Author: Kanayan Tamar

TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SUPPORT ARMENIAN NEWSPAPERS

epress.am
07.18.2011

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government has decided to
lend support to newspapers and weeklies published by minority groups
in Turkey, which have recently been experiencing difficulties due to
financial problems, Today’s Zaman reports.

The newspapers in question are Greek dailies Apoyevmatini and Ä°ho,
Armenian dailies Nor Marmara and Jamanak, Armenian weekly Agos and
Jewish weekly Å~^alom.

The Prime Ministry’s Press Advertising Agency (BÄ°K) Director General
Mehmet Atalay plans to meet with officials from the six publications
on July 26 to discuss their problems. Atalay spoke to the press about
the meeting and said the AK Party government is willing to help solve
the issues, mostly financial, faced by minority publications. “We have
launched efforts to allow [minority] publications to receive state
aid. We will either amend the existing regulations or pass new ones,”
he said.

Atalay’s meeting with minority publications is part of the government’s
bid to see Turkey admitted as a member of the European Union. Turkey
has so far ignored the problems faced by minority publications. After
the Jun. 12 parliamentary elections, Turkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan decided to deal with these problems by making it easier for
the publications to benefit from state aid. In Turkey, publications
by minority groups were previously not allowed to receive any state
financial assistance.

Asked about the content of the upcoming meeting with minority
publications, Atalay said the meeting will help develop a roadmap for
the government to decide how to make financial aid available to the
publications. “We will listen to officials of minority publications
and develop a roadmap. They will tell us about their problems and
needs. We will also exchange views about a financial aid plan for
the publications and share our opinions about effective journalism,”
he added.

KIRO MANOYAN: “THE SITUATION IS NOT SO AS OUR AUTHORITIES PRESENT”

Noyan Tapan

15.07.2011

(Noyan Tapan – 15.07.2011) The statement of Russian President satisfied
neither of the sides. The head of the ARF Armenian Cause and Political
Affairs Office Kiro Manoyan informed about this at the meeting with
journalists held on July 15. “Though the sides didn’t agree to sign
a document in Kazan the Russian President’s efforts to do something
are evident. The Azerbaijan side tried to go back to the principles
of 2009. Ashton’s several approvals were more remarkable which shows
that our diplomacy has not worked well in several regions.

This situation shows that the situation is not so as our authorities
present”, he said. ARF representative doesn’t think that Armenian
Authorities will agree to any principles where the NKR status is not
definitely outlined.

K. Manoyan noted that ARF has always been against the policy
carried out by Armenian authorities. “As far as the Nagorno-Karabakh
authorities are concerned, it is clear that they should take part
in the negotiation process over the conflict,” said he adding that
regardless of the fact who is the President he should carry out the
right policy.

GERARD COLLOMB, LE MAIRE DE LYON A EREVAN
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
samedi 16 juillet 2011

la delegation lyonnaise sera en Armenie jusqu’au 20 juillet

A l’invitation du Maire de la capitale armenienne, Gerard Collomb,
le Maire de Lyon, accompagne d’une delegation est en Armenie du 15
au 20 juillet. Des responsables des transports, de la culture, de
l’education, de l’urbanisme, des chefs d’entreprises et des medias
accompagnent Gerard Collomb a Erevan. Des rencontres avec le president
Serge Sarkissian, le president du Parlement Hovig Abrahamian, le
maire d’Erevan Garen Garabedian et le ministre des Affaires etrangères
Edouard Nalbandian sont au programme de la delegation lyonnaise. Cette
dernière se rendra egalement au memorial du genocide. De nombreux
accords de cooperation entre Erevan et Lyon sont au programme des
rencontres.

ARMENIA RANKED SIXTH IN WORLD TEAM CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

news.am
July 15 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Chinese Ningbo city will host opening ceremony of World
Team Chess Championship 2011 on Saturday. The first round will take
place on Sunday. The strongest ten teams of the world participate
in the championship: Chine, as an organizer country, Russia, Ukraine
and Israel, continental champions Azerbaijan, India, U.S., Egypt and
Armenia that received the invitation from FIDE president.

Armenia with 2678 points rates the sixth after Russia, Azerbaijan,
Ukraine, China, Hungary.

Levon Aronyan, Sergey Movsisyan, Vladimir Hakobyan, Gabriel Sargsyan,
and Robert, Hovhannisyan will represent Armenia.

Church-State Dispute in Tbilisi Exposes Anti-Armenian Undertones
July 15, 2011 – 1:28pm, by Molly Corso
GeorgiaEurasiaNet’s Weekly DigestReligion

A boy is baptized at St. George Kvashveti Church in Tbilisi in May
2007. A surge in popularity, coupled with the high standing of
Patriarch Ilia II, head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, has made the
church one of the most influential institutions in Georgia. (Photo:
Molly Corso) A dispute over efforts to strengthen the legal rights of
minority religions has opened a new fault line in Georgia’s fractured
political landscape. It is also helping to define the limits of the
governing United National Movement’s influence.

Civil code amendments, passed on July 5, will allow `those faiths that
are considered legal religions by member countries of the European
Council’ to register as full-fledged religious
organizations. Previously, such groups were only able to register as
charities or non-government organizations.

The changes, which have been praised by the international community,
sparked outrage among Georgian Orthodox Church faithful, many of whom
see them as an attempt to undermine the Church’s special role in
society, a position facilitated by funding from the state budget and
tax breaks. During an early July protest, hundreds of Georgian
Orthodox believers and priests marched through downtown Tbilisi,
carrying Georgian icons and flags, to the city’s main Sameba (Holy
Trinity) Cathedral. The protest, one of the largest ` and most
colorful ` in recent memory, offered a powerful reminder of the
popular strength of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

At the core of Church supporters’ opposition is a concern that the law
will make it possible for the Armenian Apostolic Church to contest the
ownership of scores of churches. A wave of anti-Armenian sentiment has
bubbled to the surface in TV talk shows, blogs and Facebook
discussions on the amendments.

Much of the heated rhetoric started to subside on July 12 after a
meeting of the Church’s Holy Synod, which called for calm. At the same
time, the synod urged parliament in the future to discuss with the
Patriarchate draft legislation related to religion so as `to avoid any
possible complications.’ President Mikheil Saakashvili attended a
liturgy conducted by Patriarch Ilia II at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral the
following day, providing a visual reminder that tension had eased.

The speed of the vote on the amendments ` after just a few days of
parliamentary debate ` and the vote’s timing — on the heels of a
publicized trip to Tbilisi by the head of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, Catholicos Garegin II ` helped fuel tension, noted Giorgi
Khutsishvili, director of the International Center on Conflict and
Negotiation.

The lack of extensive preliminary discussions with Patriarch Ilia II
— a man generally seen as the most revered public figure in Georgia `
created an appearance that the governing party was `arrogant,’
Khutsishvili said. The 78-year-old patriarch had requested that the
final vote be delayed until a full discussion with the Church could be
held.

`I think that lots of things in Georgia are politicized which are not
really political. And sometimes some actions of the government
contribute to politicizing the issues,’ Khutsishvili said.

United National Movement MP Davit Darchiashvili, who supported the
amendments, told EurasiaNet.org that the changes had been under
discussion for `a long time.’ [Editor’s note: Darchiashvili formerly
served as executive director of the Open Society Assistance Foundation
` Georgia, part of the Soros Foundations network. EurasiaNet.org
operates under the auspices of the Open Society Institute, a separate
part of the Soros network].

`If taken from July, one may ask why [the law was passed] so quickly,
but sometimes too long discussions can be — sometimes
–counterproductive,’ he said. `It could have just caused additional
sparks of emotion ¦ and in the end the issue would have been
undecided again. If we believe it needs to be done, let’s just do it.’

Darchiashvili dismissed allegations that the government felt pressured
by Catholicos Garegin II’s visit. `Several religious denominations
felt [their old status as non-governmental organizations] as
discrimination,’ he said. `If that is how they perceived it, why
shouldn’t we address that concern?’

The Georgian Orthodox Church, though, functions as more than just a
religious institution; its privileged position and growing popularity
has made it a `political actor,’ said Marine Chitashvili, the director
of Tbilisi State University’s Center for Social Sciences. `[Patriarch
Ilia II] is still an authority. ¦ He has no authority de jure, but,
de facto, he has a huge authority,’ Chitashvili said.

Chitashvili described the resurgence of nationalism amid the debate
over the status of minority religions as `artificial,’ a phenomenon
brought on by people’s shock that the decision was made so quickly,
and not based on any real animosity between Georgians and
Armenians. Even so, efforts by the Armenian minority in Georgia to
broaden their cultural rights have rankled officials in Tbilisi. The
Georgian and Armenian governments also went through a bout of tension
in 2009, when two Georgian-Armenian community activists faced
espionage allegations.

The two countries have the world’s oldest (Armenia) and third oldest
(Georgia) organized churches, and signs of a cultural rivalry are
evident.

Khutsishvili said the controversy over the amendments serves as a
reminder that the separation between religion and politics in Georgia
is not wide. `[I]t showed once again that religion is the most
sensitive issue in Georgia,’ he said. `It is also somehow a risk that
in the future any dispute on a religious issue may easily grow into a
political one.’

LA CORSE INVITE L’ARMENIE ET LE KARABAGH
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 14 juillet 2011,

L’Associu Scopre en collaboration avec l’Association Culturelle
Armenienne des Pennes Mirabeau et en partenariat avec Tavagna Club,
organise trois journees d’echanges entre la Corse, l’Armenie et
le Karabagh. L’evenement se deroulera a Marignana & Talasani les
15-16-17 juillet 2011 en presence de l’ambassadeur d’Armenie, du Haut
representant du Karabagh du maire des 13ème et 14ème arrondissements
de Marseille, ainsi que d’elus corses. Paul Ceccaldi de l’association
Associu Scopre et Annie Stepanow presidente de l’Association Culturelle
Armenienne des Pennes-Mirabeau ont bien voulu repondre a nos questions.

Armenews : Faire connaître l’Armenie et le Karabagh en Corse est un
challenge audacieux. Comment ce projet a-t-il vu le jour ?

Paul Ceccaldi : L’Associu Scopre a ete creee en 1988 par un petit
groupe de personnes qui n’avait pas conscience au depart de mettre le
doigt dans l’engrenage de l’utopie. Nous sommes demeures d’eternels
enfants avides de decouvertes mais conscients du serieux de tout
travail d’enfant. Refusant la fatalite, l’association grâce a tous ses
membres s’est toujours engagee sous la bannière de l’utopie. L’associu
Scopre signifie ” l’Association decouvrir “, decouvrir les autres, se
decouvrir. Notre aventure a debute en 1990 par un festival du cinema
Corse. Il n’y avait pas de faste mais la volonte d’echanger, de se
comprendre et de communiquer. Notre utopie est de faire bouger les
lignes, d’etre près des gens, c’est une autre approche. Decouvrir et
faire decouvrir est notre leitmotiv c’est pourquoi quand un couple dont
la femme est armenienne habitant le village nous a sollicite pour faire
decouvrir l’Armenie nous avons dit oui. Ce sont toujours des relations
personnalisees et c’est ainsi que j’ai fait la connaissance d’Annie
Stepanow. Nous avons mis sur pieds ces trois jours de rencontre.

Annie Stepanow : C’est une opportunite très interessante de faire
connaître a la fois l’Armenie et le Karabagh qui est soutenu par
l’Ambassadeur. Les Corses sont un peuple authentique, autochtone.

Armeniens et Corses se ressemblent et partagent les memes valeurs.

Armenews : Quel sera le programme de ces trois jours de festivite ?

Paul Ceccaldi : Les trois journees sont organisees avec le soutien
du Tavagna Club et des mairies de Marignana, Cristinacce et Evisa.

Vendredi 15 Juillet dans le village de Marignana a 14 h sera projete
un documentaire sur le Karabagh suivi d’un debat avec l’ambassadeur
d’Armenie Monsieur Viguen TCHITETCHIAN, du haut representant de
la Republique du Karabagh M.Hovannes GUEVORKIAN et de Monsieur GARO
HOVSEPIAN Maire du 13/14ième arrondissement de Marseille et Conseiller
Regional.

A 18 h il ya aura un concert de musique instrumentale armenienne avec
Artak PETROSYAN (violon), Kristine PETROSYAN CHILINGARYAN (chanteuse)
et Inta KOVALEVSKAYA (violoncelle). Musique liturgique, classique
et folklorique.

A 21h30 sera projete un film ” Le Fils du marchand d’olives ” qui
sera suivi d’un debat sur l’Armenie et sa relation avec le Karabagh.

Manouk, musicien autodidacte et Arsen, diplôme du concours de musique
tariste animeront la journee.

Dans le village de Talasani le meme jour aura lieu une conference
sur la religion armenienne suivi d’une demonstration de la troupe de
danse Ani.

Samedi 16 Juillet dans le village de Cristinacce a 14h aura lieu
une presentation historique des trois villages par Dominique-Antoine
GERONIMI suivie a 15h par une Messe chantee celebree par le pretre
armenien Dertad BASIKIAN avec le concourt de Mme BAZIKIAN en l’Eglise
Sainte Marie de Cristinacce.

Dans le village de Marignana a 18h sera projete un film sur l’Armenie
suivi a 21h30 Place de la Fontaine a Marignana d’une soiree musicale
et de danse. Tutti in piazza et la troupe de danse ANI dirige par
Lilit SARIBEKYAN seront presents. La danse pour Lilit tient un rôle
important dans l’histoire de la culture armenienne, laquelle vieille
de plus de 2000 ans, puise ses racines dans la vie quotidienne,
exprimant les sentiments de joie, de peine et d’amour. Dans cet
esprit, elle veut donner a la troupe un souffle nouveau, un style
moderne d’expression des joies de l’âme armenienne a travers la danse.

La soiree se terminera par de l’initiation.

Dans le village de Talasani le meme jour sera projete un film ” Le
Fils du marchand d’olives ” qui sera suivi d’un concert de musique
instrumentale armenienne avec Artak PETROSYAN (violon), Kristine
PETROSYAN CHILINGARYAN (chanteuse) et Inta KOVALEVSKAYA (violoncelle).

Musique liturgique, classique et folklorique.

Dimanche 17 juillet dans le village de Marignana a 9h atelier de
cuisine corse et armenienne suivi a 11h en l’eglise Saint Jacques
de Marignana d’une Messe celebree par le cure M. Pinelli en langue
corse, avec la participation du groupe Tavagna, des chants et musique
armenienne avec la soprano Lucine HAMAZASPYAN et des musiciens Artak
PETROSYAN (violon), Inta KOVALEVSKAYA (violoncelle).

Armenews : Quelles sont les personnalites attendues ?

Paul Ceccaldi : Comme je l’ai indique tout a l’heure du côte armenien
nous attendons l’ambassadeur d’Armenie Monsieur Viguen TCHITETCHIAN, le
haut representant de la Republique du Karabagh M.Hovannes GUEVORKIAN et
Monsieur GARO HOVSEPIAN Maire du 13/14ième arrondissement de Marseille
et Conseiller Regional. Du côte des personnalites corses nous attendons
Dominique BUCCHINI President de l’Assemblee de Corse, Simon RENUCCI
depute-maire d’Ajaccio, Paul GIACOBBI president du conseil executif
de la Collectivite territoriale de Corse, Francois ALFONSI, le seul
depute europeen corse ainsi que d’autres elus dont ceux des villages
qui nous accueillent. Une reunion politique aura par ailleurs lieu
vendredi 15 juillet a 16h afin de lancer des echanges politiques.

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 July 14, 2011

_Exploring the Vocation of Lay Ministry _

_`Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe whatever
I have commanded you. And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of
the world’ (Mt 28:19-20)._

With those words, known as the `Great Commission,’ the risen Jesus Christ
charged his followers to take his mission to the entire world. Those words
echo down to us today, guiding the actions of the church and shaping the
life decisions of its members. This call to serve God-a person’s
`vocation,’ or purpose-has been a subject explored by the Diocese in its
programs and publications for the past two years.

In the Armenian Church, the ordained clergy have a unique and indispensible
vocation, having received the transformative power of the Holy Spirit
through the laying-on of hands, which constitutes a living continuance of
the Apostolic mission our Lord Jesus Christ established.

But Christ also calls upon each and every person to exemplify his life and
teaching through his own activities. His call to the lay members of the
church is the vocation of lay ministry-the `Ministry of the Faithful,’ to
which the Diocese has turned its focus for the coming year.

As the Great Commission suggests, at the heart of the vocation of lay
ministry lies the call to teach others as Jesus has taught us. We are called
to minister to the church, to each other, and to the world around
us-reminding them all that Christ is truly in our midst.

The `Ministry of the Faithful’ theme was introduced during the 109th
Diocesan Assembly, hosted in Boston last spring by the Holy Trinity Church
of Cambridge, MA. [4]Click here to watch the Diocese’s latest web video, and
see how parish leaders view their role as lay ministers of the Armenian
Church.
Links:
4.

Scripture of the Week

Is 2:5-11
Rom 8:31-10:4
Mt 13:24-30

Prayer of the Week

O giver of good gifts and bountiful in all your gifts, immortal God, we
beseech you, dispel from us dark thoughts, preserve us from the deceits of
the tempter, and grant us in faith to take refuge in the all-Holy Trinity,
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, forever and
ever. Amen.

Upcoming Saints & Feasts

_14 July: _Holy Translators Sahag and Mesrob

_16 July:_ Sts. Tiridates the King and Queen Ashkhen

_21 July:_ St. Elisha the Prophet

CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Documents on the Armenian Genocide will be exhbited by the Vatican next
winter.

_Vatican to Exhibit Documents on Armenian Genocide _

The Vatican announced last week that its archives contain
never-before-released documents pertaining to the persecution of Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire during the Genocide of 1915. In addition to grim
eyewitness accounts of atrocities endured by Armenians at the hands of
Turkish forces, the documents seem to refer to reports on the Hamidian
massacres of the 1890s.

The documents are slated for publication in a book being prepared by the
Vatican Secret Archives. They will also be on view starting this winter at
an exhibit titled “Lux in Arcana: The Vatican Secret Archives Revealed.”

The Vatican archives have never been unveiled to the public in their more
than 1,000-year history. Other items in the upcoming exhibition include
papers from the 17th-century trial of Galileo Galilei and a letter asking
the Pope to annul Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
[5]
Click here to read more.
Links:
5.

_Holy Etchmiadzin Launches Redesigned Website _

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin launched a redesigned website earlier
this week: [6]
Links:
6.

The site features content in English and Armenian-including an overview of
Armenian Church history and information about programs at the Mother See.
Other highlights include a video library, photo galleries, a new section on
youth, and links to Holy Etchmiadzin’s social media sites.

Additional updates will be made to the website in the coming months.

DIOCESAN NEWS

A GTech graduate presents her thesis project.

_FAR’s GTech Celebrates Projects by Graduates_

On Friday, July 8, 13 graduates of the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Gyumri
Information Technology Center (GTech) defended their theses, highlighting
the knowledge they’ve gained in the areas of application development,
project management, and teamwork.

Their projects led to the creation of GTech’s Information and Library
Portal, the IT Community Blog, and the development of websites for other
organizations in Gyumri.

GTech was established in 2005 by FAR, in partnership with several technology
companies. The goal of the center is to strengthen the information
technology skills of young Armenians and to expand opportunities in the
region. GTech also helps to bolster development by providing an incubator
space for new start-up IT businesses. [7]

Click here
to visit FAR’s blog and learn more.
Links:
7.

_Growing Readership for Diocesan Website _

We are excited to announce that traffic on the Diocese’s
website-[8] – has increased by 50 percent in the
last month.
Links:
8.

Visitors worldwide are using the website’s multitude of features-including
its news section, blog, and video and photo galleries-to keep up to date
with the latest happenings in the Eastern Diocese and to learn more about
the history and traditions of the Armenian Church.

The website, which was redesigned last summer, is complemented by Vemkar-a
free mobile phone application for the [9]Android and [10]iPhone platforms.
The Vemkar app allows users to view daily scripture readings, listen to
Armenian spiritual and folk music, request prayers, post comments, and much
more.
Links:
9.
10.

If you’ve already downloaded the application, please consider reviewing it
in the App Store or on the Android Market.

_Ararat Center Festival Scheduled for July 23_

The Ararat Center will host its 8th annual festival on Saturday, July 23,
from noon to 5 p.m. on the center’s grounds in Greenville, NY. Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will preside over the day’s program.

The day will feature worship, remarks by Ambassador Garen Nazarian,
Armenia’s Ambassador the United Nations, and a book-signing by Michael
Bobelian, author of _Children of Armenia_. The Shushi Armenian Dance
Ensemble of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will perform.

Guests are invited to enjoy Armenian delicacies, vendor booths, and
activities for children. [11]Click here for more information.
Links:
11.

PARISH NEWS

Fr. Shnork Souin distributes Holy Communion during his first Divine Liturgy
in Providence, RI.

_Providence Parish Welcomes New Pastor_

On Sunday, July 10, parishioners at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI, welcomed their new pastor, the Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin. Fr.
Souin celebrated the Divine Liturgy and offered the day’s message.

Most recently, Fr. Souin served as the pastor of St. Mary Church of
Livingston, NJ, where he began his ministry in 2001. He was assigned to
serve the Providence parish this spring by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate.

A native of Canada, Fr. Souin was ordained a priest in 1994 by Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, then-Primate of the Canadian Diocese.

YOUTH NEWS

His Holiness Karekin II blesses the participants of the Pan-ACYO assembly.

_Pan-ACYO Assembly Concludes in Armenia_

Some 150 young delegates gathered for the international Pan-Armenian Church
Youth Organization (Pan-ACYO) assembly in Tsakhadzor, Armenia, from July 7
to 10. Gevork Vartanian, secretary of the ACYOA Central Council, represented
the Eastern Diocese at the four-day meeting.

The assembly opened on July 7 with a visit to St. Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral in Yerevan, followed by a drive to Tsakhadzor for the start of the
sessions. Participants began working on a long-term goal to establish a set
of bylaws for the Pan-ACYO. They also elected 15 people to a Pan-ACYO
Council-an important step for the young organization.

The young people had opportunities to worship together, share experiences
from their dioceses, and plan activities and programs that will be carried
out at the local level. They also took part in social and cultural
activities.

[12]Click here to read more.
Links:
12.

Campers at St. Vartan Camp.

_St. Vartan Camp Welcomes Session B Participants _

The Diocesan summer camp program welcomed campers taking part in Session B
of St. Vartan Camp at the Ararat Center in upstate New York this week.
Session B will conclude with the celebration of the Ararat Festival on
Saturday, July 23, and Session C will begin on the following day. [13]Click
here to read the daily camp blog, and to view photos and videos.
Links:
13.

Meanwhile, staff are preparing for Hye Camp in the Midwest region. Hye Camp
staff training will begin on Wednesday, July 27; campers will arrive on
Saturday, July 30. The camp is housed at Camp Hickory in Ingleside, IL.

To learn more about St. Vartan Camp or Hye Camp, e-mail the Diocese’s Youth
Outreach coordinator, Jennifer Morris, at [14][email protected].
Links:
14. mailto:[email protected]

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

July 14, 2011

PONTIFICAL BLESSINGS FOR CATHOLICOS ARAM I OFFERED IN PRELACY PARISHES
LAST SUNDAY

Archbishop Oshagan presides over the Pontifical Blessing service at
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia. The celebrant was
Bishop Anoushavan.

All parishes of the Eastern Prelacy offered Pontifical Blessings and
Prayers last Sunday on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the
pontificate of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia.

His Holiness Aram I, the spiritual leader of the Holy See of Cilicia
was consecrated Catholicos on July 1, 1995, after serving as Primate
of the Armenian Orthodox community in Lebanon for 15 years.

Catholicos Aram was ordained a celibate priest in 1968 and obtained
the title Vartabed (Doctor of the Armenian Church) in 1970. He
received his Episcopal ordination in 1980.

Born in Beirut in 1947, His Holiness studied at the Armenian Seminary
of Antelias and the Near East School of Theology before attending the
American University of Beirut. He pursued his graduate education at
the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Oxford University and Fordham
University, earning two Masters Degrees and a Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD).

His Holiness was the first Orthodox and the youngest person to be
elected Monderator of the Central and Executive Committees, the
highest position in the World Council of Churches, serving two
unprecedented consecutive terms.

He is a prolific writer with more than two dozen published books, the
most recent being St. Nerses the Gracious and Church Unity and A
Journey of Faith, Hope and Vision.

CAMP IN ARMENIA CONTINUES

The summer camp program for more than 30 youngsters enrolled in the
Prelacys Orphan Sponsorship program is continuing under the
directorship of Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian, pastor of
St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. The campers
are enjoying various summer recreational activities combined with
religious instruction and liturgical services.

While learning about the sacrament of baptism, it became known that
nine of the campers are not baptized. After receiving permission from
a surviving parent or guardian, eight campers were baptized by Der
Aram.

The campers with Der Aram and counselors in front of St. Gregory
Church in Kecharis.

Campers participate in discussion hour each evening.

Der Aram officiates the sacrament of baptism.

Morning prayers before the study period.

DATEV INSTITUTE COMPLETES ANOTHER SUMMER SESSION; 25TH ANNIVERSARY
MARKED IN PHILADELPHIA

Fifty-six teen-agers attended the 2011 St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute and also helped celebrate the 25th anniversary of Datev
with a gala banquet and festivities last Saturday evening in
Philadelphia at St. Gregory the Illuminator Churchs Founders
Hall. Full details next week.

Archbishop Oshagan with the faculty, staff, and students of the
St. Gregory of Datev Institute.

BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN OFFICIATES AT FUNERAL OF MICHAEL TOPALIAN

Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, conducted funeral
services for Michael Topalian who died on July 10, at the age of
74. The service took place yesterday, July 13, at the DiCicco Funeral
Home in Cleveland, Ohio. Interment followed at Highland Cemetery.

Mr. Topalian was a successful businessman and entrepreneur in a
number of fields, and an active member of the Armenian
community. Along with his father Kevork Topalian, he played a major
role in the building of the Armenian Community Center and Church in
N. Royalton, Ohio. He was a member of the AYF, ARF and ANC. He
followed his fathers footsteps in chairing the Educational
Association of Malatia, a compatriot organization that supported
schools and awarded hundreds of scholarships.

He is survived by his wife Shirley, four children from his first
marriage, four stepsons, and his brother Mourad Topalian, and ten
grandchildren.

VICAR AT ARS CONVENTION

Bishop Anoushavan is representing His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan at
todays opening session and the banquet on Saturday, July 16, of the
Armenian Relief Societys (Eastern U.S.) annual convention, which is
currently taking place in Providence, Rhode Island.

(

)

BIBLE READING

Bible readings for Sunday, July 17, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost,
are: Isaiah 1:21-31; Romans 7:25-8:11; Matthew 12:38-45.

He put before them another parable: The kingdom of heaven may be
compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while
everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat,
and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then
the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came
and said to him, Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where, then, did these weeds come from? He answered, An enemy has
done this. The slaves said to him, Then do you want us to go and
gather them? But he replied, No; for in gathering the weeds you would
uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together
until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers,
Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but
gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:24-30)

For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (

).

FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS

Today, July 14, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy
Translators, Sts. Sahag Bartev and Mesrob Mashdots. The feasts
dedicated to the Holy Translators are among the most beloved
celebrations for Armenians. Sahag and Mesrob are honored two times
during the liturgical year: on the Thursday following the fourth
Sunday after Pentecost (which is today), and on the second Saturday of
October.

St. Sahag is remembered for his strong leadership during some of the
most difficult days for the Armenian Church, as well as during some of
the most glorious. He is also remembered for his vast body of literary
work. After the development of the Armenian alphabet, he was the
guiding force for the translation of the Bible as well as in the
translation of the works of the Holy Fathers.

St. Mesrob developed the Armenian alphabet with the aid and support of
St. Sahag, after a long period of travel and investigation. According
to tradition, during one of his travels Mesrob was meditating in a
cave in Palu, and it was there he saw a vision that helped him
complete his task of creating an alphabet for the Armenian language.

The two saints, Sahag and Mesrob, are forever linked in the minds and
hearts of the Armenian people. There are many Armenian churches
throughout the world named in their dual honor.

That you may know wisdom and instruction, and understand words of
insight (Proverbs 1:2the first words in the Bible to be translated
into Armenian).

The creation of the Armenian alphabet was a momentous event, a crucial
turning point in the history of the nation that ensured the
preservation of the Armenian identity in religion, culture,
traditions, and literature for centuries to come. It unleashed the
spiritual and intellectual potential of an entire people, to the
extent that within the very same century a great intellectual revival
occurred, giving rise to a literary output that is impressive both in
quality and in quantity: the fifth century became the Golden Age of
Armenian literature. The Heritage of Armenian Literature, Volume 1

KING DRTAD, QUEEN ASHKHEN, PRINCESS KHOSROVITOUKHT

This Saturday, July 16, the Armenian Church remembers King Drtad
(Tiridates), Queen Ashkhen, and Princess Khosrovitoukht. After
torturing and condemning St. Gregory to the pit and because of the
cruel and fatal treatment of the Hripsimiantz nuns, King Drtad became
inflicted with strange and debilitating maladies. Queen Ashkhen, and
the kings sister, Princess Khosrovitoukht (who had secretly become a
Christian) convinced the King that only Gregory could cure him. Thus,
Gregory was released from the deep pit. With the Kings subsequent
recovery, all three helped Gregory spread Christianity throughout
Armenia. In their later years the Queen and Princess lived in the
fortress of Garni, and the King retired to St. Gregorys retreat on
Mt. Sepouh.

FROM THE BOOKSTORE.
It is summertime and the children need reading material. Consider
these Armenian-ized versions of familiar childrens stories.

Hagop and the Hairy Giant
By Talene Dadian White
An Armenian-ized version of Jack and the Beanstalk.

The Gurabia Man
By Talene Dadian White
An Armenian-ized version of The Gingerbread Man.

Little Red Hood and the Kesh Kayl
By Talene Dadian White
An Armenian-ized version of Little Red Riding Hood.

All three of these books are written in English with some Armenian
words and a lot of Armenian flavor. They all include a glossary and
pronunciation guide. All have full-color illustrations. $15.95 each,
plus shipping and handling

The bookstore has many other childrens books in Armenian and English.
To order these books or for information contact the Prelacy Bookstore
by email ([email protected]
(mailto:[email protected])) or by telephone (212-689-7810).

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 11-July 22St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Sixth Annual
Summer Camp, 10 am to 3 pm. American heritage, religion, music, arts &
crafts, Armenian dance, trips. Space is limited; apply now. Camper
ages: 5-15, $325; CIT ages: 16-18, $225. Fees include daily meals and
snacks. Minimal fee for field trips. Installment payments welcome. For
information contact church office: 718-224-2275.

July 14-17The Armenian Relief Society 91st Eastern Regional Convention
Meetings, banquet and dance at the Hilton Providence, 21 Atwells Ave.,
Providence. Banquet Saturday, July 16; cocktail hour 6:30 pm; dinner
7:00 pm, $50. Music by Leon Janikian, Ken Kalajian, Robert Raphaelian
and Jason Naroian. For information: Joyce Yeremian,
401-354-8770. Reservations for banquet with check can be mailed to
ARS, 402 Broadway, Providence, Rhode Island 02909.

August 1St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 12th
Golf Tournament. For details contact Gerry at 508-234-8763, or Hagop
at 508-473-7695.

August 7Annual picnic of St. Stephens Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Massachusetts, 12 noon to
5 pm. For information: 617-924-7562 or at (

) .

August 13-14Annual Armenian Fest and Blessing of the Grapes, at All
Saints Armenian Church, Glenview, Illinois. Join us for a fun-filled
day and enjoy our delicious food, music, backgammon tournament,
childrens activities, and more. Admission free. For information
847-998-1989.

August 14Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, Divine Liturgy,
Blessing of the Grapes, and Indoor Picnic in John Pashalian Hall,
presented by Ladies Guild of St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York
City. Various dishes of your choice for purchase. For information
212-689-5880.

August 14Annual picnic and Blessing of the Grapes at Holy Trinity
Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us for a
fun-filled day and enjoy our delicious food, music by DJ Shaheen,
backgammon tournament, childrens activities, and more. Admission is
free. For information [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
or 508-852-2414.

August 14Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
Annual Picnic at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, 12 noon to 6
pm, under auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Divine
Liturgy will be celebrated in the Hye Hope Pavilion (lower camp) at 11
am. Free pony rides for children 2-4 pm, and the Bouncing
Bubble. Delicious shish, losh and chicken kebab and Armenian pastries
available all day. Live music provided by Michael Gregian and
Ensemble. Madagh and Blessing of the Grapes at 4 pm with the New
England clergy participating. All welcome. For information:
401-831-6399.

August 21St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
presents the greatest picnic in New England. Presided by His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate, with participation of clergy
from the New England area. All invited.

September 11Annual picnic of St. Stephens Church, New
Britain-Hartford, Connecticut, at the Quartette Club grounds, Wooster
Street, New Britain, beginning at noon. All invited to enjoy Armenian
food, delicacies, music and hospitality. Admission is free.

September 16Annual Golf Tournament, All Saints Armenian Church,
Glenview, Illinois. For details contact Hagop Soulakian, 847-858-7685.

October 23Student Festival in celebration of the Year of the Armenian
Child. Details will follow.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to
your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

SAFRASTYAN: THE US PUBLIC DOES NOT DENY THE FACT OF GENOCIDE

ARMENPRESS
JULY 14, 2011
YEREVAN

The public of the United States admits that what happened in 1915 with
Armenians is genocide. Turkologist Ruben Safrastyan said speaking to
Armenpress that the circumstance that the ambassadorial nominee John
Heffern did not utter the word genocide is the result of the current
policy of the USA.

“Regretfully, Heffern did not utter the word “genocide” but it is
not his fault. Naturally the ambassador must continue the line of
the USA not to lose his office”, Safrastyan said.

The Turkologist said the US public does not deny the fact of the
Genocide. In scientific, political circles many people recognize the
Armenian Genocide.

“I was in the United States and spoke with the representatives of the
scientific circles. It is clear like water that they admit the Armenian
Genocide. Besides, we have big number of supporters in the Senate. The
US Administration stemming from certain factors persists”, Safrastyan
said. He expressed conviction that in near future the US will refuse
the wrong policy it has adopted as it first of all harms its image.

EU OFFICIAL: BRUSSELS MUST PLAY ACTIVE ROLE IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Trend Daily News
July 12, 2011 Tuesday 11:07 AM GMT +4
Azerbaijan

EU intends to increase its role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
resolution process, but this should not be done through the OSCE Minsk
group, EU Managing Director for Eastern Neighborhood Miroslav Lajcak
said in the interview with Radio Liberty of Armenia.

“EU supports the Minsk Group and its efforts to a find political
resolution for the conflict. Meanwhile, there is an increasing belief
in the EU member-countries that Brussels should also have an active
and visual political role,” he said.

He said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the only issue in “our
neighborhood where the EU is not directly involved.”

“We cannot establish relations with our Eastern neighbors and pretend
that the conflict does not exist,” Lajcak added.

He said now the EU is negotiating with the OSCE Minsk Group on which
concrete steps are to be taken, when, and how Brussels can such take
the steps towards conflict settlement. “However, the answer does
not depend on discussions with the Minsk Group, but on the talks,”
he added.

Now a political settlement is on the table that will open a new series
of actions for many, including the EU, he said.

Brussels, Lajcak said, can do much. For example, bring together the
parties to promote a dialogue between the societies and introduce
European standards.

“However, these steps will depend on the dynamics of the negotiation
process: if progress is achieved, a much larger field will be opened
for the EU to participate, and if it fails to achieve progress,
the European family will have fewer opportunities to do something,”
Lajcak said.

The European Union is evidently interested in this conflict given
that the High Commissioner for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton will
soon appoint a new representative of the EU in the South Caucasus.

“The appointment will allow implementation of EU’s position, interests
and policy in the region,” he added.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent 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.