Author: Tigranian Ani

IRAN TO BUY GAS FIELD FROM AZERBAIJAN

Jomhuri-Ye Eslami
Aug 4 2008
Iran

Tehran, 2 Aug: During some discussions with Azerbaijan, the oil
minister [Gholamhoseyn Nowzari] said that we have announced our
readiness to buy a section of Shah Deniz field’s natural gas. He said:
A while ago, during a meeting that was held in the Oil and Gas Company
of the Republic of Azerbaijan, some discussions were made regarding the
second phase of Shah Deniz gas field. These discussions will continue.

He added: It seems that we may have a chance to compete with other
companies, because of Iran’s closeness to the Republic of Azerbaijan
and the lower costs of natural gas transfer.

According to his remarks, based on a scheduled plan, the development
of the second phase of Shah Deniz gas field will be operational after
four years, and by then it would be possible for us to buy gas.

Emphasizing that in currently the gas swap is made from the Republic
of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Naxcivan, the oil minister said:
One million cubic meters of natural gas, enters Iran from Azerbaijan
on a daily basis and based on Armenia’s need, 600-700 thousand cubic
meters are transferred to this republic.

Referring to the Oil Ministry’s charter, Nowzari reminded: The
works in the Oil Ministry have been finalized and presented to the
Cabinet. However the changes which have been made in the Oil Ministry
have not been finalized in the Cabinet yet. According to a report
by ISNA, referring to the fact that by using the gas of phase 7 of
the South Pars we would provide the gas for either phase 9 or 10 in
the refinery.

He said: At the moment, the drilling operation for wells conducted
by the National Drilling Company has been completed on the said
platform. Some final details related to the digging operations have
remained for completion. This is the job of digging contractors and
is not related to the National Drilling Company.

Referring to the development and completion of the operations of
Dorud Field [name as published], by Total [company] he merely said
that the Iranian Offshore Oil Company, instead of Total, is taking
over the installations of this field.

BITTERNESS EMERGES IN ANTI-HATE CAMPAIGNS
By Stephanie Vosk

Cape Cod Times
rticle?AID=/20080802/NEWS/808020312
Aug 2 2008
MA

MASHPEE — Her father’s fiancee was shot and killed in front of him.

And her mother was only 11 years old when her parents, siblings,
and grandmother were deported, joining the 1.5 million victims of
the Armenian genocide.

Links Did you know that Armenians live on Cape Cod and enjoy a
rich history? Take our quiz to learn more about their culture and
heritage. (Sources: Cape Cod Times archives, ) That
history from the era of World War I has became part of Shahkeh Yaylaian
Setian’s psyche, pushing her to delve into the topic in an academic
way, to better understand the atrocities committed against her family.

Now, Setian and her supporters are trying to convince Mashpee town
officials to denounce the No Place for Hate anti-discrimination
program. Setian believes the program’s overseer, the Anti-Defamation
League, does not fully acknowledge the existence of the Armenian
genocide.

"If they consider themselves to be supporters of human rights, then
they should take a position against anyone or anything that violates
human rights," said Setian, 75, a retired educator who is currently
working on a book about Muslims who helped save Armenians during
the genocide.

Although there is no exact number known, there are believed to be
hundreds of Armenians living on the Cape, according to Setian. The
Mashpee town park plays host to a vigil each year to remember the
genocide, and a group of Armenians is working to build a church and
community center near Mashpee High School.

Setian is also petitioning Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
to stop sponsoring Anti-Defamation League programs for the same reason.

The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 to fight prejudice
against Jewish people. The group actively fights bigotry and works
to protect civil rights.

For years, the league refused to call the mass killings of Armenians
at the hands of the Turks between 1915 and 1918 a genocide, a position
it clarified last year.

The Turkish government maintains that the deaths during and after
World War I were a result of war, not a targeted ethnic cleansing
or genocide.

"We historically have called it massacres and atrocities," said
Jen Smith, associate regional director for the New England league
office. "When there was discussion about that language and it became
something that came to the organization’s attention in a profound way,
we did change our position, and we now refer to that tragic history
of that period of time as genocide."

The No Place for Hate program was founded in New England about 10 years
ago to help cities and towns to promote respect for differences while
encouraging residents and officials to speak out against intolerance.

Last summer, the issue heated up in Watertown, home to a large Armenian
community. Town councilors voted on Aug. 14, 2007, to revoke the
town’s participation in the No Place for Hate program. Several other
towns soon followed.

On Aug. 21, 2007, national league director Abraham Foxman issued a
statement regarding the league’s change of heart about the Turkish
government’s actions, saying "that the consequences of those actions
were indeed tantamount to genocide."

But in the same statement last summer, Foxman said the league would
not support a then-pending congressional resolution to officially
acknowledge the historical event.

"We continue to firmly believe that a congressional resolution on
such matters is a counterproductive diversion and will not foster
reconciliation between Turks and Armenians and may put at risk the
Turkish Jewish community and the important multilateral relationship
between Turkey, Israel and the United States," the statement said.

By describing consequences, however, Setian said the league is saying
the killings were not intentional, but merely a fallout from civil
unrest.

In November, the New England league office sent a letter to No Place
for Hate communities — of which there are at least five on the Cape
— explaining the national commission’s decision to take no further
position on the issue and urging them to remain in the program.

But in April, the Massachusetts Municipal Association voted to end
its sponsorship of the program. It had earlier urged the league to
further clarify and strengthen statements recognizing the genocide
and to support the congressional resolution.

Setian presented her views to the Mashpee Board of Selectmen
last week. The board referred the issue to the affirmative action
committee, hoping to hear a recommendation from that group before
making a decision, Selectman Theresa Cook said.

The board hopes to reach a decision by September, she said.

While Mashpee is discussing the idea of getting out of the program,
Sandwich wants in.

An initial planning meeting was held in that town in June, and while
individuals have discussed the Armenian genocide issue, it has not
been brought to the group yet, said Jacqueline Fields, chairwoman of
the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission and a Sandwich resident.

"Whatever the statement was — denying it or ignoring it or qualifying
it as something other than a genocide or a holocaust — is not a
position that I would support," Fields said of the Anti-Defamation
League’s original stance. "However, it is not a reason for individuals
to withdraw from No Place for Hate."

BAKU SAYS YEREVAN NOT KEEN TO RESOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT

Interfax News Agency
Aug 1 2008
Russia

The Armenian authorities are trying to use the Karabakh issue in order
to consolidate its positions before voters, said Novruz Mamedov,
who is charge of foreign relations at Azerbaijan’s presidential
administration.

"After the elections the Armenian authorities found themselves in a
very serious political, social, psychological crisis, and one of the
tasks they are faced with is to at least rehabilitate themselves in
the eyes of their voters. This is why they want to use this at the
talks on Karabakh," Mamedov told the ATV channel.

One such statement made by Armenians was that they wanted to continue
the peace process based on the agreements reached between the Azeri
and Armenian foreign ministers in Madrid last autumn, Mamedov said.

However, no documents or agreements were made at the end of those
talks, he said.

This is why whether the talks between two countries’ foreign ministers
held in Moscow on Friday will be successful will depend on how sincere
the Armenians are in their efforts to resolve the conflict, said the
official from the presidential administration.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandian and Azerbaijan’s Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov are meeting in Moscow on Friday to discuss
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

A diplomatic source in Moscow told Interfax that the meeting is being
held in the framework and at the proposal of the OSCE (Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe) Minsk Group.

The OSCE Minsk Group includes Russia, France and the United States.

Earlier, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan told a press conference
that peaceful ways of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have
not been exhausted. "I am certain that the problem can be settled
through talks," the president said.

Azerbaijan hopes that Armenia will demonstrate a constructive approach
at the current Moscow talks. "We would really like to see Armenia’s
concrete steps that would be the reflection of this rhetoric in the
reality," said Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Khazar Ibragim.

NOVRUZ MAMEDOV: "THE MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN IN MOSCOW AIMS TO DEFINE POSITIONS OF THE PARTIES"

Today.Az
olitics/46786.html
Aug 1 2008
Azerbaijan

The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia to be
held in Moscow Friday aims to define the positions of the parties in
the negotiation process, said chief of department of international
affairs of the presidential administration of Azerbaijan Novruz
Mamedov, adding that it is early to assess the meeting, according
Novosti-Azerbaijan.

"After the meeting Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov will report to
President Ilham Aliyev about results of talks in Moscow. It will be
possible to comment on it only after the report", said Novruz Mamedov.

Commenting on the statement of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan that Armenian side is satisfied with Madrid proposals of the
co-chairs, Novruz Mamedov noted that there was no definite document
at the meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs with the Foreign
Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the capital of Azerbaijan.

"Presently, the negotiation table has no written proposals on this
meeting. But the Armenian side tries to comment on the result of this
meeting for their own interests", said Mamedov.

The chief of department of presidential administration noted that
official Baku holds talks in defining status of Nagorno Karabakh in
framework of territorial of Azerbaijan and does not intend to give
up this position.

"Therefore, all statements of the new Armenian Minister are only a part
of a propaganda, oriented for its population", said the representative
of the presidential administration.

It should be noted that today the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan
and Armenian will meet with participation of OSCE Minsk Group,
and separately.

The previous meeting of the two ministers was held on June 6 during
an informal summit of the CIS member-states in Saint-Petersburg.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION PROTESTERS CALL FOR PRESIDENT’S REMOVAL

Agence France Presse
Aug 1 2008
France

YEREVAN (AFP) — Several thousand opposition supporters rallied Friday
in the Armenian capital Yerevan demanding President Serzh Sarkisian’s
removal and early elections.

Up to 5,000 protesters were seen in the centre of Yerevan by an
AFP reporter.

"We are demanding the removal of the president and new parliamentary
and presidential elections," former president and opposition leader
Levon Ter-Petrosian told the crowd.

Ter-Petrosian called another protest for September 5.

Opposition supporters have regularly rallied in Yerevan since Sarkisian
was elected in a February poll marred by post-election violence that
left 10 dead.

The opposition, which accuses Sarkisian of rigging the election,
protested for 11 days after the vote before being violently dispersed
by riot police.

A mountainous country of about three million people, Armenia has
experienced repeated political violence since gaining its independence
with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

BRITISH HSBC BANK BEST IN WORLD

Noyan Tapan

Au gust 1, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, NOYAN TAPAN. HSBC Bank has risen from third to first
place on the list of best thousand banks of the world, according to
the results of the annual study of The Banker magazine. Since 1999,
HSBC has been the first non-American orhanization to top that list
by the indices of its overall capital and pre-tax profit which were
record ones last year.

To recap, in April HSBC also topped Forbes’ list of biggest 2,000
companies of the world. It became the first non-American organization
to reach such success and to succeed in ensuring 26% growth of annual
incomes and 31% growth of net profit in the past 5 years.

HSBC Holding services over 128 million customers through its 10
thousand offices located in about 84 countries in Europe, Asia, Pacific
region, North and South America, the Middle East. HSBC’s assets made
2 trillion 354 billion USD as of December 31, 2007. The bank is one of
the biggest companies of banking and financial services of the world.

HSBC Bank Armenia also registered record indices in 2007. That year
the bank’s assets grew by 30% and made 104 billion drams (about 337.4
million USD) and by this index the bank took a leading place among 22
commercial banks of Armenia. Crediting grew by 70%, incomes – by 24%
and made 9.16 billion drams in late 2007, while after-tax profit grew
by 5.4% and made 3.3 billion drams.

The share of HSBC Bank Armenia made 32% in the country’s mortgage
market and 26% in the deposit attraction market. Among the bank’s
customers are 40 thousand natural persons and 3.6 thousand legal
entities.

LIQUIDATION OF RUSSIAN ENERGY HOLDING RAO EES NOT TO HAVE IMPACT ON ACTIVITIES OF "ELECTRIC NETWORKS OF ARMENIA"

ARKA
July 31, 2008

YEREVAN, July 31. /ARKA/. Liquidation of the Russian energy holding
RAO EES Russia will not have impact on the activities of "Electric
Networks of Armenia" closed joint stock company, the General Director
of the Armenian company Yevgeniy Gladunchik told journalists.

The liquidation of the Russian company was not an unexpected event:
it was planned and was being implemented during several years,
Gladunchik said. He added that the Russian INTER RAO EES, who was
the daughter company of RAO EES Russia and Rosenergoatom concern,
remains the full owner of "Electric Networks of Armenia"

The full package of the shares of INTER RAO EES was transferred to
the balance of the state corporation "Rosatom" under the decree of
the Russian President in April, Gladunchik said.

Russian INTER RAO EES holds 100% of the shares of "Electric Networks
of Armenia" CJSC. Distribution and sale of electricity is the main
activity of the company. The company provides services to approximately
913,000 consumers.

The Armenian Church eNewsletter

ter/newsletter.jpg

July 31, 2008

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

<mailto:[email protected]> Contact Us

Diocesan News

REMEMBERING VERY REV. FR. OSHAGAN MINASSIAN

It is with great sadness that we learned the news of the passing of Very
Rev. Fr. Oshagan Minassian on Saturday, July 26. Fr. Minassian was
hospitalized in April for severe pneumonia – a recurring condition he had
battled throughout his life.

On Wednesday, July 30, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presided at a wake service for
Fr. Minassian, held at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge, Mass.
Today the Primate also presided at Fr. Minassian’s funeral and final
anointing at Holy Trinity Armenian Church. All parishes of the Eastern
Diocese will mark the 40th day of Fr. Minassian’s passing with a memorial
service on Sunday, September 7.

To read more, visit

_____________________________

PRIMATE TO VISIT ARMENIAN CHURCH OF CAPE COD

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), will visit the mission parish of the Armenian Church
of Cape Cod on Sunday, August 3. The Primate will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy and join parishioners for a luncheon after the service. For more
information, call Alice Hagopian at 508-255-2026.

_____________________________

PRIM ATE LEADS CIT CLASS AT ST. VARTAN CAMP

On Thursday, July 24, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited the Ararat Center in
upstate New York to spend an afternoon with campers attending Session C of
St. Vartan Camp.

Archbishop Barsamian joined the campers and staff in the Aintab building for
lunch, and then joined Youth Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Morris for a
counselor-in-training (CIT) class, where the 16-and-17- year-old staff
members participate in group discussions and learn leadership skills. The
Primate encouraged CITs to look to our Church history to find role models of
exemplary leadership, citing qualities such as humility, discipline and
dedication.

"The CIT program is important to develop leaders who will one day become
leaders in our parish communities," Archbishop Barsamian said. "I have
enjoyed watching you grow up in the camp program as campers, and now you are
back as the leaders and role models to the young campers."

primate in computer lab.jpg

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), looks on as campers learn Armenian in the new computer
lab at St. Vartan Camp.

After the CIT class, the Primate spent time with campers in the computer
lab, which is new this year thanks to the generosity of several St. Vartan
Camp supporters. The lab is equipped with 20 new laptops, which provide the
campers with the opportunity to use several types of interactive software
designed to improve Armenian language skills. "It is always a wonderful
experience when Srpazan joins us," said Jennifer Morris. "The campers get a
chance to have some one-on-one time visiting with our Primate and the
interaction is uplifting for all."

St. Vartan Camp is in its final session, which ends on Saturday, August 2.
Hye Camp, located at Camp Hickory in Ingleside, Ill., will host its annual
Opening Day Open House on Sunday, August 3. Click here
< ews> to read camp blogs.

_____________________________

PRIMATE MEETS WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT ST. NERSESS SUMMER CONFERENCE

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited St. Nersess Armenian Seminary on Tuesday, July
29 to spend time with the young people gathered there for the High School C
Summer Conference.

The Primate joined Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, director of Youth and
Vocations at St. Nersess, as well as other visiting clergy, staff and the
conference participants for dinner in the grand dining hall of the Seminary.
Following dinner, the Primate engaged in a discussion with conference
participants, who asked questions about the history of the Armenian Church,
the priesthood and other topics.

For more information about St. Nersess summer conferences, visit

PRIMATE CONF.jpg

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), with participants of the High School C Summer
Conference at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.

_____________________________

DIOCESE BIDS FAREWELL TO SUMMER INTERNS

On Friday, July 25, the Diocese bid farewell to three interns who joined the
Diocesan team this summer for an eight-week program. The interns – Deanna
Cachoian-Schanz, of St. Gregory the Enlightener Church in White Plains,
N.Y.; Lindsey Deirmengian, of St. John’s Church in Detroit, Mich.; and
Daniel Mantis of St. Mesrob Church in Racine, Wis. – worked in the Krikor
and Clara Zohrab Information Center and the Finance Department at the
Diocese. In addition to assisting with various projects, interns attended
daily Bible-study sessions and had the opportunity to learn about the
history of the Armenian Church and the Eastern Diocese by taking part in
weekly lunch meetings with area clergy.

"Working at the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center this summer was
a wonderfully rewarding experience," said Deanna Cachoian-Schanz. "Not only
was I learning about library organization and communications, my Armenian
reading skills improved, and I was given the opportunity to interact with
living Armenian history – Bibles, talismans, trinkets and coins from ancient
times – history I could touch and feel, and understand how and why it is
still so important and amazing today."

During Friday’s farewell, Diocesan Vicar Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian
chrismated Cachoian-Schanz at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. Rev. Fr.
Mardiros Chevian, dean of the Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Karekin Kasparian, pastor
at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church – Cachoian-Schanz’s home parish – and
Diocesan staff also attended the ceremony. Later everyone gathered in the
Haik and Alice Kavookjian Hall for a farewell luncheon where the interns
were recognized for their hard work and encouraged to continue their active
involvement in the Armenian Church.

intern.jpg

Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian and Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian with Diocesan
summer interns Deanna Cachoian-Schanz, Daniel Mantis and Lindsey
Deirmengian.

_____________________________

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND FOR ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS

>From January 13 to 22, 2009, the Eastern Diocese will lead a pilgrimage to
the Holy Land to celebrate Armenian Christmas according to the Old Calendar
(January 18-19).

This pilgrimage will give participants the opportunity to visit some of the
holiest sites of our faith in Jerusalem and also to visit Jericho, the Sea
of Galilee, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, Tiberias and Qumran.
Participants will tour the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem and the
Patriarchate Complex, where they will be received by the Patriarch. On
January 18, pilgrims will travel to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of
Christ with a Christmas procession and a midnight Divine Liturgy. To learn
more < f> click here or to
download the registration form visit <;
www.armenian church.net.

Jerusalem trip.jpg

The Armenian bell tower of the Church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem.

_____________________________

CHURCH AND HOME MATERIALS AVAILABLE ONLINE

A wealth of new Church and Home materials are now available on our Web site,
<; Click on the
"Church and Home" button on the homepage and you will be directed to a
listing of a variety of online tutorials and programs designed to offer
"Back to the Basics" educational tools that can be used from the comfort of
your home. Learn about Armenian Church feasts, the calendar, Modern and
Classical Armenian and much more!

_____________________________

EVENTS ON THE CATHEDRAL PLAZA FOR VYPs (ST. VARTAN YOUNG PROFESSIONALS)

This summer St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is hosting monthly cultural and
social programs to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Cathedral and to
give young professionals in the greater New York area an opportunity to come
together on the Cathedral’s Grand Plaza. The programs feature local Armenian
artists and musicians, a grand tour of the Cathedral complex and
opportunities to connect with other Armenians in a unique space. Mark your
calendars now for the following events:

Thursday, August 7, 6-8 p.m. – Enjoy Armenian mezze and tour St. Vartan
Cathedral (free admission)

Thursday, September 18, 6-8 p.m. tentative date – Fall Kick-Off Coffeehouse
featuring performances by local Armenian musicians ($10 in advance, $15 at
the door)

For more information, contact Rachel Goshgarian at 212-686-0710 x126 or
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]; or Julie
Hoplamazian at 212-686-0710 x165 or <mailto:[email protected]>
julieh@a rmeniandiocese.org.

SVC Under Construction, Arches from above.jpg

Construction of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in the 1960s. The Cathedral
was consecrated in April 1968.

_____________________________

ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY TO HOST BENEFIT AND REUNION IN SEPTEMBER

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary would like to invite participants of past
Summer and Winter Conferences to enjoy an evening of cocktails and hors
d’oeuvres at a reunion on Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m.

The gathering will benefit St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and will give
guests the opportunity to reminisce about old songs, the dinner bell and
pool, trips to the Diocese and all the laughter and love that was shared at
each conference.

For more information and registration, click here
<; .

St. Nersess.jpg

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary will host a reunion in September for
participants of past Summer and Winter Conferences.

_____________________________
WOMEN’S GUILD SYMPOSIUM: MIND, BODY, SPIRIT

The 4th Annual Women’s Guild Symposium – Mind, Body, Spirit – will be held
at the Ararat Center in Greenville, N.Y., September 19-21. This is a
wonderful opportunity to get away for the weekend and enjoy learning,
fellowship and laughter with other women from the Diocese and beyond.

Hear psychotherapist Dr. Anie Kalayjian make a presentation on "Empowering
Yourself Through Movement, Laughter, Forgiveness and Love," join our book
club, hear Anne Bruno-Loshigian speak about "15 Financial Myths for Women
Demystified," learn dance steps with Yn. Pat Butero, try "Painting With
Scissors: Creating a unique collage in the style of Henri Matisse" with
Carol Loshigian and so much more. On Sunday, culminate the weekend with
Badarak celebrated by Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian.
< /symposium.pdf> Click here to learn more.

For information about WGCC programs, including Children of Armenia
Sponsorship Program (CASP), School Bags, Habitat for Humanity and Saintly
Women’s Day, please contact Lucy Murad at 703-517-6249 or
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] or Louise Demirjian at
440-331-1668 or <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected].

_____________________________

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE MOTHER CATHEDRAL OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN

The Eastern Diocese will make a pilgrimage to the Mother Cathedral of Holy
Etchmiadzin this fall to participate in the blessing of the Holy Muron
(Oil). The two-week pilgrimage begins in late September and concludes in
early October. The blessing of the Holy Muron will take place on Sunday,
September 28. For more information,
< /muron.pdf> click here or contact Arto
Vorperian at the Diocesan Center at 212-686-0710 x213, or e-mail
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]. To view a video about the Holy
Muron, < gt; click here.

_____________________________

ARMENIAN RECIPE INSPIRES CREATION OF RICE-A-RONI

Armenians have contributed a number of dishes to mainstream American
cuisine, not least of which is Armenian pilaf. In a report airing this
morning, National Public Radio traced the birth of Rice-A-Roni, the
now-famous rice and pasta products that were inspired by an Armenian recipe.
Click < toryId`067862> here
to learn more.

SAVE THE DATE: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The 40th anniversary commemoration of the consecration of St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral will take place on Sunday, October 12, along with the
distribution of the Holy Muron (Oil) from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
to our parishes. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), and will be followed by a requiem service (Hoki Hankisd) for all
the deceased godfathers and committee members who played a part in the
founding of our Cathedral. A celebratory luncheon will take place in the
Haik and Alice Kavookjian Hall following services, during which all
individuals who participated in the establishment of St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral will be honored.

Reservations for the luncheon can be made by sending a $40 check (payable to
the Diocese of the Armenian Church) to: Lorraine Marootian, 774 Butternut
Dr., Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. For more information, call the Diocese at
212-686-0710 or e-mail <mailto:[email protected]>
st [email protected].

Commemorative bracelets honoring the 40th anniversary of St. Vartan
Cathedral are available in silver or gold at the Cathedral or by ordering
directly from

invitation page 1.jpg

_______________________________

Prayer for the Week

Guard us, O Christ our God, in peace under the shadow of your holy and
venerable Cross. Deliver us from the visible and invisible enemy. Make us
worthy to give you thanks and to glorify you together with the Father and
the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
More prayers
< .asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5246&
HS=1 > <;

Scripture for the Week

Is 62:1-11

2 Tm 2:15-19

Jn 6:30-47

Saints & Feasts

8/2: St. Gregory the Theologian

8/3: Sixth Sunday after Transfiguration

May God bless and keep you and your family.

Cyprus Mail, Cyprus
July 27 2008

High ranking Armenian cleric visits Cyprus

Unity is the source of strength
By Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra

CATHOLICOS of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Aram I has
called on Turkey to reconcile with its past and formally accept the
Armenian genocide.

In a recent visit to Cyprus, Aram I said that he did believe that
Armenians and Turks could live together, but that Turkey had to admit
to its past.

`The people of Turkey are not our enemy. But we have a problem. And it
is critically important that it is solved. We cannot ignore the past
or deny our history. The Genocide is deeply rooted into the common
consciousness of our people. It’s not fiction; it’s a fact,’ he said.

Aram I also called on Turkey to respect the law when it came to the
freedom of religious expression for Armenians in Cyprus.

`I have expressed my concern to the government and the United Nations
over the issue that Armenians are prohibited from holding masses in
their Turkish-occupied churches. It is vitally important that the
occupying forces preserve the identity and sacredness of the religious
sites. This is part of international law and human rights,’ he added.

On the question of the restoration of the two Armenian churches and
the Armenian monastery in the occupied areas which are falling apart,
Aram I demanded for the restoration of all churches and not just the
Armenian ones, as the current situation showed a lack of respect for
sites of religious, historical and archaeological value.

Aram I was in Cyprus this week and held visits with the political and
religious leadership of the island. After his meeting with President
Demetris Christofias, the Catholicos of Cicilia spoke of the
President’s evident desire to unify the island.

`I had a very interesting conversation with the President of the
Republic. He is really committed to the process of reunification, and
he is serious. He told me that he is going to continue
committedly. But when you reunify two things, you also need the others
committed, you cannot do that alone,’ he said.

He also had a meeting with House President Marios Garoyian, who is
Armenian, and the cleric spoke of his happiness that Armenians in
Cyprus were so integrated into Cypriot society.

`We are proud that he [Garoyian] is of Armenian origin and that he is
conscious of that. Here there are people of Armenian, Greek, Latin and
Maronite origin, but the common denominator bringing them together is
that they are all Cypriots. We need to accept and respect each other
the way we are, not the way we want others to become.

`I am very happy to see that our people in this country are very much
integrated into the fabric of the society. They participate fully,
actively and responsibly in all spheres of the society,’ he added.

And his message to the Armenians of Cyprus:

`As I repeatedly say, we must be active participants of the societies
in which we live. But above all unity: unity is the source of
strength,’ he concluded.

ELECTRIC NETWORK OF ARMENIA TOPS LIST OF 300 LARGEST CONTRIBUTORS TO SOCIAL SECURITY FUND

ARKA
July 25

Electric Network of Armenia tops the list of 300 largest contributors
to the Social Security Fund of Armenia, as a result of the first six
months of 2008.

According to RA State Tax Service, the company paid 961.2mln drams
against 1.1bln drams it paid in the corresponding period last year.

The second largest payer is ArmRosgasprom 760mln drams against 701mln
drams last year, followed by K-Telekom (VivaCell trademark) mobile
operator with 578.5mln drams.

ArmenTel paid 560mln AMD (565mln AMD in Jan-June last year). The
fifth largest contributor to the social security fund is Zangezur
Copper and Molybdenum Plant with 502.8mln drams (426.1mln drams last
year. ($1=301.31 drams).