Author: Elizabeth Jabejian

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Feb 14 2007

CE ATTACHES PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO ELECTRONIC MEDIA IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, February 14. /ARKA/. CE attaches paramount importance to
electronic media in Armenia, special representative of the CE
Secretary-General to Armenia Boyana Urumova at the "Objectivity,
balance and impartiality in covering the elections" round-table
discussion held on February 13-14 in Yerevan.
According to Urumova, electronic media play an important role in
providing impartial coverage of the elections due to their wide
spread all over the world and particularly in Armenia. That is why CE
attaches importance to the pluralism in the electronic mass media of
Armenia on the eve of the elections, Urumova said.
The "Objectivity, balance and impartiality in covering the elections"
round-table discussion was held by the CE Department for Mass Media
together with "Internews" and the Yerevan Press Club. N.V. -0–

Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), Iran
Dec 1 2006

Iran-Armenia expand agricultural cooperation Service: Economy

ISNA – Tehran
Service: Economy

TEHRAN, Dec. 01 (ISNA)-Iran’s minister of agriculture trip to Yerevan
resulted in various agreement notes between Iran and Armenia.

According to the agreements made producing and growing decorative
plants in Armenia were emphasized on.

Iran also announced readiness to cooperate in the construction of
garden houses in Armenia.

Both sides also agreed to exchange various kinds of cold water and
hot water fishes and holding short term courses for design and
carrying out modern methods of watering in Armenia.

It was also agreed that Armenia exported 2 thousand tones of life
stock sheep and 6 thousand tones of life stock calf annually to Iran
from 2007 to 2009.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
BEIN G DIFFERENT IS GOD’S GIFT AND CALL
(Dialogue with the youth- Number 6)
It has been a consistent truth that when individuals and communities have
blindly affirmed their ‘difference’, they have generated religious, national
and cultural tensions. This exclusive behaviour has more times than not led
to alienation. We should avoid this sort of exclusive and alienating
behaviour. In fact, acknowledging diversity is an important aspect of
Christianity.
Diversity is manifest in God’s nature as Trinity and is an essential part
of His revelation and work. For Christians, therefore, diversity is a
profoundly important concept.
1) Diversity is God’s Gift. God created for us a world of diversity.
God-given diversity is sustained by coherence and interaction, wholeness and
integrity. Diversity, which is a dominant feature of the human race, has
produced identities and roots.
2) Diversity is God’s Call. God called people to be the steward of His
creation, to be His ‘co-worker’. What a distinct privilege, indeed. We are
called to witness the richness of diversity and preserve and enhance it for
the fulfilment of God’s design for humanity and creation.
Today we are living in multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious
societies. As Armenian Christians how should we respond to God’s call to
preserve and protect diversity? The direction we should take to deal
responsibly with pluralism in the context of our Christian
self-understanding and vocation is clear, we must:
a) Affirm our identity. Roots shape identity, ensure continuity, safeguard
integrity and give security. Because identity is not only a social necessity
but also a vital dimension of human existence and self-understanding, in
order to occupy a specific place in human society, we must remain faithful
to our identity. In order to give substance and meaning to our life, we must
attach ourselves firmly to those values, traditions and beliefs that
constitute our specific identity.
b) Respect the other’s identity. While we should remain faithful to our
identity, we must respect the other’s identity. Affirming our identity does
not mean becoming its prisoner. The other is not our enemy; he or she is our
neighbour, our fellow human being. Hence, we do not have the right, under
any circumstances, to impose our values and reject those of the other.
Mutual respect and mutual acceptance must determine the way we treat each
other.
c) Understand ourselves in relation to the other. The globalised and
interdependent world of today compels us to broaden our sense of identity. I
am because you are, and you are because I am; we are, indeed,
interconnected. Self-centred and self-contained identity breed intolerance.
When we recognize the values of the other, we gain strength and become
responsive to the challenges of our times.
d) Work towards deepening common values. Living together with others as a
community means that our values and perspectives, our traditions and beliefs
are in harmony with the other. Living together may produce harmonious
community in one place; yet, in other place, it may engender fragmentation.
Therefore, we must commit ourselves to a dialogue of values; we must also
deepen the core values rooted in our belief systems, in our cultures and our
common humanity.
e) Learn to live as a community of diversities. God not only created us to
be different, He also called us to live together peacefully with our
differences. This is precisely the Christian understanding of community
which implies diversity. When diversities creatively interact, then
community is built; when diversities collide, then community is destroyed.
Societies cannot progress without diversities. And the community is enriched
and strengthened by reconciled diversities.*
In our ‘global village’, we have become global citizens; we have become
interdependent. We are no longer strangers; we are neighbours. We share many
things with our fellow human beings. We have commonalities, but we also have
differences. Because God created us different, we must respect the other’s
right to be different. Rejecting the other as an expression of our
faithfulness to our values and identity will polarize us and lead to
violence. By rejecting the other, we deny his or her humanity. Rejection
creates exclusiveness and exclusiveness fragments the community. Our
differences must interact, not collide; they must lead us to dialogue, not
isolation. We must transform living together into a source of mutual
responsibility and accountability.
The Armenian people have a long and rich experience of living together
with others. Interaction with our environment has fostered our resolve to
preserve our identity. It has also helped us to broaden our perspectives,
enhance our knowledge and enrich our experience. Indeed, the very fact that
a church of apostolic origin, the Armenian Church, and an ancient people,
the Armenian people, have survived the upheavals and vicissitudes of history
is an eloquent testimony to the courage, openness and commitment to live as
community in the midst of diversities. The same vision should guide us
today. The youth have a pivotal role to play in this respect.
ARAM I
CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA
5 November 2006
Antelias-Lebanon
——————————– ——————————————–
* I have elaborated some of these thoughts in my new book, For a Church
beyond its walls, which is under publication.

ELMAR MAMMADYAROV: THERE ARE STILL DISAGREEMENTS IN THE KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 16 2006
We discussed the suggestion presented by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
in Moscow and came to the conclusion to continue the talks, said the
Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov, commenting on the
results of the meeting with Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian, Mediamax
agency reports.
Elmar Mammadyarov informed that after the November 20 the OSCE Minsk
Group Co-chairs will visit Yerevan and Baku. They suggested to arrange
the meeting of Presidents following their visit to the region. Azeri
Foreign Minister considers that the meeting of Presidents may be held
November 28 in Minsk in the framework of the summit of CIS leaders.
Commenting on the course of the talks with RA Foreign Minister,
Mammadyarov said here are still disagreements. He noted also that for
two years negotiations have been held in the framework of the Prague
process, and Armenia understands the position of Azerbaijan. “It is
still early to speak about any progress. It will be possible only
after the meeting of the Presidents,” said Elmar Mammadyarov. He
noted that the talks will be completed this year.

HERITAGE HEADQUARTERS FORCIBLY VACATED, SEALED: WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF?
Lragir.am
31 May 06
Yerevan, 30.05.06, ACNIS. Today at noon, as Raffi Hovannisian and
his colleagues were at work, the Heritage Party’s main office was
surrounded and entered by a group of 10 uniformed bailiffs from
the Service for Mandatory Execution of Judicial Acts (SMEJA) of the
Ministry of Justice.
In an unprecedented and incredible reversal of their execution
yesterday of the Court’s April 14 injunction against the defendant
theater’s restriction of access to Hovannisian’s premises and property,
and without further court order, the ministry officials, led by Vahram
Yenokian and joined by Yerevan’s commando-clad “chief evicter” Tigran
Tadevosian, forcibly vacated the premises, evicting Hovannisian and
his staff from the headquarters which has been theirs for 12 years
and which they had succeeded in reentering just yesterday, nearly
three months after its initial closure. All office doors, external
and internal, were then sealed.
As part of the official report prepared by Yenokian and his underlings,
Raffi Hovannisian recorded that “the instant operation by the SMEJA
bailiffs, who are supposed to be servants of the law, is illegal,
a travesty of civil rights and justice, and a sad reflection of the
subservience of the judiciary to the whims, caprices, and personal
interests of the executive branch of power, in particular the incumbent
presidency. I am being compelled to leave under the threat of force
and against my will.”
Upon the formal closing of his office within 24 hours of its hopeful
reopening, Hovannisian condemned the petty, parochial fear that drives
such acts of lawless retribution across the Republic, and vowed to
continue his quest, together with his fellow citizens, to achieve a
nation of laws, rights, and dignity.

SERGE SARGSYAN: I DON’T THINK COLOR REVOLUTION THREATENS ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
08.03.2006 20:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “A revolution will hardly take place in Armenia,”
RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan told Russian journalists. “I think
this phase is already over, since revolutions are attractive during a
certain period for a certain part of the society. Then soberness and
understanding come. I have always been an adherent to evolutionary
but not revolutionary development,” he added. “I do not think color
revolution threatens Armenia. The Armenian society is able to develop
evolutionary. This September we will mark the 15th anniversary of our
republic. 15 years in not very much but for Armenia it’s a sufficient
term to be considered a mature state.
Unfortunately our first republic existed several months only and
these 15 years is an achievement for us,” Serge Sargsyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Daily Pioneer, India
Oct 16 2005
Shekhawat’s tour-de-force

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat is respected for many
qualities – canny politician, able administrator, mass leader,
legislative skills (having been MLA or MP almost uninterruptedly
since 1952).

But one thing that would not generally be attributed to him is the
ability to conduct international diplomacy. I was, therefore, struck
by his supreme confidence, linguistic agility and informal charm in
his interactions with politicians and bureaucrats alike during his
visit to three European countries earlier this month.

The Vice-President headed an official Indian delegation on a goodwill
mission to Romania, Belarus and Armenia between October 1 and 8,
perhaps the highest profile visit by an Indian leader since the
collapse of the Socialist Bloc and the Soviet Union in the early
1990s. I was privileged to have been among the four Rajya Sabha MPs
selected to accompany him. Unfortunately, I could not join him from
the start and missed the Romania leg. So, I flew to the Belarus
capital of Minsk and traveled with him for the rest of the journey.

What struck me about Mr Shekhawat’s style was its easy informality.
Far too often have I observed Indian leaders get frightfully pompous
and self-important when they interact with foreign dignitaries. For
example, while handing over the symbolic key to 60 Indian tractors
donated to Armenia, the Vice-President repeatedly emphasised the need
to ensure their ownership was not left made collective. “Unless
farmers have a sense of belonging to their land and farm implements,
they will never look after them.

These tractors will not be properly maintained and the purpose of
donating them would be lost,” he told the Armenian Agriculture
Minister who concurred with this view. On many such occasions,
including his meetings with the Presidents of Belarus and Armenia, Mr
Shekhawat departed from written texts to make incisive observations
about global realities and India’s perception of its role in the 21st
century world. I found it remarkable that a man who has only been
regarded as a regional leader from Rajasthan so far, has not stopped
learning while his sharp mind has internalised nuances of
international diplomacy. He was also not squeamish about talking in
Hindi as he could express himself best in his mother tongue. For some
reason, most Indian politicians insist on speaking in English with
dignitaries from non-English speaking nation even though those
leaders communicate in their national language.

The visit was also an eye-opener for me as so little is known about
Belarus and Armenia in India. The two countries are also real studies
in contrast that left me wondering how people as diverse as the two
ever coexisted as part of the same political union. Belarus, for
instance, is aggressively Russian in many ways, language and culture
included.

Besides, it is also firmly anti-West and fearful of the US
instigating an “Orange Revolution” on the lines of Georgia, Ukraine
and Kyrghyzstan. It’s President, George Lukashenko is regarded as a
tough, Soviet-era administrator, unsympathetic to the need for
political reform. On a visit to their Senate building, the upper
House Speaker bluntly told us that people in his country were opposed
to “disruptive” Opposition antics as a result of which they had
elected just one such candidate to the 64-member Senate! But Belarus
is prospering and its buoyant economy appears to be a guarantee
against the “disruptive” Opposition making any electoral headway in
the foreseeable future.

Armenia, on the other hand, is relatively poor and decidedly
non-Russian. I hardly spotted any signboard in the Russian script,
neither do major buildings in its picturesque capital city of Yerevan
sport a Soviet appearance unlike structures in Minsk. On a hill
overlooking Yerevan there used to be a gigantic statue of Stalin,
which has now been replaced with a huge stone structure representing
Mother Armenia.

Incidentally, Armenia is among the few countries in the world that
unambiguously supports the Indian position on Jammu and Kashmir.
Their logic is simple: Armenia is encircled by Muslim republics
Azerbaijan and Turkey, while Muslim-dominated regions of the Russian
Federation, like Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan and Chechnya are also
among its neighbours. Armenians were subjected to one of the world’s
worst genocide by the Turks and Turkey retains its control over Mount
Ararat, worshipped by the Armenians as holy. It is on Mount Ararat
that Noah’s Arc is believed to have rested during the Biblical
floods.

Armenia has also been feuding with neighbour Azerbaijan for
legitimising its occupation of the Christian-majority region of
Nagorno-Karabakh, a claim the Azeris hotly dispute. Unwilling to
offend Islamic sentiment, India maintains an ambivalent position on
the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is good enough for
Armenia.

India says it does not want to lose leverage with Islamic rebels in
the region and the proactive albeit outgoing Indian Ambassador to
Armenia paid a hush-hush visit to Chechnya last year to plead with
Chechen terrorist chief Basayev (architect of the Beslan massacre of
350 schoolchildren) to restrain militant Chechens from joining the
Pak-sponsored jehad in Kashmir. This piece of information came as a
shock to me since I had always believed India never supped with
global terrorist chieftains. Basayev has probably killed as many
innocents as Osama bin Laden, apart from running a viciously violent
terror campaign against friendly Russia.

A rather fascinating facet of Armenia is its quaint, orthodox version
of Christianity. Armenians are proud of being the world’s first
Christian community and their Church predates all others, including
the Russian Orthodox whose teachings they consider dangerously
liberal.

Yet, the Armenian variant of Christianity is remarkably tolerant in
its approach to other faiths. During a visit to their equivalent of
the Vatican where the Armenian Pope (currently Karegin II) resides,
we were taken on a guided tour of the original church beneath which
lay an ancient pagan fire temple. We were told that Jesus Christ
appeared before priest Gregory in a dream in 301 AD and asked for a
temple to be built at that particular spot. It was only during
renovations as recently as 1958 that ruins of the fire temple were
discovered deep under the church, explaining the choice of the site.

The church authorities decided not only to restore the fire temple
despite its pagan origins but also proudly proclaim this fact to
visitors. Like every other religious order, the Armenian Church is
facing a severe shortage of priests. His Holiness Karegin II lamented
the steady exodus of Armenians from India who once numbered thousands
but have been reduced to a bare 100 now, making it difficult to tend
to rituals in the centuries-old Armenian churches in Kolkata and
Chennai. Shortage of hands is not confined to the religious order:
The Armenian diaspora at 6 million is more the double the country’s 3
million inhabitants today.

I found the Armenians to be a cheerful and jovial people, their women
are undoubtedly among the most beautiful in the world. The
conviviality of their President Robert Kocherian was, thus, very much
in keeping with their national character.

The President entered the imposing meeting room of his official
residence for talks with Vice-President Shekhawat and stumped
everybody by instantly demanding to be introduced to Mr KL Kochhar,
media adviser to the Vice-President. He proceeded to explain that
Kocherian in Armenian meant son of Kocher and so he wanted to
ascertain if there was an Armenian connection to the Indian
delegation. Since our Mr Kochhar had little resemblance to any
European, President Kocherian ended up disappointed!
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Regnum, Russia
Oct 8 2005
Serzh Sarkisyan: Cooperation of Armenia and NATO doesn’t hamper
cooperation with CSTO
Armenian cooperation with NATO cannot harm in any way the cooperation
with CSTO, Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisyan said, who is
currently participating in the seminar of NATO and Armenia
`Rose-Roth’ on the topic of `The security on South Caucasus.’
The minister informed the participants that the plan of Armenian
individual partnership with NATO (IPAP) has already been sent to
different state institutions and several responses have already been
received.
The main reason for Armenia to join IPAP is to form the defense
system of the 21st century. Participation in IPAP means periodical
consultations with NATO on the issues of regional security,
development of the security system, creation of an Armenian defense
doctrine, improvement of war budget system, military education and
Special Forces coordination.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:
COMMUNIQUE

ASSIGNMENTS OF DEACONS OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE

During the past two years the Western Diocese has been expanding its
horizons by establishing new parishes and assigning visiting priests
to smaller communities in order to better serve the needs of the
entire Diocese.
We would like to emphasize that since his election Eminence
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, has
ordained a large number of Acolytes, Sub-Deacons and Deacons, who
serve their respective churches along with their pastors.
It is also worthwhile to mention that His Eminence places equal
emphasis on small communities who have the hunger for Armenian
prayers and spiritual nourishment. We are happy to state that we have
several Deacons within the Diocese who as candidates of the priesthood
are enrolled in higher level courses of theology as well as a two-year
training course offered by the Diocese. Graduates of the Kevorkian
Seminary in Etchmiadzin, these candidates will continue their
education at the St. Nersess Seminary in New Rochelle, NY.
The Primate has assigned specific tasks to the Deacons and
Sub-deacons serving in the Diocese, such as Youth Director, Pastor’s
Assistant, etc. Below we have listed the assignments of the Diocesan
Deacons.

1. DEACON DR. VAROUJ ALTEBARMAKIAN
Member of Supreme Spiritual Council of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin
Chairman of the Diocesan Council

2. SUB-DEACON MATTHEW ASH – student of THEOLOGY
Youth Director of the Diocese

3. DEACON HAGOP ISKENIAN
Spiritual Administrator of Holy Cross Armenian Church, Turlock
Spiritual Administrator of California Home, Fresno

4. DEACON MAYIS SHAHBAZIAN – student of THEOLOGY
Pastor’s Assistant, Armenian Church of La Verne

5. DEACON VAHE ABOVYAN – student of THEOLOGY
Pastor’s Assistant, St. John Garabed Armenian Church, Hollywood
Deacon in charge of LA Children’s Hospital
Director of the 4th and 5th sessions of Summer Camp

6. DEACON TIGRAN GARIBJANYAN – student of THEOLOGY
Spiritual Administrator of prisons and visiting deacon of Glendale
hospitals

7. DEACON MKRTICH KSACHIKYAN – student of THEOLOGY
Pastor’s Assistant, St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys

8. DEACON KEROP ARTENIAN
St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood
Member of the Kevorkian Alumni Association

9. DEACON Dr. SARKIS MESROBIAN
St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles
In charge of Bible Study at St. James Armenian Church
Primate’s representative on Health Task Force, Los Angeles Council
of Religious Leaders

10. SUB-DEACON SARKIS SEKAYAN
Armenian Apostolic Church of Santa Clarita (Valencia)

11. DEACON BARLOW DER-MUGRDECHIAN
In charge of conferences at the Diocese and liaison to universities
Spiritual Director of the Council of Diocesan Deacons
Member of the Diocesan Council
Chair of the Clergy Recruitment Committee

12. DEACON HAMLET MEHRABIAN
Ararat Home, Mission Hills
Chairman of the Kevorkian Alumni Association

13. DEACON kEVORK PARSEGHIAN
Assistant to Visiting Priest, Armenian Apostolic Church of Portland,
Oregon
Chair of the Parish Council

14. Deacon heros yeghiayan
Assistant to Visiting Priest, Armenian Apostolic Church, Reno,
Nevada

15. DEACON HAGOP AJEMIAN
Primate’s representative for the Armenian Ecclesiastical Brotherhood

16. Deacon VAN DER-MUGRDECHIAN
Director of Curriculum, Diocesan Summer Camp

17. Deacon ROD JORJORIAN
Pastor’s Assistant at St. James Armenian Church, Sacramento

18. Deacon HRANT AGAJANIAN
Member of Diocesan Stewardship Committee
Member of the Kevorkian Alumni Association

19. Deacon STEPAN GEOZUMIAN
Director of Khatchadourian Choir
Director of United Choir of the Western Diocese

20. Deacon YEGHIA JENDIAN
In charge of archives and database of clergy and deacons

21. DEACON KEVORK PANOYAN, PASADENA
Teacher of Armenian hymns

22. DEACON MIHRAN TOUMAJAN
Pastor’s Assistant, St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena
Representative of St. Gregory Armenian Church in Sunday School
Member of Parish Council
Member of Diocesan Protocol Committee

23. DEACON CARL BARDAKIAN
Pastor’s Assistant, St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena
Member of Parish Council
Assembly Delegate

24. DEACON VAHE CHARKHUTIAN
Pastor’s Assistant, Armenian Apostolic Church of Whittier
Chair of Parish Council

25. SUB-DEACON HAGOP JAMGOCHIAN
Pastor’s Assistant, Armenian Apostolic Church of Antelope Valley,
Palmdale

26. SUB-DEACON HAGOP NALBANDIAN
Pastor’s Assistant, Armenian Apostolic Church of Burbank

27. DEACON DENNIS DAKESSIAN
Pastor’s Assistant, St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, East LA

28. DEACON STEVE ADAMS
Directoe of Strategic Planning for Mission Parishes

29. SUB-DEACON FEDI GIRAGOSIAN
Pastor’s Assistant during Bible Study, St. James Armenian Church,
Los Angeles

30. DEACON NERSES OHANIAN
Liaison of Western Diocese to the ASA’s of Southern California
Universities

31. DEACON ARDAG BARAKEZIAN
Pastor’s Assistant, Armenian Apostolic Church of La Canada and
Crescenta Valley, Tujunga

32. DEACON GEORGE KHATCHADRIAN
Pastor’s Assistant, Armenian Apostolic Church of La Canada and
Crescenta Valley, Tujunga

33. DEACON HOVSEP MELKONIAN
Pastor’s Assistant, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, Pasadena

34. DEACON Stephen arakelian
Pastor’s Assistant, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, Costa Mesa

35. DEACON ARA DAKESSIAN
Pastor’s Assistant, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, Costa Mesa

36. DEACON DR. HRAIR DEKMEJIAN
Pastor’s Assistant, St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church, Youth
Center, Glendale

37. HAYK MADOYAN
Editor of religious textbooks

OFFICE OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE

October 3, 2005
Burbank, California
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA PRESIDENT CONGRATULATED ARMEN JIGARKHANIAN WITH 70-TH BIRTHDAY
Pan Armenian News
03.10.2005 04:10
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian sent a
congratulatory message to well known actor, head of the Moscow Drama
Theater Armen Jigarkhanian on the occasion of his 70-th birthday,
RA President’s press center reported. “Dear Armen Borisovich, I
whole-heartedly congratulate You, the great master of cinema and stage
with your 70-th birthday. Thanks to your talent and devotion to work
You enjoy wide popularity. Your art has become a specific criterion
of enrichment of the Armenian and Russian cultures. Congratulating
You on the jubilee I wish You good health and every success,” the
President’s message says.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress