Author: Emil Lazarian

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
June 24, 2005
___________________
DETROIT-AREA COMMUNITY WELCOMES VEHAPAR
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, arrived in Detroit, MI, to a joyous welcome on Tuesday, June
21, 2005. Though not his first visit to the area, it was his first as
Catholicos.
He flew in on Tuesday, June 21, following a month-long pontifical visit
to the Western Diocese, on a plane provided by Richard Manoogian’s Masco
Corporation. The Catholicos was joined in the trip by Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese.
They were greeted at the Detroit airport by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern);
Armenia’s ambassador to the United States, Tatoul Markarian; Richard
Manoogian; Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate; Fr. Garabed
Kochakian, pastor of the St. John Church of Southfield, MI; members of
the parish council at the St. John Church; and students from the
Manoogian school.
WELCOME TO DETROIT
The delegation attended a welcoming brunch, hosted by the Masco
Corporation, which was also attended by Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan,
Primate of Canada; a representative of Michigan’s governor, leaders from
Habitat for Humanity, and Diocesan Council members.
In remarks to the group, Ambassador Markarian spoke about the importance
of the Armenian Church in the past and how it continues to play a
leading role in the life of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenians
around the globe.
In his remarks, the Catholicos thanked his host, Richard Manoogian, and
spoke about the international reputation of his parents, Alex and Marie,
who were known as great benefactors of the Armenian community. He
marveled that Richard and his sister Louise have continued in their
parents’ tradition of supporting Armenian causes.
In recognition of his continued service to the Armenian people, the
Catholicos presented Mr. Manoogian with a gold and silver cross from the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
HRASHAPAR SERVICE
The following day, Tuesday, June 22, after working on a home with
Habitat for Humanity, the Catholicos celebrated a hrashapar service at
the St. John Church of Southfield, MI.
The large church was packed with parishioners. Speaking to them, the
Catholicos expressed great joy at seeing so many faithful attend the
special service. He told the crowd that their sisters and brothers in
the Republic of Armenia sent their blessings to the community in
Detroit.
He encouraged the group to be faithful of the traditions of the Armenian
Church. This year holds two anniversaries for the Armenian people, he
said: the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet
and the 90th anniversary of the Genocide. While one event is joyful,
the Catholicos said, the other reminds us all of the sorrowful history
of the Armenian people.
During the service the Catholicos presented Archbishop Barsamian with a
silver vessel filled with holy muron in an expression of appreciation.
MEETING THE PARISHIONERS
The Catholicos then met with the parishioners of the St. John Church in
a public reception. Each parishioner had a chance to step forward and
receive a pontifical blessing from the Catholicos.
Following the reception, the Catholicos attended a luncheon with parish
leaders. It was an opportunity for dialogue between the local leaders
and the Catholicos. They discussed a wide range of issues in an open
and frank manner.
“We are all grateful that the Catholicos was able to visit Detroit, one
of our great local communities,” Archbishop Barsamian said. “I was
heartened to see so many people coming out to welcome him and to attend
the badarak.”
BUILDING UPON A FOUNDAITON OF FAITH
The pontifical visit to the Detroit Armenian community was a chance for
the Catholicos to encourage a rejuvenation of the Armenian faith.
“All of us are being called to build upon the foundation we have
inherited, and to do more: to beautify that inheritance, and strengthen
it, for the sake of the future,” Archbishop Barsamian said during the
stop at the St. John Church. “Certainly, that is the task that Vehapar
has taken on in Armenia, where he has worked to revitalize the spiritual
life of our countrymen. And as faithful Armenians of the diaspora, it
should be our duty — your privilege really — to offer our best
efforts, our strongest support, and our deepest prayers of hope, for the
success of this re-birth of faith in our homeland, and among all the
Armenian communities of the world.”
Fr. Kochakian said that more than 1,000 people attended the service at
the church, with families brining all their young children. Many people
who had not been involved in the parish’s life before signed up to serve
as ushers or be members of the Women’s Guild.
“The Vehapar’s presence effectuated a lot of ministry to the parish and
gave it an injection of spirit,” Fr. Kochakian said. “It was an
excitement this parish hasn’t seen in years. He expressed verbally how
moved he was that everyone knew how to greet him. It gave him the
message that everyone was ready to serve with him for the good of the
church. He said he left with a great sense of spiritual satisfaction.”
— 6/24/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, and Richard Manoogian in front of a photo
of Mr. Manoogian’s father Alex.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): The Catholicos presents a cross to Richard Manoogian
during a reception welcoming the Catholicos to Detroit, MI, on June 21,
2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): The Catholicos speaks to the standing-room-only
crowd at the St. John Church of Southfield, MI, on June 22, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Fr. Garabed Kochakian, pastor of the St. John Church
of Southfield, MI, along with parish council chair Edward Korkoian and
Dn. Richard Norsigian, present the Catholicos with miniature
reproductions of the church’s beautiful new tile mosaics.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AllAfrica.com, Africa
June 24 2005
Venaani Warns Against Ethnicity And Tribalism
New Era (Windhoek)
June 23, 2005
Posted to the web June 24, 2005
Frederick Philander
Windhoek
“I TABLE the motion on tribalism and ethnicity cognisant of the fact
that our country was disadvantaged by 100 years of colonisation and
white minority apartheid rule.”
With these words, young and firebrand DTA parliamentarian, McHenry
Venaani, yesterday motivated this motion in the National Assembly.

“Many African nations have gone through long and protracted
conflicts, influenced and sometimes fuelled by ethnicity and
tribalism. Our nation’s human struggle, too, was long and bitter.
Finally, apartheid was defeated and a dream Namibia became a
reality,” Venaani reminded the House from the outset.
In his opinion, ethnic conflict comes a long way from biblical times
and continues to prevail in modern times.
“In recent times, the Turkish government was suspected and accused of
murdering 1,5 million Armenians, the Nazis in Germany killed six
million Jews, mass murders occurred in some parts of the world as
well as Africa in particular, inspired and fostered by ethnic
conflicts. Granted, ethnicity exists anywhere where the human race
manifests itself. The challenge is how best it can be managed by
nations,” the DTA man, who also referred to the Rwanda and Burundi
conflicts between the Hutus and the Tutsis, said.
“This is an example of how ethnicity can impact negatively on
society. Such actions of brutality and contempt of human rights
violations should and must never be repeated on the African
continent.
However, the current conflicts in the DRC, Eritrea and Darfour region
in Sudan are all clear manifestations of eminent ethnic conflicts
that threaten human development, peace and social progress,” he
eloquently warned the House.
According to him, the eminent public opinion on tribalism and
ethnicity that exists warrants a national introspection and
stocktaking.
“Namibia as a country will and shall not remain immune to ethnic
conflicts that may lead to any extent with time. The attempts of the
Caprivi secessionists are clear warning signs of ethnic conflict in
our country. Petty border disputes between ethnic groups and
sub-clans in the country should also not be taken lightly,” he
cautioned.
In his opinion, Namibians should be pro-active and macro-manage
ethnic diversity that manifests itself in the country.
“No ethnic group in this country represents 53 percent of the total
population on its own. We inherited unbalanced apartheid structures
such as the civil service, the armed and police forces and replaced
them all with the same unbalanced structures, only in black fashion,
since the former was a white dominated structure,” he charged.
He said the spread of ethnicity and tribalism should be controlled
especially in appointments in the public sector.
“I do not believe that competency should be swallowed by ethnic
representation demands, but surely no one ethnic group can claim
higher competency levels in all spheres than others. Persons
currently benefiting from this practice of tribalism, either by
accident or per intention, cannot be blamed. However, the policy
implementers should be collectively blamed,” he said.
He charged: “Our country is experiencing a dangerous and alarming
practice of tribalism and ethnicity. At every level of governance, it
is clear that one observes employees that either hail from one
specific village region and tribe. Nearly each department is stocked
with individuals in charge from one specific tribe or region. The
question is why does it happen that some ethnic groups dominate
others beyond proportions?”
He also cited examples in the public sector where one tribe dominates
others, such as in bursary allocation in the Ministry of Education.
“Since 1992, bursaries allocated represented 84 percent given to one
specific tribe. This is an unhealthy situation that for the next 10
to 20 years, academic and tertiary jobs will be exclusively allocated
to this group, evidence of a perpetuation of certain ethnic groups or
tribes advancement. Members of this tribe shall remain job creators
and the less fortunate tribes would be jobseekers if a remedy is not
found for this imbalance,” Venaani, who charged that the same
tendencies are present in the police, foreign service and civil
servant permanent secretaries, argued.
“Ethnicity and tribalism is not among the top levels alone, but also
at lower levels of governance such as in the prison services. Very
few other ethnic groups can claim non-dominance in certain government
structures.
With this in mind I call for the appointment of a national group to
research the prevalence and impact of ethnicity and tribalism at all
levels of government and the society,” he suggested.
The motion also asked for the establishment of an ad hoc
parliamentary committee to investigate and research other countries
that have developed policies or laws.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Karabakh leader says ready to cooperate with Dashnaks
Haykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
22 Jun 05
The leader of Nagornyy Karabakh has said he is ready to cooperate with
the opposition Dashnaktsutyun Party despite the difficult relationship.
In an interview with the Armenian Haykakan Zhamanak daily, Arkadiy
Gukasyan accused the party of spreading false rumours ahead of the 19
June parliamentary elections which could potentially destabilize the
situation in the separatist republic. Gukasyan also said he did not
announce his plans for the forthcoming presidential elections since
this could cause panic among pro-government forces. The following is
an excerpt from Anna Israelyan’s report by Armenian newspaper Haykakan
Zhamanak on 22 June “I have not declared war on Dashnaktsutyun”;
subheadings have been inserted editorially:
[Haykakan Zhamanak correspondent] The bloc of the [Armenian]
Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun [ARFD] and Movement-88 might
reject its three seats in the NKR [Nagornyy Karabakh Republic]
National Assembly of the fourth convocation. How do you assess
prospects of this parliament acting without the opposition?
[Arkadiy Gukasyan] I think this an absurd intention. I do not think
they will do this. But if they do, this will be evidence of their
futility. I think the parliament and the country on the whole need
opposition. But I do not think that if the RFD is not in the
parliament we shall have no opposition. We shall have opposition in
any case.
[Correspondent] Represented by Azat Ayrenik [Free Motherland Party]?
[Gukasyan] This cannot be ruled out.
[Correspondent] But this party is believed to be yours.
[Gukasyan] These people are mine.
Row with Dashnaks
[Correspondent] Representatives of the RFD – Movement-88 bloc say that
you should have said before the election campaign that you were the
president of everybody and guaranteed free elections. Instead, the
last day of the election campaign, though not mentioning names, you
made a speech against a party running in the elections. Why?
[Gukasyan] I do not think so. I said I was ready to guarantee free,
fair and transparent elections. I was elected by people and always
thought I am the president of everybody. But if RFD officials say they
do not consider Arkadiy Gukasyan to be the president of the whole of
Karabakh, it is their problem.
[Correspondent] Do you mean the statement of the RFD Karabakh central
committee made on 29 December 2004 that says: “The person who became
the leader of the NKR has failed to understand the essence of his
mission and be on the appropriate level. He has failed to become the
symbol of unity and accord.”?
[Gukasyan] I cannot imagine how I can persuade them that I am the
president of everybody after these kinds of statements. But if they do
not want to see me as the president, this is their problem. They do
not represent the whole people of Karabakh.
[Correspondent] Why did the Dashnaks in Karabakh go into opposition?
Was [former NKR Minister of Education and Culture] Armen Sarkisyan’s
dismissal the only reason for this? Or is the RFD displeased with the
social and economic situation?
[Gukasyan] It would be more correct to ask the RFD this question, let
them explain. I see no serious grounds to behave in this way.
[Correspondent] Earlier we asked this question the RFD’s Karabakh
representatives and they replied that the RFD did not always agree
with your personnel and structural policies and your approaches on the
shadow economy and agricultural credit programmes.
[Gukasyan] I am sure that in the NKR we are capable of ensuring
natural economic growth and this will be obvious for everybody who
will compare Karabakh and Stepanakert of 2005 and of 1999-2000. I am
sure that we have managed to settle many social and economic problems.
I have never received any constructive offer or programme from the
RFD. It is easy to criticize, but I have never heard them propose an
alternative option.
“Karabakh is not Kyrgyzstan”
[Correspondent] On the final day of the campaign you said in your TV
speech that “false rumours are being spread that the authorities have
been instructed to put pressure on electorate, people are frightened,
and voters are forbidden to meet candidates from some political
organizations”. Why do you think these reports are groundless while
representatives of the RFD – Movement-88 bloc say they sent letters to
you and the NKR prime minister in which they mentioned the names of
the officials who committed these violations, but the letters remained
unanswered?
[Gukasyan] I received only one letter. And the information provided in
the letter was not confirmed. I am sure that the rumours spread by the
bloc are mainly false.
[Correspondent] Were you making a threat when you said in your speech:
“Any attempt by any party to destabilize the situation after the
elections will be assessed appropriately. Those who will initiate or
carry out this will be punished with the utmost rigour of the law.”?
[Gukasyan] This concerned violations as well. I am a guarantor of
stability and legality in Nagornyy Karabakh and I think I had a reason
to make this statement since certain forces and people are trying to
create an impression that it is Kyrgyzstan or Georgia here.
[Correspondent] Does this mean you were informed that the events that
took place in these countries may repeat in Karabakh?
[Gukasyan] I rule out this since Karabakh is not Kyrgyzstan. I do not
even think that this is possible in Karabakh. I did not mean real
steps but the fact that these rumours could damage stability in the
NKR.
[Correspondent] Representatives of the bloc say that you should have
made a special statement saying you are not going to be nominated for
a third term. This could certainly ease the atmosphere since the
parliamentary elections are regarded as a kind of preparation for the
2007 presidential elections.
[Gukasyan] I do not think that this statement was necessary. They
might have been more interested in another aspect: if I make such a
statement, the pro-government team will find itself in panic.
But I really do not have such an intention, especially as the law does
not allow me to run for a third term.
[Passage omitted: minor details]
No bridges burnt
[Correspondent] In its statement in December 2004, the RFD Central
Committee hoped that Arkadiy Gukasyan “will finally start improving
his relationship with Dashnaktsutyun”. Have all the bridges of mutual
understanding and cooperation been burnt?
[Gukasyan] I have not burnt any bridges. I do not think this is the
general position of Dashnaktsutyun. This is the approach of its local
officials. They have made many statements and, if you noticed, I have
not even replied to them.
The president is obliged to cooperate with all political forces. Today
I am also ready to cooperate irrespective of the number of
representatives of a certain political force in the parliament. I did
not declare war on anybody and if it seems to them that I have to make
some steps, I think it is them who have to make these steps. It is
them who are making statements that are worsening the situation.
But I would like to say that I highly appreciate the role of all the
NKR parties, including the RFD. I reiterate that I am ready to
cooperate with them, listen to them and accept any of their
constructive proposals. And I am sure that we shall cooperate.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FOREIGN MINISTER OSKANIAN MAKES SPEECH AT CONFERENCE ON IRAQ
BRUSSELS, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On June 22,
Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian participated in
an international conference on Iraq, at the invitation of the US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the Secretary General of the
European Union Javier Solana. More than 80 foreign ministers attended
the conference and discussed support for Iraq’s political transition
process, encouraging its economic recovery and reconstruction, and
helping establish the rule of law and public order in the country.
Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the UN, together with Jean Asselborn,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg which holds the EU
Presidency, as well as Secretary Rice spoke about building a renewed
international partnership to help Iraq. Representatives of the Iraqi
Transitional Government presented their vision and strategy at the
conference held in Brussels. At the conference, Minister Oskanian
said, “We commend and appreciate the simple act of convening this
conference. It was important for everyone. It was significant for
those in Iraq who need to know that the world continues to remain
engaged, and it is reinforcing for those involved in the effort to
re-build Iraq.” “The people of Iraq need and deserve the persistent
political and economic involvement of all of us around the world. Even
countries like Armenia, with modest resources, can continue to
maintain a small, symbolic presence there,” he said, referring to the
40 non-combat medical personnel who have been engaged there since the
beginning of the year. “Armenians know well the value of moral support
and the driving force of concerned onlookers. Further, as the foreign
minister of a country and a people still living through the difficult
and trying period of transition, I can tell you that it is only
through sustained economic support, through the long-term investment
of serious economic resources, that a society will begin to believe in
the prospect of peace, in the promise of democracy.” The Minister also
noted the presence of Armenians in Iraq. “Iraq is blessed with natural
resources. Those include not just those in the ground, but also the
wealth that is derived from its ethnic diversity. A sizable and old
Armenian community is part of that mix, and we know that together with
the other citizens of Iraq they look forward to contributing to Iraq’s
prosperous, peaceful future.” Minister Oskanian concluded by saying,
“Armenia, in turn, looks forward to developing and strengthening
bilateral relations with a peaceful, unified and democratic Iraq. It
is only 200 miles, as the crow flies, between our two capitals, and
the ability to easily communicate and cooperate is an exciting one for
all of us.”

AZG Armenian Daily #116, 24/06/2005
Science
INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOP IN ARMENIA IRREGULARLY
The First International Youth Conference on Informational technologies was
held in Yerevan on June 23-25. The conference was held in three universities
and was divided in three parts: informational technologies in social
sciences (the Yerevan State university), informational technologies in
Medicine and Biology (the Yerevan State Medical University), and
informational technologies in technical sciences (the Yerevan State
Polytechnic University). Harutyun Terzian, pro-rector of the Yerevan State
Polytechnic University, said that the decision to choose these three
universities was conditioned by the fact that these three directions develop
fast, as well as the influence of the informational technologies on that
process. Today, one can hardly find a sphere that wasn’t developed thanks to
the informational technologies. The organizers of the conference envisage to
include more spheres in the conference next year.
Armen Grigorian, Secretary of the Informational technologies Development and
Assistance Council at RA Prime Minister’s Office, expressed hope that the
conference, as well as the companies and the structures included in that,
will help arouse interest in the sphere and prepare more young specialists
of the international technologies. “The Informational technologies should
not be observed as a mere sphere, but as an instrument that influences the
development of all the spheres. We should use it to secure electronic
development in Armenia,” Armen Grigorian said. He said that today this
sphere doesn’t develop regularly in Armenia, stating that utilization of IT
in the spheres of education, art is on a rather low level. He added that
there is already a new counselor to RA Prime Minister who will coordinate
all the credit projects and deal with the creation of electronic management.
He said there are 4.000 specialists working in the IT sphere and if, their
number increases to 10.000, the annual profit from the sphere will amount to
1 billion.
By Tamar Minasian

LRAPER Church Bulletin
Contact: Deacon Vagarsag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (212) 516-4833
[email protected]
PILGRIMAGE TO KAYSERI
The annual pilgrimage to the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the
Illuminator in Kayseri (Caesarea Cappadocia) was held on 18 and 19 June
2005. His Beatýtude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Ýstanbul and All
Turkey, led the pilgrimage, accompanied by the Revd. Fathers John Whooley,
Myuron Ayvazyan, Kevork Cinaryan, Drtad Uzunyan and Deacon Sahag Bicakciyan.
His Beatitude the Patriarch travelled to Kayseri by plane, and after a short
rest at the Kayseri Airport lounge, he proceeded together with his entourage
to the Kayseri Armenian Church where he prayed for the spiritual benefits of
the pilgrimage.
By noon, two other groups from Ýstanbul arrived in Kayseri by bus, led by
the Very Revd. Fr. Yeghishe Uchkunyan. The Liturgy of the Word was
celebrated at 13:00 hours, following which the pilgrims travelled to Mt.
Erciyes for lunch.
His Beatitude went to the Kayseri Municipal Cemetery in order to visit the
tombs of Muharrem and Gungor Buyukmihci, a benevolent Moslem couple that he
had known for many years and who passed on, one after the other, during the
last year. The Patriarch remembered their benevolent Works and prayed for
the repose of their souls.
Patriarch Mesrob, together with his entourage, was then escorted to Taksan,
a large plant owned by the Buyukmihci family in the Incesu district outside
the city of Kayseri. Following the tour of the impressive plant which
produces machine parts to 22 foreign countries, the Patriarch and his
company were treated to a meal in the picturesque garden of a villa owned by
businessman Ahmet Buyukmihci. Having sampled the delicious Kayseri cuisine,
the Patriarch thanked the Buyukmihci family for their warm hospitality.
The Patriarch and his entourage then visited the town of Develi (formerly
Everek), where they visited the Saint Toros Armenian Church (now Fatih
Mosque) and the old Armenian Quarter. The group continued its journey in the
vicinity of Mt Erciyes, passing through the districts of Talas and Hisarcik,
and finally arriving at the Hilton where some of the pilgrims were to stay
overnight.
DIVINE LITURGY IN KAYSERI
On Sunday, 19 June 2005, the second day of the pilgrimage to Kayseri, His
Beatitude the Patriarch presided over the divine services in the Armenian
Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. The Holy Eucharist was offered by
the Very Revd. Fr. Yeghishe Uchkunyan. Altar servers were Deacon Sahag
Bicakciyan, Sub-deacon Levon Kuyumcuyan and two acolytes. Participating in
the Liturgy were 110 pilgrims from Istanbul, Musadagh, Adana, Sivas and
Canada.
Delivering his homily in the second part of the Liturgy, the Patriarch
analysed the historic events leading to the conversion of the Armenian court
at the beginning of the fourth century from a spiritual perspective.
Mentioning the passion of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the tortures he had
to endure and his imprisonment in an underground pit, the Patriarch
commented that Satan always seeks to destroy the good seeds planted by men
of God. In the Parable of the Tares, we see that Satan seeks to destroy the
good seed which has been planted in the hearts of those who have heard God’s
word. The image the Lord Jesus uses in the parable is a common everyday
example of planting, harvesting, and sorting the good fruit from the bad.
Weeds can spoil and even kill a good harvest if they are not separated and
destroyed at the proper time. On the other hand, uprooting them too early
can destroy the good work and the good plants in the process. Just like
Saint Gregory, His Beatitude exhorted that, we, too, must often continue our
work, mission and ministry despite evil attacks from Satan and his
representatives. God’s patience teaches us to guard the word he has planted
in our hearts and to beware of the destructive force of sin and evil which
can destroy it. In the end, God will reward each according to what they have
sown and reaped in this life. In that day, we believe that God will separate
the evil from the good.
The Service for the Repose of Souls followed, with the former Primate of the
Diocese of Caesarea Cappadocia, Bishop Drtad Balyan of blessed memory, and
the deceased members of the Kayseri Armenian community being commemorated.
The luncheon after the Divine Services, a generous gift of businessman Ahmet
Buyukmihci, blessed by His Beatitude, was then held in the courtyard of the
church. The final event was a visit to the Armenian cemetery in Kayseri,
following which most of the pilgrims returned by coach or car to their
respective cities.
His Beatitude the Patriarch, answering questions posed by press reporters,
spoke as follows: `This is an annual pilgrimage that we undertake every year
to this church which is a holy site for the Armenian people. It was in this
city that the second founder of the Armenian Church, Saint Gregory the
Illuminator, grew as a child in grace, studied the Holy Scriptures and
theology in the famous school of Caesarea, married, had two sons, and later,
after healing King Drtad, was ordained Bishop of Armenia Major by Archbisop
Leontius of Caesarea. This church, first built in the 11th century by
Armenians who had come from Ani, commemorates these events in the formative
period of our hierarchy as we know it today. Every Divine Liturgy celebrated
here is an occasion to remember these historic events in the life of our
Church, in situ, thank the Almighty Lord for His blessings, and to pray for
peace in our community, our country, our region and in the world. In prayer,
I am particularly reminded of all the soldiers who are mostly involuntarily
engaged in war in our region and in various corners of the world. They are
sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers to numerous
families. I pray for the safety of all soldiers. I pray for an end to these
armed conflicts and violence. I pray for peace. `
Later in the afternoon, the Patriarch, with his entourage, visited the
Archaeological Museum in Kayseri, the Covered Bazaar, the Beshtepe Hill Park
opposite Mt. Erciyes, thence travelling to and arriving in Istanbul just
before Sunday midnight.

A1plus
| 18:52:45 | 22-06-2005 | Politics | PACE SUMMER SESSION 2005 |
PROCESS OF CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS OF ARMENIA IN THE PACE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL
AFFAIRS
Today since 5:00 p.m. by Yerevan time the PACE Committee on Legal Affairs
discusses the Monitoring Committee draft resolution about the constitutional
reforms in Armenia.
Tomorrow, after the main reporter during the discussion of the Monitoring
Committee draft resolution about the constitutional reforms in Armenia, for
expressing the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs the floor will be
given to the Committee deputy President Erik Jurgens.
The opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs about the constitutional
reforms in Armenia is important as the Constitution is first and foremost a
legal document. The Legal Affairs Committee session is closed and the
journalists have no access there
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pan Armenian News
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL FORUM TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
22.06.2005 07:13
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Information Technologies youth forum initiated by the
Armenian Ministry of Education and Science and the State Engineering
University of Armenia will be held in Yerevan June 22-25. The forum
participants will focus on applying information technologies in three fields
– social science, medical and biological science as well as engineering
sciences. Specialists will make reports entitled `Current situation with
information technologies in Armenia and prospects of their development’,
`Information technologies and problems of their development in social
science’. The forum will proceed under the chairmanship of Armenian Minister
of Education and Science Sergo Yeritsyan. Awards for best reports will be
handed upon the completion of the forum.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UEFA
June 22 2005

Football Europe: Zanazanyan gives up Banants role

/noticias.info/ The coach of Armenian UEFA Cup contenders FC Banants,
Hovhannes Zanazanyan, has resigned but will continue as
vice-president of the club.
Second spell
Zanazanyan had two spells in charge of Banants. In 2003 the club came
second in the league and reached the Armenian Cup final, while the
following season Banants finished third, earning their European place
for 2005/06. After the first half of the current championship it was
decided that Zanazanyan would leave his post to concentrate on his
duties as vice-president with the club second, three points behind FC
Pyunik.
UEFA Cup draw
The interim coach will be his former assistant Ashot Barsegyan. As a
player, Barsegyan won the Armenian Cup with Banants in 1992, and will
discover their UEFA Cup first qualifying round opponents on Friday
when they draw is made. The club is set to meet a team from either
Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova or Georgia on 14 and 28 July.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AMERICAN AVENUE 1
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TELEPHONE (+374 10) 46 47 00; 46 47 01; 46 47 02
E-MAIL: [email protected]
June 21, 2005
Senator Norm Coleman visits Armenia
On June 21, 2005 U.S. Ambassador John Evans and approximately fifteen
volunteers from the U.S. Embassy joined Habitat for Humanity in a project to
build a home in the village of Mayakovski in the Kotayk region. Through this
project, volunteers from the U.S. Embassy, along with a group of
international volunteers, helped construct the first ever home for the
Avagyan family. The project took place concurrently with the Jimmy Carter
Work Project, during which former president Jimmy Carter partnered with
Habitat for Humanity and the Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All
Armenians Hi Holiness Karekin II to construct a series of homes in the U.S.
state of Michigan.
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a non-denominational
Christian, non-governmental, non-profit housing organization that has helped
more than 1,000,000 people of all races, religions, and backgrounds to have
simple, decent, and affordable places to live. Habitat for Humanity Armenia
is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity and supports community development
in the Republic of Armenia by assisting in the construction of homes for
families in need. The purpose of the organization is to help families
improve their living conditions, to raise funds to support this vital work,
and to give hope to people across the country. The organization was formed
in March 2000 and, to date, has dedicated 122 homes and has provided shelter
for more than 600 people across Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress