Author: Boshkezenian Garik

TURKEY PRODS U.S. AGAINST ‘GENOCIDE’
By Jason Motlagh

Washington Times, DC
March 20 2007

YEREVAN, Armenia — Inside the tomblike confines of the Armenian
Genocide Museum, a haunting narrative of images and words unfolds. A
list is posted at tour’s end of nations that have officially recognized
the tragedy, minus one major endorsement: the United States.

U.S. lawmakers have introduced nonbinding resolutions in Congress
that would declare up to 1.5 million Armenians victims of genocide
at the hands of Turkish forces almost a century ago.

Support is reported to be strong enough in the House to pass the
measure if it goes to a vote; the Senate introduced a similar
resolution last week with 21 co-sponsors.

Historians and analysts here in the Armenian capital say recognition
from Washington is long overdue because evidence validating the case
for genocide is "clear-cut, more than factual, and very obvious."

But Turkey’s priority status as a vital strategic ally in a troublesome
region stands in the way.

"Although Turkey needs the U.S. more, the U.S also needs Turkey
right now … so it’s not realistic to think the government will
formally acknowledge [the genocide]," said Hagop Avedikian, editor
of Azg newspaper.

He noted that every April 24, a day of observance, President Bush
"highlights the genocide and explains it without using the word."

In the past month, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Chief of
the General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit and a parliamentary delegation
have met with U.S. lawmakers and Bush administration officials in an
attempt to derail the resolution.

Mr. Gul was quoted as saying the delivery of a U.S. genocide resolution
would inflict "lasting damage" on bilateral relations.

Such statements were not lost on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who last week wrote a joint
letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, and other
senior members warning that the measure would hurt national security
interests.

Passage of the House resolution, they wrote, "could harm American
troops in the field, constrain our ability to supply our troops in
Iraq and Afghanistan and significantly damage our efforts to promote
reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey."

Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried has warned that Turkey
might respond by closing Incirlik air base, used for operations in
nearby Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Turkish military severed all ties with the French military and
terminated defense contracts after the French National Assembly voted
in October to criminalize the denial of genocide.

The Israeli Knesset killed a motion to discuss recognition earlier
this month, fearing a political crisis with Ankara.

Failure to pass the resolution would be "too bad because it could
be a very catalytic moment for rapid recognition by other states,"
said Hayk Demoyan, director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.

Several Western countries have recognized the massacre in the waning
days of the Ottoman Empire as a genocide, some making genocide denial
a punishable offense.

An ethnic Turkish politician, Dogu Perincek, received a $2,500 fine
and a suspended prison sentence from a Swiss court on Friday for
calling Armenian genocide an "international lie" at a political rally
two years ago.

The dispute is over whether hundreds of thousands of Armenians who
died between 1915 and 1923 were part of systematic eradication campaign
by Ottoman Turkey.

Armenians contend mass killings and forced deportations amount to
genocide, while the Turkish government insists the deaths were the
result of chaos at the time.

PROCESS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION ENTERED NEW PHASE

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.03.2007 13:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The process of Armenian Genocide international
recognition has entered a new phase, head of "Hay Dat" International
Office Giro Manoyan stated to a press conference in Yerevan. He said,
currently Turkey has directed all his efforts towards preventing
discussions around 106th resolution that recognizes the Armenian
Genocide, in the U.S. Congress. "But actually Turkey betrays his
strategic ally and partner, which is unacceptable for the United
States," Manoyan stressed.

The "Hay Dat" Office head also noted formulations in U.S. State
Department’s human rights report concerning Armenia can be viewed
as a method of pressure on Yerevan on the eve of parliamentarian
elections. "Such a report clearly shows that the United States being
a OSCE Co-Chair state, backs one of the conflicting parties. The
statement of U.S. Embassy in Armenia is also obscure concerning ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian’s comments on Richard Hoagland’s
nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. Such statements are not
accepted in diplomatic practice," Giro Manoyan underscored.

As to the next steps of the Armenian side, Giro Manoyan thinks if
suddenly Turkey recognizes the Armenian Genocide, it is necessary to
demand that Ankara declares about his responsibility for the committed
crime. "Modern Turkey is the assignee of the Ottoman Empire and fully
accounts for the events in 1915," the "Hay Dat" Office head underlined.

The U.S. State Department in its annual report on Human Rights
concerning Armenia called the Nagorno Karabakh and the territories
under her control "occupied territories". It is also worth
mentioning that the United State’s Embassy in Armenia "expressed
deep disappointment" for Aram Hamparian’s words, who said that
the U.S. Senate will not approve Richard Hoagland’s nomination as
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.

The latter denies the Armenian Genocide and doubts in deliberate
actions of Ottoman Empire authorities. Aram Hamparian’s statement is a
"wishful distortion of reality", says the statement of U.S. Embassy
in Armenia.

IN MEMORIUM: AUA REMEMBERS MR. SARKIS ACOPIAN

AZG Armenian Daily
20/03/2007

A memorial ceremony commemorating the life of the great friend and
supporter of the American University of Armenia, Mr. Sarkis Acopian
(1926-2007), was held on March 14, 2007, at the University.

Speakers during the ceremony included His Holiness Karekin II,
the Catholicos of all Armenians, AUA President Haroutune Armenian,
Dr.Martin Adamyan, author of "A Field Guide to Birds of Armenia,"
and Mr. Karen Aghababyan, Coordinator of the Environmental and
Conservation Research Center at AUA.

Dr. Haroutune Armenian began the memorial with a talk in which he
described Mr. Sarkis Acopian as a person deeply concerned about
environmental conservation and environmental education and as an
initiator of many important industrial and scientific projects,
a benefactor of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and as a generous
supporter of a variety of development activities in the United States
and Armenia. "Mr. Acopian’s goal, which he obtained so brilliantly,
was to achieve the highest international standards in all his work. He
was an ingenious person, entrepreneurial, hard working, diligent,
and a man with the highest levels of integrity. His standards were so
impeccable that we can use his profile as a model for our students at
AUA to encourage them to emulate his approach to life. He was a model
of strong moral and ethical principles and it was a great pleasure
to know such a man," continued Dr. Armenian.

Karen Aghababyan, remembered Mr. Sarkis Acopian with a slide
presentation that covered the major activities of Mr. Acopian’s life
with a special focus on his generous contributions in Armenia in a
variety of areas from environmental protection to the building of
new churches.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of all Armenians delivered
the eulogy in remembrance of Mr. Acopian, a person devoted to the
Armenian Church and the community at large for a very long time. "We
praise with our respect and gratitude the highly devoted Armenian
son, Sarkis Acopian. We have today the opportunity to live through
once again those beautiful moments and times which we enjoyed with
happiness together with Mr. Acopian and to share his ideals and his
very humane and God loving devotion to his motherland."

Mr. Sarkis Acopian made numerous donations to national and
international causes including the environmental education program
at the American University of Armenia and the Florida Institute of
Technology. Other major philanthropic endeavours included the Nature
Conservancy Acopian Bog Turtle Preserve, and the St. Sarkis Armenian
Apostolic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, built in memory of
his beloved mother, Dr. Arax Acopian. Other important donations
have included gifts to the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the
Embassy of Armenia in Ottawa Canada, the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America, the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, the
Armenian Assembly of America, the Children’s Home of Easton and the
building of two churches in Armenia, St. Hakop and St. Mesrob. His
great sense of gratitude to his adopted country played a major part in
his being the largest individual donor to the World War II Memorial
in Washington, DC. He received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the
St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal, and an honorary Doctor of Science
degree from Muhlenberg College.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN AND MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD OPENED THE IRAN-ARMENIA GAS-PIPELINE

Mediamax Agency, Armenia
March 19 2007

Yerevan, March 19 /Mediamax/. Today at 14:05 the Armenian and
Iranian President Robert Kocharian and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad opened the
Iran-Armenia gas-pipeline, special correspondent of Mediamax reports
from Meghri.

The ceremony should have started in the morning, however, because of
bad weather conditions, the helicopter did not manage to convey the
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Meghri in time.

The Leaders of the two countries are expected to speak during a news
conference soon.

The Armenian and Iranian Energy Ministers signed an intergovernmental
agreement today in Meghri on the joint construction and exploitation of
a Hydroelectric Power Station (HPS) on the Araks river. The signing of
the document took place after putting into operation the Iran-Armenia
gas-pipeline, in which the Presidents of Armenia and Iran Robert
Kocharian and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad participated.

Speaking at a news conference, Robert Kocharian stated that
the construction of a joint HPS "will open a new page in the
Armenian-Iranian relations".

He stressed that 15 years ago there was nothing in Meghri, evidencing
the Armenian-Iranian relations, and the two sides were separated by
a barbed wire.

"Today, there are many things here evidencing our growing relations.

By the bridge, on which I met the Iranian President today, 600
thousand tons of cargo was transported last year", the Armenian
President stated.

Robert Kocharian highlighted that the economic cooperation of Armenia
and Iran started touching upon large infrastructure projects.

The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that he discussed with
Robert Kocharian the issues of cooperation in the sphere of energy,
transport, communication and water industry.

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]

20 March 2006

PRIMATE RETURNS FROM ABROAD WITH GREAT ZEAL FOLLOWING THE PONTIFICAL VISIT
TO INDIA

Sydney, Australia – On Saturday, 17 March, 2007 His Eminence Archbishop
Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia
and New Zealand and Pontifical Legate to India & the far East made his safe
return to Sydney after three weeks abroad undertaking various functions.

Taking flight on 25 February, Archbishop Baliozian left for Calcutta, India
accompanied by Very Reverend Father Vardan Navasardyan to meet, greet and
accompany His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians on the official Pontifical Visit to India, the first of its kind
since 1963. During the course of the week, the Pontiff of All Armenians
toured places of interest in India but foremost visited century old Armenian
churches, institutions and landmarks in New Delhi, Agra, Chennai (Madras),
Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta). During the Pontifical visitation,
His Holiness presided over the re-consecration of the Holy Trinity Armenian
Church of Tangra in Kolkata which was restored by the Armenian Church
Committee of Calcutta on occasion of His Holiness’ visit.

Also accompanying the clerical entourage of the Supreme Head of the Armenian
Church were His Excellency Ashot Kocharian, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to India; Mr Haik Sookias Jr,
Chairman of the Armenian Church Committee of Calcutta; and other members of
the Committee.

On the trail of His Holiness’ return to the Mother See on 5 March,
Archbishop Baliozian too made his passage to Holy Etchmiadzin to partake in
the Meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council from 7-9 March. However, prior
to his departure on 4 March, Archbishop Baliozian presided over the
re-consecration of the newly renovated St Mary’s Armenian Church of
Saiadabad.

On the agenda items of the Supreme Spiritual Council, the Meeting reviewed
the annual administrative and financial reports of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin; was updated on the progress of forming an International
Armenian Church Youth Organization; discussed the continuing issues with the
Armenian Diocese of Georgia and its lack of legal status; and deliberated
over the proposed diocesan by-laws. The Catholicos of All Armenians also
informed the members of the Supreme Spiritual Council that the date for the
next blessing of the Holy Chrism (Muron) had been decided for September 28,
2008.

After a brief period of rest in Yerevan, Archbishop Baliozian began his
return journey to Sydney on 13 March incorporating a two day pastoral visit
to Bangkok en route.

On March 15, His Eminence performed the holy sacrament of baptism of twin
siblings Paul and Mina Mirzakhanian at Anglican Christ Church also
celebrating the infants’ first birthday.

The same evening, the Primate was guest of honour of the Honorary
Consul-General to Thailand, Mr Greg Der Kevorkian at a reception held at the
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel. The intimate gathering of some 50 Armenian
ex-patriots and guests embraced the opportunity to mingle with the Primate
and keenly learnt of his recent travels, firstly the Pontifical Visit of His
Holiness Karekin II to India followed by the Supreme Spiritual Council
Meeting in Holy Etchmiadzin. In his address, His Eminence warmly greeted
the attendees bringing with him the blessings of the Mother See.

Problems of Diaspora press

Yerkir.am
March 16, 2007

Editors of several Diaspora periodicals were hosted at the Urbat
(Friday) club last week. Editors of Asbarez from the US West-Cost,
Azad Or from Greece, Azdak from Lebanon, Horizon from Canada, Aliq
from Iran and Hayreniq from US East Cost presented the history of
their newspapers commenting also on the issues relevant for the
Armenian communities in their regions.

Majority of Diaspora Armenian periodicals are published in difficult
social, political, financial and language situation. Editor of
Asbarez daily newspaper Vache Brutian says every issue of the
newspaper is published after some struggle.

The Armenian community has undergone some demographic changes because
of emigration. The differences of language-thinking and mentality have
resulted in a difficult situation. `We speak the same language but we
do not understand each other,’ Brutian says adding that their goal is
to unite the Armenians and eliminate the intolerance. No other
entities support Asbarez in accomplishing this difficult task.

A similar situation exists in the US East Cost. Editor of Hayreniq
newspaper Khazhak Mkrtichian says that their community is not
homogenous either. Some people are interested in Armenia and the
issue of Genocide recognition while others complain that the newspaper
writes more on Armenia than on their problems and concerns. Hayreniq
cannot satisfy the interests of all segments of the Armenian community
because for that the newspaper would have to be published on
50-60pages.

Because of financial difficulties Hayreniq newspaper has a very small
staff and cannot hire professional journalists which has an impact on
the quality of the newspaper. The only newspaper among the
above-mentioned ones that manages to gain some profit is the
Canada-based Horizon newspaper.

One of the main issues raised by most of the editors is the decreasing
role of the Armenian language which affects negatively the sales of
the newspapers. The newspapers are forced to publish annexes in
foreign languages. Hayreniq publishes the English-language Armenian
Weekly newspaper that is distributed to the US Congressmen.

Editor of Azad Or newspaper Hripsime Harutyunian notes that the young
generation of Armenians in Greece have problems with the Armenian
language. This is why a Greek-language annex is published twice a
month that is aimed at the young people. Azad Or newspaper aims at
ensuring a connection between Armenia and the community in Greece
publishing articles on Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhq and Caucasus.

The language problem is not very acute in the Armenian community in
Iran because it is closer to Armenia and the Eastern Armenian. Aliq
newspaper published in Iran is the only Armenian newspaper. Editor of
Aliq Derenik Melikian says this fact is very obliging and this is why
the newspaper tries to cover as many topics as possible to satisfy all
readers’ interests. Aliq’s primary goal is to objectively present the
political situation in Iran. `We are presenting the truth and this is
why we enjoy Iran’s warm attitude,’ Melikian says.

The Diaspora Armenian periodicals are aiming at raising various issues
relevant for Armenia and Hay Dat to the international levels.

Editor of Lebanon-based Azdak newspaper Shahan Gantaharian says the
newspaper aims at daily coverage of the community’s problems. Azdak
used to be a magazine but later became a daily newspaper because of
the great demand for daily information. This year Azdak newspaper will
celebrate its 80th anniversary.

The journalists also discussed issues related to dual
citizenship. `Every Armenian has the right to become a citizen of his
country. This right was not ensured in the past. Adoption of dual
citizenship corrected this historical mistake,’ editor of Azbarez
Vache Brutian says. Dual citizenship can be a signal unifying the
whole Armenian nation.

`It is a matter of principle and symbolism for us to have the right to
belong to our homeland,’ editor of Azat Or newspaper Hripsime
Harutyunian says. ` The issue of voting or being elected is of
secondary importance today.’

Answering the question what dual citizens can bring to Armenia editor
of Hayreniq newspaper Khazhak Mkrtichian stated, `No one asked me in
the US how can you be useful to the country if we grant you
citizenship. Now I am asked this question in my homeland¦ It so
happened that I was born in Syria and lived there without a homeland,
just like you lived difficult years with no electricity and no
water. Then you got electricity and water, so I should also get
citizenship to restore justice.’

Commenting on the often manipulated question, `Where were you when we
were surviving through the dark and cold years in Armenia?’ editor of
Horizon newspaper Vahagn Garagashian answers, `History shows that the
Diaspora Armenians have always supported Armenia in difficult times.’

Editor of Aliq newspaper Derenik Melikian says, `Armenia will get more
population’. Melikian believes the very fact that the Turks oppose
this law should indicate to us that we are on the right track.

By Meri ALEKSANIAN

PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE HELD ON THEME "PROTECTION OF PROPERTY RIGHT"

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The process of sale of the real
property for the state needs was implemented with numerous violations
of the RA Constitution, European Convention on Human Rights, in the
consequence of what the RA citizens’ property and other rights were
violated. During the March 14 public hearings on the theme "Protection
of Property Right," Larisa Alaverdian, the event organizer, Chairwoman
of the "Against Illegal Wilfulness" public organization made such a
statement.

In her words, the goal of the hearings is to found out problems
connected with human rights violations being continued till now,
particularly, dangers of the RA law "On Sale of Property for Society
and State Needs" and decision No108 of the RA Government made on
January 25, 2007, "in the sense of vulnerability of the property
right."

According to the characteristics of Vachagan Hakobian, the "Protection
of Own Right" NGO, based on the mentioned and other decisions of the
Government which were in future recognized as anti-constitutional, the
Yerevan Mayor’s Office, using levers of force structures,
administrative and judicial systems, implemented and now continue
implementing RA citizens’ mass removal from the flats belonging to
them.

Vardan Mkrtchian, a RA National Assembly deputy stated that "the
struggle for re-establishment of citizens’ rights will continue as
long as they are changed and corresponding laws are correctly used."

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

March 15, 2007

PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO LEBANON
The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, will leave New York tomorrow and travel
to Lebanon where he will attend a meeting of all of the Prelates under the
jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The meeting, called by His
Holiness Aram I, will concentrate on ecclesiastical, liturgical, and
administrative matters. The Prelates will also coordinate the functions that
are planned in celebration of the "Year of the Armenian Language."
The Prelates will participate in the weeklong pilgrimage leading to the
commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s commitment to the pit, which
is on Sunday, March 24. The week will be marked with daily morning and
evening services and the traditional procession and blessing of the relics
of St. Gregory and other saints. Consecrated relics of St. Gregory are kept
in Holy Etchmiadzin and at the Holy See of Cilicia. Thousands of pilgrims
come to the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Antelias to
participate in the procession.

VICAR WILL BE IN CONNECTICUT
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, will visit the parish of St.
Stephen in New Britain, Connecticut, this Sunday, March 18, where he will
preside over the Liturgy and attend the parish’s general membership meeting.
Mr. Hagop Khatchadourian will attend the meeting as a representative of the
Prelacy’s Executive Council.

VICAR WILL HOST WCC STAFF MEMBER AT PRELACY
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, will host a reception for Dr. Geiko
Muller-Fahrenholz, a staff member of the World Council of Churches (WCC),
who is currently visiting the United States. The reception will take place
at the Prelacy next Wednesday afternoon, March 21. Dr. Muller-Fahrenholz is
meeting with member churches to discuss the upcoming International
Ecumenical Peace Convocation and other projects related to the WCC’s Decade
to Overcome Violence.
Dr. Muller-Fahrenholz is the author of America’s Battle for God: A
European Christian Looks at Civil Religion, published recently by Eerdman’s
Publishing.

PRELACY LENTEN MEDITATIONS CONTINUE
The third of the six Prelacy Lenten Meditations took place yesterday
evening, Wednesday, March 14. The 2007 Prelacy Lenten program focuses on the
seven vices and seven virtues. Last evening, Professor Michael Papazian,
Associate Professor of Philosophy at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, spoke
about "Sloth and Diligence." Professor Papazian began his lecture with an
explanation of the origins of the vices and virtues, explaining that the
current list of seven sins derived from a list of eight "evil thoughts"
first presented by the fourth century ascetic Evagrius of Pontus. One of
those eight was the sin of akadia, meaning "indifferent" and "apathetic,"
which eventually turned into the modern sin of sloth.
Next Wednesday, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), will continue the series on the seven vices and
virtues by offering his meditation on "Greed and Charity."
The annual Lenten series is sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, the
St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild, and the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). All of the programs take place at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, with the following general
schedule: Lenten Service at 7:30 pm; Lecture at 8 pm, followed by a light
Lenten meal and fellowship.

MUSICAL ARMENIA
The 2007 Musical Armenia concert will take place Sunday, March 25, 2 pm,
at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Tickets are $25.
Featured artists are bass Serge Barseghyan (accompanied by Evan Solomon)
and the Ararat Trio, comprised of Patil Harboyan, piano; Van Armenian,
violin; and Hrant Parsamian, cello.
Serge Barseghyan has appeared as a soloist in the United States and
Europe, including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Barcelona, and Valencia.
Patil Harboyan was awarded first prize at the Margo Babikian Piano
Competition in Lebanon and the Armenian Allied Arts Association Competition
in Los Angeles. Van Armenian has served as concertmaster of the Pacific
Music Festival Orchestra in Japan and of the Colorado-based National
Repertory Orchestra. Hrant Parsamian was awarded highest prizes at the
Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition and the Olga Koussevitzky
Competition.
The Musical Armenia concerts have been presented since 1982. Its goal is
to showcase the talents of young Armenian artists. If you would like to
purchase tickets and/or become a sponsor of this year’s Musical Armenia
concert please contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or by e-mail to
[email protected].

2007 DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
The 21st annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Christian summer studies
program will take place July 1 to 8 in Elverson, Pennsylvania.

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINATION OF
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN
The 40th anniversary of the ordination of our Prelate, Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, will take place in three different regions as follows:
On Saturday, May 5, the first of the three celebrations will take place
at The Marriott in Providence, Rhode Island, with the participation of all
of the parishes in New England, Connecticut, and Troy, New York.
On Saturday, May 12, the second celebration will take place at the The
Marriott at Glenpointe, in Teaneck, New Jersey, with the participation of
all of the parishes in the Mid Atlantic, which includes New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.
The final celebration will take place during the National Representative
Assembly (NRA) which is being hosted by St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn,
Michigan. This will take place on Friday, May 18, at Double Tree Hotel in
Dearborn, with the participation of the parishes in the Mid-West, as well as
the NRA delegates and guests.

SUNDAY OF THE JUDGE
Our journey through Great Lent continues. This Sunday, March 18, the
fifth Sunday of Lent, is the "Sunday of the Judge" (Datavori Kiraki). The
Gospel reading on this day describes the parable told by Jesus about a widow
and a judge (Luke 18:2-5). The judge in this parable is seen as hard-hearted
without principles, fear of God, or regard for people. A widow of the same
town has been ill-treated and she has come to the judge for justice.
Although her cause is just, he does not pay attention to her case. However,
she persists in coming with the same appeal until at last the judge decides
to see that she gets justice. He does this not because he cares for justice,
but in order to get rid of the widow.
The message of this parable is that in life one must persevere and
pursue righteousness relentlessly with confidence that perseverance will be
rewarded. The parable especially teaches the importance of perseverance in
prayer.

FORTY MARTYRS OF SEBASTIA
This Saturday, March 17, the Armenian Church commemorates the memory of
the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia. Although the background and identity of the
forty young soldiers are not certain, it is believed that they came from
Lesser Armenia. They served in the Roman army in the regions of Cappadocia.
In a general purge of Christians from the ranks, it became rumored that in
Sebastia there was an elite military unit whose members were Christian.
Forty youths of the unit confirmed being Christian and remained steadfast to
their faith. The young soldiers were tried and condemned to stoning.
Miraculously, when the sentence was being carried out, the stones would not
reach the intended targets, but rather came back striking those throwing the
stones. The young soldiers were than thrown into a frozen lake and forced to
stay there, with the admonition that if they would renounce their faith they
would be allowed to come out of the cold water and into a warm bath. Of the
forty, one chose to accept this offer, but he died nevertheless. As one by
one the youths died, halos came down upon them. Seeing this, one of the
guards threw himself into the lake and joined the thirty-nine bringing the
number to forty again.
Subsequently, some of our great church fathers like Basil, Gregory of
Nyssa, Ephraem the Assyrian, and Sisian of Sebastia, wrote panegyrics about
the forty martyrs. Their memory is commemorated each year during Lent on the
Saturday following the Median day of Lent (Meechink), which was yesterday.
The Armenians have also built and named churches in their memory in various
parts of the world.

AREC DIRECTOR WILL LECTURE AT ST. SARKIS
Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC) will lecture at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, on
Sunday, March 18, following the Mid-Lent traditional luncheon prepared and
served by the Ladies Guild. Dn. Shant’s topic is, "Great Lent: A Biblical
Map for our Journey of Faith." For information contact the church office,
718-224-2275.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
"The hymnal of the Armenian Church, known in Armenian as the Sharaknots,
is, above all, a collection of spiritual poetry and sacred songs. No
anthology of ancient Armenian literature can be considered complete without
the inclusion of this genre. Until the tenth century, Armenian written
poetry consisted almost entirely of spiritual songs, the best specimens of
which are preserved in the Sharaknots. It is also a treasure of the Armenian
language. Considering that a significant part of it was created in the fifth
century and thus contains (according to Ghazar Parpetsi) the very first
authentic works written by genuine Armenian authors, it follows that these
very early songs constitute a prime source for the study of the nascent
literary language and shed light on our understanding of the linguistic
characteristics of the Golden Age.
"Of all forms of Armenian poetry, the sharakan (hymn) is more or less
the most singular and mysterious: singular in its nature, mysterious in its
subject matter and spirituality. This unique genre, which expresses
religious emotions and is intended to be sung chorally, has an important
place in the Armenian liturgy and religious literature. Poems included in
this category are dedicated to feast days of the Lord and those of the
apostles and saints; they are intended to glorify God the Creator, the
Incarnation of Christ, and the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Each feast day
has its specific chants, which is probably why the genre came to be called
sharakan." [The word sharakan literally means "arranged in order or
sequence."]
The Heritage of Armenian Literature, Volume II, Wayne State University Press

The Pontifical Message issued by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia, proclaiming 2007 as the Year of the Armenian
Language is on the Prelacy’s web page.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, March 15, is I Corinthians 8:5-9-23.
For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-as indeed
there are many "gods" and many "lords"-yet for us there is one God, the
Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus
Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist." I
Corinthians 8:5-6

FILM AT MOMA
A film, Stone, Time, Touch, directed by Garine Torossian and featuring
Arsine Khanjian, is being shown tonight at 6:30 pm, at the Museum of Modern
Art (MOMA) in New York City, and on Monday, March 19, at 8:30 pm. The film
is described as a "richly lensed and layered diary of a filmmaker’s journey
to Armenia to reconnect with her roots." The 70-minute film is in English
and Armenian with English subtitles. The musical score is provided by Zulal,
the popular Armenian a cappella trio.

A CORRECTION
Last week’s item about the Armenian Churches Sports Association (ACSA)
had an error in the teams competing in the Men’s division championship. It
should have read "St. Vartan Cathedral vs. St. Sarkis Church."

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH
Today, March 15, is the Ides of March. The warning, "Beware the Ides of
March," was a given to Julius Caesar as impending danger before his
assassination.
"What is still more extraordinary, many report that a certain soothsayer
forewarned him of a great danger which threatened him on the ides of March
and that when the day was come, as he was going to the senate-house, he
called to the soothsayer, and said, laughing: ‘The ides of March are come";
to which the soothsayer answered, softy, ‘Yes, but they are not gone.’ "
Plutarch’s Julius Caesar (Langhorne translation).

ARRIVAL OF SPRING!
Next Wednesday, March 21, is the first day of spring. We remember the
words of our late father, an extraordinary gardener, that the sugar snap
peas must be planted by St. Patrick’s Day (March 17).We used to eat the pea
pods right off the vine-raw, sweet, crisp, and so delicious.

SPRING
O mild breeze, all through the early morning
You blow so gently, so soft, so cool,
Tenderly over the flowers
Over the maiden’s fine-spun hair.
Yet if you’re not a breeze from my homeland,
Pass on and away from my heart, be gone.

First stanza of "Spring," by Mgrdich Beshiktashlian (1829-1868)
Translated by Aram Tolegian

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 21 to March 28-2007 Prelacy Lenten Program, to be held at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, Wednesday evenings during Great
Lent. Lenten service at 7:30 pm; Lecture and Q/A at 8 pm; Lenten meal and
fellowship at 8:45 pm. Theme: Seven Vices and Seven Virtues.

March 18-Membership meeting, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.

March 18-"Great Lent: A Biblical Map for our Journey of Faith," by Deacon
Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC, at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York, following Mid-Lent traditional luncheon. For information 718-224-2275.

March 25-Musical Armenia 2007, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, 2 pm.
Sponsored by Prelacy Ladies Guild. Featured performers are: vocalist Serge
Barseghyan (bass); and Ararat Trio (Van Armenian, violin; Paul Harboyan,
piano; Hrant Parsamian, cello).

April 1-Ladies Guild Annual Palm Sunday Bake Sale, St. Stephen’s Church,
Watertown, Massachusetts.

April 14-Ladies Guild Comedy Night featuring Mel Gibson, Meze and dessert
will be served, St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts. For
information, 617-924-7562.

May 5-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in the
New England area will take place in Providence, Rhode Island.

May 6-30th anniversary of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School, Terrace on
the Park, Corona, New York, at 5 pm.

May 7-Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers’ Day Luncheon, St. Regis Hotel, New York
City.

May 12-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in Mid
Atlantic area will take place at the Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New
Jersey.

May 12-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, 50th anniversary concert
featuring Onnik Dinkjian and John Berberian.

May 12-Armenian Dance party, St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard,
Massachusetts.

May 18-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in
Midwest will take place at the National Representative Assembly.

May 20-"Hello Ellis Island" and Reception, St. Stephen’s Church Hall,
Watertown, Massachusetts. $20 per person. Information, 617-924-7562.

July 1-8-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, 21st annual summer Christian
studies program for junior and senior high school students, at St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania.

August 7-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual golf
tournament at Blackstone Country Club.

August 19-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church picnic.

September 29-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley.

December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar.

December 9-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.

Visit our website at

THEY WANT TO INVOLVE STEPANAKERT IN THE TALKS TO BLAME FOR THEIR FAILURE

KarabakhOpen
15-03-2007 10:21:49

After his recent meeting with Ilham Aliyev the French co-chair of
OSCE Minsk Group Bernard Fassier stated that the Karabakh issue may
be resolved this year. He made several other interesting statements.

First the French diplomat said Kosovo cannot be a precedent for
Karabakh, and perhaps for the first time he tried to explain why. He
said Kosovo is an internal problem of a country. In Karabakh, two
factors are present: the internal factor, "for some time Karabakh
was a sovereignty within Azerbaijan", and the external factor, the
conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. There is also a difference
in terms of deployment of the international force.

According to Davit Babayan, a political scientist, the attempt to
explain why Kosovo is not a precedent is commendable. However, he says
these points do not answer the question: will the independence of
the unrecognized countries be recognized? Apparently yes in Kosovo,
not in Karabakh. Fassier also gave lengthy explanations why the fast
return of the Azerbaijani refugees to Karabakh is impossible.

All this happened on the day when the first congress of the Azerbaijani
and Turkish organizations was held in Baku. The Azerbaijani president
Aliyev made several notable statements on this day. Particularly,
he said Armenia was built on the native land of Azerbaijan, and if
Armenia does not give up its present policy, it will stake its own
future. He also said Azerbaijan will never agree to lose Karabakh
and will return its land by all means.

"Mr. Fassier must have heard this. Moreover, he stated that the sooner
Karabakh joins the talks, the better, to keep the balance. Some time
ago this statement would be commendable but now the situation has
changed. The participation of Karabakh in the talks is not an end in
itself. The problem is how they will participate and how it will be
helpful to the settlement.

It is already clear to everyone that the Prague process is about
to die.

Even the defensive stance of Armenia is unable to overcome
revanchist and aggressive Azerbaijan. The only way to reanimate
the process is to involve Karabakh. However, even in this case the
process is doomed. Everybody believes now that the mechanisms on
the ground are not real. If at this point Karabakh joins the talks
and rejects the proposals, Azerbaijan, which is to blame for the
constant failure of the talks will blame Karabakh. So will do the
international organizations. This state of things is not favorable
for Karabakh. The Prague process is doomed. This does not imply the
end of the resolution. No. simply the talks should start anewm and
Karabakh should participate in them," Davit Babayan says.

JERMUK GROUP ADVISER SAYS TESTED BOTTLE OF MINERAL WATER NOT OF THEIR COMPANY

Panorama.am
18:22 13/03/2007

"FDA has made test only on 500 ml water, one bottle," Edgar Ghazaryan,
adviser to chairman of Jermuk Group Co., said speaking about the
sensation around "Jermuk."

On March 7 US government Food and Drug Agency (FDA) informed the
American consumers that the mineral water imported from Armenia is
harmful for health because it contains big quantity of arsenium. As a
result, USA, Canada and Honk Kong have refused to import that mineral
water from Armenia.

Ghazaryan said the American agency had released that the test is made
on mineral water in green glass bottle. The adviser said the almost
all mineral waters are in green glass bottles except for Georgian
"Borjomi." Ghazaryan showed the picture of the label of the tested
mineral water which has one deer on it whereas the Armenian bottled
mineral water has 2 deer on the label. The adviser believes it has
been done intentionally.