Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

Shanghai Daily, China
Oct 3 2005
Turkey dares EU to break free from ‘Christian club’
2005-10-03 Beijing Time

Turkish nationalists shout during a rally of the Nationalist Movement
Party in Ankara yesterday. Nationalists protested against today’s
start of accession talks between Turkey and the European Union. –
Reuters
TURKISH Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that
European leaders must decide whether the EU will rise to challenge of
becoming a global power or remain a “Christian club,” as they try to
break a deadlock on starting membership talks with his country.
Meanwhile, Turkey Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said in statements
published yesterday that Turkey was not intent on starting European
Union membership talks at any price – reiterating Ankara’s position
that it will never accept new conditions, or any alternatives to full
EU membership.
Predominantly Muslim Turkey, a largely poor country of about 70
million, is scheduled to start long-awaited membership talks today,
but those talks have now been thrown into disarray over Austrian
objections.
European Union foreign ministers were meeting yesterday to plead with
Austria to drop its objection to Turkish membership in an emergency
session. Austria balked at the last minute at opening entry talks
with the predominantly Muslim nation, and has suggested the EU
consider a “privileged partnership” instead.
As EU foreign ministers gathered in Luxembourg for the emergency
meeting, Turkish officials _ waiting in Ankara for word on the
outcome of Sunday’s talks _ ruled out anything less than full EU
membership.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said European leaders
must decide whether the EU will rise to challenge.
“We are not striving to begin negotiations no matter what, at any
cost,” Gul said in an interview published in Yeni Safak newspaper.
“If the problems aren’t solved then the negotiations won’t begin.”
Several countries also have been pushing Turkey to recognize EU
member Cyprus, and the European Parliament called on Turkey this week
to recognize the killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks at the
beginning of the 20th century as genocide.
Erdogan, addressing lawmakers of his party at a resort just outside
of Ankara, said Europe was at a historic crossroad.
“Either it will show political maturity and become a global power, or
it will end up a Christian club,” he said.
“No EU decision will deviate Turkey from its course” toward further
democracy and reforms, he said. “We will, however, be saddened that a
project for the alliance of civilizations will be harmed.”
Erdogan spoke to Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel by telephone
on Saturday, telling him that a privileged partnership was not an
option.
After more than 40 years of aspiring to join the European Union,
Turkey feels it is being held hostage on the eve of negotiations by
Austrian leaders using Turkey’s EU bid as an issue in upcoming
national elections.
Some 60,000 supporters of an anti-EU ultranationalist party, waving
Turkish and party flags, held a rally in central Ankara yesterday, in
part to protest increasing demands and conditions being forced on
Turkey.
“Prime Minister, the concessions that you have given the EU are
dragging Turkey toward darkness,” said Devlet Bahceli, a former
deputy premier and head of the Nationalist Movement Party.

Iranian Cultural Heritage News Agency, Iran
Oct 2 2005
Armenians Bury Their History
Scientists say Syunik region sites are being destroyed, instead of
preserved.
ArmeniaNow, 2 October 2005 — A joint Armenian-American-British
archeological expedition has found another example of the destruction
of ancient Armenian monuments. This time, though, it is neither in
Georgia nor in Azerbaijan (where monuments and churches have been
destroyed), but in the Syunik marz of Armenia.
In the village of Shaghat, 22 kilometers from the town of Sisian, the
archeologists from the Institute for Archeology and Ethnography of
the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, University of Michigan
and the Sheffield University in England discovered a rich
archeological material while at a test excavation in 2004. The
detailed examination of the finding was planned for 2005.
But when the expedition returned to the village it found the 1
hectare territory totally ruined by bulldozers.
`The smallest piece of clay or stone of archeological interest is
very important to us, so can you imagine what it means turning a
hectare of territory upside down,’ says archeologist, Professor Susan
Alcock, regretfully pointing out to the pieces of decorated vase of
Bronze Age that has narrowly escaped the bulldozer.
Numerous monuments with cultural layers typical of different ages
were found during the excavations on a territory of approximately 5
square kilometers in Shaghat and neighboring Balak.
`We are especially interested in the discovered settlements of Middle
Bronze Age,’ says senior scientist Mkrtych Zardaryan from the
Institute for Archeology and Ethnography of the NAS. `There are many
tombs that have been preserved from those times, but this is the only
settlement until now discovered in the Middle East,’
But rather than a fertile ground from which scientists might
embellish history of the region, the site is being turned into a
cemetery.
Shaghat village head Hovik Mkhitaryan turned the tractors loose on
the property to clear it for a graveyard, because the land in
shifting in the village’s old one. (Some charge, too, that the sudden
interest in creating a new cemetery comes suspiciously close to
election time, when the village head might need to curry favor among
voters.)
`I addressed the government for allotting land under the new
cemetery. I have not done anything illegal. Moreover, I have suffered
damages myself – who should pay for the fuel for my car?’ says
Mkhitaryan.
According to Mkhitaryan he has proper permission by the government of
RA. But the map, reduced several times on the submitted document,
does not show the ruined territory at all.
According to Hrahat Hakobjanyan, representative of the Syunik
regional Service for Preservation of Historical Monuments, the
Shaghat case happened due to a lack of proper mapping of monuments.
Karen Tunyan, head of the Sisian regional branch of State Cadastre
said new maps have been received only two weeks ago including
`territories under state protection’ highlighted with green.
`But the lack of indication on the map also has no justification, for
the head of the village is responsible for being aware of each stone
in his community; besides the head of the village himself used to dig
here and there with a spade in his hand in search of treasures, like
all the rest of the village. That is to say, they knew clearly there
were old settlements in the territory,’ says Hakobjanyan.
Syunik has long been known as a region rich in ancient historical
remains, including a citadels settlement from the time of
fifth-century Prince Andovk Syuni.
`The northern slope and the foot of Shaghat are constantly destroyed
by the residents; time after time people decide to find the treasures
of Prince Andovk Syuni. People must understand that these old
settlements and the castle are more precious than the imaginary
treasures,’ says Mkrtych Zardaryan.
According to him the Shaghat case is one among hundreds.
An Armenian-French archeological expedition making excavations in the
Inner Godedzor ancient settlement in the village of Angeghakot 13
kilometers from Sisian also has problems since part of the ancient
settlement territory is a stone mining area.
`We learnt about the ancient settlement in 2003 when the cultural
layers were destroyed during mining. Fortunately, our expedition was
working in the neighborhood. The test excavations showed that we deal
with an interesting settlement of late Copper and Stone Age,’ says
senior scientist of the Institute for Archeology and Ethnography of
the RA NAS Pavel Avetisyan.
Archeologists from the Maison de l’Orient at Lyon University and the
Institute for Archeology and Ethnography of the RA NAS found ceramics
belonging to the Obeyid culture of the 5th millennium here.
According to Avetisyan the close ties between historic Armenia and
Mesopotamia and Syria are proved for the first time by material
facts, although it has been mentioned in historical documents for
many times.
The upper layer of the ancient settlement has disclosed for the first
a settlement of late Eneolithic era that has served as grounds for
the creation and the development of Kura-Arax culture in these
territories.
`The Kura-Arax culture is a huge cultural phenomenon of early Bronze
Age of 4-3 millennia BC typical to northern and sout Caucasus. Until
today its origins and hotbed of formation were not found,’ says
Avetisyan.
Archeologists are concerned that these and other important archeology
sites are being carelessly destroyed.
`We have appealed to all proper bodies, the case is in the marz
prosecutor’s office, but the stone mine works day and night,’ says
Avetisyan. `This is a state crime before everybody’s eyes.”
Michigan University professor John Cherry who has worked in Greece,
Turkey, Italy and other countries, says it is too bad that the
Armenians show such disregard for the riches of their own past.
`As far as I know, they try to develop the tourism industry here and
such monuments are the best means to do that. Syunik is almost not
studied and is very rich in historical monuments,’ Cherry says. `If
it continues this way many ancient settlements may be destroyed
without being studied.’
;section=2

AZG Armenian Daily #176, 01/10/2005
Statistics
ARMENIA RATED 79TH FOR ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS
According to the latest data of the World Economic Forum, Armenia occupies
79th place by economic competitiveness among 117 countries of the world.
Reuters informed that the criteria for the countries competitiveness
underwent big changes during the last year.
Thus, Russia moved to 75th position from 70, yielding to Baltic countries
and Kazakhstan, as well as Azerbaijan. Armenia outgrows Moldova, Ukraine,
Georgia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The experts of the World Economic Forum state that the weakness of state
structures, as well as “brain drain” are the main obstacles for economic
growth. Particularly, they advise Russia to pay attention to the improvement
of the legal and legislative structures, to protect the right for property,
decrease corruption.
The well-conducted utilization of human resources, encouragement of reforms
and new approaches also contribute to the growth of economic competition.
According to the researches, the economy of Finland is the most competitive.
The United States occupies the second place. While Sweden, Denmark, Taiwan,
Singapore, Iceland, Norway and Australia are among the first dozen of the
economically strongest countries.
The World Economic Forum defines the economic situation of 117 countries of
the world by questioning 11 thousand entrepreneurs and research institutions
during the last 26 years.
They also take into account certain factors, such as, the quality of the
state structures’ work, the level of technologies and reforms.
By Petros Keshishian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. 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 ARRIVES IN TORONTO
“OUR PEOPLE’S SUPREME INTERESTS DEMAND COOPERATION FROM ALL OF US”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
His Holiness Aram I arrived in Toronto on September 29, starting the second
part of his Pontifical visit to Canada. Addressing the thousands of
believers who had gathered to greet him, His Holiness stressed the
importance of faith, Armenian identity and cooperation in individual as well
as the nation’s collective lives.
His Holiness Aram I traveled to Toronto from Montreal by land with Prelate
Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, V Rev Fr Krikor Chiftjian and Rev Fr Housig
Mardirosian and the delegation members.
The Pontiff was welcomed by the pastor of Toronto, V Rev Fr Meghrig
Parikian, the board of trustees, the National Assembly, other
representatives from the community and a huge crowd of believers at the St.
Asdvadzadzine Church in Toronto.
Representatives from sister churches as well as pastors of the Armenian
Catholic Church, V Rev Fr. Yeghia Kiredjian and the Armenian Evangelical
Church, Rev Yesayi Sarmazian, attended the Holy Mass held in the Church.
The Prelate of Canada, Archbishop Hagopian, delivered the opening remarks
expressing the love and respect of the believers towards His Holiness.
The Catholicos first welcomed the representatives of sister churches, seeing
in their respect the evident unity and brotherhood between Christian
Churches. His Holiness highly praised the hard work carried out by Prelate
Archbishop Hagopian and V Rev Fr. Parikian in Toronto.
His Holiness then delivered a sermon, stressing three concepts: holding
strong to the Armenian Church’s and nation’s origins and working on
rendering the Armenian nation’s collective life more fruitful.
“It is more than essential to preserve faith especially in today’s world,
where deterioration of moral values can be seen everywhere. This is
essential, because it is our faith in God that brings us closer to the
church and the teachings of the Holy Bible and makes our individual lives
more fruitful,” said His Holiness.
His Holiness also stressed the importance of identity. “Preserving identity
is as important, especially when away from the homeland. We are a nation. A
nation does not mean a collection of individuals. Nationhood is one of the
expressions of a people’s identity, where the children of the same people
are united with a unique history, traditions and goals.”
Speaking about the third concept, His Holiness stressed that cooperation
between all the children of the Armenian nation is most essential in these
coasts. “Our nation’s supreme interests demand cooperation from all of us,”
said His Holiness. The Pontiff called on the believers to work together to
become stronger in face of the challenges threatening to wear out their
Armenian identity.
The believers then approached the Catholicos kissing his right hand and
receiving his blessings.
##
View pictures here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses 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.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
September 30, 2005 Friday
CIS Interior exercise to be held in Tajikistan in 2006-minister
By Svetlana Alikina, Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
The Interior Ministries of the Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS) member countries are planning to conduct a joint antiterrorist
exercise in Tajikistan in 2006, Russian Interior Minister Rashid
Nurgaliyev told reporters on Friday after a meeting of the CIS
Council of Interior Ministers held in the Armenian capital.
“It is planned that special forces of several countries will take
part in the exercise,” Nurgaliyev said adding that the details will
be coordinated later. The Russian Interior chief specified that the
Russian Interior Ministry has already held a joint antiterrorist
exercise with the Belarussian colleagues in Smolensk in September
this year. “We will hold a similar exercise with the Armenian
Interior Ministry in Krasnodar on October 10,” the minister said.
Nurgaliyev said the meeting participants discussed the progress of
the implementation of the Joint Plan to counteract terrorism for
2005. The minister pointed out the Russian Interior Ministry has
conducted on information obtained from CIS countries a complex of
search operations for persons placed on the international wanted list
for crimes related to terrorism.
“So we have six facts of fruitful joint work. In all the cases our
work was most pre-emptive and prompt,” the Russian interior minister
said. He cited as an example the detention in Azerbaijan this March
of members of the Islamic Jamaat operating in the territory of
Tatarstan. Moreover, two persons wanted for terrorist attacks they
staged in Tajikistan in the period from 1998 to 2001 were detained in
Yakutia and St. Petersburg in June 2005.
Nurgaliyev also said the Russian Interior Ministry is participating
in drawing up of the list of organisations engaged in terrorist and
extremist activities. According to him, the ministry “has put forward
a proposal to recognise the international organisation Tabligi Jamaat
a terrorist group and ban its activity in the territory of the
Commonwealth member states.”
Nurgaliyev highly assessed the work of the CIS Council of Interior
Ministers pointing out that it is “one of the most efficient
executive bodies of the CIS.” According to the Russian Interior
chief, “It is gratifying that our cooperation is becoming more and
more practical and together we are in actual practice fulfilling
common tasks to ensure security, law and order.”

Mediamax news agency, Armenia
Sept 30 05
ARMENIAN-US DEFENCE CONSULTATIONS DISCUSS COOPERATION PLAN FOR 2006
Yerevan, 30 September: Annual Armenian-US defence consultations were
held in Yerevan on 28-29 September, the press service of the US
embassy told Mediamax today.
The US delegation is led by Principal Director for Eurasia in the
Office of the Secretary of Defence, Scott Schless, while the Armenian
delegation is led by Deputy Defence Minister Lt-Gen Artur Agabekyan.
Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan and the US ambassador to
Armenia, John Evans, also attended the consultations.
The purpose of the consultations was to review the results of last
year’s bilateral military cooperation and agree a cooperation plan
for 2006.
The consultations also discussed a wide range of issues connected
with national security, defence reforms, peacekeeping operations,
military training and education.

Press Information Bureau (press release), India
Sept 29 2005
VISIT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRI BHAIRON SINGH SHEKHAWAT TO
ROMANIA, BELARUS AND ARMENIA FROM OCTOBER 1-8, 2005

The Vice President of India, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat will pay a
State visit to Romania, Belarus and Armenia from October 1-8, 2005.
He will be accompanied by 4 Members of Parliament namely Dr. Chandan
Mitra, Shri K. Jana Krishnamurthy, Shri P.K. Maheshwari and Shri
Robert Kharshing and senior government officials.
Shri Shekhawat’s visit to Romania (October 1-4) is at the invitation
of Senator Nicolae Vacaroiu, President of the Senate of Romania. The
Vice President’s first engagement will be to participate in a
ceremony dedicated to the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on the
morning of October 2, 2005 at India House. He will meet the same day,
the members of the Indian community in Romania and the Indo-Romanian
Cultural Association.
During his visit, Hon’ble Vice-President will meet H.E. Mr. Traian
Basescu, President of Romania, H.E. Mr. Calin Popescu-Tariceanu,
Prime Minister of Romania, H.E. Mr. loan-Codrut Seres, Minister of
Economy and Commerce and H.E. Mr. Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, Minister of
Foreign Affairs apart from his host, the President of the Senate and
Senator George Sabin Cutas, Deputy Speaker. He will also meet Speaker
of the Chambers of the Deputies, H.E. Mr. Adrian Nastase. Hon’ble
Vice-President will also meet other Senators and visit the Palace of
Parliament where he will attend the Senate Plenary Session.
Hon’ble Vice-President will also visit Peles Castle and Sinaia
Monastery during his visit to Romania.
Shri Shekhawat’s visit to Belarus (October 4-6), is at the invitation
of Mr. G. Novitski, former Prime Minister and currently Chairman of
Council of Republic (Upper House) in the National Assembly of
Belarus.
During his visit, the Vice President would be meeting the Belarusian
President and a dinner would be hosted in the honour of the visiting
dignitary by the Chairman, Council of Republic (Upper House). The
programme drawn for the visit, in addition to the political meetings,
provide for a visit to a tractor factory which would showcase the
strength of Belarusian technology. A cultural programme and wreath
laying ceremony to the victims of the Second World War are there in
the Vice-President’s programme.
An agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between
the Republic of India and Republic of Belarus would be signed during
the visit.
The visit of the Vice-President to Armenia (October 6-8) is in
response to an invitation extended by the present Armenian President
Mr. R. Kocharian who visited India in October-November, 2003.
Shri Shekhawat’s visit is in the context of India’s commitment to
maintain close and friendly relations with the countries of the
Caucasus region of which Armenia forms an important part.
During the visit, the Armenian President would be hosting a lunch in
the honour of Vice-President. The visiting dignitary would also be
addressing the special session of the National Assembly of Armenia.
He is the first Indian dignitary to do so. An honorary degree of
Doctor of Medicine with a University Gold Medal would be conferred on
Vice-President by the Yerevan State Medical University.
Prior to Shri Shekhawat’s visit, the then President Dr. S.
Radhakrishnan and the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi visited
Armenia in 1964 and 1976 respectively.
Shri Shekhawat will be returning to India in the evening of October
8.

PRESS 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
September 29, 2005
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL TO CANADA SATURDAY
TO JOIN ENTOURAGE OF CATHOLICOS ARAM I
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan will travel to Toronto, Canada this Saturday
to join the entourage of Catholicos Aram I. His Holiness is currently on a
Pontifical Visit to Canada, which will end on October 4. The Prelate will
accompany His Holiness to California where the Catholicos will begin his
Pontifical Visit to the Western Prelacy on October 5 through to October 19.
From California His Holiness will travel to New York to begin his visit
to the Eastern Prelacy. He will arrive in New York on Wednesday evening,
October 19 and continue through to November 1 when he will return to
Antelias.
For complete details about His Holiness’s visit to the Eastern Prelacy
CATHOLICOS VISITS CANADIAN CENTER FOR ECUMENISM;
MEETS WITH ARMENIAN YOUTH IN MONTREAL
His Holiness Aram I visited the Canadian Center for Ecumenism on
September 27, accompanied by Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of Canada;
V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer of the Catholicosate;
Rev. Fr. Housig Mardirosian, Staffbearer; and Rev. Fr. Karnig Koyounian,
Pastor of Sourp Hagop Cathedral, Montreal, Canada.
Dr. Stuart E. Brown, Director of the Center, greeted His Holiness and
his entourage, and welcomed them to a meeting with the Orthodox, Catholic,
Anglican and Evangelical members of the Council as well as the employees of
the Center. Participants stressed the importance of the Ecumenical Movement
for churches, pointing out that ecumenism paved the way to a mutual
recognition of one another and tolerance, which in turn brought various
Christian Churches together.
“Churches and religions cannot isolate themselves in today’s borderless
society. Religions and particularly Christian churches should recognize one
another, tolerate their differences and look for means of cooperation,” said
His Holiness.
The Catholicos met with Armenian youth of Montreal on the evening of
September 26, at which time he had the opportunity to listen to their
concerns, views and proposals regarding various issues. More than 200 young
adults were given the opportunity to ask questions, express their concerns
and expectations. For more than two hours His Holiness listened and showed
his understanding of youthful concerns earning him the title “Catholicos of
the youth”-a leader who speaks their language and understands their
concerns.
“Our Church has an overdue need for reform,” the Catholicos said.
“Reform does not only mean shortening or adapting rites and services. Reform
should include all the areas of our church’s life. Social and moral issues
are part of the church’s reform and these should be discussed according to
the Bible and the theological principals of a Christian Church,” he told the
young people.
The Catholicosate has set up a special committee to gather the different
views regarding reform of the Armenian Church.
HURRICANE RELIEF FUNDS TO GO TO ARMENIAN CHURCH IN LOUISIANA
Ten thousand dollars of relief funds collected by the Prelacy for
Hurricane Katrina relief will be forwarded to St. Garabed Armenian Church in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Church, which serves the New Orleans community,
will distribute the funds to families in need of financial assistance. Many
Armenian families have suffered extensive property loss, but thankfully as
far as we can ascertain, no loss of life.
The Prelate and the Vicar have been in communications with the community
in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, to assess the needs.
Because the Prelacy does not have a parish in Louisiana, it was decided to
send the donation to St. Garabed Church, which is under the jurisdiction of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern). Archbishop Oshagan has
maintained contact with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese,
on this and other matters.
.AND, ANOTHER SUNDAY SCHOOL DONATION FOR HURRICANE RELIEF
Speaking of hurricane relief, another Sunday School has submitted a
donation. A donation of $100 was received from the students of St. Gregory
Church Sunday School (Philadelphia). The Prelate expressed his thanks and
appreciation for the thoughtfulness of the students who wished to make their
own donations to the cause.
Donations are still being accepted. Send your check to Armenian Prelacy,
138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY 10016. Indicate “Hurricane Relief” in the
memo area.
MUSICAL ARMENIA CONCERT SET FOR FEBRUARY 26
The Musical Armenia committee has been meeting for several months
planning the 2006 Musical Armenia concert, which will take place February
26, at Carnegie Hall’s Weil Recital Hall. An innovative program will feature
the talented Duo Maesteso from California and Zulal from New York. This
promises to be yet another exciting and exceptional Musical Armenia event.
ST. SARKIS CHURCH (NY) WILL CELEBRATE CULTURAL MONTH
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, has formed a Cultural Committee
and will begin with a series of events in celebration of Armenian Cultural
Month (October).
On Sunday, October 2, several people will offer insights on “Everyday
Legal Issues.” Participating in the presentations are: Simon Bardizbanian,
Esq., Denise Darmanian, Esq., Tamar Harutunian, Esq., and Lori Hatem, Esq.
On Sunday, October 16, Professor Dennis Papazian will lecture on
“Yeghishe and the Real Story Behind the Vartanantz Wars.”
The lectures will take place following church services. For information
contact the church, 718-224-2275.
HOLY PRINCES SAHAK AND HAMAZASP REMEMBERED TODAY
Today, Thursday, September 29, the Armenian Church commemorates the
lives of two princes: Sahak and Hamazasp. The two holy princes lived during
the reign of Emperor Leo and Archbishop Flavian of Constantinople and during
the pontificate of Catholicos Nerses. It was a time of intense Arab
domination. The governorship had been given to Hamazasp, who was from the
Ardzrouni dynasty. He had two brothers, Sahag and Merhouzhan. All three were
considered brave men and dedicated Christians, but there were evil forces
against them. The Arab leader, Harun, who ostensibly called them in
friendship, summoned them. Instead when they came before him, the princes
were given a choice of forsaking their faith in Christ or being tortured to
death. Merhouzhan, renounced Christ and was given authority to rule over the
province of Vasbouragan. Sahak and Hamazasp remained steadfast. Both were
martyred.
72 HOLY DISCIPLES OF CHRIST COMMEMORATED THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday, October 1, the Armenian Church commemorates the 72 holy
disciples of Christ. The reference comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter
10, verse 1: After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on
ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to
go. (Some versions of the Gospel say 72, rather than 70).
The tradition of the church confirms that the seventy (or seventy-two)
disciples remained true to the Lord and their calling, and spread the
Gospel. They were not random choices, but rather true disciples whose labors
carried the message of the Lord throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. All
of the saints are remembered individually in the calendar of the church, but
this day is set aside to remember them collectively. The number 70 is also
considered to be a reference to Genesis, which speaks of 70 nations of the
world.
“I thank you, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has made us worthy of
dying for your holy name and kept firm our hope in you. You gladdened us
with your consoling Holy Spirit that dwells in us. Glory to you, holy and
consubstantial Trinity, who made my brother distinguish himself earlier by
defeating the adversary; you likewise hearten me by means of this
overflowing cup, Sahag’s blood. O Lord, listen to my prayer through the
shedding of your servant’s blood, who willingly took it upon himself to die
for your great and glorious name. Listen, Lord, to the supplication of your
servant and make my blood worthy to be mixed with that of my brother in
honor of the holy blood which you shed for us. For your name is indeed
glorified through the witness of this labor of our martyrdom. For yours is
dominion and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayer of St. Hamazasp
Translation from The Light of the World: Lives of Armenian Saints, St.
Vartan Press, New York.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 19-November 1-Visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, to the Eastern Prelacy, commemorating the 75th anniversary
of the establishment of the Cilician Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon. For full
details
October 28-29-Mashtots Conference celebrating the 1600th anniversary of the
founding of the Armenian alphabet, at Harvard University. Jointly sponsored
by the Eastern Prelacy and Harvard University Mashtots Chair, Department of
Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.
November 4, 5, 6-Annual Bazaar and Food Festival, Sts. Vartanantz Church,
461 Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield, NJ. For information, 201-943-2950.
November 6-St. Stephen Armenian Apostolic Church of Hartford-New Britain,
Connecticut, will celebrate its 80th anniversary. Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan will be the keynote speaker. The program will include a slide show
presentation two non-Armenian Peace Corps volunteers who recently returned
from serving in Armenia.
November 11-13-Mini-Datev program for the Midwest parishes.
December 31-New Years Eve dinner-dance, Sts. Vartanantz (NJ) and ARF Dro
Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton. Information: 201-943-2950 or 201-945-0011.
February 26-Musical Armenia 2006 concert, 2 p.m., at Carnegie Hall’s Weil
Recital Hall, New York City. Featuring Duo Maesteso (California) and Zulal
(New York). Watch for details.
March 5-Sts. Vartanantz (NJ) 2006 membership meeting.
March 17-19, 2006-Sunday School Teachers’ Conference at the Wonderland
Conference and Retreat Center in Sharon, MA.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]
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KOCHARIAN: “WE CONSIDER PRESENCE OF RUSSIAN FULCRUM IN ARMENIA AS A COMPONENT OF OUR SAFETY”
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 27 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. “We have no problem of widening
the Russian military fulcrum in Armenia, but the one, what there is,
is settled in legal way, envisaged by the conception of the safety
of Armenia,” RA President Robert Kocharian stated at the September
27 press-conference.
The President interpreted that the Russian military fulcrum in Armenia
is placed based on mutual agreement. Armenia was also interested in
having that military fulcrum, as, according to Robert Kocharian, the
impression created by some publications of the press that placing
of the fulcrum is imposed is wrong. “We are in rather difficult
region where relations among countries are still in the process of
settlement, and we consider the presence of that fulcrum in Armenia
as one of components of safety,” the RA President emphasized.

Turkish Press
Sept 24 2005
Baykal Pleased With Ongoing Armenian Conference
ANKARA – Deniz Baykal, the leader of the main opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP), expressed on Saturday pleasure that the
Conference entitled ”The Armenians during the Collapse of the
Ottoman Empire” was being held in Istanbul.
Releasing a statement, Baykal regretted the court decision that
suspended the conference, and said, ”obstructing people from
expressing their views is contrary to principles of state of law and
democracy.”