Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate 6252 Honolulu Avenue La Crescenta, CA 91214 Tel: (818) 248-7737 Fax: (818) 248-7745 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.westernprelacy.org PRAYERS FOR THE REPUBLIC AND BLESSING OF THE ARMENIAN FLAG IN PRELACY CHURCHES On Sunday, May 27, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia will be celebrated in Prelacy Churches with Thanksgiving Prayers for the Republic and the blessing of the Armenian flag. At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, requiem prayers will be offered for the heroes of Sardarabad, Gharakilise, Pash Abaran, and all those who lost their lives defending our lands. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy, conduct the special services, and deliver his message at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood. We invite our faithful to participate in this special celebration to honor the legacy of our forefathers and join us in prayer for the security and prosperity of Armenia and the Armenian nation. *** PRAYERS FOR THE ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY IN PRELACY CHURCHES By the request of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry and the directive of the Prelate, on Sunday, May 27, 2018, prayers will be offered in all Prelacy Churches for patients of the ABMDR. Members of the organization will attend Divine Liturgy at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino and will be available to provide information and register donors. May God grant good health to all and lead the members of the ABMDR to continued success in their life-saving mission. *** FEAST OF PENTECOST CELEBRATION On Sunday, May 20, 2018, the feast of Pentecost, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit, was celebrated in Prelacy Churches. On this occasion, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, celebrated his first Episcopal Divine Liturgy at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County and delivered the sermon. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the service. Parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian and deacons assisted at the altar. The Prelate greeted the parish family and conveyed his blessings, praying for the Lord to enrich and renew all with the Holy Spirit on this feast of Pentecost, a day of spiritual rebirth and renewal. Noting that the parish was preparing for the consecration of the church thirty years ago around the feast of Pentecost, he wished that members of the church and community continue their service with renewed faith and spirits for the glory of God and advancement of the parish and our nation. He once again congratulated the Vicar General on his Episcopal ordination, commended the parish pastor, Board of Trustees, delegates, Ladies Guild, altar servers, choirs, and all the volunteers, and invited the Vicar General to deliver his sermon. The Vicar General first greeted the Prelate and conveyed his blessings to the parish. He began his sermon on the feast of Pentecost by stating that though the apostles were staunch in their faith, there was still some trepidation, something missing, and that which was missing was the emboldening and revitalizing presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, ten days after the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of fiery tongues, cleansed them and granted them inexplicable strength, peace, and such elation that those around them thought they were inebriated. The Holy Spirit was manifested in various forms, but no matter in what form, it always brought great inspiration to those who received it, he said, for it grants grace, abilities, and wisdom, fills our lives with heavenly fruits and enriches our hearts. Today, the Holy Spirit once more will descend and rest upon all those who have opened their hearts to the Lord and are ready to accept it, he said. The Vicar General stressed the ways in which the Holy Spirit works wonders in our lives today. "The Holy Spirit renews us first as individuals, cleanses us of sin and makes us new individuals. Subsequently, those who are renewed bring renewal to their families and surroundings, who then bring renewal to our parishes and community which become strengthened. Renewed parishes and communities renew the life of our nation, and this renewal, leads to renewal in pan-Christian life," stated the Vicar General, and concluded by praying for the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, spirits, and hearts, to renew our children so that they stay on the right path, our nation, our people, and the entire worlds, bringing the same joy that it did to the apostles. Later in the service, Fr. Karekin greeted and conveyed his well wishes to the Prelate and Vicar General on behalf of the parish community. Following the service, a reception was held at "Ghazarian" Hall of the Harut Barsamian Armenian Center during which faithful had the opportunity to congratulate the newly-ordained Bishop and receive the blessings of the Prelate and Vicar General. Welcoming and congratulatory remarks were delivered by the Parish Pastor and Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Herair Jermakian. The Vicar General gave thanks for the welcome and invited the community to work together with love. The Prelate delivered the closing message. He noted that the Forty Martyrs Church has had an important part in his life and recalled the great enthusiasm with which the church was constructed and consecrated three decades ago. His Eminence prayed for the Holy Spirit to renew the hearts and souls of the community's members with faith, hope, and love so that they may continue to work together with mutual love, respect, and a greater sense of responsibility for the splendor of the parish community. The Prelate concluded by once again congratulating the Vicar General's ordination. The Board of Trustees and Ladies Guild surprised the parish pastor with a birthday cake, and guests conveyed their well wishes to Fr. Karekin on this occasion. The reception closed with the benediction and "Cilicia." *** HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL OF MONTEBELLO HOSTS ANNUAL "ARMENIAN FOOD FAIR AND FESTIVAL" On Saturday, May 19, 2018, Holy Cross Cathedral of Montebello hosted the annual "Armenian Food Fair and Festival," featuring traditional Armenian food, music, cultural performances, games for children, and booths selling Armenian merchandise. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attended the festival, visited the booths to convey his blessings and commendation and delivered his message. He was joined by Holy Cross Cathedral Dean, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Parish Pastor, Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian, members of the Board of Trustees and organizing committee. Hundreds of Armenians and non-Armenian were in attendance. *** CASPS HONORS OUTSTANDING ARMENIAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS On Monday, May 21, 2018, the 12th annual CASPS reception honoring outstanding 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students from LAUSD local districts Northeast and Northwest was held at Verdugo Hills High School Auditorium. On behalf of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian attended, delivered the invocation, and conveyed the Prelate's congratulations and blessings. In attendance were Executive Council member Mr. Ara Shabanian, principals, educators, Los Angeles Unified School District and CASPS members, students and parents. CASPS Executive Director Arsineh Hovannisian delivered the welcoming address. Former CASPS student Angela Manukyan served as the MC. Fr. Nareg delivered the invocation and on behalf of the Prelate congratulated the students and wished them great success in their future endeavors. Noting that one hundred years almost to the day our forefathers were fighting for the independence of our nation, he urged the students to always be proud of their Armenian identity and adhere to their roots. The Superintendent's message for the Northeast district was delivered by Linda Del Cueto, and the Northwest's by Joseph Nacorda. Glendale Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian delivered the keynote address. On behalf of the LAUSD Board, members Kelly Gonez, Scott Schmerelson, and Nick Melvoin conveyed their congratulatory message, after which four students expressed their thoughts on this occasion, thanking the Prelate and their teachers for their support and guidance. The top four students received monetary awards provided by the Armenian Educational Foundation, and all students received certificates. The program also featured musical and dance performances by students. *** PRELACY CHOIR PARTICIPATES IN 11TH ANNUAL "ORTHODOX DAY OF PRAISE" On Saturday, May 19, 2018, St. Peter and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Monica hosted the 11th annual Orthodox Day of Praise, bringing together the Coptic, Armenian, Indian Malankara, Ethiopian, Greek, Ukrainian, and Serbian Orthodox Churches for a day of fellowship, praise, and celebration of shared faith. The day began with Divine Liturgy, followed by brunch during which members of the different churches had an opportunity to meet one other. The program followed, during which each choir presented a few hymns and songs in their respective languages. By the directive of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, the Western Prelacy "Lousavorich" Choir, under the direction of Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian, once again participated in this annual event. Choir member Karekin Kirazian conveyed the greetings of the Prelate and gave some background information on the hymns and songs which the choir would be presenting, noting that the first song is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia. The choir thereafter presented their program, which included "Oh Armenian land," "Since Cradle," "Lord have mercy," and "Blessed is the Lord." *** PARTICIPATION IN L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SENIOR CHAPLAINS' MEETING By the initiative of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, senior chaplains were invited to a special meeting which was held at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Downtown Los Angeles to discuss a wide range of issues relating to jail ministry. Prelacy Chaplain Rafi Garabedian participated in the meeting. On behalf of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, he thanked the Sheriff's Department for facilitating the Prelacy's jail ministry program which serves the spiritual needs of Armenian inmates. ***
Author: Edgar Tavakalian
Pashinyan was interested in the letters received from “Rosselkhoznadzor” and the progress of the case
- 24.05.2018
- Armenia:
- arm
95
RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, at today’s government session, asked Ishkhan Karapetyan, head of the State Food Safety Service (SFSS), about the letters received from “Rosselkhoznadzor” on May 10 and 16, and the actions taken by the service in that direction.
Ishkhan Karapetyan noted that these letters are periodic in nature, and the issue was discussed with Russian partners in working order. Nikol Pashinyan instructed to take steps so that the export of agricultural products is carried out in strict compliance with the requirements.
“I expect that we are discussing this issue for the last time. Export should be carried out in strict accordance with the requirements of agricultural products. In the near future, the volumes of export of agricultural products will increase, there is a specific problem related to the interests of the villagers. I ask your service, the Ministry of Agriculture, SRC, all departments to make necessary efforts so that the export of agricultural products takes place in a normal mode. This is a priority issue that the government should solve,” the Prime Minister said.
At the same time, the head of the government added that this does not mean that new obstacles should be created for farmers in exporting. “Government and ministries should help the villagers so that they fulfill all these conditions and requirements, the documentation takes place quickly, without delays and obstacles. In other words, I mean, when we say that basic rules must be observed, it does not mean creating additional obstacles for the villagers,” said Nikol Pashinyan.
Armenian wines presented in World famous wine cognac La cite du Vin
It has been several days that Armenian wine days are being held in the world-renowned Wine City Museum titled “Armenia, the Charming Country of Wine.”
In November 2017, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between tVine and Wine Foundation of Armenia (VWFA) and the La cite du Vin Museum, according to which from May 2018 the Armenian wine days will be regularly held in the museum for a year.
Before the launch of the event, director of the VWFA Zaruhi Muradyan and expert Anahit Davtyan conducted master classes for the museum staff. In the future, the latter should present the history and traditions of Armenian winemakers, Armenian wines and the grape varieties.
All tickets were sold a few weeks before the official opening of the event. The visitors were very interested in the presentation of Armenian winemakers and enjoyed exclusive wines from Armenian grape varieties.
Within the framework of the visit, meetings with leading wine experts as well as presentation of Armenian wines and tastings were held for representatives of Armenian communities of Paris, Bordeaux and Toulouse, and French importers.
The presentation of Armenian wines was organized with the support of the Armenian International Inter-ethnic Gang in Paris within the framework of cooperation with the VWFA.
Director of VWFA Zaruhi Muradyan says: “I highly appreciate the organization of Armenian events in the world’s best wine museum, and I am confident that it will greatly contribute to the realization of our mission, which is contributing to the recognition and demand of Armenian wines in the world. The high praise of the French people is quite encouraging to our wines, as it is evidence of the high quality of our wines and having the characteristics that satisfies the international wine lovers.”
It is worth mentioning that the museum is unique in its kind and hosts about 450,000 visitors a year from different countries. During the event, La Cite du Vin will feature 42 Armenian wines.
PM Pashinyan, Ambassador Mills discuss Armenian-American relations (photos)
Categories
Politics
World
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on May 18 received US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills.
The PM attached importance to the constant development of the Armenian-American ties and welcomed official Washington’s commitment and readiness to give new impetus to the bilateral cooperation in different sectors.
“The Armenian government is interested and attaches great importance to the mutual partnership with the American side in the process of reforms in democracy development, anti-corruption fight, human rights and other spheres. We are full of energy to reach our goals and concrete results also taking into account the positive atmosphere existing today in the country”, PM Pashinyan said, stating that the government is committed to moving forward the activities at these directions.
In his turn US Ambassador Richard Mills congratulated PM Pashinyan on assuming office and conveyed the readiness of the US government to assist Armenia in implementation of the aforementioned goals
. “The US government is committed to assisting the goals on democracy, human rights, transparency and accountability that will improve Armenia’s business environment and will make the country more attractive for American investors. We see a number of opportunities for dialogue and cooperation, including within the format of the Armenian-American inter-governmental works”, the Ambassador said.
During the meeting a number of other issues relating to the increase of trade turnover volumes between the two countries, the ongoing regional affairs, holding parliamentary elections in Armenia, the reforms of the Electoral Code and issues of bilateral interest were discussed.
Chess: World Youth Stars: All Armenia representatives record wins
MediaMax, Armenia
Azerbaijan launches heavy ceasefire violations in Artsakh
Categories
Artsakh
Official
Region
Azerbaijan began heavy ceasefire violations since Saturday afternoon in the Artsakh line of contact. Azerbaijani forces are using various caliber weapons in the violations, the defense ministry of Artsakh reported.
In addition to ceasefire violations, active movements of manpower and equipment is observed in various sections of the line of contact.
The Defense Army are closely flowing the actions of the Azerbaijani military.
East Beirut politicians prepare to rumble
The Daily Star (Lebanon)
Thursday
East Beirut politicians prepare to rumble
by Benjamin Redd
East Beirut is gearing up for a blockbuster electoral fight.The headline event pits MP Michel Pharaon, the minister of state for planning, against Nicolas Sehnaoui, a former telecommunications minister and vice president of the Free Patriotic Movement.
BEIRUT: East Beirut is gearing up for a blockbuster electoral fight.The headline event pits MP Michel Pharaon, the minister of state for planning, against Nicolas Sehnaoui, a former telecommunications minister and vice president of the Free Patriotic Movement. Both are competing for the district’s sole Greek Catholic seat – meaning one of the contenders will fall on May 6. Both decry the other’s track record.
Sehnaoui “has many complaints against him and files [pending] at the Court of Audit” from his time as minister, Pharaon tells The Daily Star, alleging mismanagement of public funds.
Sehnaoui denies this. “All cases were extensively investigated by the courts and were assessed as false,” he says.
Hitting back, Sehnaoui says, “People need to reflect on any MP’s achievements, especially if they have been sitting in the same chair for 22 years.” Pharaon was first elected in 1996. The two heavyweights head lists representing the traditional parties. Pharaon leads a March 14 coalition that includes the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb and Ramgavar, an Armenian party.
The list is missing the bedrock of March 14, Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s Future Movement, which is officially absent from the district.
But Future-allied MP Sebouh Kalpakian has joined Sehnaoui’s FPM-Tashnag list. “This list has joined with the Tashnag party and the Future Movement, as well as the FPM,” he says.
Kalpakian also leads Hunchak, a rival of Tashnag and Ramgavar. “The two most powerful Armenian parties, Hunchak and Tashnag, are together,” he says.
“It’s the strongest list in [the East Beirut district], I think.”
The Armenian component is huge in East Beirut. Half the district’s eight seats are designated for Armenians – three Orthodox and one Catholic. The other four seats are parceled out to a Maronite, a Greek Catholic, a Greek Orthodox and a minority Christian.
With the new proportional voting system, outsiders are looking to crash in and take a share of those seats. Three other lists are looking to upset the main contenders, dangling the promise of even more spectacle to the election.
East Beirut will likely have the lowest vote threshold to enter Parliament in the country, some 5,000 to 7,000 ballots, depending on turnout. It was also home to a major – though unsuccessful – showing of “civil society” in the 2016 municipal elections.
“There isn’t March 14 or 8 [anymore]. There is one front, the establishment.” says Laury Haytayan, a candidate with the insurgent “All for the Nation” list.
The group is looking to capitalize on pent-up frustration at an often feckless political class.
“Our message is, you tried them for 40 years. If you don’t like the results, try us. We’re definitely not going to do harm, not in 4 years,” Haytayan says.
Pharaon says this is all well and good, but counters that “we need ethics and experience at this level because the challenges are very, very big.” Besides, “they are divided, so why don’t they get together?”
That hits on a key worry for some on the “outside”: with three lists, their vote could be divided, resulting in fewer seats for them and more for the traditional parties.
Michelle Tueni, who leads the Nahna Beirut list, dismisses this notion. On the contrary, she says, more people ought to vote since they will no longer have an excuse.
“Some people who listen to me are not convinced, and there are some people who listen to [All for the Nation candidates] and are not convinced … Now they have two [outside] choices; they don’t have to stay home. There is no reason to stay home,” she says.
Whether Nahna Beirut is truly an outsider’s list is up to debate.
Tueni is the scion of a storied Beiruti family, and her list includes the likes of Serge Torsarkissian, a current Beirut MP with Hunchak and the Future Movement, and Rafic Bazerji of former President Camille Chamoun’s National Liberal Party.
In a bout of political theater, Tueni’s list also includes Sebouh Mekhjian, the former head of Pharaon’s political office.
“The timing [of Mekhjian’s departure] is bad for any political organization because it creates question marks,” Pharaon tells The Daily Star, declining to comment further.
The twist isn’t unique in East Beirut’s electoral race. Rumors of infighting have already hit both Pharaon’s and Sehnaoui’s camps.
Al-Akhbar Tuesday published a brief report that Riad Akel and Imad Wakim, both Lebanese Forces candidates on Pharaon’s list, were in a spat over preferential votes. Under the new electoral law, voters can choose one “preferred” candidate on their selected list – pitting candidates against others on their own slate for higher billing in seat distribution.
The report alleged Akel had been fishing for preferential votes at Wakim’s expense, leading to a tweet last week from LF leader Samir Geagea urging his supporters to use their vote for Wakim because Akel “can get the necessary votes from other parts of the community.”
Both Akel and Wakim flatly deny the allegations.
“It’s totally untrue,” Akel tells The Daily Star. “From day one our strategy was to split the votes [so that Wakim] will get votes from the party and I will get votes from outside … I’m strong outside the party.”
The same Al-Akhbar report said a similar issue was at play between Sehnaoui and the FPM candidate for the minorities seat, retired Brig. Gen. Antoine Bano. Sehnaoui denies the allegations.
They are unlikely to be the last punches to fly.
Turkish Press: Spain rejects Armenian ‘genocide’ motion
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Motion defeated 17-9, with 9 abstentions, with 14 ‘no’ votes cast by ruling People’s Party
Features
Archive
By Hasan Esen
MADRID
The Spanish parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday rejected a motion supporting the Armenian allegations on the incidents of 1915, in the last years of the Ottoman Empire.
The bill was defeated by a 17-9 vote, with nine abstentions. All but three of the 17 “no” votes were cast by the ruling People’s Party.
The motion to recognize the Armenian “genocide” allegations was submitted in 2016 by the leftist, Catalonian ERC party.
Turkey’s position on the events is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia in 1915 occurred after some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.
Ankara does not accept the alleged “genocide” but acknowledges there were casualties on both sides during World War I.
Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as “genocide” but describes the 1915 events as a tragedy for both sides.
Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to tackle the issue.
Our people succeeded in not only standing up, but also representing itself to the world dignifiedly
ArmenPress, Armenia
April 9 2018
Our people succeeded in not only standing up, but also representing itself to the world dignifiedly
YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Armen Sarkissian, the 4th President of Armenia, assured in his remarks following his inauguration on Monday that Armenia and the entire Armenian people are supporting Artsakh and will fight for its fair rights.
President Sarkissian emphasized that our present generations not only had the luck to proclaim a third republic, but also establish the independence of the fatherland, strengthen sovereignty and create a firm and powerful military.
“The victorious liberation war waged for Artsakh returned our national dignity to us. It raised our spirit, and let no one doubt today that Armenia and the entire Armenian people will fight for the fair rights of Artsakh….Glory and honor to our people and its heroes. Glory to the victorious Armenian army,” the President said.
“Meaning, on one hand we have a hundred years of history of republic orders, and on the other hand we begin a new chapter,” the President said.
“One century ago, after most difficult losses of the Armenian people, when human efforts and deeds were required to save the small piece of land which was left to us from our great fatherland, in honor of the previous generations, during both the first, and second republics our people were able to not only stand up, straighten its back, but also to represent itself in a dignified manner to the world”.
Armen Sarkissian took the Oath of Office of President of Armenia midday April 9 at a special session of the Armenian Parliament.
Sarkissian was sworn into office by placing his right hand on the original book of the Constitution of Armenia and a 7th century Bible.
“By assuming office of President of Armenia, I swear to be committed to the Constitution of Armenia, to be impartial during fulfillment of my powers, to be guided solely by state and pan-national interests and to contribute my entire strength for the strengthening of national unity. May Gold help me”, Sarkissian said.
The swearing-in was followed by the national anthem of Armenia, and remarks and blessings from Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.
April 9 marks Armenia’s transitioning to a parliamentary system, and the end of tenure of President Serzh Sargsyan.
In accordance to the Constitution, the government is expected to resign. Cabinet members will serve as acting ministers until a new government is formed.
English –translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan
Fresno: Armenian lecture will detail life during the Turkish-French War
The Collegian, State Univ., Fresno
April 5 2018
The Armenian studies program spring lecture series will continue Friday with a visit from author Dr. Ümit Kurt.
Kurt will provide a presentation titled “A Farewell to Arms: Broken Hopes and Total Departure from the Homeland, in The Heroic Battle of Aintab.”
The lecture will detail the Turkish-French War from 1920 to 1921. Attendees will learn how Armenians struggled and survived the war as documented in the book “The Heroic Battle of Aintab,” by Kevork Baboian.
Kurt will recount his English translation of Baboian’s book and its significance based on eyewitness accounts of people living in the city of Aintab during wartime.
The lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m., at the University Business Center in the Alice Peters Auditorium. It is open to the public, and free parking is available in lots P5 and P6.
For more information, contact the Armenian Studies Program at (559) 278-2669 or visit their website, www.fresnostate.edu/armenianstudies.