Author: Kamalian Hagop

MEDVEDEV HOPES TO CONTINUE FRUITFUL DIALOGUE WITH ARMENIA

ITAR-TASS
March 24 2008
Russia

MOSCOW, March 24 (Itar-Tass) – Russian president-elect Dmitry Medvedev
said he hopes to continue a fruitful dialogue with his Armenian
colleague Serzh Sarkisyan.

"I congratulate you on the victory in the presidential elections
in Armenia. We’re glad to welcome you in the Kremlin." "This is your
first visit after the presidential elections. We see a special symbol
in your visit – a symbol for strengthening Russian-Armenian relations,"
Medvedev stressed.

"I hope that under your leadership we’ll be able to continue our
relations in order to reach a high level in bilateral interaction,"
Medvedev said.

Sarkisyan noted that Armenia knew and respected the Russian
president-elect. "We hope that after you take office we’ll continue
to develop our traditional dialogue in order to strengthen bilateral
relations," the Armenian president-elect said.

In his words, Armenia "is ready to further develop cooperation with
Russia in all fields." "We’re ready to build up our relations on a
mutually advantageous base and develop cooperation in compliance with
the existing agreements," Sarkisyan said.

"In fact, let’s discuss what we’ll do for the future of
Russian-Armenian relations," Medvedev said.

During the meeting, Medvedev and Sarkisyan discussed a wide range
of issues related to bilateral cooperation, regional problems and
cooperation within the CIS, the CSTO, the OSCE and other international
organisations, the Armenian government’s press service reported
on Monday.

Medvedev and Sarkisyan expressed satisfaction with the present level
of Russian-Armenian economic cooperation. They stressed that economic
relations between the two countries were developing dynamically.

Russia ranks first among Armenia’s trade and economic partners and
the active work of the inter-governmental commission on economic
cooperation proves of this.

Los Angeles Daily News, CA
March 23 2008

Telenovelas’ drama tells true story of globalization

Armenian community hot for Colombian soap operas

By Naush Boghossian, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 03/22/2008 09:17:57 PM PDT

Natalia Gharibians watches a wildly popular
telenovela, which… (David Crane/Staff Photographer)«1»Natalia
Gharibians doesn’t speak English – much less Spanish – but every
evening, the 77-year-old settles in to watch "El Cuerpo del Deseo"
and its handsome actor Mario Cimarro.
"Everyone at my day-care watches Salvador, wanting to see what
Salvador is doing and what’s happening to Salvador," Gharibians said
of the lead character played by Cimarro.

"My family asked me to go to dinner, and I had to say no because I
wanted to watch it."

In the latest example of globalization, the grandmother of seven is
among thousands of Armenians now hooked on the telenovela – produced
in Colombia, purchased by Armenia, dubbed into Armenian, and sent
back to the United States to air on Armenian-language television for
large Armenian populations in Glendale and Burbank.

"It’s interesting to me because it’s in Armenian," said Gharibians,
who invested months watching the recently ended series and is now
eagerly waiting for a new series to start March31. "We haven’t seen
anything like this."

The crossover to Armenian culture is the latest move for telenovelas,
limited-run TV serial melodramas made famous in Latin America and now
a multibillion-dollar industry.

While American soap operas run indefinitely, "novelas" have a
pre-determined end and average about 150 episodes.

And for more than eight months, "Salvador" – which is how Armenian
fans have come to refer to the officially titled "Second Chances" –
has captivated Armenians in Glendale and Burbank on Charter
Communications cable Channel31.

Gharibians’ fascination with Salvador is so great that she has been
enticed to watch Spanish-language telenovelas on Telemundo to catch a
glimpse of Cimarro – even though she doesn’t understand what’s going
on.

"He’s a good actor. He’s a good person, and you can feel for him,"
she said.

That universal appeal is increasingly crossing language barriers,
with an estimated 2billion people in more than 100 countries now
watching telenovelas. With dubbing and subtitles, telenovelas have
grown in popularity everywhere from Russia, France and Italy to the
Philippines, Israel and South Korea.

Armenian-Russian Television Network, or ARTN, began running the
telenovela about a year ago, supplied by a partner in Armenia that
buys the rights and dubs it into Armenian.

The network also streams its programming live on its Web site at

Although Charter Communications officials said there’s no way to know
exactly who’s watching and how often, they estimate as many as
30percent of their customers in Glendale and Burbank are
Armenian-speaking.

Robert Oglakhchyan, ARTN Corp. CEO and president, said the company
gauges demand for a show from advertising – and advertisers are lined
up to buy spots during the telenovela.

"It doesn’t matter that it’s in Spanish, Russian or American – it’s
about family, it’s about normal life, the same as the lives of
Armenians," he said. "People watch `All My Children’ and `Days of Our
Lives’ even if they don’t understand English well, so how
entertaining is it to watch a soap opera in Armenian?

"It’s an escape from your worries. You disconnect from your life and
forget your problems when you tune in to the novela."

Lida Zadouri’s husband has grumbled frequently about when the series
will finally end because when the show is on, his wife is totally
absorbed.

"It’s about life, and since the story wraps up in a couple of months,
it’s perfect for impatient people," she said.

"My mom would watch the show and would tell me to call later, then my
mom’s sister and now I’m telling others to call me later."

Like Gharibians, she’s even taken to watching Spanish-language
telenovelas because she just wants to see the actors.

"I watch it every day because I see beautiful men," the 53-year-old
said.

"And the one at 8 p.m. is in Spanish, and I don’t know what they’re
talking about and I’m watching it."

Stepan Partamian, a popular and controversial host of a
current-events talk show on an Armenian-language station, joked that
the telenovelas appeal to Armenians’ love of gossip.

"Armenians are suckers for gossip – this person left that person for
another person – and they just want to know in Armenian what’s
happening," Partamian said.

But telenovelas also are serving to connect two minority cultures,
said Jose Luis Benavides, director of the center for ethnic and
alternative media at California State University, Northridge.

"A lot of these cultural products really allow people to learn a
little bit about other groups they otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to,"
Benavides said.

"To learn something that is much more complex about Latin-American
culture in general through a soap opera is just fantastic."

And as worldwide demand booms, it has become a boon for the dubbing
and subtitle industry, said Deeny Kaplan, executive vice president of
The Kitchen, a language-customization company with offices in Studio
City, Miami and Caracas, Venezuela.

"We see more sellers of telenovela products and more buyers from
other countries," said Kaplan, who notes that the industry exceeds
$100 billion annually.

"Every day we’re dealing with countries like Vietnam, Japan, Korea,
Israel, South Africa and Russia, around the clock, that want to do a
telenovela in another language."

Her company has produced as many as four telenovelas a month, dubbing
about 80 episodes into multiple languages.

"The fact that we’re doing French dubbing in Miami of Latin soap
operas that are going to air in South Africa is crazy," Kaplan said.

"What it says is there is an interest in learning the cultures of the
different countries and grabbing parts of those cultures and making
them your own."

Still, for some, it’s considered a guilty pleasure.

Gharibians’ grandson, Eric Sahakian, said his friends hate to admit
that their own moms, aunts and grandmothers are hooked on the show.

"It’s funny how it’s a phenomenon. It’s like the MySpace of older
women," said Sahakian, 16.

"It’s cool that they can take something in Spanish and make it
something that’s enjoyable to Armenians."

Do Sahakian and his friends watch the show?

"I’d like to say it’s stupid, but you keep wanting to watch it five
minutes more," he said sheepishly.

"People my age don’t say they watch, but I think some of them watch
it secretly, undercover."

AZERBAIJAN HAS SET UP WAR INDUSTRY – PRESIDENT

Interfax News Agency
March 20 2008
Russia

Azerbaijan is boosting its military budget and has set up a defense
industry of its own, President Ilham Aliyev said."The situation in
which we have found ourselves and the occupation of our lands are,
of course, pushing us to increasing our military expenditure, which
is what we are doing," Aliyev said in an exclusive interview with
Interfax in Baku.

"Azerbaijan’s military expenditure has grown considerably for the
past four years. It was $1 billion in 2007 and will be $1.3 billion
in 2008. But this is a provisional level, because we are planning to
increase it," he said.

However, the country’s increasing defense spending reflects the
general state of its economy, Aliyev argued.

"I must say that Azerbaijan has increased its state expenditure
tenfold for the past four years, to $12 billion in 2008 – in terms
of the consolidated budget – from $1.3 billion in 2003. And we are
planning to put a proposal before parliament this spring for revising
the budget upward. So it is not surprising that Azerbaijan’s military
expenditure is growing as well," the president said.

"Plus we are in a state of war with Armenia, and our lands are under
occupation. The negotiations we have been holding for 10 years have
been fruitless," he said.

Azerbaijan buys weapons both from Collective Security Treaty
Organization member countries and from other states, Aliyev said.

Azerbaijan also set up a defense industry "a little more than a year
ago," and since then "the country has organized the manufacture of
our own military products, which we will be building up," he said.

"Possessing unlimited financial resources today, we are in a position
to set up new industries. We are setting up a new sector in the metal
industry, in the aluminum industry. Billions of dollars will be spent
for these purposes. Similar processes have started in other sectors
as well. And we are setting up and will set up a powerful military
industrial complex that will guarantee our security," Aliyev said.

Glendale News Press Community Forum March 20,2008

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Glendale Mayor Najarian vs School Board
City, schools must work together

By Linda Guzik

I am mad – really mad at the City Council’s reaction to Glendale
Unified School District Board President Greg Krikorian’s call for
greater cooperation between the board and council and his plea for
assistance with a utility rebate (`City, school board don’t agree on
utilities,’ Saturday).

For Councilman Dave Weaver to deflect our school’s budget issues on
the governor and say `your quarrel is not with us’ is the equivalent
of him turning a blind eye to what’s happening in our schools.

It’s true, the governor is the one proposing these devastating
education cuts, but to have a City Council member shrug it off and
effectively say, not our problem, is a true example of what is broken
in this city.

The financial reality facing our school system is everyone’s problem.
One of the main reasons people move to Glendale is because of its
school system.

It’s a vital part of the city’s infrastructure. If the school system
collapses, so does our city and every taxpayer’s property value. If
that were to happen, there’d be no Rick Carusos building
multibillion-dollar shopping venues here. So while you or many other
Glendale citizens may not have children in the public school system,
it’s imperative you do not turn a blind eye.

Sadly, our schools have been in a financial tailspin for decade. We
are not just facing a `few years that are expected to be fiscally
tight,’ as Jim Starbird, our city manager, would have you believe. The
fiscal tragedy that has befallen public schools in California has been
going on for three decades.

Before 1978 California had an enviable public school system and funded
education at a level of $600 per student over the national average.

Then Proposition 13 passed, capping local property taxes at 1%,
sending our public schools into a financial downward spiral from which
they’ve never recovered.

Proposition 98 was later passed in an effort to help schools
financially, but by 2001, California was funding education on a
per-pupil basis of $1,075 below the national average.

Year after year, this constant under-funding of education has eaten
away at school budgets. There is no more fat to cut and now millions
of California students are at risk. Teachers have become disheartened
because they are being asked to do more every year, with fewer
resources. The dropout rate has been rising, class sizes have bulged
to over-flowing capacities; the `extras’ like school librarians,
counselors and nurses have vanished, and enrichment programs are
either extinct or completely parent-funded and operated.

So here we are, California public schools have hit rock bottom. We
rank 50th in the U.S. for staff-to-student ratios and are 43rd in per
pupil funding, providing $1,900 less per student than the national
average.

And now our schools are faced with potentially losing $4.8 billion
more next year.

How did we get to this bleak place? And, more importantly, what are we
going to do about it? Our schools cannot continue to rely solely on
state and federal funding. We need to start thinking creatively.
Citizens and community and business leaders must join forces with City
Council members, school board members, the Glendale Community College
board and our teachers and administration to bring back the promise of
a better future for our children.

It is time to think outside of the box. We need to find ways to
protect our own. We need to start considering making changes to the
way we fund education, and yes, we need help from our city leaders.

Is a utility break such a crazy thing to ask for? Why does our
nonprofit public school system pay the same rates as say, the Rick
Carusos of the world? That seems incredibly unfair when you consider
how much more the public school system offers our city.

Maybe Krikorian’s request for a utility rebate seemed a little
unusual, or out of the ordinary, but quite frankly desperate times
require desperate measures. I implore our City Council members to
listen to our school board.

Don’t belittle them with remarks like, `When Greg [Krikorian] makes
these comments continually, we always scratch our heads and wonder
what are the facts he’s looking at.’ How sad that comment came from
our mayor and that he felt the need to embarrass Krikorian by
insinuating his facts were sketchy and fabricated.

We must put an end to the cantankerous relationship between our City
Council and school board. All the nonsense, the hurt feelings, the
stepping on each other’s toes must stop now or we will never realize
true success as a city.

It’s time to get rid of the `us versus them’ mentality and together
look to the future to find creative ways and new solutions that will
ensure our school children have the brighter tomorrow they deserve.

LINDA GUZIK is a Glendale resident.

SHIRAK PROVINCE TO GET 850 MILLION DRAMS FOR ROAD REPAIR

ARMENPRESS
March 20, 2008

GYUMRI, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS: Some 370 million Drams will be released
by the government this year for a major repair of a road from Gyumri,
the center of the northwestern province of Shirak, to Kaps and Amasia.

The government will also fund major repairs of a 3 km-long road from
Anushavan to Artik and a 4 km-long road from Spandarian to Arevshat.

Martin Tonoyan, head of a department in charge of financial and
social-economic issues at the local governor’s office, said overall
some 850 million Drams will be released this year for repair of
provincial roads.

Also 65 million Drams will be allocated for routine maintenance of
roads this year, as much as in 2007.

Untitled DocumentPress Release
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 689-7810
Fax: (212) 689-7168
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

MARCH 20, 2008

JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED
The following joint statement was issued this week by the Armenian
Assembly of America, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian
National Committee of America, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern/Western) and the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America (Eastern/Western) on recent events in Armenia.
As leading Armenian American organizations, we stand in solidarity with
the state and the people of Armenia as the nation confronts the current
political crisis.
We are deeply saddened by the violence, divisiveness, and deaths during
the post-electoral street unrest in the capital and extend our heartfelt
sympathies to all the families of the victims. We condemn all violent acts,
including assaults, vandalism, and looting, and expect, consistent with due
process of law, that the organizers and perpetrators will be brought to
justice.
We urge all parties to work peacefully within Armenia’s civic and legal
structures to address their outstanding differences and restore Armenia’s
political environment to a state of normalcy in as timely and responsible a
manner as possible. We join with all Armenians in reaffirming our people’s
common commitment to the security of Armenia and Artsakh in a challenging
and often dangerous region, and to cooperate toward our shared aim of
strengthening an open and democratic Armenian homeland, based upon the rule
of law, social and economic justice, freedom of expression and the media,
and equal opportunity for all.
As Armenian Americans, proud and vital partners in the future of the
Armenian nation, we are ready to cooperate with the newly-elected President
and the government. We remain committed to doing our part to serve our
homeland and the Armenian Nation as we have done throughout our long
history. Armenia will continue to inspire and sustain generations of
Armenians who have lived, as we do today, beyond her borders.

PRELATE ISSUES EASTER MESSAGE:
"THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION"
Archbishop Oshagan issued his Easter message to the Faithful calling
upon them to live the message of Christ’s Resurrection. The Prelate’s
message emphasizes the messages that those who live for Jesus live with
Jesus. "For a true Christian who lives by Jesus, life is not simply a sum of
days and years. We make life worthy by working toward a goal and
responsibility; we make life worthy and we give meaning to life by being
obedient to God’s commandments."
To read the entire message in Armenian click
rmenian.pdf.
To read the entire message in English click

FUNE RAL SERVICES FOR MRS. ALICE SACHAKLIAN, PRINCESS OF CILICIA AND PRELACY
PERSON OF THE YEAR, WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK
Archbishop Oshagan will officiate over National Funeral Services on
Tuesday, March 25 for Mrs. Alice Sachaklian, at Soorp Khatch Armenian
Apostolic Church in Bethesda, Maryland, at 1 pm, followed by a Memorial
Luncheon in the church hall. As reported last week, Mrs. Sachaklian died on
Thursday, March 13. Interment will take place on Wednesday, March 26, at 10
am, at Arlington National Cemetery. The family will receive visitors on
Monday evening, March 24 at Joseph Gawler’s Sons, Inc., 5120 Wisconsin Ave.
NW, Washington, DC 20016 (202-966-6400), from 6 to 9 pm; and on Tuesday
morning from 10:30 am to noon.
Mrs. Sachaklian, together with her late husband, Col. Harry A.
Sachaklian, was an ardent and active supporter of Armenian organizations. In
2003, she
enriched the Prelacy’s Endowment Fund by establishing the "Colonel Harry A.
and Alice K. Sachaklian Antelias Seminary Fund." The Fund provides
financial support for the education of seminary students who plan to enter
the priesthood.
Alice Keosaian Sachaklian was born on November 9, 1920, in the Bronx,
New York, the youngest of four children of Khatchadour and Sophia Keosaian.
She graduated from Hunter College and continued her masters in German at
Columbia University. She had a long and distinguished career in government
service at the National Security Agency where she held positions in Germany
and in Washington. At her retirement in 1978 she received the Department of
Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award-the highest honor for a civilian.
Her 37-year marriage to Col. Harry A. Sachaklian (USAF, Ret.), created a
legacy of support for the advancement of the Armenian Church and culture.
She continued her active support after the death of her husband in 2002.
Mrs. Sachaklian was awarded the Princess of Cilicia insignia, the highest
civilian award given by the Holy See of Cilicia, and in 2004, she was
honored as the Prelacy’s "Person of the Year."
She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Virginia Babayan, sisters-in-law, Mrs.
Anahid Keosaian and Mrs. Arpena Mesrobian; a brother-in-law, Dr. Arra
Avakian, and many nieces and nephews, including Lt. Col. (USAF, Ret.) George
A. Rustigian and Mrs. Barbara Rustigian, Dr. Arsine Oshagan, and Ms. Jackie
Rustigian.

PASSING OF DIKRAN HADJETIAN
Dikran Hadjetian, a resident of Montreal, died suddenly on Monday, March
17, while vacationing in the Dominican Republic. He was 69 years old. Mr.
Hadjetian was a delegate to the World General Assembly, a delegate to the
National Representative Assembly, a Prince of Cilicia, a long-time
benefactor of the Armenian Church, including the Eastern Prelacy, and the
sponsor of the renovation of Noravank Monastery in Armenia.
Archbishop Oshagan will participate in the funeral services next week in
Montreal.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES AT THE CATHEDRAL
Holy Week services began last Sunday with Palm Sunday and Opening of the
Portals services at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. Today the
Cathedral, led by its pastor Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, continued the
tradition of the Order of Repentance and Last Supper in the morning,
followed by the Divine Liturgy and Communion. This evening the Washing of
the Feet service will take place at 6 pm, followed by the Vigil (Khavaroom)
beginning at 8 pm. On Good Friday the Order of the Crucifixion will take
place at noon, with evening services at 7 pm and the Order of Entombment at
7:30 pm. On Great Saturday Holy Communion and Breakfast for children will
take place 10 to 11 pm. Easter Eve service begins at 6 pm with the reading
of the scriptures at 6:30 and Easter Eve Divine Liturgy at 7 pm.
On Easter Sunday the Holy Liturgy will be celebrated and the sermon will
be delivered by the Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan. Morning
service begins 10 am and the Divine Liturgy begins at 10:30 am.

NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL MEETING
Representatives of New England parishes met at Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church
in Whitinsville, Massachusetts for the New England Regional Meeting on
Saturday, March 8. Members of Boards of Trustees, National Representative
Assembly delegates and Pastors of the New England churches gathered along
with Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan, and several members of the
Executive Council. The agenda included topics important to parish leaders
and to the challenges facing the Prelacy and the parishes. The host parish
with its pastor, Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian, and Board of Trustees and Ladies
Guild made every effort to create a comfortable
atmosphere with their gracious hospitality.
The regional meeting concluded with statements by Archbishop Oshagan,
Jack Mardoian, chairman of the Executive Council, and Hagop Khatchadourian,
Central Executive member who coordinated the regional meeting. With a
closing prayer by Archbishop Oshagan the participants returned to their
homes with renewed spirit and commitment.

VISITS TO HOVNANIAN SCHOOL AND NEW JERSEY HOME
Yesterday morning, March 19, Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan,
Archpriest Mousegh Der Kaloustian, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, and Rev. Fr.
Hovnan Bozoian, visited the Hovnanian School in New Milford, New Jersey, and
the New Jersey Rehabilitation Center and Home for the Aged in Emerson, New
Jersey.
At the Hovnanian School, students from grades 1 to 8 welcomed the
Prelate and his entourage and presented a short program for the honored
guests. The Prelate then officiated over the traditional Blessing of the
Home ceremony, asking that God’s blessing be upon the entire school
including the students, their parents, the principal and administration, and
the Trustees.
At the Emerson Home, the clergy interacted with the elderly residents,
who greeted their visit with great anticipation. Following the Home Blessing
ceremony the Prelate and clergy shared a delicious lunch with the residents
and the administration of the Home. The clergy had special words of
greetings for Archpriest Vahrich Shirinian, a resident at the Home, who
participated in the services, and presented a short message.

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION OF ARCHPRIEST ARSHAG DAGHLIAN
Under the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan, the 40th anniversary of
Archpriest Fr. Arshag Daghlian will be celebrated on Saturday, March 29, at
St. Stephen’s Church Hall, Watertown, Massachusetts. Dinner will be served
at 6 pm, followed by a program. Reservations for the event (donation of
$20), can be made by contacting the church at 617-924-7562.

VICAR WILL ATTEND COURT PROGRAM
Bishop Anoushavan will attend a program about New York City Housing next
Wednesday, March 26. The program is sponsored by the New York State Unified
Court System and the Interfaith Center of New York. Religious and community
leaders have been invited to participate in the roundtable discussion.

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
The Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly will be hosted by
St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, May 8-10. Information for
delegates, including hotel reservations, meal plans, and airport shuttle
service are on the Prelacy web page. Additional information will be posted
on a regular basis, so check the site often. In addition to the NRA, the
National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) will be meeting and celebrating
its 25th anniversary; and a conference of Yeretzgeens will take place. To
get to the NRA site click
PLEAS E NOTE: THE DEADLINE FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO APRIL
16. DELEGATES HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR INFORMATION PACKETS; PLEASE MAKE
YOUR RESERVATIONS BEFORE APRIL 16 IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE SPECIAL RATE.
INFORMATION IS ALSO ON THE PRELACY WEB SITE.

YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated the year 2008 as the "Year of Christian Education."
To read His Holiness’ message in Armenian click
tifical%20Messages/messages58.htm.
To read His Holiness’ message in English click
.

BLESSING OF MURON
The Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia announced that His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I will consecrate the Holy Muron (Holy Oil) on June 7, 2008.
The Holy Muron, symbol of the grace of the Holy Spirit, is traditionally
blessed every seven years. Only the Catholicos can consecrate the oil which
is then distributed to the various dioceses for distribution to the
parishes. The oil consists of 48 different herbs, flowers, and oils which
are combined in a special vessel and mixed with some of the old Muron, thus
creating an unbroken chain with the past. The preparation of the Holy Muron
is a long process and each stage is accompanied with special prayers. Prior
to its blessing, the Muron remains for forty days on the altar of the
Cathedral. The Muron Blessing is expected to attract a large number of
pilgrims from various parts of the world.
During this same period the World General Assembly of the Catholicosate
of the Great House of Cilicia will convene in Antelias beginning on June 3
through to June 5.
The Prelacy is organizing a pilgrimage to Antelias for the Muron
blessing. For details click

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING
An international gathering of youth is being organized by the Holy See
of Cilicia. His Holiness Aram I is inviting the youth, 18 years and older,
to attend this gathering from August 13 to 20, 2008, coinciding with the
annual pilgrimage during the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of
God.
Plans are underway for the Catholicosate, the Prelacy, and our Parishes
to facilitate the travel of the young adults to the gathering by assisting
with a portion of the travel expenses. For information contact your local
parish.

TODAY IS MAUNDY THURSDAY
Today, Thursday, March 21, is Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Lord’
Supper where Christ distributed unleavened bread and passed a cup of wine to
his disciples, telling them this was His Body and Blood of the New Covenant.
In the tradition of the Armenian Church the Order of Repentance and Last
Supper takes place in the morning, followed by the Divine Liturgy. In the
evening the Washing of the Feet service takes place at which time the
officiating priest washes the feet of twelve men, as Christ had done for his
disciples. This is followed by the Vigil (Khavaroom) dedicated to the
betrayal, arrest, torture, passion, and trial of Christ, which continues
into Friday

EASTER-THE MOVEABLE FEAST
Easter is the holiest of holidays for Christendom. Since the days of
early church history, determining the precise date of Easter has been a
matter for argument. The date of Easter is on the Sunday immediately
following the Paschal Full Moon date of the year. The date of the Paschal
Full Moon is determined from historical tables, and has no correspondence to
lunar events. Most of Christendom, including the Armenian Church (except in
Jerusalem), follow the Gregorian calendar. Eastern Orthodox Churches still
use the Julian calendar (for calculating the date of Easter). This is partly
why the dates are rarely the same. The date for Easter for us can range from
March 22 to April 25.
There have been a number of attempts to unify the Easter dates. Most
recently, in 1965, the World Council of Churches (WCC) began a discussion on
the topic that continued for some years. In 1997 the WCC and the Middle East
Council of Churches sponsored a meeting in Aleppo, Syria, and they came up
with a suggestion not for a fixed date, but a fixed formula for all of
Christendom. The churches could not agree. And while it is generally agreed
that the Last Supper was the Passover meal, Passover and Easter do not
always coincide, because Passover is calculated on the Hebrew calendar.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Great Thursday of Holy Week, March 20, are:
Morning: John 12:27-43. Office of Penitents: Isaiah 60:20-22; Ezekiel
36:24-31; Hebrews 10:19-31; Luke 7:36-50. Holy Eucharist: Genesis 22:1-18;
Isaiah 61:1-7; Acts 1:15-26; Mark 14:1-26; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Matthew
26:17-30. Washing of the Feet: Exodus 30:17-21; 1 Kings 7:38-40; 2
Chronicles 4:2-6; Isaiah 44:2-6; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; 1 John 4:7-21; John
13: 1-11; John 13:12-15.
"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-‘Father, save me from
this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father,
glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and
I will glorify it again." The crowd standing there heard it and said that it
was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered,
"This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of
this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am
lifted up from the earth, will draw all people’ to myself." He said this to
indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have
heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that
the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus said to
them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the
light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the
darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light,
believe in the light, so that you may become children of light."
After Jesus had said this, departed and hid from them. Although he had
performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This
was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "Lord, who has
believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
And so they could not believe, because Isaiah had said, "He has blinded
their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their
eyes, and understand with their heart and turn-and I would heal them."
Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him.
Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of
the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out
of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the gory that comes
>From God. (John 12:27-43)
For listing of the week’s Bible readings click

TU RKISH NOVELIST ELIF SHAFAK NOMINATED
Elif Shafak, who wrote the best-seller The Bastard of Istanbul, is one
of the finalists for the prestigious British fiction prize, according to a
Reuters press release, which noted "Ms. Shafak was prosecuted in Turkey over
comments made by characters in her book about the 1915 massacre of Armenians
by Ottoman Turks. She was acquitted by an Istanbul court in 2006." The
winner will be announced on June 4.

JULIA VADALA TAFT, 65; BROUGHT RELIEF SUPPLIES TO ARMENIA IN 1988
Julia Vadala Taft, former assistant secretary of state who coordinated
the U.S. government’s response to earthquakes, floods, and other disasters
in foreign countries died this week. She was 65 years old. She was married
to William Howard Taft, a great-grandson of President William Howard Taft,
the 26th president of the United States. In 1988, following the earthquake
in northwest Armenia, Ms. Taft was one of the first to reach Armenia with
needed supplies. She escorted a jumbo cargo plane packed with relief
supplies, and reportedly took no luggage of her own (except a sleeping bag)
so that every inch of the plane could be packed with supplies.

ODE TO SPRING
Spring arrived early this morning in our part of the world. Although it
is a blustery day, nevertheless we celebrate the arrival of the season of
rebirth and renewal.
"The Christian gardener patiently picks sin from the soul’s soil and
cultivates it with care and attention to the tender new growth of faith."
(From Vigen Guroian’s Inheriting Paradise: Meditations on Gardening).

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 30-Second lecture of a series presented by St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York, 1:15 pm. With participation of Samvel Jeshmaridian,
PhD and Elize Kiregian, M.A. Information: church office 718-224-2275 or Dr.
Arthur H. Kubikian 718-786-3842.

April 11-Photo Art Exhibit featuring the work of Levon Berberian. Opening
reception, 7 to 11 pm, at the Prelacy offices, New York City. Jointly
sponsored by the Prelacy and the New York Mayr Chapter of the Armenian
Relief Society. Proceeds will benefit the ARS Centennial Fund. The
exhibition will also be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, April 12
and 13, from 1 pm to 5 pm.

April 20-Third lecture of a series presented by St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York, 1:15 pm. With participation of Samvel Jeshmaridian,
PhD and Elize Kiregian, M.A. Information: church office 718-224-2275 or Dr.
Arthur H. Kubikian 718-786-3842.

April 27-Armenian Genocide Commemoration at Times Square, New York City, 2
pm. Sponsored by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan. Co-sponsored by the
AGBU, Armenian Assembly of America, ANCA, ADL-RAG and S.D. Hunchagians. With
the participation of the Diocese of the Armenian Church, Prelacy of the
Armenian Church, AMAA, Armenian Presbyterian Church, Armenian Evangelical
Church and Armenian Catholic Eparchy for U.S. and Canada, and Armenian youth
organizations. Free bus transportation from Armenian churches in New York
and New Jersey; Baruyr’s, 40th & Queens Boulevard, and Hovnanian School, New
Milford, New Jersey. For information: Sam: 516-352-2587; Leo: 201-746-0409;
Ara: 973-759-7518; John: 718-631-2247.

May 2-Presentation of the recent publication of Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian’s
Archbishop Nerses Lambronaci: Commentary on the Wisdom of Solomon, 7 pm, at
St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th St., Douglaston, New York.

May 5-Mothers’ Day Luncheon, sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, St.
Regis, New York City. Reception at 11:30 followed by luncheon.

May 8-10-National Representative Assembly of the Eastern Prelacy, hosted by
St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts.

May 8 and 9-National Association of Ladies Guild (NALG) conference in
conjunction with the National Representative Assembly, celebrating the 25th
anniversary of the NALG, will take place at St. Stephen Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts.

June 3-5-World General Assembly of the Catholicosate of the Great House of
Cilicia will convene in Antelias, Lebanon.

June 7-Blessing of Holy Muron in Antelias, Lebanon.

June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council.

July 19-"A Hye Summer Night 3," dance hosted by Ladies’ Guild of Sts.
Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode Island. For details
401-434-4467.

August 3-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Blessing of the
Grapes picnic. Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, noon to 6 pm, rain or
shine.

August 15-17-International Gathering of Youth and Pilgrimage to Der Zor,
organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Details will follow.

September 25-Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office
201-943-2950.

October 25-Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great
House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey.
Details to follow.

39 HOUSE MEMBERS URGE INCREASED AID TO ARMENIA AND NAGORNO KARABAKH

armradio.am
20.03.2008 10:53

Thirty-nine House members cosigned a letter this week initiated by
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) urging the leaders of the U.S. House State-Foreign
Operations Appropriations Subcommittee to support provisions in the
FY09 foreign aid bill that advance U.S. interests and American values
in Armenia and the surrounding region, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).

"We want to thank Congressmen Knollenberg and Pallone and all
those who joined with the Armenian Caucus in this initiative
to promote a balanced and constructive path toward peace and
development in the Caucasus region," said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "Armenian Americans look forward to working hard
to help enact the foreign aid priorities outlined in this letter,
including, notably, the bipartisan effort to put an end to the
artificial diplomatic isolation that the Azerbaijani government has
sought to impose upon Nagorno Karabakh by trying to block nearly all
U.S. contacts and communication with the people and democratically
elected leaders of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic."

The letter, addressed to Subcommittee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY)and
Ranking Member Frank Wolf (R-VA), outlines six key policy priorities:

1) Cutting all military aid to Azerbaijan due to its threats of
renewed war

2) Allocating $5 million in military aid to Armenia

3) Continuing Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act

4) Allocating $70 million in economic aid to Armenia

5) Allocating $10 million in development aid to Nagorno Karabakh

6) Restoring diplomatic relations with Nagorno Karabakh

Joining Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Pallone and Knollenberg were
Representatives Joe Baca (D-CA), Lois Capps (D-CA), Michael Capuano
(D-MA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA),
Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Scott
Garrett (R-NJ), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Dale Kildee
(D-MI), Mark Kirk (R-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Sander Levin (D-MI),
Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY),
Edward Markey (D-MA), James McGovern (D MA), Michael McNulty (D-NY),
Candice Miller (R-MI), Grace Napolitano (D- CA), Collin Peterson
(D-MN), George Radanovich (R-CA), Mike Rogers (R-MI), Bobby Rush
(D-IL), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Brad Sherman (D- CA), Mark Souder (R-IN),
Christopher Van Hollen (D-MD), Timothy Walz (D-MN), Diane Watson
(D-CA), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Lynn Woolsey
(D-CA).

AMARAS MONASTERY WILL BE REBORN

KarabakhOpen
18-03-2008 11:04:15

On March 17 Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan held a consultation in
which Archbishop Pargev, the minister of culture Norek Gasparyan
and the scientific council of preservation of historical monuments
were present, to discuss the restoration of Amaras Monastery. It was
mentioned that restoration did not change the historical appearance
of the monastery of the 4th century in which one of the first Armenian
schools was opened. Amaras will become a spiritual and cultural center,
for which the government will provide sufficient funding.

On the proposal of Sergey Shahverdyan, member of the scientific
council, the government will prohibit allotment of land adjacent
to historical monuments until affirmation of the projects of their
restoration.

The prime minister emphasized that immense work is foreseen for
preservation and restoration of monuments, and it is necessary to
enhance the status of the scientific council. On the proposal of the
members of the council the prime minister was elected chair of the
council. The next meeting of the council will discuss the course and
perspectives of restoration of Shushi, the Department of Information
and Public Relations of the NKR government reports.

PRESIDENT’S OATH CEREMONY

Panorama.am
16:07 18/03/2008

The new elect president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan will hold his oath
ceremony in Opera and Bullet National Academic Theatre at 14:00 on
9 April.

According to the National Assembly decision made today in the session,
the oath ceremony will be conducting during the special session of
the Assembly. The session will be held by the special invitation of
the ongoing president to hand the position.

Tigran Torosyan the NA president said that the NA general session
will be transferred because of that special ceremony.

PRESSURE GROUP URGES AZERBAIJAN TO REVIEW TIES WITH US, RUSSIA, FRANCE

Azeri Press Agency
March 17 2008
Azerbaijan

An Azerbaijani pressure group has urged the government to review its
relations with the USA, Russia and France for their rejection of a
UN resolution that called for Armenian withdrawal from Azerbaijan’s
occupied territories, APA news agency reported.

The Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) said in a statement that
"the Azerbaijani government should take due note of the fact and
review its relations with the countries that maintained an unjust
position on the Karabakh issue".

The KLO also suggested that the Minsk Group of the OSCE, which
was created in 1992 to mediate a peaceful resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, should cease operation.

The group has been co-chaired by the USA, Russia and France since 1997.

"From now on, there is no need for the activity of the OSCE Minsk
Group," APA quoted the statement as saying.

The UN General Assembly approved the resolution on 14 March demanding
that all Armenian forces pull out of Nagornyy Karabakh and surrounding
seven districts which were seized from Azerbaijan in the early 1990s.

All three co-chairs of the Minsk Group voted against the resolution,
as did Armenia and three other members of the General Assembly.

Thirty-nine countries voted for and 100 abstained.