Author: Kanayan Tamar

GEORGIA’S NEW IMMIGRATION LAW CRITICIZED FOR FLAWS

Legal Monitor Worldwide
October 16, 2014 Thursday

-Georgia’s new immigration law has created a lot of problems for
foreigners who already live, study or work in the country.

People DF Watch spoke to say their applications are being rejected
for unclear reasons. They also question why it is required to file
applications for long-term visa outside of Georgia, even if the
applicant already has a visa and is applying for a renewal.

Although a lot of foreign citizens had their paperwork done without
any major obstacles, some stories are far from successful, especially
when it comes to people not from the EU or North America.

For example, an American-Iraqi married couple who have been living
in Tbilisi for the last year and a half, running a business here,
applied for a temporary residence permit with identical documents, as
they both are shareholders in their company. However, E. (an American
citizen) writes in public Facebook groups that she got a five year
residence permit, but her husband, who is a citizen of Iraq, got his
application rejected.

Problems for Armenians

Out of nine new students at the International Business School of
Tbilisi State University (ISET), two Armenian citizens had their
applications rejected and now have to break off their studies and
return to their home country.

Moreover, one of the faculty members, who also has Armenian
citizenship, was also rejected on the basis that she is a threat to
national security. She crossed the Georgian border before September
1, when the new immigration law came into force, so she can stay in
Georgia for a year and continue teaching, but she can not leave the
country as the next entrance will grant her only 90 days visa-free
stay.

Even more Armenians were deprived of their permanent residency permits
in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Allegedly, thousands Armenians
there hold Russian or Armenian citizenships, which makes it easier
for them to go to Russia for seasonal work. This issue was discussed
during an official visit to Georgia this week by the head of the
Armenian parliament Galust Sahakyan. Sahakyan asked Georgian PM Irakli
Garibashvili to facilitate the issuing of permanent residency permit to
Armenians who live in Georgia and hold citizenships of other countries.

Struggle with papers

R., a citizen of the Philippines, came to Georgia one of the last
days of August, just before the change of law. She instantly applied
for a one-year visa, so she would have enough time to deal with the
relevant paperwork. But instead of a one-year visa extension, she
was given just 90 days. At the moment, she is struggling to get her
paper work done for her temporary residency permit. To get this she
needs to change her visa status from tourist visa to work visa. R. was
able to fill in the application for this online, however, as she got a
shorter visa period than requested, her appointment with the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs got scheduled just 3 days before her tourist visa
expires. This means that she might need to wait outside of the country
for a decision about her work visa. She is not the only Philippines
citizen who is struggling with the new law. DF Watch was told that
two teachers from the Philippines who are working at an international
school got their residency permit applications rejected.

Rejected because of his race?

An American citizen D., also working as a teacher at a private school,
had his application fo residency permit rejected because, he believes,
his birth place is Ivory Coast.

He told DF Watch that he went to the Public Hall on Monday, September
29, to check his application status, as one month has had already
passed since the application day. He was told that a decision has not
been made, but it can be ready soon. “In five minutes the woman looks
at me and asks, ‘are you a U.S. citizen?’ I answer – yes, I am. Then
she says ‘But you were born in Africa?’ I said – yes, I was. Then
she says ‘I suspect you are not going to get a residence card’. Just
like that,” D. recounted his last visit to the Public Hall during
which his application for residency permit was rejected on the spot,
not hiding his bitterness.

However, just before publishing this article, DF Watch was informed
that the decision got changed and D. was granted 5 years residency
permit.

Georgia should be an open country

According to Erik Livny, the head of ISET Policy Institute, by
tightening its immigration policy Georgia is cutting its legs off. He
argues that the liberal immigration policy Georgia had before allowed
it to satisfy its needs for professionals by allowing them to come
and work in the country without restrictions.

“Openness is a blessing for Georgia. The most industrious and
entrepreneurial Georgians left the country in the 90s, and continue to
leave. Thus, there is a demand and a lack of people in many different
occupations, and the policy of open door was the solution to this
problem. Now a signal has been send that Georgia is becoming less
welcoming, and this is not something Georgia should do from a purely
selfish economic point of view,” Livny explained.

He dismissed a nationalistic argument that ‘foreigners will take
Georgians’ jobs’ as not applicable in this case. In his opinion, a lot
of Westerners, who come to Georgia with their expertise, take those
places which otherwise would be left unfilled. Livny also pointed out,
that foreigners come to invest and to create jobs here, in addition
to paying taxes and supporting local economy with their spendings.

Problems with implementation

However, Livny stressed that the new immigration policy itself is
not bad, but its implementation has a lot of flaws. In particular,
he criticized the need to apply for a visa from outside of Georgia,
even if a person has been already working and living in Georgia for
a while, and also unspecified criteria for rejecting applications.

The requirement to apply for a long term visa from outside of Georgia
seems overly complicated to Livny. He pointed out that the documents
of visa applicants are sent to Georgia and the final decision is
made inside the country. Hence there should be a possibility to apply
straight from Georgia.

He continued by stating that the requirements for residency permit
are minimal, thus people do not expect to get rejected on the basis of
that little information which they provide about themselves. And as the
real causes for rejection remain unspecified, it creates uncertainty
which in itself will prevent foreign experts from coming to Georgia.

Changes are coming?

The government also acknowledged the faulty implementation of the new
immigration law. PM Irakli Garibashvili apologized to foreign citizens
who have faced problems regarding the new visa and immigration policy.

He also stressed that these problems are related to the work process
and should be eradicate over time.

The Public Service Development Agency informed DF Watch that the
current law will undergo some changes in the near future. However, at
this moment it is not clear what will be changed, and more information
will be available in the coming days.

Current changes since September 1

Citizens of countries which Georgia has visa-free regime with, can
stay 90 days out of 180 instead of previous 360 days; Long-term visas
are issued in Georgian diplomatic representations only and process
takes 30 days. It is not possible to apply for a long-term visa in
Georgia; In order to get a temporary residency permit, an applicant
has to present a valid long-term (study, work etc.) visa. 2014 Legal
Monitor Worldwide.

ABA, AYF CO-HOST FREE LEGAL CLINIC FOR SOCAL COMMUNITY

Legal Monitor Worldwide
October 16, 2014 Thursday

Dozens of lawyers, law students, and community members gathered on
September 18, to participate in a free legal clinic reaching deep
into the Armenian community of Southern California.

We want to let the community know that we are fully invested in it,
and ready to meet their needs, said Haig Siranosian, a member of the
Montebello Vahan Cardashian chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation
(AYF).

The clinic took place at the local Armenian Center and was hosted
by AYF Montebello in collaboration with the Armenian Bar Association
and the Pepperdine University School of Law’s Armenian Law Students’
Association (ALSA).

Armen K Hovannisian, Chairman of the Armenian Bar Association, stated,
With the rising currents of devotion of our world-class members,
the Armenian Bar Association has developed into a lightning rod of
positive energy. We continue to fulfill one of our primary missions
of offering legal guidance to those in need. This time, we had the
privilege of being welcomed into one of the most storied Southern
California communities-Montebello. This is where another generation
now stands proud and humble in the long shadow of earlier pioneers
who helped build the iconic Genocide Monument more than 45 years ago.

Attorneys from the Armenian Bar Association offered hours of free legal
consultations in the fields of immigration, landlord/tenant, labor,
criminal law and other areas, conducted in both English and Armenian.

Pepperdine’s ALSA, along with law school students of different
backgrounds from Southwestern Law School, Loyola Law School and
other areas schools, assisted community members in communicating
their legal issues with the attorneys.

The collaborative effort between the Armenian Bar Association, the
AYF, and the ALSA enabled us to serve the Montebello community and
help people in a way we couldn’t as individual organizations. We
hope to continue co-programming and innovating ways to serve local
communities, stated Tatev Oganyan, President of Pepperdine’s ALSA.

The organizers felt that Armenian refugees who fled from upheavals in
Syria and Iraq would particularly need legal services as they navigate
the complex immigration system of the United States. And, in fact,
several of the public participants came with immigration-related
questions related to their and their families’ exodus from these
regions.

Because of the cycles of dispersion caused by the Genocide and its
aftermath, our compatriots have found it necessary to emigrate to new
countries, Hovannisian of the Armenian Bar Association explained. When
they arrive in America, we will be waiting to meet them with what they
will need to know about their legal rights and responsibilities. I
am particularly moved by the great commitment of our partners in this
community-betterment effort, namely the law students and the young men
and women of the Armenian Youth Federation. The legal clinic with the
Armenian Bar Association is part of a larger goal among AYF Western
Region chapters to make a positive impact in their local communities.

AYF chapters currently offer services ranging from weekly special-needs
basketball programs to community health fairs in Pasadena.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation works to advance the
social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian
youth.

The Armenian Bar Association was formed in 1989 to provide an arena
for lawyers of Armenian heritage to come together socially and
professionally and to address the legal concerns of the Armenian
community.

The Armenian Law Students’ Association at Pepperdine University School
of Law is dedicated to enriching Pepperdine’s community understanding
and appreciation for Armenian history and culture. The ALSA works
closely with Armenian organizations at California law schools and
universities to expand, strengthen and establish professional ties
in the Armenian legal community. 2014 Legal Monitor Worldwide.

TURKEY’S TURMOIL: U.S. ACTIONS ARE LARGELY TO BLAME FOR THE INSTABILITY

Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Oct 16 2014

October 16, 2014 12:00 AM
By the Editorial Board

Turkey’s increasing problems, based partly on its relations with the
United States, are jeopardizing its chance to play a useful role in
the Middle East and in the Western-Muslim interaction in the world.

Turkey has had a difficult role to play between Europe and Asia, with
a heterodox population that is predominantly Sunni Muslim and borders
on Iran, Iraq, Syria, Greece, Armenia, Bulgaria and Georgia. About
25 percent of its people are Kurds.

A recent concern for Turkey was whether it could obtain membership
in the European Union. The United States was less interested in the
country because its value as a potential swing state on the borders
of the old Soviet Union had gone away. Turkey’s chief internal concern
was the degree to which its Muslim majority would move it politically
away from the secular governance instituted there after World War I.

Now, due in part to the turbulence created by the U.S. invasion of
Iraq and the U.S. desire but failure to get rid of Bashar Assad in
Syria, waves of potential disorder are breaking in Turkey, despite
its relative stability.

Turkey has had trouble in the past with its Kurdish minority, but
it had been in the process of making concessions to the Kurds that
satisfied some of their aspirations and reduced their resistance to
rule from Ankara. Now Kurdish combat with Islamic State forces in
Iraq and Syria and the irredentist aspirations that U.S. protection
of the Kurds in northern Iraq has inspired are causing the Turkish
Kurds to become a thorny problem for Turkey and its president, Recep
Tayyip Erdogan.

If the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq leads now to serious trouble in
Turkey, any possibly useful role for the United States in the eastern
Middle East becomes very difficult. Turning Turkey from a friend into
yet another problem does not constitute success for America.

LONDON UNIVERSITY ROW OVER ‘EUROCENTRIC AND COLONIALIST’ HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE REJECTION

Yahoo News UK
Oct 16 2014

By Ewan Palmer | IB Times

A row has erupted at a London university following accusations its
Union members are rejecting a proposal to commemorate the Holocaust
for being “Eurocentric”.

A motion was proposed at Goldsmiths University’s Students’ Assembly
to feature events to commemorate those who were killed during the
catastrophe on Holocaust Memorial Day alongside those killed during
other genocides such as Holodomor and Armenia, reported The Tab.

The motion – set up by former Ukip member Colin Cortbus, who also
wrote the Tab article – was voted down by the students by a majority
of 60 to one, with some students taking to Twitter to describe it as a
“colonialist motion”.

The row intensified the day after the proposal was rejected, after
Goldsmith University’s education officer Sarah El-alfy tweeted a
message of support that the “Eurocentric motion” was rejected.

The row erupted days after the National Union of Students (NUS) was
heavily criticised for rejecting a motion calling on the organisation
to condemn the militant group Isis (Islamic State) on the grounds it
would be “Islamophobic”.

The Goldsmiths University Union rejected suggestions this is an
outright dismissal of an idea to remember the victims of the Holocaust
as an “insulting misrepresentation” and instead said the motion will be
discussed at the next Student Assembly in November following a redraft.

A spokesperson added: “Many baseless claims are made, however the
central tenet is that the Students Assembly and the Students’ Union
opposed remembering the victims of the Holocaust. This is an insulting
misrepresentation. We have in the past commemorated Holocaust Memorial
Day and will in the future.

“A nuanced discussion about how best to effectively and collectively
remember these events was had at Students Assembly. Re-drafting
motions and re-entering them at a later date isn’t unusual in Students’
Unions and shouldn’t be misinterpreted as opposition.

“Sarah El-alfy offered to help the proposer re-draft the motion
and bring it to the next Student Assembly and this reflected the
positivity in the room about the motion with the ambition to strengthen
it further.

“A motion that includes remembering the Holocaust will be brought to
the next Student Assembly in November. We feel these facts have been
ignored in the subsequent reporting.”

The Union also criticised The Tab for what it described as a series
of “factual inaccuracies” in its report and for misgendering one of
its students.

“We would like to ask for this to be corrected along with the rest
of the article,” it added.

IBTimes UK has requested a comment from El-alfy to clarify her stance.

MICHIGAN’S DARAKJIAN JEWELERS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

JCK MarketPlace
Oct 16 2014

By Emili Vesilind, Senior Editor

In 1964, when John Darakjian opened his store, Darakjian Jewelers,
inside Detroit’s Metropolitan building–then the de facto jewelry
district for Detroit–he spent nearly seven years sleeping on an army
cot in the store’s back room to cut his commute time.

His hard work paid off. The business, now based in Birmingham, Mich.,
and run by his two sons, Ara and Arman, turned 50 on Oct. 14.

“When we were kids, we would see him every Sunday when he showed up
to take us to Sunday school,” says Ara. “People say, ‘Oh, he wasn’t
around,’ but that’s just the way it had to be. He was in the position
that he had to sacrifice for his family to build something. And my
brother and I have reaped the rewards of all his hard work.”

John, an Armenian immigrant who’s now a spry 84 years old, still shows
up for work every day. He’s fond of saying “I’ll retire a week after
I die,” reports Ara.

Ara attributes the business’ longevity to “sheer hard work and
luck,” and adds, “the business has gone through a lot over the
years…including the recession around 2008 that changed everything.

We’ve gone through it all, and we’re still here.”

John began Darakjian as a jewelry-repair business, and his shop was so
popular it was taking in close to 600 repairs a day at its peak. To
keep things organized, John instituted a one-day turnaround rule
for all repairs. Which, of course, rendered his services even more
in demand.

“It wasn’t uncommon for him to show up at a store and deliver repaired
items himself,” says Ara. “He built his business around that [level]
of service.”

Darakjian Jewelers is now very much a jewelry retailer, stocking
popular brands in bridal, fashion, and watches including Tacori,
Vacheron Constantin, and Belle Etoile.

To celebrate the shop’s 50th anniversary, the Darakjians hosted a
men’s shopping night and a couples event this week.

Going forward, Ara says the goal for him and Arman is “living up
to dad’s level of dedication. It’s really important that we keep
that going.”

WHITE HOUSE WILL PUBLICLY DISPLAY THE ‘ARMENIAN ORPHAN RUG’

Boston Globe, MA
Oct 16 2014

By Noah Bierman

WASHINGTON — The White House announced this week that it will publicly
display the “Armenian Orphan Rug,” made by survivors of the Armenian
genocide on Nov. 18-23, at the White House Visitor Center.

Display of the rug, also called the Ghazir Rug, has been an emotionally
and politically important issue for many in the Armenian community.

Continue reading below

The White House, which has the 11.5 feet by 19-feet rug in storage,
had blocked showing the rug at the Smithsonian for an event scheduled
last December, but agreed in April to arrange a public display.

Several members of Congress, including Senator Edward J. Markey, the
Massachusetts Democrat, wrote letters to President Obama late last
year, urging him to display it in public. The rug, which contains 4
million knots and took 18 months to complete, was a gift to President
Calvin Coolidge in 1925 to recognize American assistance to orphans
who survived the genocide.

The issue is sensitive because Turkey, a US ally, refuses to recognize
the genocide. Relations between the two countries have been tested
lately as the Obama administration has urged Turkey to assist in
battling forces of the so-called Islamic State across the border
in Syria.

The rug will be part of an exhibit called “Thank you to the United
States: Three Gifts to Presidents in Gratitude for American Generosity
Abroad.” The exhibit will also include a Sèvres vase donated to
America after World War I and a more recent gift, “Flowering Branches
in Lucite,” sent to Obama from Japan in thanks for help given after
the 2010 tsunami.

Bryan Ardouny, executive director of the Armenian Assembly of America,
called the rug “a treasured piece of American history” in a statement
praising the White House.

Markey also issued a statement praising the display.

“The Armenian Orphan Rug is an important piece of our history. Its
display serves not just as a reminder of the horrors of the Armenian
Genocide but also of the longstanding friendship between the Armenian
and American people,” Markey said.

The White House Visitor Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave.,
near the Executive Mansion.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710 or (973) 943-8697
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

** TOP STORY October 16, 2014
————————————————————
St. Gregory Illuminator Church, Chicago, IL

** Chicago Parish to Celebrate 50th Anniversary
————————————————————
This weekend Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will visit
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, as the parish
celebrates its 50th anniversary at the present location.

Arriving on Friday, October 17, Archbishop Barsamian will ordain eight
acolytes during an event to welcome the Primate. On Saturday,
Archbishop Barsamian will visit elderly parishioners. Later that
evening, the Primate, Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, parish pastor, and
several Diocesan Council members will meet with parish leadership.

On Sunday, Archbishop Barsamian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy. A
banquet will follow in the church hall. Roman Catholic Archbishop of
Chicago Francis Cardinal George will be the special guest.

Click here
()
to visit the parish website for information.

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

Is 20:2-21:6
Gal 4:3-18
Lk 4:14-23

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

In faith I confess and bow down to you, Father and Son and Holy
Spirit, uncreated and immortal nature, creator of angels, of men, and
of all things. Have mercy upon your creatures, and upon me, great
sinner that I am. Amen.

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

18 October: Holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Syrian Patriarch in Armenia
His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II and His Holiness Karekin II confer
their blessings at Holy Etchmiadzin.

** Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Visits Holy Etchmiadzin
————————————————————
His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II, the Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox
Church, visited Armenia this month, at the invitation of His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Upon
his arrival on October 10, a prayer of thanksgiving was offered at
Holy Etchmiadzin.

His Holiness Karekin II spoke on the centuries-old friendship between
the Armenian and Syriac churches, and said that the Syriac Patriarch’s
courageous leadership in war-torn Syria is an `encouragement for all
people of faith.’ His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II expressed his
gratitude for the warm reception, and went on to speak about the
perilous situation of Christian communities in the Middle
East. Together they prayed for peace in the Middle East, and asked God
to protect the two sister churches.

On October 11, the two spiritual leaders visited the Armenian Genocide
memorial at Dzidzernagapert, where they placed wreaths and offered a
requiem service. Later they visited the center’s Armenian Genocide
Museum.

At the conclusion of His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II’s visit on
October 13, he and His Holiness Karekin II signed a document
condemning `the activities of all terrorist groups and religious
extremists, and all violence committed against Christians, Muslims,
Yazidi people and other minorities’ in the Middle East.

The document also called on the international community to recognize
the annihilation of the Armenian and Syriac people during World War I:
=80=9CWe offer prayers for Armenian and Syriac martyrs as well as
other victims of World War I. We invite the entire Christian world to
unite in prayer at the Armenian Genocide and the Syriac Sayfo
centennial commemorative events in 2015.’

Click on the following links to read the statement in full
()
and to view photos
()
from the visit.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Jocob Yahiayan
Jacob H. Yahiayan is the Diocese’s new Director of Administration.

** New Diocesan Director of Administration
————————————————————
The Eastern Diocese is pleased to announce that it has hired a new
Director of Administration, who will function as the chief
administrative officer of the Diocesan Center in New York City, its
affiliated parishes and organizations.

Mr. Jacob H. Yahiayan has accepted the position effective
immediately. An official announcement from Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, the Primate, and the Diocesan Council was broadcast to the
leadership of the Eastern Diocese on October 9.

Mr. Yahiayan will bring his leadership experience in international
finance and on the boards of major universities and cultural
institutions to the management of the Diocese. Immediately prior to
taking on the position of Diocesan Director of Administration, he was
a managing member of Continental Advisory Services, LLC, a New York
State-based family office.

During his 25-year career in international banking, Mr. Yahiayan has
lived in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Prior to embarking on his
international career, Mr. Yahiayan enjoyed a long personal
relationship with the Diocese and St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, were
he was married and where his two children were baptized. He also has a
strong family connection to the Diocese through his wife, the former
Sylva Svajian, daughter of the late Dr. Stepan and the late
Dr. Pergrouhi Svajian-both pillars of the Armenian Church in America
throughout their generation.

Click here
()
to read more.

Annual Appeal

** Support the Diocese’s 2014 Annual Appeal
————————————————————
The Eastern Diocese has launched its 2014 Annual Appeal-the only
Diocesan-wide fundraiser conducted each year to help the Diocese
undertake the many ministries, programs, and resources that enrich
life in our parishes.

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

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

Please accept this invitation to strengthen our efforts. Your generous
contribution to the 2014 Annual Appeal will help spread the good work
of the Armenian Church across our local communities-and across the
generations.

Follow this link to donate now
()
to the 2014 Annual Appeal.

FAR

** Building Walls of Support
————————————————————
`Ayo!’-the Fund for Armenian Relief’s crowdfunding platform-has
launched its U.S. campaign to raise funds for Armenian schools
threatened by cross-border shootings from Azerbaijan.

The Protective Walls Project
()
will build barriers around a kindergarten and school in Armenia’s
northeastern Tavush region, where ceasefire violations have become
part of everyday life, with sniper fire regularly aimed at civilian
buildings.

The campaign was initially launched in Yerevan last summer, but Ayo!
recently expanded the effort to include fundraising in the U.S. Visit
to learn more about the Protective Walls Project and
to donate.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
St. Sarkis Church, Charlotte, NC
Gilda Kupelian and young parishioners hold up handmade Armenian
alphabet cookies at St. Sarkis Church.

** St. Sarkis Church Makes Plans for New Armenian School
————————————————————
Gilda Kupelian of the Diocese’s Armenian Studies Department visited
St. Sarkis Church of Charlotte, NC, last weekend, where she met with
the local Armenian teachers and made presentations in recognition of
`Armenian Cultural Month.’

On Saturday, October 11, she met with Dn. Benjamin Rith-Najarian,
deacon-in-charge of the Charlotte parish, and teachers of the soon to
be re-launched St. Sarkis Armenian School. The group visited the
Charlotte-area Alphabet Museum to view its exhibit on the Armenian
alphabet. In the afternoon, they discussed methods and materials for
organizing the Armenian language school. At the conclusion of the
meeting, Gilda Kupelian gave a presentation on Armenian expressions.

On Sunday, October 12, the Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian celebrated the
Divine Liturgy. Following services, the Parish Council presented the
newly dedicated Armenian library and classroom. Parishioner Puisant
Torigian wanted to create a space for the community to learn about
their Armenian spiritual, cultural, and linguistic
heritage. Mr. Torigian donated to the library many books and works of
art that he and his father had collected over the years.

The community then gathered in the church hall for a program
celebrating the creation of the Armenian alphabet. Young people
recited poetry and Ms. Kupelian gave a presentation on St. Mesrob,
St. Sahag, and their disciples. She spoke about the flourishing of
Armenian culture during the period beginning with the invention of the
Armenian alphabet in the 5th century through the 12th century.

Click here
()
to view photos.

St. Sarkis Church, Dallas, TX
Dancers perform at the “ArmeniaFest” celebration in Dallas.

** ArmeniaFest in Dallas
————————————————————
St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX, held its 19th annual `ArmeniaFest’
last weekend, as the parish celebrated the Feast of the Holy
Translators.

ArmeniaFest, held on church grounds, celebrated the culture,
traditions and history of the Armenian people, and featured food,
activities for children, and cultural presentations. A highlight of
the weekend were performances by the `Hayasdan’ and `Groung’ song and
dance groups.

The Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian, parish pastor, thanked parishioners for
their hard work and encouraged them to be `translators of the Armenian
faith and culture’ to others.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Wynnewood, PA
Wynewood Sunday School students with the breakfast bags they assembled
for a local charity.

** Wynewood Sunday School Reaches Out to Elderly
————————————————————
On Sunday, October 12, students and teachers of the St. Sahag and
St. Mesrob Sunday School of Wynnewood, PA, gathered to assemble 200
breakfast bags for a local charity.

Each bag included a package of oatmeal, a package of crackers, a
cereal bar, a juice box, a box of raisins, and tea. After the bags
were assembled, they were blessed by the Very Rev Fr. Oshagan
Gulgulian, parish pastor. The bags will be distributed by `Aid for
Friends,’ an organization that delivers meals to elderly shut-ins in
the Philadelphia area.

This service project was made possible thanks to generous donations
from Sunday School families and teachers.

St. James Church, Watertown, MA
Some of the walkathon participants outside St. James Church in
Watertown.

** A Walk for Healing
————————————————————
St. James Church of Watertown, MA, participated in the third annual
New England walkathon for the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
(ABMDR) on Saturday, September 27. The walkathon followed a 2.2-mile
route through Watertown, and came to a close at the local `Faire on
the Square’ festival.

More than 250 supporters, including more than 100 children and young
adults, and 22 local and national organizations, took part in the
event. This year’s walk was dedicated to Gabriel Aljalian, the young
son of the Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian and Yn. Natasha Aljalian of
St. James Church, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012. He has
since undergone therapy at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and his
leukemia is currently in remission, with his final dose of
chemotherapy scheduled on December 24.

`I can’t say enough about this child,’ Yn. Natasha said, referring to
Gabriel’s courage while receiving chemo and steroid therapy. She also
thanked the parishioners of St. James Church and Gabriel’s classmates
and teachers for their ongoing support.

At last month’s walkathon, St. James Church and the local ACYOA were
recognized as the team which raised the most funds, and they were
awarded the top prize-a new cluster of trees will be planted in
Armenia by the Armenia Tree Project in their honor. Click here
()
to view photos.

Established in 1999, ABMDR is a non-profit organization which helps
Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening
blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those
requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, its annual
walkathon has raised more than $18,000, and the the registry has
recruited over 26,000 donors in 22 countries across four continents,
identified 3,150 patients, and facilitated 20 bone marrow
transplants. For more information, visit

Professor Diane Der-Hovanessian
Poet and translator Diana Der-Hovanessian speaks at Holy Trinity
Church.

** Diana Der-Hovanessian Speaks on “Our Martyred Poets”
————————————————————
Renowned poet and translator Diana Der-Hovanessian shared her thoughts
on the poets lost in the Armenian Genocide, during an `Armenian
Cultural Month’ gathering at Holy Trinity Church in Cheltenham, PA, on
Sunday, October 12. As the 125 people from the greater Philadelphia
community entered the dramatically-lit church auditorium, photos of
Armenia’s martyred poets were projected to the accompaniment of the
hymn
Der voghormia (`Lord, have mercy’).

`We usually don’t think of poets as dangerous,’ Professor
Der-Hovanessian said, `but they were-and they sustained the Armenian
spirit in 1915.’ She reflected on the irony of Daniel Varoujan’s
prison diary, which instead of being bitter, was filled with sweet
reminisces of home, of haystacks and of tilling the soil-all written
while waiting to be stoned to death.

Professor Der-Hovanessian concluded with poetic readings from Varoujan
and other great poets, including herself. The program included a
performance by Ashot Petrosyan of a Gomidas song, and Anton
Balasanyan’s recitation of a Siamanto poem.

Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian offered closing remarks,
thanking the sponsoring committee for promoting Armenian culture, and
touching briefly on the upcoming 100th year of remembrance of the
Armenian Genocide. A reception followed.

The event was sponsored by the Armenian Inter-Communal Committee of
Philadelphia, made up of pastors and lay representatives from the five
Armenian churches in the region, as well as the Armenian Sisters’
Academy. Host pastor the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan reminded attendees
that the committee’s mission is to commemorate Vartanantz, the
Genocide and Cultural Month.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford, MA
Fr. Kesablyan blesses the new kitchen pantry at Sts. Vartanantz
Church.

** A New Kitchen Space for Sts. Vartanantz Church
————————————————————
Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA, celebrated the opening of
its new kitchen pantry on Sunday, September 21.

The Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, parish pastor, blessed the new
facility and expressed his appreciation to the pantry committee for
their hard work. `Our expanding outreach programs will benefit from
the operation and efficiency of the new, bigger, and well organized
pantry,” he said.

The committee included Richard Madanjian, who served as overall
project coordinator, along with the following Women’s Guild members:
Armig Ferris, Sandra Boroyan, Milka Jeknavorian, Pricilla Der Ananian,
Alis Peretzian, and Amy Vartoukian. Special contributions were made by
Roupen Roupenian and George Kritikos. A large number of volunteers
helped move, clean, and re-shelve the extensive inventory of kitchen
supplies.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Holy Resurrection Church, CT

** New Britain Parish to Open Newly Renovated Hall
————————————————————
The Church of the Holy Resurrection of New Britain, CT, will mark the
73rd anniversary of the church’s consecration on Sunday, October
19. On this day, the parish will also celebrate the opening of its
renovated church hall. A Home Blessing service will follow the Divine
Liturgy.

Diocesan Council member Tom Ashbahian will meet with the
Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, parish pastor, and members of the Parish
Council on Saturday evening and will be the guest speaker at Sunday’s
luncheon.

`The facelift of Abrahamian Auditorium came about to meet the present
and future needs of the parish,’ said Fr. Mouradjian. =80=9CIt will
also be welcomed by many of New Britain’s non-profit organizations,
with whom Holy Resurrection partners on various projects.’

Dr. Gerard Roy and his son, Jack, led committee members
Fr. Mouradjian, Gail Onanian, and Diane Roy during the renovation
process.

Upcoming events

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

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will host its 78th annual Food
Festival from October 17 through 19. The annual event draws more than
2,000 guests for a weekend of Armenian food and music. One highlight
will be presentations of “tasting menus” by select chefs and
restaurateurs. Food enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to meet
Armenian chefs and taste their culinary creations. Other activities
include performances by Armenian dance groups, Armenian cooking
lessons, talks on Armenian history, an art exhibit, and basketball and
tavloo tournaments. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call (201) 745-1999.

Professor George Bournoutian will give a talk at St. Leon Church on
Friday, October 17, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Titled `Russo-Iranian
Relations and the Formation of Modern Armenia,’ the lecture will
consider Russia’s annexation of Yerevan and Nakhichevan from Iran and
the foundations of present-day Armenia. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. James Church | Watertown, MA
St. James Church of Watertown, MA, will host its annual bazaar on
Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18, from 11 a.m. to 9
p.m. Enjoy a full menu of Armenian dishes and sweets, including kebab,
kheyma, boreg, yalanchi, baklava, choreg, khadaif, and more. The
bazaar also features a farmer’s market, attic treasures, silent
auction, raffles, and jewelry vendors. Children’s activities include
games, clowns, and crafts. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. George Church | Hartford, CT
St. George Church of Hartford, CT, will host its annual Armenian Food
Fest on Friday, October 17 (5 to 8 p.m.) and Saturday, October 18 (11
a.m. to 6 p.m.). Enjoy Armenian dinners, baked goods, a Country Store,
Attic Treasures, and other activities. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, will host a
`Centennial Ball’ gala to conclude this year’s celebration of the
church’s centennial. The event on Saturday, October 18, will feature a
`Battle of the Bands.’ Joe Kouyoumjian’s “All Star Armenian Ensemble”
will face-off the “Sevan Armenian Band.” Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Holy Trinity Church | Cheltenham, PA
Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, will host its 2014 Harvest
Bazaar from Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Highlights
include Armenian food, music, a Country Store, vendors, displays of
Armenian art, and activities for kids. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call the church at (215) 663-1600.

Hye Pointe Church | Haverhill, MA
The ACYOA of Hye Pointe Church of Haverhill, MA, will host a “Harvest
Hayride and Apple Picking” on Saturday, October 25, beginning at 2
p.m. The afternoon of activities, which includes a pizza lunch, will
be held at Smolak Farms in North Andover, MA. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call the church at (978) 372-9227.

Armenian Church of Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL
The mission parish of Jacksonville, FL, will host a costume party for
kids on Saturday, October 25. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Thomas Church | Tenafly, NJ
The Cultural Committee of St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, and the
TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group will present a concert by the
Huyser Music Ensemble
()
on Saturday, October 25. The ensemble will give an encore performance
of its “CLASH-Reloaded” program, featuring violinist Diana Vasilyan
and percussionist Raffi Massoyan. For ticket information and
reservations, contact Marie Zokian at (201) 745-8850, or Talar
Sesetyan Sarafian at (201) 240-8541.

On Sunday, October 26, the Cultural Committee of St. Thomas Church and
Tekeyan Cultural Association will host `Armenian Antiques and
Artifacts: A Presentation and Appraisals by Krikor Markarian.’ The
event will begin at 1:30 p.m. Parishioners are invited to bring their
antiques for appraisals. For information, call Maral Kalishian at
(845) 729-1888 or Talar Sarafian at (201) 444-2478.

St. Peter Church | Watervliet, NY
St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, will take part in Albany’s
“Festival of Nations” at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center on
Sunday, October 26. The parish’s Renee Dearstyne will compete for the
title of `Miss Festival of Nations.’ Click here
()
for more information.

Holy Trinity Church | Cambridge, MA
The Holy Trinity community will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the
priestly ordination of its pastor, the Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, on
Sunday, October 26 (following church services), in the church’s
Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall. Click here
()
to view an invitation. For information on reservations, and to reserve
online, click here
()
.

Holy Cross Church | Union City, NJ
Holy Cross Church of Union City, NJ, will host its annual bazaar and
food festival on Saturday, November 1. The day will begin with a
Children’s Halloween Party at 5 p.m, followed by dinner service at 6
p.m. Enjoy khavourma, keshkeg soup, kufteh, luleh kebob, cheese boreg,
yalanchi dolma, and desserts. The day will also feature a raffle, a
performance by the Antranig Dance Ensemble, and music by DJ
BERJ. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or contact the church office at (201)
864-2480, or via e-mail at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
Zohrab Information Center

** An Evening of Poetry at the Zohrab Center
————————————————————
On Thursday, October 23, the Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab
Information Center will host an evening of poetry readings.

Three Armenian-American poets-Nancy Agabian, Lola Koundakjian, and
Alan Semerdjian-will read works that have been inspired by the Zohrab
Center’s rich book collection. Click here
()
to visit the Zohrab Center’s blog for information.

The event will take place at the Zohrab Center beginning at 7 p.m. A
reception will follow the program.

Merdinian
Violinist Sami Merdinian will give a concert on October 24.

** A Concert at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will host a concert by violinist Sami
Merdinian on Friday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. He will be accompanied by
pianist Riko Higuma.

The program will include music by Khachaturian, Komitas, Tartini,
Saint-Saëns, and Beethoven. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $10 for
students and seniors. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call (212) 686-0170.

Ararat Center

** Ararat Center Boston Harbor Cruise
————————————————————
The Ararat Center will host a Boston Harbor cruise on Saturday,
October 25, beginning at 7 p.m.

Guests will enjoy dinner, dancing, and a silent auction aboard the
Odyssey. Proceeds help benefit the Ararat Center, the Diocese’s
conference and recreation facility in upstate New York.

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

** EVENTS
————————————————————
ACYOA Sports Weekend
ACYOA Juniors take a break from their volleyball game to pose for a
photo.

** ACYOA Juniors Gather for Fall Sports Weekend
————————————————————
Last weekend, some 265 young people from 18 parishes around the
Diocese gathered for the ACYOA Fall Juniors Sports Weekend, hosted by
St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn, NJ.

Lorie Odabashian, the Diocese’s coordinator of Youth and Young Adult
Ministries, and members of the St. Leon parish welcomed participants
on Friday, October 10, and directed them to their respective host
families.

Saturday began with morning service, followed by an `Insights’ program
led by sub-deacon Saro Kalayjian. Sports competitions followed at the
parish’s Grace and Charles Pinajian Youth Center. Team sports included
co-ed volleyball and boys’ and girls’ basketball. Individual
competitions included chess, tavloo, Connect Four, and ping pong. On
Saturday evening, participants enjoyed a dance in Abajian Hall.

On Sunday, the group took part in the Divine Liturgy. The
Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, parish pastor, celebrated the Divine Liturgy
and gave a sermon on the Holy Translators. The afternoon continued
with sports finals, followed by an awards banquet and dance in Abajian
Hall.

The weekend came to a close on Monday with a farewell breakfast, where
the participants and parishioners alike remarked on the spirit of
Christian fellowship present throughout the weekend. Click on the
following links to view photos
()
and to read more
()
and to view a list of sports winners.

TURKEY STRADDLES WESTERN ALLEGIANCES AND MIDEAST REALITIES

National Public Radio
October 15, 2014 Wednesday
SHOW: Morning Edition 10:00 AM EST

GUESTS: Charles King

STEVE INSKEEP: So the U.S. has been weaving the fabric of a coalition
together, but let’s tug on one of the threads for a moment. Turkey
is so vital – a big country right on that ISIS-controlled border with
Syria. Scott mentioned they do not see ISIS the same way the U.S.

does. The U.S. wants Turkish help against ISIS, but this week instead
of bombing ISIS, Turkey’s powerful military conducted airstrikes
against a group of ethnic Kurds within Turkey itself.

To understand why, it helps to learn how Turkish leaders see the world,
especially the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. We spoke
with Charles King, author of “Midnight At The Pera Palace: The Birth
Of Modern Istanbul.” So if you’re the leader of Turkey and you’re
looking south across your border into Syria at ISIS, what do you see?

CHARLES KING: Well, I think for the Turks, the threat of ISIS is not
seen in the same way that we might see it in the West. That is it’s
one of a number of threats that Turkey might face. Keep in mind the
Turks have their own domestic concerns, not only domestic political
concerns, but also the problem of separatism.

STEVE INSKEEP: You have just reminded me of something about the map
of Turkey; that jagged line that is the southern border cuts through
the middle of a Kurdish region. There are ethnic Kurds south of that
line in Syria and Iraq, and there are ethnic Kurds north of that line
in Turkey.

CHARLES KING: That’s right. And one of the great obsessions of Turkish
politics, really for the nearly 100 years that the Turkish Republic
has existed, is what to do about Kurds. It’s Turkey’s largest ethnic
minority, so a worry in Turkey has persistently been, how does it
keep control of its own southeast? And what do you do in the event
that Kurds across those borders in Syria, Iraq and Turkey should seek
to unite?

STEVE INSKEEP: Now, this is amazing what you’re saying, though,
because you’re saying that Turkey looks across the border at ISIS –
this extremist group that is beheading people, that took Turkish
diplomats hostage by the dozen for a while – and they don’t even see
that as the biggest threat they face.

CHARLES KING: So Turkey is in a very difficult neighborhood. For most
of the last 30 years, almost every country on Turkey’s borders has
been at war in one form or another. You have secessionist conflicts
in Georgia and Armenia; you have the Iran-Iraq war, followed by the
Gulf War, followed by the U.S. invasion of Iraq and then of course
the current conflict in Syria. Farther afield you’ve had conflicts in
Chechnya that produced refugees in Turkey; you had conflicts in the
Balkans that produced refugees in Turkey. So while the Syrian refugee
crisis is by far the largest of those, it’s nothing new for Turkey.

STEVE INSKEEP: So we’re standing in Turkey – you’re standing on a
map of Turkey – we’ve been looking south. What happens if you turn
around and you’re looking north and northwest across the Bosporus
to the scrap of Turkey that’s actually part of Europe? What do Turks
see when they look in that direction right now?

CHARLES KING: This was the real heartland of the Ottoman Empire. We
think of the Ottomans as having been a Middle Eastern power, but they
thought of themselves as a European power.

STEVE INSKEEP: Istanbul is in Europe, we should note…

CHARLES KING: And Istanbul is of course half in Europe, half in Asia.

It takes a bridge or a boat ride or now a subway ride to get from one
continent to the next. So Turks look at Europe not as something they
want to join, but something that they were in fact once a part of.

STEVE INSKEEP: I suppose if you’re an American policymaker, you want
to cut through this and ask a bottom-line question – is Recep Erdogan
going to help with this problem with ISIS or not?

CHARLES KING: I think if the idea is that the Turks will send troops
across the border on their own and somehow solve the problem, the
answer is probably going to be no.

STEVE INSKEEP: Permanently no, you think?

CHARLES KING: Permanently no. And so long as the NATO allies themselves
are not committed to overthrowing Assad, changing the dynamic in Syria
– why put a Band-Aid on the problem by simply attacking ISIS? Erdogan
wants to hold out until there is much bigger commitment to changing
the politics of Syria.

STEVE INSKEEP: So Erdogan is holding out for more Western help in
that regard?

CHARLES KING: That’s right, some kind of buffer zone along the Turkish
border that would be a permanently enforced no-fly zone, perhaps even
some commitment to Western troops on the ground if Turkey is going
to commit troops on the ground. So there’s a kind of diplomatic game
that’s going on between Ankara and Washington and London and so on
as well.

STEVE INSKEEP: Now, this is very interesting because the United
States has a president who very much wants to make sure that allies
are brought along and that people in the region that the U.S. is
dealing with carry their weight. And you’re saying here is a very
significant player in that region waiting for the United States to
carry its weight.

CHARLES KING: That’s right. I think waiting to see what the United
States will do and again having different perceptions about the
immediate threat of ISIS. I think everyone can agree that the actions
in Syria have been barbaric from the Turkish perspective; however, this
is only one of a number of issues that they’re trying to weigh out.

STEVE INSKEEP: Charles King, thanks very much.

CHARLES KING: Thank you.

STEVE INSKEEP: He’s author of “Midnight At The Pera Palace: The Birth
Of Modern Istanbul.”

REP. SCHIFF ANNOUNCES WHITE HOUSE WILL DISPLAY ARMENIAN ORPHAN RUG IN NOVEMBER

States News Service
October 15, 2014 Wednesday

WASHINGTON

The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Adam Schiff:

Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced that the White House will
be displaying the Armenian Orphan Rug, also known as the Ghazir Rug,
as part of an exhibit at the White House Visitors Center. The exhibit
entitled Thank you to the United States: Three Gifts to Presidents
in Gratitude for American Generosity Abroad will showcase the Ghazir
rug, as well as the Svres vase, given to President Herbert Hoover in
appreciation for feeding children in post-World War I France, and
the Flowering Branches in Lucite, given to President Barack Obama
in recognition of American support of the people of Japan after
the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2010. These three gifts
to American presidents will be on display so visitors to the White
House and those wishing to see the artifacts can view them.

The Armenian Orphan Rug was woven by orphans of the Armenian Genocide
in 1920, and presented to President Calvin Coolidge in 1925 as a
symbol of gratitude for American aid and generosity for U.S.

assistance during the genocide. The rug, which measures 11’7″ x 18’5,
has over 4,000,000 hand-tied knots and took the Armenian girls in the
Ghazir Orphanage of the Near East Relief Society 10 months to weave.

President Coolidge noted that, “The rug has a place of honor in the
White House where it will be a daily symbol of goodwill on earth. The
rug which has been in storage at the White House for decades will be
displayed from November 18 23 in the White House Visitors Center.

Schiff and the Armenian community have worked with the White House
to find a way for the Ghazir rug to be sensitively and appropriately
displayed.

The Armenian Orphan Rug embodies the resilience of the Armenian people
through their darkest days and serves as a poignant reminder of 1.5
Armenians who were murdered in the first genocide of the 20th Century.

It also reminds Americans that our government was a central player
in efforts to call attention to the plight of the Armenian people
and provide relief to survivors, said Rep. Adam Schiff. Since first
raising this issue with the White House, we have worked to find a
dignified way to display the Rug so that Americans can come to see
this important artifact, and learn about an important chapter of the
shared history of the Armenian and American peoples. I want to thank
the White House for working with us, and look forward to seeing the
rug displayed at the White House Visitors Center.

Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) sent a letter along with
31 other Members to President Obama last year urging the Administration
to allow exhibition of the rug. The full letter is below, and can be
found here, and in the letter they stated: The Armenian Orphan Rug is
a piece of American history and it belongs to the American people. For
over a decade, Armenian American organizations have sought the public
display of the rug and have requested the White House and the State
Department grant their

THE ARMENIAN CHURCH IN MYANMAR AND ITS INDIAN PRIEST

17:39, 17 Oct 2014

Alisa Gevorgyan
Public Radio of Armenia

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, paid his first ever visit to Myanmar October 1-5. Fr.

Paruyr Avetisyan, Director of the Intra Church Relations Department
of the Mother Seer of Holy Etchmiadzin told reporters today that the
authorities of the country gave a warm welcome to the Cotholicos.

Within the framework of the visit the Patriarch met with
representatives of the Armenian community.

The issue of the Armenian Church of St John the Baptist seems to have
been solved. Remind that “Father” John Felix, as the sign in the street
outside calls him, had taken over the running of the church. A Burmese
man of Indian extraction, he claimed to be an ordained Anglican priest
which would, with the Armenians’ permission, give him the right to
perform religious services.

The Anglican Church says, however, that he has never been a priest and
does not have the authority to perform religious services. Fr. Paruyr
Avetisyan said the Mother See never knew about Felix because Myanmar
is a rather closed country, and Armenia has no priest there.

“John Felix’ father was a priest of the Anglican Church and served
in the Armenian Church for a long time. After father’s death, Felix Jr.

conducted the religious services until the visit of His Holiness
Karekin II to Myanmar,” he added. It was announced that an Armenian
priest based in Calcutta would be flying in every weekend to conduct
services. His Holiness also conducted a service at the Church.

In the early 17th century, large numbers of Armenians fled the
Ottoman Empire and settled in Isfahan in what’s now Iran. From there,
many traveled on in later years to form a commercial network, which
stretched from Amsterdam to Manila.

Their influence in the British Raj reached its peak in the late 19th
Century, when census records suggest that about 1,300 Armenians were
living principally in Calcutta, Dhaka and Rangoon.

Their closeness to the Burmese royal court gave them a particularly
privileged status in Rangoon’s trading community. The land on which
the church stands is said to have been presented to the Armenians by
Burma’s king.