Author: Kalantarian Kevo

GAZPROM INCREASING ITS STAKE IN ARMROSGAZPROM TO 100 PER CENT

States News Service
January 16, 2014 Thursday

MOSCOW, Russia

The following information was released by OAO Gazprom:

Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee and Armen
Movsisyan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of
Armenia signed today in the Gazprom headquarters a Sales and Purchase
Agreement for 20 per cent of ArmRosgazprom’s shares. The document was
signed in furtherance of the intergovernmental Agreement between the
Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia.

In center – Armen Movsisyan and Alexey Miller

Enlarged photo (JPG, 3 MB)

As a result of the deal, Gazprom’s ownership stake in ArmRosgazprom was
increased to 100 per cent. The company will be named Gazprom Armenia.

Armen Movsisyan and Alexey Miller

Enlarged photo (JPG, 1 MB)

“This deal fully complies with the spirit of strategic cooperation
between Russia and Armenia. Gazprom has been successfully cooperating
with Armenian partners in many areas and for many years. We have
implemented large-scale projects both in main gas transportation and
power generation. But above all, Armenia has achieved a major socially
important result – we reached the gasification level of 96 per cent.

Another key area of our cooperation is the NGV sector. Armenia has
even more CNG filling stations than Russia. We all have something to
learn from our Armenian colleagues.

“Gazprom has always been and will remain a reliable partner for
Armenia,” said Alexey Miller.

Background

Armenia does not produce natural gas and the country’s power
generation sector is almost fully dependent on gas imports. Gazprom
Export delivers gas to the border with Armenia where it is purchased
by ArmRosgazprom. In 2013 Gazprom Group supplied Armenia with 1.96
billion of natural gas.

Incorporated in December 1997, ArmRosgazprom is focused on natural gas
supplies to the Armenian market. In addition, the company transports,
stores, distributes and sells natural gas as well as upgrades and
expands gas transmission and underground gas storage systems in the
Republic of Armenia.

In March 2006 Gazprom and the Government of the Republic of Armenia
signed a 25-year Agreement on Gazprom’s participation in gas and
power projects in the Republic of Armenia. The document provides
for an increase of Gazprom’s ownership stake in ArmRosgazprom via an
additional share issue. As a result, Gazprom acquired an 80 per cent
stake in ArmRosgazprom. The funds received from the share issue were
allocated for purchasing and constructing the fifth power unit at
the Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant (TPP) as well as gas infrastructure
facilities in Armenia.

In December 2013 the fifth power unit (480 MW) at the Hrazdan TPP
was brought into the commercial operation. The said unit operated
in a pilot mode from January 2012 and produced over 2 billion kWh
of electricity.

In the same month the Russian Energy Ministry and the Armenian Energy
and Natural Resources Ministry signed an intergovernmental Sales and
Purchase Agreement for ArmRosgazprom’s shares and the company’s future
activities. The document provides for increasing Gazprom’s stake
in ArmRosgazprom from 80 to 100 per cent. Gazprom and ArmRosgazprom
signed a contract for Russian gas supply to Armenia from 2014 to 2018.

According to the document, Gazprom will annually provide Armenia with
2.5 billion cubic meters of gas and its price will be determined
by a price formula linked to the pricing mechanism for natural gas
in Russia.

CONSOLIDATING COMMUNITIES: PILOT PROJECT MERGES SMALL VILLAGES

SOCIETY | 17.01.14 | 23:26

Photolure

By GAYANE MKRTCHYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

The Ministry of Regional Administration of Armenia will be carrying out
the pilot projects of the community merging program for 14 communities
in Tsakhkadzor, Dilijan, Jermuk and Tatev.

Deputy minister of regional administration Vache Terteryan says first
of all the state subsidy issue to small communities (with 30, 40 or
50 residents) has to be solved. By the law on “Financial Leveling”,
communities are given state subsidies for keeping personnel and for
taking care of other community expenses.

“The subsidy goes to keeping the existing personnel of a ‘non-existing’
community, which is nonsense; when we talk so much about community
merging, first of all that issue has be solved in terms of
organizational side of things. There cannot be a community with
no permanent population, or when during the major part of the year
permanent residents do not live there, but we view it as a community,
keep a staff there; even if we keep maintaining personnel it should
be done differently than in other communities,” says Terteryan.

Armenia’s southern gate, Meghri region is planned to be merged into one
big community to include the town of Meghri, Agarak and the adjoining
rural communities. The residents there are unhappy with the idea and
are planning to protest it. The deputy minister has given assurances
that nothing will be done without prior discussion with the population.

“It is about merging to make less but bigger communities, we will try
to convince the local population, not the representatives, but the
very population, that that’s the right thing to do and a referendum
will be held,” says Terteryan.

Syunik province’s Shishkert village, which is 150 km from Kapan, has
been merged with Tsav community, which is 12 km from Kapan. However,
18 residents of Shishkert, opposing the idea, keep stubbornly residing
in their home village.

“They made it so that this village vanished from the map, but I
will continue living here, proving that the village exists. And I
am Lavrenty Grigoryan, 68 years of age,” says beekeeper Grigoryan,
with frustration.

Shishket is under the supervision of Tsav’s village head. They receive
their pensions in Tsav, go for shopping to Tsav.

“During the soviet years the village had over a hundred households,
and over the recent years some 18 or 19 families used to live in the
newly-built houses, but they, too, have left. There is no school,
so partly they leave because of that, others to find jobs. Slowly
there is almost nobody left, no village. It’s only this few of us,”
says Hmayak Galstyan from Shishkert.

During the 2012 presidential campaign, President Serzh Sargsyan
reflected on the community merging program.

“If there is a village today with 5,000-6,000 residents, with gas
and irrigation water supply, schools are reconstructed and there
is a kindergarten, I’d like it if the 10-12 families residing some
seven kilometers higher would come down to live in that village until
we are able to also lay gas pipes to that village, too, or build a
school there. The problems are so numerous, it’s too early to think
about those issues…” said the then presidential candidate Sargsyan,
running for his second term in the office.

Among the members of the five families 60-year-old Valya Balayan
is the most stubborn. She has married-off her daughters, but keeps
living here together with her husband and three sons. Balayan has
different demands from the President.

“Let Serzh (President Sargsyan) do something, look after our youth,
I will wed them, they’ll have families, children, a school would open,
a shop would open, why leave when they can live in their homeland? If
they move to Russia, who is going to work our land, protect our border,
if something happens now, won’t my three sons be the first to go?” she
says with both pride and frustration.

STYOPA SAFARYAN. LET GALUST SAHAKYAN URGE HIS AUTHORITIES LIVE MODESTLY

January 17 2014

The Government of the Republic of Armenia has published the
expenditures for the year-end souvenirs on its website. According
to the publication, the RA Government staff has spent AMD 5.7
million from the state budget only on last November, mostly on
souvenir-beverages. In this regard, Styopa Sahakyan, Secretary of
the “Heritage” faction, in conversation with Aravot.am, noted that
he does not consider this expenditure cost-effective. He believes
that the money would be more appropriate to feed a hungry child or to
conduct another public beneficial action. “If the government is said
to give AMD 5 million to build a village kindergarten, they would
again cry saying, “there are no funds”. As said by Styopa Safaryan,
the government does not absolutely understand what kind of society
it governs, what part of the problems available in the society is
due to it, what part of the poverty is due to it, and does not look
adequately at the reality. “There is at least no one to explain them
to put an end to all of it, you should not feast during the plague.”

As said by Mr. Safaryan, he is not against spending money, however,
he thinks that there is no need for affording luxury, and it’s time to
put an end to the style of Eastern hospitality. “You are not better
guys than the Pope of Rome. And, in general, instead of urging people
to a modest living, let Galust Sahakyan, first and foremost, make
such urge to his authorities and be sure of their modest living.”

Ami CHICHAKYAN

Read more at:

ARMENIAN MINISTER, CHINESE ENVOY DISCUSS JOINT PROJECTS

16:51 17/01/2014 ” CULTURE

Armenian Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan met with Chinese Ambassador
to Armenia Tian Changchun.

During the meeting, Ms Poghosyan voiced a proposal to organize a
classical music concert in China to honor the centennial of the
Armenian Genocide, the Ministry’s official website said.

The two sides discussed the organization of exhibitions on ancient
Armenian civilization in China and Armenia as well as joint projects,
in particular the Armenian tour of Chinese deaf and dumb dancers
slated for March.

Source: Panorama.am

DONE VARIOUS
Three dead in a boat on a lake flowing to Ukraine with an elected Armenian

Ukraine, near the village of Strekovoyé in Lake Sivash (Kherson
region) three men were killed Saturday, Jan. 11, including an elected
municipal Armenian Dneprotserjinski, Artush Tchobanian. According to
the Ukrainian Service of emergency the morning of January 11 the three
men aboard an inflatable boat are committed Sivash on the lake to
fish. But their boat had disappeared. Evening, firefighters
firefighters discovered the cast and three bodies on the lake bottom
boat. One of the victims was Artush Tchobanian, member of City Council
Dneprotserjinski (Dnepropetrovsk region).

Krikor Amirzayan

Saturday, January 18, 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan © armenews.com

REVUE DE PRESSE
Enfermé depuis 4 mois dans une prison arménienne, un habitant de
Gosselies vit l’enfer

Les proches de George Daniel (50 ans, Gosselies) s’inquiètent
énormément. Depuis quatre longs mois, ce père famille est enfermé dans
cette prison d’Erevan, capitale arménienne. Des conditions proches de
l’enfer : -20 degrés la nuit, pannes de courant, des cellules de 3
mètres sur 5 surpeuplées (12 personnes)… Son extradition s’embourbe
dans les méandres de la diplomatie tandis que sa santé se dégrade. «
Il faut agir », nous dit son fils.

Oui, George Daniel a trempé dans des affaires de trafic de voiture
dans la région de Charleroi. Son fils, Assarhadou, ne le cache pas : «
Il a même été condamné à une peine de prison, qu’il a purgée comme il
le devait. »

Le problème, c’est qu’il traîne encore quelques casseroles derrière
lui, qui ont fini par le rattraper en 2013. Une décision de la cour
d’appel de Mons a entraîné un avis de recherche international. « Il a
été condamné à quatre nouvelles années de prison, mais il n’est pas
rentré. Il a finalement été rattrapé en septembre en Arménie. »

Et depuis, il est coincé là-bas. Le père d’Assarhadou le sait : il
doit purger sa peine. Mais il veut le faire en Belgique. On le
comprend, vu les conditions désastreuses de détention de sa prison
d’Erevan.

« Je l’ai de temps en temps au téléphone », continue son fils de 25
ans. « Là-bas, il crève de froid. Il me raconte que le thermomètre
descend parfois à -20 la nuit. La journée, ce n’est pas tellement
mieux : -8, -10 degrés… Et puis, il ne parle ni l’arménien, ni le
russe. Il n’a de contact avec personne, alors que sa petite cellule
est surpeuplée. Nous avons vraiment peur pour sa santé. Il est
asthmatique et doit prendre beaucoup de médicaments. Avant ses
voyages, il avait même été hospitalisé pour un malaise. »

samedi 18 janvier 2014,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

ARMENIE
La société et les partis politiques continuent à protester contre la
réforme des retraites par capitalisation

Les quotidiens sont dans l’attente de la manifestation, le 18 janvier,
sur la place de la Liberté, des quatre partis politiques, le CNA,
FRA/Dachnaksoutioun, Héritage et Arménie prospère, ceux-ci ayant saisi
en décembre la Cour constitutionnelle contre la loi sur le système des
retraites par capitalisation obligatoire à partir du 1er janvier pour
tout salarié de moins de 40 ans. Plusieurs groupes civils rejoindront
cette manifestation qui, selon les quotidiens, promet d’être
impressionnante. Les quotidiens relèvent que c’est la première fois où
quatre partis politiques, dont trois partis d’opposition, et Arménie
prospère, se déclarant comme une « alternative », unissent leur voix
pour combattre une initiative du Gouvernement vivement contestée par
la société. Le 16 janvier, un groupe de jeunes a organisé un « cortège
de voitures » au centre ville de Erevan pour sensibiliser les citoyens
à se joindre à cette manifestation.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Arménie en
date du 17 janvier 2014

samedi 18 janvier 2014,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-686-0710
Fax: 212–779-3558
Email: [email protected]
Web:

** TOP STORY January 16, 2014
————————————————————
Home Blessings
Students at the Hovnanian School admire crosses they received from
Archbishop Barsamian.

** Primate Visits Armenian Schools and Old Age Homes
————————————————————

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, visited local Armenian
schools and homes for the elderly last week. These included the Holy
Martyrs Armenian Day School in Bayside, NY, and the New York Armenian
Home in Flushing, NY, on Thursday, January 9; and the Hovnanian School
in New Milford, NJ, and the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
in Emerson, NJ, on Friday, January 10.

As part of each visit, the Primate officiated over the Home Blessing
service, which is traditionally performed at the start of the new
year. At the Holy Martyrs and Hovnanian schools, students sang
Armenian songs and recited poems. They also had a chance to learn more
about the Home Blessing service and to ask Archbishop Barsamian
questions about the Armenian Church. At the New York Armenian Home and
the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, residents received
communion.

Accompanying Archbishop Barsamian to the Holy Martyrs Day School and
the New York Armenian Home were the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan and
Dn. Vahe Bagdasarian. Accompanying Archbishop Barsamian to the
Hovnanian School and the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
were the Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, Rev. Fr. Arakel Vardazaryan,
Rev. Fr. Daniel Karadjian, Dn. Sebuh Oscherician, Dn. Hacik
Sariminasyan, and Dn. Vahe Bagdasarian.

Click on the following links to view photos from the visits to Holy
Martyrs Day School
()
, the Hovnanian School
()
, and the Armenian centers in Flushing
()
and Emerson
()
.

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

Is 54:1-13
1 Tim 1:1-11
Jn 2:1-11

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

O Lord our God, turn not your face from me. O beneficent Lord, I
beseech you, be my helper. O Lord, despise me not and forsake me not,
O God, my Savior. Amen.

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

18 January: St. Antony the Hermit

19 January: First Sunday after the Octave of Theophany

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King, Jr. greets the crowd gathered at the Lincoln
Memorial, where Reverend King delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech in
1963.

** Faith through Song
————————————————————

Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States-a day off
from work for many of our fellow citizens, but also a day for serious
thought and reflection. Editorials on this day typically (and
justifiably) focus on King’s political legacy. But often overlooked is
how his mission was a consequence of his ministry-grounded in a
religious vision of human dignity and family-like solidarity, under
the fatherhood of a watchful God.

Reverend King’s splendid oratory had its rhetorical roots in the
cadences of the King James Bible: in the prophetic poetry of Isaiah
and Micah, and certainly in the Gospel utterances of Jesus.

It found another source in the vernacular of America-especially in its
tradition of songs: from old-time Protestant hymns, to spirituals, to
anthems of wholesome patriotism.

Armenians might find a special point of contact here, for our music
likewise resonates in deeply religious ways. Through our sharagans,
our people express, in a unified way, an entire system of belief; an
experience of sorrow; but above all a sense of hope: a faith, really,
in the ultimate beneficence of God.

Click here
()
to read more on our blog.

** 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.

Summer Camps
Campers on the grounds of St. Vartan Camp at the Ararat Center in
upstate New York.

** New Directors to Lead St. Vartan Camp
————————————————————

Two new directors have been appointed to the Diocese’s St. Vartan
Camp. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, issued a
directive announcing the appointments earlier this week.

The Rev. Fr. Khatchatur Kesablyan, pastor of the Sts. Vartanantz
Church of Chelmsford, MA, will serve as director of St. Vartan Camp
for its Session A. The Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalyan of the Armenian Church
of Hye Pointe in Haverhill, MA, will serve as director of St. Vartan
Camp for Session B. They will work in partnership with Jennifer
Morris, the Diocese’s director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, as
they become comfortable in their new capacity.

Fr. Kesablyan and Fr. Gyozalyan will succeed the Rev. Fr. Krikor
Sabounjian, who, along with the Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, has served
as the director of St. Vartan Camp for eight years. Fr. Kouzouian will
continue to serve the St. Vartan Camp program.

Ararat Center cruise
Guests enjoyed Armenian music during last month’s Hudson River cruise.

** Ararat Center Marks 10 Years
————————————————————
The Ararat Center, the Diocese’s conference and recreation facility in
upstate New York, marked its 10th anniversary with a holiday cruise on
the Hudson River in Manhattan last month.

The December 14 event drew participants from Connecticut,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The Princess
sailed around New York City, allowing guests to see famous landmarks
and to enjoy Armenian music and dancing onboard.

Click on the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

FAR

** FAR’s GTech Recognized as Best in Caucasus
————————————————————

The Fund for Armenian Relief’s GTech was recognized as the best
provider of IT education in the Caucasus region during a recent
conference in Tblisi, Georgia. Titled `Partnerships for
Competitiveness, Innovation and Cyber Security,’ the conference was
hosted by Georgian business and government organizations.

During the event, GTech staff also had an opportunity to make a
presentation about the center’s positive impact on economic
development in the region and to outline its academic programs.

Click here
()
to read more on FAR’s blog.

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 celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Church on
the island of Aghtamar, and 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
————————————————————

Parishes continued to observe the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany
of Our Lord last Sunday with the `Blessing of Water’ service and
community gatherings.

At the Church of Our Saviour in Worcester, MA, Joseph Kapur served as
the godfather of the cross. The Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian, parish pastor,
delivered a special address to the Sunday School students, who hosted
a `Family Breakfast’ following services. During the breakfast, parish
council member Donna Barsamian presented a slide show highlighting her
recent trip to Armenia.

St. James Church in Richmond, VA, welcomed the Rev. Fr. Arsen
Barsamian on January 12, who assisted the Rev. Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan,
parish pastor, during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The
godfather of the cross for the `Blessing of Water’ service was Nubar
Ozbalik. The St. James Women’s Guild hosted a Christmas luncheon
following services, which featured a visit from Santa for the parish
children.

At the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe in Haverhill, MA, the
Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalyan, parish pastor, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy. Dro Kanayan was the godfather of the cross. A Sunday School
dinner and program followed services.

In Bayside, NY, and Elberon, NJ, Christmas was observed on January 5
and 6. At the Church of the Holy Martyrs of Bayside, NY, students of
the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School read the scriptures on January 5
and members of the Junior Choir sang the hymns of the Divine
Liturgy. On January 6, the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, parish pastor,
performed the `Blessing of Water’ service with Armen Demirjian serving
as godfather. A breakfast hosted by the Women’s Guild followed
services.

St. Stepanos Church of Elberon, NJ, hosted a youth concert on January
5. The Divine Liturgy on Christmas Eve was followed by a procession to
the church hall with the choir and altar servers singing Khorhoort
Medz. The parish council sponsored a dinner that evening. On January
6, the Rev. Fr. Daniel Karadjian, parish pastor, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy and performed the `Blessing of Water’ service. He also blessed
a new set of priest’s vestments, donated by the Terjanian
family. Parishioners then enjoyed coffee hour sponsored by the Women’s
Club.

Click here
()
to view photos from Worcester, Richmond, Haverhill, Bayside, and
Elberon.

Armenian Church of Atlanta, GA.
Fr. Abdalian and godfather of the cross Dickran Arpiarian in Atlanta.

** Mission Parish Merriment
————————————————————

The Diocese’s mission parishes in Georgia, Florida, and New York held
Christmas celebrations last weekend.

The Armenian Church of Atlanta welcomed the Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian,
director of Mission Parishes, on Sunday, January 12. Dickran Arpiarian
served as godfather of the cross during the `Blessing of Water’
service. Assisting Fr. Abdalian was sub-deacon Armen Hareyan of
Charlotte, NC. Young parishioner Hagop Tossounian provided the choir
with a musical accompaniment.

At a dinner following services, the parish council recognized
dedicated members of the community. The entire parish then enjoyed
signing Armenian folk songs under the leadership of Armen Hareyan.

The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary,
and seminarian Levon Asdourian visited the Armenian Church of
Southwest Florida on January 12. Longtime parishioner Ara Nersesian
served as godfather of the cross during the `Blessing of the Water’
service.

In upstate New York, Dn. Albert Amato of St. Sarkis Church of Niagara
Falls, NY, visited the mission parish of Rochester on Saturday,
January 11. He spoke about the significance of the feast day and
distributed blessed water to the parishioners. A luncheon followed the
service.

Click here
()
to view photos from these mission parishes.

Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford, MA.
Fr. Kesablyan, Virginia Juknavorian, and Nancy Kassabian.

** Women’s Guild Member Honored in Chelmsford
————————————————————

Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA, honored longtime Women’s
Guild member Virginia Juknavorian at its annual Women’s Guild Annual
Armenian Christmas Dinner earlier this month.

Women’s Guild Central Council member Nancy Kassabian presented
Mrs. Juknavorian with a certificate of appreciation from the
Diocese. Congratulatory remarks were offered by Women’s Guild chair
Milka Jeknavorian, parish council chair Bruce Kayajanian, and the
honoree’s longtime friend Alis Peretzian. Mrs. Juknavorian’s
granddaughter, Abigail Juknavorian, read an inspiring tribute about
her grandmother. The Armenian School presented a lively selection of
Armenian Christmas songs.

“Virginia’s lifelong devotion to our church is just one of many
examples in our community of this year’s Diocesan theme `Living the
Gospel of Christ,” said the Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, parish
pastor. `We are blessed to have such dedicated volunteers in our
parish.’

Fr. Kesablyan performed the `Blessing of Water’ service on January
12. Aram Jeknavorian, parish council vice chair, served as godfather
of the cross.

** 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 luncheon and program will be held in the afternoon.

Reservations are now being taken for the luncheon, with a deadline of
February 2. Click here
()
to view a flyer with reservation information.

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
————————————————————
Summer Camps
Campers at St. Vartan Camp.

** Looking Ahead to the 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 Diocese’s Department of Youth and
Young Ministries, at (248) 648-0702 or via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ;
or contact the department’s coordinator Lorie Odabashian at (212)
686-0710, ext. 143, or via e-mail at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

PRESS RELEASE
California State University, Fresno
Armenian Studies Program
5245 N Backer Ave PB4
Fresno, CA 93740-8001
Tel: 559-278-2669
Fax: 559-278-2129

Dr. Ronald Marchese to Speak at Fresno State on
`Art and Society: Armenian Constantinople’

Dr. Ronald Marchese will discuss his recent research in
Constantinople/Istanbul with a talk on `Art and Society: Armenian
Constantinople’ at 7:30 PM on Thursday, January 30, 2014. This Leon
S. Peters Foundation Lecture will be held in the University Business
Center, Alice Peters Auditorium, Room 191, on the Fresno State campus
and is part of the Armenian Studies Program Spring 2014 Lecture
Series.

Dr. Marchese is professor of ancient history and archaeology at the
University of Minnesota, Duluth and has spent the last several years
documenting the rich cultural history of the Armenians in
Constantinople, by studying the works of arts that the Armenians
produced. He will accompany his talk with slides of some of the
artwork that he has catalogued.

Prior to the establishment of the Armenian Patriarchate of
Constantinople, the Armenian population of the city and its
surrounding districts had little visible religious representation.
Those Armenians that existed in the city, perhaps a larger population
than previously believed, adopted Byzantine manners and customs in
order to assimilate to the dominant Greek culture of the city. After
1453 the Armenians of the city grew in number, status, and prestige –
certainly evident in the increased immigration to the city after the
devastation and annexation of eastern Anatolia. In many respects, the
revitalization of the city is due to many reasons, but it is likely
that the energy and creative talents of Armenian immigrants had a
profound affect on this process.

After 1700 this is clearly seen in the second great artistic awakening
of Armenian culture, which defined the `Constantinople Style of
Religious and Secular Art.’ The artistic achievements of the Armenian
community are not without a social context. It is through the art of
the Armenian community that much new information about the city’s
population is explored as well.

The lecture will present illustrated examples of this `Constantinople
Style.’ Dr. Marchese received his Ph.D. from New York University and
has a distinguished career in archaeology, having conducted research
at the Plataiai Archaeological Excavation in Greece and at Tel Dor in
Israel. He is the author of numerous articles and book chapters in the
field. He is an alumnus of California State University, Fresno.

He is the author, together with Marlene Breu, of Splendor and
Spectacle: The Armenian Orthodox Church Textile Collections of
Istanbul (Ã=87itlembik Ltd., Istanbul, 2010).

The lecture is free and open to the public.

Free parking is available in Lots A or J on campus, adjacent to the
University Business Center, only if a parking pass is obtained by
using code 273406 in any of the campus kiosks.

For more information on the lecture please contact the Armenian
Studies Program at 278-2669.

LETTER: A RESPONSE TO APO SAHAGIAN

By Contributor // January 15, 2014 in Opinion

Dear Editor:

Thank you for sharing Apo Sahagian’s recent piece (“We, The Bad
Armenians,” Jan. 11, 2013) in the Armenian Weekly. As an Armenian
from America, an English teacher in Armenia, and a current graduate
student in England, parts of the article really resonated with me. I
found other bits (please excuse me for saying so) a bit misguided. He
makes a really important distinction between Armenia as a country and
Armenia as a state in his article, and yet, he has vowed to turn his
back on both. This, I do not understand.

For many of my students at the public school in Armenia where I work,
education is a ticket out of the village. Students internalize this
sentiment at a startlingly young age. Parents and teachers repeat
it to no avail: Succeed in school and escape this place. Though this
narrative contains a partial truth, it fails to impart upon students
the sense of social responsibility vital for any kind of reform.

Mastery of my content area in particular-English-might lead to
another country, more money, a better life. But academic success
cannot be the path toward only an international education, marriage,
and a Range Rover. If Armenia is to thrive, education must also be the
path toward community engagement and contribution. Quality education
cannot only be a way out. It must also be a way forward for students
and communities because the futures of individuals and the futures
of communities are inextricably intertwined.

My students badly need role models who realize, as you have, that
borders are contrived, that ethnocentricity insulates, and that art and
language can poke holes in our mental walls. My students need to see
people who understand the multitude of problems facing Armenia, who are
infuriated by them, and who choose to engage with this country anyway.

It seems to me that humans find happiness, not by pursuing it, but by
having purpose in life. Armenia, the country (and not the state), my
students (and not the hooligan oligarchs he describes in his article),
have given me this sense of purpose. This does not make me a good
Armenian nor does his decision to take a 10-year hiatus from the
country make you a bad one. As a novelist, he must know that there
are many ways to tell the same story. The very bleak assessment of
Armenia’s current state of affairs in his article is apt and honest,
but it is only one slice of a greater narrative. His view, with all
due respect, cannot be the only one my students have.

While I hope to see him in Armenia sometime before 2024, I wish him
all the best wherever life may take him. Happy travels in Europe
and beyond!

Sincerely,

Talene Boodaghians