Author: Boshkezenian Garik

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN’S SPEECH DURING FRENCH SQUARE OPENING CEREMONY
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 30 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
President Robert Kocharian and the French President Jacques Chirac
made speeches during the ceremony of opening French Square in Yerevan
on September 30. Below is President Robert Kocharian’s speech with
some abridgement:
“Today is a symbolic day. The ceremony of opening French Square in
the heart of Yerevan is being held. All this is taking place at the
start of Year of Armenia in France, at the presence of President
Jacques Chirac and his spouse.
A thousand years have passed since the time when French princes came
for the first time to the land of Cilician Armenia where they were
received as friends and relatives and where they lived and struggled
side by side.
It was at that time that the friendship and relationship of our
peoples started. French kings encouraged scientific studies on
Armenia, collection of Armenian manuscripts and translations from
Armenian. Armenian merchants were given privileges in conducting their
trade between East and West. This friendship has never weakened in any
historical period, quite the opposite, it has deepened and acquired
a new meaning over centuries.
… Our friendship strengthened at the time of the great ordeal. The
best representatives of the French society founded the movement
“armenophile”. Condemning the crime organized against the Armenians,
they sent humnitarian aid to those who survived the Genocide. French
warships reached the shores of Cilician Armenia and rescued thousands
of Armenians who has survived massacres.
Mister President,
You have mentioned on many occasions the great contribution of French
Armenians to the economy, science, culture and sports of France.
Enjoying full rights of a French citizen, the descendants of former
emigrants have remained true to their Armenian identity. Charles
Aznavour is a shining example of this. The fate of Aznavour, a son
of the Genocide survivors, is a response of the Armenian people
to genocides. In this respect we attach great importance to the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by France in 2001. This is a
considerable contribution to the protection of violated rights of
the Armenian people and to the prevention of this threat to humanity.
Mister President,
After Armenia became independent, France was one of the first countries
to take the side of out young state and has been assisting with the
creation of our statehood and the development of Armenian economy,
culture and education.
France is a reliable partner in the European and international arena.
A useful and extensive dialog is going on in various directions
between our countries.
France’s assistance for Armenia to help it deepen the cooperation
with European structures deserves a special mention. I would like to
highlight the constructive role that France plays in the settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
Mister President,
One can see Armenian memories – monuments, squares and streets with
Armenian names, Armenian houses and establishments – everywhere
in France. Over a hundred monuments to Armenians and the Armenian
Genocide have been erected in various places of France. They bear
evidence of respect and sympathy for the Armenian people, and we are
grateful to the French people for it…”

ARMINFO News Agency
September 29, 2006 Friday
OLDEST ARMENIAN CITIZEN IS 124 YEARS OLD
Yerevan
There are 230 people over 100 in Armenia.
The oldest Armenian citizen, Yezid from Shirakamut village, Lori
region, Gula Navoyan is 124.
The head of the department on old people of the Armenian Labor and
Social Security Ministry Anahit Gevorgyan says that there are three
more people who are over 115: Varingul Martirossyan, born in 1886,
Mikayel Arakelyan, 1890 and Khube Aloyan, 1891.
To remind, Oct 1 is the international day of old people.
In his address to the old people of Armenia Armenian Labor and Social
Security Minister Agvan Vardanyan says that Armenians have always
respected their old people and believe that if there is an old person
in a family it will be strong. On this occasion Vardanyan has
instructed all local administrations to provide old people with
social assistance.

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
September 27, 2006 Wednesday
Armenia president calls for uprooting causes of terrorism
by Vladimir Zainetdinov, Tigran Liloyan
Armenia’s President Robert Kocharayan has called on the participants
in the international anti-terrorist exercises, currently taking place
in Armenia, to fight against the root causes that breed terrorism.
“Terrorists cannot be stopped only with the use of arms and force.
Effective preventive political, diplomatic, financial and economic
measures are needed to eliminate the causes producing terrorism, and
to create insurmountable obstacles to terrorist actions,” the
president said. “The international community currently undertakes
active and systematic efforts to form a coordinated system of
antiterrorist security.”
“This is confirmed by the participation of security agencies of the
CIS and G-8 countries and influential international organsations in
the exercise,” Kocharyan said.
He also expressed his confidence that the exercises would become
“one more step towards strengthening international antiterrorist
cooperation.”

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
September 28, 2006 Thursday
OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS’ CURRENT PROPOSALS ON KARABAKH ARE HONEST,
WELL-BALANCED AND SENSIBLE: FRENCH PRESIDENT
The OSCE MG co-chairs’ current proposals on Karabakh are honest,
well-balanced and sensible, French President Jacques Chirac says in
an interview to Hayastani Hanrapetouyun daily (Armenia) on the eve of
his visit to yerevan.
For many times we have been very close to peace agreement – in Paris,
Key-West, Rambouillet. I have told Presidents Kocharyan and Aliyev
that to me the co-chairs’ proposals are honest, well-balanced and
sensible. I would like them to show courage to be able to attain
peace, says Chirac. He says that he has got involved in the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict because he is well aware of the
sufferings the conflict has caused to people and because peace is the
only way to build democratic and prosperous future for all the
nations of the region.
The sharp wit of Armenians, the economic dynamism and favorable
geo-strategic situation of Armenia may give it profit only if it has
open borders and normal relations with all of its neighbors, says
Chirac. He says that today G8 and the international community are
ready to guarantee peace agreement. “We should not miss this chance,”
says Chirac.

VENICE COMMISSION STARTED DISCUSSING THE ELECTORAL CODE
A1+
[05:06 pm] 27 September, 2006
The discussions of the amendments to the RA Electoral Code started
in the NA today with the participation of the representatives of
the NA political powers, and experts from the Venice Commission,
the OSCE/ODIHR, international organizations and the Central Electoral
Committee.
Opening the works of the session NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan thanked
the experts for participating in the discussions. He mentioned that
the joint conclusion of the Venice Commission and the representatives
of the OSCE/ODIHR lies in the basis of the draft amendment to the
Electoral Code which has been introduced into circulation by several
political powers.
During the discussion the sides agreed to include the joint conclusion
of the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR into the draft except
for provisions N 28, 42-45 and 56. In the joint conclusion there were
questions about the order of voting and appeal. These two issues plus
the above mentioned six provisions will be the subject for discussion.
Mr. Torosyan mentioned that the draft which takes into account all
the offers was sent to the experts a week ago. He voiced hope that
the discussions will take place in an atmosphere of mutual agreement.

CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR IN BIGGEST POLITICAL CHALLENGE
By E.J. Schultz, Fresno Bee
Scripps Howard News Service
September 26, 2006, Tuesday 4:24 PM EST
If Jerry Brown was born into politics, Chuck Poochigian, you might say,
stumbled into it over breakfast.
The year was 1977. The occasion: a morning organizing event in Fresno
for then-state Sen. George Deukmejian.
Deukmejian was ramping up his run for attorney general and looking
for volunteers. Poochigian, fresh out of law school, seemed to fit
the bill.
“They were looking for someone who was a young attorney,” he recalls.
And so began a nearly 30-year political career that this fall brings
Poochigian to his greatest challenge yet: a run for attorney general
against Brown, a better-known and better-funded Democrat.
To say the race is a study in contrasts is an understatement.
Poochigian, a 57-year-old conservative Republican state senator,
grew up on a family farm in rural Fresno County. He spent nearly 20
years volunteering for campaigns and working behind the scenes before
plunging into elected office in his mid 40s with his election to the
Assembly in 1994.
Brown, the mayor of Oakland, is the son of a governor. His entry
into state politics began with a bang when he was elected California
Secretary of State in his early 30s. He went on to serve two terms
as governor and make three runs for president.
Brown, 68, remains one of the most well-known politicians in
California, a fact that has helped him to a double-digit lead in
early polling and a more than $1million fundraising edge.
Poochigian says the gap can be closed.
“My challenge is to overcome my name identification,” he said. “His
challenge is to overcome his record.”
So far the candidates have spent more time attacking each other’s
past than debating the issues of today.
The Poochigian team conjures up the image of Governor Moonbeam, the
“flaky” and “too liberal” Gov. Brown of the 1970s and early 1980s who
supported a prisoners’ bill of rights and vetoed a bill to reinstate
the death penalty. (The Legislature overrode the veto.)
The Brown camp paints Poochigian as an “out-of-touch” and “extreme”
career legislator who voted with business and against the environment.
The rough-and-tumble of a statewide political campaign seems an
unlikely place to find Poochigian, a mild-mannered policy wonk who
seems more at home breaking down legislation than slinging one liners.
“For me the campaign is an essential path to having the opportunity to
serve, and that’s it,” he said. “I’m not interested in politics for
the sake of just taking a victory lap. My reward comes from getting
into the job, doing the people’s business.”
The grandson of Armenian genocide survivors, Charles Suren Poochigian
was born in 1949 and raised in Lone Star, an old railroad town
southeast of Fresno. His elementary school didn’t have a Cub Scout
troop or baseball team, so Poochigian got involved in the 4-H club
and worked on the family farm.
He got a business degree from California State University, Fresno,
in 1972 and a law degree from Santa Clara University in 1975. After
graduation he opened a general law practice with Steven Vartabedian,
a college and law school friend.
Vartabedian, now a court of appeal justice in Fresno, said he and
Poochigian were “short-hair-cutted geeks” in college, bucking the
long-haired hippie trend of the day. “OK, let’s calm down,” was their
attitude, he said. “We’re here to get an education, we’re not here
to save the world.”
That’s not to say Poochigian isn’t outgoing. Vartabedian saw the
political ability in him from the start. “You walk into a room and
he’s the kind of person that knows everyone and will converse with
so many people,” he said.
A noted punster, Poochigian thrives on one-on-one conversations,
but shies away from the limelight of a news conference. When he first
came to the Legislature, reporters joked that his favorite quote was
“off the record: no comment,” said Deborah Gonzalez, Poochigian’s
chief of staff for the past seven years.
Poochigian’s first full-time political job came in 1988 when he
was named to the senior staff of Gov. Deukmejian, whom Poochigian
would come to idolize. Poochigian was responsible for interviewing
potential appointees to boards, commissions and the judiciary – a job
he performed with a penchant for detail, Deukmejian said. His reports
were “much longer memos than I would normally get, and I used to kid
him about it a lot.”
Poochigian, who had no intention of getting into politics, expected
it to be a “two-year stint and back home.” But he ended up staying
on through Gov. Pete Wilson’s inauguration and took over as Wilson’s
appointments secretary after the governor’s initial choice resigned.
He ran for the Assembly in 1994, at the urging of Bill Jones, who
left the Fresno-area seat to run for Secretary of State. Poochigian
won the election easily and quickly became a behind-the-scenes
power player. As a freshman he was named chairman of the powerful
appropriations committee, a rare assignment for a rookie.
He was elected to the Senate in 1998, earning a reputation among
Republicans and Democrats as a fair-minded, hard-working legislator.
One of his greatest legislative achievements was carrying the 2004
workers compensation overhaul bill that has been widely credited
with saving employers billions of dollars. He has written numerous
crime bills, including one that closed a loophole that allowed child
molesters who targeted their own family members to avoid prison time.
He says he is guided by the principle that “the primary goal in
government is public safety.”

WITH BROKEN JAW, ABRAHAM BEATS MIRANDA
Associated Press Online
September 23, 2006 Saturday 11:49 PM GMT
Wetzlar Germany
Germany’s Arthur Abraham overcame a broken jaw Saturday to retain
his IBF middleweight title against Colombia’s Edison Miranda.
Abraham was awarded a one-sided decision after fighting from the
fifth round on spitting blood and unable to close his mouth.
Abraham, 22-0 with 17 knockouts, pounded Miranda through the first
four rounds, and won with scores of 114-109, 115-109 and 116-109 from
the three judges.
Miranda, 26-1 with 23 knockouts, apparently broke the Armenian-born
German’s jaw with a right late in the fourth round. The ring doctor
said he faced an operation.
In the fifth round, Miranda intentionally headbutted him and Abraham
went over to the edge of the ring to let blood pour out of his mouth.
After that his corner kept telling the 26-year-old Abraham he had to
hold out the whole 12 rounds or his title would be gone.
“You can do it try to close your mouth you can do it,” Abraham’s
trainer, Ulli Wegner, kept telling him.
Miranda pressed the fight, but appeared spent from the pounding he
had taken.
The German kept dodging blows and once a round unloaded a few hard
shots sometimes knocking the Colombian into the ropes before covering
up again.
Miranda’s third low blow of the night in the 11th round proved costly.
Abraham repeatedly turned his back on Miranda after a clinch apparently
his concentration gone and each time the Colombian ran after him and
tried to knock him out from behind.
The low blow gave the German 5 minutes to recover and he easily stayed
away from Miranda through the final two rounds.

ANCA WELCOMES KEY SENATE PANEL ADOPTION OF MENENDEZ AMENDMENT TO
BLOCK U.S. SUBSIDY FOR ARMENIA RAILROAD BYPASS
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Sept 22 2006
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) [Ho. He.
Dashnaktsutyan Washington-ee Hai Tahd-ee Krasenyag] today welcomed
the vote by a powerful Senate panel to block U.S. taxpayer funding
for an unnecessary and costly proposed railroad between Turkey and
Georgia that would, if built, circumvent Armenia and, in the process,
undermine the economic viability of the existing Caucasus railroad
route through Armenia.
According to the information DE FACTO got at the ANCA, with a
unanimous voice vote earlier today, the Senate Banking Committee
adopted the amendment spearheaded by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ),
and later adopted as proposed by Committee Chairman Richard Shelby
(R-AL) and Ranking Democrat Paul Sarbanes (D-MD). According to the
measure, the Export-Import Bank “shall not guarantee, insure or extend
(or participate in the extension of) credit in connection with the
export of any good or service relating to the development or promotion
of any railway connection or railway-related connection that does
not traverse or connect with Armenia, and does traverse or connect
Baku, Azerbaijan, Tbilisi, Georgia and Kars, Turkey.” The provision
is now part of the Senate Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Bill,
also adopted unanimously by the Committee, paving the way for full
Senate consideration of the legislation.
“We would like to thank Senator Menendez, Chairman Shelby, Senator
Sarbanes, and all members of the Senate Banking Committee for ensuring
that U.S. taxpayer funds are not wasted in the construction of an
ill-advised railway project, initiated by Turkey and Azerbaijan, solely
to exclude Armenia,” stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
“With this amendment, we are sending a simple message – that we believe
that the United States should support an integrated and inclusive
approach to economic and regional development in the Caucuses region,”
explained Sen. Menendez. “There is already a railway, which connects
these countries and passes through Armenia, which could be used to
build a Trans-Caucasus railroad. Why would we spend additional funds
to build a new railroad link that goes around Armenia?”
Sen. Menendez also stressed that the proposed railway goes counter to
U.S. policy in the Caucasus region. In response to Senators during
her confirmation hearing, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse
noted that “because the proposed railway would bypass Armenia, and
thus not be beneficial to regional integration, we have no plans to
support such a railway financially.”
The Menendez amendment is based on the South Caucasus Integration
and Open Railroads Act of 2006 (S. 2461), introduced by Senator Rick
Santorum (R-PA) and cosponsored by Senators Menendez, Sarbanes and
Wayne Allard (R-CO). The House version (H.R.3361), introduced by Rep.
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), currently has over 85 cosponsors. Both
measures stress that U.S. policy should oppose the “The exclusion of
Armenia from regional economic and commercial undertakings in the South
Caucasus,” noting that such actions “undermine the United States policy
goal of promoting a stable and cooperative environment in the region.”
In June, a similar amendment to the House version of the Export-Import
Bank Reauthorization Bill was led by Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY), with
the support of Financial Services Committee colleagues, Representatives
Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Ed Royce (R- CA).
The House adopted the measure in July.
Following Senate committee passage of the measure, Rep. Crowley noted,
“With this amendment, the US Congress is telling the governments of
Turkey and Azerbaijan that it is wrong to continue their Cold War
style campaign against Armenia and hurt its economic growth. Their
actions against Armenia will meet with real consequences, and we
are taking note of this inexcusable behavior. By excluding Armenia
in these regional projects, Turkey and Azerbaijan are putting the
finishing touches on a 10-year-old economic blockade against this
republic that has made great progress in implementing democratic and
economic reforms.”
In the days leading up to the vote, ANCA chapters and activists in key
states contacted members of the Senate Banking Committee in support
of the Armenia railway provision.
The proposed new Caucasus rail line – at the urging of Turkey and
Azerbaijan – would circumvent Armenia. Promoters of the project
have sought, even at the planning stages, to secure U.S. financing
for this undertaking, prompting Congressional friends of Armenia to
preemptively block such attempts.
In October of 2005, the European Commission voiced official opposition
to the proposed Caucasus railroad bypass of Armenia. A formal statement
by the Commission’s Directorate General for Transport and Energy
noted that its construction was both unnecessary and inefficient in
light of the existing railroad connecting Kars, Gyumri, and Tbilisi.
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the
official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank’s
mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services
to international markets.

Controversial Monument Poses Diplomatic Challenge to Tbilisi
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi
2006-09-23
Plans to erect a monument to Armenian Gen. Gurgen Dalibaltyan in
predominately ethnic Armenian-populated Georgia’s southern city of
Akhalkalaki have triggered Baku’s angry reaction.
Gen. Dalibaltyan a native of Akhalkalaki district, who is currently
80 years old, will reportedly be honored for his contribution in
fight against Azerbaijani’s troops in Nagorno-Karabakh in early 90s.
Local officials in Akhalkalaki say that funding to erect the monument
comes from “the Armenian sources,” according to the Imedi television
stations.
A spokesman of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tbilisi Elkhan Polukhanov
said on September 23 that the move will be perceived to be
“non-friendly” by Azerbaijani authorities.
“At first we want to know whether there is a relevant authorization by
the Georgian state agencies on creation of this monument. The monument
will definitely bring negative elements in relationship between the
two states – Georgia and Azerbaijan, which is in a condition of war
with Armenia,” Elkhan Polukhanov told Imedi television.

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
September 21, 2006
CATHOLICOS ARAM I ADDRESS ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, called for
a strong Armenian nation and a strong Armenia in an address to a large
number of Armenians from all parts of the world during the opening session
of the third Armenia-Diaspora Conference in Yerevan which took place
September 18 to 20. One day prior to the opening of the conference President
Robert Kocharian received His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, for an exchange
of ideas about Diaspora-Armenia relations.
Catholicos Aram’s speech to the conference, which was received
enthusiastically, highlighted the important role of the conference in the
life of the Armenian nation, church and motherland. He considered this
conference to be a more conscious approach towards collective belonging and
one dictated by the Armenian nation’s collective history.
He elaborated on four major points and then talked about a number of
important national issues that should be discussed on a Pan-Armenian level
with a clear separation in the roles of the Armenian government and the
Diaspora. In this context he particularly mentioned the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, the situation in Javakh,
and the issues of dictation and dual nationality. He stated that collective
discussion on these issues strengthens and channels Pan-Armenian issues.
“The cooperation between Armenia and the Diaspora should not be
conditioned by financial standards only and should not be limited to narrow
economic boundaries. In other words, the Diaspora should not be satisfied
with financing projects in Armenia; it has much more to give to Armenia with
its manpower and experience. Armenia in its turn should not only organize
Pan-Armenian conferences, it also has a lot to offer to the Diaspora
particularly in the fields of culture and Armenology. Our church and
intellectuals have an important role to play in this respect,” said the
Catholicos.
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan attended the conference as part of the
official delegation representing the Holy See of Cilicia. Archbishop Oshagan
is expected to return to New York next week.
NEW OFFICES OF ST. NERSES THE GREAT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
IS DEDICATED TO ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
Tuesday evening, September 19, the new Yerevan offices of the Prelacy’s
St. Nerses the Great Charitable and Social Organization were dedicated by
Archbishop Oshagan. The office was named in honor of the late Archbishop
Mesrob Ashjian, who as Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, first organized the
St. Nerses organization and its program of social work in Armenia and
Artsakh. The offices are now known as “The Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian
Center.” Details and photos next week.
EPISCOPAL CONSECRATION OF BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN
WILL BE CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 1
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the celebration in honor of the
recent Episcopal consecration of Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian. A
community-wide banquet will take place on Sunday, October 1 at 3 pm at the
Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, New York. In the morning, Bishop
Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York, a parish he served for more than a decade. Bishop
Anoushavan’s elevation and consecration took place on June 4, in ceremonies
officiated by Catholicos Aram I in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the
Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon.
For more information about the October 1st event click
NEW SERIES OF BIBLE STUDY AT PRELACY
An eight-session course on the “Letter to the Hebrews” will start on
Monday, October 2, at the Prelacy from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, and will continue
on the first and third Mondays of the month. Sponsored by the Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), the course will be conducted by Dn.
Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC.
The Letter to the Hebrews is a profound homily, a “word of exhortation”
(Hebrews 13:22). One of the main themes of the Letter is that the old
covenant has been superseded through the sacrificial death of Christ. And
for that reason, studying the Letter to the Hebrews gives a solid biblical
understanding of the “Soorp Badarak” (Holy Sacrifice) that we celebrate on
Sundays.
Registration is required (suggested donation: $25). For registration and
information, please call 212-689-7810 or e-mail at [email protected].
CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18
WILL CELEBRATE THE “COLORS OF FALL”
With the extraordinary success of the Prelacy’s Children’s Concert two
years ago, another concert for children will take place on Saturday
afternoon, November 18, at Florence Gould Hall, at the Alliance Francaise in
New York City, featuring the talented and popular TALINE AND FRIENDS, from
California.
The theme of the concert will be “Fall Colors” (Ashnan Kouyner). Tickets are
$20 each and can be purchased by contacting the Prelacy office,
212-689-7810, Ext. 26.
MIDWEST DATEV PROGRAM NOVEMBER 10-12
The popular summer Datev program goes on the road again with a weekend
program scheduled in the Midwest, November 10 to 12, at the Colombiere
Retreat and Conference Center, Clarkston, Michigan.
The program will include interactive presentations and instructions on
faith-related topics, discussions of religious and current issues, Bible
studies, short worship services, fellowship and recreational activities.
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian and Deacon Shant Kazanjian will be the
instructors and facilitators.
For information and registration click
6.pdf
PAREGENTAN OF THE HOLY CROSS OF VARAG
This Sunday is the Paregentan of the Fast of the Holy Cross of Varag.
Monday to Friday are fasting days leading up to next Sunday when the Feast
of the Holy Cross of Varag will be celebrated.
VICAR GENERAL WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY
This Sunday, September 24, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian will visit the
Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey. The New Jersey parish
recently welcomed its new pastor and his family, Rev. Fr. and Yeretzgeen
Hovnan Bozoian.
AREC DIRECTOR WILL TRAVEL TO PHILLY
Deacon Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC) will travel to his home parish of St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church in Philadelphia where he will lead a Sunday school teachers’
seminar/retreat focusing on “Nurturing Faith.”
TODAY IS ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
Today, September 21, we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Republic of
Armenia.
“Stretch forth your generous hands of mercy and bless our entire Armenian
nation and Armenian church in order that the spirit of love, peace, wisdom
and devotion rest upon them and remain there forever.” (from Prayer of
Thanksgiving for the Republic of Armenia, by Archbishop Torkom Koushagian,
1920).
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
One hundred forty-four years ago, on September 22, 1862, President
Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation which would go into
effect on January 1, 1863, abolishing slavery in the United States.
“That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State
or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion
against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free;
and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military
and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such
persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them,
in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.”
AUTUMN BEGINS SATURDAY
The official beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere begins on
Saturday, September 23, at 12:03 a.m., eastern daylight time, with the fall
equinox, when day and night are approximately the same length. Henceforth,
our daylight hours will become increasingly shorter until the winter
solstice in December.
No spring, nor summer beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one autumnal face.
“Elegy IX: The Autumnal,” by John Donne (1572-1631)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 22-Family Night at St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack
Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, 6 pm at Jaffarian Hall.
September 22-23-Retreat, “Nurturing Faith,” for Sunday School teachers and
staff of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 25-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 3rd Annual Golf Outing and Award Dinner at Raceway Golf
Course, Thompson, Connecticut. Registration 7:30 a.m. For information
508-872-9629 or church office 508-852-2414.
September 25-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Third Annual Golf Outing. For information, 215-482-9200.
September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.
October 1-Banquet honoring Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian on the occasion of
his recent elevation, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York, 3
pm. Details will follow.
October 2-New eight-session Bible study on the “Letter to the Hebrews”
begins at the Prelacy, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, first and third Mondays of the
month, sponsored by AREC. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian. For information:
212-689-7810.
October 8-81st anniversary celebration of St. Stephen Church, New Britain,
Connecticut.
October 19-22-Annual bazaar, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland.
October 22-Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration.
November 3-4- Ladies Guild Food Festival, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
November 3, 4, 5-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 5-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
November 5-36th Anniversary Luncheon and program, St. Gregory Armenian
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.
November 10-12-Mini Datev program for teens, ages 13 to 18. At Colombiere
Retreat Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan.
November 11-42nd Anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, in
the church hall.
November 11-12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual “Armenian Fest” at
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.
November 17 & 18-Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts.
November 18-Children’s Concert, “FALL COLORS”, sponsored by the Eastern
Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring
TALINE AND FRIENDS. Details will follow.
November 26-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
First Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.
December 9-Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Visit our website at