Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Armenia citizens were deported from Russia

January 11, 2014 | 11:04

In 2013, the judicial officers of the Russian Federation (RF) Republic
ofBashkortostan have deported 241 illegal immigrants from the country,
and another 28 are awaiting their turn to be deported.

It is noted that the citizens ofTajikistan and Uzbekistan are deported
most often.

But there also are Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Abkhazia
citizens among these illegal immigrants, Ufa1.ru reports citing the
judicial officers of the Federal Service Department of the RF Republic
of Bashkortostan.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

COMMUNAUTE-Bourg-Lès-Valence
« Arménia » demande au Président Hollande, un timbre-poste pour le
centenaire du génocide arménien

A l’occasion du 100ème anniversaire du génocide arménien, « Arménia »
part en campagne pour demander au Président de la République, François
Hollande, un timbre-poste dédié au 100ème anniversaire du génocide
arménien. Autour du président Krikor Amirzayan, les membres du bureau
d’« Arménia », Alain Euksuzian (vice-président), Georges Erétzian
(secrétaire), Vartkés Simonian (trésorier), Christian Charrière
(secrétaire-adjoint) et Gérard Jassoud (membre du bureau) se sont
réunis début janvier à la brasserie La Mairie (Bourg-Lès-Valence) pour
lancer la campagne de pétitions. Le texte présenté par « Arménia »
écrit « Monsieur le Président de la République, le 24 avril 2015 le
monde commémorera le 100 ème anniversaire du génocide arménien de 1915
qui fit 1,5 million de victimes arméniennes. Un Crime contre
l’Humanité qui continue aujourd’hui encore à être encore nié par la
Turquie, héritière de l’Empire Ottoman.

La France a reconnu le génocide arménien par une Loi le 29 janvier
2001. Cette Loi de la République qui fait aujourd’hui l’objet d’une
demande de pénalisation car en France, nombreux sont encore ceux qui
par des propos négationnistes tentent de minimiser la dimension du
génocide ou tout simplement de déformer la vérité historique.

La Communauté arménienne de France est aujourd’hui inquiète de ces
développements et espère que vous, Monsieur le Président, puissiez
tenir vos engagements prononcés lors de votre campagne électorale et
proposer une Loi de pénalisation du négationnisme de génocide
arménien. Nous demandons également afin de figer la mémoire du
génocide arménien reconnu par une Loi de la République française,
d’`uvrer auprès des autorités compétentes pour l’émission d’un
timbre-poste consacré au 100ième anniversaire du génocide arménien le
24 avril 2015 ». Krikor Amirzayan « nous avons déjà récolté plusieurs
dizaines de signatures pour cette pétition. Très rapidement nous
disposerons de plusieurs centaines de signataires ». Ensuite, «
Arménia » envisage d’envoyer cette pétition au Palais de l’Elysée à
l’attention du Président François Hollande.

Rappelons qu’une récente campagne d’« Arménia » demandant au Président
français le vote d’une Loi de pénalisation du négationnisme du
génocide arménien avait eu la réponse de l’Elysée adresse à « Arménia
».

Contact : « Arménia », 130 rue Marcel Paul -Bourg-Lès-Valence. Tél 04
75 83 80 58

ci-dessous la pétition qui est également mise en ligne sur le site de
MesOpinions.com à l’adresse :

À l’attention du Président de la République, M. François Hollande La
France a reconnue le 29 Janvier 2001 par une Loi le génocide arménien.

En 2015, les Arméniens commémoreront en Arménie et à travers le monde
le 100 ème anniversaire du génocide arménien de 1915 commis par la
Turquie et qui fit 1,5 million de victimes arméniennes.

L’association culturelle Arménia demande au Président de la
République, M. François Hollande, l’émission par la France le 24 Avril
2015 d’un timbre-poste pour la commémoration du 100 ème anniversaire
du génocide arménien.

Association culturelle Arménia, 130 rue Marcel Paul 26500 Bourg-les-Valence.

Mail : [email protected]

samedi 11 janvier 2014,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT SUMS UP NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEACE EFFORTS OF 2013

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 10 2014

10 January 2014 – 10:07am

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has rounded up the peace efforts in
Nagorno-Karabakh made in 2013 at a government session of socio-economic
development. The president emphasized that 2013 was the year of a
stalemate for Nagorno-Karabakh. 2014 may see an agreement signed with
Armenia, if it demonstrates a constructive approach, he said.

Aliyev said the only positive circumstance was the opinion voiced
by co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group that the status quo in
Nagorno-Karabakh is unacceptable. He reminded that Armenia was to
fulfill the four resolutions of the UNSC, leave the occupied lands,
restore territorial unity.

Rasim Musabekov, an Azerbaijani MP and political analyst, all elements
of a peace agreement were clear and were only a matter of political
will. He predicts that complicated economic conditions in Armenia
may encourage it to be more open for negotiations.

The expert noted that Azerbaijan will host the first European Olympic
Games in 2015, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the so-called
Armenian Genocide of 1915. Armenia and Azerbaijan will most likely
abstain from using force before the Games. Musabekov blames Armenia
for exile of about a million people who were driven out.

HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL FOR ARMENIAN FRONTIER VILLAGERS

Institute for War and Peace Reporting, UK
IWPR Caucasus Reporting #718
Jan 10 2014

With their main highway shut because of the risk of gunfire, residents
of northeastern district are almost cut off from the outside world.

By Lilit Arakelyan – Caucasus CRS Issue 718, 10 Jan 14

Sixteen villages close to Armenia’s northeast border with Azerbaijan
have been effectively cut off from the rest of the country since
late October. The main highway to the interior of Armenia has been
closed because of the risk of gunfire from across the border, and
minor roads are all but impassable.

On October 22, an Armenian soldier died and three were injured when
their vehicle came under fire while travelling along the highway. (See
Armenian Soldier Killed in Fresh Border Incident )

In response, the government ordered this stretch of road in Tavush
region to be closed.

Another Armenian serviceman was killed by sniper fire on December 15
near the village of Movses, which lies on the same stretch of road
skirting the frontier.

Residents of the affected area now have to rely on alternative routes
going via the town of Berd to Chambarak and Ijevan, but both roads
are in poor shape and are frequently blocked by winter snowfalls.

“The Berd-Chambarak road is always being closed. However much they
clear the snow coming down from the mountains, it still blocks the
road,” Siranush Melikyan, a student from Berd, told IWPR. “And the
Berd-Ijevan road has been in poor shape ever since it was built. It’s
no more than a track.”

As a result, Melikyan said, travelling in and out of villages in this
part of the border is difficult.

“If we want to get home, we can’t do so safely on any of the roads,”
he said. “It’s also important to consider what happens if someone
falls ill. If we need to get someone to [the capital] Yerevan, that’s
a problem, since we’re on the border where the shooting is incessant.

If a soldier is injured, he can’t be taken quickly to Yerevan.”

Armenian defence ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan told IWPR
that the Paravakar-Vazashen highway was overlooked by Azerbaijani
military positions located on higher ground. This vulnerability
meant that extensive work would have to be done to make the route
safe enough to be reopened.

“Earthen banks are being built for safety. But that’s very difficult
in this location,” he said. “Our adversaries are high up and we are
lower down, which means we’d need to build 50-metre earthen banks.

Right now it isn’t possible for us to make it completely safe.”

Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a ceasefire agreement to end the Nagorny
Karabakh conflict in 1994. While the truce has generally held since
then, exchanges of fire occur both on the border between the two
state and on the “line of contact” separating Azerbaijani forces
and Karabakh.

Civilians in border zones live under the constant threat of gunfire.

(See also Gunfire as Extension of Politics on Azeri-Armenian Border.)

Young people in Tavush region have written an open letter to President
Serzh Sargsyan asking him to get the highway reopened and order
repairs to the two auxiliary routes.

“People already feel isolated psychologically, and if the road is
closed, this becomes dangerous,” one of the signatories, Marieta
Manucharyan, a student from the village of Varazavan, told IWPR.

Some local residents are still using the main highway in spite of
the official ban. Roland Margaryan, the local government chief in
the village of Paravakar, says he travels along it almost every day.

“Initially, the police and military required us to sign statements that
if there was any shooting on the road, they wouldn’t be responsible
for our lives. They warned us that travelling was dangerous,” he told
IWPR. “Now they don’t make us sign anything. The local residents go
back and forth. It’s true that the road is officially closed, but at
the moment it’s the only one we can use.”

Officials told IWPR that work had begun on mapping out a 3.8-kilometre
bypass going through a forested area that would avoid the most
dangerous part of the highway.

People who have used the two other roads say they are so bad that
they too are a danger to life and limb.

“Six weeks ago I came to Yerevan on the Berd-Chambarak road. The road
was very hard to drive on. It isn’t even tarmacked, and cars get into
accidents. Within the last week, two people I know have had accidents
on that road,” Manucharyan said.

Tavush provincial governor Armen Ghularyan says the other road, to
Ijevan, is currently being repaired and widened. The work will take
six weeks to complete.

Tevan Poghosyan, a member of parliament from the Heritage Party,
said the government needed to spend more money to secure the roads.

“Armenia needs to build an alternative road network further away from
the Azerbaijan border. That’s the only policy that should be followed,”
he told IWPR.

Lilit Arakelyan is a reporter for Araratnews.am.

ARMENIAN FM BEGINS OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA

Radio Cadena Agramonet, Cuba
Jan 10 2014

Havana, Cuba, Jan 10.- With a visit to Old Havana’s historic area,
declared a Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1984, Eduard
Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia,
began an official visit to Cuba.

During the tour he was received by Lesbia Mendez, director for Heritage
of the City Historian Office, who accompanied him to important places
of sociocultural interest, like the Plaza de Armas, the Plaza Vieja
and the Plaza of Saint Francis of Assisi, as well as to emblematic
buildings like the Maqueta de la Ciudad and the Palacio de los
Capitanes Generales.

During his stay in Cuba, the distinguished visitor will hold official
talks with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez (on Friday morning), and
will carry out other activities and meetings with Cuban authorities,
according to the island’s Foreign Ministry’s Web site. (can)

DINK MURDER CASE SUSPECTS RELEASED TWO DAYS AFTER ARREST

January 10, 2014 – 12:32 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Two suspects in the Turkish-Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink murder case, who were arrested in Trabzon two days ago,
were released after interrogation, according to Hurriyet Daily News.

Zeynel Abidin Yavuz and Osman Hayal were considered key suspects,
and arrest orders for them were issued after they failed to attend
an initial hearing.

Yavuz is said to have been the first triggerman chosen to murder Dink
while Hayal’s brother, Yasin Hayal, has been charged with being the
instigator of the assassination.

The Supreme Court of Appeals had overturned the acquittals of top
suspects, including Yasin Hayal. Hayal and other 18 suspects, including
Erhan Tuncel and Ersin Yolcu, are set to stand again in the retrial,
which resumed on Sept 17, 2013.

The sudden release of the suspects shortly after their arrest comes
10 days ahead of the 7th anniversary of Dink’s murder.

The editor-in-chief of bilingual Agos weekly, which has been the voice
of the small Armenian community in Istanbul for several decades,
was shot dead by Ogun Samast in front of his office in Istanbul on
Jan 19, 2007.

Lawyers representing the Dink family have repeatedly expressed their
dismay over the way the investigations and the trial were conducted.

One of the lawyers, Fethiye Cetin, said last September that the current
stage was “far behind the starting point,” as the indictment of the
retrial will review whether a “terrorist organization” plotted the
murder, a point that was simply assumed in the first trial.

Cetin argued in a recently-published book that the order to kill
was given by the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MÄ°T)
via an encrypted message.

The self-named group Friends of Dink, which is made up of journalists,
relatives, friends and other intellectuals, also accuse the state of
being responsible for the murder.

3 DOPING SPECIALISTS FROM ARMENIA WILL SERVE SOCHI OLYMPIC GAMES

21:42, 9 January, 2014

YEREVAN, JANUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. 3 specialists of the National
Anti-Doping Service of the Republic of Armenia Davit Mosinyan, Anzhela
Manukyan and Khoren Manukyan will leave for Sochi on January 30.

Davit Mosinyan informed it to Armenpress. He noted that there will
be no problems on the Olympic accreditation, and it will be solved
within a day as the sports doctors should get acquainted with their
working responsibilities as soon as possible.

As we know, 70 Russian specialists and 15 sports doctors from abroad
(three of them are from Armenia) will work in the anti-doping service
in Sochi Winter Games competition.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

EXPERT PREDICTS WEAKENING OF TURKEY’S ROLE IN THE REGION

16:17 10.01.2014

Anna Nazaryan
Public Radio of Armenia

Last year Turkey’s foreign policy was a complete failure, expert of
Turkish studies Andranik Ispiryan said. According to him, the West
lost trust in Turkey because of the latter’s independent policy line
on Syria.

Turkey took independent steps by arming the radicals, thus failing
to meet the expectations of the West, he said. The improvement of
relations with Iran is a counterbalance to Turkey, the expert added.

Ispiryan predicts a weakening of Turkey’s role in the region in the
future. According to him, a hard year is awaiting Turkey, judging
from the arrests and dismissals that started last year.

The expert does not rule out, that Turkey will try to take steps
in the Karabakh issue, but considers that the general geopolitical
developments, the opportunities of Iran-Customs Union cooperation
will deprive Turkey of the opportunity to interfere in regional issues.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

** TOP STORY January 9, 2014
————————————————————

** Christ’s Birth Celebrated at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————

On Monday, January 6, worshipers gathered at New York’s St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral for the observance of the Feast of the Nativity and
Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy. The Primate spoke about Christmas as a time of renewal, and
emphasized the importance of strengthening our connection with God and
with fellow human beings at the start of the new year.

In Armenian tradition, January 6 commemorates not only the birth of
Christ, but also his baptism by John the Baptist. The latter is
remembered through the “Blessing of Water” service, which followed the
Divine Liturgy on Monday. Hratch Nersessian served as godfather of the
“Blessing of Water” service.

After the service on January 6, at a reception in Haik and Alice
Kavookjian Auditorium, a traditional home-blessing ceremony was led by
Archbishop Barsamian. A colorful dance performance was offered by the
Akh’tamar Armenian Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Sylva
Assadourian.

Click on the following links to read more
()
about the Christmas celebration and to view photos
()
and video highlights
()
.

Armenian Christmas Eve was observed on the evening of Sunday, January
5, with the St. Vartan Cathedral dean, the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon
Kiledjian, celebrating the Divine Liturgy. The Christmas Eve service
featured scripture readings by students from the Diocese’s Khrimian
Lyceum and St. Vartan Armenian School. Click here
()
to view Christmas Eve photos.

** Scripture of the Week
————————————————————

Rom 1:1-7
Lk 2:1-7

** Prayer of the Week
————————————————————

Look with love, O merciful Father, on the created works of your hand,
and grant the camps of the angels to be guardians of our feeble
persons. Deliver us from temptation, from the wandering demons of
night, that by day and by night, we may give you glory incessantly.

** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
————————————————————

13 January: Feast of the Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ

14 January: Feast of the Birth of St. John the Forerunner

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Christmas at Holy Etchmiadzin
Hayk Maghakelyan, godfather of the `Blessing of Water,’ holds up the
cross for worshipers to kiss.

** Christmas at Holy Etchmiadzin
————————————————————

At Holy Etchmiadzin on Monday, January 6, His Holiness Karekin II, the
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, celebrated the
Divine Liturgy and performed the `Blessing of Water’ service as
worshipers gathered for the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our
Lord Jesus Christ. He was assisted by Bishop Hovnan Hakobian and
Bishop Mushegh Babayan.

Among the dignitaries present were Armenia’s President Serge Sargsyan
and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. Hayk Maghakelyan of Russia served
as the godfather of the `Blessing of Water.’

His Holiness reminded the worshipers that Christ’s presence in our
lives lights the way to a fruitful and meaningful existence. Without
it, `faith and trust in one another, as well as hope and optimism for
the future, all weaken in our lives,’ he said. `We must rely on him,
we must bear his truth in our hearts, so that our lives are
transformed, and filled with unwavering trust and the strength to
overcome difficulties.’

Click here
()
to continue reading the Catholicos’ message.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Annual Appeal

** Time is Running Out
————————————————————
With a new year now officially upon us, the Eastern Diocese is making
a final, urgent plea for support of the 2013 Annual Appeal. Follow
this link to donate now
()
to the 2013 Annual Appeal-before time runs out.

The Annual Appeal is the only Diocesan-wide fundraiser conducted each
year to help the Diocese undertake the many ministries, programs, and
resources that enrich life in our parishes.

Your thoughtful gift brings light to our local churches. It supports
Christian education, Armenian language instruction, summer camps,
youth programs, mission parish outreach, and the use of new
communication technologies.

To our past and prospective donors, we are deeply grateful for your
support of the creative, educational, and inspirational programs that
lift up Armenian communities throughout the Eastern Diocese.

Please help us strengthen these efforts. Your generous contribution to
the 2013 Annual Appeal is greatly needed to help spread the good work
of the Armenian Church across our local communities-and across the
generations.

Malankara Church
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presented Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho with
an Armenian cross.

** Primate Congratulates Malankara Archbishop
————————————————————

On Saturday, January 4, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate,
took part in a celebration of the 10th anniversary of Archbishop Mor
Titus Yeldho, who has been serving as the Archbishop of the Malankara
Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America since
2004. The event was held at St. Mary’s Syriac Orthodox Church in
Paramus, NJ.

Archbishop Barsamian conveyed his congratulations and blessings to
Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho. `As fellow members of the Oriental
Orthodox family of churches, we are all privileged to stand very close
to the origins of our faith,’ he said. `And we are truly blessed to
find occasions like this, to affirm our long-standing friendship and
our common ministry in Christ.’

Ararat Center Board meeting
Board members at this week’s meeting, with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
presiding.

** Ararat Center Board Elects New Members
————————————————————
Meeting at the Diocesan Center on Wednesday, January 8, members of the
Ararat Center Board of Directors held elections and looked forward to
a productive year at the Diocese’s conference and recreation facility
in upstate New York.

The board welcomed Eric Barsamian, a new member, and re-elected the
Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Karen Durgarian, and Mark Kazanjian for new
terms. The Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian will continue to serve as the
board’s liaison to the Diocesan Council.

A new executive committee was also elected. It is comprised of chair
Nicholas Durgarian, vice chair Jay Kapur, treasurer Aram Hintlian, and
secretary Jeri Humphries.

The board expressed its appreciation to outgoing member Doug Tashjian
for his dedicated service.

Deacons Guide to the Divine Liturgy

** New Deacons’ Guidebook Available
————————————————————

Last month the Diocese announced the publication of the
much-anticipated Deacon’s Guide to the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian
Church=80’an updated and revised edition of the classic book by His
Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, of blessed memory, the late
Patriarch of Jerusalem and Primate of the Eastern Diocese.

The original edition of the Deacons’ Guide inspired an entire
generation of altar servers, and represents one of the many beautiful
legacies Patriarch Torkom bequeathed to us.

The revised edition incorporates musical notations, ritual
instructions and visual diagrams, to augment the Armenian text of the
deacons’ parts (in classical and Western versions) with
transliteration and translation in English. It has been designed as a
companion to The Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Church (the `pew book’
previously published by the Diocese), employing marginal notations
that synchronize the pages of the two volumes.

Additionally, a new audio recording of the deacons’ parts=80’keyed to
the new Deacons’ Guide-is available online for streaming
()
and free download
(
7b0ccc0a&e=3aa2e2c3e9&utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=51aa73f1c4-February_9_20122_9_2012&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3f0172fcf2-51aa73f1c4-159688434)
. The audio is also available on the Diocese’s Vemkar app for iPad,
iPhone
()
, and Android
()
.

The Deacons Guide to the Divine Liturgy is currently on sale in the
St. Vartan Bookstore
()
.

FAR
Doctors at the ultrasound machine donated to Stepanakert by US-based
radiologist Dr. Levon Nazarian and AAHPO board member Dr. Raffi
Hovanessian.

** FAR Hosts Cardiology Conference in Nagorno-Karabagh
————————————————————

As part of its effort to advance Armenia’s public health system, the
Fund for Armenian Relief’s Continuing Medical Education (CME)
()
program recently held a two-day conference on cardiology at
Stepanakert Republic Hospital in Nagorno-Karabagh.

Dr. Liana Khachatryan and Dr. Lusine Mkhitaryan, both experts from
Erebuni Medical Center in Yerevan, collaborated with FAR’s medical
programs staff to lead the event in Stepanakert, which was attended by
general physicians, cardiologists, and Intensive Care Unit specialists
from institutions throughout Nagorno-Karabagh.

The conference allowed participants to learn about the latest
approaches to cardiology, as well as ways to properly use equipment
for monitoring and treating heart conditions. Click here
()
to visit FAR’s blog and to read more about the conference.

Cardiovascular disease is considered a serious public health threat in
Nagorno-Karabagh and Armenia. FAR’s healthcare programs target this
issue in collaboration with the Armenian American Health
Professionals’ Organization (AAHPO
()
), which supports the CME program.

Oshavank, Historic Armenia
Oshvank monastery near Erzurum.

** 2014 Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese will sponsor a pilgrimage to historic Armenia,
from September 3 to 15, 2014.

Participants will have the opportunity to celebrate the Divine Liturgy
at Holy Cross Church on the island of Aghtamar, and to take part in
prayer services at St. Giragos Armenian Church of Dikranagert and the
St. Gregory Church in Kayseri.

The pilgrimage also includes visits to other cities of historic
Armenia=80’Kharpert, Malatya, and Sepastia, among other locales. The
journey will include a stop in Istanbul, where pilgrims will visit the
Armenian Patriarchate.

Click here
()
to view a flyer for registration information. To view a short film
about the Diocese’s 2012 pilgrimage to historic Armenia, click here
()
.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————

** Christmas Across the Parishes
————————————————————

The Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, held its annual Christmas
pageant on Sunday, January 5, following the Divine Liturgy. Church
school students under the direction of Mrs. Sabina Khachatrian and the
vocal direction of Mrs. Karinne’ Andonian recited and sang in Armenian
and English the story of the birth of Jesus. Following the pageant,
the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan, parish pastor, performed a home-blessing
ceremony in the church hall.

In Watertown, MA, a Christmas Eve candlelight service was held at
St. James Church on December 24. The evening began with gospel
readings by the Sunday School students, followed by a program of
Christmas carols and musical selections. A reception followed in the
church hall.

On Sunday, January 5, the morning service was followed by a special
presentation by the St. James Sunday School. Titled `Christmas Around
the World,’ the presentation featured booths highlighting Christmas
traditions from various parts of the globe. Later that evening,
students from the parish’s St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Saturday School
read passages from the gospels. The Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, parish
pastor, celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

On Monday, January 6, the church was filled to capacity for the Divine
Liturgy and `Blessing of the Water’ service. The community welcomed
Rev. Laura Everett, executive director of the Massachusetts Council of
Churches, on this joyous occasion.

Click here
()
to view photos from Cheltenham and Watertown. We invite other parishes
to submit photos from local Christmas observances for publication in
the January 16 edition of the Diocesan newsletter.

St. Sahag Church
A deacon holds up the gospel adorned in its new cover. Behind
Fr. Barseghyan is the church’s new altar cross.

** A New Altar Cross in St. Paul
————————————————————

Parishioners at the St. Sahag Church of St. Paul, MN, donated an altar
cross and a gospel cover in time for this year’s Christmas
celebration.

On Christmas Eve, January 5, the Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan, parish
pastor, blessed the new altar accoutrements prior to the celebration
of the Divine Liturgy. Later that evening, the Sunday School presented
a Christmas pageant.

Among the donors were Lucy Rorke Adams, George Andeweg, Harriet
Balian, Fr. Barseghyan, Nairy Digris, Viken Djerdjian, Mary Kazarian,
Jim Lippert, Azad Mesroubian, Thomas and Caroline Pohler, Chacke
Scallen, and Avo Toghramadjian.

St. John Church, Detroit, MI

** In Case of Emergency…
————————————————————

In the deepest spiritual sense, the church is our true sanctuary: a
place of refuge and safety from the world.

But physically, a church can be as vulnerable as any other building to
the threat of fire and natural disaster. A parish in our Diocese has
been taking steps to prepare for such emergency situations-and its
experience provides a model for other communities to follow.

The St. John Church in Southfield, MI, has launched a project to
develop plans for fire evacuation, tornado shelter, and lock-down
situations. On two Sundays last fall, practice fire drills were held
for the congregation and church school students. The drills were held
at the conclusion of the badarak; but prior to that, ushers, choir
members, parish council members, teachers, and other personnel
underwent special training in how to react in a real
emergency. Parishioners and students were also informed of the proper
steps to a safe evacuation.

Through the drills, the entire church complex was safely cleared
within a few minutes. Most importantly, St. John now has trained
leaders who can assist and direct others in case of emergency.

The effort is being led by the St. John parish council, which plans to
hold practice fire drills every year, and is also developing plans for
tornado and lock-down emergencies. Other parishes in the Diocese have
held training sessions for CPR and medical emergencies. Local first
aid squads can helpfully advise parishes on such precautionary
measures.

Christmas Across Mission Parishes
Nareg Moutafyan served as godfather of the “Blessing of Water” in
Baton Rouge.

** Southern-Style Christmas
————————————————————

The Diocese’s mission parishes were busy during the Christmas season,
with communities in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana receiving visits
from the director of the Mission Parish program, the Rev. Fr. Tateos
Abdalian.

In Jacksonville, FL, Fr. Abdalian led parish children in a religious
education session on the badarak, and followed that with a Bible study
geared towards adult members. The entire community came together on a
Sunday to witness the baptismal service for Edward Khalafyan, which
was incorporated into the Divine Liturgy in the manner of Christian
practice in ages past.

For his visit to Atlanta, GA, Fr. Abdalian brought with him Armen
Hareyan, a musician and sub-deacon from Charlotte, NC, who spent time
with the local choir members to deepen their knowledge of the
sharagans. Parishioners were impressed by the improved sound of the
choir during the badarak that week, and are eager for future visits by
Mr. Hareyan to train the choir and acolytes.

Armenian Christmas Eve on January 5 found Fr. Abdalian in Baton Rouge,
LA, where he celebrated the `lamp-lighting’ badarak and the `Blessing
of Water’ service. A young acolyte of the community, Nareg Moutafyan,
served as godfather of the cross.

During the same period, Diocesan Vicar the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon
Odabashian visited the Ocala community with Fr. Abdalian, where they
celebrated the jashou service and met with local parish chair Charles
Takesian and other community members, with an eye to reactivating the
community as an official mission parish.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Upcoming Events

** Upcoming Parish Events
————————————————————

Armenian Church of Southwest Florida | Naples, FL
The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Seminary, will
celebrate the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany on Sunday, January
12, at 1:30 p.m., at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (3901 Davis Blvd.) in
Naples, FL. An Armenian Christmas dinner (reservations required) will
be held in Trinity Hall afterwards.

For information or to make reservations, contact Carole Meghreblian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

** EVENTS
————————————————————
Abp. Torkom Manoogian
A tribute to the legacy of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian will be held at
the Diocesan Center on February 9.

** The Legacy of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese will host a celebration of the remarkable life and
enduring legacy of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the late Primate of
the Eastern Diocese and 96th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, on
Sunday, February 9.

The day will begin at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral with
the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, followed by a requiem
service. A memorial luncheon and program will be held in the
afternoon.

Reservations are now being taken for the memorial, with a deadline of
January 24. Click here
()
to view a flyer with reservation information. Additional program
details will be forthcoming.

Tatevik
Datevik Hovanesian will perform at the Diocesan Center on January 17.

** Jazz Concert at the Diocesan Center
————————————————————

St. Vartan Cathedral will host an evening of American, Armenian, and
Brazilian jazz featuring vocalist Datevik Hovanesian on Friday,
January 17, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will be held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium of
the Diocesan Complex (630 Second Avenue, New York City).

Click here
()
to view a flyer for ticket information.

Concert at Met
The Hilliard Ensemble will perform Armenian music during its January
22 program at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

** Armenian Music at the Met
————————————————————

The Hilliard Ensemble-England’s celebrated a cappella vocal
quartet-will perform Armenian music as part of a concert at New York’s
Metropolitan Museum of Art on Wednesday, January 22 at 7 p.m.

Titled “Arkhangelos: A Millennium of Music,” the program will include
Armenian liturgical chants and a newly composed piece by Vache
Sharafyan. Other featured composers include Arvo Pärt, Katia
Tchemberdji, and Alexander Raskatov.

Click on the following links to read more
()
and for ticket information
()
. (To receive a 20 percent discount, use the code HILL14 when ordering
tickets.)

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
ACYOA Chapter Workshop

** Not Too Late to Register for ACYOA Chapter Workshop
————————————————————

There is still time to register for the ACYOA Seniors Chapter
Workshop, which will be hosted by the St. Hagop Church of Pinellas
Park, FL, from January 24 to 26.

Sponsored by the ACYOA Central Council, the workshop is open to
current and prospective ACYOA members ages 18 and older. The weekend
will focus on being a disciple of Christ in today’s
world. Participants will also take part in a `Faith in Action’ service
project to benefit Pinellas Hope, a local Florida charity.

Sessions will consider how to set and achieve goals within individual
ACYOA chapters. Speakers will also share insights about the
organization’s history and lessons for the future.

Some 30 young adults have already registered for the workshop. To join
them, contact Lorie Odabashian at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

Summer Camps
Campers at St. Vartan Camp.

** Looking Ahead to the Summer Camp Season
————————————————————

With the onset of Arctic temperatures in recent weeks, it’s not hard
to dream of warm summer days. And here at the Diocese, preparations
have begun for the 2014 summer camp season.

Online camper registration for St. Vartan Camp is now open. Click on
the following links to register a camper
()
or to download applications
()
for St. Vartan Camp CIT, staff, and volunteer positions.

Hye Camp applications for campers, CITs, staff, and volunteers are
available here
()
.

For more information about Hye Camp or St. Vartan Camp, contact
Jennifer Morris, director of the Department of Youth and Young
Ministries, at (248) 648-0702 or via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ;
or the department’s coordinator Lorie Odabashian at (212) 686-0710,
ext. 143, or via e-mail at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

ARRESTED ARMENIAN RADICAL’S DEFENSE FILES AN APPEAL

YEREVAN, January 9. /Novosti-Armenia/. Defense of the leader of
Armenian radical Tseghakron party Shant Harutiunyan who was arrested
for clashes with the police in downtown Yerevan has filed an appeal
challenging the first instance court’s decision about the arrest
and detention, Inessa Petrosyan, defense attorney of Haruniunayn,
said Thursday.

Before filing the appeal, the defense attorney met with Harutiunyan
who is currently in Yerevan-Kentron penitentiary institution and
urged him to stop his hunger-strike that is on for 15 days now.

Harutiunyan refused to stop the hungerstrike and is demanding to lift
the ban on meeting relatives, Petrosyan said.

She said her client is exhausted, Novosti-Armenia reports referring
to RIA Novosti.

On December 28 the first instance court of Kentron and Nork Marash
districts extended detention of Harutiunyan for another two months.

Armed with batons Harutyunyan’s supporters made an attempt to hold an
unauthorized march on Mashtots Avenue on November 5 2013 and refused
to obey the police’s order not to disturb the public order. The
clash involved several hundred demonstrators and one hundred police
officers. Fourteen people were arrested and charged with use of
violence against representatives of the authorities or threatening
violence and criminal damage to property using widely dangerous means.

Harutiunyan was arrested on November 8. He may face a penalty worth
from three hundred to five hundred times the minimum wages, arrest
for up to two months or imprisonment for up to a year.

Under a court decree Harutiunyan was transferred to Nubarashen
psychiatric hospital on November 19 for an examination, after which he
was taken back to Yerevan-Kentron penitentiary institution on December
19. The results of the examination have not been made public so far.

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14:16 09.01.2014