Author: Kalantarian Kevo

THE GOVERNMENT TO RESIGN ON MAY 31, THE PRESIDENT TO APPOINT A NEW PRIME MINISTER WITHIN TEN DAYS

ARMENPRESS
19 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS: The first session of the fifth convocation
of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia will be launched
on May 31, 10:00 am. In the first session by majority of votes of
MPs the Head of the National Assembly is elected, Armenpress reports.

At the course of the first day of the session, according to the
Constitution, the President accepts the resignation of Prime Minister,
then within ten days by the recommendation of the majority of MPs
appoints the new Prime Minister.

The government is formed after the appointment of the Prime Minister
within 20 days and after 20 days of its formation presents its
Program. Government Program is discussed by the National Assembly on
a priority basis and within five days after submitting it.

The first session is chaired by the oldest MP; the latter is not
known taking into account the continuing self-withdrawals.

FRENCH AND US PRESIDENTS UNITED ON EUROPE

ARMENPRESS
19 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS: The leaders the world’s largest
economies, including the new French president, are meeting in the
United States this weekend for the G8 conference, reports Armenpress
citing Euronews.

Francois Hollande met US president Barack Obama at the White House
ahead of the talks. Obama supports the idea of stimulating growth in
Europe, and both men want to see the eurozone remain intact.

“We share the belief that Greece must remain inside the eurozone,
and that everyone must make an effort to achieve that,” said Hollande.

“The Greeks will be consulted again in June elections and I want to
send this message to the Greek people.”

But with German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisting that the focus on
austerity has to continue, the way ahead could prove difficult.

Officials say the US hopes to encourage a comprehensive approach to
solving Europe’s problems.

L’ARMENIE PARTICIPE AUJOURD’HUI A LA NUIT DES MUSEES
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
samedi 19 mai 2012

Aujourd’hui a l’occasion de la Nuit europeenne des Musees de nombreux
musees d’Armenie seront ouverts gratuitement au public. Lors d’une
conference de presse a la Maison-Musee Segueï Paradjanov d’Erevan, son
directeur, Zaven Sarkissian a affirme que l’an dernier pour la Nuit
des Musees, plus de 4 000 personnes avaient visite le musee Sergueï
Paradjanov. Cette nuit, de nombreux musees d’Armenie organiseront
des rencontres culturelles et artistiques. Au total 63 musees
d’Armenie participeront cette annee a la Nuit des Musees. C’est la 8e
participation de l’Armenie a cette manifestation culturelle europeenne.

AZERBAIJAN TO PREVENT RECOGNITION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH SEPARATISTS BY STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Trend
May 18 2012

Through the efforts of the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan in
the U.S. and Azerbaijani community of this country, attempts of the
Armenians to achieve recognition by legislature of the state of Rhode
Island of the so-called “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic” will be prevented,
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev told reporters
on Friday.

The House of Representatives of Rhode Island passed a resolution
urging the President and Congress to recognise the independence of the
breakaway entity in the Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian media reported.

“The U.S. government at various levels has repeatedly stated it
supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Attempts to achieve
recognition by the legislature of Rhode Island are only attempts
of Armenians themselves, who thus try to deceive the U.S. public,”
Abdullayev said.

He said the Azerbaijani diplomacy in conjunction with the community
will prevent these attempts, and inform the world community about
the realities of Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

‘ARF HAS NO PHOBIAS,’ SAYS ARF BUREAU MEMBER

asbarez
Friday, May 18th, 2012

ARF Bureau member Vahan Hovannesian

YEREVAN-After condemning the fire bomb attack at a local club last
week, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member and chairman
of the party’s parliamentary bloc Vahan Hovannesian said that the
“ARF has no phobias,” referring to the attack, which was motivated
by homophobia.

The ARF leader explained that discrimination based on race, religion,
nationality or sexual orientation has always been a contentious issue.

“It is the ARF contention curtailing the rights of civilized people
or using force against them is unacceptable.”

“The ARF has always fought against oppression of free will, because
oppression of free will or discrimination against any individual
endangers the civil harmony and opens the door to external enemies,”
said Hovannesian.

The ARF leader forcefully condemned efforts to politicize the
situation, saying that elements that are pointing the blame on the
party are misguided and are using this incident to further inflame
the situation.

ARF Political Affairs Director Giro Manoyan ARF Political Affairs
Director Giro Manoyan also echoed the strong condemnation of the
incident and decried efforts to politicize the situation.

In his blog, Manoyan called on all “national, social, democratic,
revolutionary and all forces to collectively fight for the Armenian
nation’s political, economic social and cultural interests with the
aim of resolving the Armenian Cause-Hai Tahd.”

“The perpetrators of this crime must be punished within the letter
and spirit of Armenian law. If today their target is the LGBT
society, tomorrow it can be anyone else,” said veteran activist
and Vice-President of Socialist International Maria Titizian on her
Facebook page.

“Sadly, there is much intolerance in Armenian society, not only
toward the homosexual community, but towards anyone or any group who
deign to hold views that are not widely accepted. I hope that in the
coming weeks and months this discourse can move away from its obvious
politicization and manifest itself in an honest, open and candid
dialogue about the kind of society we want to have, a society where
there is respect, tolerance and mutual acceptance,” explained Titizian.

Maria Titizian “As a long-standing member of the ARF and Vice President
of Socialist International, I say with the utmost responsibility that,
contrary to the media spin, this is NOT the position of the party that
for 122 years has advocated for freedom, justice and equality. Every
human being has the inalienable right to live their life as they
see fit, without fear or recrimination or alienation from society,”
added Titizian.

MOSCOW SLAMS ATTEMPTS TO UNDERMINE UN ENVOY’S PLAN FOR SYRIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 18, 2012 – 21:51 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – UN envoy Kofi Annan’s plan for Syria is in jeopardy
over attempts by certain forces to create a spiral of violence in
the country, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday,
May 18, according to RIA Novosti.

“Certain elements in Syria are trying to wreck the implementation
of Kofi Annan’s plan to restart the spiral of violence,” Alexander
Lukashevich said.

Moscow is concerned about Burhan Ghalioun, the chairman of the Syrian
opposition Transitional National Council, calling on some nations to
arm the Free Syrian Army opposition group, Lukashevich said.

“We are puzzled by the statement that the recently reelected leader
of the Transitional National Council, Mr. Ghalioun, made under a new
strategy to establish the National Council’s political control over
Syrian rebels in a bid to topple Bashar al-Assad,” Lukashevich said.

Lukashevich said Ghalioun, a French Syrian political scientist, had
openly supported efforts to supply arms to the Free Syrian Army and
made it clear that the political opposition planned to “arrange it
with some countries to provide weapons to the Free Syrian Army as
they had promised.”

Russia and China have vetoed two UN Security Council resolutions over
what they called a pro-rebel bias since the start of the uprising
against President Bashar al-Assad, but have given their full backing
to the peace plan proposed by the UN and Arab League envoy to Syria,
Kofi Annan.

Russia does not rule out that the number of UN observers in Syria
may be increased if necessary, Lukashevich said.

Over 200 UN observers have been deployed in Syria to monitor the
ceasefire between the government and armed rebels.

“It is possible that at a certain stage a discussion could arise
about the need to expand this mission,” Lukashevich said.

“In principle, it is a prerogative of the UN Security Council to
make a decision to strengthen the material and human potential of
its representatives in Syria,” he said.

Lukashevich said he was not aware of any requests from UN observers
in Syria to equip them with weapons.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday the number of
terrorist attacks in Syria has increased since UN observers arrived
in the country.

LATEST DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCED TO ARMENIA

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Editor

The Wellness Center’s radiologists and technicians during their
training for the operation of the 3D Rit CN Ca 3. Digital Mammography
Systems. LARRY MOWAT PHOTO
By Negar M. Joy

WASHINGTON – The women of Armenia received an early Mother’s Day gift
this year from the Armenian American Cultural Association, Inc.

(AACA). With a value of more than $1 million, the gift is the latest
Three- Dimensional (3D) Digital Mammography System, sent to the
Armenian American Wellness Center in Yerevan.

“In March 2012, less than a year after an innovative 3D Digital
Mammography technology received FDA approval in the United States,
AACA brought this groundbreaking imaging system to Armenia, by
acquiring two 3D Digital machines from Hologic Corporation,” said
Rita Balian. She is the president and CEO of AACA and founder and
co-president of the Wellness Center, along with Hranush Hakobyan,
the current minister of diaspora.

Dr. Ani Hakobyan, chief radiologist at the Wellness Center, stated,
“This new equipment vastly improves the accuracy of the screening
and increases our ability to distinguish between cancerous and
non-cancerous cells, thus, detect- ing breast cancer much earlier.”

Thanks to the Wellness Center, Armenia has made tremendous strides
over the past 15 years in improving awareness and public education
for early detection. By offering women this latest technology, the
Wellness Center furthermproves its ability to detect breast cancer
at a much earlier stage.

“Another big improvement for the patient is fewer call-backs for
additional images,” said Dr. Ann Archer, chair of the US Medical
Advisory Board of AACA and the Wellness Center. Archer, a radiologist
and a breast screening and diagnosis specialist, was part of the
first medical team that traveled to Armenia when the Wellness Center
was established in 1997. Ever since, she has traveled to Armenia
on many occasions to train the Wellness Center’s medical staff,
including during her latest visit in mid- December, when she briefed
and prepared the center’s radiologists on the transition from the
analog to digital mammography system.

Many people contributed to the success and completion of this
acquisition. “Not enough can be said about the role of the Hologic
Corporation,” said Balian. “The senior leadership of Hologic worked
tirelessly to present the best options to AACA and have been very
generous with their guidance, insights and resources.”

There are fewer than 100 of such systems installed throughout the
United States. Armenia has now two such systems.

“Thanks to grassroots donors and family foundations from the community,
as well as the grants we receive from the United States Government
[USAID], we are able to pay for such sophisticated equipment,”
said Balian.

Since 2004, AACA has partnered with the USAID to expand the Wellness
Center’s work and to get the latest technology and expertise to
Armenia. Furthermore, USAID grants helped in the construction,
renovation and seismic reinforcement of the six-story building,
which has now become a state-of-the-art facility with its seven
medical departments. “Each visitor from the diaspora or Armenia,
who enters the building is amazed at the quality of the work that
has been accomplished to date,” added Balian.

Larry Mowat, a biomedical engineer from Hologic USA and a member
of the US Medical Advisory Board, coordinated the installation and
training process of the 3D Digital systems. Biomedical engineers and
trainers from Hologic Europe flew to Armenia to complete the required
work. The specialists were impressed at the aptitude and knowlege of
the center’s staff. Mowat, who was on the original team that installed
the very first mammography machine in Armenia and has since visited
Armenia 12 times, stated, “There is no question in my mind that the
quality of medical care offered [at the Wellness Center] to the women
of Armenia is light years ahead of any care I have seen anywhere else
in Armenia. It is a very impressive facility. I am amazed at how,
despite construction, you are able to win the battle to keep the
department clean. It actually sparkles.”

For the past 15 years, the Wellness Center has brought western
technological advances to Armenia, as it is for providing
opportunities for medical exchanges between Armenian and western
health care professionals. For many professionals, the interaction
with the Wellness Center’s staff is their first and only exposure
to he country. “Not only we are saving the lives of Armenian women
through high quality healthcare services, one at a time, we are
also introducing the world to Armenia, one person at a time,” said
Hranush Hakobyan.

The Wellness Center’s efforts have revolutionized the healthcare
delivery system in Armenia. Fifteen years ago, there was not a single
mammography machine in the country. People had not heard the word
“mammography” and the doctors had no notion that mammography screening
could be used for early detection. Through the vision, dedication and
efforts of the Wellness Center’s founders, Rita and Vartkess Balian,
assisted by a US medical team, the first two analog mammography units
were installed in Armenia in 1997. These two machines were later (in
2009 and 2010) upgraded into three advanced analog systems, and this
year in March, they were replaced with the latest 3D Digital models.

Since 1997, close to 200,000 patients have visited the Wellness Center
and of these, more than 125,000 have been screened at the Radiology
Department. To date, more than 3,000 lives have been saved through
early detection. More than 2,500 patients visit each month, out of
which nearly 1,500 women come for their annual mammograms.

“Introducing the latest Digital Mammography Screening Technology to
the women and mothers of Armenia, the Wellness Center is once again
at the forefront of the fight against breast cancer, which is still
the number one cause of cancer deaths among women in Armenia,” said
Khachanush Hakobyan, the center’s executive director. “We cannot
be more grateful to our founders’ invaluable dedication and to the
thousands of US donors for their continued generosity to provide us
with the capacity to save lives and bring joy to Armenian families.”

ARMENIAN UNIVERSITY PRINCIPAL RESIGNS

news.am
May 18, 2012 | 17:56

YEREVAN.- Former principal of Yerevan State Linguistic University
(YSLU) after Valery Bryusov Suren Zolyan has already handed in his
resignation, he told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to him, he was combining job of a principal and professor at
the university.After his dismissal Zolyan should have been appointed
only a professor but it did not happen.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, Yerevan State Linguistic
University Principal Suren Zolyan was dismissed from his post recently
under the order of Armenia’s Minister of Education and Science Armen
Ashotyan.

EX-MAYOR OF YEREVAN WISHES TO BECOME VICE-PREMIER, BUT THERE IS SHORTAGE OF MINISTRIES FOR ALL THE WINNERS

arminfo
Friday, May 18, 15:51

Armenian capital city Yerevan’s former Mayor Gagik Beglaryan told
his colleagues that he would assume any ministerial position only
if he simultaneously takes on the office of the Deputy PM, Haykakan
Zhamanak daily says.

“According to our information, [President] Serzh Sargsyan is ready
to appoint Beglaryan as Transport [and Communication] Minister,
but he is having a hard time concerning the Deputy PM matter.

If it turns out that [PM] Tigran Sargsyan does not remain in office,
there will be no alternative to [incumbent] Deputy PM Armen Gevorgyan,
as an administrator who is capable of reaching agreements with
international organizations.

But Tigran Sargsyan, who considers Armen Gevorgyan as his cabinet’s
sole presentable minister, also does not want to see Beglaryan in
the Deputy PM’s status,” Haykakan Zhamanak says.

According to another daily “Hraparak”, there is shortage of the
ministerial portfolios in the government to satisfy the growing
appetite of the winners at the parliamentary election, first of
all in the person of the RPA. For this reason, the authorities of
Armenia have decided to form new ministries. First, the State Revenues
Committee will be divided and the Customs Committee and Tax Service
will again start functioning like two independent structures. The Tax
Service will be headed by the head of he State Security committee,
Gagik Khachatryan, and the Customs Service – by deputy chairman of
Audit Chamber, Levon Elyan.

Moreover, the Interior Affairs Ministry will be also formed, which
will function parallel to Police, whereas in all over the world police
implements functions of Interior Affairs Ministry.

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

TOP STORY May 18, 2012

Heritage Park
Armenian Heritage Park, located on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway
in Boston, commemorates the victims of the Armenian Genocide while
celebrating the contributions of Armenian-Americans and other immigrant
groups to the city and state.

Armenian Heritage Park Dedication Ceremony

On Tuesday, May 22, a dedication ceremony will be held for Armenian
Heritage Park in Boston. The event, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., is
open to the public.

Special guests from the government of the Republic of Armenia will
travel to Boston to take part in the ceremony. Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the
Diocese’s Ecumenical Director, will be in attendance.

During the dedication program, James Kalustian, a member of the
Diocesan Council and President of the Armenian Heritage Foundation,
will introduce Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick, who will offer
remarks. Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and representatives from the
Republic of Armenia are also scheduled to speak. Middlesex Sheriff
Peter Koutoujian will be the master of ceremonies.

Following the dedication ceremony, a series of receptions will be held
at Armenian religious, educational, and cultural sites in the Boston
area, including Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge.

Armenian Heritage Park, located on parcel 13 of the Rose Fitzgerald
Kennedy Greenway in Boston, commemorates the victims of the Armenian
Genocide while celebrating the contributions of Armenian-Americans and
other immigrant groups to the city and state.The park features an
abstract sculpture commemorating the immigrant experience and the
Armenian Genocide, as well as a labyrinth of grass and stone
symbolizing life’s journey. His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over a
groundbreaking ceremony for the park in September 2010.

The park is a project of the non-profit Armenian Heritage Foundation,
involving 38 Armenian parishes and organizations in Massachusetts.
Visit [4] to learn more.
Links:
4.

Scripture of the Week

Acts 23:12-25
1 Jn 5:13-21
Jn 12:12-23

Prayer of the Week

You created the visible light, separated the day and night, shed forth
on us, O Lord, by night the rays of spiritual light. Give us at all
times the shadow of your protecting hand, that by day and by night we
may give you glory incessantly. Amen.

Upcoming Saints & Feasts

20 May: Second Palm Sunday

27 May: Pentecost

CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

President Serge Sargsyan
President Serge Sargsyan is on a visit to Chicago for the NATO Summit.

Armenia’s President to be Welcomed in Chicago

On Saturday, May 19, the Armenian community of greater Chicago will
welcome Armenia’s President Serge Sargsyan, who will be visiting the
city for this month’s NATO Summit. A dinner will be held at the Union
League Club of Chicago to give community leaders an opportunity to meet
with the President and his delegation.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will be attending the
event. Some 300 representatives of Armenian churches and organizations
in the greater Chicago area will take part in the gathering.

Armenian Church in Iraq
Archbishop Avak Asadourian with clergy in Baghdad.

Primate of Iraq Re-elected

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of Iraq held a Diocesan Assembly
from May 10 to 12 in Baghdad. During the meeting, delegates re-elected
Archbishop Avak Asadourian for a four-year term as Diocesan Primate.
Archbishop Asadourian has led the Iraqi Diocese for more than three
decades.

Delegates reviewed organizational reports of each of the nine parishes,
discussed security issues in the country, and reviewed the
problems facing Armenian families, many of whom feel pressured to leave
the country or to relocate to the northern part of Iraq.

Armenian Church in France
Archbishop Norvan Zakarian greets France’s newly-elected president.

Primate of France Congratulates President Hollande

On Tuesday, May 15, Archbishop Norvan Zakarian, Primate of the Armenian
Diocese of France, congratulated newly-elected French President
Francois Hollande at Elysee Palace in Paris.

Archbishop Zakarian attended the event in his official capacity as one
of France’s high-ranking religious authorities, among guests invited
from the republic’s administrative, cultural, and societal leaders. He
extended a hand of congratulations on behalf of the large
French-Armenian community.

M. Holland was elected as the 24th President of France on May 6. The
May 15 gathering was part of the presidential inauguration ceremonies

DIOCESAN NEWS

St. James Armenian Church, Evanston, IL

Minister of Diaspora to Visit St. James Church

On Sunday, May 20, Hranush Hakobyan, Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora,
will visit Armenian churches and organizations in Illinois.

The day will begin at St. James Church of Evanston, IL, where the Rev.
Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy. Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will preside and deliver the
sermon. A reception will follow in the church hall, where parishioners
will have an opportunity to engage in dialogue with Minister Hakobyan.

Minister Hakobyan is visiting Illinois as a member of President Serge
Sargsyan’s delegation. In addition to St. James Church, she is
scheduled to visit the AGBU Center and other area churches.

FAR
The banquet will benefit the FAR Children’s Center in Yerevan.

FAR Banquet to be Held this Evening

On Friday, May 18, the Fund for Armenian Relief will host a banquet at
the Diocesan Center in New York to benefit its Children’s Center in
Yerevan.

Dr. Mira Antonyan, director of the Children’s Center, will speak about
the center’s work and the status of child protection in Armenia. The
evening will also feature live music. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate, will preside.

2012 Clergy Conference
Clergy gathered in West Hartford, CT, for the annual Clergy Conference
from April 30 to May 3.

Clergy Gather for Annual Conference

In the days prior to the 110th Diocesan Assembly, clergy gathered at
the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT, for the
annual Clergy Conference, held from April 30 to May 3. During the
four-day meeting, clergy prayed together, shared advice, and discussed
important issues related to the mission of the Armenian Church.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, presided over the
meeting, which was attended by 44 clergy. Through daily prayer and
fellowship they strengthened their brotherly love toward each other and
gained fresh perspectives on their ministry.

Click to [5]read more and to [6]view photos.
Links:
5.
6.

Fr. Markos visits the Diocese
Fr. Markos Mangasaryan (right) speaks with Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon
Odabashian.

Priest from Armenia Concludes Visit to Eastern Diocese

Earlier this month the Eastern Diocese welcomed the Rev. Fr. Markos
Mangasaryan, a priest from Holy Etchmiadzin who attended the 110th
Diocesan Assembly and Clergy Conference. Fr. Mangasaryan also visited
several parishes of the Eastern Diocese and spoke about the programs of
Holy Etchmiadzin.

A native of Yerevan, Fr. Mangasaryan is a graduate of the Vaskenian
Theological Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood in October 2011
by Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan. He currently serves in the Information
Services Department at Holy Etchmiadzin.

Tutorial Dictionary

New Tutoring Dictionary Available

The Diocese is pleased to announce the publication of a new Tutoring
Dictionary & Conversation book for learners of the Armenian language at
all levels.

The new volume combines a diverse vocabulary of Armenian words with a
conversation section to draw students into more intermediate levels of
spoken Armenian. It features more than 30,000 entries, with each word
presented in Armenian, English translation, and English
transliteration.

The dictionary, which was prepared by Nubar Kupelian and Sylva der
Stepanian, is available for purchase from the St. Vartan Bookstore.
[7]Click here to view a flyer for more information, or contact the
bookstore at (212) 686-0710, ext. 152, or via e-mail at
[8][email protected].
Links:
7.
8. mailto:[email protected]

Ararat Center

Ararat Center Announces June “Work Weekend”

The Ararat Center is looking for volunteers to help prepare the
facility for the summer season during a `work weekend’ from Friday,
June 1 to Sunday, June 3. The center’s Board of Directors will provide
housing and meals during the weekend.

Enjoy the beautiful setting in the Catskill Mountains while helping
freshen up the Ararat Center. Participants are asked to come with
appropriate work clothing and tools for painting, scraping, plumbing,
and other tasks.

For information, or to register, contact project manager Karen
Durgarian at [9][email protected] or (508) 435-6005, or communication
director Andrea Karanian at [10][email protected] or (860)
673-9325.
Links:
9. mailto:[email protected]
10. mailto:[email protected]

Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia

The Eastern Diocese is sponsoring a pilgrimage to historic Armenia,
from September 5 to 19.

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

The pilgrimage also includes visits to Armenia’s magnificent former
capital of Ani and tours of other parts of historic Armenia-Arapkir,
Kars, Antep, and Malatya, among other cities and villages. The journey
will include a stop in Istanbul, where pilgrims will visit the Armenian
Patriarchate.

[11]Click here to view a flyer for more information.
Links:
11.

PARISH NEWS

Primate Visits St. Mary Church
Parishioners gather for the blessing of the new khatchkar at St. Mary
Church.

Primate Blesses Khatchkar in Washington, DC

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, visited St. Mary Church
of Washington, D.C., last Sunday, where he ordained altar servers and
blessed the church’s new khatchkar.

During the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on May 13, the Primate
ordained Alexander Calikyan as a sub-deacon. Armen Chubukian, Haik
Hakobyan, Virab Khachatryan, Aras Mermer, Ruben Turner, and Edwin
Tilimian were ordained acolytes. Also during the service, Andre
Alexandrian, Ashot Hovhannisyan, Jirair Kalayjian, Ruben Karapetyan,
and Hovsep Seferian received special blessings from Archbishop
Barsamian.

At the conclusion of badarak, Archbishop Barsamian presented the =80=9CSt.
Sahag and St. Mesrob’ medal and pontifical encyclical to parishioner
Arsen Sayan, founder and conductor of the church’s Ani Armenian Choral
Group.

Archbishop Barsamian led a procession to the newly-installed khatchkar
on church grounds. The khatchkar was carved and donated by Armenian
artist Ruben Nalbandian. It is dedicated to the memory of the deceased
parishioners of the community.

Archbishop Barsamian, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Rev. Fr. Hovsep
Karapetyan, and the Rev. Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian blessed the new
khatchkar.

Click to [12]read more and to [13]view photos.
Links:
12.
13.

Mission Parishes
Fr. Tateos Abdalian baptizes a child at St. Garabed Church.

Baton Rouge Church Marks 6th Anniversary

On Sunday, May 13, the mission parish of St. Garabed Church of Baton
Rouge, LA, marked the sixth anniversary of the consecration of its
sanctuary with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and a baptism
service.

The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s director of Mission
Parishes, visited the community on this occasion. Following the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the faithful gathered to witness the
baptism and confirmation of Vahe Matthew Kaltakjian, the son of the
church organist Vani and her husband Hampartsoom Kaltakjian.

`The day was truly one of celebration,’ Fr. Abdalian said. `This
child’s baptism on the anniversary of the consecration of the church
was an affirmation to the over 25 years of hard work by the community
to see that a church sanctuary would be built for the offering of our
Holy Sacraments.’

A fellowship luncheon followed services. During the luncheon, the
parish also observed Mothers Day by distributing red roses to all
mothers.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Parish Events

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School will celebrate its 45th anniversary
with a gala dinner-dance on Saturday, May 19, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The event will be held at the Garden City Country Club in Garden City,
NY. [14]Click here to view a flyer, or call the school office at (718)
225-4826.
Links:
14.

Khrimian Lyceum | New York, NY
The Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum will celebrate its 25th anniversary on
Saturday, May 19, at the Diocesan Center in New York, beginning at 2
p.m. For information, or to RSVP, contact Gilda Buchakjian at (212)
686-0710, ext. 148.

Holy Trinity Church | Cambridge, MA
Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA, will host the `Friends of Holy
Trinity 1000 Club 35th Annual Spring Dinner and Monthly Drawing’ on
Thursday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m. The monthly drawing will begin at 8 p.m.
[15]Click here for more information.
Links:
15.

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will screen the film `From Ararat to
Europe’ on Friday, June 1, beginning at 7:45 p.m. The producer will be
on hand to answer questions. [16]Click here to view a flyer.
Links:
16.

The church also will host a picnic on Sunday, June 3, from 12 p.m. to 5
p.m. on church grounds. Enjoy Armenian food and music, as well as other
activities.
[17]Click here to view a flyer.
Links:
17.

St. Vartan Cathedral | New York, NY
On Sunday, June 3, Bishop Datev Hagopian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of Romania, will visit the Eastern Diocese and
celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Cathedral, beginning at
10:30 a.m.

A reception will follow during which Bishop Hagopian will speak about
the activities of Armenian communities in Romania and preparations for
the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Hacigadar Monastery in
Suceava.

For information, contact Dr. Louiza Kubikian at (516) 248-2955.

YOUTH NEWS

St. Vartan Camp

Get Ready for St. Vartan Camp

Get ready to dive into camp this summer at St. Vartan Camp, housed at
the Ararat Center in Greenville, NY. Enjoy classes in religion,
Armenian language, culture and heritage, and arts and crafts, as well
as fun in the pool and other athletic activities.
[18]
Click here to register online for St. Vartan Camp.
Links:
18.

St. Vartan Camp Summer 2012 Dates
Staff Training: Wednesday, June 27 – Saturday, June 30
Session A: Sunday, July 1 – Saturday, July 14
Session B: Sunday, July 15 – Saturday, July 28
Session C: Sunday, July 29 – Saturday, August 11

ACYOA Sprots Weekend

ACYOA Assembly and Sports Weekend

The ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend will be hosted by the
ACYOA Seniors of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL,
from May 24 to 28. Participants will stay in Chicago, and enjoy a
variety of spiritual, social, and athletic activities.