Author: Karabekian Emil

AZERI DEFENCE MINISTRY RAPS ARMENIA FOR TRUCE BREACH, PLEDGES PROPER REPULSE

Ekho
March 6 2008
Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry has blamed Armenia for resorting to
truce violation in order to divert attention from "rigged presidential
election", Ekho newspaper has said. In a press statement, the
ministry said that Armenia’s attacks were repulsed fittingly and the
Azerbaijani army inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy forces. Troops
and military hardware concentration were also reported in Tartar and
Goranboy fronts, the press release said, adding that any provocation
would be met properly. The following is the text of B. Safarov report
by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekho on 6 March headlined "Armenians asked
for mercy" and subheaded "By appealing to the Azerbaijani Defence
Ministry leadership and international organizations with a cease-fire
request"; subheadings have been inserted editorially:

The Armenian military leadership, having found itself deadlocked, has
asked the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry and international organizations
for an immediate cease-fire, an official report from the press service
of the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said in connection with the
latest events on the contact line of firing (Novosti-Azerbaijan). Let
us remind that throughout 4 March until one o’clock on the night
of 5 March, the Armenian armed forces staged another provocation
by assuming the offensive in the Tartar and Goranboy fronts. Four
Azerbaijani troops died in the fierce battle.

The Armenian side sustained 12 losses with 15 wounded.

"What happened on the front line on 4 March and fitting rebuffs by
the Azerbaijani army against the military offensives of the enemy
served another proof that the enemy will not manage to apply force
against our army. The level of combat readiness of the Azerbaijani
national army is at the highest level," the document said.

Tension runs high in Armenia

The report said that heavy losses of the Armenian army caused a new
round of tension in Armenia. "Armenia is engaged in circulation of
misinformation and the cause of this is obvious. Trying to divert
attention of the world community from the rigged presidential
election and ensuing civil confrontation at home, the enemy resorted
to provocation, but, as obvious, it did not achieve anything as a
result," the press release of the Defence Ministry said.

However, the Armenian president denies that Armenian troops
were killed. At a news conference yesterday, Robert Kocharyan
told journalists that "the Armenian side sustained no losses, an
officer was wounded in the hand and another servicemen was hurt on
an anti-personnel mine" (Novosti-Armenia). Kocharyan also added that
"the defence ministries established direct contacts as a result of
which an agreement on a cease-fire was reached".

Simultaneously, Kocharyan complained that "the Karabakh defence
forces" came under mortar and artillery strikes. In the meantime, the
Azerbaijani Defence Ministry notes that by trying to hush up the actual
picture of own losses, the Armenian side is feeding the media with
wrong information, "and this is not the first time when the Armenian
authorities try to keep silent about own losses" (Novosti-Azerbaijan).

"By launching an offensive, the enemy had to foreseen in advance heavy
losses in own ranks as the principle of waging combat operations is
that the attacker incurs heavier losses as compared with the defender,"
the official press release of the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said. In
the meantime, the Armenian armed formations are drawing up large amount
of military hardware in the Tartar direction of the front (1news.az).

Apart from this, Armenia is also concentrating troops on the front line
in Tartar and Goranboy directions. It is visible from the Azerbaijani
side that Armenians started to feverishly reinforce their positions on
the occupied territories. A regional correspondent of 1news.az reports
that a relative calm is being observed along the whole perimeter of
the front, no firing of the positions of the Azerbaijani national
army was registered.

Monitoring to shed light on cease-fire breach

"A monitoring on the Karabakh front line will be conducted in a
day or two in connection with the aggravation of the situation in
the front line and the clashes between the Armenian and Azerbaijani
armed forces," Russian ambassador to Azerbaijani Vasiliy Istratov
said at the press centre of Novosti yesterday. The monitoring will
be conducted by experts and specialists of the OSCE from the both
sides of the front line and after this an official opinion would be
concluded and a report would be drawn up to shed light on causes and
consequences of the clashes which were incomparable for intensity
over the several years of the cease-fire regime, Istratov said.

For his part, Azerbaijani general consul in Los Angels Elin Suleymanov
considers that "the attempts of the Armenian authorities to divert
attention from the political crisis in Yerevan were predictable"
(Day.az). "The Azerbaijani side from the onset did not want to
interfere in Armenia’s domestic affairs despite the provocation of the
Armenian authorities who first opened polling stations on our territory
and now resorted to military confrontation against our armed forces.

"As is known, Armenians protested against the results of the latest [19
February presidential] election outside the Armenian Consulate General
in Los Angels. That is to say, even among the Diaspora understanding
is gaining ground that the Yerevan regime’s approach has no prospects.

"Apparently, having realized this and applying a series of other
methods, the Armenian authorities decided that by only going to
provocation on the front line, they can retain power in Yerevan.

Enforcing censorship in the Internet and stepping up propaganda,
the Yerevan regime wants again to use the nationalist hysteria for
strengthening its shaky positions."

PACE RAPPORTEUR ON PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA WELCOMED THE MITIGATION OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY

Mediamax
March 11, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Rapporteur of the parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) on presidential elections in Armenia John
Prescott today welcomed the lifting of two provisions of the State
of Emergency.

As Mediamax was told in Yerevan Office of the Council of Europe, John
Prescott, in particular, welcomed the lifting of the suspension of
the activities of political parties and NGOs, which he specifically
called for during his recent visit.

"I now call upon the authorities to lift the remaining provisions
of the declaration of the State of Emergency, especially those that
limit the freedom of the media", Prescott stated.

He confirmed his position, voiced earlier, according to which the
only manner in which the current crisis can be resolved is through
the recognition of the authority of the Constitutional Court and its
ruling on the outcome of the Presidential elections, the lifting of
the State of Emergency and the restoration of individual Human Rights
and Freedoms, the establishment of an independent inquiry into the
circumstances that led to the events on 1 March 2008 and the start
of a dialogue between all political forces on the necessary political
and electoral reform.

John Prescott will report on his findings and conclusions to the
President of the Assembly at the meeting of the PACE Bureau in Paris
on 13 March 2008.

ANM LEADERS ARARAT ZURABYAN AND ALEXANDER ARZUMANYAN DETAINED

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.03.2008 16:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian National Security Service detained
Ararat Zurabyan, board member of the Armenian national Movement party,
and Alexander Arzumanyan, former Deputy Foreign Minister and head of
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s headquarters.

As a source in the NSS told a PanARMENIAN.Net, they are incriminated
accroachment under article 300 of the RA Penal Code.

Deprived of parliament privilege, Khachatur Sukiasyan and Sasoun
Mikaelyan as well as Haykakan Zhamanak editor Nikol Pashinyan, are
wanted by the police.

New Times party leader Aram Karapetyan, former deputy prosecutor
general Gagik Jahangiryan and his brother Vardan Jahangiryan,
representatives of Republic party Smbat Aivazyan and Suren Surenyants,
NA former vice speaker Karapet Rubynyan, MPs Hakob Hakobyan and
Myasnik Malkhasyan (deprived of parliament privilege on March 4)
are charged under the same article.

A BARACK OBAMA’S PRO-ARMENIAN ADVISER RESIGNED

Azeri Press Agency
March 10 2008
Azerbaijan

Washington. Husniyya Hasanava – APA. Samantha Power, Professor of
John Kennedy Public Administration School, Harvard University resigned
several hours after her wretched interview with British newspaper.

APA US Bureau reports, in her interview with "The Scotsman" newspaper,
Barak Obama’s foreign policy adviser S.Power called Hillary Clinton
"a monster", which sparked H. Clinton’s sharp protest and public
condemnation. Later S. Power officially apologized to Mrs.

Clinton. Barak Obama’s foreign policy adviser Samantha Power is known
for her pro-Armenian views.

BAKO SAHAKIAN CONFIRMED NKR STANCE ON KARABAKH ISSUE TO AMBASSADOR KASPRZYK

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.03.2008 13:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On March 7, Nagorno Karabakh President Bako Sahakian
met Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador
Andrzej Kasprzyk to discuss the recent ceasefire violations at the
NKR and Azeri armed forces’ contact line.

They stressed the importance of ceasefire maintenance and referred
to perspectives of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution.

Once again confirming NKR stance on the Karabakh issue, Mr Sahakian
said that the conflict should be resolved via peaceful talks, the
NKR presidential administration information division reported.

Abkhazia Appeals for World Recognition
By RUSLAN KHASHIG – March 07, ’08

SUKHUMI, Georgia (AP) – The Russian-backed region of Abkhazia appealed to the
world community Friday to recognize it as independent from Georgia, citing
Kosovo as a precedent.
In a unanimous resolution, Abkhazia’s legislature called on the world
community and the Russian Parliament to recognize it as an independent nation.
"The republic of Abkhazia has for 15 years successfully existed as an
independent nation," the resolution said, citing Kosovo’s independence as
justification for the timing.
The appeal follows a nearly identical resolution earlier this week by another
breakaway Georgian region, South Ossetia.
Both South Ossetia and Abkhazia have had de-facto independence since wars
with Georgian forces in the 1990s. No country recognizes their governments,
though Russia has tacitly supported their autonomy from Georgia, which has
infuriated Moscow by increasingly aligned itself with the West.
Temur Yakobashvili, Georgia’s state minister for reintegration matters, said
the Abkhazia resolution should not be taken seriously because many ethnic
Georgians fled Abkhazia during the fighting and have long sought to return.
"This parliament is not legitimate; it was not elected by the population of
Abkhazia," he said. "It cannot reflect the will of the entire population."
Russia further raised tensions with Georgia on Thursday by fully restoring
economic ties with Abkhazia. Russian officials said the decision had nothing to
do with Kosovo, although Moscow was infuriated by Western recognition of
Kosovo’s independence and warned that it could fuel other separatist movements,
particularly in the former Soviet Union.
Nations that recognize Kosovo’s independence from Serbia say that situation
was unique.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili condemned Moscow’s full restoration of
trade with Abkhazia as a "grave provocation."
"Russia and its government will bear full responsibility for militarization
of Abkhazia," Saakashvili said in a televised statement Friday.
Georgia also summoned Russia’s ambassador in protest.
In comments likely to further exacerbate the tensions between Russia and
Georgia, Russia’s regional development minister, Dmitry Kozak, said Russian
businesses and investors building for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi can look
to Abkhazia for workers and materials.
Abkhazia sits just a few miles from Sochi.
Associated Press writers Misha Dzhindzhikhashvili in Tbilisi, Georgia, and
Mansur Mirovalev in Moscow contributed to this report.

Sioux City Journal, IA
March 7 2008

Pianists excited to perform in annual Iowa Piano Competition
By Joanne Fox Journal staff writer

Julia Siciliano had a grin on her face the size of a Cheshire cat.

"It’s genuine," she said, pointing to her smile. "The smiles are
real."

Siciliano had just finished performing her piece, among the first in
the recital round for the 11 pianists in the 2008 Iowa Piano
Competition.

Waiting in a practice room in the Orpheum building was Cathal
Breslin, who would be performing in the afternoon.

"No nail biting," he said when asked. While Siciliano continued
beaming, he more seriously added, "That’s not the way I get rid of my
nervousness."

The 11 competitors performed 30-minute solo pieces from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Thursday at the Orpheum Theatre.

Siciliano, 24, and Breslin, 30, both students at the University of
Michigan, left Detroit Wednesday in a timely manner. They got as far
as Minneapolis before weather delayed their trip to Sioux City by
three hours.

"I was off coffee, except for yesterday," confessed Breslin, a native
of Northern Ireland. "I had been drinking excessive amounts of coffee
and had kicked the habit until yesterday."

Finally in Sioux City, the competitors came to the Orpheum building
to take turns practicing on the piano that would be used for the
competition and "to raid the hospitality suite for food," Breslin
added.

Once they were fed, the pianists took advantage of the practice
rooms.

Thursday they were transported from their accommodations at the
Marina Inn back to the Orpheum for their solo presentations. Both had
routines to prepare for the performance.

"I take deep breaths and try to get everything out of my mind but the
notes and the music," Breslin said.

"No rituals," Siciliano said. "But unlike Cathal, I like to move
around to keep my nerves at bay."

This is a return trip for Breslin to the competition. He felt that
last year his performance was not his best due to a car accident and
some pain medication. He took fourth place (and $1,000) with "a pinch
of salt."

"I wasn’t disappointed with the place," he stressed. "I don’t think
you should put your life on one competition and if you don’t do well,
then all hope is gone."

Siciliano, the only U.S. native competing, said being selected for
the Iowa Piano Competition was "the biggest one I’ve ever been chosen
for" and admitted it was unexpected.

"I sent in a lot of recordings for competitions, but when I got the
announcement that I was chosen, it was the same week I won another,"
she said. "I think that was the best week of my life."

Siciliano, performing at 10:20 a.m. was thrilled with the crowd.

"I thought there would be the judges and a few others, but I looked
out and there was a good-sized crowd in the auditorium," she said.
"That really energizes you. It’s why you (perform) — to communicate
music to an audience."

Meet the violinist and cellist
The six piano competition semi-finalists will perform trio literature
at 7 tonight with violinist Euhno Kim and cellist Katya Janpoladyan.
Kim, originally from Seoul, South Korea, is concertmaster for the
Sioux City Symphony. Since moving to Iowa in August 2005, Kim has
been teaching in Morningside College, Northwestern College, and Dordt
College, and is the assistant concertmaster of South Dakota Symphony.
Janpoladyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia where she graduated from
Yerevan State Conservatory in 2001. Currently Janpoladyan is
pursuing a doctoral of musical arts degree at the University of
Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. She is holding a position
as a cellist in the Baur String Quartet, the fellowship quartet in
residence in the conservatory.

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF NATO SECRETARY GENERAL STATED THAT "WE FOLLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF EVENTS IN ARMENIA WITH CONCERN"

Mediamax
March 5, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Special Representative of NATO Secretary General
in the South Caucasus and the Central Asia Robert Simmons stated that
"we follow the development of events in Armenia with concern".

Mediamax reports that Robert Simmons said this in an interview to
"Echo Moskvi" Radio Station. "We know that [in Armenia] state of
emergency is announced. We all follow the development of events in
that country with concern", Robert Simmons stated.

"Just as Georgia and Azerbaijan, Armenia has Individual Partnership
Action Plan (IPAP) with NATO, we also realize that it is a member
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Presence of
IPAP does by no means contradict the membership of Armenia in CSTO
or its status of an ally of Russia", Special representative of NATO
Secretary General stated.

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

MARCH 6, 2008

REQUIEM SERVICE AND PRAYERS FOR ARMENIA THIS SUNDAY
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan has sent a message today to all Prelacy
parishes asking them to offer special prayers for Armenia as well as a
requiem service for the victims of the recent clashes in Armenia, this
Sunday, March 9. The Prelate sent the message following a directive received
>From His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, who has
been in frequent consultation with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of
All Armenians. The Central Committee of the Cilician See called upon all the
leaders of Armenia and the children of the nation to hold onto the nation’s
and homeland’s supreme and collective interests. The two Pontiffs agreed to
the special requiem service to be performed in all Armenian churches this
Sunday in memory of those who fell victim to the March 1 clashes.

NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL MEETING THIS SATURDAY
The New England Regional meeting for pastors, boards of trustees, and
National Representative Assembly delegates with the Executive Council will
take place this Saturday, March 8, hosted by St. Asdvadzadzin Church in
Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
The Prelate and Vicar will participate in the regional meeting. On
Friday evening Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan will attend the
Lenten Vigil Service at St. Asdvadzadzin Church; Bishop Anoushavan will
deliver the sermon.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy this Sunday,
March 9, at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

VISITS TO ARMENIAN HOME AND ST. SARKIS SENIORS
On Wednesday, March 12, Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan,
Archpriest Mousegh Der Kaloustian, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, and Rev. Fr.
Mesrob Lakissian will visit the Armenian Home in Flushing, New York, and
later that same day they will visit with the Senior Citizens group at St.
Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

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

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
The Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly will be hosted by
St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, May 8-10. Information for
delegates, including hotel reservations, meal plans, and airport shuttle
service are on the Prelacy web page. Additional information will be posted
on a regular basis, so check the site often. In addition to the NRA, the
National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) will be meeting and celebrating
its 25th anniversary; and a conference of Yeretzgeens will take place. To
get to the NRA site click here.

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

PRELACY LENTEN LECTURE SERIES CONTINUES
The fifth of the six-part Prelacy Lenten program took place last night
at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City with the participation of
more than sixty people. After the Husgoom Service (Peace-Compline), Deacon
Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC), spoke about "Prayer and Christian Formation."
Dn. Shant first defined Christian formation as total integration and
incorporation into the life of the Church with its distinctive worldview and
lifestyle that is different from the general culture. A disciplined prayer
life plays an essential role in that process, he said.
Prayer is spontaneous when we
are at the mountain top or in the valley of life. But if we wait only at
these two poles to pray we will pray very infrequently. Life is in the
plain. Hence, the need for a disciplined prayer life. Following Scripture to
remain steadfast in prayer, Christians from the earliest days have observed
fixed hours of prayer both in private and with other believers. Dn. Shant
emphasized how the Lord’s Prayer is at the Center of the Sermon on the Mount
(Matthew 5-7), indicating that prayer is at the heart of the teaching of our
Lord Jesus Christ and thus it is central to our life and our faith in God.
In fact, the Lord’s Prayer is the paradigm of Christian prayer. "If one
prays and lives the Lord’s Prayer, he will certainly experience the reality
of the Kingdom of God here and now, and he could anticipate sharing in it in
the life to come," said Dn. Shant. After the lecture, an animated discussion
ensued.
The final Lenten lecture will be next Wednesday, March 12, and will be
presented by Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian, pastor of St. Gregory Church of
Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, who will speak on "Family as
Christian Educator." The Lenten program is sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies
Guild (PLG), the St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild, and the Prelacy’s Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC).

MUSICAL ARMENIA CONCERT ENJOYED BY ALL
Musical Armenia 25 was heartily applauded by an appreciative audience
last Sunday at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. The first part of the
program featured violist Aleksandr Nazaryan with Bo-Kyung Park on the piano
and the Yerevan Quartet composed of Srbouhi Pantikian (violin), Alexander
Dzyubinsky (violin), Aleksandr Nazaryan (viola), and Lilit Kurdiyan (cello).
The second part featured the pianist Karen Tchougourian whose exceptional
talent captivated the audience. Musical Armenia 25 was dedicated to the
memory of three former prelates of the Eastern Prelacy: Archbishop Hrant
Khatchadourian, Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian, and Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian, who was the founder of the Musical Armenia series.
Following the concert a reception for the artists and benefactors took
place at the Prelacy. Photos are by Antranig Sarkissian.

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

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

ST. GREGORY COMMITMENT TO PIT
This Saturday, March 8, the Armenian Church commemorates one of three
days in the Armenian liturgical calendar in memory of St. Gregory the
Illuminator, the founder of the Armenian Church. The three days of
remembrance are: Entrance into the Pit; Emergence from the Pit; and
Discovery of his remains. This Saturday we commemorate his commitment to the
pit.
Gregory stood fast to his faith and refused to renounce Christ. He
endured many tortures and his final punishment was banishment into a deep
pit (Khor Virab) where he remained for a period of thirteen or more years.
Miraculously he survived the ordeal, thanks in large part to a woman
(identity unknown) who secretly lowered food into the pit, permitting
Gregory’s survival.
The Monastery of Khor Virab is a major destination for tourists and
pilgrims who visit Armenia. The church complex was built on the exact
location where St. Gregory was imprisoned. The pit is intact and it is
possible for visitors to climb down the ladder (27 steep steps) into the
pit. The church, named Sourp Astvatsatzin dates to the 17th century. The
area is one of the most picturesque in Armenia, with the absolute best view
of Ararat!
We would like to point out that in the Armenian Church during Lent
saints are commemorated only on Saturdays. During the remainder of the year,
saints are commemorated on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Commemorations never take place on Wednesdays or Fridays, these being
fasting days.

SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Our journey through Lent continues, as we approach Holy Week. This
Sunday, March 9, the sixth and final Sunday of Lent, is the "Sunday of
Advent" (Galstyan Kiraki). On Advent Sunday we are asked to ponder on the
mystery of the first coming of Christ and especially His second coming,
which is mentioned in the prayers read this Sunday. Christ came to the world
for the salvation of humankind. He will come again for the judgment of
sinners, and when the righteous will become worthy of entering the Kingdom
of God. Advent Sunday has its own special hymn, which proclaims that the
apostles knew the mystery of the advent of Christ. The story of the
expulsion from paradise is repeated and an appeal is made to Christ to ask
the Heavenly Father to establish peace on earth.

PILGRIMAGE DAY IN ANTELIAS
Consecrated relics of St. Gregory are preserved in Holy Etchmiadzin in
Armenia and the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon. This Saturday,
which as noted above commemorates the beginning of St. Gregory’s
imprisonment in the pit, is a day of pilgrimage in Antelias. Thousands of
pilgrims come to the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator for the
service and procession and for an opportunity to see the sacred relic of the
patron saint of the Armenian Church. It is brought out each year on this
occasion. It is also used every seven years during the consecration of the
Holy Chrism (Muron).

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, March 6, are: Isaiah 53:1-54:5; 1 Corinthians
15:1-28
Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I
proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand,
through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message
that I proclaimed to you-unless you have come to believe in vain. For I
handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was
buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the
scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he
appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time most of
whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then
to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also
to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle,
because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I
am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked
harder than any of them-though it was not I, but the grace of God that is
with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come
to believe. Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can
some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no
resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has
not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has
been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we
testified of God that he raised Christ-whom he did not raise if the dead are
not raised, then Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you
are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have
perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all
people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a
human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human
being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each
in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who
belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God
the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and
power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For "God has put all things in
subjection under his feet." But when it says, "All things are put in
subjection," it is plain that this does not include the one who put all
things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then
the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in
subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:1-28
For listing of the week’s Bible readings click here.

>From THE BOOKSTORE THIS WEEK.
A New CD from ZULAL-"Notes to a Crane." Zulal, the a cappella trio, has a
new CD called "Notes to a Crane." It is a beautiful CD that adheres to the
groups name Zulal, which means "clear water." The group (comprised of Yeraz
Markarian, Anais Tekerian, and Teni Apelian) takes Armenia’s village folk
melodies and weaves intricate arrangements that pay tribute to the rural
roots of the music while introducing a sophisticated lyricism and energy.
The CD has 18 selections and can be purchased from the bookstore for $15,
plus shipping and handling. For a brief example of Zulal’s clarity click
here.

We remind you of the recent CD issued by the Prelacy..
YERKABSAG (Musical Wreath), a musical tribute to the genocide martyrs, which
was produced on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, under the direction of Armenian American musicologist Krikor
Pidedjian conducting the Chamber Choir of Yerevan and the Alan Hovhaness
Chamber Orchestra. Available at the bookstore for $15, plus shipping and
handling. To hear the beautiful rendition of Giligia click here.

Two DVDs: "Uprooted" and "Journey to Resurrection," by artist Lucy
Janjigian.
"Uprooted" is a powerful documentary that begins with a brief history of
Christian Armenia depicted by this talented artist’s works. "Journey to
Resurrection" depicts the artist’s religious journey and personal
experiences growing up in Jerusalem. Lucy Janjigian’s works have been
exhibited around the world and are in many public, private and corporate
collections. Each DVD sells for $25, plus shipping and handling.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER ITEMS AT THE BOOKSTORE VISIT THE
PRELACY’S WEB SITE () OR CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY
EMAIL ([email protected]) OR BY TELEPHONE (212-689-7810)

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS SUNDAY MORNING
This Sunday, March 9 at 2 a.m., we officially switch to Daylight Saving
Time (three weeks earlier than normal). Don’t forget to advance your clocks
ahead one hour (spring ahead). Congress made this decision for an earlier
return to DST beginning last year, supposedly as an energy-saving move. It
will be darker in the morning upon rising, but lighter at night for the
commute home.

"REMEMBER ME WITH MUSIC"
This Sunday evening, at 5 pm in the Choral Room 264, at the Aaron
Copeland School of Music at Queens College the Mark Kyrkostas "Remember Me
with Music" birthday concert will take place. Mark Kyrkostas was a featured
artist in the Prelacy’s Musical Armenia concert of 1989. For information
718-428-5650.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 8-New England Regional Conference with Board of Trustees and NRA
delegates hosted by St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 7-Blessing of Holy Muron in Antelias, Lebanon. Click here for details.

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

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

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

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

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add
[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]

ELIN SULEYMANOV: "THE YEREVAN RULING REGIME WANTS TO MAKE USE OF NATIONAL HYSTERIA TO CONSOLIDATE ITS SHAKY POSITIONS"

Today
litics/43546.html
March 5 2008
Azerbaijan

Day.Az reporter asked Azerbaijan’s consul general in Los-Angeles Elin
Suleymanov to comment on the situation on the contact front line.

"Unfortunately, attempts of Armenian powers to distract attention
from the political crisis in Yerevan, were predictable. Azerbaijan
did not want to interfere with Armenia’s internal issues, despite
provocations of Armenian authorities, who established voting stations
on our territory and then arranged armed clash on the front line.

As is known, Armenians protested against results of the recent
elections before Armenia’s consulate general in Los-Angeles. This
means that the diaspora is becoming aware of the lack of prospects
of the approach of the Yerevan ruling regime. Armenian authorities,
being aware of it and using a number of other methods, decided to
arrange provocation on the front line, so that to retain powers in
Yerevan. The Yerevan regime wants to make use of national hysteria
to consolidate its shaky positions by applying censorship in Internet
and intensifying propaganda.

The world sees the results of such a primitive policy. Yerevan easily
commits bloodshed of its own and Azerbaijani soldiers, as well as
protesters in Yerevan to attain its political goals, which reflects
the threat of militarism, becoming a part of the Armenian policy.

I think Armenians should think over the future, the regime leads
their country to, considering military crimes against the peaceful
population of the neighbor countries to be its greatest achievement.

The future of Armenia under the current development of events does not
arise much optimism as well as the the fact that extremists are always
ready to use force against its own people to attain political goals.

Certainly, international law gives Azerbaijan a right to protect
its territory and population, while readiness of Azerbaijani army to
react duly on any provocations is not doubted. However, in this case,
the responsibility falls on the Armenian politics, who put the future
of their country on stake to retain the power", Suleymanov said.