Author: Nahapetian Boris

STRENGTHENING OF RELATIONSHIP WITH ARMENIA IS CRUCIALLY IN EUROPE’S INTERESTS

Panorama.am
18:56 09/02/2008

It is crucially in Europe’s interests to strengthen its relationship
with Armenia and to support the country in its ongoing democratic
reforms, Executive Director of European Foundation for Democracy
Roberta Bonazzi said at the Conference on Democratic Reforms in
Armenia in an Evolving Geopolitical Context in Yerevan on Friday 8.

"In the current international scenario, Armenia plays a key role as a
country that has managed to develop a constructive dialogue both with
Europe and the United States on the one hand, and Russia and Iran,
on the other, said Roberta Bonazzi . "The European Foundation for
Democracy is keen to contribute towards process of strengthening of
relations and to support democratic reforms towards an open society
in Armenia."

Roberta Bonazzi said "the aim of the conference was to contribute
to the overall debate on democratic reforms and to continue raising
awareness of what democracy is and how, by casting their votes,
citizens can have an impact and play a role in the policy-making of
their country". Elections represent a significant, but not exclusive
moment of a democratic system. "However, we also strongly believe that
the legitimacy of electoral results actually derives from citizens’
participation and turnout to the polls".

Key speakers at the Conference, Nobel Peace Prize Lord David Trimble
and Paris University expert Professor Bernard Owen, pointed out that
"it is not the role of Europe and more in general of the international
community, to provide packaged solutions".

Two main points emerged from the one-day discussions among the
panel of experts. Firstly, the role of the European Union in the
democratisation and institutional reform processes should not be
overstated, it is nonetheless important and potentially beneficial
not only for the governments but also for the people. Secondly, an
effective representative government with sound democratic institutions
can be achieved because democracy is both a value and an interest.

The European Foundation for Democracy (EFD) is a Brussels-based
organization that works closely with European institutions, civil
society, and individuals across ethnic and political divides in support
of democracy and freedom around the world. EFD’s fellows consist
of experts in democratic reforms, gender equality, terrorism, and
national and international security. EFD supports, through discourse,
action, and leadership democracy and freedom, universal human rights,
rule of law, gender equality, security, stability, and peace.

ACCORDING TO AZERI ARTIST, CULTURE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SETTLEMENT OF
NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Culture can contribute to settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, to reconciliation between the
Armenian and Azeri peoples. Zulfugar Farzaliyev, a Merited Art Figure
of Azerbaijan, expressed such an opinion in his speech made at the
conference on the subject "The countries of the Caucasus and Near East
as possible partners in the process of formation of a regional security
system." In his words, the Caucasian peoples during their history have
created considerable layers of world civilization, which can serve for
provision of the security of the very peoples today.

According to Z. Farzaliyev, spreading of foreign populist culture is
called up to liquidate the cultural peculiarities of the peoples living
in the region, is aimed against their identity. The tedencies of
cultural globalization are alien to the mentality of all Caucasian
peoples and cannot but cause a wish to jointly oppose them.

The Azeri artist considers that in a region populated with many nations
and peoples any incautious word or step can cause a chain reaction.
Meanwhile, any kind step will receive an adequate positive response by
creating conditions for strengthening of mutual confidence and mutual
understanding. Z. Farzaliyev said that the repair of the Blue Mosque of
Yerevan is one of such positive steps, and the Armenian side has a
right to expect such steps also towards Armenian cultural monuments in
the territory of Azerbaijan.

Z. Farzaliyev considers that the necessity of creation of a program,
within the framework of which the members of the two peoples’ civil
societies can cooperate, has matured long ago. He affirmed that such an
interstate and at the same time non-state cultural program will
contribute to development of mutual understanding, will create a
possibility to efficiently oppose new outbreaks of the conflict.

n-city-council-resolution.html

October 4, 2007

Upon the recommendation of Mayor
Mary Clare Higgins

WHEREAS, the Northampton City Council on September 21, 2000
voted unanimously to endorse a mayoral proclamation’s intent that the
City, through its Human Rights Commission, become an active
participant in the `No Place For Hate’ Campaign; and

WHEREAS, the Northampton Human Rights Commission joined in
good faith with the sponsors of the `No Place For Hate’ Campaign: the
Anti-Defamation League® (ADL) and the Massachusetts Municipal
Association, in order to take specific actions to combat bias and
promote respect for people; and

WHEREAS, the Northampton Human Rights Commission has
investigated the situation whereby the Anti Defamation League®
continues to deny the facts of the horrific Armenian Genocide. From
1915 to 1923 the premeditated, systematic and deliberate murders of
more that one and one half million Armenians occurred; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian people continue to be deprived of the
right to their history through the denial that this genocide ever took
place; and

WHEREAS, The City of Northampton must not continue its
affiliation with such an organization as ADL that promotes such a
grievous denial.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED

That the City of Northampton hereby rescinds its partnership in the
"No Place for Hate" Campaign co-sponsored by the Anti Defamation
League®; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that although it withdraws from the
aforementioned program, the City of Northampton hereby proclaims that
it shall continue to celebrate its citizens’ diversity and shall
continue to honor its tradition of tolerance and respect for all
people for which it has always been known.

VAHAN HOVHANNESIAN: I HAVE COMMITMENTS AND I AM READY TO CARRY THEM OUT

Yerkir
06.02.2008 15:51

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Vahan Hovhannesian, a member of the ARF Bureau,
was campaigning in Kotayk Region on January 6, starting his campaign
from the village of Proshian.

Addressing those gathered, Ruzan Arakelian, a member of the ARF faction
in parliament, said that the coming five years would be very important,
so the ARF is trusting a person, who is capable of leading the country
with honor.

She said that Hovhannesian’s platform is realistic in all sectors. She
said that electing Hovhannesian is the right choice.

Hovhannesian said in his speech that this village is the birthplace
of many heroes, many of whom are his friends, and that their legacies
would never be forgotten.

"You, people of Proshian, were among the first who realized that
it takes patriots to liberate the homeland," he said. "We did not
have much hope then because the enemy had advantages in weapons
and they were supported by Moscow. We took rifles against tanks and
won. But where are we now? Let’s not blame all this injustice on the
authorities only, we too are to blame because we did not realize that
justice does not always come with independence. There is a situation
now that roots in the past and bears bitter fruits now."

He said that while we are always told that Armenia is continuously
developing, that we have economic growth, but do people in Proshian
feel that development? Of course, not. And it is the system to blame
because it helps the rich to become richer and the poor to become
poorer.

"Do you want individuals to change or do you want the system to
change? The old authorities cannot carry out positive changes because
they are the founders of this faulty system. Only I am able to really
reform this system. Only I am able to really reform this system because
I am not linked to military or criminal circles. I have commitments and
I am ready to carry them out."

CEC CHAIRMAN INFORMED THAT THE WHOLE WORK ON ORGANIZATION OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS OF FEBRUARY 19 IN ARMENIA "PROCEEDS IN STRICT ACCORDANCE TO THE SCHEDULE"

Mediamax
February 5, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission
(CEC) Armenia Garegin Azarian stated in Yerevan today that the whole
work on organization of the presidential elections of February 19
"proceeds in strict accordance to the schedule".

Mediamax reports that, speaking at a news conference in Yerevan today,
Garegin Azarian stated that the electors’ lists are already hung in
all the 1923 polling stations of the country and urged the citizens
to check the presence of their data.

CEC Chairman noted that in the process of the campaign, the
presidential candidates raise the question of securing secrecy of vote,
in connection with which CEC "with complete responsibility declares
that all the booths for voting in the polling stations correspond to
the international standards and secure the secrecy of vote".

Garegin Azarian stated that there were no serious violations of the
Electoral Code by the candidates in the process of the pre-election
campaign registered. The only violation concerns the terms for
presenting to CEC the statements on the agitation expenditures.

According to Azarian, the statements should have been presented up
till January 31 – the tenth day of the electoral campaign, however
presidential candidates Levon Ter-Petrosian, Artur Baghdasarian,
Tigran Karapetian and Aram Harutiunian violated the given term,
and Vazgen Manukian and Arman Melikian did not present the necessary
information at all.

WHICH ‘PEOPLE’S WILL’? THE ONE IN THE SQUARES OR THE ONE IN THE BALLOT BOX?
By Bulent Kenes

Today’s Zaman
Feb 4 2008
Turkey

Apparently we will be discussing the headscarf issue for many more
weeks, and each coming day will likely be more tense than the last.

However, we shouldn’t feel out of place because it doesn’t seem
possible for a certain segment of society that has been democratically
and demographically marginalized to abandon its old abits. This segment
is now satisfying its need for power with primitive bans like the
one against the headscarf, a ban that has been victimizing hundreds
of thousands of our citizens and irritating many more millions of them.

It is for this reason that even the most ordinary human right or the
simplest issue of freedom is turned by this segment of society into
a matter of survival that will result in great victories or defeats.

Maybe we should welcome as natural the great and devastating ruckus
created by this marginal and psychologically troubled segment of
society against steps taken for a democratic solution to the headscarf
problem that are far from being satisfactory.

To put it in plain language, being reduced to the most abject despair
to the point of hoping for help from bans in an attempt to perpetuate
the feeling of a never-deserved power is something we should pity.

Even more pitiful is that this segment of society has gotten bitterly
carried away with its minority psychology, looking down on its own
people and continuously fighting whatever this nation holds as a
value. There are more dangerous ones among them. They are turning
the teachings of democracy, secularism and modernism upside down to
disregard the needs and expectations of an overwhelming majority of
people, to frustrate even the smallest step taken to establish rights
and freedoms and to further consolidate these archaic bans. They
constitute the greatest obstacle before Turkey’s establishment of
democracy and real secularism.

Just like the aristocrats of the mediaeval ages who had privileged
powers, these people we are talking about representing the class of
"secularity" that has long been melting in Turkey. It is nobody
but them who have been turning secularism into an instrument of
pressure and tyranny by stripping it of its universal qualities —
whereas it is the real antidote to pressure and tyranny. This segment,
which perceives and has been practicing secularism as a repressive
ideology meant to obliterate freedom, has lost its sanity to the point
of labeling the natural consequences of democracy in its universal
meaning in this country as "the dictatorship of the majority."

Moreover, they perpetrate this labeling contrary to the positive
perceptions of our religious minorities. While the Armenian, Jewish
and Greek minorities, with whom we live on this soil together, have
expressed their satisfaction with last year’s election results, it
is really significant that a group of Turks has started to feel like
a minority based on the results of the July 22, 2007 elections.

This segment of society, which has been trying in vain to perpetuate
this ban despite the demands for freedom made by the majority, has
the temerity to distort the meanings of political terms. On the
one hand, this segment doesn’t shy away from staging any sort of
provocation to prevent the steps being taken to remove this ban,
and on the other, they defend that a national consensus should be
sought for the revocation of this ban. However, they are deadly
afraid of even the possibility of a referendum, the only tool that
will demonstrate whether there is a national consensus on the removal
of the ban. Nowadays, they keep saying that "holding a referendum on
an issue of freedom is very dangerous."

In the meantime, they fail to see important realities. First of
all, they are trying to hide the fact that if a referendum is ever
conducted, it will be held to remove this fascist ban that has been
encroaching upon young women’s right to higher education for years
and not to limit a right. What they actually want to do is really
simple: They see perfectly that it is now impossible to perpetuate
their repressive mindset through democratic methods now that they
have been reduced to a marginal minority. The will of people scares
them to death. Despite this, they are still able to create a serious
amount of tension — and even terror — as they have acquired deep
roots in the bureaucracy, universities, the military, the judiciary,
civil society and the media, in which their representational power
is at least five times the actual number of people who support them.

Today they are relying on the organized pandemonium created by
artificial crowds formed to be the representative of this repressive
mindset, as if the "republican rallies" of disgruntled people attained
their goal, rallies where they otherized all those who are not like
them and where they abused national values, such as the Turkish flag
and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. However, strangely enough, those who fill
the squares fail to fill the ballot boxes. The greater the noise they
produce in the squares, the greater their defeat in the ballot box
turns out. Therefore, those who depend on the supposed "power of the
people" in the squares are scared to death by the real manifestation
of the people’s will: the ballot box. They try to conceal this great
fear by downplaying the people’s will, issuing all sorts of joint
statements and holding organized rallies that might be of help in
debilitating the legislative faculty of Parliament.

Unfortunately, they have been unable to understand that they will
get nowhere by fighting the values of this country. They also don’t
want to see that this country, which has an overwhelmingly Muslim
population, has no problems with the true form of secularism that
has universal values and wants to become a real democracy, with all
its institutions and principles. Well, who does their reluctance harm?

Only themselves. They doom themselves to bigotry in the name
of secularism, primitiveness in the name of modernism and to
anti-democracy and even fascism in the name of elitism. They are
doing themselves, as well as this country, an injustice. It’s such
a great pity!

RA PRESIDENT VISITS THE NEW BUILDING OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

armradio.am
01.02.2008 16:24

RA President Robert Kocharyan today visited the newly constructed
administrative complex of the Ministry of Defense to get familiar with
the construction works that have been almost completed. Head of the
MOD Department of Capital Construction and Housing of Troops, Colonel
Armen Sargsyan presented to the President the model of the complex,
the work done, the buildings of the complex and their function. He
noted that the complex occupies 26 hectares of area and will have a
sports centre and an area for landing of helicopters.

Robert Kocharyan told journalists that although the works have been
almost completed, there is still much to do. He expressed hope that
all the works will have been completed by May and the Ministry of
Defense, the General Staff of the Armed Forces and other structures
will move to the new building.

"Currently different agencies are situated in different parts of the
city, and, of course, it is necessary to assemble these in one place
to carry out full control. Army is one of the most full-fledged and
important structures in the Republic of Armenia, and I think that
it must have a proper building conditions. By saying condition I
mean the governance system, contemporary means of communication,"
Robert Kocharyan said.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

AGBU YPLA Generation Next Mentorship Program Wins Award

On November 15, 2007, USC Armenian Graduate Student Association (AGSA)
held its First Annual Assembly of Armenian Professionals and paid
tribute to the AGBU Generation Next Mentorship Program (GenNext). The
event, attended by over 130 guests from various Armenian organizations
in the Los Angeles area, was held at the upscale Spazio restaurant in
Sherman Oaks, California.

Armen Donigian, USC AGSA chair of Professional Development, presented
Ara Arzumanian, director of the mentorship program, with AGSA’s first
annual "Award for Excellence in Community Leadership." Arzumanian
gratefully accepted the award and invited his staff of mentors to join
him on stage to share the honor. "AGBU Generation Next is receiving this
award because of the dedicated mentors who have made our program
successful. This award belongs to them," said Arzumanian.

Arzumanian stressed the historical importance of mentorship, beginning
with Greek mythology. During his impassioned speech, Arzumanian
encouraged the audience of young professionals to be active in their
community. "Before you know yourself, you must know your community. You
must know where you belong in your community. Mentoring will help you,
as well as a young boy or girl, understand where each of you fits in
this world."

He concluded with an appeal to guests to take up the challenge and
become mentors to Armenian youth in the Los Angeles area. As a result,
20 new applicants–a record number–signed up that evening. According to
Arzumanian, "This was a landmark event." The follow-up recruitment
session, which took place on November 20, "clinched the deal for us,"
said Arzumanian. "We are now in the midst of interviewing all applicants
and expect to accept about 18 new applicants and bring our total numbers
to about 70 [mentorship] matches."

GenNext was created in 1997 by a handful of volunteers under the
auspices of AGBU and the administrative assistance of the Glendale
Unified School District (GUSD) in response to the many pressures of
gangs, crime, drugs, and family dysfunction faced by Armenian youth in
the Los Angeles area.

The focus of Generation Next Mentorship Program is prevention. The
group’s mission is to identify, with the cooperation of school
counselors and parents, potentially troubled teens and help them find a
meaningful role in the community. Through the pairing of youth with
mentor volunteers, 21 years and over, teens identify with positive role
models and receive guidance and necessary support from them. They meet
with their mentors at least twice a month for one-on-one sessions and
communicate often by phone.

Monthly group activities and parenting seminars are also an important
part of the program. A wide variety of activities such as museum trips,
theater and dance performances, as well as lectures on Armenian culture
and heritage, help young Armenians discover new interests and learn to
become more self-sufficient.

The 10-year-old mentorship program has grown into a professionally
managed and highly recognized community service. On August 27, 2007, the
group earned distinction from the Glendale Unified School District
(GUSD) at their "Making a Difference Management Retreat." Before an
audience of 150 district administrators, school administrators,
counselors, and other classified managers, GenNext received an award for
their efforts toward "Making a Difference in the lives of the children
of the Glendale Unified School District."

For more information about the program, please contact the AGBU
Generation Next Mentorship Program () by e-mail
[email protected], phone 626-794-7942.

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:
Contact: Iris Papazian

JANUARY 30, 2008

THIS WEEK’S CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER IS BEING SENT TO YOU ON WEDNESDAY
BECAUSE OF THE VARTANANTZ HOLIDAY TOMORROW.

TOMORROW IS VARTANANTZ
Tomorrow, Thursday, January 31, is Vartanantz. Vartanantz-the war
between pagan Persia and Christian Armenia in 451-is usually commemorated on
the Thursday preceding Great Lent. The king of Persia ordered all Christians
under his rule to abandon Christianity and embrace Mazdeism. The Armenian
clergy and ruling princes refused to abandon their faith. Vartan Mamigonian
was the leader of the Armenians in the battle of Avarayr, and although
tremendously outnumbered, the Armenians put up a valiant defense against the
Persians. Vartan and many of his soldiers were killed, but with this battle
the Persians realized the full extent of the commitment of the Armenians to
their Christian faith. In what today would be called a "guerilla war," the
struggle continued for more than thirty years and in 484 Vahan Mamigonian,
nephew of Vartan, successfully negotiated the Treaty of Nvarsag-the first
document in history (predating the Magna Charta by 731 years) granting the
Armenians religious freedom and home rule.

VICAR WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY TOMORROW;
RHODE ISLAND ON SUNDAY
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy, will preside
over the Divine Liturgy and deliver the Sermon tomorrow for the Vartanantz
holiday at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey. The services
will be followed by a luncheon prepared by the Ladies Guild and a short
program offered by the students of the Hovnanian School.
On Sunday, February 3, the Vicar will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at
Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence, Rhode Island.

150 FATHERS OF HOLY COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE
This Saturday, February 2, the Armenian Church commemorates the 150
Fathers of the Council of Constantinople, the Second Ecumenical Council
convened by Emperor Theodosius in 381. It basically confirmed the work of
the First Council at Nicaea, and added five articles to the Nicene Creed
regarding the Holy Spirit, the Church, Baptism, and Resurrection. The
Council of Constantinople is one of the three ecumenical councils recognized
by the Armenian Church.

POUN PAREGENTAN
This Sunday, February 3, is Poun Paregentan (Mardi Gras). Poun
Paregentan is the Sunday prior to the six-week period of Great Lent (Medz
Bahk). Poun literally means "real" or "genuine" and distinguishes this
Paregentan from others in the liturgical calendar prior to other periods of
fasting. Poun Paregentan ushers the Faithful into the Lenten period of
fasting, penance and reconciliation. During Lent the Church takes on a
solemn appearance. The altar curtain is closed starting on the eve of
Paregentan, symbolic of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of
Eden. Holy Communion is not offered during Lent and the Faithful are
encouraged to use this period before Easter to strengthen their faith.

PRELACY PARISHES WILL READ CATHOLICOS’ MESSAGE
ON YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated the year 2008 as the "Year of Christian Education." His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan, has instructed all parishes within the Eastern Prelacy
to read the Pontiff’s message on Sunday, February 3.
To read His Holiness’ message in Armenian click
tifical%20Messages/messages58.htm.
To read His Holiness’ message in English click
.

GREAT LENT BEGINS ON MONDAY
Great Lent (Medz Bahk or Karasnortk) begins on Monday, February 4. Great
Lent is the longest of the fasts in the liturgical calendar. It begins on
Monday immediately following Poun Paregentan and continues for forty days
until the Friday before the commemoration of the raising of Lazarus. A new
period of fasting begins during Holy Week.

LENTEN LECTURES WILL BEGIN FEBRUARY 6
The Prelacy’s Lenten Lectures series will begin next Wednesday, February
6, with a lecture on Armenian Christian Education: An Introduction by Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy. All of the lectures will
center on the Year of Christian Education. Subsequent lectures will be
presented by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian, Rev. Fr.
Mesrob Lakissian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, and Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian. The
lectures take place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New
York City. Lenten service starts at 7:30, followed by the lecture,
discussion, and fellowship. The lectures are under the sponsorship of the
Prelacy Ladies Guild, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral Ladies Guild, and the
Armenian Religious Education Council.
For more information about the lectures click

CATHO LICOS ARAM I EXPRESSES CONDOLENCE
ON DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, expressed
sympathy on the passing of Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos
who died on Monday, January 28, in Athens, at age 69. He led Greece’s 10
million Orthodox Christians since 1998. During this time the Archbishop
raised church attendance in Greece and passionately preached reform. He was
very popular with the people and often controversial.
In his letter of condolence, the Catholicos remembered their close
relationship and collaboration and said, "His Beatitude played a significant
role in giving new vitality to the Orthodox Church of Greece in its
evangelistic, social and ecumenical witness. He opened a new page in the
modern history of the church, particularly in respect to the active role of
the church in the life of the people."

ORDINATION OF DN. NISHAN BALJIAN ON FEBRUARY 16 and 17
Archbishop Oshagan has announced that Deacon Nishan Baljian will be
ordained to the Holy Order of the Priesthood on Sunday, February 17, at St.
Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown, Massachusetts, where Dn.
Nishan’s father, Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian is pastor, and a parish
that the candidate attended and served for many years. The Service of
Calling will take place Saturday evening, February 16. His Grace Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian is the candidate’s spiritual sponsor and Col. George
Rustigian, USAF (Ret.) is his Godfather. On Sunday, February 17, with
Archbishop Oshagan officiating, Dn. Nishan will be ordained and given a new
name.
Following the Service of Calling on Saturday evening there will be a
reception in St. Stephen Church hall for all participants. A banquet will
follow the Liturgy and Ordination on Sunday in honor of the newly ordained
priest. Reservations are required. Contact the church office at 617-924-7562
or Josh Tevekelian at 617-926-9169.
To read more about Dn. Nishan Baljian click

MUSI CAL ARMENIA 25
The 25th Musical Armenia concert will take place on Sunday, March 2, at
Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York. Featured artists are
Aleksandr Nazaryan, violist; and Karen Tchougourian, pianist. Tickets are
$30 and may be purchased from the Carnegie Box Office, 212-247-7800, or the
Prelacy office, 212-689-7810. For information about the concert click

B LESSING 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.

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 which will include a one-week pilgrimage to Der
Zor. Details will follow.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, January 30, are: Titus 1:12-2:10; John 8:12-20
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
Then the Pharisees said to him, "You are testifying on your own behalf, your
testimony is not valid." Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own
behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and
where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my
judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who
sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is
valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on
my behalf." Then they said to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered,
"You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father
also." John 8:12-20
For listing of the week’s Bible readings click

TH E WORDS OF GHEVONT YERETZ TO THE PERSIAN KING
We end this week’s Crossroads with excerpts from the words of Ghevont
Yeretz spoken to the Persian king’s emissaries, as recorded by the historian
Yeghisheh.
"How can we obey your ambiguous commands? At first you stated that
service of worship should be rendered to the sun, but then you attributed
the actual performance of such service to the king’s will. You paid your
respects to the sun and thus made it evident that the sun gives aid to the
creatures without a will of its own, whereas the king can freely deify
whomever he pleases or enslave whomever he wishes; and yet he himself does
not comprehend the truth. Do not talk to us as to children, because we are
full-grown men and are not uninformed in learning. I shall answer you from
the beginning.
"You said that we caused the devastation of our country and the
slaughter of royal troops, did you not? Our religion does not teach us to
behave in that manner; on the contrary, it commands us to respect our
earthly kings and to love them unreservedly; not to look upon them as
insignificant persons among men, but to serve them as we truly serve God.
And should we suffer harm from them, our God has promised us the kingdom of
heaven in place of that on earth. We are duty-bound not only to serve them
as subjects, but to pledge our lives even unto death for our king’s sake.
And as we have no right to exchange him with another master on earth, so
have we no right to change our true God in heaven for another; for there is
no other God."

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 31-Sts. Vartanantz Day commemoration, Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Morning service and Holy Liturgy at 10:30 am,
followed by a luncheon and program by Hovnanian School students.

February 2-Sts. Vartanants Sunday School, Ridgefield, New Jersey, will have
a Family Poon Paregentan Celebration dinner in the church’s large hall on at
7 pm. All are welcome. $5 per person; Sunday school students are free.

February 2-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Third Annual Celebration
of International Cuisine, 8 pm. Special evening of tasting gourmet cooking
and dancing to DJ Allen. Reservations and advance payment required. $50. per
person. For information/reservations: Amy 718-476-3050; Louiza 516-248-2955.

February 3-Young Adults Bible Study Group of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston,
New York, presents "Integrity in the Vartanants Battle," a lecture by Ms.
Karine Macri. Immediately following Holy Mass. Refreshments. For
information: church office, 718-224-2275.

February 10-Seminar for Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church (Ridgefield, New
Jersey) Sunday School teachers and staff, conducted by Deacon Shant
Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC).
Theme: Understanding the sacraments of Christian initiation according to the
tradition of the Armenian Orthodox Church: Baptism-Chrismation-Eucharist.

February 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, Annual Membership Meeting. Snow date: February 24.

February 10-Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church, Bethesda, Maryland,
Annual Membership Meeting at 1 p.m. following church services. Snow date:
February 17.

February 10-First lecture of a series presented by Education Committee of
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.

February 16 and 17-Ordination of Deacon Nishan Baljian to the Holy Order of
the Priesthood, by Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, at St. Stephen’s Armenian
Church, Watertown, Massachusetts. The Service of Calling to the Priesthood
will take place Saturday evening, February 16, at 6 pm. The ordination and
anointment will take place Sunday, February 17, during the Divine Liturgy
beginning at 10 a.m. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian will serve as Dn. Nishan’s
Religious Sponsor and Col. George Rustigian will serve as his Godfather. For
more information contact the church office, 617-924-7562 or Josh Tevekelian
at 617-926-9169.

February 23-Seminar on the Orthodox understanding of the Book of Revelation,
sponsored by the Christian Education Council of St. Gregory Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Featured speaker Father Paul Tarazi, Professor
of Old Testament at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Program begins at 8 am with
breakfast and concludes at 12:30 with lunch. For information 215-482-9200.

February 23-Midwest Regional Conference with Board of Trustees and NRA
delegates hosted by All Saints Church, Glenview, Illinois.

February 24-Annual Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church (North Andover,
Massachusetts).

March 2-Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City,
featuring Aleksandr Nazaryan, violist, and Karen Tchougourian, pianist.

March 2-Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
annual membership meeting following church services.

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 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.

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. Details will follow.

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]

ANNUAL REPORT OF EUROPEAN UNION TO INCLUDE THE ISSUE ON THE UPPER GARABAGH CONFLICT

DemAz.org
Jan 25 2008
Azerbaijan

As new coordinator of "European House" in Baku, Ingrid Angela
Gessinger, informed that new report of European Union on fulfillment
obligations by Azerbaijan assumed before European community, will
reflect issues of peaceful regulation of the Upper Garabagh Conflict.

Moreover, document includes project realized last year by European
Union and Azerbaijan, forthcoming works, issues of democracy, rule
of law, improvement of business and investment field, prevention of
corruption, human rights and freedoms, energy and transport.

Accordingly to I. Gessinger action plan on new neighborhood policy
(envisaged for 2007-2013) signed in 2006 as priority direction
relating to Azerbaijan, envisages enhancement of democracy in the
country, improvement of business and investment field, support of
steady economic development, bringing legislation in economic field and
administration practice in appropriate state, making active cooperation
between European Union and Azerbaijan in the field of energy and
transport, and in the field of border administration in the region.

Third round of talks Azerbaijan-EU on Action Plan in the frames
of European policy of new neighborhood will be held February 4 in
the course of visit to be paid by EU the three to Azerbaijan. It is
expected that during visit opening ceremony of EU office to Azerbaijan
will be held.