Author: nina hovnanian

HRAPARAK: GOVERNORS OF LORI AND TAVUSH TO BE DISMISSED

10:42 07/06/2013 ” DAILY PRESS

The governors of Tavush and Lori provinces will be dismissed, according
to talks in power corridors.

Rumors say that the authorities believe Lori governor Arthur
Nalbandyan is weak and does not justify the expectations placed on
him. The results of presidential elections were the consequence of
his weakness. Tavush governor Armen Ghularyan will also be dismissed
due to election results. Their dismissals were delayed so as not to
cause unnecessary noise and for the dismissals not to be attributed
to the elections, Hraparak daily reports.

Source: Panorama.am

LA COLèRE TURQUE SE FAIT ENTENDRE JUSQU’A PARIS

Reportage Des centaines de personnes se sont réunies mardi soir en
soutien aux manifestants qui occupent les rues de Turquie depuis une
semaine.

Par AMANDINE CAILHOL

” Her yer Taksim, her yer direniÅ~_ ! ”, scande en turc, la foule
rassemblée ce mardi soir dans le centre de Paris. ” Résistance a
Taksim, résistance partout ! ” Sympathisants et organisations de
défense des droits de l’homme sont réunis pour soutenir la rébellion
en Turquie. Une banderole accrochée a une facade accueille le
rassemblement : ” Merhaba capulcular ” (” Bonjour les fauteurs de
trouble ”), en référence aux mots employés par le Premier ministre
turc a l’encontre des opposants de la place Taksim. Des slogans
francais prennent le relais : ” Tayyip t’es foutu, la Turquie est dans
la rue ”, ” Gaze toi pov’ con ” ou encore ” Touche pas a ma liberté ”.

Dès 19 heures, la communauté franco-turque se presse autour de la
fontaine des Innocents pour demander la démission de Recep Tayyip
Erdogan : des jeunes principalement, d’origine turque, des étudiants
en échange universitaire a Paris, mais aussi des familles. Le drapeau
rouge frappé d’un croissant de lune et d’une étoile flotte sur le ciel
parisien, a côté d’une diversité de bannières : ” Occupy Gezi ”, Front
populaire en Turquie, syndicat ADHK, mais aussi Front de Gauche, PCF,
Nouveau parti anticapitaliste ou encore Amnesty International et la
Ligue des droits de l’homme.

A l’angle de la fontaine, des jeunes sont regroupés dans une grande
ronde, improvisant un halay, danse traditionnelle, au rythme des
tambours. Les uns s’embrassent, les autres se prennent en photo. A
quelques mètres, des militants de groupes communistes révolutionnaires
turcs, plus âgés, plus politisés, font répéter des slogans a la foule
: ” Erdogan assassin ! ”, ” Tous contre le fascisme ! ”. Plus loin, un
autre groupe reprend en chÅ”ur : ” Mustafa Kemal’in askerleriyiz ! Nous
sommes tous des soldats de Mustafa Kemal ! ”

Plusieurs groupes, mais un seul mot d’ordre : l’union. ” Le
gouvernement nous a divisés pendant dix ans, mais en faisant cela il
nous a réunis, explique un homme d’une cinquantaine d’années.

Aujourd’hui, aucun parti n’a pu récupérer le mouvement, mais il faut
faire attention et garder la spontanéité de la place Taksim ”. A Paris
comme a Ankara, les manifestants revendiquent la présence de toutes
les communautés ethniques et culturelles, alévis, musulmans,
orthodoxes, Arméniens, juifs, communistes, Kurdes, et l’absence de
récupération politique. Un propos nuancé par une jeune étudiante
d’origine kurde, un peu en retrait de la manifestation : ” Nous sommes
la car nous sommes opposés a Erdogan. Cependant, nous sommes aussi
inquiets de voir le mouvement perdre son sens a cause de quelques
partis politiques qui cherchent a se l’approprier. ” ” Les médias
turcs ne jouent pas leur rôle ”

Tous partagent toutefois la même colère, exacerbée par les violences
policières de ces derniers jours. ” C’est difficile d’être ici, a
Paris, et de savoir que nos amis subissent une telle violence chez
nous en Turquie ”, témoigne une étudiante de 20 ans en échange
universitaire en France. ” On se lève en sursaut le matin, on a peur
pour notre pays ”, ajoute son amie. Pour témoigner de la répression
policière, bras tendus, une autre jeune femme brandit un assemblage de
photos des manifestations en Turquie : des hommes blessés, des tirs de
gaz lacrymogène, mais aussi des scènes de militants offrant des
gâteaux ou un peu de lecture aux forces de l’ordre. Des photos qui
circulent également sur les pages Facebook et Tumblr des
sympathisants. ” Les médias ne jouent pas leur rôle en Turquie. Il
faut montrer ces images qui prouvent que le gouvernement est dans un
excès de violence dangereux et injustifié ”, s’énerve-t-elle.

Autre combat, celui de la liberté et de la laïcité. Une mère de
famille, bercant son nourrisson qui fait ” sa première manifestation
”, affirme : ” Nous sommes venus dire aux manifestants de Taksim que
nous sommes avec eux et que nous condamnons aussi ce gouvernement
liberticide qui impose des cours de Coran a l’école et revient sur des
droits acquis depuis des décennies. D’ici, je veux aussi me battre
pour continuer a garder ma liberté quand je vais la-bas, en vacances
dans ma famille. ” ” La France a une part de responsabilité ”

De l’autre côté de la place, un drapeau turc sur leurs épaules, deux
trentenaires, une bière a la main, s’inquiètent des discours du
Premier ministre sur l’interdiction de l’alcool. Sur leurs vestes, des
autocollants : ” Yeni ayran ”, pastiche du message publicitaire Yeni
Raki pour une boisson alcoolisée traditionnelle turque. ” Erdogan veux
faire de l’ayran (une sorte de yaourt liquide) l’unique boisson du
pays. C’est ridicule ! ”, explique l’un d’entre eux. Mais l’alcool
n’est pas leur unique préoccupation : ” On veut une Turquie libre et
laïque, comme l’a laissée Ataturk ”. Le réformateur des années 20
n’est d’ailleurs pas loin. A quelques pas, son portrait est dressé sur
un kiosque, entouré de drapeaux turc et francais. ” On compte beaucoup
sur la France, notamment sur les médias francais ”, concluent les deux
trentenaires.

Sur place, Esther Benbassa, sénatrice EELV du Val-de-Marne, venue
soutenir le mouvement, s’interroge aussi sur la position de la France.

” Il y a trois semaines, j’étais a Ankara, j’ai vu de mes propres yeux
les libertés bafouées, déclare-t-elle. La France a une part de
responsabilité. Depuis que la Turquie a perdu tout espoir d’entrer
dans l’Union européenne, Erdogan a montré son vrai visage. Si on
n’avait pas fermé les portes, les réformes pour plus de libertés et de
démocratie seraient peut-être allées jusqu’au bout en Turquie. ” A ses
côtés, Brigitte Gonthier-Maurin, sénatrice PCF des Hauts-de-Seine,
estime également que la France doit agir au niveau diplomatique.

Esther Benbassa promet a ce titre de poser, jeudi, une question au
gouvernement, pour une intervention rapide de la France en Turquie.

Jeudi après-midi, au Sénat, deux jours après la manifestation, Esther
Benbassa a demandé au ministre des affaires européennes de préciser la
position de la France au sujet de la Turquie, l’invitant a ”
intervenir, comme Angela Merkel et John Kerry, auprès du gouvernement
turc pour que cessent les violences policières, et pour l’inciter a
respecter les valeurs et les principes chers a l’Union européenne,
incluant les libertés de manifestation et de réunion, d’expression et
d’opinion. ”

vendredi 7 juin 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

SA SAINTETE ARAM I RECOIT DES REPRESENTANTS DES EGLISES

Samedi 25 mai 2013, 40 personnes representant des eglises du Danemark,
d’Allemagne, d’Inde, d’Indonesie, de Norvège, de Suède, du Royaume-Uni
et des Etats-Unis ont rencontre Sa Saintete Aram I. Le president
du Conseil des Eglises du Moyen-Orient (MECC), des representants du
Comite executif et le Secretaire general ont accompagne la delegation.

Le Catholicos Aram I a accueilli les representants et les a remercies
de soutenir le MECC et a exprime sa solidarite avec les Eglises
du Moyen-Orient. Il a ensuite assure que, independamment de leur
difficultes, les chretiens continueront a coexister avec l’Islam dans
la region, berceau du christianisme, base sur le principe du respect
des droits et des responsabilites. Il a dit ” nous allons continuer
a denoncer la violence et insister sur le dialogue “. Sa Saintete a
egalement parle de la situation actuelle de la population syrienne
et de la necessite de les aider.

Le Catholicos ont ensuite discute des recentes decisions du Comite
executif du MECC. Il a demande aux representants de l’eglise
d’accroître leurs contributions financières au MECC, en particulier
dans les domaines de l’education chretienne et l’aide humanitaire.

Après un long debat, la reunion s’est terminee avec les representants
avec la visite de la Chapelle du Souvenir du Genocide.

vendredi 7 juin 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

UCLA MEMORIAL HONORS ALLEN AND SOSE’S LEGACY

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

Sose Thomassian and Allen Yekikian

BY ANI GARIBYAN
>From the UCLA Buin

On Thursday, May 30, I walked in and sat down in a familiar seat in
Bunche 1209B – a room where I once used to study Ottoman history. That
same room, on that Thursday, was used to remember two friends,
two fellow Bruins, Sose Thomassian and Allen Yekikian, who passed
away in an auto collision on May 10 in the country of Georgia. Sose
graduated from UCLA in 2006 with degrees in sociology and psychology,
and Allen graduated the following year with a degree in history and
a minor in Armenian studies.

UCLA will always be with me throughout my life. From time to time,
I reminisce about my classes, professors, extracurricular activities,
friends, classmates, late nights, etc. Now, I will add that Thursday
evening to my memory – a room full of family, friends, professors
and strangers who were there to remember and celebrate the lives of
Allen and Sose.

Sose, Allen and I, along with many other Bruins, were a part of the
Armenian Youth Federation, and as such, our lives were filled with
more than what was taking place on campus.

Sose would vanpool to UCLA from Irvine and on several occasions she
and I would drive to Glendale to participate in federation meetings.

Our schedules were extremely full, but we had a purpose and goal in
mind that would outweigh our sleepless nights as UCLA students.

Allen, too, was just as crazy. One of his professors perfectly stated
that Allen did not just learn – he devoured information. He would
always question things, even his professors. That’s how I remember
him in our federation meetings. He would always question the norm,
would always seek to understand why, and would not rest until he
found a better solution.

Though Sose and Allen both graduated from UCLA, they did not meet
there; they met at an annual federation convention. At first, they
would secretly meet each other, trying to keep it a secret from their
federation family (where word can spread very quickly), but members
began to catch on as neither Allen nor Sose could hide their feelings
toward each other while attending the federation’s organized events.

The purpose of our sleepless nights at UCLA was quickly becoming
reality for Allen and Sose. They married in Armenia on August 11, 2012
with their closest friends and family – a destination wedding at home
– their motherland. This was to be the first page of their chapters
in Armenia. In early 2013, the couple repatriated to Armenia. Allen
began his new position as director of communications at the American
University of Armenia, where Sose began studying Eastern Armenian.

Their blog, How to Make it in Armenia, was a way to show others that it
is possible to live in Armenia, a developing country eager to advance.

The newlyweds had set off to Georgia to understand their neighboring
country and to see for themselves the rich history and culture that
Armenians have left behind there.

Unfortunately, the couple’s first real trip as newlyweds was cut short
on May 10. Their passing sent waves of shock throughout the world,
especially the Armenian community. They were living the lives most
of us can only dream of living, and we were living that dream through
them. Now they’re gone, and the dream that had become reality through
them too slipped away. We lost two people who were making a difference
in this world, two people who still had so much to give.

The Sose and Allen Legacy Fund has been created to continue Sose
and Allen’s vision by establishing programs and supporting existing
programs aimed at bridging the gap between Armenia and its Diaspora,
through emphasis on education, repatriation and volunteerism within
the homeland. Contributions can be made to:

Sose and Allen’s Legacy Fund 104 N. Belmont St. Suite 313 Glendale,
CA 91206

Garibyan graduated UCLA in 2005 with a degree in history.

PROTEST IN SUPPORT OF A. NAZARETIAN STAGED OUTSIDE ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT

Wednesday,June 05

A group of activists staged today a protest in support of Amalia
Nazaretian outside the Armenian government. Amalia Nazaretian, a
70-year-old resident of Yerevan, was put in a mental health clinic
after she began to complain about the reconstruction work done at
Ideal shop on the first floor of their building.

The activists declared today they will continue their struggle until
Amalia Nazaretian is discharged from the mental clinic. They plan to
hold the next protest action outside the Ideal shop.

“People must realize what is going on. We will continue our protest
actions until people are ashamed to enter that shop or work there,”
said a protester.

We would remind you that the staff of Komitas Cafe at 54/8 Komitas
Avenue in Yerevan filed an application the police, complaining about
Amalia Nazaretian’s strange behavior who allegedly constantly quarreled
with Ideal shop employees. The woman was taken to the mental clinic
in Avan district of Yerevan where she is receiving court-ordered
compulsory treatment.

Nazaretian’s neighbors and relatives say the woman is not mentally
ill and demand that she be discharged from the clinic.

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web:
Email: [email protected]

** TOP STORY June 6, 2013
————————————————————
Archbishop Nurhan Manougian
The throne of St. James, the first bishop of Jerusalem, at the
Sts. James Armenian Cathedral in Jerusalem. (photo by Fr. Alekyan)

** Enthronement of the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem
————————————————————

Pilgrims, clergy, and guests gathered at Sts. James Armenian Cathedral
in Jerusalem on Tuesday, June 4, for the enthronement of Archbishop
Nourhan Manougian, the 97th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Kneeling at the altar, Archbishop Manougian recited an oath, pledging
his faithfulness to the Lord and commitment to safeguarding the
Armenian presence in the Holy Land. In an ancient ceremony, seven
archbishops-including Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Eastern Diocese, and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocese’s
Ecumenical Director-placed their right hands on Archbishop Manougian,
bestowing him with the authority to lead the Armenian see of
Jerusalem.

“Today, as I take up the pastoral staff of the Armenian
Patriarchate=80’as I take my first, humble step into a legacy that
spans the centuries-I am moved by the conviction that the greatest
achievement of my own people is not the dead kingdoms we once held,
but the vital ideas that sustained our spirit,” Archbishop Manougian
said. He went on to speak about the importance of establishing harmony
and friendship among the many peoples who call Jerusalem home.

Letters from His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia, were read by representatives of the two
spiritual leaders.

Click on the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

** Scripture of the Week
————————————————————

Is 1:1-15
Rom 6:12-23
Mt 12:1-8

** Prayer of the Week
————————————————————

My soul is always in Your hands and I place my hope in Your Holy
Cross, O Heavenly King. May the multitude of Your saints intercede on
my behalf. You who are patient with everyone, do not neglect me who
trusts in You, but keep me in peace with Your precious and Holy
Cross. Amen.

** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
————————————————————

8 June: Catholicos St. Nersess the Great

11 June: Sts. Constantine the Emperor and His Mother Helen

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Children’s Day at Holy Etchmiadzin
Children at the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.

** Children Receive Blessings at Holy Etchmiadzin
————————————————————

On Saturday, June 1, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over a special ceremony at
Holy Etchmiadzin on the occasion of Children’s Day. His Holiness
blessed children who had traveled to the spiritual center with their
teachers from provinces across Armenia.

“We learn from the Gospels how Christ loved and cared for children,’
His Holiness said. `He blessed them because he saw in their souls
innocence and purity.’ His Holiness also spoke about the importance of
passing down Christian values to new generations of Armenians.

As part of the celebration, children performed traditional Armenian
dances on the grounds of Holy Etchmiadzin.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Appeal of Conscience
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (left) and Rabbi Arthur Schneier
(center) stand in prayer during the benediction delivered by
Archbishop Barsamian. (photo courtesy of the Appeal of Conscience
Foundation)

** Appeal of Conscience Foundation Awards Dinner
————————————————————

On Thursday, May 30, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate,
attended the annual awards evening of the Appeal of Conscience
Foundation in New York City.

Each year the Appeal of Conscience Foundation recognizes individuals
who have helped support programs and initiatives that promote
religious freedom and human rights. The honoree at Thursday’s event
were Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and United
Technologies CEO Louis Chenevert.

Archbishop Barsamian, who is a long-serving vice president of the
Appeal of Conscience Foundation, delivered the benediction at the
conclusion of the program.

The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, a coalition of civic and
religious leaders established in 1965 by Rabbi Arthur Schneier,
promotes peace, tolerance, and ethnic conflict resolution. The Eastern
Diocese has been a strong supporter of the Appeal of Conscience
Foundation since its inception, and both Archbishop Torkom Manoogian
and Archbishop Barsamian have been deeply involved with the
foundation’s activities.

Diocesan Center

** Diocese Seeks Youth Coordinator
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese has launched a formal search for a Coordinator for
the new Youth and Young Adults Ministry Department. The Coordinator
will report to the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director, Jennifer
Morris, providing administrative and office support and coordinating
youth and young adult programs throughout the Diocese.

Click here
()
for a complete job description and list of qualifications. Qualified
applicants should send a resume and cover letter to
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected].)
.

Aram Khachaturian Concert at St. Vartan Cathedral
Karine Poghosyan performs at St. Vartan Cathedral.

** Aram Khachaturian Concert at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————

A concert dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the birth of the great
Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian was held at New York’s St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral on Wednesday, June 5.

Karine Poghosyan, an award-winning pianist, performed a program she
created to present the richness and diversity of Khachaturian’s
style. More than 300 people attended the evening concert, including
more than 40 United Nations ambassadors and dignitaries.

Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian welcomed the audience and spoke of
Khachaturian’s lasting legacy on human culture. Ambassador Garen
Nazarian, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the
United Nations, delivered remarks, noting the power of music to move
people and to remind `us of our common humanity and common
responsibility to work together to spread the message of solidarity
and peace around the world.’ Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian closed the
evening with a benediction.

Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, was
instrumental in organizing the June 5 concert. Additional concerts are
planned for the 2013-14 season, beginning with a program of Bach and
Liszt scheduled for Wednesday, September 25. Click on the following
links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

The June 5 concert is available on Vemkar, the Diocese’s free mobile
phone and iPad application. To learn more about Vemkar, click here
()
.

Louisiana State Senate Recognizes Independence of Karabagh

** Louisiana Resolution Recognizes Nagorno-Karabagh
————————————————————

The Louisiana State Senate passed a resolution on Thursday, May 30, in
support of Nagorno-Karabagh’s continuing efforts to develop as a free
and independent nation. The resolution also urges the U.S. President
and Congress to support the self-determination and democratic
independence of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic and its constructive
involvement with the international community’s efforts to reach a just
and lasting solution to security issues in the region.

The Louisiana State Senate is the fourth state legislative body to
recognize the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic; the others include
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine.

Click here
()
to read the full text of the Louisiana resolution.

FAR
Journalists at the child protection seminar in Armenia.

** FAR Helps Educate Armenia’s Media on Child Protection
————————————————————

Last month, the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) participated in a
three-day seminar for journalists about reporting on child protection
issues, with a special focus on juvenile justice. The seminar, held in
Aghveran, Armenia, included presentations by representatives of FAR
and other nonprofit and governmental organizations.

FAR Children’s Center director Dr. Mira Antonyan spoke about the
challenges of child protection and gave an overview of global efforts
in the field. FAR communications officer Dr. Grigor Ghazaryan also
made a presentation.

Click here
()
to visit FAR’s blog and to read more.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
Armenian School Graduations

** Students Graduate from Parish Schools
————————————————————

As summer approaches, Sunday and Armenian schools across the Eastern
Diocese are holding graduation exercises for students who are
completing their course of study this year. St. Vartan Armenian School
of New York, NY; the St. John Church School of Southfield, MI; and the
Holy Trinity Church School of Cheltenham, PA, are among the latest to
host year-end programs.

In New York, the St. Vartan Armenian School held a hantes on Sunday,
May 19. A program of recitations, songs, and dances was presented by
students from kindergarten to seventh grade. The theme of the program
was `Dikran the Great, the King of Kings.’

Three seventh-grade students graduated from the school this year:
Valentina Asatryan, Jano Tokatlyan, and Lilit Tokatlyan. A graduation
ceremony was also held for six kindergarteners advancing to first
grade: Alessandra Agopian, Briel Felice, Nane Heboyan, Lily Mantorio,
Sona Parnagian, and Stepan Shirinian. The graduates received diplomas
and gifts from the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kilejian, dean of St. Vartan
Cathedral, assisted by the Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian.

School principal Shakeh Kadehjian thanked the teachers, students,
parents, and friends for their contributions to a successful year and
stressed the importance of supporting Armenian schools in the
diaspora. A reception followed.

In Southfield, MI, 10 students graduated from the St. John Church
School on Sunday, May 19. Students received diplomas from the
Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, parish pastor, at the conclusion of the
Divine Liturgy.

In addition, a special award for 12 years of perfect attendance was
presented to Matthew Tarpinian. Fr. Kochakian presented Matthew’s
parents, Craig and Lisa Tarpinian, with an Armenian icon depicting the
Presentation of Christ to the Temple in appreciation of their support.

At the Holy Trinity Church School in Cheltenham, PA, a celebration was
held on Sunday, June 2. The Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan, parish pastor,
performed a blessing ceremony following the Divine Liturgy. Nancy
Basmajian presented graduates Sophia Carnevale and Taline King with
diplomas and gifts.

During a hantes later that afternoon, students ages 4 to 13 sang songs
and recited poems in Armenian. Older students performed a play
celebrating the conversion of Armenia to Christianity.

Click here
()
to view photos from the three schools.

Lansing Mission Parish
Fr. Abdalian with parishioners in Lansing, MI.

** Lansing Community Welcomes Fr. Abdalian
————————————————————

Last weekend, the Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, director of the Diocese’s
Department of Mission Parishes, visited the community of Lansing,
MI. In recent months, Fr. Abdalian has been working with community
leaders to renew efforts at organizing Armenian families in the area,
most of whom immigrated to America in the early 1990s from Azerbaijan
and Nagorno-Karabagh.

Over the weekend, Fr. Abdalian met with families and visited the
elderly in nursing homes. On Sunday, June 2, he celebrated the Divine
Liturgy at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Lansing, with some 50
people taking part. Onnig Boyajian and David Aprahamian, two deacons
from St. John Church of Southfield, MI, assisted on the altar.

In his sermon, Fr. Abdalian spoke about the importance of the
community coming together for worship and to receive Holy
Communion. He encouraged community members to remain strong in their
faith, and to take the time to learn about the teachings and
traditions of the Armenian Church, so that the Armenian heritage can
be preserved for future generations.

At the fellowship dinner which followed, six individuals volunteered
to serve as parish council members and expressed their commitment to
re-establishing parish activities in Lansing.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Cooking Class at Holy Cross Church
A child learns how to prepare baklava at Holy Cross Church.

** Baklava Baking at Manhattan’s Holy Cross Church
————————————————————

Some 20 people gathered at Manhattan’s Holy Cross Church on Sunday,
June 2, for a baklava-baking workshop led by parish council member
Lusnar Gozubuyukian and organized by Jon Simonian, Sr.

The day began with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by the
Rev. Fr. Arten Ashjian. Following services, the group gathered in the
church hall for a hands-on workshop that gave participants an
opportunity to bake the traditional pastry.

Sunday’s workshop was the last in a series of cooking sessions held at
Holy Cross Church this winter and spring. Click here
()
to view photos.

Konstantine Petrossian
President Serge Sargsyan presents Konstantine Petrossian with the
=80=9CMovses Khorenatsi Medal.’

** Providence Composer Honored in Armenia
————————————————————

During the celebration of First Republic Day in Armenia on Tuesday,
May 28, Maestro Konstantine Petrossian of Providence, RI, was awarded
the =80=9CMovses Khorenatsi Medal’ by Armenian President Serge
Sargsyan. The medal is the country’s highest cultural award.

Maestro Petrossian was recognized for his musical contributions in
Armenia and the diaspora. Following the presentation, he gave a
performance at the Presidential Palace. Guests included His Holiness
Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and
Prince Charles, who was visiting Armenia last month.

Composer Petrossian is the musical director of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church of Providence, RI; director of the Armenian chorales of Rhode
Island and Greater Worcester; and director of the Erevan Chorale and
Orchestra.

Shushi
Shushi dancers perform at St. Leon Church.

** Shushi Dance Ensemble Hosts Family Night
————————————————————

The Shushi Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral held a
family night celebration at St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, on
Saturday, May 18.

Shushi junior and senior groups performed traditional Armenian
dances. Guests enjoyed Armenian music and dancing.

Click on the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

Upcoming Events

** Upcoming Parish Events
————————————————————

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, will host its
annual picnic on Sunday, June 9, from 12 to 6 p.m. Enjoy live Armenian
dance music; homemade Armenian mezzes and pastries; luleh, shish, and
chicken kebab; a raffle, and more. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call (914) 428-2595.

Holy Cross Church | New York, NY
The Zvartnots String Quartet will give a concert of classical Armenian
and Argentinian music at Manhattan’s Holy Cross Church on Sunday, June
9. The concert will take place in the church sanctuary following
services. Admission is free; voluntary donations are greatly
appreciated. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. James Church of Watertown, MA
St. James Church of Watertown, MA, will host its annual picnic on
Sunday, June 9, from 12 to 6 p.m. Enjoy delicious Armenian food and
live music featuring Jay Baronian, Leon Janikian, Ken Kalajian, and
Bob Raphalian. The day will also include children’s activities, a
raffle, Armenian vendors, and more. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call the church office at (617)
923-8860.

St. Peter Church | Watervliet, NY
St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, will host its annual Armenian
Festival on Saturday, June 8, from 12 to 8 p.m., and on Sunday, June
9, from 12 to 5 p.m. Enjoy live music by the John Berberian Ensemble,
traditional Armenian food, tours of the church, a tavloo tournament,
cooking demonstrations, activities for children, and more. Click on
the following links to view a flyer
()
, view the menu
()
, and to read more
()
.

Holy Translators Church | Framingham, MA
The Church of the Holy Translators of Framingham, MA, will host its
13th annual golf tournament on Monday, June 10. The tournament will be
held at the Sandy Burr Country Club in Wayland, MA. Registration
begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by tee off at 10 a.m. Click here
()
for information.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
St. Nersess Seminary

** St. Nersess Seminary Summer Picnic
————————————————————

The Akhtamar Dance Ensemble of the Armenian American Support and
Educational Center (Hye Doon) of New Jersey will perform during the
5th annual summer picnic at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary on Saturday,
June 15.

The family-festive day will be filled with delicious food, live
Armenian music by the John Berberian Ensemble, children’s activities
(including a magician), tavloo tournaments, and more. Admission and
parking are free.

Click on the following links for more information about the picnic
()
and sponsorship opportunities
()
. To donate, or for information, contact Michelle at the seminary
office at (914) 636-2003, or via e-mail at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

Love Lure
Kevork Kalayjian’s Love Lure.

** An Evening of Poetry at the Diocese
————————————————————

On Thursday, June 20, the Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab
Information Center and the Armenian Studies section will co-sponsor an
evening of poetry, featuring the work of Kevork Kalayjian. The evening
will begin at 7 in Guild Hall of the Diocesan Complex.

The program will include a poetry reading by Kalayjian, a presentation
by illustrator Aramazt Kalayjian, and piano performances by Ani
Jilozian.

The event is free and open to the public. Kevork Kalayjian’s
collection of poetry, Love Lure, will be available for purchase (25
percent of the proceeds will benefit Diocesan programs).

Lili Chookasian
Lili Chookasian was a star of the Metropolitan Opera.

** A Tribute to Lili Chookasian
————————————————————

The Lili Chookasian Fund for Young Singers will host a memorial
concert in her honor at Clinton Town Hall in Clinton, CT, on Saturday,
June 15, beginning at 7 p.m. Friends, colleagues, and former students
will pay tribute to the late world-renowned contralto and star of the
Metropolitan Opera in performance, anecdotes, and video.

Tickets are $25. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Metropolitan
Opera National Council Auditions in the Connecticut District.

Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
Holy Land
The entry door of Sts. James Cathedral in Jerusalem.

** Young Pilgrims Arrive in the Holy Land
————————————————————

A group of 27 youth leaders from parishes throughout the Eastern
Diocese are taking part in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this month.

Led by Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the young
pilgrims have visited the Church of the Nativity of Christ in
Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives, and the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem, where they witnessed the enthronement of Archbishop Nourhan
Manougian, the 97th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem.

In the coming days, they will continue tracing the footsteps of Jesus
Christ through the Holy Land, experiencing the great sites of biblical
history, learning about the Armenian presence there, and exploring
ways to strengthen their leadership roles at the parish and Diocesan
levels. The trip will run thru June 13.

A daily account of the group’s experiences, with photos, is appearing
in the blog spot on the homepage of the Diocesan website. Click here
()
to read the latest blog post.

DEFINING OUR DEMANDS AND COURSE OF ACTION AT THRESHOLD OF CENTENNIAL

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, EDITORIAL | JUNE 6, 2013 2:11 PM
By Edmond Y. Azadian

The Armenian Genocide centennial is around the corner and we are still
unprepared as to how to organize or commemorate it worldwide and,
more importantly, realize what impact we can expect or anticipate.

The fact that Armenians are scattered around the world and consequently
cannot join together and present a unified force was the intended
outcome of the perpetrators of the Genocide. One million and half
Armenians were exterminated from their lands and thus, they have also
been eliminated as claimants, as have the generations the martyrs
would have begotten.

Talaat Pasha boasted that his plan was to keep only one Armenian alive
for the museums. The primitive methods that the Turks employed did
not have the discipline and perverse perfection that the Germans used
30 years later and that is why Armenians were left to populate more
than museums. Actually, they have come out of the museums to haunt
the Ottoman rulers and their descendants who have been enjoying the
loot from their great crime.

A full century later, after all the losses and assimilations, Armenian
survivors and the younger generations are at Turkey’s doorstep with
their demands. They have amplified their voices with those of the
martyrs, who were silenced brutally.

Most of the plans and deliberations about the centennial are focused
on the ceremonial and commemorative aspects. At best, they aspire
for Genocide recognition.

Some people believe that the Armenian Genocide has been fully
recognized, therefore we need to concentrate our efforts on demands
and reparations.

The most vocal among that group is our friend, columnist and California
Courier publisher Harut Sassounian. However, it is an open question
how we determine recognition. President Ronald Reagan’s commemorative
citing does not satisfy the legal definition of recognition, nor does
an indirect allusion in a United Nations Rapporteur’s report constitute
recognition. Unless a formal UN resolution is adopted, we still have
an uphill battle in forcing Turkey to recognize the Genocide.

That is, of course, one component of our demand for justice. The next
step is the formulation of what justice means to the victims of the
Armenian Genocide. Armenians themselves have different definitions,
while we should not leave foreigners to define for us what justice
ultimately will mean. Most foreigners would say forgive and forget,
even though there is no one on the horizon asking for forgiveness.

Even alienated and assimilated Armenians would also fall into that
category.

For some Armenians, it would suffice for Turkey to apologize for the
crime of Genocide. Others press for compensation following a potential
apology. It is that specter which scares the leaders of modern Turkey
from taking the first step and recognizing the Genocide, even before
moving to the apology phase.

A statement by former President Robert Kocharian to the late journalist
Ali Birand of CNN-Turk was misinterpreted and reverberated in political
circles and eventually ended up in an accusation that Kocharian had
given up on Armenian territorial claims. What he had actually meant in
his interview with the Turkish journalist was let’s take it one step
at a time and not jump to the next step before the first one has been
achieved; recognition is one issue and compensation is another. Each
of these two aspects has its own legal parameters.

In fact, many individual scholars and groups have different assumptions
and concepts as to what that compensation should comprise.

Some Armenians believe that if Turkey agrees to return all confiscated
churches and monasteries to the Istanbul Patriarchate, it would satisfy
Armenian demands. (Although a pushover vicar at the Patriarchate,
echoing his master’s voice, has already announced that the Patriarchate
does not have the funds and power to manage those properties.)

Other Armenians will present territorial claims, which in themselves
will become a Pandora’s box, because many people and many groups have
different perceptions about the size of territorial claims.

Wilsonian Armenia, which would have roughly tripled Armenia’s present
territory, is a case in point as a precedent.

During the negotiations leading to the Treaty of Sevres, US President
Woodrow Wilson was asked to draw the future map of Armenia. He was
trying to come up with a territory which would be viable economically.

Many compatriotic organizations were appealing to Wilson to include
their hometowns in the map. Wilson had designated the port of Trabizon
to become Armenia’s access to the world’s seaways, although Trabizon
had never featured in the historic map of Armenia.

As Cilicia was excluded from the Wilsonian map, a last-ditch effort
was made as a desperate move to create a fait accompli; indeed, six
days before the Treaty of Sevres was to be signed (August 10, 1920),
an assembly of Armenians and Assyrians declared homerule in Cilicia,
under the leadership of Mihran Damadian.

Turkey is a major power with tremendous resources. Its leaders have
carefully and thoroughly analyzed the Armenian issue, because that
is part of their permanent political agenda, and they have to deal
with it down the road. They fully realize the disarray reigning in
the Armenian world and they also know how to create confusion and
chaos by a surprise bold move.

Should Turkey decide to deal with the Armenian Question, where do we
stand collectively at this point?

There has been a precedent in recent history and Armenians reacted
in a cooperative fashion. That was in the year 1977 when ASALA was
conducting a terror campaign against Turkish diplomats. Whether
anyone is for or against terrorism is immaterial in this case,
because that campaign forced the then-Turkish Foreign Minister Ihsan
Sabri Caglayangil to invite the leaders of the Armenian political
parties – ARF, Hunchak and ADL – to meet secretly in Switzerland. The
political leaders demonstrated exemplary unity by subscribing to a
common agenda. But as soon as the Turkish government found out that
the delivery of the cessation of hostilities was beyond the means of
the political parties, it immediately dropped subsequent meetings.

This brings us to the point that Turkey may decide to give it another
try for whatever reason; are we prepared for that eventuality?

Armenians have very few concrete proposals or programs to deal with
that kind of situation. A recent article (“A Blueprint for Diaspora
Representation in Negotiations with Turkey over Reparations, June 1,
2013) in the Armenian Weekly, signed by Avedis Hadjian, is one of them.

The author outlines a plan to develop a representative entity to
deal with Turkey. He is proposing a bicameral general assembly to be
elected by the Diasporan Armenians. Given the lack of feasibility of
bringing voters from different countries under one roof, he proposes
a virtual system, voting online, although that may pose other problems.

One important suggestion is that the Armenian government has to
head this assembly; that, of course, will eliminate the traditional
rivalry between the diaspora groups and what is more important,
it will provide legality to the assembly as a sovereign state.

If we wish to render the Genocide centennial a meaningful historic
turning point, we must be thinking in these concrete terms. Of course,
following the creation of the assembly comes the definition of our
demands. Historians and authorities in international law must be
invited to formulate our demands, which cannot be left to amateur
armchair politicians.

We need to make the centennial a watershed, where Armenians go beyond
commemorations to a solid political movement, mobilizing worldwide
Armenians into fighting battalions. That requires more sober thinking,
detached from emotional actions and reactions. Of course, we cannot
eliminate layers of distrust and hatred built up over centuries
because of Turkish atrocities. And no one has the right to preach
to Armenians not to hate their murderers. That is not human – and
not even divine. When the poet Avedik Issahakian was reminded of
Christ’s advice to turn the other cheek if someone slaps one check,
the poet answered: “When Christ gave that advice, Turks did not exist.”

We have to face the centennial with diverse manifestations of artistic
events, asserting our survival, political rallies and above all,
united political action.

IS ARMENIA GETTING READY FOR WAR?

The first of the two issues discussed at the June 5 meeting of the
National Security Council was related to energy security, the second
to territorial administration. This agenda is interesting indeed.

Territorial administration is, most probably, related to and determined
by the incident in Syunik region. Apparently, the result of the meeting
is the resignation of the governor of Syunik in the morning of June 6.

The issue of energy security is more interesting and wider in scope.

It immediately occurs to one how substantial and at the same time
demonstrative the meeting of the NSC was amid social anger and
tension. After all, in his opening speech Serzh Sargsyan did not utter
a single word relating to the agenda, even in general terms. Instead,
he predicted Azerbaijan’s fiasco which has nothing to do with the
subject of the meeting. It is not known what was discussed at the
meeting.

In the meantime, energy security is a wide-amplitude issue. Energy
security requires diversification of heavy dependence on Russia. If
Armenia puts forth the issue of energy security, it implies relief
of dependence of the system on Russia.

There the measures are complex and may contain several packages
starting from energy saving to alternative energy. Khachatur
Sukiasyan has recently published an article on this subject. At the
same time, energy security means diversification of transportation
of carbohydrates, as well as sources of imports.

What has pushed the Armenian government to focus on this issue? It
is not known whether the government is practical. The answer to
this question is implied in Serzh Sargsyan’s speech. He predicts
rearrangements in the region. Most probably, he means the growing
influence of the West the obvious signs of which are visible. The West
contains the ambitions of Turkey and Azerbaijan, depriving Russia of
its short-term but important allies.

Armenia needs to be flexible, and energy security is essential because
energy is the only lever Russia can use against Armenia. Consequently,
in order to be ready for rearrangements in the region Armenia must
diversify energy, create resources for security and self-sufficiency.

Serzh Sargsyan is certainly aware of the opposite risk.

Armenia is an important country to Russia. In the Russian political
tradition Armenia and other allies are not only outposts but also a
means of payment. Armenia has experienced the force of the Russian
political tradition for innumerable times.

No government of Armenia would entrust its destiny to Russia which
is experiencing a global economic and political regress. The energy
security of Armenia has become an issue of Serzh Sargsyan’s security
therefore it has appeared on the state political agenda, at least
theoretically, to enlarge the space for Serzh Sargsyan’s maneuvers.

The issue has an opposite side. The regional rearrangements which
Serzh Sargsyan predicts or forecasts might be brought into being by
the military way. And it means that Armenia will have to engage in
war, even though a short one. Energy security is acquiring a vital
importance, evidence to which is the five-day Russian-Georgian war in
2008. Five days of war between two other countries could cost expensive
and result in an energy crisis in Armenia. One can only imagine what
would happen if Armenia were engaged in a war for at least five days.

Of course, Armenia has been at war for five years but now the arsenals
of the sides and dynamics of time are different.

Hakob Badalyan 21:05 06/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

ISRAEL NOT RECOGNIZING ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

June 06, 2013 | 16:15

Israel is not recognizing Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Nourhan
Manougian whose installation was held on June 5 in Sourp Hagopyants
(Saint James) Armenian Cathedral of Jerusalem.

As a rule, Christian communities of Jerusalem try to appoint the
figures who are approved by Israel, Jordan and Palestine. This turns
the process into a serious diplomatic problem, yerkir.am writes.

Appointment of Archbishop Nourhan breaks the rule as his candidacy
was approved only by Palestine and Jordan, not Israel. Archbishop is
known for his anti-Israeli statements and earlier this year condemned
Israel for unwillingness to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIAN CIVIC ACTIVISTS TO ASK REGULATOR TO POSTPONE PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED INCREASE IN GAS AND ELECTRICITY PRICES

YEREVAN, June 6. /ARKA/. Armenian civic activists will ask the Public
Services Regulatory Commission to postpone a session that is to discuss
the proposed increase of prices for natural gas and electric power.

“Before considering the increase, it has been necessary to organize
public hearings to give people an opportunity to express their
views,” Aram Grigoryan, the executive director of the Union of Public
Defenders, said Thursday at a news conference. “But no such discussions
have been held. That is why tomorrow our civic initiative will propose
the Public Services Regulatory Commission to postpone the session for
one month” On May 29, the commission failed to hold public hearings,
since the people who gathered in the hall demanded to postpone it until
another hall that would accommodate more than 100 people were found.

Meri Khachatryan, a lawyer, on her side, said that Armenian citizens
display passiveness toward this issue. She called on citizens to join
the initiative.

On May 14, ArmRosGazprom asked the regulator to revise upward the
current tariff for Russian natural gas. It wants to raise the price
for consumers using up to 10 thousand cubic meters a month from
current 132,000 drams per one thousand cubic meters (including VAT)
to 221,000 drams.

Earlier this week the PSRC unveiled on its official website new prices
of gas. Thus, consumers using up to 10,000 cubic meters of natural gas
per month will be paying 156 thousand drams, including VAT, for one
thousand cubic meters, up form current 132,000 drams. Corporate and
other enterprises consuming 10,000 and more cubic meters will be paying
about $276.98. The new prices will come into force from June 7 to 10.

Prices for electricity are expected to rise as well.

The Public Service Regulatory Commission says the day-time price for
one kilowatt/hour (from 7:00 to 23:00) may rise up to 38 drams from
the present 30, and the night-time price may rise from the present
25 to 28. ($1 – AMD 414.92).—0—