Author: Nahapetian Samvel

EurasiaNet, NY
Feb 19 2008

Armenia’s Presidential Vote Remains a Cliffhanger
By Marianna Grigoryan: 02/19/08

After months of accusations and counter-accusations between the
campaigns of Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian and former president
Levon Ter-Petrosian, voters went to the polls February 19 to decide
who will become Armenia’s next president. In a region where election
outcomes have often been clear well in advance, Armenia’s
presidential vote is shaping up as a cliffhanger, with preliminary
official results not expected to be released until February 20.

The Central Election Commission has reported that 69.25 percent of
Armenia’s roughly 2.3 million registered voters turned out to cast
ballots for the nine candidates running in the February 19
presidential elections. The figure comes within range of 1991, when
more than 70 percent of voters turned out for Armenia’s first
presidential election, according to the Commission.

Vote counting was scheduled to begin at 9 pm. Official preliminary
results must be announced within 24 hours of the polls’ closure at 8
pm on February 19.

Yerevan was dead quiet on the night of February 19, with few
residents seen on the slush-filled streets, and many stores closed.
The day had been declared a holiday.

Ironically, all three of the election’s leading actors — outgoing
President Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian and former
President Levon Ter-Petrosian — voted at the same Yerevan polling
station. Its number, 9/11, was a cause for ongoing jest among local
reporters.

Kocharian led off the appearances at 10 am, telling reporters that he
would make his future plans known "on April 9," the A1+ website
reported.

"I think no one doubts who I have cast my vote for. I have voted for
Armenia’s stability and prosperity," Armenian Public Radio reported
Kocharian as saying.

Two hours later, Prime Minister Sarkisian, Kocharian’s pick for
president, pulled up to the polling station in a black Land Rover
bearing a campaign flag. As his wife, Rita, stood to one side,
clutching a bouquet of roses, Sarkisian told reporters that he did
not expect any "critical" changes in the government, post-election —
a statement that served as a de facto assumption that he would win
the vote.

Arriving at the same polling station just over an hour later, lead
opposition candidate Ter-Petrosian came with twice the security
detail — bodyguards wearing earpieces — and attracted twice the
media crush. With his grandchildren standing nearby, the ex-president
told reporters that he had "voted for freedom," and had voted for
himself.

As he has throughout the campaign, Ter-Petrosian asserted that he was
confident of securing victory in a first round of voting, yet charged
that voting irregularities were already under way. "Based on my
information, there are some very dirty things going on. I’m familiar
with thousands of concrete facts," he said.

It was left to the Ter-Petrosian campaign itself to provide the
details.

Campaign spokesperson Arman Musinian claimed that two Ter-Petrosian
proxies had been beaten in the town of Abovian, where, he alleged,
"an atmosphere of terror reigns."

In response to another reported beating incident at a Yerevan polling
station, the Republican Party of Armenia countered that the
Ter-Petrosian campaign supporters were beating their own observers
"and then distributing this information on the websites of news
agencies that cooperate with them" in order to "cast a shadow on the
elections process."

Polling station 08/21 in the Yerevan neighborhood of Malatia-Sebastia
also gained considerable attention. While Ter-Petrosian spokesperson
Musinian displayed ballots from the station that he claimed provided
proof of carousel voting, Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia
circulated a report that Ter-Petrosian supporters themselves had
beaten the head of the station’s election commission.

The details could not be independently verified in time for
publication.

Three hours before the polls closed, the General Prosecutor’s Office
had reportedly started five criminal cases concerning various
election law violations related to activities of Ter-Petrosian
campaign representatives in both Abovian and Malatia-Sebastia, the
opposition-friendly ArmInfo news service reported.

Lead opposition candidate Artur Baghdasarian, head of the Orinats
Yerkir (Country of Law) Party, has added to the barrage of
allegations about election violations, asking the Central Election
Commission and law enforcement organs to take measures to stop
alleged cases of voter beating, intimidation, bribery and ballot
box-stuffing that the campaign claimed been observed nationwide.

The Republican Party has bluntly denied the accusations.

"Our supporters have nothing to do whatsoever with falsification and
beatings," spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov told EurasiaNet. "We
refute any such allegation since the RPA is the party that is the
advocate of law and justice and places importance on free and fair
elections, which we had today."

If the election "is not described as more democratic than [last
May’s] parliamentary elections," he continued, "they will not be
worse, despite all the provocations that one of the sides tried to
stage."

Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian also spoke about "free and fair"
elections as he cast his ballot in Yerevan "in the name of peace,
continuity, security and Armenia’s development."

"I hope that we will have a legitimate president. A new page will be
opened for us the day after the election. I hope that we will all
congratulate the winner," Oskanian told journalists.

Six international and 39 local observation organizations are expected
to start giving their assessments of the vote on February 20.

"It is still early to make statements and conclusions," Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly Deputy
Chairman Anne-Marie Lizin told reporters. OSCE/ODIHR observers, the
largest international observer mission, will hold a press conference
on February 20 in Yerevan.

Whatever the assessment or the vote’s outcome, Ter-Petrosian has
called for a rally in downtown Yerevan to be held on the afternoon of
February 20.

"We warn that the situation may spiral out of control as a result of
[voter] intimidation and election violations, the whole
responsibility for which lies on the Kocharian-Serzh authorities,"
the ex-president’s campaign announced in a statement, referring to
Prime Minister Sarkisian by his first name.

Despite considerable media speculation about potential post-election
unrest, the prime minister downplayed the notion that "revolutionary"
conditions existed in Armenia. "The post-election struggle is a
struggle for implementation of our programs," he told reporters at
the 9/11 polling station, in a clear assumption of his own victory.
The emphasis, he added, should be on Armenians recognizing the vote
as legitimate.

"What I consider to be important is not the number of rounds, but
building confidence among an absolute majority of citizens as a
result of the election," Sarkisian said.

Editor’s Note: Marianna Grigoryan is a reporter for the
ArmeniaNow.com weekly in Yerevan. Elizabeth Owen, EurasiaNet’s
Caucasus News Editor, added reporting to this story.

Editor’s Note: Marianna Grigoryan is a reporter for the
ArmeniaNow.com weekly in Yerevan.

The Associated Press
February 18, 2008 Monday 8:14 PM GMT

Armenia to decide president as breakaway Caucusus territories eye
Kosovo declaration

By MARIA DANILOVA, Associated Press Writer

YEREVAN Armenia

Armenians vote for a new president Tuesday amid growing unease that
Kosovo’s declaration of independence could increase secessionist
pressure in breakaway territories in the Caucuses and other former
Soviet regions.

The election could determine how far Armenia is willing to go to
avoid renewed conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan over the territory
of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The struggle over that region is one of several so-called "frozen
conflicts" which also include the Trans-Dniester region of Moldova
and Georgia’s South Ossetia and Abkhazia territories that could heat
up after Kosovo’s parliament declared independence from Serbia on
Sunday.

Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas in Azerbaijan have been
controlled by ethnic Armenian separatists since a 1994 cease-fire
ended six years of full-scale war. Some 30,000 people were killed and
more than 1 million driven from their homes in the fighting. There
are still sporadic clashes along Nagorno-Karabakh’s borders.

The Armenian government says Nagorno-Karabakh should be recognized as
a sovereign state, while Azerbaijan says it will never cede its
territory.

The election pits Armenia’s powerful prime minister, Serge Sarkisian,
against former President Levon Ter-Petrosian, who led the country
through the first painful years of independence from the Soviet Union
and the devastating war over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The stern Sarkisian, 53, is expected to win after being groomed by
outgoing President Robert Kocharian as his preferred successor and
benefiting from the country’s relatively strong economic growth. Many
voters here associate Ter-Petrosian, 63, with the economic collapse
of the 1990s.

Armenia’s location between the energy-rich Caspian Sea region and
southern Europe, and its proximity to Iran, make it of strategic
importance for the West and Russia.

Moscow, traditionally Armenia’s key partner in the region, has warned
that unilateral recognition of Kosovo’s independence by the West
could encourage separatist regions elsewhere in the former Soviet
Union.

Although the Kremlin has tried to remain neutral in the dispute
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it has close ties to separatist
governments in several breakaway regions, including Abkhazia and
South Ossetia.

The two candidates differ sharply in their approach to
Nagorno-Karabakh.

Sarkisian, a native of the region and a decorated war hero, appears
less flexible than Ter-Petrosian, who was forced to resign in 1998
after advocating concessions. Ter-Petrosian has hinted that he could
seek a compromise.

"My position is to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as
possible having the political will to resolve this conflict as soon
as possible," Ter-Petrosian told a news conference Sunday.

With a population of about 3.2 million on a territory the size of
Belgium, Armenia has struggled to build an economy in the wake of the
1991 Soviet collapse and in the face of blockades by neighboring
Azerbaijan and its key ally Turkey.

Turkey has a stake in the dispute because it is outraged by Armenia’s
efforts to win international recognition of the killing of 1.5
million Armenians by Ottoman Turks in the World War I-era as
genocide.

The blockades have slowed the country’s economy by disrupting trade
and cutting Armenia out of lucrative energy and transport projects.
Despite economic progress over the last decade, more than a quarter
of Armenians still live in poverty.

"I am one of you. I’m someone who knows your problems and knows how
to solve them," Sarkisian told a rally of 40,000 Sunday, promising to
fight poverty and corruption.

The United States, whose large Armenian diaspora has a strong lobby
in Congress, has poured some $1.7 billion in aid into the country
since 1991, encouraging economic and political liberalization.

Armenia is eligible for more than $235 million in additional U.S.
aid. But the money is contingent upon political reforms, and a
questionable election could jeopardize Washington’s support. A clean
vote would likely strengthen Armenia’s ties with the European Union.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 14 2008

USAN Secretary General: We support Presidential candidates who favor
the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict within Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity

[ 14 Feb 2008 16:05 ]

Los-Angeles Husniya Hasanova-APA. Yusif Babanli, USAN Secretary
General gave an interview to APA

Yesterday USAN left one month behind. Which achievements do you gain
in this term?
First month of USAN activity was very productive. One of our aims was
to direct US President, congressmen, Senates, governors’ attention to
Azerbaijanis living in US. Azerbaijanis living in US can send letters
to US officials, using system of USAN. About 8,800 letters, faxes and
electronic letters were sent to US officials by now. The letters were
sent to US President, vice-President, governors, State Secretaries,
members of Lower and Upper Houses and mass media. The letters covers
18th anniversary of 20 January tragedy, Doubling contingent of
Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Afghanistan, Khojali genocide, World
Bank’s statement on economic indicators in Azerbaijan, calling
congressmen to join Work Group on Azerbaijan, Jews’ living with local
population in peace in Azerbaijan, realities of 1988 Sumgait events,
negative reaction of US Azerbaijanis to Democratic candidate Barack
Obama’s report and other important issues. US officials have already
stated their position on these issues. There were various responses
from US officials on Khojali genocide, 20 January tragedy, religious
and ethnic tolerance in Azerbaijan. The project expends gradually and
number of a lot US Azerbaijanis joined this network. Our aim is to in
crease number of letters by 100,000 and number of network members by
5,000.
Can we say that USAN will be virtual movement center of US
Azerbaijanis?

Armenian Diaspora uses above-said system very successfully. Turkish
Diaspora has begun to use this system recently and Turkish Diaspora
had a great influence on US officials by the help of this step. We
are optimistic about the project. Our aim is not to inform US
officials about Azerbaijanis’ position. USAN’s aim is to improve
Azerbaijani community, involve every Azerbaijani who represents our
national interests in this issue. Tomris Azeri, board director of
USAN and the president of Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA), a
50-year old leading Azerbaijani-American Diaspora organization,
Jeyhun Mollazadeh, head of US-Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Council,
Doctor of Philosophy, Javid Huseynov, President of the
Azerbaijani-American Council and USAZeris network on Western region,
Leyla Mammadova, President of network on Eastern region, Badir
Mammadli, director of organization on financial affairs, Adil
Bagirov, director of network, author of website on Azerbaijan, as
well as author of articles on Azerbaijan’s history and realities of
Nagorno Karabakh admit in Managing Board of our organization. I
believe that, these persons, who informed the world about realities
of Azerbaijan, promoted national interests and never lost courage
will play an important role in expansion of USAN’s activity and
establishment of great Diaspora organization.
USAN Diaspora supported concrete presidential candidates in USA this
year. How did your action help the recognition of Azerbaijanis in
political world of US?
We have aim in the support of Republican candidate for US presidency
John McCain and Democrat Hillary Clinton. It is clear that, it is
early to speak about the influence of US Azerbaijanis on outcomes of
2008 presidential elections in this stage. Several months are left
for outcomes of primaries of candidates and final elections in
November. It is not accidental that, USAN launched its operation on
the very time. We support presidential candidates who favor the
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict within Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity.

Which measures will you take to involve US Azerbaijanis in election
process?
We have already begun to involve US Azerbaijanis in election process.
We analyze which candidates will have positive influence on the
development of Azerbaijan-Us relations at present. We will answer the
questions of Azerbaijanis in the events will be organized by USAN,
Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA) and Azerbaijan American Council
(AAC).I want to state that, USAN is a new step in the history of
Azerbaijani Diaspora and it is only the beginning. It will have its
fruits soon.

AMBASSADOR OF IRAN PRESENTS HIS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN

armradio.am
12.02.2008 13:55

The Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman Al Sheikh Abdullah Ben Zahir
Ben Sahiv Al Housni (seat in Moscow) presented his credentials to
President Robert Kocharyan.

Emphasizing the importance of expanding the relations with the Arab
world, the President said the cooperation with countries of the Gulf
has considerably increased over the past years.

The parties expressed willingness to undertake concrete steps
in the direction of development of collaboration between Armenia
and Oman. In this regard the parties stressed the importance of
organizing reciprocal visits, intensification of business contacts,
exchange of information, which will help to clarify the possible
spheres of cooperation.

STATEMENTS OF POLITICAL SCIENTISTS ENDANGER STATE OF ARMENIANS LIVING IN DIASPORA, SPIRITUAL HEADS OF GEORGIAN AND DAMASCUS DIOCESES WARN

Noyan Tapan
Feb 11, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. In the words of the head of Georgian
diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanian,
representatives of Georgia have started making more serious investments
in road and school building and gas supply provision of Javakhk. In
his speech made at the international conference "Countries of Caucasus
and the Middle East – Possible Partners in the Process of Formation of
Regional System of Security", he said that the number of anti-Armenian,
anti-Azerbaijani and anti-Jewish articles in Georgian newspapers
has declined.

According to him, an interreligious council has been formed in
the diocese, and it maintains good relations with all religious
leaders. "We have villages where Azerbaijanis live with Armenians,
and Azerbaijani children go to Armenian schools," he said, adding
"by ensuring security of Armenian communities, Georgia itself remains
secure".

Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanian expressed an opinion that their orientation
should be "Georgia, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan" because having religious,
economic, trade and cultutal links with neighbors ensures security of
these countries. He stated that this is quite possible, taking into
account the fact that Armenians and Azerbaijanies living outside
their countries work and trade together, and the same can be said
about Turkey.

He underlined that any event, any statement – be it negative or
positive – has a great impact on the Armenian communities abroad. In
his words, "political scientist Andranik Mihranian needs only to speak
on Russian television, and the security of the region is in danger:
it is done with the aim of setting Georgians against Armenians". The
spiritual head said that political scientists should be careful
because their every word may endanger 400 thousand Armenians of
Georgia, very often – also Armenian-Georgian relations.

The head of Damascus diocese (Syria) Bishop Arsham Nalbandian in his
turn said that in order to ensure security of the Armenian community of
Syria, a statement was made in connection with sending a peacekeeping
mission of Armenian armed forces to Iraq. He attached importance to
the decision to erect a monument of gratitude to the Arab people at
Yerevan Lake.

Ha’aretz, Israel
Feb 10 2008

Soviet immigrants outperform Israeli high-school peers

By Or Kashti

Children who immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union
outperformed their Israeli-born counterparts in high-school
matriculation and college admission requirements, according to a
study carried out by Nir Fogel for the Central Bureau of Statistics.

The study also found that students from the western republics of the
Commonwealth of Independent States outperformed those from other
republics. Between 1990 and 2004, about 1.14 million people
immigrated from the CIS to Israel. Although these immigrants are
generally portrayed as a homogenous group, "there are considerable
social, economic and cultural differences among groups of
immigrants," said Fogel. For the purposes of this study, he divided
them into four groups by geographic origin, "based on geographic,
social and cultural considerations."

The study encompassed more than 94,000 immigrant students at all
grade levels, including about 11,000 12th-graders, during the
2003-2004 school year. It was published a few weeks ago as a CBS
working paper.

According to the study, 56.8 percent of Israeli-born students in the
Hebrew school system were eligible for matriculation, compared to
60.2 percent among the CIS immigrants. In the latter group, the
highest performance, 62.6 percent, was among pupils from the Western
republics (Russia, with the exception of the Caucasus, and Ukraine,
Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia). Immigrants from the
Asian republics (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan
and Kyrgyzstan) were next, with 57.7 percent eligible for a
matriculation certificate; followed by immigrants from Georgia and
Armenia, with 50.2 percent; and from the Caucasus (Azerbaijan and
southern Russia), with 41.9 percent.

The figures for university enrollment eligibility were similar, with
47.3 percent of native-born Israelis and 50.8 percent of CIS
immigrants meeting admission criteria.

The study determined that 73.5 percent of CIS immigrants who came to
Israel in the early 1990s were eligible for matriculation
certificates, compared to only 55.5 percent among more recent (four
years or less) immigrants.

Fogel points out in his paper, "The geographic distribution of the
immigrant [students] is not identical to and proportionate with that
of the veteran population." CIS-born students go to schools where
they represent, on average, 32 percent of all students, while the
average Israeli-born student goes to a school where only 9.8 percent
of the student body is immigrants.

Panorama.am

20:15 08/02/2008

41 CASES OF DEATH REPORTED

According to information released by RA chief
prosecutor’s office, the state of criminality at the
Armenian justice ministry prisons is stable and
controllable. No serious crimes were committed, chief
prosecutor’s office assures.

In the course of 2007, 45 crimes were reported
(against 47 last year) committed by 54 people (49 in
2006) in the Armenian prisons. Forty three of 54
criminals were convicts and 3 were prisons employees
whereas the remaining 8 were citizens. The majority of
cases related to illegal circulation of drugs. Twelve
cases relate to sale and purchase of drugs and most
were disclosed by the prisons. No cases of murder or
imposed suicide were reported.

In the words of Armenian military prosecutor Armen
Khachaturyan, less criminal cases were reported in the
Armenian military forces and forces of interior
affairs last year, 750, against 881 in 2006.

During last year 10 of the death cases were murder, 3
was committed by the co-soldiers, 2 happened by
careless use of weaponry. Six cases of suicide and 5
cases of imposed suicide was reported.

Source: Panorama.am

RA Prosecutor General’s Office spread statement concerning incident in
Artashat

2008-02-08 13:20:00

ArmInfo. RA Prosecutor General’s Office spread a statement concerning
February 6 incident in the town of Artashat of Armenia’s Ararat region.
The statement of the Prosecutor General’s Office, received by ArmInfo
today, reads that an investigation group has been created in the Ararat
regional Investigation Department on the instituted criminal case upon
February 6 incident in Artashat. All the required measures are taken to
clear up the circumstances of the incident, the video materials,
concerning February 6 meeting of Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s supporters, have
been requested and examined, the operative-investigation bodies have
been commissioned to initiate gumshoeing to identify the hooligans and
find witnesses. The residents of Mkhchyan village of Ararat region R.
Asatryan and resident of Ararat town O. Hovsepyan gave explanations,
according to which slanderous expressions were sounded from the tribune
during the meeting of L. Ter-Petrosyan’s supporters, against which they
expressed their disagreement. After that, a group of young people
standing by near L. Ter-Petrosyan attacked them and started beating.
Having informed the Police about it, the witnesses asked to take
measures to reveal and punish the guilty persons.

Employee of L. Ter-Petrosyan’s personal guard, resident of Yerevan
Sarkis Hovhannisyan also gave explanations, saying that he noticed 4-5
young people throwing stones towards the people, and when he tried to
stop them, they started beating him. S. Hovhannisyan added that he did
not notice any subject or a knife in their hands and the described
situation lasted a couple of minutes. According to the forensic medical
examination, R. Asatryan, O. Hovsepyan and S. Hovhannisyan got trivial
injuries with no threat to their health. The statement of L.
Ter-Petrosyan’s Central campaign headquarters, according to which
Sarkis Hovhannisyan has been put in hospital, does not meet the
reality. He keeps on officiating, about which he told the investigation
group personally. The reviewed video materials did not confirm the
statements about throwing of any subjects towards those on the tribune.
Investigation is underway and its results will be promulgated
additionally, the statement of RA Prosecutor General’s office reads.

CRIMINAL CASE INSTITUTED UPON INCIDENT IN ARTASHAT

2008-02-07 10:12:00

ArmInfo. A criminal case has been instituted upon an incident happened
during February 6 meeting of RA presidential. contender Levon Ter-
Petrosyan in the town of Artashat of Armenia’s Ararat region.

The statement of RA Police, received by ArmInfo, reports that during
the afore- mentioned meeting, its participants put affronts to the
address of some officials. Three participants of the meeting demanded
to let up affronts, in response to which a group of 4-5 people
stroke one of those, who admonished, down to the ground and start
beating. However, due to the timely interference of the law machinery,
the situation was stabilized. The incident participants have been
identified and delivered to the police department for explanations.

A criminal case per part 2, Article 258 of RA Criminal Code has been
instituted upon the incident. Investigation is underway.

The Armenian Church eNewsletter

Februar y 7, 2008

Saints & Feasts

2/9 St. Theodore the Warrior

2/10 Sunday of the Expulsion

2/14 Presentation of the Lord to the Temple

2/16 St. Cyril of Jerusalem

Diocese of the
Armenian Church
of America (Eastern)
630 Second Ave.
New York, NY 10016

Contact us <mailto:[email protected]>

Diocesan News

PRIMATE ATTENDS MEETING BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL
ORTHODOX CHURCHES

At the appointment of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), attended the fifth
meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue
between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox churches last week.

The weeklong meeting was held near Damascus, Syria at Saint Ephrem Syrian
Orthodox Monastery at the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius
Zakka I Iwas of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East.

Archbishop Barsamian presented a paper on the goal of the ecumenical
dialogue. Meeting participants also examined a draft document entitled
"Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church," and discussed recent steps
taken to promote cooperation between the Catholic Church and Oriental
Orthodox churches.

After the meeting, Archbishop Barsamian spent the weekend in Damascus at the
invitation of Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of
Damascus.

_____________________________

REV. FR. KRIKOR SABOUNJIAN TO CELEBRATE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), will preside at the celebration of Rev. Fr. Krikor
Sabounjian’s 10th anniversary of ordination this weekend at the Church of
the Holy Translators in Framingham, Mass.

Fr. Sabounjian was ordained to the Holy Order of the Priesthood on February
27 and 28, 1998. He serves as the pastor of the Church of the Holy
Translators.

Fr. Sabounjian studied at Iona College, Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox
Theological Seminary, St. Nersess Armenian Theological Seminary and at the
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech
communication and religious studies, with a minor in education, and a Master
of Divinity degree.

Rev. Fr. Krikor A. Sabounjian, pastor of the Church of the Holy Translators
in Framingham, Mass., will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his ordination
this weekend.

After graduation, Fr. Sabounjian worked in the private sector, and in 1983,
accepted a position as a full-time youth director at St. James Church of
Watertown, Mass., serving until July 1986. He returned to St. James in
August of 1996 as its part-time youth director while he assisted with
various Diocesan programs. Fr. Sabounjian was assigned as deacon-in-charge
of the Armenian Church of Cape Cod Mission Parish in March 1997. In 1998, he
also took on the pastoral duties of the Armenian Church of MetroWest, Mass.,
a mission parish which was consecrated as the Church of the Holy Translators
on Oct. 19, 2003.

This weekend’s events will begin on Saturday, Feb. 9, with a reception at
the church hall. On Sunday, Feb. 10, following a celebration of the Divine
Liturgy, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian will ordain three subdeacons and three
acolytes. Jeffrey Hyde, Christopher Seifel and Michael Tutunjian will be
ordained subdeacons, while Daniel Hyde, Ara Bablouzian and Fr. Sabounjian’s
son, Michael Sabounjian, will be ordained acolytes. In addition, Archbishop
Barsamian will present Fr. Sabounjian with a Pectoral Cross.

_____________________________

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE MOTHER CATHEDRAL OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN SCHEDULED
FOR SEPTEMBER

The Eastern Diocese will make a pilgrimage to the Mother Cathedral of Holy
Etchmiadzin this fall to participate in the blessing of the Holy Muron
(Oil). This special ceremony occurs only once every seven years, and dates
back to the days of St. Gregory the Enlightener.

The two-week pilgrimage begins in late September and concludes in early
October. The blessing of the Holy Muron will take place on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Itinerary highlights also include a special audience with His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a private
tour of Holy Etchmiadzin; visits to Khorvirab, Vanadzor, Sevan, and Gumri;
and other excursions.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
blesses the Holy Muron (Oil) with the relic of St. Gregory the Enlightener
in 2001. This special ceremony occurs once every seven years.

There is some flexibility in travel dates: pilgrims can opt to depart from
New York on Friday, Sept. 19 or Saturday, Sept. 20, and return to New York
on Friday, Oct. 3 or Saturday, Oct. 4.

The cost per person, which includes airfare and hotel accommodations, is
$2,950. One person travels free for every 20 people a parish signs up for
the pilgrimage.

For more information, please contact your local parish or Arto Vorperian at
the Diocesan Center at (212) 686-0710 ext. 213, or email [email protected].
Please note that the number of spaces is limited. Those interested in the
pilgrimage, should make reservations without delay.

_____________________________

CHURCH AND HOME NEWS

Arevakal (Sunrise) Service

The Arevakal (Sunrise) Service is traditionally performed on Wednesday and
Friday mornings during Great Lent. In our Diocese, it traditionally takes
place on Sundays during Great Lent, before or after Badarak (Divine
Liturgy). The central theme of the Sunrise Service is light. Rev. Fr. Zaven
Arzoumanian has written an informative article on the history, theme and
structure of the Arevakal Service. He mentions that "the word Looys (light)
occurs in the Sunrise Service 32 times, of which 17 alone are part of the
distinctive hymn which begins with Looys, Ararich looso, arachin Looys
(Light, Creator of light, primal light)." To read the entire article, click
here < emony> .

Frequently Asked Questions about Great Lent

Great Lent began on Monday, Feb. 4. During Great Lent, we are called into a
period of reflection and self-examination in order to open our hearts to
fully prepare for the glory of the Resurrection of our Lord. Have you
wondered how we are called to fast during Lent, where it originated, or why
it lasts 40 days? The St. Nersess Theological Seminary Web site features a
wonderful resource on many of the Frequently Asked Questions regarding Great
Lent, answered by Seminary Dean Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan. To read the
entire article, click here
< essRelease/pr.php?id=144> .

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FR. TATEOS ABDALIAN TO SERVE AS ACYOA ARMENIA SERVICE PROGRAM LEADER

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), has appointed Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian to lead the
ACYOA Armenia Service Program (ASP) this summer. Fr. Abdalian is currently
serving the Diocese as the director of mission parishes. He is an alumnus of
the ACYOA, and no stranger to this particular program, having served as ASP
leader in 1992, just after Armenia became independent.

Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian will lead the ACYOA Armenia Service Program this
summer.

The ASP provides young adults with a unique opportunity to experience the
people and the culture of their homeland while serving as mentors and role
models for underprivileged children at Camp Tzitzernak in Vanadzor, which is
sponsored by the Diocese of Gougark. The group will leave from New York’s
JFK Airport on June 30 and return on July 23. For more information, visit

________________________ _____

ACYOA CENTRAL COUNCIL MEETS IN CHICAGO

The ACYOA Central Council braved the wind and snow to travel to Chicago for
a meeting on Saturday, Feb. 2 at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian
Church.

The Council discussed a number of upcoming events and programs, including
next month’s annual Leadership Conference in Stony Point, N.Y. The
Leadership Conference theme will be "The Armenian Christian Family."
Participants will discuss what makes a family, marriage from a biblical
perspective, the tradition of home blessing and many other topics. They
also will have an opportunity to discuss local ACYOA programming and
consider how to strengthen and maintain their chapters.

The ACYOA Central Council met in Chicago last week to discuss upcoming
events.

Present at the Feb. 2 meeting were Central Council Chairman John El Chemmas
of the St. John Church of Southfield, Mich.; Vice Chairwoman Ani Tovar of
the St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, Texas; Treasurer Alex Derderian of the Sts.
Sahag and Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, Penn.; Programming Coordinator Talin
Hitik of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago; Public Relations
Coordinator Danielle DerAsadourian of the St. James Church of Evanston,
Ill.; and Chapter Relations Coordinator Stan Sheridan of the St. Mesrob
Church of Racine, Wis.

The meeting was presided over by Diocesan Vicar Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun
Najarian. Joining the ACYOA leaders at the meeting were Diocesan Council
Chairman Oscar Tatosian, ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian and St.
Nersess Theological Seminary Director of Youth and Vocations Rev. Fr.
Stepanos Doudoukjian.

Following the meeting, Central Council members supported the local parishes
by attending the annual Poon Paregentan dance in Park Ridge, Ill. The event
was hosted by St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, St. James
Church of Evanston, Ill., and Sts. Joachim and Anne Church of Palos Heights,
Ill. On Sunday, Feb. 4, Central Council members attended Badarak at St.
Gregory the Illuminator Church.

For more on ACYOA and highlights of the meeting, visit
<; .

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THE FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF AWARDED HIGHEST RATING BY CHARITY NAVIGATOR,
AGAIN

On Feb. 4, 2008, Charity Navigator congratulated the Fund for Armenian
Relief (FAR) on achieving its coveted four-star rating for sound fiscal
management for the second year in a row.

FAR earned its second consecutive four-star rating for its ability to
efficiently manage and grow its finances. Only 15 percent of the charities
rated by Charity Navigator have received at least two consecutive four-star
evaluations, indicating that FAR outperforms most charities in America to
operate in the most fiscally responsible way possible.

As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy
donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable
results from the charities they choose to support with their hard-earned
dollars. In this competitive philanthropic marketplace, Charity Navigator,
America’s premier charity evaluator, highlights the fine work of efficient
charities and provides donors with essential information needed to give them
greater confidence in the charitable choices they make.

Prayer for the Week

Protector of Thy creatures, protect with the sign of Thy cross my soul and
my body from the wiles of sin, from the temptations of the devil and from
unjust men, and shield me from all perils of the soul and body; have mercy
upon Thy creatures and upon me, a great sinner.
More prayers
< .asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5246&
HS=1 > <;

Scripture for the Week

Lk 4:43-5:11 Is 33:2-22
Rom 12:1-13:10 Mt 5:17-48
More Bible < hp> Readings
< s/index.php>

May God bless and keep you and your family.
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