Author: Hambardsumian Paul

MINISTER: CONSTRUCTION OF IRAN-ARMENIA RAILROAD TO TAKE AT LEAST FIVE YEARS

ARKA
Oct 10, 2008

YEREVAN, October 10. /ARKA/. Construction of Iran-Armenia railroad
will take at least five years, Armenian Minister of Transport and
Communications Gurgen Sargsyan said.

Currently the study of three available construction options are to be
completed and the best option is to be selected to start design works,
he said at the opening of a philatelic exhibition in Yerevan.

Selection will be based on several criteria, including construction
costs and the length of the railroad, Sargsyan said.

Earlier, the Minister said that construction of Iran-Armenia railroad
may cost $1.5-2bln. The feasibility study of the project was expected
to be completed by the end of summer 2008.

Iran-Armenia railroad will provide an alternate route for
transportation of energy resources and other goods. Today Armenia’s
communication with the outer world is possible only through the
territory of Georgia.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 3-9, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND THE ROLE OF OBSERVER
MISSIONS

CLARIFICATION OF POLICE DID NOT BRING CLARITY

"ARTICLE 19" CALLS ON ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO LIFT THE MORATORIUM ON
BROADCASTING LICENSING, AND RA GOVERNMENT OFFERS A NEW INITIATIVE

"MOSCOW" CINEMA MANAGEMENT REFUSED TO SHOW "EXPROPRIATION" DOCUMENTARY BY
TIGRAN PASKEVICHIAN

"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND THE ROLE OF OBSERVER
MISSIONS

On October 8 another show of "Press Club" cycle went on air of "Yerkir
Media" TV company. It is produced by Yerevan Press Club with support of the
Open Society Institute Human Rights and Governance Grants Program. The
guests of the "Press Club" host, the President of Yerevan Press Club Boris
Navasardian, were the President of Anti-Corruption Center "Transparency
International" Amalia Kostanian, Expert of the International Center of Human
Development Vahan Asatrian, and Chief Editor of "Basis" magazine Ashot
Aramian. The topic of discussion was the fight against corruption and
working out of an anti-corruption strategy.

The next program of "Press Club" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Wednesday, October 15, at 23.00.

On October 4 another show of "Press Club+" cycle went on air of "Yerkir
Media" TV company. It is produced by Yerevan Press Club with support of the
Embassy of Great Britain in Armenia. The "Press Club+" host, YPC President
Boris Navasardian, and the participants, President of "This is Your Choice"
NGO Harutyun Hambartsumian and Expert of the Association of Women with
University Education Anahit Agoyan, discussed the role of observer missions
during the elections to the local self-administration bodies. The audience
composed of representatives of civil society of Armavir, Gyumri and Yerevan
also participated in the discussion.

The next program of "Press Club+" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Saturday, October 11, at 17.40.

CLARIFICATION OF POLICE DID NOT BRING CLARITY

On October 3 an information appeared on the web site of RA Police, entitled
"Necessary Clarification" and regarding the incident of September 20-21 with
the Head of "Radiolur" news program of Public Radio of Armenia Artur
Sahakian. As it has been reported, a friend of the journalist fell a victim
of the incident and died in the hospital after the beating that took place
on September 21. On the same day another journalist , who was in one of
Yerevan cafes together with Artur Sahakian, was beaten (see details in YPC
Weekly Newsletter, September 26 – October 2, 2008)

According to police information, criminal proceedings by Clause 1, Part 3,
Article 258 of the RA Criminal Code ("Public Disorder") were instituted
against one of the incident participants that went to the police to give
himself up. Two other persons, questioned on October 27 and detained on
October 30, were instituted criminal proceedings against – by Clause 1, Part
3, Article 258 as well as Clauses 6 and 14, Part 2, Article 112 of the RA
Criminal Code ("Intentional Harm to Health"). Police also stressed that some
of the persons involved in this case gave contradictory evidence.

Meanwhile, the "necessary clarification" of the police, in its turn,
contains
obvious contradictions and does not bring any clarity to this complicated
story.

"ARTICLE 19" CALLS ON ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO LIFT THE MORATORIUM ON
BROADCASTING LICENSING, AND RA GOVERNMENT OFFERS A NEW INITIATIVE

On October 6 the Global Campaign for Free Expression "Article 19" expressed
its concern about the addition to the RA Law "On Television and Radio"
adopted on September 10, 2008 by the RA National Assembly. It is suspending
broadcast licensing competitions till July 20, 2010 (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, September 5-11, 2008). Statement of "Article 19" points out that
the adopted amendments are directed against "A1+" TV company, contrary to
the decision of European Court of Human Rights regarding the case of "A1+"
and pronounced on July 17, 2008. It also contradicts to Article 19 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 10 of the
European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom – both
conventions are ratified by Armenia and guarantee freedom of expression.
"Article 19" called on the authorities in Armenia "to lift the moratorium on
the licensing procedure and to ensure that "A1+" participates in an open,
transparent and fair tender prior to the planned digital switchover".

Meanwhile on October 8 RA Government approved another draft law on
amendments to the RA Law "On Television and Radio". It regards the same
abovementioned addition to Article 59 of the broadcast Law. The Government
offers to allow not only TV companies (as stipulated by now), but also radio
companies, whose licenses expire before January 21, 2011, to request
prolongation of the license from the National Commission on Television and
Radio.

Besides, the governmental draft law provides for abolishing limitation on
Public TV and Radio Company broadcasting in the languages of national
minorities. According to Article 28 of the acting Law "On Television and
Radio", duration of programs in the languages of national minorities is
limited to 1 hour a week for the public television, and 1 hour a day – for
the public radio.

"MOSCOW" CINEMA MANAGEMENT REFUSED TO SHOW "EXPROPRIATION" DOCUMENTARY BY
TIGRAN PASKEVICHIAN

The premiere of "Expropriation" documentary scheduled for October 10 will
not take place in "Moscow" cinema in Yerevan, by the decision of the cinema
management. According to the author of the film, journalist and publicist
Tigran Paskevichian, in the morning of October 7, the cinema management
asked for a copy of the film for watching and announced in the evening that
they will not show it, because the film is "political". Tigran Paskevichian
thinks that the film touches only social-legislative issue: the 38 minutes
long documentary introduces the problems of the dwellers of Kentron
community of Yerevan, whose houses were situated in the territories
expropriated with the definition "for the needs of the state". The film was
screened by the order of "Victims of State Interests" NGO under the project
supported by the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation-Armenia. As
Tigran Paskevichian stressed, the ordering NGO was dealing with the
organization of the presentation in "Moscow" cinema, and as far as he knows,
it hasn’t yet received a written refusal to demonstrate the film from the
cinema management.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

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this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

TURKEY’S TUZMEN: CRISIS EFFECT ON STOCK MARKET MINIMUM

Thursday, 09 October 2008 10:06
Turkey

Turkish State Minister stressed that Turkish exports to the
U.S. dropped recently as the Turkish lira gained value and competition
from the far east increased.

Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said Wednesday that Turkey would
go through the global economic crisis with minimum damage based on
its stock exchange and size of businesses that were not too big.

Speaking at an NGO in Atlanta, Tuzmen stressed that Turkey must pursue
trade focusing on "high price, high quality and high technology".

"Last year, foreign capital worth 22.2 billion USD entered Turkey,"
Tuzmen said.

Touching on Turkish-U.S. commercial relations, Tuzmen stressed that
Turkish exports to the U.S. dropped recently as the Turkish lira
gained value and competition from the far east increased.

"Nevertheless, Turkey and the U.S. pursue similar ideals
globally. These are peace, democracy, freedom, welfare and the fight
against terror," Tuzmen said.

Tuzmen inaugurated the "Year of Turkey" at the Kennesaw State
University in Atlanta.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of Kennesaw State University
Daniel Papp said that they wanted their students to get to know Turkey,
a country with which the U.S. had close relations.

The "Year of Turkey" will be celebrated at Kennesaw State University
with various activities and it will end in May 2009.

Tuzmen later visited the headquarters of Coca Cola company in Atlanta.

In reference to Muhtar Kent, the CEO of Coca Cola, Tuzmen said that
"it is highly pleasing to see a Turk in a high position as Kent."

Kursad Tuzmen attended a dinner hosted in his honor by the
U.S. Southeast Turkish-American Chamber of Commerce (TACC).

Answering a question at the dinner, Tuzmen stressed that unless the
issue of Upper Karabagh is resolved, Turkey will not develop commercial
relations with Armenia.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT UNDERSCORES DEVELOPMENT OF TIES WITH SWITZERLAND

ARMENPRESS
Oct 8, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
received today members of the Switzerland-Armenia parliamentary
group of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland headed by Kristin
Egerzeg-Obrist. Presidential press service told Armenpress that
during the meeting the president underscored the development of
multilateral ties with Switzerland and said that during the recent
years a quite interesting agenda of bilateral partnership has been
formed. According to Serzh Sargsyan, for the consolidation of further
partnership an important step will be establishing Swiss diplomatic
representation in Armenia. "We are striving to European values and our
aim is to make Armenia a contemporary, strong country, where a human
will feel secure, and protected," the leader of the country pointed
out. In Armenia-Switzerland cooperation he particularly underscored the
parliamentary relations and expressed his gratitude for the recognition
of the Armenian genocide by the National Assembly of Switzerland in
2003. The head of the Switzerland-Armenian parliamentary group said
that the two peoples are bearers of similar culture, the two countries
are not rich with natural resources but they have principles, skills
and knowledge. President Sargsyan greeted the balanced approach
of Switzerland towards the regional developments and issues of our
country. In respect of Karabakh issue the president said "Our goal
is to reach peaceful regulation of conflict on the basis of mutual
compromises taking into consideration historic facts and of course
future of the people." Referring to the Armenian-Turkish relations,
the president once again repeated that the Armenian side is ready to
establish relations with Turkey without pre-conditions and afterwards
discuss a number of issues. During the meeting the sides also referred
to Armenian-Swiss programs implemented in different spheres.

CANADIAN SOPRANOS EXPLORE EXOTIC SONGS
by Bradley Bambarger, [email protected]

The Star-Ledger – NJ.com
Monday October 06, 2008, 4:19 PM
NJ

Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian is featured on the new CD "Gomidas
Songs.">"Gomidas Songs." Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano; Gevorg
Dabaghyan, duduk; Serouj Kradjian, piano; Armenian Philharmonic
Chamber Players, Eduard Topchjan, cond. (Nonesuch). Four stars

Gomidas Vardapet (1869-1935) is the patron saint of Armenian classical
music. (His church name — he was born Soghomon Soghomonyan —
is usually transliterated for recordings as Komitas.) He collated
thousands of traditional Armenian songs and dances; he also composed
new secular and sacred works threaded with the tradition’s haunting
melodic flavor. Although he survived the Armenian genocide of 1915,
he was a broken man after that.

The music of Gomidas has been recorded by artists from violist
Kim Kashkashian and pianist Grigory Sokolov to Djivan Gasparyan,
master of the Armenian national instrument, the oboe-like duduk. But
this labor-of-love disc by Canadian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, of
Armenian descent, may receive the most attention. A charming artist
with a warm, gleaming voice and up-and-coming opera career, the
34-year-old Bayrakdarian sounds utterly authentic in these piquant,
touching songs. (She first sang Gomidas for Atom Egoyan’s "Ararat,"
a 2002 film about the Armenian genocide; the director wrote an
introductory note for her album.)

The apt pianist is Bayrakdarian’s husband, Serouj Kradjian, who also
wrote the subtly ornamental string-and-wind arrangements, with the
duduk’s apricot-wood timbre a primary color. The music sounds very
Eastern and minimalist, and mostly sad; only a Rossini-influenced
number strikes a false note. Highlights include the heartbreaking
"Oror" (Lullaby), the sighing romantic lament "Karoon" (Spring)
and more dramatic "Andooni" (Without a Home), a favorite of Debussy
when he heard Gomidas in Paris. Bayrakdarian will sing these songs
at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall on Oct. 20.

Messiaen: "Chants de Terre et de Ciel." Suzie LeBlanc, soprano;
Lawrence Wiliford, tenor; Laura Andriani, violin; Robert Kortgaard,
piano. (Atma). Four stars

The records marking the centenary of French modernist Olivier
Messiaen (1908-1992) have been disappointingly thin, being mostly
multiple versions of his "Quartet for the End of Time." So, this
thoughtfully conceived, beautifully realized recital disc does a
great service. Featuring French-Canadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc, the
program highlights the songwriting of the young Messiaen, when he
was enraptured with his first, short-lived wife and under the spell
of Debussy.

There is an ecstatic quality to the cycles "Trois Melodies" and
"Chants de Terre et de Ciel" (Songs of the Earth and Sky), all
swooning lyricism and moonlit atmosphere. These are deeply French,
high-art songs, crafted like jewels. But they also have an effortless
naturalism, especially with a singer like LeBlanc. The soprano,
in her mid-40s, has specialized in Baroque repertoire, but she has
also explored the folk tunes of her Acadian heritage. Her tone is
silvery, clear and floating (with the barest vibrato), her phrasing
intimate like she’s singing just for you. These qualities are ideal,
as Messiaen’s songs are about romantic faith and spiritual love.

The piano parts are rich, with Messiaen giving impressionistic harmony
a modernist update. The composer’s first wife was a violinist,
and he wrote several pieces for her, including the ravishingly
lyrical "Vocalise" for violin and piano, played lovingly here by
Laura Andriani. Also included is the melodious "Theme et Variations"
for violin and piano, with Andriani taking it at flowing pace while
managing the most poetic close.

The rarity here is "La Mort du Nombre," a dramatic mini-cantata for
soprano, tenor, violin and piano by the 21-year-old Messiaen that shows
the influence of Wagner’s love music through the prism of Debussy’s
"Pelleas et Melisande." Lawrence Wiliford may sound a bit callow next
to LeBlanc, but they entwine intensely enough, the piece ending with
shimmering, love-struck piano.

FROM PRESIDENT SERGE SARGSYAN’S MESSAGE ADDRESSED TO THE PEOPLE AND THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
03 Oct 2008
Armenia

Dear compatriots,

We have lots of work to do. To develop our economy, consolidate our
state, provide security, but besides all the before mentioned we have
a super issue – we need to regain our values to achieve what we want
to achieve and to maintain what we have.

Lots of things have been deteriorated nowadays. Our work will be
senseless if the coming generations grow with wrong dreams, if our
children dream of having expensive cars instead of winning in the
Olympic games. Our work will be senseless if we don’t turn our faces
to the development of education.

What we really need is scientists, who will reveal the secrets
of the space; we also need scientists who willingly transfer
their knowledge to the coming generations, because it is due to
this bigheartedness that tomorrow the new generations will make
unprecedented revelations. We need constructors, who will build roads
and buildings, but we more need those who will build the roads passing
round the forests because tomorrow their daughters and sons will walk
in those forests. We need professional doctors who have compassion,
because pills can heal today and compassion can heal always.

Education must be the bases of our values. With all the skills and
knowledge the pupils must=2 0learn to love and believe. This is the
most complex educational standard, because if in all the other cases
you can achieve something by different teaching methods, in this case
the only way is your individual example.

Which means those who educate they must possess these values. A word
without actions is not convincing. Consequently the cornerstone of
our educational policy must be the transformation of our values.

It is not only the responsibility of the government and the Ministry
of Education. Everyone must be responsible for it.

Dear Compatriots,

This is what I wanted to say to our people and the National Assembly.

I would like to finish my speech by voicing my clear stance regarding
certain issues.

1. We all know that in our reality certain individuals want to come
out from the position of power, they think that they are allowed
to solve certain issues by the help of their arms. I would like to
clearly announce that for me it is simply unacceptable. No one is
non-punishable in the Republic of Armenia; no one has the right
to ascribe the functions of the state to himself. I suggest that
everyone avoids similar misbehavior, because the consequences will
really be visible.

2. Secondly I appeal to the representatives of the pro-oppositional
and pro-governmental camps, journalists, social workers, and everyone
in general, to stop publicly hurting one another. Because it has
gone beyond a ll the limits. It seems to have become a norm in our
reality. Let’s stop, because this road will take to nowhere.

KAREKIN II BLESSES HRANUSH HAKOBIAN ON THE OCCASION OF ASSUMING POST OF DIASPORA MINISTER

ARMENPRESS
Oct 2, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobian visited Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin and met with His Holiness
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

Press service of the ministry told Armenpress that Karekin II blessed
H. Hakobian on the occasion of assuming the honorable and responsible
post. Hranush Hakobian presented to the Catholicos the Armenia-Diaspora
partnership development concept which was highly approved.

The archbishops also presented a number of suggestions and expressed
readiness to closely cooperate with the ministry.

DAVID NALBANDIAN IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
02.10.2008 13:20

Legendary Argentinean Armenian tennis player David Nalbandian arrived
in Yerevan last night.

This is David Nalbandian’s first visit to historic Motherland. He
arrived in Armenia at the invitation of the President of the Tennis
Federation of Armenia, MP Harutyun Pambukyan and famous Argentinean
Armenian businessman Eduardo Ernekian. He will spend three days
in Armenia.

On September 29 a reception in honor of world-known Argentinean
Armenian tennis player David Nalbandian was organized in Buenos
Ayres on the occasion of granting him a passport of special status
of residence in the Republic of Armenia.

The reception was attended by the Deputy Minister of Sport of Buenos
Ayres Francisca Irarasaval, Chairman of the Economic Development
Commission of the Parliament of Buenos Ayres Andrea Makhyan, member
of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the State of Buenos
Ayres Sergio Nahapetyan, Former Minister of Security of the State
of Buenos Ayres Leon Carlos Arslanyan, national benefactors Eduardo
Seferyan and Armen Metsaturyan, famous doctor Daniel Stambulyan,
known politician and economist Carlos Melkonyan, other celebrated
figures of the Argentinean Armenian community.

Armenian Ambassador Vladimir Karmirshalyan came forth with a speech,
congratulating David Nalbandian on behalf of the authorities and
thousands of his fans in Armenia and handed him the passport of s
pecial residence status. The Armenian Ambassador wished success to
the sportsman, who currently ranks 7th in the world rating list.

Greatly inspires and excited, David Nalbandian expressed gratitude to
the Armenian authorities and informed that during his visit to Armenia
he would hold a special "master class" for Armenian tennis players.

The next day, on September 30, the event at the Armenian Embassy was
largely covered by local media.

ACCORDING TO SERZH SARGSYAN, NEWLY ELECTED SPEAKER OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO RAISE EFFICIENCY OF PARLIAMENTRAY ACTIVITIES

Noyan Tapan

Se p 29, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. In connection with the election
of Hovik Abrahamian as the speaker of the RA National Assembly,
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan sent a message of congratulation
to H. Arahamian. The message reads:

"Dear Mr. Abrahamian.

I congratulate you on your election as the speaker of the National
Assembly.

Since now you will use your abilities and work experience of many
years to raise the efficiency of the activities of our parliament. I
am convinced that your activity as the speaker of the National Assembly
will be aimed at deepening the reforms in Armenia.

I congratulate you once again on your assumption of the post of the
National Assembly speaker and I wish you successful activities."

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
September 28, 2008

THE MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II
SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS
ON THE OCCASION OF THE BLESSING OF THE HOLY MURON
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 28 September 2008

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

"YOU SHALL PREPARE OIL FOR HOLY ANNOINTING…
IT IS SACRED, AND THEREFORE SHOULD REMAIN SACRED FOR YOU."
(EXODUS 30:25-32)

Dear pious Armenian pilgrims,

>From the heights of heaven, holiness descends once more today and disperses
blessing, grace and exuberance over our homeland, within our souls, and
throughout the whole of Armenian life.  In the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, with the prayerful participation of the sons and daughters of
our nation dispersed throughout the world, we bless the Holy Muron (Chrism)
according to the words granted from our Lord.  Glory, unending praise and
thanks to our all-provident God.

It is through the beneficent Will of God, that on this festive day of the
Holy Cross of Varag, we have gathered together with joyful souls to bless
the Holy Muron.  We are together in our holiest site where Christ Himself
descended, which was drawn with heavenly lights as the center of witness of
faith and the altar of oath for our people and for all time.  For continuous
centuries, guided by the spirit of pilgrimage, our Armenian nation,
reinforced and renewed with faith, sees their illuminated path to eternity –
their path to salvation and God.  "So that this illuminates us with faith
and we grow in the house of God; so that this renews us with the graces of
the Holy Spirit and fills us, makes us fruitful and bountiful with the
same." (Catholicos of All Armenians Simeon of Yerevan).  The God-granted and
soul-sustaining mission of Holy Etchmiadzin, from the time of Saint Gregory
our Illuminator, is dispersed and distributed through the Holy Muron to our
churches, our hearths and Armenian life around the globe.

On this grace-renewing day of the Blessing of the Holy Muron, we mixed the
most noble, aromatic and healing liquids with the fruit of the olive tree –
the symbol of peace with our Creator.  To this virtuous mixture, we combined
the previous Muron, through which, we transmit the oil blessed by our Lord
from generation to generation; and also mixed the newly made Muron of the
Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia.  We blessed it with our sacred
and cherished relics – with the saving Cross of our Lord, the Holy Lance,
and the Holy Right Hand of our Illuminator Pontiff.  With the warmest
prayers of our souls, we appealed for the intercession of our holy
forefathers, so that the newly blessed Muron, through the permeation of the
Holy Spirit, becomes "the seal of heavenly cleanliness".  We prayed that the
seven virtues of heaven be distributed within our lives, and as God has
directed, the Muron be and always remain sacred for all of us.  Today, this
Muron receives miraculous power with the heavenly graces of the Holy
Spirit.  Today, this substance, through prayer and entreaty, becomes
conscious and alive, "I sanctify you, oil of the olive tree, in the name of
Almighty God… so that all influences and powers of satan be persecuted by
you, so that you become strengthened with blessing, to seal the Holy Spirit
on all those whom you anoint, in the name of the Almighty Father and the Son
– our Lord Jesus Christ." (Canon of the Blessing of the Muron).

Through the benevolent Will of God, the Holy Muron is holy and sanctifies. 
With the luminous and sweet aromatic Muron, we consecrate our churches;
transforming them into the house of God.  Through their ordination with
Muron, clergymen are called to service at the holy altar of our Lord.  
Through the grace-bearing and grace-dispersing Muron, we are born from the
baptismal font as the worthy people of God – as the Holy Armenian Apostolic
Church.  Through the seal of the Holy Muron, we recognize, live, feel and
protect our Armenian and Christian identity and our national wholeness. 
Sealed with Holy Muron, we have triumphed over all wars of life and death;
over all campaigns for survival and endurance, for the sake of our faith and
our homeland.  Through the power and light of the Muron, we unite our past,
present and the future of our children.

The Blessing of the Holy Muron, dear Armenian sons and daughters, is a call
and invitation to our nation, to remain under the graces of holiness, to
renounce evil and its works, and to keep the light of our Lord’s gospel
undimmed in our lives.  The Blessing of the Muron is an exhortation to live
with Christ, to walk with Christ, since you were baptized in Christ and took
on the garment of Christ with the Holy Muron. (ref. Gal 3:27)  Only with our
Lord and the love He bestows, shall goodness and justice reign in our
lives.  Only thus shall the sacred faith our fathers remain unshaken and
immaculate in our hearts, and our paths shall become successful and full of
hope.

Today we, as Pontiff of All Armenians, are encouraged and optimistic, filled
with the hopes of the future, since in our native land of Armenia and
Artsakh, in our revitalized Church, in our independent state, but especially
in the healthy inner-life of our people, we feel and see the awakening and
maturing will and imperative to be cleansed, to be purified, and to create a
righteous society and just state.  We see the will and the demand to heal
our national wounds, to overcome the difficulties in our ecclesiastical life
– the divisions and diverging opinions brought on by the times.  So that in
Armenian life, we are one and united, always and forever – one nation, one
faith, one Church – with our united homeland, and to proceed to new
accomplishments with one will and one mind, to the realization of our
righteous aspirations and worthy goals, to the lasting refuge provided for
us by God.

We are optimistic and encouraged from all the goodness bequeathed to our
nation by God, from all good works that are fruitful in Armenian life in
dispersion, from plans turning into reality which serve the welfare of our
people, the prosperity of our homeland, and the vibrancy of our Holy
Church.  Let us unite and strengthen our efforts so that our native land
blossoms and lives in God-granted peace and liberty, and gains strength with
our Lord’s true love, with the devotion, talent and creativity of its sons
and daughters.  Let us take care and be attentive so that our Holy Church
dispersed throughout the world, always be vibrant through the traditions and
contributions of our ancestors, with its God-loving people who are faithful
to their Etchmiadzin-sealed souls.  May the unity and mission of our Holy
Church and the solidarity of our people be fruitful through the miraculous
and nation-gathering graces of strength of the luminous Muron.

Dear pious faithful, on this sacred day of Blessing the Holy Muron, let us
gaze again to see the descent of our Lord with the ranks of angels, the
destruction of the demons of hell with the strike of the golden hammer, and
the flow of life-giving waters from the heavenly altar deluging all of
Armenian life, which is the Illuminator’s vision of our people’s baptism and
rebirth with the Holy Spirit.  Let us see and be reinforced with faith, and
be filled with new hopes, with the awakening of reborn life.

O Armenian people, O people graced and triumphant, who through the life you
have lived from century to century through heroic testimonies, are faithful
to your oath with God established through Holy Etchmiadzin.  Be renewed
daily with your faith, become luminous with the righteous and beneficial
results of church-building and nation-devoted works, so that under God’s
blessing, our Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin remains eternally unshaken, our
homeland forever crowned by Ararat always remains free and independent, and
that Armenians always look to the future with confidence.

It is with these emotions and wishes what we welcome the presence of the
president of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsian; president of the
Republic of Nagorno Karabagh, Bako Sahakian; and high-ranking state
authorities of the Armenians; wishing them success in the progress of
Armenia and Artsakh, and for the sake of the right of our people in Artsakh
to live free.

With our love in Christ, we extend our fraternal greetings to the incumbents
of our hierarchal sees, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia; His Beatitude Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem;
and His Beatitude Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople;
asking for God’s blessing and assistance for their lives.

We are happy on this joyous day for our people, to welcome in Holy
Etchmiadzin our brother in Christ, Ecumenical Patriarch His All Holiness
Bartholomew I, asking for God’s protection for his pious flock.

Our love in Christ we also convey to the graceful representatives of our
sister Churches, the diplomats accredited in the Republic of Armenia, and
representatives of governmental and international organizations, wishing for
them God’s daily guidance in their mission of service.

We convey our pontifical blessings and greet the diocesan primates of our
Church, diocesan and parochial councils, our oath-bound ranks of clergy, you
– our sons and daughters who have come today as pilgrims, and all our pious
people in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora.

Let us together pray that the Almighty grant reconciliation to the world,
keep our homeland in peace under His grace, and keep our people throughout
the world secure and tranquil.

May the newly blessed Muron, as God has directed, be sacred for us and all,
now and always. Amen.