Author: Hakobian Adrine

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

THE 76TH ACADEMIC YEAR OF THE
SEMINARY KICKS OFF

The Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia resumed its functions on
October 10 with the launch of the academic year 2005-2006, its 76th since it
was established 75 years ago.

The official launch of the academic year was held early in the morning in
Bikfayya under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I. Primate of the Diocese
of Lebanon Bishop Kegham Khatcherian presided over the event, which was
attended by Seminary’s faculty, former dean and long time professor Mr.
Kevork Kandaharian, members of the Cilician Brotherhood, deacons and around
60 old and new Seminary students.

The event started with the performance of Alma Mater of the Seminary and the
“Vork Zartaretsin” hymn by the Seminary’s choir under the direction of Rev.
Fr. Magar Ashkarian. Students read out parts from Nareg and the Holy Bible.

The Dean of the Seminary, V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian spoke about what the
Seminary has given during its 75 years of existence. He briefly talked about
the program of work for the next academic year. He highlighted the
importance of individual work by the students for their development,
stressing that this should be accomplished by persistent efforts.

Primate Bishop Khatcherian delivered the closing remarks of the event, tying
the purpose of His Holiness’ Pontifical visit to Canada and Northern America
to the day’s event.

“His Holiness is not physically present at this time, however his heart
certainly beats for the Seminary at all the ceremonies organized on the
occasion of the Seminary’s 75th anniversary,” said the Primate.

“You represent a unique group from our people, chosen for a special mission.
The sources and principal purposes of that mission are our God, our church
and our people. In order to serve God, our church and people, however, you
have to be prepared, enriched so you can one day enrich our people
yourselves and fulfill its spiritual needs,” he said.

The event came to its end with “Cilicia” and the Priamte’s prayers
(“Bahbanitch”). The administration and faculty had a consultative meeting
afterwards.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

M.G.K. SECRETARY GENERAL: TURKEY AND N CYPRUS HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY COULD

The Anatolian Times, Turkey
Oct 14 2005

ANKARA – “Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
have done everything they could to find a solution to the Cyprus
issue,” said Turkish National Security Council (MGK) Secretary-General
Yigit Alpogan.

Speaking at a seminar hosted by German-American Fulbright Commission
in association with the Turkish Fulbright Commission on “Turkey’s
Geo-Political and Security Concerns” in Ankara on Thursday, Alpogan
highlighted importance of national security.

He said, “threats such as international terrorism, weapons of mass
destruction, organized crimes, illicit drug trafficking and human
smuggling have been high on agenda of the world since the attack on
twin towers of the World Trade Center complex on September 11th.”

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Alpogan said, “Turkey and the TRNC
have done everything they could to find a solution to the Cyprus
issue. Turkish Cypriot people supported UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan’s plan in the referendum last year but they were punished. On
the other hand, Greek Cypriot people rejected the plan but they
were awarded.”

Upon a question, Alpogan said, “Armenians should take three steps
to resolve the problems between Turkey and Armenia. First of all,
Armenians should recognize the international border between Turkey
and Armenia which was drawn under the Kars Agreement. Then they should
give up describing eastern Anatolia as ‘western Armenia’. They should
also put an end to their allegations of genocide.”

Replying to a question about the terrorist organization PKK, Alpogan
said, “PKK is a part of international terrorism. It does not aim to
defend people living in southeastern Turkey.”

Upon a question on northern part of Iraq, Alpogan said, “Turkey wants
to see Iraq as a whole. Division of Iraq can lead to instability and
serious problems in the region.”

Responding to another question, Alpogan said that Turkey aimed to
set up good neighborly relations with Iran.

Meanwhile, U.S. Charge d’affaires in Ankara Nancy McEldowney said
that Turkey and the United States needed each other since they had
many regional and global interests in common.

McEldowney called on German and American journalists to introduce
Turkey to the world and Europe.

PRESS RELEASE

Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]

For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group

His Holiness Aram I Presides Over Holy High Mass at St. Mary’s Church in
Glendale with Over 1,000 People in Attendance

Catholicos Blesses Stone for New Glendale Community Center

(Los Angeles, CA – October 13, 2005) – Over 1,000 people were in attendance
as His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, conducted
Holy High Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale on October 9, 2005. The
Homenetmen scouts marching band welcomed the Catholicos upon his arrival as
they played the national anthems of the United States and Armenia. Hundreds
of people welcomed His Holiness outside while the church was filled to
capacity inside with people eagerly awaiting his arrival.

Immediately after his arrival, His Holiness, accompanied by both Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western United States and Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern United States, proceeded to prepare
for the day’s mass. The procession into the church began when the Pontiff
and the surrounding clergy reemerged wearing their special robes and dress
for the mass. With the Homenetmen scouts lining both sides, when the
procession reached the front church steps, His Holiness conducted a special
blessing after which white doves were released and the Catholicos and the
procession entered St. Mary’s.

In addition to the community at large, present were public officials
including Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian, Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams
and representatives from Western Prelacy committees and councils. Also
present were representatives from many other community organizations.

After the services His Holiness conducted a special service at the property
adjacent to St. Mary’s Church where there are plans to build a new, modern
community center. Nazaret Apanian, representative of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Aharonian Gomideh stated that the community center
plans have been in development during the last few years and that it will
house the activities of the various community organizations, especially
those serving the youth as well as a Saturday and Sunday school. After
brief remarks introducing the project, the Catholicos blessed the soil on
which the center will be built as well as the cornerstone that will be used
in the building.

“Any community center that stands in the diaspora for the purpose of serving
the people is a little piece of Armenia,” said His Holiness Aram I. “It is
a part of our homeland with the mission of preserving and spreading our
Armenian values.”

IS TURKEY A DEMOCRATIC NEIGHBOR?

Panorama
15:39 12/10/05

“I think that Turkey’s entrance EU coincides with our strategic
interests.

We must do our best to assist this procedure, as a result we can have a
democratic neighbor”, said today the leader of the Christian-Democratic
Union Khosrov Harutiunyan during the seminar on “Global and regional
democratizing context in South Caucasus”.

“Being the member of the Minsk group Turkey blocks our country, it
is a real danger for Armenia. The country that is a member of the
Minsk group is not entitled to realize suck kind of activities’,
said Kh. Harutiunyan.

On this point he also wonders, “Why our foreign affairs department
doesn’t raise a question to remove Turkey from the Minsk group?”. Even
in this case, the leader thinks that the danger from Turkey toward
Armenian security will not calm down. And more, it will remain for
a long period. /Panorama.am/

Armenia avoid basement finish
Wednesday, 12 October 2005
X-Sender: Asbed Bedrossian <[email protected]>
X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 — ListProcessor(tm) by CREN

Armenia avoided finishing bottom of FIFA World Cup
qualifying Group 1 as they gained a comfortable
victory in Andorra.

Armenia dominate
Andorra’s best campaign to date, which had included a
first ever competitive win against F.Y.R. Macedonia,
had brought them five points, and they needed only a
draw today to avoid finishing last. But Armenia, who
won the home fixture 2-1, had other ideas and Romik
Khachatryan and Karen Aleksanyan dominated in midfield
against a defensive home formation.

Own goal
The visitors were attacking down the wings, and
Khachatryan fired a shot across goal before Valeri
Aleksanyan went close following a corner. With six
minutes left in the first half Armenia struck, Egishe
Melikyan crossing from the left and the luckless Óscar
Sonejee turning the ball into his own net.

Lead doubled
Before half-time Andorra were down to ten men,
Ildefons Lima dismissed for dissent. With an extra
player Armenia tightened their grip on the game and
Ara Hakobyan had a shot saved before his brother Aram
made it 2-0, converting Hamlet Mkhitaryan’s cross on
the half-volley in the 52nd minute.

Victory sealed
Ara Hakobyan got on the scoresheet ten minutes later
with a good run and shot from the edge of the area.
Armenia did not add to their lead despite some
intricate moves, but ended their campaign on a high as
both countries now look towards the UEFA EURO 2008′
draw on 27 January 2006.

CANADIAN OFFICE OF ARMENIA’S IT SECTOR ENTERPRISES ALREADY RECEIVES ORDERS OF OVER $100,000

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 10 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. An office of Armenia’s information
technologies (IT) enterprises opened last year in Canada and is
operating successfully. Bagrat Engibarian, Director of the Enterprise
Incubator Fund, stated this at the October 10 press conference. 15
agreements on fulfilment of orders of the total amount of over 100
thousand USD were prepared by the Office for 19 Armenian companies,
with 7 agreements already being signed. B. Engibarian said it is
envisaged to open similar offices in the US and a European country,
probably Germany.

MONUMENT TO COSSACKS – HEROES OF RUSSIAN-PERSIAN WAR ERECTED IN YEREVAN

Pan Armenian
10.10.2005 13:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A monument to the Cossacks killed during the
Russian-Persian wars in 1826-1827 was unveiled and consecrated near the
Russian Orthodox Church in Yerevan. Words “To the Cossacks of Russia
from grateful Armenian people” are inscribed on the gravestone. The
construction of the memorial was financed by the Armenian community of
Rostov with the assistance of the Yerevan City Administration. Russian
Ambassador to Armenia and RA Ambassador to Russia, governor of Rostov
Oblast Vladimir Chub, Mayors of Rostov-on-Don Mikhail Chernishev and
of Yerevan Yervand Zakharian as well as the RA Minister of territorial
integrity, head of the national security service and chief of the
Armenian police were present at the ceremony.

When delivering a speech Yervand Zakharian noted that the monument
was inaugurated in the place where a Cossack regiment, whose soldiers
gave lost their lives defending Armenia, was quartered. “This fact
once again proves that the friendship between Armenia and Russia is
eternal and we laid one more stone in the fundament of our friendship”,
he said, Interfax reported.

LENNMARKER: TURKEY SHOULD OPEN ARMENIAN BORDER

Pan Armenian
05.10.2005 13:44

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Goran Lennmarker, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Rapporteur on Nagorno Karabakh conflict, met on Tuesday with
the members of the Armenian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly.Speaking during the meeting, Vahan Hovhannisian, National
Assembly vice speaker and the head of the Armenian delegation to the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, mentioned that Lennmarker’s report at
the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Washington session stirred great
interest in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Due to the campaign we launched,
Hovhannissian said, the report was admitted positively in Armenia,
where there are no political forces that do not realize the need
for mutual concessions in order to reach a final solution to the
conflict. However, he added, it would be hard to find a political
force in Azerbaijan willing to agree to similar concessions, so it
is the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s task to find one. He also hailed
Lennmarker for initiating direct talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan
in Brussels and Washington. Hovhannisian proposed that Lennmarker head
an ad hoc working group comprised of members from Armenia, Azerbaijan,
as well as OSCE Parliamentary Assembly members well-informed of the
conflict to work on a joint resolution. Mr. Lennmarker expressed his
agreement with Hovhannisian’s proposals and noted that this golden
opportunity should be grasped by the parliamentarians. Speaking of
the Armenian-Turkish relations, Lennmarker said Armenia would benefit
from the EU-Turkey negotiations. As for Turkey’s blockade of Armenia,
Lennmarker said Turkey must open its border since EU policies are
those of open borders.

ARMENIAN AND AZERI DELEGATIONS TO PACE TO MEET IN STRASBOURG

Pan Armenian
05.10.2005 09:43

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations
to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council if Europe will take
place in Strasbourg today. Chairman of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on
Nagorno Karabakh, Lord Russell-Johnston is expected to take part in
the meeting. The Azeri party will be represented by delegation head
Samed Seidov and MP Asim Mollazade, Mediamax new agency reports.

ARMENIAN ARCHITECTS CAN MAKE SURP KHACH CHURCH COMPLETE
By Ruzan Poghosian

AZG Armenian Daily #177
04/10/2005

Armenia-Turkey

Armenian architects, who by mediation of Armenia’s national committee
of the International Council on Monuments and Sites were in Turkey
to watch reconstruction works of Surp Khach church of Akhtamar
Island, shared with their impressions at a press conference on 1
October. Architect Ashot Hovsepian said that they failed to meet the
author of the church’s layout, a Turkish architect. The latter did
not come to the meeting for uncertain reasons. The layout fitting
required criteria in general, still has a number of inadequacies that
can be corrected before the end of the reconstruction.

“Those deficiencies are perhaps not a deterioration but the layout
would be more perfect if they were not there. We told 3 Turkish
architects working there about our observations asking to correct
visible deficiencies”, he said. The Turks turned down Armenian
specialists’ offer to mix cement with lime batch. The Armenian
architects think that the quality of the Turks’ work is not satisfying
but the overall impression is not despairing.

Gagik Gyurjian, minister of culture of Armenia, said that Armenian
and Turkish specialists will make visits in near future. The
Turk architects will have a chance to study Armenian architecture
scrupulously. Van-born academician Varazdat Harutyunian expressed
wish to celebrate his 97th anniversary in Van, hoping that Turkey will
open borders and improve relations with Armenia before his birthday.