Author: Frangulian Shushan

‘WAKE UP, YOU’RE LOSING YOUR COUNTRY’
By Alexia Saoulli

Cyprus Mail, Cyprus
Dec 12 2007

CYPRUS is at serious risk of being overrun by immigrants, if the
Movement for the Salvation of Cyprus is to be believed; failure to
clamp down on the influx of legal and illegal foreigners, they say,
will culminate in an irreversible situation where the majority of
the island is made up of non-Greek Cypriots.

"We are fighting for our national identity… We are sounding the
alarm bell and saying wake up, you’re losing your country," Panicos
Arsalides said yesterday.

Arsalides was speaking at a modest gathering of the Movement for
the Salvation of Cyprus. The Movement, formed about a year ago, is
concerned that the growing number of immigrants on the island will
irrevocably impact the island’s demographics over the next 30 years.

"If there is a five per cent increase in the number of immigrants
every year, aided by our low birth rate, in 30 years there will be
about 600,000 immigrants and 520,000 Greek Cypriots," he said.

Speakers at the meeting gave examples of other European countries
facing similar predicaments and questioned how Cyprus was expected
to cope.

One theory put forward was that the influx of immigrants was a design
by Turkey to take over the island.

"Illegal immigrants are brought to the free areas by the Turkish
mafia… It is undoubtedly a plan… A large portion of them
speak Turkish as their mother tongue and say they are Kurds," the
participants heard.

Many nodded their heads in agreement, while others voiced their
approval aloud.

"The situation is at the point of no return. If we are negligent,
in another year or two it will be irreversible," Arsalides said.

The 28 people who turned up to listen to the panel of seven Movement
members were told that in light of a Cyprus problem solution, Turkey
would use the immigrants as a negotiating tool to excuse the huge
number of settlers in the occupied areas.

"They’ll say they are seasonal workers the way we have immigrants who
do seasonal work, except theirs speak the same language, are the same
nationality and have the same religion…. They’ll say they can’t
get rid of them," Arsalides said.

The economist also likened Nicosia’s Ledra Street on a Sunday to
Lahore in Pakistan.

"From the Ochi roundabout to the mosque when it is Bairam [Islamic
festival] there are around 10,000 children. Is that not something to
worry about? We have a problem," Arsalides said.

He said Cyprus had to open its eyes and set up a line of defence to
protect itself from the wave of immigrants flooding the island like
"a tsunami".

"The excuse we keep hearing is that our economy needs immigrants.

This has no basis because it has never been investigated. Who benefits
from this situation I don’t know," Arsalides said.

The Movement’s president, Petros Stylianou, said they had been unfairly
labelled racist and almost called uneducated.

"We are none of these things," he said.

Arsalides added: "What the Turks didn’t take [in 1974], the immigrants
will. Wake up… And they say we are racist. In several years, Greek
Cypriots will make up 20 to 25 per cent of the population and the
remainder will mostly be made up of Turks followed by Pakistanis,
Bangladeshis, Chinese…"

Movement board member Vias Livadas said the group was talking to
lawyers regarding to what extent people who defended illegal immigrants
could be held accountable.

"They are accomplices and we are examining to what extent they can
be considered accomplices," he said.

Livadas also said the Movement had come across a map published in
a Turkish publication depicting Cyprus, Crete, all of the Aegean
islands, Salonica, part of Syria, northern Iraq and nearly all of
Armenia as Turkish, therefore "proof" of what Turkey believed to be
its territories.

The people present at the gathering showed signs of being afraid.

One man said: "We have been terrorised but it is the truth. These
are the facts."

The Movement said it planned to make 2,000 copies and distribute the
minutes of yesterday’s meeting.

TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP IS ESSENTIAL

Gozlem Gazetesi, Turkey
Dec 10 2007

European Commission is unimpressed with French President Nicolas
Sarkozy’s Mediterranean Union State plan; but agreed on an enlargement
plan which Turkey could be included.

NEWS CENTRAL

Turkey started EU accession talks in 2005 but is not expected to join
the bloc before 2015, if at all, as some member states are skeptical
toward its membership; however they are all aware of Turkey’s
geopolitical importance as well as its energy transit role.

The importance of Turkey is being emphasized by many EU officials.

Foreign Minister of Greece, our friend and neighbor country, Dora
Bakoyannis is a good example. Bakoyannis supports Turkey’s bid for
European Union Membership. Speaking at a joint press conference,
Bakoyannis reaffirmed "Following the process of rapprochement started
in 1999, relations between the two countries have improved with each
passing day.

Continuity of this development requires patience and hard working. We
are determined to walk on the path of our mutual interest. With EU
membership negotiations, a new era has begun not only for Turks but
also for the nations of the region."

A fair viable solution for Cyprus

Bakoyannis pointed that reaching a fair, viable and operational
solution to the Cyprus problem is of heightened importance, adding
"Turkey’s membership in EU is a must for a strong democracy and
regional security and stability."

Vicious cycle to be broken

Another Turkey’s EU friend is EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.

Rehn noted that Turkey is currently passing through difficult days
in terms of its relations with European Union. Rehn expressed the
importance of breaking the vicious cycle in relations with Turkey.

Some of his notes are remarkable:

"Turkey took advantage of the critical Presidential Elections last
April. There are 2 political colors in Turkey; Kemalist Republicans
and Democratic Muslims.

If we remove EU membership negotiations from Turkey’s agenda, Seculars
will become more nationalist and it may increase adverse events between
them and Democratic Islamic parts. Ongoing negotiations with Turkey
and its progress towards accession encourage secularists and revive
"Kemal’s dream of a Europeanized Turkey".

Establish a stronger" Civilian control over army" is always at the
core of our negotiations with Turkey. Civilmilitary relations, Kurds,
Armenians and divided Cyprus are right back of each crisis. Rehn
called upon the Turkish Army to stay out and asked Turkey to think
twice before Military Intervention.

Obstacles against Turkey

Rehn does not ignore the possibility of crossborder operation in
northern Iraq as well as PKK crisis. "Turkish community is under
heavy pressure of the lost lives by PKK attacks in the region.

The EU condemns all terrorist attacks and understands Turkey’s
need to protect its citizens however we urge Turkey to seek a
political solution in cooperation with Iraq and in accordance with
international law." He also underscored that the time has come to
reach a new momentum in the reform process. More efforts are needed
to ensure democratic supremacy in civilmilitary relations, freedom
of expression and religion.

php?option=com_content&task=view&id=687&am p;Itemid=115

Panorama.am

16:33 05/12/2007

CHANNEL 2007 SPECIAL OPERATION PROGRAM CONFISCATES 246 KG OF HEROIN

The second phase of Channel 2007, a special operation program for
combat of drug transit, shows that Tajikistan is still keeping the
leading position among NIS states in terms of drugs
smuggling. According to the data released by drugs control agency
affiliated with Tajikistan president, 21 cases of drug smuggling has
been detected by law enforcement bodies and frontier officials. Some
295 kg of drugs has been confiscated, including 116 kg of heroin, 159
kg of opium. Seven out of 18 detected persons are citizens of
Afghanistan.

The second phase of Channel 2007 special operation program was
implemented from November 26 to December 3 on the territories of
Armenia, Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan.

Source: Panorama.am

The Messenger, Georgia
Dec 7 2007

Russian FM expects investment growth in Armenia
By M. Alkhazashvili

(Translated by Diana Dundua)
Friday, December 7

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he expects a growth in
capital investment in Armenia after a meeting with Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian on December 5.

He also stated that current Russian investment in Armenia is USD 800
million, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.

Russia is Armenia’s main trade partner and has invested heavily in
its Caucasian neighbor over the past few years – in 2004 and 2005,
Russian investment in Armenia was USD 100 million.

STORIES THAT TRANSCEND BOUNDARIES

The Irish Times
November 27, 2007 Tuesday

After surviving a courtroom ordeal and a bout of post-natal depression,
Turkish novelist Elif Shafak has divided herself into ‘six small women’
in her new book, she tells Lara Marlowe in Istanbul

Elif Shafak says she is all the characters in all her novels. I
imagined her as Zeliha in The Bastard of Istanbul, the tall, beautiful
non-conformist who strides through the city in mini-skirt and high
heels, stopping to buy little glass tea-cups, arriving hours late
for appointments.

But the 36-year-old writer who sits across from me in a cafe beside the
Bosphorus is more like Auntie Banu, the mystic who retreats into her
room for 40 days before emerging with the heavy burden of knowledge
her djinnis (spirits) impart to her. Sufism, the gentle strain of
Islam whose founder, Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, was born 800 years ago,
is a recurring theme with Shafak.

"I feel very connected to Sufism," she says. "In the beginning it
was an intellectual affinity. In time, it became more emotional."

Sufism was in vogue in Britain in the 1970s, Shafak notes. Doris
Lessing wrote about it, and Britons named their children Omar (after
Omar Khayyam) and Rumi. But it was then forgotten, by Turkish as well
as western intellectuals.

"The elite should overcome their fear and read more about Islam,
and particularly about Sufism," she urges. "Because Turkish Islam
has always been a more flexible, fluid, moderate form of Islam,
for centuries and centuries."

If she had to summarise Sufism in one word, Shafak says, that word
would be love. "Love is the essence of Sufi thought. A more orthodox
Muslim might have fear as a central element: God will punish us,hell
will be so awful . . . For a Sufi, it’s love that really matters. You
learn to love human beings and everything around you, as part of the
same cycle of love . . . We all carry a part of the divine essence."

Shafak was born in Strasbourg, where her father was studying. Her
parents divorced while she was an infant, and her mother took her
back to Turkey.

"I was raised by a very spiritual grandmother," she says. "Her world
was full of folk Islam, superstitions, djinnis, evil-eye beads. I
learned that kind of culture from my grandmother and I love it
dearly. I put that in my work."

Do Sufis pray five times a day? Fast? Go to mosque? Yes, Shafak
replies. Does she consider herself a practising Sufi? "I can’t say
that. I consider myself someone who is in love with Sufism, attached
to Sufism by mind and heart."

Her words are nearly drowned out by the prayer call from a neighbouring
mosque. "If you ask me am I a Muslim, yes, I am a Muslim," Shafak
says. But you are very westernised, I observe.

"I don’t think that’s a ‘but’ sentence," Shafak chides me. "I don’t
think there’s a conflict between being westernised and being Muslim."

Shafak’s mother became a Turkish diplomat, and Elif spent four
childhood years in Spain. In Ankara, she earned degrees in women’s
studies and political science. She lectures in US and European
universities and calls herself a nomad or a "migrating bird carrying
stories from one place to another". Her husband, Eyup, the editor of
an economic newspaper, and the city of Istanbul, are her anchors.

SHAFAK HAS JUST completed her eighth book. The last four sold more
than 100,000 copies each in Turkey. Along with the Nobel laureate,
Orhan Pamuk, Shafak is the Turkish writer to whom western readers turn
when they want to understand Turkey. The responsibility weighs on her.

"Sometimes I get the feeling that in huge literary markets in the West,
one or two authors are picked from each country," she says.

"These people are used to understand that country. It’s so misleading
. . . I cannot represent anything larger than myself."

Despite her talent and success, Shafak conveys a sense of
vulnerability, even frailty. She speaks frankly of her recent battle
with post-natal depression, but refuses to broach the subject that
made The Bastard of Istanbul a cause celèbre: the massacre of hundreds
of thousands of Armenians by Turks in 1915.

A group of Turkish nationalist lawyers filed a lawsuit against Shafak,
as they had against Pamuk and Hrant Dink, the Armenian intellectual who
was assassinated last January. Shafak was dragged into court on charges
of "insulting Turkishness" in September 2006, days after giving birth
to her daughter, Shehrazat Zelda. Though she was acquitted, Shafak
appears to have been traumatised by the experience. She bans what she
calls "the G-word" from our conversation and will not discuss her trial
or article 301 of the criminal code, under which she was prosecuted.

In The Bastard of Istanbul, Shafak skilfully weaves past and present,
Armenian and Turkish narratives. It is a beautiful book, the finest I
have read about Turkey. It inspires jealousy among the intellectuals
who frequent the cafes of Beyoglu. Two Turkish writers told me that
Shafak and Pamuk owed their success to the fact that they’d spoken
out about Armenians.

Shafak has also been criticised for writing her last two books in
English, even for inserting the "h" in her family name, so that the
Turkish pronunciation is not lost in English. "Western newspapers
don’t have an ‘S’ with a dot under it," she explains. "So they spell
your name as Safak. That might seem a trivial detail to some people,
but to me, the loss of that sound "sh" is important."

All sorts of people show up at her book signings. "Women in
headscarves, activists, hard rockers, youths from very different
backgrounds, people who wouldn’t easily break bread together, but they
are reading the same book," Shafak says. "Literature has an amazing
potential to transcend boundaries, to break into mental ghettos."

She shuns Istanbul’s literary circles. "People can gossip a lot;
there can be a lot of envy. I don’t like that kind of energy. I don’t
say negative things about other authors."

She doesn’t have to. In The Bastard of Istanbul, Shafak portrayed the
intellectual habitues of the fictional Cafe Kundera to devastating
effect. "We cannot abandon this rabbit hole for fear of a traumatic
encounter with our own culture," says one. "We are a bunch of cultured
urbanites surrounded by hillbillies and bumpkins on all sides."

Shafak sees language as "a passion, not an instrument. I write within
language". She wrote her last two books in English "because I wanted to
recreate my literary voice in another terrain, in another topography
altogether". For her, English is "the language of precision. If you
are looking for a very precise word, it’s out there and all you do
is grab it, learn it".

Turkish, on the other hand, "is a very emotional language. Especially
if you are talking about the past. We have a past tense that doesn’t
exist in any other language, the masal zaman, the time of tales. It’s
very elusive. The Turkish language is based on agglutination, like a
train, with suffixes being added, one after another. With one suffix
in Turkish, you can change the meaning completely. For a writer,
that is an amazing exercise."

SHAFAK WROTE BLACK MILK, which is about to be released in Turkey and
will be published in English by Viking Penguin next year, in Turkish.

"This was very emotional for me, right after a long depression, and
it came to me in Turkish. It had to be written in my mother tongue,"
she says.

Black Milk is part autobiography, part fiction. For 10 months after
her daughter was born, Shafak says, "I couldn’t write anything. I
couldn’t produce anything". The experience strengthened her belief
in traditional wisdom.

"My grandmother’s generation knew more about post-natal depression
than my mother’s generation," she says. "Old Muslim women, who have
lots of superstitions, believe there’s a particular kind of djinni
that attacks new mothers, and you should never leave a woman who has
just given birth alone for 40 days. An old woman stays with her at
all times. They put red ribbons around her bed, scatter black seeds
around her bed, to ward off the djinni."

In Black Milk, Shafak divides herself into "six small women, each
of whom represents a different aspect of me. There’s a small woman
called Cynical Intellectual Woman. She’s the one who likes books and
writing and thinks that’s the most important thing I should be doing.

But there’s also Motherly Cuddly Figure, and she thinks I should stop
writing and become a housewife and learn to cook . . .

"One is more carnal, and I’m not very happy with her because I also
question the way we as writers carry our bodies, the way we try to
defeminise and desexualise ourselves. In this society, if you want
to be respected for your brains, you try to cover your body as much
as you can. All these things are in the book."

–Boundary_(ID_BknL/QmqhJU81sQD/ne78g )–

PRESS RELEASE
UN Department of Public Information
Contact: Information Officer Armine Halajyan
Yerevan Office (Armenia)
Tel.: (374 10) 560 212
Fax/Tel.: (374 10) 561 406
Mobile: (374 91) 20 37 25

PRESS RELEASE

Armenian 10 Children Winners of the International Children’s Art Competition

Yerevan, 28 November 2007. – Over 475 Armenian children participated in
an International Children’s Art Competition announced this spring by the
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in
collaboration with the Department of Public Information and the United
Nations Postal Administration. The aim of this competition was to select
6 winning designs to issue stamps with the title `We can end poverty’ in
commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
(October 17) and the first United Nations Decade for Eradication of Poverty.

On November 28 a gifts giving and honoring ceremony of the 10 winner
children took place in the UN Armenia Office. Representative of UN
Department of Public Information Mr. Valeri Tkatchouk, Head of
Department of International Organizations Ms. Dziunik Aghajanyan,
Representative of the Ministry of Youth and Sport Mr. Arsen Soghomonyan,
Chairman of Armenian UN Association Mr. Karen Asatryan and other UN
Armenia Office staff together with the parents and teachers of the
children came to congratulate the kids. Special gifts were given to the
children by the Ministry of Youth and Sport, UN Resident Coordinator, UN
Department of Public Information, UN Children’s Fund and Armenian UN
Association. UN DPI launched a special picture gallery on its website
where the pictures of all 475 participant children and bilingual
information is posted
( &task=view&id=1641&lang=en).

Armenia’ s participation to this International competition was organized
locally by UN Department of Public Information Yerevan Office and
Armenian UN Association (a partner NGO of UN Armenia Office). The
competiton announcement was circulated to all provinces of Armenia
through public and art schools. About 475 designs from Yeravan, Shirak,
Lori and Kotayk provinces were gathered. The age range of participating
children was from 5 – 15.

Before sending the paintings to New York, an exhibition of the
Children’s paintings was launched in the UN Armenia Office on the Child
Protection Day June 1. Through their artwork, the children demonstrated
enormous creativity, skills, thoughtfulness and concern for the poor.
They showed that poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon and a variety
of actions can lead to its eradication. With UNICEF’s generous
assistance these paintings from Armenia were sent to New York to join
similar collections from around the world.

Paintings were presented during the commemoration of the International
Day for the Eradication of Poverty, on 17 October 2007, in New York.
After careful consideration a panel of Judges composed of members from
the United Nations Division for Social Policy and Development, the
United Nations Department of Public Information and the United Nations
Postal Administration selected:

6 winning designs of participating children, Mariam Marukyan (age 13)
>From Armenia among them, will be issued as United Nations stamps in 2008.

20 additional designs that were awarded Merit Certificates, among them
Anahit Martirosyan (age 11), Lusine Nersisyan (age 14) from Armenia.

24 designs that received Certificates of Recognition, among them was
Ellada Khachatryan (age 11) from Armenia.

Other 173 children got Notable Entries: among them were Khachik
Gharibyan (age 12), Hripsime Ghazaryan (age 9), Mary Kocharyan (age 14),
Nonna Gasparyan (age 14), Suren Sahakyan (age 11) and Kristine Hovsepyan
(age 10).

Over 12,000 children from all over the world participated in this Art
Competition. The highest number of entries came from Norway (1063),
followed by the United States of America (675), Portugal (543), Poland
(528), Armenia (475), India (469) and Indonesia (447).

Participants from the following countries were among the top 50 winners:
Armenia, Bulgaria, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Republic of Korea,
Mexico, Moldova, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA,
Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The selected other five winners of stamp designs are: Elisabeth Elaine
Chun Ning Au (China, Hong Kong), Ranajoy Benerjee (India), Rufaro Duri
(Zimbabwe), Bryan Jevoncia (Indonesia) and Grace Tsang Ji Yan (China,
Hong Kong).

The six winners had the chance to be in New York and get congratulations
>From the UN High-ranking Representatives.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

NOVEMBER 29, 2007

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN MEETS WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS;
URGES LEADERS TO ADOPT A MORAL STAND
Archbishop Oshagan met with more than a dozen members of Congress last
week and discussed issues of concern to Armenian Americans, including the
moral imperative of America adopting a principled stand on the Armenian
Genocide and against all instances of genocide. The Prelate discussed the
state of the Armenian Church in the Eastern United States and reminded
members of the historic repression of Christians under Ottoman rule,
culminating in the genocide of Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians from
1915-1923. He noted that following the Genocide, many Armenians found safe
haven in the United States and today their descendents comprise a large
portion of the Armenian parishes throughout the country. His Eminence was
joined with members of the Armenian National Committee of America.
The Prelate spoke about the discrimination against the Armenian Church
and the remaining Armenian community living in Turkey, citing the
restrictions against free speech regarding the Armenian Genocide. He also
discussed the destruction of Armenian churches and cultural icons in present
day Turkey and Azerbaijan. He especially cited the lack of a meaningful U.S.
protest of Azerbaijan’s recent destruction of the 1,300-year-old Armenian
cemetery in Julfa, Nakhichevan. His Eminence and the ANCA delegation noted
that, despite several requests, the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan has yet to
investigate the matter or even visit the site.

RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS WILL MEET
The Religious and Executive Councils will meet tomorrow and Saturday,
November 30 and December 1, at the Prelacy offices in New York City.

PRELATE WILL ATTEND LUNCHEON
HONORING POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS
Archbishop Oshagan will attend a special Thanksgiving and Christmas
luncheon on Wednesday, December 5, hosted by St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston,
New York, in honor of the members of the local New York City Police and Fire
departments (111th precinct). The day will begin with morning worship
services led by the Prelate and Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St.
Sarkis Church, attended by the police and fire fighters and members of the
parish’s seniors’ organization. Luncheon will follow. This annual event has
become a warm tradition that brings the church and local community closer
together.

GARY KASPAROV ARRESTED
Former chess champion Gary Kasparov was arrested after leading a protest
at Moscow’s federal election authority offices. Kasparov was sentenced to
five days in jail for holding an unauthorized march. He had been on his way
to give election officials a letter claiming that the upcoming Russian
elections are biased toward President Vladimir Putin. Kasparov is the
presidential candidate for the opposition Other Russia coalition. He was
also arrested in April and was fined without incarceration.

ARMENIAN CHURCH PARTICIPATES IN MEETING
The meeting of the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Bible
Society took place in Moscow last week. Bishop Nareg Alemezian (Ecumenical
Officer) participated on behalf of the Catholicosate of Cilicia; Archbishop
Yeznig Bedrossian (Ecumenical Officer) participated on behalf of the
Catholicosate of All Armenians, Etchmiadzin. Cooperation between these
bodies has continued since 1999. This meeting discussed the various
agreements and projects between the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches
and the Bible Society. They also prepared the agenda for the next meeting in
September 2008.

SERIES OF PUBLICATIONS CONTINUES IN ANTELIAS
Emphasizing the importance of books during his speech at the opening of
the 29th annual Armenian Book exhibition in Antelias, His Holiness Aram I
praised all the publishing houses and individuals who support and spread the
reach of Armenian books. His Holiness particularly praised the huge efforts
of the Catholicosate and the Lisbon-based Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s
Armenian Department. He praised the dedication of the director of the
Armenian Department, Dr. Zaven Yegavian. Eight volumes of the Madenakirk
Hayots series have already been published by the Catholicosate’s publishing
house during the past two years. Four new volumes will soon be added to this
masterful series.

BLESSING OF MURON IS SCHEDULED
The Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia announced that His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I will consecrate the Holy Muron (Holy Oil) next year on
June 7, 2008. The Faithful are encouraged to attend this special service
which takes place every seven years. Details will be forthcoming.

SAINTS THADDEUS AND BARTHOLOMEW
This Saturday, December 1, the Armenian Church commemorates Saints
Thaddeus and Bartholomew, two of the twelve apostles who were the first
evangelizers of Armenia, and were martyred there, giving the Armenian Church
its apostolic identity and earning them the title, "First Enlighteners of
Armenia." Thaddeus came to Armenia about 43 AD to preach Christianity. He
was martyred in southeastern Armenia. His tomb lies in the Armenian
monastery of St. Thaddeus (Iran) where a chapel was built in the third
century. Bartholomew is believed to have arrived in Armenia about 66 AD. He
was martyred in Hadamakert, southeast of Lake Van.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This Sunday, December 2, is the second Sunday of Advent. Advent is a
season of waiting for the coming of Christ, which gives us reason to live in
hope regardless of the many challenges and vicissitudes facing us on many
fronts. John the Baptist is the great Advent figure (read Matthew, Chapter
3, and Luke, Chapter 3).
Remember that this time of the year, although filled with great joy, can
be lonely and sad for many people. Reach out with a visit, a note, or a
telephone call to an elderly person living alone, someone who is ill, or
someone who recently lost a loved one.

KING APKAR
On Tuesday, December 4, the Armenian Church commemorates King Apkar, who
according to tradition was afflicted with a debilitating skin ailment. The
King wrote a letter to Christ asking for His assistance. Christ replied by
sending a cloth with His image and the promise to send one of His apostles.
St. Thaddeus was sent and subsequently the King had a miraculous recovery.
King Apkar and his family accepted Christianity and the King wrote to other
leaders (including his cousin King Sanadrook of Armenia) urging them to
accept Christianity.

KHIRIMIAN HAYRIG
This year marked the 100th anniversary of the passing of the beloved
Catholicos Mgrdich I, lovingly known as Khirmian Hairig. Hairig died at age
87 on October 29, 1907. His tomb, near the entrance of the Mother Cathedral
in Etchmiadzin, is a popular and honored pilgrimage site. There is an
interesting story about the location of his tomb. By decision of the
brotherhood of Etchmiadzin, Khirmian Hairig was to be buried next to
Catholicos Makar (his predecessor) to the south of the belfry of the Mother
Cathedral. On November 1, the grand sacristan, Bishop Ghevond, performed the
service attendant to the grave digging. Suddenly a popular uprising arose. A
crowd numbering in the thousands came into the courtyard with angry shouts
of "Makar wrecked Armenian homes, our dear Hairig must not be buried next to
him! Bury Hairig next to Nerses of Ashtarak." The newspapers wrote up the
incident noting that, "The people flocked in the Etchmiadzin Monastery
courtyard from morning until noon and they refused to permit Khrimian’s
grave to be next to Catholicos Makar. The crowd covered the grave that had
been dug and dug a new grave next to that of Nerses of Ashtarak. The
Armenian people wished for Khrimian, the Father of the Fatherland, to be
buried next to Nerses, the Protector of the Fatherland. And that is what
happened."
Khirmian Hairig has a special tie to the Armenian Church in America. It
was his encyclical of July 2, 1898, that officially established the Armenian
Church of America. Next year is the 110th anniversary of that momentous
event.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, November 29, are: Proverbs 8:33-36; Isaiah
66:18-21; Philippians 4:1-7; Luke 9:1-6.
Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Happy is the one
who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For
whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord; but those who
miss me injure themselves; all who hate me love death. (Proverbs 8:33-36)
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click here.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click here.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click here.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated 2007 as the Year of the Armenian Language. In celebration of this
year-long tribute, each week we will offer an interesting tidbit about the
Armenian language and literature:
"The Persians, the Greeks, the Seljuks, the Tatars and the Turks have
all tried to crush us. Our people see that all of these conquerers have come
and gone. But they had come to stay. When the enemy wished to enslave,
wished to subdue them, they knew how to survive and live through their
culture. When the Armenians took others captive, they did so with their
books; when they dominated, they did so with the book of Nareg. And, with
that spirit, they responded to the Arab incursions with the three-storied
stronghold temple of Zvartnots; they erected the marvel of Hripsime against
Byzantium; they resisted the Seljuks with a thousand and one churches. You
may mentally pursue the course of this incomprehensible struggle for
survival by setting Datev against Tamerlane, the stones of Etchmiadzin
against Shah Abbas, and coming down to the present period marked by the 1915
genocide and the resurrection of our people with the bells of Sardarabad.
Look and see how the spirit of the Holy Translators, their zealousness and
their unfinished dream soars above all this.
"Let us once more vow to remain faithful to the work of the generation
of Translators. Let us keep and preserve what is ours, what is genuine to
us. Let us stand up for our culture, our language, our prayers, our
fatherland and, with the determination of our Translators, say no to all
those forces which from the fifth century to the present have always waged a
struggle against our existence and our unique character. Let us again vow to
masterly use that apostolic and prophetic inspiration which has been
transmitted to us as the legacy of Mashdots and collectively bring that to
life through our lives. Only then shall we be the deserving heirs of our
illustrious saints, through our life and work glorifying the Name of our
Creator and Lord, with which you are blessed and shall be blessed."
>From Sermon delivered on October 12, 1979, by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of
blessed memory, in the church of Oshagan, Armenia, burial site of Mesrob
Mashtots.

A MINI ADVENT SERMON
As Orthodox Christians, Advent is the period in which we prepare
ourselves for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During this
time of spiritual preparation the three most important elements of our
Advent journey are and should be to Praise our God, to watch for His
triumphant birth as our Lord and Savior, to wait with a patient heart for
His presence among us during this most joyful time of the year, and finally
to receive Him as the Prince of Peace, the Wonder Counselor and the Mighty
One who comes to proclaim the Glory of God’s Kingdom here on Earth. Above
all, Christmas is about Christ.
There is a beautiful Christmas hymn titled, "Hark the Herald Angels
Sing, Glory to the Newborn King." This is not only a song of the Nativity,
but the reality of who Jesus Christ is-the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings,
the Mighty One, the Wonderful Counselor. Remember that Jesus Christ was
proclaimed not only as the Son of God, but God who became man and lived
amongst us. You cannot separate the two, for our Lord Himself proclaimed:
"My Father and I are the same, he who does not believe in me does not
believe in the one who sent me."
This is indeed a very special time of the year and perhaps more joyful
than any other. But, remember the real joy of Christmas cannot be complete
without recognizing why we celebrate it and whose feast day this really is.
The answer is simple and not complicated. The choice is yours.
Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian, pastor
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover,
Massachusetts.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 27 to November 29-Christian Education classes at Sourp Khatch
Church in Bethesda, Maryland, 8 pm in the church sanctuary. Topic: The
Badarak. Classes held second and fourth Thursdays of each month, except
Thanksgiving week when classes will take place Friday. Armenian and English.
Prior attendance is not a requisite. For information: 301-229-8742.

October 16 to December 18-"From Jesus’ meals with sinners to the Lord’s
Supper," a five part Bible study at the Armenian Prelacy will begin on
October 16 and continue on the first and third Tuesday of the month, from
7:15 to 8:45 pm. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC). For information and registration, please
send e-mail to [email protected] or call 212-689-4481.

November 30-"And Three Chairs Fell from Heaven," written and directed by
Herand Markarian. Performed by the Hamazkayin Theatre Group of New York,
sponsored by the Mayr Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society. All proceeds
will benefit the St. Illuminator’s Armenian School. 8:35 pm, Armenian
Center, 69-23 47th Ave., Woodside, New York. For information and tickets:
718-961-9550.

December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar. For information or 508-234-3677.

December 1-St. Paul’s Church, Waukegan, Illinois, Annual Bake Sale, Crafts
and Café St. Paul. For orders or more information, 847-244-4573 or
www.StPaulArmenian Church.com.

December 2-Hamasdegh Armenian School of Sourp Khatch Church presents, Taline
and Friends, Armenian Christmas Show at Walt Whitman High School, 7100
Whittier Blvd., Bethesda, Maryland. For information: 240-418-5253 or
301-793-5622.

December 9-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
dinner dance, Marriott Hotel, Burlington. For information, (617) 924-7562.

December 9-Family Christmas Concert sponsored by St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, featuring Maggie Tune (from California) and Gaghant Baba, 4:30
pm, at IS5 High School, 50-40 Jacobus Street, Elmhurst, New York. For
information contact cathedral office, 212-689-5880.

December 9-Town Hall style meeting in Jaffarian Hall of St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.
Immediately following Divine Liturgy.

December 9-Christmas Boutique Sale, ARS Mayr Chapter of New York, at St.
Sarkis Church, Pagoumian Hall, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York. For
information 718-961-9550.

December 16-St. Gregory Church (North Andover, Massachusetts), Children’s
Christmas Pageant and Party following the Divine Liturgy. Luncheon buffet.

December 23-St. Stephen’s Day Celebration, Watertown, Massachusetts. The
Golden Jubilee celebration will come to a close with a commemoration of the
church’s patron saint, the first deacon and martyr, St. Stephen.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey, and ARF Dro Gomideh, The Sheraton Meadowlands, E. Rutherford,
New Jersey. For information 201-943-2950.

February 24, 2008-Annual Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church (North
Andover, Massachusetts).

June 7, 2008-Blessing of Holy Muron in Antelias, Lebanon. Details will
follow.

August 15-17, 2008-International Gathering of Youth and Pilgrimage to Der
Zor, organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Details will follow.

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

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add
[email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit
Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

Russia & CIS General Newswire
November 29, 2007 Thursday 5:19 PM MSK

Abiyev’s statements on Karabakh justified – Mamedyarov

MADRID Nov 29

Azerbaijan’s belligerent statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement are justified, Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov
told journalists in Madrid on Thursday.

"The defense minister is the defense minister to make such military
statements," Mamedyarov said.

Earlier, Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev said that Azerbaijan is
ready to liberate its territories occupied by Armenia by force.

"The situation we can see today only complicates the situation.

Occupied territories, the forceful expulsion of indigenous people
>From their lands makes people say: ‘If we cannot agree and solve the
issue by peaceful means, this should be done by military means,’" the
Azeri foreign minister said.

"If there was no war, or if discussions were in another sphere,
belligerent statements could have been inappropriate. Belligerent
statements are only made because people are expelled," Mamedyarov
said.

RUSSIAN LIBERALS WILL SUPPORT ANY EU DECISION ON NAGORNO KARABAKH

armradio.am
16.11.2007 17:54

Speaking at "Novosti" international press center in Baku, famous
Russian public figure Iriana Khakamada declared that "Russian Liberals
will support any decision of the European Union on on Nagorno Karabakh,
whatever it is."

PYUNIK DELIVER KNOCKOUT PUNCH
by Khachik Chakhoyan from Yerevan

UEFA.com, Switzerland
Nov 13 2007

Sargis Hovsepyan was proud of Pyunik’s achievement (©Getty Images)Armen
Gyulbudaghyants was proud to see his FC Pyunik side work as "one single
fist" as they claimed the Armenian title for the seventh season in
succession last week.

‘One single fist’ A 4-1 win against FC Ararat Yerevan last Wednesday
finally sealed the championship with a game to spare after one
of the most competitive seasons in recent memory, and there was
time to celebrate after a 2-0 defeat at FC Shirak on Saturday. "My
players showed character and passed some difficult tests," said
Gyulbudaghyants. "We refreshed our squad during the season and that
caused problems, but the players meshed to form one single fist and
we won the title."

Policy change Before the season, Pyunik’s board elected on a new
tactic, choosing to focus on young, homegrown players rather than
seasoned professionals. That change of tack was accompanied with
friction elsewhere, with coach Samvel Petrosyan resigning early in the
season, to be replaced by then reserve-team boss Gyulbudaghyants. For
a while it seemed the traditional giants of Armenian football might
fade out of the title chase but they managed to fight back.

Pyunik philosophy Pyunik president Karen Harutyunyan said: "There are
a lot of young players in our youth academy making their first steps
in football. We appreciate their efforts and are proud that some of
those youngsters made it to Pyunik’s starting lineup and helped the
club to win gold medals. It is very encouraging. We will maintain
this policy and keep producing good players – not only for Pyunik,
but for the Armenian national teams."

National duty That role as the main wellspring of Armenian talent has
kept the pressure up on Pyunik this season. With the bulk of Armenia’s
senior and Under-21 sides being drawn from the club’s players –
and Gyulbudaghyants himself managing the U19s – the squad has been
stretched. However, the 41-year-old coach feels that all local clubs
have a duty to the nation. "The main goal for club coaches in Armenia
is to prepare players for our national teams," he said.

Simply the best In that respect, Pyunik have done their duty well,
and while it has been a tough season, experienced captain Sargis
Hovsepyan knows that they can ultimately look back with pride. "It
doesn’t make any difference how many rounds were left when we won
the title," he said.

"The main thing is that Pyunik won this long, hard marathon. We earned
the most wins, scored the most goals and conceded fewer goals than
any other club. That’s why we’re the champions."

–Boundary_(ID_acs4eeDegPrky3KxK 3FEkg)–