Author: Toneyan Mark

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GENOCIDE BY TURKEY TO PROMOTE ARMENIAN-TURKISH RECONCILIATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.10.2009 14:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s wrong to lay the responsibility for
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide on Diaspora,
ARF Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office director Kiro
Manoyan said.

"Armenia should urge Ankara to annul all laws envisaging punishment for
the Armenian Genocide discussion in Turkey. At that, official Yerevan
should announce that international recognition of the Genocide is a
priority of Armenia’s foreign policy," he said.

According to Mr. Manoyan, Armenia should insist that acknowledgment
of the Genocide by Turkey will promote Armenian-Turkish reconciliation.

IFIS PLEDGE CONTINUED DRIVE TO SUPPORT CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Aysor.am
Thursday, October 08

The European Bank for Development and Reconstruction (EBRD), the
European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, and the World Bank Group spread
Monday a press release in which warned against complacency in the face
of significant challenges that stand in the way of economic recovery
in Central and Eastern Europe.

Meeting in Istanbul at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund
Annual Meetings, EBRD President Thomas Mirow, EIB President Philippe
Maystadt and World Bank Vice President Philippe Le Houérou said that
unprecedented coordinated international action had helped stave off
a systemic crisis in the region.

This year’s February 27 the three international financial institutions
(IFIs) launched Plan in support of banking systems and lending to the
real economy in regoin aimed to: A – support banking sector stability
and lending to the real economy in crisis-hit Central and Eastern
Europe with a financing plan of up to â~B¬24.5 billion for 2009-2010;
B – commit to make joint assessments of large bank groups’ financing
needs; and C – rapidly deploy assistance in a coordinated manner,
according to each institution’s geographical and product remit.

At their meeting in Istanbul, the three signatories of the Joint IFI
Action Plan presented their first Joint Progress Report, discussed
new challenges ahead, and future areas of cooperation. Their report
noted that policy dialogue cooperation between the three IFIs, in
close collaboration with the IMF and the European Commission, had
facilitated the management of the crisis on a private-public sector
platform under the European Bank Coordination (Vienna) Initiative.

However, despite signs that the grip of the economic crisis is easing,
and despite country variations, significant challenges remain ahead
before the region can get firmly on the road to recovery and growth.

The Institutions believe that economic recovery will depend critically
on private-sector growth, w

Looking forward the three institutions pledge to persevere in their
efforts under the Joint IFI Action Plan to support lending to the real
economy and in the region, while addressing the challenges ahead in
close collaboration with other international and European institutions
and governments.

PROTOCOLS HUNGER STRIKE ENTERS SECOND DAY
By Allen Yekikan

ls-hunger-strike-enters-second-day/
Oct 7th, 2009

Hundreds of people gathered together across from the Armenian
Consulate in Glendale Tuesday evening, joined in solidarity with 34
young Armenians holding a hunger strike against the Turkey-Armenia
protocols set to be signed on Friday.

The hunger strike, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation as part
of the "Stop the Protocols Campaign," kicked off Monday at midnight
and will last for 96 hours until midnight Friday, when the Armenian
Foreign Minister is scheduled to sign the document in Switzerland.

The protocols are also to be signed by Armenian President Serzh
Sarkisian on Oct. 13, when he is expected to visit Turkey to attend
a soccer match between the Armenian and Turkish national teams. If
signed, the document will require Armenia to relinquish all legal
claims to historic lands occupied by turkey and bind it to an agreement
to establish a historic commission to investigate the veracity of
the Armenian Genocide.

The protocols also contains a clause that bars Armenia from supporting
the self determination of the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

"We’re here to make our voices heard to the Armenian Consulate and
the government in Yerevan because they have refused to listen to
the Diaspora for far to long on this issue," Berj Parseghian, the
strike’s group leader, said reflecting on the global opposition to
the protocols expressed by the Armenian Diaspora. "Our fasters, 34
strong, have an incredible resolve that motivates me every second of
the day, especially when I stop to think about the dire circumstances
our nation is facing today."

On Tuesday night, more than 400 people turned out to join the hunger
strikers in a revolutionary song night with patriotic singer Karnig
Sarkisian. The atmosphere was lively and the strikers hopes were high.

More than 200 people attended the opening ceremony Monday evening,
kicking off the program with a candle light vigil in memory of the
1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.

The strikers began the next morning making signs and preparing for a
day of activities to raise awareness among bystanders and passerby’s
in the area. With red tape over their mouths, the 35 youth chained
themselves together and sat across the street from the consulate
holding signs that said "Hunger Strike" and "Sarkisian Don’t Sign
Armeno-Turkish Protocols."

Reporters from the Los Angeles Times and Glendale Newsperess visited
the site to cover the story.

The hunger strikers have also prepared a flier called "Read Between
the Lines," which presents the dangers of the protocols in plain
English. They have been passing out copies for two days now. They
are also calling the Consulate to tell them why they are opposed to
the protocols and encouraging visitors and supporters who come by to
make the same call.

Participant at the scene, as well as others from the campaign, have
been providing live updates of the hunger strike through Facebook,
twitter, and youtube. They are also video blogging the entire
experience.

Later in the evening, the hunger-strikers and community supporters
will join together in an "Open Mic Night" to express their thoughts
on the Genocide, why they are personally out, and how these protocols
endanger the cause for Justice for the Armenian people. Participants
will read personal poems and statements, as well as testimony from
genocide survivors, including letters from the recently deceased
Ghazaros Kademian.

Thursday evening’s activities will revolve around raising awareness
of the Nagorno-Karabakh liberation struggle. The protocols threaten
the independence of Artsakh-an independence that was won through the
sacrifice and martyrdom of thousands of Armenians.

The organizers anticipate the hunger strike will continue to draw
broad based support from the community in the coming days until the
conclusion of the demonstration on Friday.

ARMENIA, EU TO SET UP SUBCOMMITTEE

News.am
16:27 / 10/07/2009

Armenia and the European Union (EU) will set up a subcommittee for
justice, freedom and security.

The press office of the Secretary of the RA National Security Council
reported that Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan received a delegation of
the European Commission led by Mr. Luigi Soreca, European Commission,
Directorate General, Justice and Home Affairs. Participating in the
meeting was Head of the European Commission Delegation to Armenia
Raul de Luzenberger. The sides discussed the issue of setting up
a subcommittee for justice, freedom and security as part of the
Armenia-EU cooperation committee. Armenia is the fourth country such to
have such a subcommittee, which is to promote the Armenia-EU dialogue
and cooperation in the filed of justice, freedom and security.

The sides decided to draw up a schedule of the subcommittee’s
activities, discussed the issue of technical and expert assistance
to Armenia and stressed the importance of simplifying the procedure
of issuing entry visas.

TURKEY’S PM SAYS ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS TO BE SIGNED OCTOBER 10

Panorama.am
12:40 07/10/2009

The Wall Street Journal Tuesday afternoon reported that Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview that the signing of
the Armenia-Turkey protocols was not dependent on progress of talks to
be held Thursday in Moldova between the Armenian and Azeri presidents.

"The agreement will be signed on October 10. It doesn’t have anything
to do with what happens in Moldova," Erdogan told the Wall Street
Journal Sunday.

Erdogan also said the two processes – a resolution of the Karabakh
conflict and rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia – remain linked,
and that a positive outcome in Moldova would help overall. Turkish
officials have continued to indicate the border could take longer to
open than the three months set out in the three-page protocol.

The Turkish leader said the only obstacle to signing the deal on
Saturday would come if Armenia seeks to alter the text. "This is
perhaps the most important point – that Armenia should not allow its
policies to be taken hostage by the Armenian diaspora," Mr. Erdogan
said. Much of Armenia’s large diaspora opposes the protocol.

A spokesman for Armenia President Serzh Sarkisian declined to comment
on whether Armenia would seek changes to the protocol. He said the
government would make a statement on "steps" concerning the protocol
soon.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

AGBU Camp Nubar Wraps Up 46th Summer with New Director & Record-Breaking
Attendance

On August 15, 2009, after six weeks of traditional and new activities,
fun, and friendships old and new, Camp Nubar finished its 46th season in
the Catskill Mountains located in the scenic Hudson Valley of upstate
New York.

After 16 previous summers as a camper and counselor, Jennifer Omartian
led a highly qualified staff as a first-time director, not only keeping
camp traditions alive, but creating several novel cultural, athletic,
artistic and social activities.

This summer, Camp Nubar also witnessed several new ground improvements,
made possible through funds raised during the Camp’s 45th-anniversary
event in 2008. Over $90,000 was raised for improvements in the camp
drainage systems and roofing. The money also allowed for the purchase of
a new motor boat, kayaks, outdoor ping-pong tables, MacBook Pro
computers (for digital video editing), and digital kilns for ceramic
classes.

Counselors arrived a week before campers did for a special "pre-camp"
training session, which included extensive Red Cross, First Aid, CPR,
and life-saving instruction. Counselors hailed from across the United
States, but also as far afield as Lebanon, Turkey, France, Ireland and
Canada.

The first-session campers, many of whom had traveled from Canada,
arrived at the beginning of July to officially start the summer season.
Three weeks later, the second session began and featured a mid-summer
Open House visitor event, where family, friends and many Camp Nubar
alumni reconnected over Armenian food, dance performances, a waterfront
exhibition and a basketball game played by campers and staff. Camp ended
with a recording-breaking 140 campers for the third session, which
featured the highlights of Color War and a banquet.

New activities this summer included aerobics, advanced photography,
fishing, water polo, Armenian cooking and group fitness. "Dancing with
the Staff," a spin-off of the popular television show "Dancing with the
Stars," added an exciting new twist to the evening activities schedule.
The Canteen, or camp store, featured new improvements, including
healthier snack selections, such as Vitamin Water and granola bars, and
fashionable camp gear.

"Camp Nubar was amazing this year," said camper Brenda Yazujian from
Philadelphia. "There were many new activities added to make our days
even more fun. I wasn’t bored once this summer!"

Traditional camp events like weekend dances, with Luau, Hoe Down and
Hollywood themes, continued to be camper favorites. In addition,
campfires, talent shows, lip syncs, scavenger hunts, capture the flag,
ultimate frisbee, olympics, basketball and tennis tournaments, certified
horseback riding, arts and crafts, ceramics, Armenian history and
language lessons, archery instruction, and sports competitions with
other local camps remained popular daily activities. There were weekly
visits from clergy for religious services, including Rev. Fr. Taniel
Karadjian, Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian, Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, Rev.
Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan and His
Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

A highlight of the summer, known as "Color War," is a competition which
encompasses athletics, team spirit, chariot races, the arts, Armenian
language and dance, trivia, music and choreographed cheers. From the
start of summer, campers and counselors eagerly await the surprise
kick-off of Color War, in which the camp is divided into two teams, blue
and gold, for a fun-filled contest that lasts three days. This year, the
Blue Werewolves, led by generals Arno Isnar and Maral Varolian, and
captains Dan Sahakian and Audrey Demirjian, trumped the Gold Warriors,
led by generals Armen Shamamian and Tamar Merjian, and captains Anthony
Antreasyan and Andrea Afrikian. In true camp tradition, as soon as the
competition ended, blue and gold teams made green peace over a shaving
cream fight and water activities by the waterfront.

"Camp Nubar ’09 was one of the most special things I’ve ever been a part
of," said Daniel Antreasyan, the assistant director. "We had a ton of
talented counselors who made it a priority to make sure the campers got
the most of their experience and that they left wanting more."

For the first time this year, Camp Nubar has created multimedia
materials, including a camp newsletter, cabin photographs, and
slideshow, which are available on the camp website:
Counselors have also started a Twitter account,
, and a Facebook group, which will allow
campers to follow camp updates and happenings all year long.

Founded in 1963, AGBU Camp Nubar is a first-rate modern facility that
has been highly ranked by the American Camp Association, American Red
Cross, and American Academy of Pediatrics. For more information about
AGBU Camp Nubar, please visit , email
[email protected], or call 212-319-6383.

For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit

Tert.am
12:07 05.10.09

Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s Jewish Origins Revealed

A photograph of the Iranian president holding up his identity card
during elections in March 2008 clearly shows his family has Jewish
roots, reported the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph.

A close-up of the document reveals he was previously known as
Sabourjian – a Jewish name meaning cloth weaver.

The short note scrawled on the card suggests his family changed
its name to Ahmadinejad when they converted to embrace Islam after
his birth.

Experts suggested Ahmadinejad’s track record for hate-filled attacks
on Jews could be an overcompensation to hide his past.

Ali Nourizadeh, of the Centre for Arab and Iranian Studies, said:
"This aspect of Mr. Ahmadinejad’s background explains a lot about
him. Every family that converts into a different religion takes a
new identity by condemning their old faith."

Ahmadinejad has regularly levelled bitter criticism at Israel,
questioned its right to exist and denied the Holocaust. A number of
diplomats walked out of a UN meeting last month after the Iranian
president denounced Israel’s ‘genocide, barbarism and racism.’

DIASPORA SHOULD BACK ARMENIA AND ARTSAKH: RA PRESIDENT

News.am
11:26 / 10/05/2009

In the frames of Pan-Armenian tour, RA President Serzh Sargsyan met
with the Diaspora representatives of the Canada and U.S. Eastern
cost in New York. Nagorno-Karabakh Former President and RA
Ambassador-at-Large Arkadi Ghukasyan, the VP of Hayastan fund Board
of Trustees Gagik Harutyunyan, as well as Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobyan participated.

Commenting on Armenian-Turkish relations, Sargsyan underlined that
Armenia advances in the establishment of relations with Turkey without
any preconditions. "I consider that we gained maximum for the time
being," he said in response to the statement whether it was possible
to elaborate pro-Armenian document more thoroughly.

Sargsyan stated that after August 2008 war (in South Ossetia) new
situation established in the region that to some extent conduced
to Armenia-Turkey dialogue progress. It was dawned to everyone
what threats unsettled conflicts can fraught, particular to the
security of the peaceful and prosperous future of the nations. RA
President is certain, that Armenia-Turkey reconciliation will
assist the reduction of overall tension in the region and creation
of confidence. Speaking of the border opening consequences, Sargsyan
emphasized the appropriate services carried out research on the issue
and the work in some directions is underway. The President noted it
is impossible to forecast all risks and challenges of the potential
scenario development. Emphasizing that many people voice concern
about the situation, President reminded of the fear expressed in
the period when "we voted for Armenia’s independence." "Back then
many apprehended the Armenia’s future. Same with our struggle for
NKR self-determination, when not all counts were made and fears were
there. However we believed in our objectives and succeeded," Sargsyan
pointed out.

The President finds concerns over Turkey’s economic expansion after
border opening groundless, stating that Armenia has sufficient
techniques and mechanisms, including legislative ones to tackle
these problems.

According to him, the Genocide will not be discussed in the context
of Armenia-Turkey rapprochement. "The only matter of a possible
discussion related to Genocide is how to help Turkish people to be
more impartial towards their history, in particular how to overcome
Genocide consequences," Sargsyan stated.

Regardless of the Protocols’ content, participants were unanimous
that Diaspora should back Artsakh and Armenia. President resumed,
what matters is that we managed to reach a consensus at this critical
moment. "I believe in Armenia’s bright future, as I see the right path
through," Serzh Sargsyan concluded, calling on Diaspora to support
firm steps of the Motherland.

GEORGIA HOSTED MEETING ON BORDER DELIMITATION AND DEMARCATION ISSUES

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.10.2009 20:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgia and Armenia should start active dialogue
for coordinating approaches on border delimitation issues, stated
participants of meeting devoted to delimitation and demarcation of
Armenian-Georgian border.

Two countries’ delegations were headed by their Deputy FMs David
Jalangania (Georgia) and Shavarsh Kocharian (Armenia).

According to Georgian Foreign Ministry, "Experts were recommended
to submit concrete proposals, and parties stressed their desire to
start active dialogue for coordinating approaches to undelimited
border sections." Time and place of regular delegation meeting will
be agreed through diplomatic channels later, "Novosti Gruzia" reports.

October 1, 2009

IN MEMORIAM: KEVORK HOVNANIAN

Archbishop Oshagan expressed his deepest condolences to the family of
Kevork Hovnanian, humanitarian,
philanthropist, and business leader, who died on September 24 at New
York Presbyterian Hospital. He was 86.
The Prelate described Mr. Hovnanian as a true gentle man who quietly
supported causes close to his heart
with no expectations of recognition and honors.
"The Armenian Church and nation have lost a true patriot, and the
world has lost a compassionate and
generous benefactor. His name can never be erased from our collective
memory. His image will always remain alive and radiant," the Prelate
said.
Private funeral services took place on Monday, September 28, at
St. Stepanos Church in Elberon, New Jersey,
which Mr. Hovnanian built in honor of his mother. A public memorial
service will take place this Saturday, October 3, at 2 pm at
St. Vartan
Cathedral, New York City.
The Prelate and Religious and Executive Councils extend their
heartfelt sympathy to the entire Hovnanian family, including his
brothers

and sisters, and especially to his wife, Sirvart, their children
Sossi,
Esto, Ara, Lucy, and Nadia and their grandchildren.
May he rest in eternal peace with our Lord whom he served with so much
love and dedication.

PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO DEARBORN ON SUNDAY

Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Dearborn, Michigan, this Sunday,
October 4. His Eminence will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver
the sermon
at St. Sarkis Church and will preside over the parish’s anniversary
banquet following church services.
PRELATE MEETS WITH ARMENIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER

On Monday evening, Archbishop Oshagan met with Armenia’s Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbantyan at the Prelacy. Also present were Armenia’s
ambassador
to the United States, Tatul Markarian, and the representative to the
United Nations, Karen Nazarian. The dinner meeting focused on the
recent
situation regarding Turkey and Armenia.
PRELATE WILL ATTEND COMMUNITY MEETING WITH PRESIDENT

On Saturday, October 3, Archbishop Oshagan will join other community
leaders in meeting with Armenia’s president, Serzh Sargsyan, who is in
the
United States to meet with leaders to discuss the Armenia-Turkey
protocols.
PRELATE WILL DELIVER INVOCATION AT ACAA EVENT

Archbishop Oshagan will deliver the invocation at the third annual
banquet hosted by the Armenian Cultural Association of America
(Eastern Region),
this Saturday, October 3, at Espace, 635 West 42nd Street, New York
City. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) will be presented with the
2009
Freedom Award. The 2009 Vahan Cardashian award will go to Mrs. Melanie
Kerneklian and Mr. Bedros Bandazian. Mark Geragos, Esq., is a special
guest.
The MC is David Krikorian, Congressional candidate from Ohio.
VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO OHIO

Bishop Anoushavan will travel to Ohio where this Sunday he will
celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Cross
Armenian Church,
North Royalton, Ohio.
VICAR WILL ATTEND WCC MEETINGS IN GREECE

Bishop Anoushavan, the Ecumenical Officer of North America, will leave
for Athens, Greece, this Monday where from October 6 to 14 he will be
attending the World Council of Church’s Faith & Order Plenary
Commission, "Called to be the One Church," at the Orthodox Academy of
Crete. As the
representative of the Oriental Orthodox Church he will chair the 9th
session on "Tradition and Traditions."

"LINKED IN" YOUTH WORKSHOP

The Prelacy’s second annual Linked In workshop weekend took place last
weekend from Friday to Sunday, at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard,
Charlton, Massachusetts. Forty-one young professionals and college
students from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and
Rhode
Island attended. The weekend was filled with education, spiritual
enrichment, and bonding with peers.

In recognition of the declaration by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Holy See of Cilicia, designating 2009 as the "Year of the
Youth," the
workshops focused on the role of the youth in the leadership of the
Armenian Church and spirituality and mission in the lives of the
Armenian
youth.

Presentations were made by Professor Michael Papazian, Associate
Professor of Philosophy at Berry College, Rome, Georgia, regarding the
leadership structure in the Armenian Church and participation by the
youth in that structure; Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian provided an
understanding
of the Armenian Church’s place within the larger Christian community
with a presentation regarding the similarities and differences between
the
Armenian Church and the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches. To
help the youth understand how they may use their faith to stand as
pillars of
both the Armenian Church and of their own Armenian families,
Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian spoke about the difficulties faced by
the younger
generations living in today’s society and ways to implement Christian
values in our home lives to counteract those difficulties. Yeretzgin
Margaret Stepanian, focused on both the philanthropic missionary work
the youth may participate in and the

A photo of the participants and lecturers.

A small discussion group.

Bishop Anoushavan and Hagop Khatchadourian, chairman of the Prelacy
Executive Council, with
participants from Rhode Island.

inner mission to strengthen our Christian faith in our daily lives.
Besides the enlightening lectures, the participants engaged in small
group discussion, a Bible study session
conducted by Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, a spiritual fellowship hour
with sharagans and contemporary Christian songs led by Denise
Borekjian, and
meditations by Ani Nalbandian, Tamar Harutunian, and Jeanette
Nazarian.
Before the Divine Liturgy on Sunday which was celebrated by Rev. Fr.
Stephan Baljian, Bishop Anoushavan
presented a slide presentation on "Bible, Theology and Art in the
Divine Liturgy."

CLERGY MEDITATIONAL RETREAT

For the second year the clergy of the Prelacy came together for a
retreat The retreat began last Sunday evening and continued through
Wednesday,
following the Linked In weekend for young adults at the same location,
Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard in Charlton, Massachusetts. The
general
discussion focused on Holy Week. The days were filled with fellowship
as well as prayer services, meditations, and Bible readings.

Clergy at Retreat in a group photo and during
discussion.

MIDWEST REGIONAL CONFERENCE

Last Saturday, St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn, Michigan hosted the
Mid-West Regional Conference. Archbishop Oshagan attended and presided
over
the conference which was successful and well-received. Parishes
participating were: St. Sarkis (Dearborn, MI), All Saints (Glenview,
IL), St.
Gregory the Illuminator (Granite City, IL), St. Paul (Waukegan, IL),
and St. Hagop (Racine, WI).

Presentations were made on the following topics: Spiritual Awakening
by V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian; Administrative Duties by John
Daghlian;
Sunday School/AREC by Deacon Shant Kazanjian; Armenian One Day School
by Dr. Mary Olson; Role of the Prelacy by Raffi Ourlian, and Board of
Trustees Guidelines by Stephen Hagopian.

"The purpose of the regional conferences is to strengthen parish and
prelacy communication and enhance parish development. This was the
second Mid-West

conference within the past year. The discussions resulted in many good
ideas and good suggestions were presented that the Executive Council
will review and decide on implementation," said Raffi Ourlian,
treasurer
of the Prelacy’s Executive Council.

MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER

The Mid-Atlantic regional conference will be hosted by Sts. Vartanantz
Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, on Saturday, October 10.
TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN ARAM I AND PRESIDENT SARGSYAN

His Holiness Aram I and H.E. Serge Sargsyan, the President of the
Republic of Armenia, held a telephone conversation on September
26. The President
will be visiting Lebanon in the coming weeks and will have a private
meeting with His Holiness.

Earlier in the week, His Holiness sent a letter to the President
expressing his concerns about the Turkey-Armenia protocols and urging
the
President to engage the entire Armenian nation in this critical
pan-national issue.
BIRDS NEST ORPHANAGE

The historic orphanage established by Danish missionaries during the
Genocide and later given to the Armenian Church continues to serve the
changing
needs of the community in the Diaspora. Sam Boyadjian was recently
appointed as the new director of the institution.

The Birds Nest is one of two Diasporan Armenian institutions (the
other is in Aleppo, Syria) that provides shelter for children who are
orphaned,
abandoned, or whose parents are unable to care for them. It is an
unending project because it constantly reinvents itself to best serve
the needs of
the children. The board members supervise and monitor the upkeep of
the buildings, the quality of living conditions, and the level of
education
given to the children. The Women’s Guild provides assistance as
volunteers.
GUROIAN KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT ST. VLADIMIR’S SEMINARY SATURDAY

Vigen Guroian, professor of Religious Studies in Orthodox Christianity
at the University of Virginia is the keynote speaker at St. Vladimir’s
Seminary this Saturday, October 3. Dr. Guroian is participating in the
Seminary’s Orthodox Education Day 2009 which is devoted to "God’s
green
earth: Ecology and Theology." Dr. Guroian will speak at 1 pm on the
topic "Ecological blessings from the Garden." He has written two books
on this
subject, Inheriting Paradise: Meditations on Gardening and The
Fragrance of God, both of which are available at the Prelacy’s
bookstore.

St. Vladimir’s is located at 575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, New York
10707-1659.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for today, Thursday, October 1, are: Wisdom 6:11-21;
Jeremiah 17:7-8; Romans 8:18-26; John 16:1-4.

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They
shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by
the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall
stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not
cease to
bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

For listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
( y/PDF/dbr2009-10.pdf).
PRINCES SAHAK AND HAMAZASP

Today, Thursday, October 1, the Armenian Church commemorates the lives
of two princes: Sahak and Hamazasp. The two holy princes lived during
the
reign of Emperor Leo and Archbishop Flavian of Constantinople and
during the pontificate of Catholicos Nerses. It was a time of intense
Arab
domination. The governorship had been given to Hamazasp, who was from
the Ardzrouni dynasty. He had two brothers, Sahak and Merouzhan. All
three
were considered brave men and dedicated Christians, but there were
evil forces against them. The Arab leader, Harun, summoned them,
ostensibly in
friendship. Instead, when they came before him, the princes were given
a choice of forsaking their faith in Christ or being tortured to
death.
Merouzhan renounced Christ and was given authority to rule over the
province of Vasbouragan. Sahak and Hamazasp remained steadfast. Both
were
martyred.
72 HOLY DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

This Saturday, October 3, the Armenian Church commemorates the 72 Holy
Disciples of Christ. The reference comes from the Gospel of Luke,
Chapter
10, Verse 1: "After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent
them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself
intended
to go." (Some versions of the Gospel say 72, rather than 70).

The tradition of the church confirms that these disciples remained
true to the Lord and their calling, and spread the Gospel. They were
not random
choices, but rather true disciples whose labors carried the message of
the Lord throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. All of the saints are
remembered individually in the liturgical calendar of the church, but
this day is set aside to remember them collectively. The number 70 is
also
considered to be a reference to Genesis, which he speaks of 70 nations
of the world.
GORKY RETROSPECTIVE AT PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM

The Philadelphia Museum of Art will present a major traveling
retrospective celebrating the extraordinary life and work of Arshile
Gorky
(1904-1948). The first comprehensive survey of the work of this artist
in nearly three decades, Arshile Gorky: A Retrospective will
premier
at the Museum on October 21 and continue there until January 10,
2010. The exhibition will then travel to the Tate Modern, London
(Spring 2010) and
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (Summer 2010).
OCTOBER IS CULTURAL MONTH

October is a special month for Armenians. In the beginning of the
month (October 10) we celebrate the memory of the Translators of the
Holy
Bible.

In a message delivered October 10, 1982, by His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, he noted:

"Translators, in the precise and historical sense of the word, refer
to St. Sahag and St. Mesrob and their immediate disciples of the 5th
century
who translated the Holy Scriptures from Greek into Armenian…. But,
the word translators has acquired a wider sense in our Armenian
understanding; it refers to all such Church Fathers who in the course
of the past centuries made a marked contribution to the growth of
Armenian
culture taken in its entirety. It has become now a symbolic name which
is applied in this broadest sense to all those who translate God’s
Word to
God’s people particularly through their literary activities and
cultural services.

"This is why October has been proclaimed as The Month of Culture
(Meshagouytee Amees). This means that we are called to focus our
thinking on the value of culture in human life within our Armenian
communities around the world."
PRELACY MARKS CULTURAL MONTH WITH
INAUGURATION OF ONLINE COURSE IN ARMENIAN

Next week we will inaugurate an On-Line Course in Modern Western
Armenian which will be available to everyone. The on-line course was
developed by
Dr. Tom Samuelian with partial financial support from the Eastern
Prelacy. It will be accessible through our web page and can be used as
is or
combined with Dr. Samuelian’s pioneering textbook, A Course in Modern
Western Armenian, published by the Prelacy’s Armenian National
Education Committee, which was out of print but is now again available
at the Prelacy’s Bookstore. We will give you full information in next
week’s
Crossroads.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 1–Sts. Vartanantz Church (New Jersey), presents 7th annual
Golf Outing at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. $175
includes lunch, dinner, golf and contests. Come out and enjoy a great
day and
support the church. For information contact Mark, 201-483-3200.
October 10–Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Pastors, Boards of
Trustees, and NRA delegates at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey.
October 11–84th anniversary banquet of St. Stephen’s Church, New
Britain/Hartford, Connecticut at Indian Hill Country Club, 111 Golf
Street, Newington, Connecticut, at 12:30 pm. For information contact
the
church office at 860-229-8322.
October 15-18–Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Food Festival
and Bazaar.
October 16-17–Annual Fall Fair Bazaar, St. Gregory Church, North
Andover, Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall, 10 am to 8 pm.
October 17–National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) annual
conference at the Prelacy offices in New York City. Details will
follow.
October 18–St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Intercommunal Cultural
Celebration at Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham, PA.
November 1–St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Sunday School Halloween
Party.
November 6–"On the Road," by Levon Shant, presented The Theater Group
of Hamazkayin, New York, directed by Dr. Herand Markarian. Sponsored
by the Armenian Relief Society Mayr Chapter, this performance is a
benefit for
St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School. Performance begins at 8:35 pm
at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Ave., Woodside, New York. For
tickets
($25)
contact Sonia at 718-961-9550 or Alice at 516-676-6167.
November 6-7–St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Food
Festival.
November 6-7–St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 53rd
annual bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at the ACEC, 47 Nichols Avenue,
Watertown. Delicious lamb, losh and chicken kebab, kheyma, kufta and
yalanchi. Meals
served from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm. Armenian pastries, gourmet foods,
arts & crafts, auction, raffles, and more.
November 7–Christmas Holiday Craft Fair, St. Gregory Church, North
Andover, Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall, 10 am to 4 pm.
November 7 & 8–Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
largest Armenian Fest in New England. Saturday from 12 noon to 10
pm. Sunday 12 noon to 8 pm. Rhodes-on-the-Pawtucket, 60 Rhodes Place
(off
Broad
Street), Cranston, Rhode Island. Kebobs and kufta dinners, pastry,
raffles and more. Performance by the Armenian school dance group. Live
Armenian
music * dancing. For information, 401-831-6399.
November 14–Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 45th anniversary
celebration.
November 20-21–Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts,
Fall Fest 2009, Friday, November 20, 5 pm to 8 pm; Saturday, November
21, 10 am to 5 pm. Armenian delicacies and dinners. For information
508-852-2414.
November 20, 21, 22–Sts. Vartanantz Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey)
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. Saturday night dancing with "Onnik
Dinkjian"; Sunday traditional kavourma dinner.
December 5–Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
annual bazaar. Come one, come all.
December 20–St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Sunday School
Christmas
Pageant.
December 31–St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Seroonian Community
Center New Year’s Eve celebration.
December 31–Sts. Vartanantz Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey), New
Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance. Details to follow.
Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web
site.
To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to
your address book.
Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the
source.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major
events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])