

Õ¡Õ´Õ§Õ¶ Õ¢Õ¡Õ¶ (amen pan)

everything

Õ¢Õ¡Õ¶ Õ´Õ¨ (pan me)

something

Õ¸Ö=80Õ¥Ö=82Õ§ Õ¢Õ¡Õ¶ (voreve pan)

anything

Õ¸Õ¹Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ (vochinch)

nothing

The word vochinch mirrors its English equivalent: a combination of the
words voch (`no’) and inch (`thing’). This reveals that we also have
Õ«Õ¶Õ¹(inch) as the second equivalent of `thing.’ This word already
meant `thing’ in Classical Armenian. It later evolved into Õ«Õ¶Õ¹
=80=9Cwhat’ and the composite forms Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ÕºÕ§Õ½ (inchbes `how’),
Õ«Õ¶Õ¹Õ¸Õ=9EÖ=82 (inchu? `why?’), and others.

You can use pan and inch interchangeably in the case of `everything’
(Õ¡Õ´Õ§Õ¶ Õ«Õ¶Õ¹, amen inch)and `nothing’ (Õ¸Õ¹ Õ´Õ§Õ¯ Õ¢Õ¡Õ¶, voch
meg pan, although stylistically vochinch is better), butit would be
plainly wrong to say Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ Õ´Õ¨ (inch me)for =80=9Csomething’ or
Õ¸Ö=80Õ¥Ö=82Õ§ Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ (voreve inch) for `anything.’

When we talk about people, we have the following equivalences:

Armenian

English

Õ¡Õ´Õ§Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ¯Õ¨ (amen megue)

everyone (*)

Õ´Õ§Õ¯Õ¨ (megue)

someone/somebody

Õ¸Õ¥Ö=82Õ§ Õ´Õ§Õ¯Õ¨ (voyeve megue)

anyone/anybody

Õ¸Õ¹ Õ´Õ§Õ¯Õ¨

no one/nobody

You can also say Õ¡Õ´Õ§Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=84 (amen vok) for `everyone’ or Õ¸Õ¹
Õ¸Ö=84 (voch vok) for
`no one.’ It is less common, but it is still used, particularly in
written language. The word vok is the plural of vo (Õ¸), the Classical
Armenian term for megue, from where the word voyeve is apparently
derived.

The Classical Armenian Õ¸Õ´Õ¶ (vomn, `someone’) is not used in Modern
Armenian, except to note an anonymous donor, which until today is
recorded as vomn). However, we often use the plural of vomn, which is
Õ¸Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84 (vomank), to say =80=9Csome people.’ For example,
`Õ=88Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84
Õ¡Õ¶Ö=85Õ©Õ« Õ¥Õ¶’ (Vomank anoti en, =80=9CSome people are hungry.’).

A final point that is the matter of much mistaken use: how do we use
vochinch and voch megue in a negative sentence? The answer is: exactly
as in English!

You cannot use double negative in (Western) Armenian (except for
understated affirmation). Therefore, you may say either Õ=88Õ¹
Õ´Õ§Õ¯Õ¨ Õ£Õ«Õ¿Õ§ (Voch megue kide) or Õ=84Õ§Õ¯Õ¨ Õ¹Õ« Õ£Õ«Õ¿Õ¥Ö=80
(Megue chi kider) to mean `nobody knows,’ but you cannot say Õ¸Õ¹
Õ´Õ§Õ¯Õ¨ Õ¹Õ« Õ£Õ«Õ¿Õ¥Ö=80 (Voch
megue chi kider), which would be as grammatically correct as `Nobody
doesn’t know.’

Similarly, you may say `Õ=88Õ¹Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ«Õ´’ (Vochinch ooneem)
or `Ô²Õ¡Õ¶ Õ´Õ¨ Õ¹Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ«Õ´’ (Pan me chooneem) to say `I have
nothing’ or `I don’t have anything’ but `Õ=88Õ¹Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ Õ¹Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ«Õ´’
(Vochinch chooneem) would be the equivalent of
. . . `I don’t have nothing .’

———————————

(*) In this collection, the word `everybody’ stands
out, as its Armenian equivalent is not Õ¡Õ´Õ§Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ¯Õ¨ (amen megue),
but Õ¢Õ¸Õ¬Õ¸Ö=80Õ¨ (polore, `all’). If you wanted to say, for
instance, `Everybody has fun tonight’ in Armenian, the translation
would be «Ô±ÕµÕ½ Õ£Õ«Õ·Õ¥Ö=80, Õ¢Õ¸Õ¬Õ¸Ö=80Õ¨ Õ¯Õ¨
Õ¦Õ¸Ö=82Õ¡Ö=80Õ³Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡Õ¶’ (Ays kisher, polore gue zvarjanan).

FROM THE BOOKSTORE

NEWLY PUBLISHED

THE KURDS, THE ARMENIAN QUESTION, AND THE HISTORY
OF ARMENIAN-KURDISH RELATIONS
By Vahan Baibourtian

This newly published book explores a topic that has not been
adequately studied, namely the political and economic history of the
Kurdish people of the Ottoman Empire, and the Republic of Turkey. It
explores the development of Armenian-Kurdish relations, as well as the
Armenian and the Kurdish Questions. The author, Vahan Baibourtian, is
a well-known and respected scholar and professor of history, as well
as a diplomat, and an expert in Oriental Studies and International
Relations. The publication of this English edition, translated by
Mariam Mesropyan, was made possible through a grant from the Dolores
Zohrab Liebmann Fund.

418 pages, hardcover, $35.00, including shipping & handling

Also from the Bookstore…

PLUSH BAPTISMAL TOWELS

These beautiful luxurious baptismal towels are lovely to use during
an infant’s baptism and remain as a keepsake memento of this pivotal
event. Both styles are embroidered in gold in Armenian with the
baptismal appeal: Havadk, Houys, Ser, yev Mkrdoutyoun. (Faith, Hope,
Love, and Baptism).

$75.00 each plus shipping & handling

To order these items contact the Prelacy Bookstore by email
([email protected]) or telephone (212-689-7810).

69th ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

Today, June 6, is the 69th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion
of Normandy and the turning point of the War with Nazi Germany. The
invasion depended heavily on weather conditions, a full moon,
coordination, secrecy, and the successful elaborate deception that
convinced Germany that the
allied invasion would come ashore at the Pas-de-Calais and not
Normandy. The 5,000 vessel armada transported more than 150,000
soldiers and 30,000 vehicles. Parachute regiments of 13,000 men were
flown from nine British regiments in 800 planes. Three hundred planes
bombed coastal Normandy right before the invasion. By the evening of
June 6, more than 9,000 Allied soldiers
were dead or wounded, but 100,000 successfully got ashore and into
French coastal villages. In this pre-television era, families huddled
around their
prized possession-a Philco radio-for the latest news.

The Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, Five-Star
General Dwight D. Eisenhower, went on to become a two-term President
of the United States from 1953 to 1961.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 2 to June 30-`History of Armenia: Past, Present, Future,’ a series
of eight seminars presented on Thursdays, 7 pm to 8:30
pm, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York
City. Sponsored by the Cathedral and the UN Armenian
Mission. Facilitator:
Artur Martirosyan, Ph.D.

June 7-Concert dedicated to the 300th Jubilee of Sayat Nova featuring
Elie Berberian (Canada) and his band performing songs by Sayat Nova
and
other favorite minstrels, 8 pm, at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Avenue,
Woodside, New York 11377. Donation: $25, includes post-concert
reception. For tickets: [email protected] or 212-689-5880.

June 23-Annual picnic of St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain and
Hartford, 12 noon at the Quartette Club, 225 Wooster Street, New
Britain, Connecticut. Admission is free. Come and enjoy Armenian food,
music, and dancing, while visiting with old and new friends. For
information: Church, 860-229-8322, or email
[email protected].

Facebook:
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June 23-Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New
Jersey, Nareg Saturday School year-end hantes, following the Divine
Liturgy.

June 30-Brunch and Talent Show, organized and hosted by the Ladies
Guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York, at 1 pm, under the
auspices of Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian. Adults $15.00; Children
$10.00. For
information: 212-689-5880.

July 7-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Outdoor Family Event,
following church services on the Feast of Transfiguration,
Vartivar. Everyone, especially the youth, is invited to join in water
games on the lawn next to the church.

June 9-Father’s Day Dinner and Comedy, sponsored by Armenian
Compatriotic Union of Ourfa, featuring renowned comedian Vahe
Berberian with a new repertoire, with the participation of violinist
Souren Kahvedjian, Ya Hala Restaurant, 45 Main Street, Wallington, New
Jersey. Adults $60; children under ten $30. Proceeds to Syrian
Armenian Relief Fund. For information: (732) 970-5207.

June 9-St. Sarkis Church and Douglaston School of Music and Art
present `Aram Khatchaturian-110th Anniversary Concert,’ by faculty
members and students of Douglaston School of Music and Art,
1:30 pm, Chaderjian Hall, St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street,
Douglaston, New York. Donation: $10.

June 13-St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, 4th annual
Cigar Night & Dinner in Blessed Memory of Rev. Fr. Vartan
Kassabian. Surf & Turf dinner, open bar, cigars, live & silent
auction, raffles. Tickets must be purchased in advance by sending a
check for $150 payable to St. Gregory’s Mens Club, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845, or contact Greg Minasian at
[email protected], or 978-470-3075.

June 15-National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG), Seminar and
Picnic, 10 am to 2 pm. Jointly hosted with Ladies Guild of Saint
Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 315 Church Street,
Whitinsville. Guest speaker: Carol Jaffarian, will provide update on
the Mother and Child Clinic and Birthing Center in Akhourian,
Armenia. RSVP by June 8 to the Church (508-234-3677), or to Sharke
Derapkrian by email ([email protected]) or phone (978-685-7243).

June 12 to 15-World General Assembly of the Holy See of Cilicia, at
the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon.

June 16-St. Gregory Church, annual Father’s Day Picnic, 12
noon to 5 pm, on the church grounds at 135 Goodwin Street, Indian
Orchard, Massachusetts. Enjoy many favorite Armenian dinners including
shish kebab
and rice pilaf. Baked goods available for purchase. 50/50 raffle,
Armenian music and dancing, and a bounce house for children. Free
admission and parking. For information: 413-543-4763.

June 24-Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, 10th Annual
Golf Outing at Sterling National Country Club, Sterling,
Massachusetts. Join us for a great day of golf including golf, cart,
breakfast, prizes, gifts, and dinner for $140 per golfer. Tee off at 9
am. Shotgun start and scramble format. For information contact Rich
Tashjian at [email protected]
or 978-422-7600.

June 30-July 7-27th Annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute, at St. Mary
of Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the
Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Cou8ncil (AREC). For
information contact the AREC office3 by email
([email protected]) or phone (212-689-7810).

July 4-11-4th Annual Summer Camp for Orphans will take place in
Dzaghgztazor, Armenia, sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy. Orphans ages
13 to 16 who are enrolled in the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship program
are eligible to attend to learn about the Armenian Church and
history. The week
long program includes Bible study and prayers and meditation combined
with
summer fun activities and fellowship with other campers. For more
information contact Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian by email
([email protected]) or by phone (508-865-2454).

July 8-19-8th Annual Summer Camp program at St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.

July 13-`A Hye Summer Night VII’ Dinner Dance sponsored by Ladies
Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church and Armenian Relief Society
`Ani’ Chapter of Providence, Rhode Island, at the Providence Marriott
Hotel, One Orms Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02904, 6 pm to
1 am. Featuring: Joe Kouyoumjian (oud), Brian Ansbigian (oud), David
Ansbigian (oud), Leon Janikian (clarinet), Ken Kalajian (guitar),
Jason Naroian (dumbeg), Armen Janigian (Daf). For tickets ($50 per
person) and information: Joyce Bagdasarian (401-434-4467); Joyce
Yeremian (401-354-8770).

August 18-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Blessing of the
Grapes and Family Fun Picnic, at Lakeshore Park, 601 South Lake Drive,
Novi,
Michigan. Food, music, dancing, magic show, volleyball, soccer, tavlou
tournament, mountain biking, swimming.

August 18-Annual Picnic, Sts. Vartanantz Church, New Jersey.

September 15-Book Presentation at Pashalian Hall, St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, New York, of `One Church One Nation’
by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian.

October 19-Armenian Friends of America presents `Hye Kef 5′ featuring
musicians Leon Janikian, Joe Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken
Kalajian, Ron Raphaelian, and Jay Baronian, 7:30-12:30, Michael’s
Function Hall, 12 Alpha Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Proceeds
to benefit all Armenian churches in Merrimack Valley and New
Hampshire. Tickets: $40 adults; $30 students; includes
individually-served mezza platters. For information/reservations: John
Arzigian 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan 978-251-8687; Scott Sahagian
617-699-3581; Peter Gulezian 978-375-1616.

November 15-16-17-Annual Bazaar, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen
Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

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

http://www.armenianprelacy.org/
http://e2.ma/click/gdmed/4f4cee/cmq80
http://e2.ma/click/gdmed/4f4cee/ser80
http://e2.ma/click/gdmed/4f4cee/86r80
http://e2.ma/click/gdmed/4f4cee/ozs80
www.facebook.com/StStephensArmenianApostolicChurchCt

Armenians Participate In Istanbul Protests (Photos)

ARMENIANS PARTICIPATE IN ISTANBUL PROTESTS (PHOTOS)

June 06, 2013 | 01:02

The Nor Zartonk (New Awakening) movement of Istanbul Armenians is
taking part in the resistance that had started to preserve the city’s
Gezi Park.

During the respective demonstrations, the movement’s supporters are
holding banners that read: “Surp Hagop [Saint Jacob] Armenian Cemetery:
1551-1939. You captured our graveyard, but you can’t capture our
park!” and “Equality, Brotherhood, Peace, Freedom. Nor Zartonk.”

To note, there was an Armenian cemetery, from 1551 to 1939, in the
area of Gezi Park nearby Istanbul’s Taksim Square. Subsequently,
the Divan Hotel and the aforesaid park were constructed where the
cemetery once stood.

From: Baghdasarian

http://news.am/eng/news/156741.html

Two Employees Of Military Enlistment Office Detained For Bribery

TWO EMPLOYEES OF MILITARY ENLISTMENT OFFICE DETAINED FOR BRIBERY

Thursday,
June 06

The National Security Service of Armenia detained on June 5 Artashes
Arshakian, the head of the recruiting unit of the military registration
and enlistment office in Mashtots district of Yerevan, and Ms. Gayane
Hayrapetian, an inspector of the same unit.

According to the press service of NSS, Artashes Arshakian demanded and
received – via Gayane Hayrapetian – $1,000 from a citizen in return
for a certificate of registration at the military enlistment office,
promising to provide also a military card later.

TODAY, 15:06

Aysor.am

From: Baghdasarian

Vekselberg, Usmanov, Kerimov, Chubais And Others To Help Gifted Chil

VEKSELBERG, USMANOV, KERIMOV, CHUBAIS AND OTHERS TO HELP GIFTED CHILDREN GET EDUCATION AT DILIJAN SCHOOL

YEREVAN, June 6. / ARKA /. Wealthy business people from Russia and
Europe, including, of Armenian descent, will create a charitable
scholarship fund in the amount of $100 million that will pay for the
education of talented children from Armenia and other countries at
Dilijan International School (DIS), project founder and co-director
of Russian Sberbank CIB Ruben Vardanyan said today in Yerevan.

He said Russia’s wealthiest people, Viktor Vekselberg, Alisher Usmanov,
Suleiman Kerimov, Anatoly Chubais, Oleg Lazarian from Ukraine,
Mikael Obermayer from Sweden and many others have donated money to
the fund to ensure that children of different nationalities study at
Dilijan International School.

He said the cost of education at the school is $30,000 a year, and
70% of students will receive scholarships from the fund to pay for
their studies. Vardanyan explained that scholarships will be paid
from the income fund, not from the authorized capital. He said there
is a mounting interest in Dilijan International School.

“In Armenia and Georgia there are many foreigners who want their
children to have good education. There are also a large number of
people in the Armenian Diaspora who will send their children to
Armenia to study here,’ he said.

He said the Diljan School may interest also wealthy parents in Armenia
who send their children to international schools abroad.

Dilijan International School is a private charity project. Its
construction worth $150 million was financed by Ruben Vardanyan.-0-

From: Baghdasarian

Inflation In Armenia Likely To Be Between 6% And 7% By End Of This Y

INFLATION IN ARMENIA LIKELY TO BE BETWEEN 6% AND 7% BY END OF THIS YEAR

YEREVAN, June 6. /ARKA/. Vardan Bostanjyan, an economist, told ARKA
Agency on Thursday that inflation in Armenia is likely to be between
6% and 7% by the end of this year, exceeding the 4% (±1.5%) projected
in the 2013 government budget.

Bostanjyan said that it wasn’t taken into account in 2012, when the
budget for the next year was outlined, that prices may go up in 2013,
if prices for natural gas and electric power rise.

“If prices go up, then, I think, it will be impossible to keep
inflation within the projected frames,” he said.

He also thinks that the results of the government’s economic policy
aimed at ensuring the projected macroeconomic indicators may be seen
in late October.

On May 14, ArmRosGazprom asked the regulator to revise upward the
current tariff for Russian natural gas. It wants to raise the price
for consumers using up to 10 thousand cubic meters a month from
current 132,000 drams per one thousand cubic meters (including VAT)
to 221,000 drams.

Earlier this week the PSRC unveiled on its official website new prices
of gas. Thus, consumers using up to 10,000 cubic meters of natural gas
per month will be paying 156 thousand drams, including VAT, for one
thousand cubic meters, up form current 132,000 drams. Corporate and
other enterprises consuming 10,000 and more cubic meters will be paying
about $276.98. The new prices will come into force from June 7 to 10.

Prices for electricity are expected to rise as well.

The Public Service Regulatory Commission says the day-time price for
one kilowatt/hour (from 7:00 to 23:00) may rise up to 38 drams from
the present 30, and the night-time price may rise from the present
25 to 28. Inflation in Armenia was recorded at 2.6% in 2012. ($1 –
AMD 416.02).—0—–

From: Baghdasarian

Dilijan International School May Become A United World College

DILIJAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MAY BECOME A UNITED WORLD COLLEGE

Thursday,
June 06

The Dilijan International School will open in September 2013.

Construction work has entered a final stage, the DIS project founder
Ruben Vardanian told reporters today.

In his words, $20 million has already been invested in the project,
while the total cost of the project is $150 million. “The Dilijan
International School is of importance not only to Armenia, but also to
the region. Children from various countries will study here and they
will later have an opportunity to enter the world’s best universities,”
Ruben Vardanian stated.

The teaching staff will include both local and foreign teachers. The
instruction language is English. The annual education fee will be
$30,000, but the best pupils will receive scholarships. DIS will have
60 teachers and 650 pupils.

The Dilijan International School is in the process of applying to
become a United World College (UWC).

TODAY, 17:51

Aysor.am

From: Baghdasarian