Author: Karapetian Hovik

PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

January 9, 2007
___________________

ST. HAGOP CHURCH ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY

By Jake Goshert

The Armenian community in the St. Petersburg, FL, area had something special
to celebrate this Christmas. On Sunday, January 7, 2007, after celebrating
an "Armenian Christmas" Divine Liturgy, the faithful gathered for a
Christmas dinner dance as part of the kick-off for their drive to construct
a sanctuary for the parish.

"I can feel a true passion in this community," said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), who celebrated the badarak that Sunday and spoke at the dinner.
"I know with the energy they have and the commitment they have to
strengthening their faith and culture, they will succeed in this
construction project."

The community has land in the Pinellas Park suburb of St. Petersburg, on
which it had a small house-like structure where parishioners worshiped. But
that building is now gone, replaced by the work of construction crews
working on an Armenian-style sanctuary scheduled for completion in October
2007.

In between the Divine Liturgy, celebrated at a Roman Catholic sanctuary, and
the dinner at a nearby restaurant, many parishioners visited the site of
their future church.

"They were impressed that the walls of the facility were up and the exterior
is taking shape," said Dr. Sam Mikaelian, coordinator of special projects
for the Diocese, who was on hand to help the community plan. "Everyone was
beyond hopeful, they’re energized and exhilarated, inspired by what is yet
to come. People were seeing the positive motion of their community."

As the new sanctuary has gone up, parish leaders say more people are
stepping forward to volunteer, get involved, and donate. More than 160
people turned out for the celebrations, including many young Armenians. In
his remarks, the Primate said it was up to them all to see the dream of a
new spiritual home become a reality.

"It is not just the responsibility of the parish council to build this new
church, but it is the responsibility of each one of us," the Primate said.
"It is a responsibility and an honor to be involved in such a project."

If construction stays on schedule, the sanctuary should be completed by
October. It is hoped His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, will preside at the consecration during his
upcoming Pontifical visit to America.

Though the consecration sure to be a joyous event, for now simply seeing the
walls being built is enough to impact the community.

"This past weekend they were really celebrating the launch of the church,"
Dr. Mikaelian said. "This is the beginning, really, for them."

Joining the Primate and Dr. Mikaelian on the trip were Dn. Vahe Hovsepyan
and Khoren Mekanejian, coordinator of music ministry for the Diocese, who
had been working with the choir to prepare them to sing the hymns during the
badarak that weekend.

Parishioner Harout Keshishian served as the "godfather" during the "Blessing
of Water" service during Sunday’s church celebrations.

— 1/9/07

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, joins members of the St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park, FL, on
Sunday, January 7, 2007, during a visit to the construction site of the
future sanctuary.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Inside the construction site for the St. Hagop Church in
Pinellas Park, FL.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): The Primate with members of the St. Hagop Church of
Pinellas Park, FL, following his celebration of the Divine Liturgy on
Sunday, January 7, 2007.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
January 8, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR TERJENIAN-THOMAS ASSEMBLY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly announced today that the
application deadline for the 2007 Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship
Program in Washington, DC has been extended to January 30, 2007.

The eight-week summer program, now entering its 30th year, is designed
to provide college students of Armenian descent the opportunity to
intern in the nation’s capital, while taking part in a full schedule
of educational, social and cultural activities. Students accepted to
the Washington program will be placed in congressional offices, think
tanks, media outlets and governmental agencies based on their
educational background and interests. 

Interns will have the opportunity to discuss Armenian-American issues
during meetings with Members of Congress and other government
officials and noted academics through the Capitol Ideas and Lecture
Series programs. Over 800 students have taken part in the popular
program since its inception in 1977.

Partial and full housing scholarships for the Terjenian-Thomas
Assembly Internship Program in Washington, DC are available to
qualified students on a competitive basis.  Applications are available
on the Assembly’s Web site at under the student center
section.

The Assembly also offers a similar internship program in Yerevan,
Armenia. Now entering its ninth year, the Yerevan program provides
students the opportunity to live and work in one of the most
historically and culturally rich countries in the world.  Students
will work in Armenian government agencies, non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), medical centers, media outlets and more, as well
as meet with Armenia and Karabakh officials and tour historical sites
in and around the country.

The application deadline for the Assembly’s internship program in
Armenia is February 15, 2007. To help offset travel costs, a limited
number of stipends will be offered to qualified students on a
competitive basis. Stipends will be paid upon successful completion of
the Armenia internship program.

For more information on the internship programs or assistance with the
application process, please contact Internship Coordinator Joseph
Piatt in Washington at (202) 393-3434, ext. 237 or via email at
[email protected].

The Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program is made possible by
the Memorial Fund established through the generosity of the Aram
Terjenian, Annie Thomas and Florence Terjenian of Belmont,
Massachusetts who have all since passed.   The Armenian Assembly of
America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization
promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues.  It
is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.    

###
NR#2007-001

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE AMBASSADOR OF IRAN

His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of Iran to Lebanon H.E.
Ambassador Mohammed Riza Shibani and senior officials from the Iranian
Embassy in Beirut in Antelias on January 3. Discussions revolved around the
political situations on the local, regional and international scenes.

The Pontiff expressed his views on the resolution of the current conflict in
Lebanon, considering the country’s sovereignty as exceeding all other
interests in importance.

The Ambassador and His Holiness also talked about issues related to the
three Armenian dioceses in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ambassador Shibani
praised the role of the Armenian community in Iran as the largest and most
important minority in the country.

##
View the photo here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

"ANELIK BANK" RECOGNIZED BEST ARMENIAN BANK IN 2006

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 28 2006

YEREVAN, December 28. /ARKA/. "Anelik Bank" is recognized the best
Armenian bank, most effectively cooperating with the Deposit Guarantee
Fund of Armenia in 2006.

The Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Tigran Sargsyan
stated, summing up results of 2006, that such decision had been made
by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

He pointed out that the circumstance that "Anelik Bank" maximum
efficiently cooperated with the Deposit Guarantee Fund, presented the
mission of the Fund to the public best of all, as well as contributed
to attraction of deposits by its activity, thus promoting accumulation
of bank savings, had become a crucial factor for choosing the best
bank.

At the same time he said that henceforth the CBA intended to introduce
a new tradition – to choose most distinguishing ones among the Armenian
banks in this or that sphere of banking activity every year.

Since full enabling of the Deposit Guarantee Fund became one of
peculiarities of 2006, this tradition began with the selection of
the bank that most efficiently cooperated with the Fund.

"In this connection, at its last meeting the formed Board of Trustees
of the Fund announced an already made decision – to consider "Anelik
Bank" the best Armenian bank, cooperating with the Fund, and award a
diploma to the President of the Bank Samvel Chzmachyan", Sargsyan said.

On November 24, 2004, the National Assembly of Armenia, at its third
and final reading, adopted a Law On Guaranteeing Compensation of
Natural Person’s Bank Deposits. Within the framework of the Law the
Deposit Guarantee Fund has been established.

"Anelik Bank" was registered on October 1, 1991. In October, 1996
bank received general license of CBA #9 and now it is functioning as
Anelik Bank ltd. Shareholders of the bank are natural persons. As of
today the bank has 8 branches, one of which is in Moscow, and other
7 on the territory of Armenia, namely in Yerevan, Gyumri, Abovyan
and Gavar, Echmiadzin. ($1- AMD 363,18).

INDONESIAN CONSULATE IN YEREVAN TO ISSUE VISAS TO ARMENIAN AND GEORGIAN CITIZENS

Armenpress
Dec 27 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: Citizens of Armenia and Georgia
wishing to travel to Indonesia may obtain visas at its consulate
in Armenia.

The consulate is situated on Israelian street, 37, in Yerevan. Until
now Armenians could obtain visas at Indonesia’s embassy in Armenia,
located in Kiev, Ukraine. The new procedure becomes effective from
January 10.

SNIFF OUT CUSTOM-MADE SCENTS

News24, South Africa
Dec 27 2006

Buy Marie Antoinette’s perfume

Gwen’s signature fragrance

Eau de overflow…

Grasse – Unique perfumes offering a scent of exclusivity are now within
the reach of many pockets thanks to a new generation of young master
"noses" trying to buck a trend towards bland mass production.

Until recently, perfumers concocted such luxury only for the likes
of Arab princesses, millionaires and film stars.

Annick Le Guerer, perfume expert and author, said that perfume
companies today intentionally created their fragrances "by consensus",
and not according to the taste of one perfumer, in order to widely
appeal to customers regardless of nationality and local taste.

But the industry’s shift away from bold scents with personality to
blends designed to please all has triggered a backlash, prompting a
growing number of perfumers to set up their own "boutique" businesses.

"Demand for a personalised product has grown in the last few years
among a certain clientele," said Han Paul Bodifee, who heads up
France’s perfume industry body Prodarom.

"We’ve seen new businesses emerge that use the skills of a master
perfumer to create very high quality fragrances that are exclusive
and made-to-measure," he said in an interview with AFP in the world’s
perfume capital, Grasse, in the hills above the Riviera coast.

This new clientele is strangely eclectic – both men and women from
worlds as diverse as business, politics, the stage and screen and, of
course, the very rich. But all are connoisseurs in search of quality.

Their ages also range widely, from babies up to the over-eighties,
said Isabelle Burdel. She was the first perfumer to launch her own
chic label, Salon Prive, on the Riviera two years ago in the exclusive
seaside resort of Cannes.

Her youngest client to date was a three-year-old Arab princess.

The clientele for these "new" perfumes also tends to be very
international.

While the main customer base is in Europe and North America, perfumers
said the Gulf Arabs are becoming increasingly interested, along with
Eastern Europeans, North Africans and Latin Americans and more recently
customers in India and Asia.

Made-to-measure scents

These made-to-measure scents still carry a hefty price tag compared
with over-the-counter scents, thanks to the costly, rare, top quality
ingredients – and the time and skill to blend them – used instead of
today’s cheaper synthetic components.

The former includes pure flower essences, such as the highly-prized
Bulgarian rose that sells for around ~@7 000 per kilo (R64 926), or
rarities like centuries-old amber, often used to add spicy, earthy
undertones, which is now extremely difficult to find.

"The high price of natural ingredients today is why synthetics are
used in mass market perfumes and why ‘bespoke’ fragrances cost so
much," said Burdel.

"Noses" themselves, who number just 500 worldwide, are also somewhat
rare, as it takes many years of training as well as talent.

"’Bespoke’ perfume is very close to the world of haute couture in that
there are no limitations in price or in time," said Francis Kurkdjian,
one of today’s foremost young master perfumers.

Paris-based Kurkdjian, who is French of Armenian descent, said the
idea to set up a one-of-a-kind perfume business came to him six years
ago while he was working in Manhattan.

Asked to create scents for a charity auction, Kurkdjian thought it
would raise more money if he offered his nose to the highest bidder.

"People went crazy about the idea of having a perfumer create a unique
perfume for them and that was how my business was born," he said.

One of his strangest requests was to create a perfume that "smelt
of money".

Kurkdjian charges around ~@8 000 (R74 188) for a unique fragrance –
which can take anything up to six months to create for a client.

This cost can still be considered good value compared with the world’s
top perfume, couture and luxury goods houses, such as Guerlain,
Patou and Cartier.

These firms can command as much as ~@50 000 (R463 970) for a ‘bespoke’
service, Annick Le Guerer, expert and author of a recently published
book Parfum: des origines a aujourd’hui ("Perfume: from early times
to the present crisis"), told AFP in a telephone interview.

Limited editions

A less expensive option is a limited edition, offered by many of
the independent perfumers who work mainly in Paris, London, New York
and Los Angeles, Le Guerer said. Kurkdjian’s run for about ~@4 000
(R37 083).

Two other names, Frederic Malle’s Editions de parfums in Paris and
leading British perfumer Lynn Harris’s Miller Harris, have already
won a cult following with their hip limited-edition scents.

And inevitably, some of these limited editions end up becoming more
exclusive than others, such as two eaux de parfum created by Burdel at
the Cannes-based Salon Prive: Imagine with subtle hints of precious
Bulgarian rose and musk for women, and a fresh sea breeze fragrance,
So Sensual, for men.

Between 30 and 50 different essences were used to create each fragrance
and only 20 bottles will be available, sold on a first-come basis for
~@600 (R5 562) per elegant cube-shaped vial – a bargain compared to
her one-of-a-kind service that, like Kurkdjian’s, starts at ~@8 000.

Marie Antoinette

Perfume lovers who want to smell like a queen also have the opportunity
of a lifetime this year – to buy a fragrance that might have been
worn by the pleasure-loving French queen, Marie Antoinette.

This fragrance was recently brought back to life through the patient
efforts of Francis Kurkdjian based on the 18th-century writings of
a royal perfumer.

But they will have to be quick – only 10 crystal flasks priced at
~@8 000 apiece and 1 000 tiny phials that cost ~@350 each have been
put up for sale by the Chateau de Versailles.

ANOTHER AZERI SOLDIER ‘SURRENDERS’ TO ARMENIAN TROOPS
By Emil Danielyan

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Dec 25 2006

The Armenian military repatriated one Azerbaijani soldier and took
another as prisoner over the weekend, officials in Yerevan said
on Monday.

A spokesman for the Defense Ministry said an army conscript who
identified himself as Samed Mamedov willingly crossed the westernmost
section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and surrendered to
Armenian forces deployed there on Sunday. The official, Colonel Seyran
Shahsuvarian, said the 19-year-old claimed to have been systematically
mistreated and humiliated by his Azerbaijani commanders.

"An investigation is underway," Shahsuvarian added in a statement.

The Azerbaijani military did not immediately comment on the
information.

The reported incident occurred one day after another Azerbaijani
soldier, who reportedly crossed into Armenian-controlled territory
east of Nagorno-Karabakh earlier this month, was handed back to the
Azerbaijani side with the help of the International Committee of the
Red Cross.

According to officials in Stepanakert, Vusal Garachayev, 19, willingly
crossed the heavily fortified frontline to escape systematic hazing
at the hands of other Azerbaijani servicemen.

Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasian said on December 18 that
Garachaev is reluctant to return home for fear of retribution. But the
Azerbaijani Defense Ministry dismissed this as "Armenian propaganda,"
saying that Garachayev accidentally strayed into the Armenian
positions.

UN FIEF CHRETIEN DANS LE CAUCASE
A.-M. R.

Le Figaro, France
25 decembre 2006

L’Armenie joue a fond la carte de son annee francaise, en multipliant
les manifestations destinees a faire connaître au public francais
la richesse et l’anciennete de sa culture. Une idee-force sous-tend
cette volonte didactique : les Armeniens sont fiers d’avoir ete la
première terre christianisee au monde, en l’an 301, avant la conversion
officielle de l’Empire romain.

C’est cet aspect de son histoire qui s’expose dans la crypte
archeologique du parvis de Notre-Dame de Paris, sous le nom d’"
Armenie, terre chretienne dans le Caucase ", sous la forme d’un
voyage en images au coeur de ce pays en pleine modernisation, mais
qui n’oublie jamais ses racines. À preuve, la richesse d’un patrimoine
religieux qui compte des centaines de monastères et d’eglises. Tapis,
sculptures – dont la plupart sont religieuses, comme les " Khatchkars
", ces croix sans Christ, sculptees comme de la dentelle, de toutes les
dimensions, a meme les parois des eglises ou sur des stèles plantees
autour des monastères, gravures modestes ou veritables oeuvres d’art
et de patience qui constituent un des symboles du pays. Des cartes
geographiques, des photos d’archives presovietiques, sovietiques
(le regime n’a jamais empeche la pratique religieuse) et actuelles,
un ensemble d’objets d’art et du quotidien, ainsi qu’une presentation
audiovisuelle font de cette petite exposition un element incontournable
pour comprendre ce pays ami.

–Boundary_(ID_zPW3Ty/9ge7Q1xBBzKrWww)–

STATE CREDIT GUARANTEES OF 342.2 MILLION DRAMS PROVIDED TO 87 ARMENIAN SMEs IN 2006

Noyan Tapan
Dec 25 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Under the SME State Support
Program, credit guarantees of a total of 342.2 mln drams (about
813 thousand USD) were provided in 2006, as a result of which the
opportunity was created to ensure a credit package of 628.1 mln
drams for 87 SMEs. Gegham Petrosian, Deputy Executive Director of
the SME Development National Center (SME DNA) of Armenia, stated
this at the December 25 press conference. In his words, the total
amount of credit liabilities of 87 SMEs that received assistance
made 776.8 mln drams. The average amount of the credits provided
to SMEs under the program made 7.2 mln drams, the average amount
of credit guarantees – 3.9 mln drams, the average interest rate of
provided credits – 15.5%. Within the framework of the program on
provision of credit guarantees, in 2006 cooperation agreements were
signed with Inecobank and Unibank, with the number of parner banks
increasing to 5. Under the program on credit guarantees, in 2004-2006,
150 SMEs received guarantees of 565.3 mln drams, ensuring a credit
package of more than 1 billion drams. The total amount of credit
liabilities of 150 SMEs that received assistance made about 1.3 bln
drams. According to G. Petrosian, the results of the monitoring done
among SMEs that received assistance in 2004-2006 under the program
of credit guarantees show that in 2006, 348 jobs were created in 101
SMEs, and as of September 1, 2006, 120 jobs were created by 50 SMEs
that received assistance. It was noted that the program on partial
subsidizing of interest rates of the credits provided to SMEs was
started by ACBA Credit Agricole Bank in cooperation with Anelik
Bank. G. Petrosian said that in 2006 work was done to improve the
material and technical provision and develop skills of employeees of
the SME DNC’s central office and regional branches. SME DNC offices
opened in the cities of Gavar, Martuni and Vardenis of Gegharkunik
marz thanks to cooperation of the UK DFID and the Gegharkunik regional
administration. It is also envisaged to open offices in the cities
of Noyemberian and Berd of Tavush marz in 2007.

Running: New Records in Antarctic Ice Marathon & 100k

RunnersWeb, Canada Dec 22 2006

22 December 2006 – Sixteen competitors from Armenia, Australia,
France, Great Britain, Ireland, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, and
the USA took part in the second Antarctic Ice Marathon & 100k races.
The events, which were held on 13th and 15th December, respectively,
are only official footraces within the Antarctic Circle and take
place in 24-hour daylight at 80 Degrees South latitude.

Clear skies, temperatures of -10C and light winds initially greeted
participants in the marathon event (26.2-miles), although low cloud
cover in the latter stages of the race led to poor contrast and
visibility.

A group of six top mountaineers, including four Everest summiteers
from the seven summits club, were late registrants for the event.
Their inclusion in the field added further excitement to the race
particularly when the best marathoner among them, Karo Ovasapyan of
Armenia, was still in contention for third place after 25km.

By this point, however, Henri Alain d’Andria (FRA) had carved out a
sizeable lead over Tim Harris (GBR). The Frenchman continued to push
ahead to win in a new Antarctic Ice Marathon record of 5.08.17 hrs,
beating Eveginy Gorkov’s (Russia) existing record by over a minute.
In finishing second, Tim Harris successfully completed seven
marathons in seven weeks on seven continents and will undoubtedly
enter Guinness World Records for the shortest cumulative marathon
time for the task.

Noelle Sheridan (USA) was the sole female participant and finished in
a time of 7:15:46 to set a new Guinness World Record for women by
running seven marathons in seven months on seven continents.

Two of the mountaineers finished the marathon event while the others
decided at different points to withdraw rather than putting an
imminent Mount Vinson summit attempt in jeopardy due to blistering or
other running-related injuries. Nevertheless, a record of other sorts
was probably set for the greatest concentration of Everest summiteers
in one marathon.

In the 100km race, held on 15th December, Richard Donovan (IRL) led
the event from start to finish. Although d’Andria (FRA) was in close
proximity over the first 25km, the gap widened at the halfway point
as the relentless pace continued in brilliant sunshine. Easing up
over the final quarter, the Irishman set a new Antarctic 100k record
of 12:55:06 – a race distance that is equivalent of 10% of the
distance to the South Pole.

Both overall winners of the Marathon and 100k received $5,000 Kobold
expedition watches for their efforts in the snow, while all
particpants received Salomon running gear and other prizes.

The next Antarctic Ice Marathon & 100k trip takes place from 10th –
18th December 2007. Entries for a limit of 20 places will open in
late January 2007 and the price for the expedition trip will be
similar to this year at US $15,000. See the website –
– for further details.

MEN’S MARATHON

1. Henri Alain d’Andria (FRA) – 5.08.17 hrs
2. Tim Harris (GBR) – 5.15.28 hrs
3. Philippe Moreau (FRA) – 5.30.11 hrs
=3. Herve Taquet (FRA) – 5.30.11 hrs
5. Gavin Melgaard (AUS) – 7.05.18 hrs
6. John Kraus (USA) – 7.17.48 hrs
7. Mike Nixon (S AFRICA) – 7.32.20 hrs
=7. Jim Wood (USA) – 7.32.20 hrs

WOMEN’S MARATHON
1. Noelle Sheridan (USA) – 7.15.46 hrs

100 KM
1. Richard Donovan (IRL) – 12:55:06 hrs
2. Henri Alain D’Andria (FRA) – 13:25:10 hrs
3. Philippe Moreau (FRA) – 14:35:54 hrs
=3. Herve Taquet (FRA) – 14:35:54 hrs
5. Tim Harris (GBR) – 17.16:53 hrs
=5. Mike Pierce (USA) – 17.16.53 hrs
7. John Kraus (USA) – 22:31:10 hrs

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