Author: Taslakhchian Andranik

WEIGHTLIFTING REPUBLICAN CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS ON MARCH 6 IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. 60 sportsmen take part in Weightlifting
Republican Championship, which started on March 6 in Yerevan. First
ladies’ competitions were held. Tehmine Karapetian (53 kg, Shirak
region), Liana Manukian (58 kg, Aragatsotn region), Heghine Yepremian
(63 kg, Aragatsotn), Meline Daluzian (69 kg, Shirak), Nazik Avdalian
(75 kg, Shirak) and Hripsime Khurshudian (more than 75 kg, Aragatsotn)
were recognized as winners. Among men, Rubik Mamoyan (Samaghar)
became champion of Armenia with a result of 230 kg in biathlon,
in competition in 56 kg weight category.

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:

THE ARMENIAN CHURCH PARTICIPATES IN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF MECC

ANTELIAS, Lebanon – The executive committee of the Middle East Council of
Churches (MECC) held its regular session on March 1-2 in the Mar Markos
Center of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo. The Armenian Church is a
founding member of MECC through the Catholicosate of Cilicia and has
actively participated in the council’s activities since its establishment.

In this 4-year term of the MECC executive committee the Catholicosate of
Cilicia is represented by Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Primate of the
Diocese of Tehran, and Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Primate of the Diocese of
Lebanon.

The executive committee was chaired by representatives from the four church
families participating in the council. Patriarch Shnouda III of the Coptic
Orthodox Church chaired the committee on behalf of the Eastern Orthodox
Churches.

In its capacity as a body that oversees and steers the projects and
activities of MECC, the executive committee listened to the six-monthly
report of General Secretary Dr. Georges Saleh, the report of the financial
committee, as well as reports from the council’s various departments – Life
and Service, Faith and Unity, Youth and Education, Women’s Committee and the
Committee on Church Cooperation for the Agricultural Development of Lebanese
Regions. The executive committee members then made remarks and suggestions
concerning the reports.

The executive committee discussed, with special attention, an agenda item
regarding the reevaluation of the committee’s future activities and mode of
functioning.

Considering that the 4-year mandate of the executive committee had come to
an end, its members decided to hold the general assembly in November of this
year.

The committee published a press release as the end of its session, with a
special section on the situation in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq, calling on
the leaders of these countries to establish peace and protect the rights of
citizens to peaceful coexistence.
##

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

TWO OPPOSITIONAL REPRESENTATIVES TO RUN IN THE SAME CONSTITUENCY

A1+
[05:17 pm] 05 March, 2007

As we know the attempts of the oppositional forces to ally and to run
for the parliamentary elections in one united front were doomed to
failure. They couldn’t nominate united candidates in 41 constituencies
under the majority ticket either. And now the representatives of
the opposition will likely compete with each other in one and the
same constituency.

For instance, two deputies of "Justice" block will be nominated
in constituency 12. They are Vardan Lazarian, member of Armenian
Democratic Party and Arshak Sadoyan, leader of Alliance of National
Democrats.

Vardan Lazarian was nominated on March 1 and Arshak Sadoyan – on
March 3. Constituency 12 is located in Shengavit which is Vardan
Lazarian’s birthplace.

Arshak Sadoyan lives in Kentron where his candidature has been put
forward over the past years.

In answer to our question why he proposed his candidacy in constituency
12, Mr. Sadoyan answered, "When we were still contemplating over the
nominee in constituency 12, my adherents put forward my candidature
under majority ticket. I agreed as I didn’t care for the location. Then
negotiations started but the oppositional forces couldn’t come to an
agreement on the 41 constituencies. Therefore I agreed to be nominated
in constituency 12 as it was primarily arranged. The administration
of our party made a decision thinking that it would be taken into
account", says Mr. Arshakyan.

He claims that the decision was made on February 28; they had held
negotiations by February 27. "Later, I came to know in the Precinct
Electoral Commission that Vardan Lazarian would also be nominated
in the same constituency".

Vardan Lazarian informed us that all the oppositional forces were
aware that his candidature would be put forward in constituency 12
under majority ticket.

To remind; nine candidates are nominated in constituency 12.

Vardan Lazarian says that he is ready to welcome Sadoyan in case he
enjoys victory in the elections.

"This is a political struggle. Sadoyan and I are good friends" says
Mr. Lazarian.

Armenian National Committee of Canada
130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622

E-mail:[email protected]
ww w.anccanada.org

PRESS RELEASE
March 1, 2007

Contact: Kevork Manguelian
Tel. (613) 235-2622

ANCC Parliamentary Advocacy Day in Ottawa

Ottawa- A delegation representing the Armenian National Committee of Canada
(ANCC) launched a Parliamentary Advocacy Day in Ottawa on Wednesday February
28. The delegation was headed by Roupen Kouyoumjian, ANCC member, and Aris
Babikian, executive director of ANCC.

The delegation visited the House of Commons and had meetings with cabinet
ministers and parliamentarians to discuss issue related to the next
parliamentary elections, the Armenian community concern, and its upcoming
activities.

The delegation meet with ministers Peter MacKay, Monte Solberg, Bev Oda;
Opposition Leaders Stéphane Dion, Gilles Duceppe; and MP’s Omar Alghabra,
Bernard Bigras, John Cannis, Irwin Cotler, Meili Faille, Raymonde Folco,
Hedy Fry, Gary Goodyear, Michel Gauthier, Marlene Jennings, Jim Karygiannis
Francine Lalonde, Derek Lee, Dan McTeague, Réal Ménard, Serge Ménard, Maria
Minna, Maria Mourani, Jim Peterson, Karen Redman, Judy Segro, Mario Silva,
Peter Stoffer, Anderw Telegdi, and Lui Temelkovski.

`It was very productive and successful day. Everyone was very attentive and
sympathetic to our issues and concerns. We found positive evaluation and
willingness to work with us on the issues raised,’ stated Aris Babikian, the
ANCC, executive director.

-30-

The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of
the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.

Regional Chapters
Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St. Catharines
– Windsor – Vancouver

It’s hard to prove genocide

mns/world/10108276.html
03/02/2007 09:14 PM | By David Kaye
Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service

Does the international law against genocide have force today? Or is it
that genocide, a powerful political and rhetorical tool, is nearly
impossible to prove in court?

Those weighty questions are hanging over The Hague after two legal
actions recently. In one, the International Court of Justice found
insufficient evidence to hold Serbia responsible for genocide in
Bosnia-Herzegovina in the early 1990s. In another, the International
Criminal Court refrained from characterising the atrocities committed
in Sudan’s Darfur region as genocide.

The term "genocide", coined during the Nazi Holocaust of the Jews, was
given its legal definition by the Genocide Convention of 1948. The
treaty defines genocide as certain atrocities – for instance, killing
or causing serious bodily or mental harm – committed with the
"specific intent" to destroy a particular group.

Bosnia claimed that Serbia committed genocide against Bosnian Muslims
during the bloody disintegration of Yugoslavia between 1991 and
1995. Yet the International Court of Justice rejected most of Bosnia’s
contentions. With one exception – the 1995 massacres at Srebrenica
that left more than 7,000 Muslim men and boys dead – the court found
insufficient evidence of the intent to destroy the Muslim community.

With this opinion, the court has made it nearly impossible to hold a
state accountable for genocide because it required each specific crime
to be committed with genocidal intent. The court could have inferred
Serbia’s intent from the larger pattern, but instead it applied a high
standard much like that used to determine an individual’s guilt or
innocence.

At the same time, however, the court reaffirmed that states, not just
individuals, can be held responsible for acts of genocide. It
pointedly found that Serbia, in not preventing the Srebrenica
massacres, failed to meet its obligation under international law to
prevent genocide. But one cannot escape the conclusion that proving
responsibility for genocide is now an impossible task.

No accusations

Across town, Luis Moreno-Ocampo seems to have gotten that
message. He’s the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
– a tribunal (which the United States does not support) devoted to
trying individuals rather than resolving claims of states. On Tuesday,
Moreno-Ocampo issued his assessment of Sudanese atrocities in Darfur –
and did not include any accusations of genocide.

Instead, Moreno-Ocampo alleges that a Sudanese government official and
a janjaweed militia commander bear responsibility for war crimes and
crimes against humanity, including brutal attacks against civilians in
Darfur. He has made a smart choice; better to prosecute these
perpetrators on provable grounds than try to make a symbolic statement
about genocide and risk losing the case. Taking these developments
together, one has to wonder whether genocide can be proved in a court
of law. It rarely has been prosecuted and even more rarely been a
basis for conviction. Some might even be inclined to do away with the
term altogether.

But that would be shortsighted. The Serbia-Bosnia decision and the
Darfur allegations should be seen for what they are: specific
approaches that are part of a wider effort to halt atrocities against
civilians. The Genocide Convention is not only a tool for
international courts. It still should spur nations to intervene to
prevent genocide.

More important, governments should get beyond the semantics. No matter
what we call them, we know horrible atrocities when we see them. Such
crimes, on their own, should be met with political, humanitarian and,
when necessary, forceful responses.

The people of Bosnia and Darfur should be able to look to other
nations for support. Clearly, they cannot rely on courts alone.

David Kaye, a visiting professor at Whittier Law School in California,
was a legal adviser to the US Embassy in The Hague.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Turkish analyst: Turkey must change its strategy in genocide issue
02.03.2007 16:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `As we all know, Turkey’s usual response to Armenian
claims of genocide has been `let’s leave this subject to the
historians’. This means, we expect that historians will sit down,
examine all the documents from both sides, as well as from third
countries, and make a decision,’ Mehmet Yilmaz writes in Hurriyet. He
says the real problem is `what label the historians will decide to put
on the tableau which emerges as they do their work.’ He thinks that
historians will be subjective in their viewpoint, and it will hamper
the truth, since everyone will speak about the Armenian Genocide based
on his own beliefs. `So, once again, the problem will not be
solved. Some historians will say "it was genocide," while others
assert "it wasn’t."` the analyst writes.

Reminding the recent decision from the International Court of Justice
on the "ethnic cleansing" and the allegations of genocide in
Srebrenitsa, Yilmaz said Bosnia signals to Turkey where they should be
looking for solutions to this problem. `Turkey should start preparing
for this case to be brought to The Hague’s International Court of
Justice, and should begin to focus its efforts in this direction. We
have accustomed ourselves to leaving debate on this subject open to
the flow of developments outside of us, rather than taking action into
our own hands. But we have got to change our strategy, and bring the
fast-paced developments on this subject under our control. The
government must not be dissuaded by the atmosphere of election season,
and must not allow this subject to be postponed,’ the Hurriyet analyst
stressed.

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

March 1, 2007

40th DAY REQUIEM SERVICE FOR HRANT DINK
Archbishop Oshagan has directed all parishes within the Eastern Prelacy
to offer a requiem service this Sunday, March 4, on the occasion of the 40th
day of the death of the Hrant Dink. The noted journalist was assassinated in
Istanbul last month.
In New York City, a united requiem service will take place at St. Vartan
Cathedral, 34th Street and Second Avenue, with the participation of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern); the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America; the Armenian Catholic Exarchate of
America; and the Armenian Missionary Association of America. The requiem
service will begin at 1:30 pm, following Sunday services in the individual
churches. The guest preacher at the requiem service will be The Reverend
Canon Francis V. Tiso, Associate Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical
and Interreligious Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Speakers during the reception/program that will follow the requiem service
include Peter Steinfels, who covers religious news for the New York Times
and writes the Beliefs column; Anna Kushner, coordinator of the Freedom to
Write Program at PEN American Center; and Sonya Frye of the Overseas Press
Club. The students of the Hovnanian School (New Jersey) will offer an
audio/visual presentation about Hrant Dink.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN URGES FAITHFUL
TO SUPPORT ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM
ON HOLY FIRE CEREMONY CONTROVERSY
In response to a worldwide appeal issued by the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem, Archbishop Oshagan encourages everyone to voice their support of
the Patriarchate on the ongoing dispute surrounding the Holy Fire Ceremony
in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
The Holy Fire Ceremony is a religious ceremony that takes place on the
Saturday of Holy Week, within the Tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of the
Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. The Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic
Orthodox and Jacobite-Syrians, all participate in this miraculous Holy
Saturday ceremony where the Holy Fire descends from Heaven and lights up the
lamp within the Tomb of Christ. The ceremony is conducted according to
precise and clear rules and arrangements, which have been in existence for
hundreds of years. According to the centuries-old practice, the Greek
Patriarch and Armenian Patriarch (or representative) enter the Holy Tomb
together, kneel down in front of the Tomb together, and witness the miracle
of the descent of the Holy Fire together. They then transfer the Holy Fire
to members of the Eastern Churches through two windows located in the wall
of the Angel’s Chapel.
During Easter of 2002, the newly elected Greek Patriarch, Irineos I (now
deposed), incited a conflict inside the Holy Tomb with the Armenian
Patriarch’s representative, by demanding a change in the arrangements. Since
that time the conflict has continued to escalate.
The Armenian Patriarchate has made petitions and requests to the Israeli
government for a decision on the matter. After five years only promises have
been given without any decisions. The Patriarch is asking all Armenians to
petition the Israeli government to act with a sense of duty and
responsibility, and to uphold the centuries-old rights of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Archbishop Oshagan urges you to act immediately. For the names and
addresses of the officials who should be contacted (via fax or email), and a
sample letter click pdf.

PRELATE AND VICAR ATTEND MEETING TODAY
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan attended a meeting today of the
"Christian Arab and Middle Eastern Churches Together (CAMECT)." The
participating churches meet several times during the year to discuss common
concerns and to assess the situation in the Middle East. Today’s meeting
took place at the headquarters of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association
(CNEWA) in New York City.
Today’s meeting and luncheon was sponsored by Archbishop Oshagan, who is
president of CAMECT, and was hosted by Msgr. Archimandrite Robert L. Stern,
Secretary General of CNEWA. Addressing the gathering during lunch was
Archbishop Celestino Migliori, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the
United Nations.

PRELATE WILL ATTEND AGBU CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
This Saturday evening, March 3, Archbishop Oshagan will attend the AGBU
Centennial Celebration at the New York Historical Society. The event will
feature an exhibit of historic photographs from the AGBU Nubarian Library in
Paris.

PRELATE AND VICAR WILL ATTEND ROBERT FISK LECTURE
On Sunday evening, Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan will attend
a lecture by Robert Fisk at Town Hall, New York City. The event is organized
by the Nation Institute and the Lannan Foundation, and coordinated by the
ANCA.

PRELACY LENTEN MEDITATIONS CONTINUE
The second of the six Prelacy Lenten Meditations took place yesterday
evening, Wednesday, February 28. The 2007 Prelacy Lenten program focuses on
the seven vices and seven virtues. Last evening, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian,
pastor of St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, spoke about "Envy and Brotherly
Love."
Using examples from both the Old and New Testaments, Der Nareg showed
the destructiveness of envy and the curative powers of love. Der Hayr urged
everyone to utilize the Lenten season as a time of healing and forgiveness.
Next Wednesday, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, New York City, will continue the series on the seven vices and
virtues by offering his meditation on "Anger and Patience."
The annual Lenten series is sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, the
St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild, and the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). All of the programs take place at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, with the following general
schedule: Lenten Service at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary; Lecture at 8 pm in
Pashalian Hall, followed by a light Lenten meal and fellowship. For a
complete schedule of lectures click

LUMES OF LITERATURE SERIES
FROM CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA
Throughout the years, the publishing house of the Catholicosate of the
Great House of Cilicia has produced hundreds of valuable books. Chief
amongst these is the series on Armenian Literature, presenting the complete
writings of the authors. Five volumes have already been published. The 6th,
7th, and 8th in the series are expected to be issued within the next two
months. The 6th volume (1,090 pages) includes the works of Soghomon
Makenatsi, Krikoris Arsharouni, Sdepanos Sunetsi, Sahagtoukhd Sunetsi,
Hovhannes Korebisgobos, Khosrovig Tarkmanitch, Ghevont Yerets, Ardavazt
Vanahayr Yerashkhavor, Ishkhanian Hamazasb, Sahag Ardrouni, Yeznig
Goghpatsi, Movses Khorenatsi, Yeghishe, Tavit Anhaght and Yeznig Yerets. The
7th volume (920 pages) consists of the works of Hovhan Otsnetsi and Movses
Kertogh. The 8th volume (670 pages) includes all the hymns of the Armenian
Church.
This series is being published in collaboration with the Department of
Armenian Affairs of the Gulbenkian Foundation, and is under the direct
supervision of His Holiness Aram I and Dr. Zaven Yegavian, Director of the
Department of Armenian Affairs of the Gulbenkian Foundation.

MUSICAL ARMENIA
The 2007 Musical Armenia concert will take place Sunday, March 25, 2 pm,
at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Tickets are $25.
Featured artists are bass Serge Barseghyan (accompanied by Evan Solomon)
and the Ararat Trio, comprised of Patil Harboyan, piano; Van Armenian,
violin; and Hrant Parsamian, cello.
Serge Barseghyan has appeared as a soloist in the United States and
Europe, including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Barcelona, and Valencia.
Patil Harboyan was awarded first prize at the Margo Babikian Piano
Competition in Lebanon and the Armenian Allied Arts Association Competition
in Los Angeles. Van Armenian has served as concertmaster of the Pacific
Music Festival Orchestra in Japan and of the Colorado-based National
Repertory Orchestra. Hrant Parsamian was awarded highest prizes at the
Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition and the Olga Koussevitzky
Competition.
The Musical Armenia concerts have been presented since 1982. Its goal is
to showcase the talents of young Armenian artists. If you would like to
purchase tickets and/or become a sponsor of this year’s Musical Armenia
concert please contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or by e-mail to
[email protected].

2007 DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
The 21st annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Christian summer studies
program will take place July 1 to 8 in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For details
click

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINATION OF
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN
The 40th anniversary of the ordination of our Prelate, Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, will take place in three different regions as follows:
May 5-In the New England area in Providence, Rhode Island.
May 12-In the Mid-Atlantic area in Teaneck, New Jersey.
May 18-In the Mid-West in Dearborn, Michigan, during the National
Representative Assembly.
Watch for details.

BUSINESSMAN FROM TAIWAN HELPS
RENOVATION OF NOUBARASHEN ORPHANAGE
For many years the Eastern Prelacy has sponsored the Noubarashen
Orphanage in Yerevan for children with special needs. The building was built
in 1970, but has been poorly maintained for decades. Thanks to the Edward
Malkonian Fund, administered by the Prelacy, major renovations have been
taking place during the past several years. Late last year, Steve Kao, a
Taiwanese businessman, agreed to secure the funds necessary to renovate the
orphanage’s primitive kitchen. He and his local Rotary Club donated $15,000,
and the renovation of the kitchen was just completed. The orphanage
currently houses 120 handicapped children. Mr. Kao’s only connection to
Armenians is a trusted Armenian friend, Mr. Garbis Garboushian of
Burlington, New Jersey, who suggested the project. Aside from this generous
donation, Mr. Kao sponsors several orphans through the Prelacy’s Orphan
Sponsorship Program.
If you would like to sponsor an orphan click

ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM
This Saturday, March 3, the Armenian Church remembers St. Cyril
(315-386) of Jerusalem, a Doctor of the Church. St. Cyril had a pleasant and
conciliatory disposition, but unfortunately he lived at a time when bishops
were embroiled in bitter controversies and were quick to condemn any
attempts at compromise as treason. Sixteen years of his thirty-five years as
a bishop were spent in exile. When a famine hit Jerusalem, he sold some of
the possessions of the church to raise money for the poor people who were
starving to death. He was condemned for selling church property and was
banished. His best-known work that survived, The Catechetical Lectures, is
believed to be one of the earliest systematic accounts of Christian
theology. The lectures consist of an introductory lecture, followed by
eighteen lectures on the Christian faith that were used during Lent for
those preparing to be baptized on Easter, and five lectures on the
sacraments to be used after Easter. The lectures have been translated into
many languages including English and Armenian, and are noted for their
presentation of the Christian faith in a positive light and maintaining a
balance between correct belief and holy action.

SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
Our journey through Great Lent continues. This Sunday, March 4, is the
Sunday of the Prodigal Son. The parable of the Prodigal Son is intended to
show God’s fatherly love and eagerness to forgive those who repent. The
well-known story describes an errant son whose absence causes pain to his
father. When the son returns the father welcomes him with open arms and
jubilation much to the distress of an older son who had remained faithful.
But the father says, "It is fitting to make merry and be glad, for your
brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." You can
read the story of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel according to Luke, chapter
15, verses 11 to 32.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
In spite of a long history of hostile neighbors, many invasions,
occupations, and persecutions, the Armenian language was not lost,
assimilated or changed. Even during the many long periods without political
independence, the language survived as a vigorous medium of expression and
many excellent works of literature were produced. The renaissance of
Armenian literature in the 19th century, for example, which produced such
writers as Raffi, Sundukian, and Apovian, occurred at a time when Armenia
had no political independence and had been under foreign subjugation for
five centuries. Working under such oppressive conditions, the Armenian
language preserved its integrity, its vigor, and its beauty of expression,
and continued to bring forth literary masterpieces.
The Encyclical issued by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, proclaiming 2007 as the Year of the Armenian Language is
on the Prelacy’s web page. To read the encyclical in Armenian click
. To read the encyclical in
English click

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, March 1, are 1 Samuel 3:21-4:18; Proverbs
3:11-4:14; Jeremiah 2:31-3:16.
"And you, O generation, heed the word of the Lord. Have I been a
wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why then do my people
say, ‘We are free, we will come no more to thee’? … "And when you have
multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says the Lord, they
shall no more say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord.’ It shall not come
to mind, or be remembered, or missed; it shall not be made again." (Jeremiah
2:31-3:16).

For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click

et us then, my brethren, endure in hope. Let us devote ourselves, side by
side with our hoping, so that the God of all the universe, as he beholds our
intention, may cleanse us from our sins, fill us with high hopes from what
we have in hand, and grant us the change of heart that saves. God has called
you, and you have your calling."
(from The Catechetical Lectures, by St. Cyril of Jerusalem, who is
remembered by the Armenian Church this Saturday).

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

8-2007 Prelacy Lenten Program, to be held at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral,
New York City, Wednesday evenings during Great Lent. Lenten service at 7:30
pm; Lecture and Q/A at 8 pm; Lenten meal and fellowship at 8:45 pm. Theme:
Seven Vices and Seven Virtues. For further information click

Febru ary 25-Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church, Granite City, Illinois.

February 25-First membership meeting, St. Asdvadzadzin Armenian Church,
Whitinsville, Massachusetts.

March 4-Second membership meeting, St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts.

March 4-Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts.

March 4-Membership meeting, St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts.

March 4-Membership meeting, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

March 18-Membership meeting, St. Illuminator Cathedral, New York City.

March 18-Membership meeting, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.

March 25-Musical Armenia 2007, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, 2 pm.
Sponsored by Prelacy Ladies Guild. Featured performers are: vocalist Serge
Barseghyan (bass); and Ararat Trio (Van Armenian, violin; Paul Harboyan,
piano; Hrant Parsamian, cello).

April 1-Ladies Guild Annual Palm Sunday Bake Sale, St. Stephen’s Church,
Watertown, Massachusetts.

April 14-Ladies Guild Comedy Night featuring Mel Gibson, Meze and dessert
will be served, St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts. For
information, 617-924-7562.

May 5-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in the
New England area will take place in Providence, Rhode Island.

May 6-30th anniversary of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School, Terrace on
the Park, Corona, New York, at 5 pm.

May 7-Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers’ Day Luncheon, St. Regis Hotel, New York
City.

May 12-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in Mid
Atlantic area will take place at the Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New
Jersey.

May 12-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, 50th anniversary concert
featuring Onnik Dinkjian and John Berberian.

May 18-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in
Midwest will take place at the National Representative Assembly.

May 20-"Hello Ellis Island" and Reception, St. Stephen’s Church Hall,
Watertown, Massachusetts. $20 per person. Information, 617-924-7562.

July 1-8-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, 21st annual summer Christian
studies program for junior and senior high school students, at St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For information click

August 7-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual golf
tournament at Blackstone Country Club.

August 19-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church picnic.

September 29-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley.

December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar.

December 9-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.

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NAGORNO-KARABAKH GDP MAKES AMD 61,885.9MLN

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Feb 28 2007

STEPANAKERT, February 28. /ARKA/. According to the preliminary
statistics, the GDP of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic made AMD
61,885.9mln in 2006 against AMD 51,379.4mln in 2005.

The NKR Statistical Service reported that the real rise of the GDP
made 110.1%, the GDP index-deflator -109.4%.

In 2006, the NKR factual prices of industrial production made AMD
24,203.6mln, a 16.3% rise as compared to 2005.

The average payroll number of the industrial factory personnel made
4,869 staff members, a 5.7% rise as compared to 2005. The production
realized by one employee of industrial organizations made AMD
4,971.0ths, a 10.0% (AMD 453.8) rise as compared to 2005.

In 2006, the capital construction realized in the country totaled
AMD 17,602.0mln, a 39.7% rise as compared to 2005. Building and
assembly jobs realized in the volume of capital construction made
AMD 15,218.9mln or 86.5%.

In 2006, 47.4% (AMD 8,342.2mln) of the capital construction accounted
for the NKR state budget. ($1 -AMD 353.61).

VAHAN HOVHANNISIAN CONTEMPLATES OVER THE ELECTIONS

A1+
[07:23 pm] 28 February, 2007

"There are rumors that ARF Dashnaktsutyun is preparing Arthur
Aghabekyan as a candidate for the NKR president. I dare say the
rumors don’t correspond to the reality. This is all "insinuation";
the rumors are fabricated", Vahan Hovhannisyan, Deputy NA Speaker
and member of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun board announced today.

Mr. Hovhannisyan says that he won’t run for the parliamentary elections
by majority system. As for the proportional list of the party, the NA
Deputy Speaker said, "ARF Dashnaktsutyun has already formed its list
which will be made public by the Supreme Body one of these days. I
am not a member of the Supreme Body and I shall become acknowledged
with the list together with you".

While speaking of the decision of the oppositional forces to run
for the elections on their own, Mr. Hovhannisyan noted, "Powerful
opposition is a perfect mechanism to control elections and provide
their transparency and justice. We can collaborate separately with
each oppositional force".

In Mr Hovhannisyan’s opinion, the decision of the oppositional forces
is determined by the complexity of the oppositional field.

Everybody realises that these elections are not merely parliamentary
elections as they pave a way for the presidential ones.

"All the candidates topping the proportional lists are potential
candidates for the presidency. The ambitions of the opposition
hindered them to find a common language", said Vahan Hovhannisyan
while commenting on the step of the opposition.

HEAD OF GENERAL INFORMATION DEPARTMENT UNDER NKR PRESIDENT, WELL-KNOWN KARABAKH JOURNALIST ALEXANDER GRIGORIAN PASSES AWAY

Noyan Tapan
Feb 28 2007

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. Well-known Karabakh
journalist Alexander Grigorian died from stroke on February 27 in
Stepanakert. Noyan Tapan was informed about it from NKR Foreign
Ministry.

To recap, A. Grigorian was a correspondent of a number of media and
cooperated with expert groups, he was an expert on Caucasian region. In
the last years he worked at the General Information Department under
NKR President as Head of the Department.