Author: Dabaghian Diana

ICRC REPRESENTATIVES HOLD MEETING WITH ARMENIANS, CAPTURED BY AZERBAIJANIS

Today.Az
litics/45228.html
May 26 2008
Azerbaijan

Representatives of the Baku office of the International Committee of
the Red Cross held a meeting with Armenian citizens Vanik Zmboyan,
Artem Zohrabyan, Karen Torosyan and Agasi Enonyan, who planned to
commit diversion in the territory of Azerbaijan, said spokesman for
the ICRC Baku office Gulnaz Quliyeva.

She said the monitoring of detainment conditions and physical state
of the Armenian citizens was held during the meeting, held on Friday.

Quliyeva noted that they do not have any complaints as to the
detainment conditions.

It should be noted that attempt of the special forces of Armenian
armed troops to commit diversion in the territory of Azerbaijan was
prevented in April of 2008. They were detained in the Nakhchivan
direction of the front line.

PRESIDENT AWARDS HONORARY TITLES TO PEOPLE OF ART AND CULTURE

ARMENPRESS
May 26, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS: On the occasion of the First Republic
holiday, marked on May 28, President Serzh Sarkisian signed a decree
to award honorary titles of the Republic of Armenia to the following
people.

The presidential press service said the honorary title of People’s
Artist was awarded to Robert Sahakian, a cartoon director. Robert
Elibakian was awarded the title of the People’s Painter.

The titles of Honored Artists were awarded to Marine Abrahamian, a
pianist, Armen Babakhanian, a pianist, Norayr Davtian, art director
and chief conductor of the Armenian folk musical instruments ensemble,
Artyom Khachatrian, head of the instruments section of Sayat Nova
bard ensemble, Asatur Karapetian, chief dance teacher of Armenian
state dance ensemble, Alexander Kosemian, viola player of Komitas
state quartet and Anna Mailian, singer.

The title of Honorary Painter was awarded to Hrant Tadevosian.

The title of Honored Teacher was awarded to Daniel Tadevosian, military
instruction teacher of number 158 secondary school of Yerevan named
after M. Gorgisian.

Titles of Honorary Workers of Art were awarded to Karen Aghamian-
painter, head of the Union of Armenian Painters, Ararat Aghasian,
director of Institute of Art of the National Academy of Sciences,
Armen Tutunjian, art director of Chico and Friends jazz group, Araks
Sarian, a musical critic, professor.

Titles of Honorary Workers of Culture ware awarded to Levon Ananian,
chairman of the Union of Armenian Writers, Karen Gevorkian, chief dance
teacher of Berd ensemble, Murad Hakobian, art director of Sardarapat
dance ensemble of the House of Officers of the Defense Ministry, Armen
Manukian, a pianist, art director of One Nation-One Culture Foundation,
Gevork Chakmanian, art director of Taron children bard ensemble.

Tigran Liloyan, correspondent for Itar-Tass news agency, was awarded
the title of Honored Journalist.

Chicago Daily Herald, IL
May 25 2008

Student museum displays tragedy

7th-graders create museum marking man’s worst chapters

By Corrinne Hess | Daily Herald Staff

A cinder-block gymnasium at Millburn Central has been transformed into
a public museum detailing some of the world’s most horrific human
acts.

Seventh-graders have spent more than a month creating the school’s
first Holocaust and Genocide Museum.

"I had heard about Darfur on the news, but didn’t realize this is
still happening," said Chelsea Visser, 13. "All of these people are
dying and not much has been done to help them."

Students wrote research papers, made posters and audio recordings,
created a PowerPoint presentation and wrote poems about various
current and historical instances of genocide, including Darfur, Rwanda
and the Rape of Nanjing.

An entire wall in the small gymnasium is dedicated to the Holocaust.

David Schroeder, social studies teacher in charge of the project, said
while the topic is depressing and somber, the students got very
excited about it.

"They put their hearts and souls into the project," Schroeder
said. "In my mind, I knew this had the potential to be great. I had to
just keep telling them this is going to be powerful and it will make a
statement."

The results have indeed been powerful.

Since opening May 15, the museum has attracted dozens of parents and
community members.

Sixth-graders at the Wadsworth school have spent the last week
visiting the genocide museum and detailing their feelings afterward.

"The museum was terrific and horrific," said sixth-grader Ben
Mueller. "I learned a ton of things, and I realized what types of
things are going on that I didn’t even know about."

Sixth-grader Cydney Salvador said a family member died in the Armenian
Genocide during World War I, so the museum was very personal for her.

"I am angered by this," she said. "They murdered all of these people,
and for what? I wish I could stop it all from happening."

/?id=197376&src=3

PanARMENIAN.Net

ANCA: genocide of Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks will never be forgotten
23.05.2008 17:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On May 19, 2008, Armenian National Committee of
America Eastern Region (ANCA ER) Executive Director Karine Birazian
took part in commemorating the 89th Anniversary of the Pontian
Genocide. Strong winds and brisk temperatures did not keep community
activists from gathering at Bowling Green Park for the first New York
City commemoration.

Organizing the event was the Federation of Hellenic Societies of
Greater New York and the Pan-Pontian Federation of USA and
Canada. Dimitris Molohides, Secretary of the Pan-Pontian Federation of
USA and Canada, addressed the crowd in attendance and urged for
decisive action for recognition of the Pontian Genocide.

Molohides, who spoke at the Armenian Genocide commemorative event at
City Hall in New York City during the ANC of NY’s April 24th event
stated "today, May 19th the Pontian community with Hellenes and
Philhellenes here in New York City and around the world will
commemorate the 89th anniversary of the Pontian… it is the first
time that we gather here in the Bowling Green Park in the heart of the
economic center of New York City to raise together the Greek flag and
the single-headed eagle symbol of Pontus. Today’s event is an
emotional but also a historical moment for all of us that are present
here."

Speaking on behalf of the ANCA, Birazian addressed the crowd. In her
statement she remarked: "the tragic sufferings of Armenians,
Assyrians, and Greeks will never be forgotten. The Turkish Government
tries to silence us, but we will not be silenced, and together we will
in fact end Turkey’s "Gag Rule" and seek recognition of this great
crime. Nine decades ago they tried to silence the innocent victims
that fell under the Turkish sword, and today we are still here. Nine
decades from now we will still be here for we will never forget and
work to seek justice"

Also present at the event include the Cypriot Action Network of
America (CANA), the presidents and members of the two local
associations "Komninoi" of New York and "Pontos" of Norwalk
Connecticut and from the "Holy Institution Panagia Soumela."

Speakers included Reverend Father Ioannis Romas from the St. Nicholas
church that was destroyed on 9/11, Mr. Dimitris Dimitriou, General
Secretary – Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York,
Mr. Elias Tsekerides, Past President of Pan-Pontian Federation USA &
Canada, Ms. Donna Fotiadou, member and coordinating committee of the
Pontian Youth Association USA & Canada, and Mr. Ioannis Fidanakis,
President of Panthracian Union of America "Orpheus."

The Ottoman Empire, under the cover of World War I, undertook a
systematic and deliberate effort to eliminate its minority Christian
populations. This genocidal campaign resulted in the death and
deportation of well over 2,000,000 Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks.

The Pontian Genocide has been formally acknowledged by Greece and
Cyprus and, within the United States, by the states of New York, New
Jersey, Florida, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and
Illinois, among others.

DECONSTRUCTING GENOCIDE
Professor Gregory Stanton

Kurdish Globe
sp?id=FE4AD2E90CF688C0960CF8CDDD8E5B61
May 22 2008
Iraq

An academic search for information on the Anfalization of Kurds

The president of Genocide Watch warns Kurds to be watchful; otherwise,
they may face another genocide.

American Professor Gregory Stanton stated that genocide, which is
defined in international law in the Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of Genocide, means acts committed with intent to destroy,
in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.

"According to the definition of genocide, ‘Anfal’ is classified as
genocide, because the Baath Regime committed the Anfal Campaign with
the intent to destroy Kurdish ethnicity; it killed and buried alive
180, 000 Kurdish people in the campaign in 1988," remarked Stanton.

The professor recently arrived in Kurdistan Region to gather
information and evidence about the Anfalization of Kurds, which he
will publish in a book on worldwide genocidal crimes. During his stay
here, he hopes to discuss plans on holding an international conference
on the Anfal genocide in Europe. While in Erbil city, he also led an
academic seminar on genocide at the College of Engineering, attended
by university teachers and ministers.

He explained the eight stages of genocide. The first is classification,
where a regime distinguishes people into "us and them" by ethnicity,
race, religion, or nationality; the second stage is symbolism, where
names or other symbols are given to the classifications, combined
with symbols of hatred; the third is dehumanization, where one group
denies the humanity of other group; the fourth is organization, as
genocide is always organized, usually by a state, using a state army
or militias; fifth is polarization, where extremists drive groups
apart; the sixth is preparation, where victims are identified and
separated because of their ethnicity or religion; the seventh stage,
extermination, begins and quickly becomes the mass killing legally
called "genocide"; and the final stage is denial.

He said that denial defines the current stage of Iraqi Kurds, mainly
due to a number of Arab countries that have denied the Anfal Campaign
as genocide. It is very important for Kurds, therefore, to hold an
international conference about Anfal so that international communities
are informed about what occurred in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Before the Baath Regime embarked upon the Anfal Campaign against
Kurds, Kurdish people in Iraq were considered third-class citizens
after Sunni and Shiite Arabs. Baath Party members called Kurds
"mountain barbarians."

"Genocide cannot happen without a massive organization and may include
international cooperation; in Iraq, for instance, some U.S. and German
companies cooperated with Saddam by selling weapons, including chemical
weapons," said Professor Stanton. "These companies should be brought to
justice and I strongly suggest that Kurds collect documents regarding
the companies that sold weapons to Saddam," he further added.

Stanton said he feels shame that the U.S. allied itself with Hussein
when he committed genocide against Kurds, and the U.S. still has
alliances with some countries that it shouldn’t align itself with,
he said.

In a meeting with Stanton, Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani
said it is imperative to identify all those companies that supplied
the former regime with chemical weapons and those victims of the
chemical weapons attacks should be compensated by those companies.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ziryan Osman, Kurdistan Region’s Health Minister,
asked Professor Stanton why Kurds should only try to bring the
companies to justice and not the governments of the countries
from which those companies operated, because Kurds are sure these
companies did not sell weapons to Saddam without the permission of
the governments. Responding to Dr. Osman’s question, Stanton said
he used to work for the U.S. State Department, and since he believes
the policy of the U.S. State Department isn’t based on a human rights
policy, he resigned from his post.

Stanton cautioned Kurds that they might face another genocide if they
are not vigilant.

"I am afraid that Turkey could carry out genocide against Kurds since
in its past it has committed genocidal crimes against Armenians,
which they are denying. Also, Turkey denies the existence of Kurds in
Turkey," said Stanton. He believes some Arab countries, such as those
that deny the Anfal Campaign and the Holocaust, are also capable of
committing further genocide against the Kurds.

Stanton mentioned his disappointment in Hussein’s expedited execution,
because it prohibited Hussein from being tried for all of his crimes
against humanity. He also called on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)
to stop using violence in order to gain its objectives. "The PKK
should use peaceful means; otherwise, I believe resorting violence
will harm the Kurds," remarked the professor.

Dr. Osman told Stanton that what Saddam did against the people of
Kurdistan Region was not just a crime against humanity or genocide. "It
was a crime against a small part of earth; it was bigger than genocide,
because when Saddam’s regime attacked Kurdistan with chemical weapons,
it not only killed humans, but also killed and destroyed animals,
birds, trees, and water springs." Stanton nodded and said, "It is true;
it was bigger than genocide; we call this crime "ecocide."

Iraqi Parliament commemorated Anfal on April 14, and officially
recognized Anfal as genocide.

TURKEY URGES OPENING OF ARMENIAN ARCHIVE

United Press International UPI
May 21 2008

Turkey has offered $20 million to open an Armenian archive in the
United States, claiming documents there will support its version of
the 1915 massacre.

Yusuf Halacoglu, head of the state-funded Turkish Historical Society,
told Hurriyet the archive in Boston includes important documents on
the events of 1915.

Halacoglu said he had been told the archives cannot be opened because
they need proper cataloging.

"This would directly open a debate over the genocide claims," he
said. "Armenians are aware of this and therefore they are doing their
best not to sit at the table."

Armenians and most non-Turkish scholars of the period say 1.5 million
Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 and generally label
the deaths genocide — a term the Turkish government disputes. The
official Turkish version is that about 300,000 Armenians and 300,000
Turks were killed in an Armenian bid for independence.

About 50,000 Armenians remain in Turkey.

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
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

MAY 22, 2008

WORLD GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS POSTPONED TO AUTUMN
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, announced
that the World General Assembly which was scheduled to convene in Antelias,
Lebanon, has been postponed to the autumn of 2008. The exact date will be
announced at a later time.
In his announcement, the Pontiff noted that although the situation in
Lebanon has greatly improved during the past few weeks, it was decided that
it would be wise to postpone the world assembly since so many delegates were
traveling from distant dioceses.

BLESSING OF MURON
Preparations for the blessing of the Holy Muron on June 7 are continuing
at the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia. The Holy Muron, symbol of
the grace of the Holy Spirit, is traditionally blessed every seven years.
Only the Catholicos can consecrate the oil which is then distributed to the
various dioceses for distribution to the parishes. The oil consists of 48
different herbs, flowers, and oils which are combined in a special vessel
and mixed with some of the old Muron, thus creating an unbroken chain with
the past. The preparation of the Holy Muron is a long process and each stage
is accompanied with special prayers. Prior to its blessing, the Muron
remains for forty days on the altar of the Cathedral.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL LEAVE FOR LEBANON NEXT WEEK
FOR MEETING OF THE BROTHERHOOD AND BLESSING OF MURON
A meeting of the Brotherhood of the Holy See of Cilicia will take place
prior to the blessing of the Muron. The meetings are scheduled for June 5-6
at the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon. Archbishop Oshagan will travel to
Lebanon next week to participate in the meeting and the blessing of Muron.
The Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, has already arrived in Lebanon and will
participate in both events.

CATHOLICOS ARAM RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVE
OF PATRIARCH GREGORIOS LAHHAM
Bishop Michel Abbas, representing the Greek Catholic Patriarch, His
Beatitude Gregorios III Lahham, visited Catholicos Aram I in Antelias on May
16. Also attending the meeting was Bishop Kegham Khatcherian. Bishop Abbas
consulted with Catholicos Aram on behalf of the Patriarch, on a number of
inter-church issues. They exchanged views on forming an inter-church
committee to organize the celebrations to be held within the context of "The
Year of St. Paul," recently announced by Pope Benedict XVI. The
Catholicosate of Cilicia has received an invitation from the Vatican to
participate in this event and Catholicos Aram has accepted the invitation.
In his acceptance letter, the Catholicos outlined his vision for
transforming the celebration of one of Christianity’s leading figures into
an opportunity for the renewal of faith on a pan-Christian level. During the
meeting, Bishop Michel also briefed the Pontiff about the details of
Patriarch Lahham’s recent visit to the Vatican, during which he had
discussed issues related to the peace process in the Middle East and the
internal situation in Lebanon.

BISHOP NAREG CHAIRS WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES MEETING
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia, chaired the second meeting of the Consultative Committee of the
World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Secretaries of Church Families from
May 13-15 in Geneva. Representatives from the Russian Orthodox, Roman
Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, Methodist and other Protestant
churches participated. In his opening remarks, Bishop Nareg emphasized the
uniqueness of the gathering as a meeting place for regional and
international ecumenical relations. He stressed the need for cooperation and
united approaches towards issues of concern for all churches.

REV. FR. MESROB LAKISSIAN PARTICIPATES IN
DARFUR RALLY AT U.S. MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral,
participated in a rally to end genocide in Darfur and promote lasting peace
in Sudan, this afternoon, May 22. The rally took place at the U.S. Mission
at the United Nations in New York City. The rally was scheduled at this time
because the U.S. will take over the presidency of the U.N. Security Council
on June 1, and the organizers (Africa Action) are urging the United States
to use its influence in the UN to deploy well-equipped peacekeepers to
Darfur.
Der Mesrob addressed the large gathering and expressed solidarity with
the people of Darfur "who since 2003 have experienced the greatest cruelty."
Der Hayr also told the gathering, "Having experienced the same type of
cruelty early in the 20th century, during the Armenian Genocide, Armenian
Americans join with Africa Action in calling for bold leadership by the
United States when next month the U.S. assumes presidency of the UN Security
Council.. In the words of the psalmist," Der Mesrob concluded, "let us
commit ourselves to defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the
afflicted and needy."

MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City has
begun. Until the renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy will be offered
every Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Street,
Woodside, New York.

SUMMER CAMP AT ST. SARKIS
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, will once again have a summer
camp for children from age 5 to 12. The camp will take place at the church
facilities from Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 18, from 10 am to 3 pm.
Registration must be completed by June 8. The program includes arts and
crafts, music, dance, prayer, Armenian language and history, introduction to
the Bible, sports, games..and more. See calendar of events below for more
details.

YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated the year 2008 as the "Year of Christian Education."
To read His Holiness’ message in Armenian click here.
To read His Holiness’ message in English click here.

"STILL ROOM AT THE INN," FOR 2008 DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
"There’s still room at the inn," says Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of
the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), about the 22nd annual St.
Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, for youth ages 13-18. So, if you
have not yet registered for this popular program, do it right now. Sponsored
by AREC, the program will take place at St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, June 29 to July 6, 2008. By popular demand, this
year the Institute will extend the Summer Program by a weekend retreat
(optional) June 27-29. For details click here.

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING
An international gathering of youth is being organized by the Holy See
of Cilicia. His Holiness Aram I is inviting the youth, 18 years and older,
to attend this gathering from August 13 to 20, 2008, coinciding with the
annual pilgrimage during the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of
God.
Plans are underway for the Catholicosate, the Prelacy, and our Parishes
to facilitate the travel of the young adults to the gathering by assisting
with a portion of the travel expenses. For information contact your local
parish.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, May 22, are: Proverbs 15:21-26;
Isaiah 22:20-25; 1 Peter 5:1-7; Matthew 11:2-14
Folly is a joy to one who has no sense, but a person of understanding
walks straight ahead. Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many
advisers they succeed. To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and a word
in season, how good it is! For the wise the path of life leads upward, in
order to avoid Sheol below. The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but
maintains the widow’s boundaries. Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
but gracious words are pure. Proverbs 15:21-26.
For listing of the week’s Bible readings click here.

ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR’S
DELIVERANCE FROM THE PIT
This Saturday, May 24, is the Feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s
emergence from the pit (khor virab). Gregory is revered as the founder of
the Armenian Church. He is recognized and memorialized in both eastern and
western hierarchical churches. The Armenian liturgical calendar reserves
three feast days in his memory: Entrance into the Pit; emergence from the
pit; discovery of relics. In addition to these three dates, there are
several feast days to which he is connected, such as: Feasts of Sts.
Hripsimiantz and Sts. Gayaniantz; Feast of Shoghakat, Feast of Holy
Etchmiadzin, Feast of King Tiridates (Trdat).
St. Gregory was condemned to the pit in 287 AD by King Trdat and the
persecution of Christians in Armenia began. After the persecution and
martyrdom of a group of nuns who came into Armenia, led by Hripsime and
Gayane, seeking refuge from persecution in Rome, Trdat came down with
strange maladies. His sister, Khosrovidukht, had a dream that Gregory was
the only person who could heal her brother. Miraculously, Gregory was still
alive after many years in the pit (thanks to an anonymous woman who
regularly lowered food and water into the pit). Gregory was brought out of
the pit. The king was cured, was baptized, and he proclaimed Christianity to
be the official religion of Armenia.

FEAST OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN
This Sunday, May 25, is the feast day of Holy Mother Etchmiadzin, the
cathedral built by St. Gregory after his deliverance from the pit, to the
specifications he saw in a vision, and on the place marked by the Lord with
a golden hammer. This feast day commemorates the establishment of the
Armenian Church and the eradication of paganism. It is the oldest example of
a four-altar, four-pillar, domed, cruciform church in Christian
architecture. More than 1700 years old, it is the oldest surviving Armenian
Christian site. The complex consists of several buildings, including the
main cathedral and two other churches nearby.
Come and construct the holy tabernacle of light
Because it radiates for us the light of Armenia.
(from a sharagan written by Catholicos Sahak III Dzoraporetsi (677-703)

MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
This Monday, May 26, is Memorial Day-a day of remembrance for those who
died in service to the United States of America. It was originally for the
Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War. After World
War I it became a holiday to honor all men and women who died in service.
Traditionally, Memorial Day was observed on May 30, but it was one of those
holidays that was moved to Monday to form a long weekend.
"Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling
place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.. Those who
love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they
call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will
rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show
them my salvation."
Psalm 91, known as the "Soldier’s Psalm." (Note: It is Psalm 90 in the
Armenian Bible).

NEW ON OUR WEB PAGE ()
Go to the web page for information about the recent National Representative
Assembly. We will be continuing to add more information and photographs in
the coming days. To view the site thus far click here.

PLG Mothers Day luncheon..Lots of Photographs. Click here.

90th ANNIVERSARY OF THE VICTORY AT SARDARABAD AND
ESTABLISHMENT OF ARMENIAN REPUBLIC
This year we mark the 90th anniversary of the 1918 independent republic
of Armenia. After defeating Turkish forces at Sardarabad, Bashabaran, and
Karakilise, on May 28th the Armenians proclaim an independent democratic
Armenian Republic on what was left of the Armenian homeland. Throughout
these critical days, Catholicos Kevork V 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.
At about the same time Allied forces entered Cilicia, and Catholicos
Sahag II returned to the Catholicate in Cilicia, after being forced into
exile by the Ottoman Turks one year earlier. In 1919 French forces entered
Cilicia, joined by a large number of Armenian volunteer soldiers (gamavors)
of the "Legion Armenienne." This year is also the 90th anniversary of the
victory of this volunteer Armenian Legion over a combined Turkish-German
force at the Battle of Arara, in Palestine, on September 19, 1918.

FROM THE BOOKSTORE THIS WEEK..
With the milestone anniversaries this week of the Battle at Sardarabad and
the establishment of the Armenian Republic of 1918, we direct our readers to
books on these subjects. Nothing compares with the monumental work done by
Professor Richard G. Hovannisian in this area in his pioneering work in
Armenia on the Road to Independence and his four-volume, The Republic of
Armenia.
For quick reference we call your attention to the two volume, Armenian
people from Ancient to Modern Times, edited by Richard G. Hovannisian. The
second volume includes two chapters on the subject. One is titled "Armenia’s
Road to Independence," the other "The Republic of Armenia."

Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times
Volume 1: The Dynastic Periods from Antiquity to the Fourteenth Century. 372
pp. $31.95, plus shipping.

Volume 2: Foreign Dominion to Statehood: The Fifteenth Century to the
Twentieth Century, 493 pp, 34.94, plus shipping.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER ITEMS AT THE BOOKSTORE VISIT THE
PRELACY’S WEB SITE () OR CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY
EMAIL ([email protected]) OR BY TELEPHONE (212-689-7810).

DISASTERS IN MYANMAR AND CHINA
We end this week asking for prayers for the devastating loss of life and
destruction that has affected parts of Asia-the cyclone in Myanmar (formerly
Burma) and the earthquake in central China. The Chinese government has just
in recent days begun to accept outside help; Myanmar is still very reluctant
to accept foreign assistance. There are some charities, such as Project
HOPE, that are having a modicum of success in sending aid. There is little
that can be done for the tens of thousands who died, but please remember the
tens of thousands more that will need help in the coming months and years.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 3-5-World General Assembly of the Catholicosate of the Great House of
Cilicia, which was scheduled to convene in Antelias, Lebanon has been
postponed and will take place in the autumn.

June 7-Blessing of Holy Muron in Antelias, Lebanon. Click here for details.

June 24-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, 5th annual Golf Outing,
Juniper Hill Golf Course, Northboro, Massachusetts. For information
508-852-2414.

June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council. For
more information click here.

July 7 to July 18-Summer Camp at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New
York. For children age 5 to 12. 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday, lunch and
snack included. Minimum donation is $150. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. &
Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. Registration deadline is June 8. For
information contact the church office, 718-224-2275.

June 22-St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Anniversary
Celebration, under auspices of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Special program
and exhibit dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy’s affiliation
with the Holy See of Cilicia. For reservations contact the church office,
718-224-2275.

July 19-"A Hye Summer Night 3," dance hosted by Ladies’ Guild of Sts.
Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode Island. For details
401-434-4467.

August 3-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Blessing of the
Grapes picnic. Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, noon to 6 pm, rain or
shine.

August 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. Annual
picnic on church grounds. Free admission; free parking.

August 15-17-International Gathering of Youth and Pilgrimage to Der Zor,
organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Details will follow.

September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet. Details to follow.

September 25-Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office
201-943-2950.

September 26-28-National Youth Conference at Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

September 29-30-Clergy conference at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

October 25-Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great
House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey.
Details to follow.

November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.

"KARABAKH MOVEMENT: FACTS AND PERSPECTIVES"

Panorama.am
17:23 20/05/2008

In 23-24 May an international conference will take place in Stepanakert
on "Karabakh movement: events and facts" subject. Politicians and
experts from Russia, France, USA and other countries are invited to
take part in the conference. The above mentioned information has
been affirmed and announced by the state committee organizing and
coordinating Karabakh movement 20th anniversary events.

WILSON COLLEGE OFFERS ARMENIAN WOMEN TWO FOUR-YEAR FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 20, 2008

CHAMBERSBURG, MAY 20, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Wilson College,
America’s oldest women-only college, is offering two full-tuition
four-year scholarships to Armenian women from anywhere in the world, as
part of its new Global Citizenship Initiative program. The scholarships
are supported by the Hagop Bogigian Fund, a bequest by the millionaire
more than 85 years ago. Originally, part of his bequest was to help
all women.

FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATION SET IN SELF-DECLARED "NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC"

Today.Az
politics/45100.html
May 20 2008
Azerbaijan

Affiliate of Arminco company in "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" got access
to digital networks on basis of fiber optic communication, existing
in Armenia, bypassing satellite technologies, technical director of
the affiliate Samwell Mailian said in Khankendi.

"We have built a digital network on a new level, which allowed us to
connect two segments of the Armenian Internet-in Armenia and "Nagorno
Karabakh Republic". This is a great progress, ensuring outlet to the
fiber optic lines, communicating Armenia with Georgia and Russia.

This means that we already can have two independent fiber optic
channels, while before that we had had to use satellite communication
channels for over six years", noted Samwell Mailyan.

He said this also allowed to settle the issue of Internet overloading
in "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" and, on the whole, meet the needs of
the population.

"Today, we can fully provide organizations of Armenia and "Nagorno
Karabakh Republic" with corporate communication. Thus, owing to
the efforts of the mother enterprise, we have done a necessary
thing. This is the first precedent of the kind in the self-declared
"Nagorno Karabakh Republic".

We have the only network with direct access to Armenian nets, and we
have fully integrated into the Internet space of Armenia. Moreover, we
have obtained an additional channel to the external world. This means
that in case of any sabotage regarding the self-declared "Nagorno
Karabakh Republic" we will still have a direct outlet to Armenia",
said the technical director of the affiliate of Arminco company in
"Nagorno Karabakh Republic".

According to Mailyan, new tariffs on broadband access, satisfying
separate categories of population will be applied in the next half
of the year.