Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Sevan Nisanyan to be released: Court orders Istanbul-Armenian scholar to leave Greece voluntarily

Emil Lazarian

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 13:08, 7 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 7, ARMENPRESS. The Syros administrative court released an order according to which prominent Istanbul-Armenian scholar and writer Sevan Nisanyan will be released on January 7.

The Armenian Embassy in Greece reports that Nisanyan must leave Greece voluntarily within 15 days according to the court decision.

“As Sevan Nisanyan is a citizen of Armenia, he can leave for Armenia if he wishes”, the Embassy said.

Sevan Nisanyan was sentenced to 17 years in prison in Turkey in 2014 on charges of illegal construction, a case he claims was punishment for his outspoken views about restrictions on freedom of _expression_ in the country. In 2017 he fled a Turkish prison and asked for a shelter to Greek authorities. Nisanyan is now facing a deportation from Greece as his residency permit was not renewed and he was placed into custody on December 30.




Kazakhstan’s President thanks Prime Minister Pashinyan for deployment of CSTO peacekeepers

Emil Lazarian

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 14:13, 7 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 7, ARMENPRESS. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan – the current chairman of the CSTO Collective Security Council, as well as the leaders of the other CSTO member states Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for the decision to send a joint peacekeeping contingent to Kazakhstan.

“As you know, pursuant to the main clauses of the CSTO charter documents, Kazakhstan applied to the leaders of the member states requesting the deployment of a joint peacekeeping continent to support in establishing constitutional order. This contingent arrived to our country for a brief period of time for carrying out protection and logistics. I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister of Armenia – who is now presiding in the CSTO, as well as the presidents of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. I am relaying special thanks to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. He reacted to my request very swiftly, and most importantly warmly and as a friend,” President Tokayev said in a message.

Armenian denomination celebrates Christmas

Emil Lazarian
Jan 6 2022

SANA
7th January 2022, 00:09 GMT+11

Damascus, SANA – The Armenian denomination which follows the Eastern calendar celebrated on Thursday Christmas, the birth of Christ, Messenger of love and peace.

On this occasion, a holy mass was held at St. Sarkis Church for the Armenian Orthodox in Damascus presided over by Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Orthodox Church Diocese of Damascus.

Nalbandian delivered a sermon, in which he talked about the sublime meanings of the glorious Christmas, urging that Jesus and the life he lived be imitated.

Nalbandian called to remember the virtues associated with the glorious feast, the first of which is salvation and humility.

He concluded his sermon, praying for God to bless Syria and to spread security, stability and prosperity across the country and to bless all Syrians, led by the heroes of the Syrian Arab Army who have remained steadfast in the face of terrorism in all its forms for more than a decade under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.

Manar Salameh/ Ruaa al-Jazaeri

Armenia sends troops to quell Kazakhstan protests

Emil Lazarian
Jan 6 2022
ByAni Avetisyan

The Armenian Government, which came to power through anti-government street protests in 2018, has agreed to send troops to help quell anti-government protests in Kazakhstan as part of a joint ‘peacekeeping mission’.

On Wednesday night, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) would send forces to Kazakhstan ‘for a limited time’ to ‘normalise and stabilise’ the situation. 

Armenia has held the rotating chair of the Russian-led military bloc since September 2021.

In the announcement, Pashinyan claimed, without evidence, that the protests across Kazakhstan were the result of ‘external intervention’. 

According to reports, dozens of protesters and 12 police officers have died in clashes between protesters and security forces in Kazakhstan, while hundreds have been wounded. The protests erupted on 4 January against an increase in gas prices, however, protesters’ demands quickly expanded to include political reforms.

The CSTO agreed to send military aid at the request of Kazakhstan’s authoritarian government following consultations between Armenia with the treaty’s other member states.

Kazakhstan’s request was made on the basis of Article 4 of the CSTO charter, which covers members’ obligation to mutual defence.

According to the security bloc’s official statement, peacekeeping troops from all member states are set to join the mission — Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. According to Russian state-owned news outlet Sputnik Armenia, over 70 Armenian service members will take part.

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry also issued a statement, saying that it was following events in Kazakhstan ‘with concern’. 

Pashinyan’s statements as CSTO chair and his decision to send troops to Kazakhstan were not well-received in Armenia.

On social media, many were quick to point to the irony of Armenia’s involvement in a mission to quell anti-government protests, hearkening back to the revolution that thrust the country’s ruling party, Civil Contract, into power in 2018.

Others have argued that Armenia should not take part in the mission in response to the CSTO’s inaction following the May 2021 Armenian-Azerbaijani border clashes, or even Kazakhstan’s support to Azerbaijan in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Following the May clashes, Armenia addressed the bloc citing Article 2 of its treaty, calling for the coordination of positions and measures among its members states to eliminate ‘emerging threats’.

The organisation responded only that it was ‘closely following developments’ and ‘if necessary, actions will be taken’ under the bloc’s treaty and charter.

https://oc-media.org/armenia-sends-troops-to-quell-kazakhstan-protests/

ni Avetisyan



Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 6 2022
 Siranush Ghazanchyan Send an emailJanuary 6, 2022, 11:11

 2 minutes read

On January 6, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the commemoration of the Birth and Baptism of Jesus Christ. God was incarnated and appeared to the people. During the Baptism of Jesus God the Father said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17) and the Holy Spirit descended on Christ in the form of dove, so God appeared to the people for the second time. So, both Theophanies revealed by means of the Birth and Baptism of Jesus Christ are celebrated in the Armenian Church jointly on January 6. The feast starts on the eve, in the evening of January 5, and is continued after the midnight. On the eve a solemn Candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated and on January 6 a solemn Divine Liturgy is celebrated. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy Blessing of the Waters Service is conducted symbolizing the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan at the commencement of His ministry. By means of His Baptism Jesus blessed water.

Celebrant priest pours out the Holy Chrism drop by drop into water and blesses the water. According to the tradition people take some blessed water with them to use it as a medicinal remedy for the sick. After Blessing of the Waters Service the priests visit the houses of the faithful to proclaim the Christmastide Good News of the Birth of Jesus Christ and hence the tradition of Blessing of the Houses was formed.

The Birth of Jesus happened in this way. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. … And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Lk 2:1-7) The Son of God was born in poverty, in a manger. The witnesses of His Birth were the shepherds living out in the fields nearby, whom the angels had appeared and brought the good news of the Birth of the Savior singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Lk 2:18)

Soon afterwards some men who studied the stars came from the East and worshipped Baby Christ, presented him gifts and returned to their countries.

Source: Qahana.am

Christmas message of the Catholicos of All Armenians

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 6 2022
January 6, 2022, 12:35

 4 minutes read

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has issued a message on the Feat of Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The message reads:

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: amen.
“Glory to God in the highest, that thou hast come and thou
hast saved the universe through Your theophany”
(Hymn of the Nativity).

Dear faithful,

On the feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the heavenly tidings “Christ is born and revelead”, we bring our love and best wishes to you, gathered in this church, to all our people and together with shepherds and angels, who bowed down before the Son of God, we praise the incarnate Savior saying: “Glory to God in the highest, that thou hast come and thou hast saved the universe through Your theophany”.

With the miraculous mystery of the Nativity of Christ, today once again the hope and grace of salvation descends again upon the world troubled by disasters and calamities. By the bright radiance of the star of Bethlehem, by the grace of the Nativity of infant Jesus, darkness of hopelessness is dispelled from the souls transformed to a Bethlehem. By the theophany of His Only Begotten Son, God invites all mankind to turn their hearts into a shrine of the revelation of divine infinite love, to experience cleansing from sins, to be transformed, and to be saved through a renewal. The apostle exhorts: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4: 22-24).

The way of human renewal and salvation is to live by God’s commandments, to be freed from the snares of sin, which is the firm guarantee of the continuity of humanity and the assurance of eternal blessings. Our Savior Lord, as a testimony of God’s infinite love and care for humankind, affirms that the world can be transformed, the reality of suffering and injustice can be turned into a place of happiness, in accordance to the testimony of prophet Isaiah, . “The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see the salvation of God. ” Isaiah 40: 4-5.

Dear faithful people,

These days the angelic news of the Nativity brings comfort and consolation to our hearts, broken and disturbed, restless with uncertainty, grieving the pain of catastrophic war losses; so that we may be strengthened by the Lord’s saving graces, transformed by faith, and prevail with hope. With such a spirit and progress, undoubtedly, we will be able to overcome the plagues and hardships, to become stronger as a nation and state, as a homeland and diaspora. Our fathers taught us to be resilient to disasters and troubles, not to allow ourselves to be defeated by worries and needs, or concerns regarding the future of the homeland. Let us be united in our homeland and in our communities all over the world. Our disunity and discord will generate new losses, trampling down our great and minor victories.

In the current difficult situation, we need to sober up, reject the paths that draw us away from God, firmly anchor our lives on the national and spiritual values, that have been passed down through the centuries, and guaranteed the survival of our people. We all have a sacred duty toward the memory of our children who received the crown of martyrdom for the homeland, to fight altruistically and uncompromisingly, for the sake of our homeland, for the sake of the free life of Artsakh, for the sake of a stable Armenian statehood and the unbroken preservation of our national identity. Let us always remember that the interest of the homeland is above all, and the free and safe life of our people is a priority. The realization of the vision of a strong and prosperous homeland requires a spirit and mindset of commitment and self-sacrifice, a kind and just conduct, and a way of life based on spiritual, moral values. This mission can be realized by the bright example of the Lord, who, according to His word, did not come to receive a position, a service, an honor, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). Every position and authority in the public, political, or state spheres must serve to the progress of the country, and the general welfare and security; just as in a pious family. When a position ceases to be perceived as a service, it turns into a cause of arbitrariness, of evil and unjust deeds. Meanwhile, it is by our deeds of dedication towards the nation and homeland, by showing care and love and caring for each other that we will have strength and power to overcome hardships and tribulations, and to prosper a country. With the life renewed by the mystery of the Savior’s Nativity, we believe we will be able to create a new reality where mutual understanding and solidarity, uprightness and patriotism will prevail: a new reality, where every commitment will be aimed at the realization of the desires and aspirations of our people. With this vision, by the grace of Christ’s salvation, dear faithful, let us transform the course of our lives, let us always walk the path of upliftment and loving life.

On this soul-stirring day of the Nativity and Theophany, let us pray together so that God Most High may bless, keep, and preserve our homeland and the whole world. Let us pray for our homeland to become a manger of divine presence and the souls of the sons and daughters of our people be strengthened by faith and optimism. May the Lord, with the help of His most caring Holy Hand, guide us to walk the paths of good works of faith, to always glorify His Holy Name today and always and forever: Amen.

Christ is born and revealed,

Blessed is the Revelation of Christ.

“We strongly condemn the manifestation of violence” – Armenian Foreign Ministry on situation in Kazakhstan

Emil Lazarian

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 13:31, 6 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the situation in Kazakhstan.

“We are following the armed clashes in Kazakhstan with concern. The infiltration of terrorist groups is alarming. We strongly condemn the manifestation of violence, we are convinced that it is not a way for solving political issues.

We believe that steps need to be undertaken for preventing further clashes, restoring the environment of tolerance which is necessary for peaceful political processes in the country, including the exercise of citizens’ right to peaceful rallies and freedom of _expression_,” it said.

Turkish press: Russia mulls further steps for ‘foreign-inspired’ turmoil in Kazakhstan

Emil Lazarian
 ISTANBUL JAN 06, 2022 – 2:14 PM GMT+3

A still image taken from a handout video made available by the Russian Defense Ministry’s press service shows Russian officers boarding military aircraft on their way to Kazakhstan, at an airfield outside Moscow, Russia, Jan. 6, 2022. (EPA Photo)

Russia described recent events in Kazakhstan as a “foreign-inspired” attempt to undermine security, adding Moscow will consult Kazakhs and other allies on possible further steps to support a “counter-terrorist operation” and to unblock critical infrastructure.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday in a statement: “We regard the recent events in a friendly country as an attempt, inspired from the outside, to undermine the security and integrity of the state by force, using trained and organized armed formations.”

Ethnic Russians, mostly Orthodox Christians, make up nearly a quarter of Kazakhstan’s population. The two countries have significant economic and cultural ties.

Russia has already sent paratroops to Kazakhstan as part of a peacekeeping force after the energy-rich Central Asian country was hit by the biggest wave of unrest there since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union over rising fuel prices.

Under increasing pressure, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appealed overnight to the Russia-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), which includes five other ex-Soviet states, to combat what he called “terrorist groups” that had “received extensive training abroad.”

Within hours the alliance said the first troops had been sent, including Russian paratroopers and military units from the other CSTO members, in its first major joint action since its founding in 1999.

“Peacekeeping forces … were sent to the Republic of Kazakhstan for a limited time to stabilize and normalize the situation,” the CSTO said in a statement, without specifying the number of troops involved.

The CSTO’s current chairperson, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, earlier announced the alliance would agree to the request, saying Kazakhstan was facing “outside interference.”

Footage released by the Russian Defense Ministry showed military transport planes being loaded with troops and armored trucks before taking off from a snowy runway for Kazakhstan.

In the worst reported violence so far, police said dozens of people were killed in overnight battles with security forces at government buildings in the country’s largest city Almaty.

“Extremist forces tried to assault administrative buildings, the Almaty city police department, as well as local police commissariats. Dozens of assailants were eliminated,” police spokesperson Saltanat Azirbek was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

Tokayev said in a televised address early Thursday that “terrorists” were seizing buildings, infrastructure and small arms, and battling security forces.

Military forces had deployed en masse in the streets of Almaty and were firing live rounds, according to footage shown Thursday on Russian television.

Videos on social media showed pillaged shops and burned buildings in Almaty, automatic gunfire in the streets and residents screaming in fear.

Officials said more than 1,000 people had been wounded in the unrest, with nearly 400 hospitalized and 62 in intensive care.

As of midday Thursday, more than 350 security officers had been wounded and 13 killed, including two who had their heads cut off, officials told local media.

There were reports of looters attacking and ransacking the offices of local television channels and surrounding two hospitals in Almaty.

Protests spread across the nation of 19 million this week in outrage over an increase in prices for liquid petroleum gas (LPG), which is widely used to fuel cars in the west of the country.

Thousands took to the streets in Almaty and in the western province of Mangystau, saying the price rise was unfair given oil and gas exporter Kazakhstan’s vast energy reserves.

Protesters were reported to have stormed several government buildings on Wednesday, including the Almaty mayor’s office and the presidential residence.

The full picture of the chaos was unclear, with widespread disruptions to communications including mobile phone signals, the blocking of online messengers and hourslong internet shutdowns.

The protests are the biggest threat so far to the regime established by Kazakhstan’s founding president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who stepped down in 2019 and hand-picked Tokayev as his successor.

Tokayev tried to head off further unrest by announcing the resignation of the Cabinet early on Wednesday, but protests continued.

Tokayev also announced he was taking over from Nazarbayev as head of the powerful security council, a surprise move given the ex-president’s continued influence.

With protests escalating, the government late on Wednesday said a state of emergency declared in protest-hit areas would be extended nationwide and in effect until Jan. 19. It imposes an overnight curfew, restricts movements and bans mass gatherings.

129 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Emil Lazarian

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 11:11, 5 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. 129 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total number of confirmed cases to 345,255, the Armenian National Center for Disease Control and Prevention said.

5164 tests were administered (total 2,586,737)

103 people recovered from the disease, raising the number of recoveries to 332,304.

3 people died, bringing the death toll to 7989.

As of January 5, the number of active cases stood at 3451.

COVID-19: Armenia in EU’s green zone

Emil Lazarian

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 16:40, 5 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The coronavirus situation is relatively calm in Armenia, with the virus reproduction number being below 1 at 0,9.

The CDC Director of the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases Romella Abovyan told ARMENPRESS that the virus reproduction number dropped 54% in the last 14 days compared to the previous two weeks.

“The share of positive tests is 1,3%. The hospitals aren’t overloaded now. The good news is that now, according to EU standards, Armenia is in the green zone,” Abovyan said.

However, Abovyan warned that they are expecting a rise in the new cases due to what she described as widespread non-compliance with safety guidelines and the active contacts between people during the holidays.