Author: Chakrian Hovsep

KARABAKH MEDIATORS CURRENTLY IN YEREVAN, WILL FLY TO BAKU TONIGHT

Interfax
May 28 2009
Russia

The co-chairmen of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe) Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza (U.S.), Bernard Fassier
(France) and Yury Merzlyakov (Russia), are in Yerevan on a visit,
the U.S. embassy in Armenia told Interfax.

The diplomats are expected to leave for the Azeri capital on Thursday
evening.

The OSCE MG co-chairmen are in the region to prepare for another
meeting between the Armenian and Azeri presidents due to be held on
the sidelines of the economic forum in St. Petersburg in early June.

Presidents Serzh Sargsian and Ilham Aliyev last met at the EU Eastern
Partnership summit in Prague.

Congress delegation concerned about lawfulness of elections in Yerevan,
Armenia

Yerevan, 29.05.2009 – After several meetings with government officials,
election candidates and the media, the mission of the Congress of Local
and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe to observe the
municipal elections in Yerevan (Armenia), scheduled for 31 May, has
expressed deep concern over various, repeated reports of irregularities,
and in particular intimidation tactics during the election campaign.

The delegation has accordingly requested, on 29 May, a further meeting
with Armen Gevorgyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Territorial
Development, and Garegin Azaryan, Chair of the Central Electoral
Commission, to scrutinise the situation and the lawfulness of the
electoral procedures.

More information available at

Press contact in Yerevan:
Renate Zikmund, Head of the Congress Division of Communication,
International Relations and Election Observation, tel. +33 6 59 78 64
55; [email protected]

La délégation du Congrès préoccupée par la régularité des
élections à Erevan, Arménie

Erevan, 29.05.2009 – Après plusieurs rencontres avec des
représentants du gouvernement, des candidats aux élections et des
médias, la mission du Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux du
Conseil de l’Europe chargée d’observer les élections municipales à
Erevan (Arménie), prévues pour le 31 mai, a exprimé sa profonde
préoccupation du fait d’informations diverses et répétées sur
des irrégularités, et en particulier des man=9Cuvres
caractérisées d’intimidation au cours de la campagne électorale.

C’est pourquoi la délégation a demandé, le 29 mai, une rencontre
supplémentaire avec Armen Gevorgyan, Vice-Premier ministre et ministre
du Développement territorial, et avec Garegin Azaryan, Président de
la Commission électorale centrale, pour examiner au plus près la
situation et la régularité des procédures électorales.

Pour plus d’informations :

Contact presse à Erevan :
Renate Zikmund, chef de la Division du Congrès chargée de la
communication, des relations internationales et de l’observation des
élections, tél. +33 6 59 78 64 55; [email protected]

Press Release
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Communication Division
Ref: 431b09
Tel. +33 (0)3 90 21 49 36
Fax +33 (0)3 88 41 27 51
Internet:
e-mail: [email protected]

The Congress has two chambers, the Chamber of Local Authorities and the
Chamber of Regions.
It brings together 318 full and 318 substitute members representing more
than 200 000 European territorial communities.
President of the Congress: Yavuz Mildon (Turkey, EPP/CD), President of
the Chamber of Regions: Ludmila Sfirloaga (Romania, SOC),

President of the Chamber of Local Authorities: Ian Micallef (Malta,
EPP/CD).
Political Groups: Socialist Group (SOC), Group of the European People’s
Party – Christian Democrats (EPP/CD),
Independent and Liberal Democrat Group (ILDG).

DELEGATION OF ARMENIA’S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS VISITED ISRAEL

armradio.am
29.05.2009 13:13

The Armenian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Arman
Kirakosyan visited Israel for the recurrent consultations between
the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries.

During the meetings with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel Daniel
Ayalon and other senior diplomats the parties discussed questions
related to the development of bilateral relations, and referred to
regional and international issues.

The Armenian delegation had a meeting with thee Chairman of the
Armenia-Israel Interparliamentary Friendship Group of the Knesset,
Zeev Elkin.

The delegation visited the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and
met with Patriarch Torgom Archbishop Manukyan.

ASALA: USA AND EUROPEAN UNION WITH CONSENT OF RUSSIA HIRED TURKEY TO COMMIT ANOTHER CRIME AGAINST PEOPLES OF MIDDLE EAST, BALKANS AND SOUTH CAUCASUS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
2009-05-29 16:54:00

ArmInfo. The USA and the European Union with consent of Russia have
hired Turkey to commit another crime against the peoples of the
Middle East, the Balkans and the South Caucasus, says the statement
by the "Ukht Ararati"’ Union of Former Political Prisoners and
Freedom-Fighters, the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of
Armenia (ASALA).

To prove the abovementioned, the organization quotes the new
Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmed Davudoghlu who declared that
Turkey should assume the role of a country that would influence
all the political processes in the Middle East, the Balkans and
the South Caucasus. ‘Turkey lays further responsibility for this
on the leadership of Armenia. The behavior of Turkish leaders is
not surprising. They have already got cash and security guarantees,
but are not fully confident’, the statement says.

The authors of the statement condemn also the so-called road-map
identified by Armenia and Turkey in mediation of Switzerland. The
organization is sure it is aimed at new crimes of Turkey against
humanity. ‘Armenia is able to block the program that aims to turn
Turkey into an instrument for making new crimes. Armenia must make a
choice. Either it agrees with Euro-American requirements and becomes
partner in the crimes or it applies to the UN International Court
to condemn and bring Turkey to responsibility hereby preventing
the threat to other peoples that have become Europe’s target’,
the statement says. It denies any relations between Armenia and
Turkey. ‘No negotiations can soften the crimes against humanity
committed in 1915-1923.

The only way is the legal and the only structure of legal settlement of
the problem is the UN International Court of Justice’, the statement
says.

EARTHQUAKE NEAR KARS

A1+
04:29 pm | May 27, 2009 | society

A 3.8 -magnitude earthquake took place 45 km south from the city of
Kars, Turkey, at 2:50 May 27. The force of the epicenter was measured
5 on the Richter scale, reports the National Service Center of the
Republic of Armenia.

TURKEY SHOULD HEED AZERI INTERESTS DURING NORMALIZATION WITH ARMENIA – OFFICIAL

Interfax
May 27 2009
Russia

Turkey, as a strategic partner of Azerbaijan, should heed Baku’s
interests as it seeks to normalize relations with Armenia, Azeri
presidential administration spokesman Fuad Akhundov said.

"In our opinion, sending positive messages to Yerevan in the
present-day situation could be regarded by it [Yerevan] as
encouragement to continue its policy of the occupation of the Azeri
territories. This is unacceptable to Baku," Akhundov told Interfax
on Wednesday.

That is why the new situation in the region following Ankara’s recently
launched dialogue with Yerevan to sort out bilateral relations was
among the key topics on the agenda of recent negotiations between the
Turkish foreign minister and senior Azeri officials in Baku, he said.

"The development of relations with any country is Turkey’s sovereign
right," Akhundov said.

But Ankara should bear in mind that opening the borders without
any progress in efforts to settle the Armenian-Azeri conflict,
especially given "the Armenian president’s categorical statements
made both inside the country and abroad regarding the unacceptability
of preserving Baku’s sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh, could have a
negative impact both on this process and the security and stability
of the South Caucasus region," the official said.

"We are expecting Turkey, which is our friend, to make an actual
contribution to measures aimed at backing the peace process, and to
help maintain security and stability in the South Caucasus region,"
he said.

WILL THE SHAKY EQUILIBRIUM HOLD?

Economist
deast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13743336
Ma y 27 2009

Despite its history of turbulence and the continuing rise of the Shias,
Lebanon’s fragile peace may persist–at least for a while

WITH a general election on June 7th, Lebanese passions are running
high. Brazen posters festoon every public space, coding party fiefs
by colour: blue for the party of the Future, orange for the party
of Change and yellow for Hizbullah, the party of God, alongside a
dozen other hues. Noisy rhetoric reverberates in street brawls and
kitchen squabbles.

Lebanon is not just another small, combustible Mediterranean country of
4m people. It has a most unusual form of democracy, based on quotas for
each of the 16 recognised sects in its 128-strong parliament. This mix
of minorities, confused by divisions within sects and ever-shifting
alliances inside and between them, has a tendency to explode, as
it did during Lebanon’s gruelling civil war in 1975-90. The country
is also a cockpit for wider struggles. With outsiders such as Iran,
America, Syria and Saudi Arabia throwing their weight behind competing
factions, the electoral outcome will inevitably be seen as a test of
their relative strengths.

America and its allies want the current parliamentary majority,
a shaky coalition of Sunni Muslims, Druze and assorted Christians,
to retain the hold it gained in the previous election, in 2005, when
it swept to power on a wave of popular anger following the murder of
Rafik Hariri, a five-times prime minister and Sunni strongman.

Iran and Syria, whose peacekeeping army dominated Lebanon until
its hasty withdrawal after Hariri’s murder, seek victory for the
challengers, an alliance of disgruntled Christian factions led by
Michel Aoun, a nationalist former general, and two Shia parties,
Amal and Hizbullah, which field militias that harried Israel during
its occupation of south Lebanon in 1978-2000 and which again battled
the Israelis in a short but bruising war in 2006.

The outsiders are not subtle in their use of influence. America
recently dispatched its vice-president, Joe Biden, on a quick
visit. While expressing hope for a clean election, he held a private
meeting with leaders of the current majority, known in Lebanese
shorthand as the March 14th group, and hinted that a win for their
foes could jeopardise the aid America has lately lavished on the
Lebanese army to reinforce it in the face of Hizbullah’s militias,
which remain superior in training, equipment and morale. For his part,
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, which has showered equally
large sums on its Lebanese protégés, predicts that their victory
will bolster the "resistance"–to Israel and the West–and change
the balance of power in the region.

But although some opinion polls suggest a slight lead for the
opposition, the result may well be close. Oussama Safa, a political
consultant, reckons that, given loyalties within the sectarian
patchwork of voting districts, the two main alliances are each
guaranteed around a third of the seats, leaving only a third of them
in play.

In Lebanon’s multi-seat constituencies, parties encourage block voting
by distributing ballots printed with their list of candidates, but
voters can still cross out some names and write in others. Recent
redistricting should give previously muted voices a bigger say. For
instance, barely 4% of the large Armenian electorate in the capital,
Beirut, bothered to vote in 2005, despite having four seats allotted
to them. They complained that their allocation was in constituencies
dominated by Sunni voters, so the Armenians who were elected were
unrepresentative of their own community. This time their votes will
count for more. In some districts 50 votes, says Mr Safa, will make
a difference.

Yet the result may not produce radical change. Since the 2006 war with
Israel, the two main coalitions have become more polarised. The one
led by Hizbullah says it won a "divine victory" against the Jewish
state in the five-week war, whereas March 14th supporters still
say the Shia militia must be disarmed and blames it for provoking
an Israeli onslaught that caused widespread destruction and killed
1,200 Lebanese, mainly civilians.

Last year Hizbullah and its allies, frustrated by March 14th’s refusal
to bow to their demand for a blocking share of seats in the cabinet,
humiliated their opponents by staging a swift takeover of Sunni
strongholds in Beirut. This move prompted March 14th to climb down
at a reconciliation conference in Qatar. But the fighting infuriated
Sunnis, frightened some of Hizbullah’s Christian partners and has
left the squabbling parties suspended in a precarious equilibrium.

This, no matter what the election result, looks likely to be
maintained, at any rate in the short run. Even if the March 14th group
keeps a slim majority, it cannot counter Hizbullah’s street power under
the charismatic leadership of Hassan Nasrallah, a bearded cleric who
inspires fierce loyalty. Nor can it stop Hizbullah’s quietly effective
infiltration of key institutions, such as the army. In fact, some March
14th leaders already sound willing to accommodate their foes. The Druze
chief, Walid Jumblatt, a weathervane of Lebanese politics and until
recently a loud critic of Iran and Syria, has taken to exchanging
compliments with Mr Nasrallah. A leaked recording of Mr Jumblatt in
a private meeting revealed him disparaging his own coalition allies.

Yet the opposition alliance has weaknesses too. The Christian
supporters of General Aoun feel slighted by the March 14th coalition
and say that it is corrupt, but regard their own alliance with
Hizbullah as tactical rather than strategic. Despite verbal support
for the Shia movement, few Christians, whose own militias from the
civil-war era were largely disarmed, are comfortable about Hizbullah’s
growing military strength. And Hizbullah itself is uneasy with
parliamentary politics. Fearing that it might be blamed for any future
government’s failings, including a possible collapse of international
support for the debt-ridden economy, it is fielding just 11 candidates,
down from 14 in 2005, and may even give up its two cabinet posts.

Lebanon is used to fractious politics. Despite the years of turbulence,
its economy is humming along nicely. It may tolerate another period
of muddle and perhaps even emerge with a stronger centre, joining
moderate parts of both the current coalitions. But the volatility
is bound to persist. When a report in Der Spiegel, a German weekly,
implicated Hizbullah agents in Hariri’s murder and in those of nine
other people associated with March 14th, even the leaders of March
14th scuttled to defuse the bombshell, fearing the fallout across
the country. Stability in Lebanon should never be taken for granted.

LET ARMENIA NOT ACT IN ARTISTIC MANNER: TURKISH FM – UPDATED

Today.Az
s/52595.html
May 27 2009
Azerbaijan

"Let Armenia not act in an artistic manner," Turkish Foreign Minister
Ahmad Davudoglu said in Baku.

10:10

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Turkish Foreign Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu.

They discussed the Azerbaijan-Turkey relations and regional and
international issues.

Davutoglu conveyed Turkish President Abdullah Gul`s and Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s greetings to the Azerbaijani leader.

President Ilham Aliyev asked the Turkish minister to deliver his
greetings to Turkey`s President and Premier.

————- 09:55

Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade met with Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu Artur Rasizadeh congratulated Davutoglu
on his appointment as Foreign Minister. He noted Azerbaijan feels
fraternal support of Turkey in the international arena.

Ahmet Davutoglu said, "Turkey`s policy towards Azerbaijan remains
unchanged as Azerbaijan is very dear to us. The same opinion is
shared by heads of leading political parties with whom I met before
coming to Baku" On the frozen conflicts including Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, He expressed hope for its soonest resolution by peaceful
means. Davutoglu pointed out opening of Armenia-Turkey border is
impossible until Armenia leaves occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

—————- 26.05.09

16:05

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said it was his second visit
to Azerbaijan within 15 days. He mentioned that for the first time
he accompanied Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during
his visit to Baku.

"Azerbaijan is our second home, I left Syria for Baku. The relations
between the two brotherly countries and strategic partners are
perfect," he said.

Ahmet Davutoglu said elimination of visa regime between the two
countries had also been discussed during his meetings in Baku.

"We see Azerbaijan’s future as the future of Turkey. Turkey does not
want the conflicts in the region to remain frozen. OSCE Minsk Group
should make serious efforts toward the solution to Nagorno Karabakh
conflict with support of the international community," he said.

———— 13:48

"I want to assure our Azerbaijani brothers that the issues of
Nagorno-Karabakh and liberation of the Azerbaijani lands occupied by
Armenia are very important for Turkey and let nobody doubt about it,"
Davudoglu told reporters after talks with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister
Elmar Mammadyarov.

"Frozen conflicts in the region are like bombs that can explode at any
time," the Turkish foreign minister said. "So, the talk on resolution
of the conflicts must continue," he said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.

Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993 due to Armenia’s
claims of an alleged genocide, and the country’s occupation of 20
percent of Azerbaijani lands.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan on Sept. 6, 2008 upon
the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan to watch
an Armenia-Turkey football match.

Efforts have been made to normalize ties between the two countries
ever since.

Representatives of various circles of Turkish public say the border
with Armenia will re-open about which Azerbaijani public is concerned.

However, during the visit to Baku on May 12-13, Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan excluded possibility of cooperation with Armenia
until Azerbaijan’s occupied lands are liberated.

The Turkish foreign minister laid a special emphasis on a meeting
between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents to take place in
St. Petersburg in early June. "This historical moment must not be
missed," Davudoglu said.

Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders plan to meet as a part of the
economic forum in St. Petersburg and discuss way of resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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:
Email: [email protected]

May 27, 2009

91ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRST ARMENIAN
REPUBLIC
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 28, is the 91st anniversary of the establishment of the first
Armenian Republic.
After defeating Turkish forces at Sardarabad, Bashabaran and Karakilise, on May 28, 1918,
the Armenians proclaimed an independent democratic Armenian Republic, on what was left of the Armenian homeland. Throughout these critical days,
Catholicos Kevork IV remained in Etchmiadzin against the advice and urging of authorities, maintaining that he would rather die in Etchmiadzin. The
battle of Sardarabad is recognized today as not only stopping the Turkish advance, but also preventing the complete destruction of the Armenian
nation.
The fledgling republic faced unbelievable hardships, including an influx of refugeessurvivors
of the Genocide of 1915. Yet, even today, its very existence seems miraculous. We pause to remember and to celebrate the resilience of the Armenian
nation.

FLAG BLESSING AND PRAYERS FOR THE
REPUBLIC
This Sunday, May 31, all Prelacy churches will offer prayers and bless the flag on the
occasion of the 91st anniversary of the first Armenian Republic and the 18th anniversary of the second Armenian Republic Requiem service will be
held for the souls of the fallen heroes of Sardarabad, Bashabaran, Karakilise, and the new martyrs of the struggle for Artsakh.

PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO LEBANON ON FRIDAY

Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Antelias, Lebanon, on Friday, May 29, where he will attend meetings of the Central Religious and Lay Councils, as
well as a meeting of all of the Prelates in the Cilician See.
ST. ASDVADZADZIN CHURCH (WHITINSVILLE) MARKS 52ND
ANNIVERSARY;
REV. FR. ARAM STEPANIAN RECEIVES HONORS FROM CATHOLICOS
Archbishop
Oshagan presided over the 52nd anniversary banquet celebration of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, last Saturday. On Sunday His
Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the Sermon.
On this occasion the Prelate announced that
by order of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, Rev. Fr. Aram is hereby given the honor of wearing the Floral Philonion
(Dzaghgia Pilon) during religious services on holidays and official ceremonies and bestowed with the honorific title, Archpriest (Avak
Kahana).
We extend our congratulations to Archpriest Aram Stepanian, pastor of Sts. Asdvadzadzin Church,
and chairman of the Prelacys Religious Council.

PLG MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON GREAT SUCCESS
The
Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers Day luncheon was a great success. With the blessing of sunny skies, the beautiful home of Rene and Linda Chirinian in New
Canaan, Connecticut, was filled to capacity last Thursday. His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan attended and expressed his gratitude to the
Chirinians for opening their beautiful home for this years Mothers Day luncheon. He praised the PLG for the dedication they have shown
to the Prelacy and the Church.

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION OF ST. ILLUMINATORS SCHOOL
The Kindergarten graduation of St. Illuminators Day School will take place tomorrow
evening, at the school in Woodside, New York.

YEAR OF THE YOUTH
His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has designated the year 2009 as the Year of The Youth.
To read His Holiness message in Armenian click here ( 82/goto: doc/Pontifical%20Messages/messages68.htm ).
To
read His Holiness message in English click
here ( 82/goto: cal.pdf ).

DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
The 23rd annual St.
Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, for youth ages 13-18, is rapidly approaching. As in previous years it will take place at the St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 28 to July 5, 2009, preceded by a weekend retreat (optional) from June 26-28, 2009. The Program
is sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC).
For more information click here ( 82/goto: ).

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for
today, Wednesday, May 27, are: Luke 20:20-26; Acts 25:13-22; Jude 1:1-7; John 12:44-50; Matthew 22:1-14; Mark
12:18-34.
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, who are
beloved in God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance. Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write
to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to
the saints., For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who
pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Now I desire to remind you, though you are fully
informed, that the Lord, who once for all saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who
did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgment of the great day.
Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust,
serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 1:1-7)

For listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click
here ().

S UNDAY IS PENTECOST
This Sunday, May 31, is
Pentecost (Hogegaloust), which is celebrated fifty days after Easter.
Jesus had commanded the
apostles to Go therefore to all nations and make them my disciples, (Matthew 28:19). Christ recognized the difficulty of this great
responsibility and had advised them not to begin their teaching mission until after the Descent of the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the
Apostles, we read that on the day of Pentecost the apostles gathered in one place, and that suddenly a strong wind seemed to fill the house in which
they were assembled. And there appeared to them flames like tongues of fire distributed among them and coming to rest on each one. They were
all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them power of utterance, (Acts 2:2-4). Many of the
people in Jerusalem were from foreign lands. They marveled at the fact that each one of them could understand the Apostles words in his own
language. The first gift of the Holy Spirit given to the Apostles was the ability to speak and be understood by people who came from many different
nations.

Life-creating God, Spirit and lover of mankind, with tongues of fire you enlightened those
united with one accord in love; therefore we also celebrate today your holy descent. Filled with joy by your coming the holy apostles began in
different-sounding tongues to call into unity them that had been divided from each other: therefore we also celebrate today your holy descent. By
spiritual and holy baptism through them you have adorned the universe in a new and radiant garment, therefore we also celebrate your holy
descent.
>From the Canon for Pentecost according to the liturgical calendar of the Armenian Church

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 28St. Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church,
Whitinsville, Massachusetts, is offering a short film series and discussions on 40 days of Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. The series will begin
May 28 at 7 pm at the church, 315 Church Street, Whitinsville. The public is invited and refreshments will be served. Come and bring friends and enjoy
this uplifting series.

May 31St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Special meeting for Parish building project.

June 20Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian and the Young Adults
Bible Study Group of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, invite you to attend a Seminar on Marriage and Family from 10 am to 4 pm. Presentations
by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian and Professor Joann C. Heaney-Hunter from St. Johns University. Group discussions on topics of interest for young
Armenian couples and families. Lunch and refreshments will be served. Registration fee: $25 per couple. Contact church office, 718-224-2275.

June 28Annual Madagh Picnic, St. Hagop Church (Racine),
at Johnson Park Picnic Grounds, 6200 Northwestern Ave., Racine, Wisconsin, 10:30 to 7 pm.

June 29 July 5St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute, St. Mary of Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania.

July 18Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
Island, Ladies Guild/ARS Chapter present a Hye Summer Night 4 Dance at The Annunciation Greek Church, Cranston, Rhode Island. For information
401-434-4467.

July 22Gathering of North American youth in Los
Angeles, organized by the Western Prelacy with the participation of the Eastern and Canadian Prelacies.

August 2Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
Island, Annual Picnic and Blessing of Madagh and Grapes at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, 12 noon to 6 pm, rain or shine. Music by John
Berberian and Ensemble.

August 9St. Stephens Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, annual picnic and blessing of madagh and grapes at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. Starts at 12 noon, rain or shine. Live
music.

August 9Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts, annual picnic and blessing of the grapes.

August 16Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey, annual picnic and Blessing of the Grapes.

August 16St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, picnic and Blessing of the Grapes.

September 13Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts, 75th anniversary Holy Mass and banquet, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan.

September 25-26-27Prelacy Linked In, gathering of the
youth. Details will follow.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add [email protected] (mailto:[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] (mailto:[email protected])

VOTE FOR THE "DOGS" AND NOT THE "WOLVES"

A1+
05:45 pm | May 26, 2009

Politics

"I want to become mayor of Yerevan because I don’t want to be the
mayor of any other city," told "A1+" leader of the People’s Party,
mayor candidate Tigran Karapetyan. He says that he has that right
because he was born in Yerevan and loves Yerevan very much.

According to Karapetyan, a mayor must be honest, caring, clean and
must be with the people and not democratic, which doesn’t exist at all.

Tigran Karapetyan shares the views of the opposition and loves the
opposition out of all the political parties because "the opposition is
more moral in terms of morality." He sees black PR by the opposition
and the authorities. For example, ANC member Ruben Torosyan has
appealed to the Central Electoral Commission declaring that Tigran
Karapetyan has been on air for three hours, yet Karapetyan claims
that he couldn’t have been on air for three hours in a row because
the program lasts 1.5 hours.

Tigran Karapetyan considers his honesty as his own self-esteem. "I
am ready to share my personal means with the people. There are state
officials who don’t share with the people, but I do. If I get a hold
of the state levers, I will do more for the people and that is a
great advantage," said Karapetyan. The leader of the party believes
that the first thing to think about is the people.

Rumor has it that Karapetyan is stealing votes from the
opposition. In response to this Karapetyan said: "I am not doing it
intentionally. When Levon Ter-Petrosyan was taking decisive steps,
I did not get a lot of votes during the presidential elections. In
other words, my votes went to Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Now when he is
running for mayor, my votes may come back to me because the people
who were expecting drastic steps don’t see that now…"

Tigran Karapetyan doesn’t have high hopes in today’s political
format. "But we are going to fight until the end and we will not
let them steal our votes and reach the top." The People’s Party is
confident that it has already overcome the 10%. As for the latest
conflicts between the Republicans and "Prosperous Armenia" party
members, Tigran Karapetyan considers that normal. "They are playing
in the field where they are going to steal votes from one another
and where nothing is regulated and they see a danger when anyone else
enters that field."

In closing we asked Tigran Karapetyan to give his advice to citizens
of Yerevan who will go to the polls on May 31 to determine the future
of Yerevan.

"Don’t give your voices to the wolves, but the loyal dogs. By that
I mean me, who will fight for you, but not the wolves."