Author: Toneyan Mark

February 19, 2010
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
ST. GARABED CHURCH

Sunday, February 21st, 2010, is the second Sunday of Great Lent, also
known as Sunday of the Expulsion.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Garabed
Church in Hollywood.
Following Divine Liturgy the Prelate will preside over the
40th day requiem service for Archpriest Fr. Anoushavan Artinian.

LADIES AUXILIARY GREAT LENT LUNCHEON

On Wednesday, February 24th, the Prelate will preside over Sunrise
Service at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
The service will be followed by the annual Great Lent
luncheon organized by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary under the auspices
of the Prelate. The Prelate will attend the luncheon, which will be
held at the adjoining `Armenak Der Bedrossian’ Hall.
A cultural program will also take place.

PRELATE PRESIDES OVER FIRST SUNRISE SERVICE AT
HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH

PRELATE PRESIDES OVER FIRST SUNRISE SERVICE AT
HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH

On Wednesday, February 17th, the Prelate presided over the first
Sunrise Service of Great Lent at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino, and
delivered his message on Great Lent to the faithful in attendance,
among them students of Ferrahian High School.
Following the service the Prelate presided over the Lent
luncheon organized by the ARS Anahid Chapter at the adjacent
`Dikranian’ Hall, and conveyed his blessings to the guests.
During Lent, Sunrise and Vesper services are offered in
all Prelacy churches. Call your local church or visit the Prelacy
website for a schedule of services.

PRELATE PARTICIPATES IN MEETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF ORIENTAL ORTHODOX
BISHOPS

The Council of Oriental Orthodox Bishops, comprised of the spiritual
leaders of the Coptic, Syriac, and Armenian Orthodox Churches, held
their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 16th, at St. Mary and
St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in Northridge.
The meeting began with joint prayer conducted by the three
spiritual leaders, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
H.E. Archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan (Syriac Church), H.G. Bishop
Serapion (Coptic Church), and with the participation of clergy from
the three churches. Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and Barthev
Gulumian also participated in the meeting.
Items on the agenda included a report on Sunday School and
youth group activities, and the drafting of future joint activities.

WESTERN PRELACY PAREGENTAN CELEBRATION

The eve of Great Lent, or Paregentan, is traditionally is a day of
joyous celebration when festive gatherings and feasts take place
filled with merriment and tradition.
The Prelacy family celebration of Paregentan took place on
Sunday, February 14th, 2010, under the auspices of and with the
presence of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. More than
300 guests attended the celebration, which was organized by the Sunday
Schools’ Directorate and Parent Committee and held at `Armenak Der
Bedrossian’ Hall of St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
The event began with welcoming remarks by Master of
Ceremonies Mrs. Ani Marabian, followed by the collective singing of
the Lord’s Prayer and the singing of the Sunday School anthem by
Sunday School students. Led by their teachers, the students then
performed a series of songs, recitations, and a presentation dedicated
to Paregentan.
Directorate head Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian offered
remarks on behalf of the committee and invited the Prelate to deliver
his message. The Prelate applauded the efforts of the organizing
committee in organizing this and similar events throughout the year,
as well as the participants for their continuous support of the
Prelacy’s endeavors and undertakings. He commended Fr. Muron,
Chairman Mr. Hagop Tchagaspanian, the parent committee, the Pastors
and Board of Trustees of the host church, as well as those of our all
churches, for their constant support and encouragement of our Sunday
Schools.
The Prelate also spoke on the spiritual meaning of
Paregentan, stressing the importance of keeping God’s image pure and
holy in ourselves and not abusing the freedoms granted to us. Through
the celebration of Paregentan we relive the blissful life of the first
man when he was free and reveled in joy in God’s presence, which
serves as a reminder for us to turn our lives around to that ideal.
The celebration continued with a performance of
traditional and popular songs by Nshan Chaghatsbanian.

DIVINE LITURGY AND LIGHTING OF THE BONFIRE ON THE FEAST OF THE
PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD TO THE TEMPLE

Saturday, February 13th, was the feast of the Presentation of our Lord
to the Temple, or Dyarnentarach.
The feast was celebrated in all our churches, with the
Prelate presiding over services at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
In keeping with tradition, Homenetmen scouts, scout
leaders, and Regional Executive members participated in the ceremony,
as well as members of the Prelacy youth groups. Following the
service, the traditional lighting of the bonfire took place in the
courtyard.
The Prelate, clergy, Board of Trustees members, Homenetmen
scouts, and our churches’ youth group members then gathered at
=80=9CArmenak Der Bedrossian’ Hall for a dinner reception together
with the Prelate, hosted by the parish Board of Trustees.
During the reception Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian spoke
on the meaning behind the feast.
In conclusion, the Prelate conveyed his blessings and
message.

KAZAKHSTAN WILL TRY TO WORK OUT A FORMULA OF CONDUCT FOR SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNYY KARABAKH CONFLICT

ArmInfo
2010-02-17 11:55:00

ArmInfo. Kazakhstan will try to work out a formula of conduct
in support to efforts that many parties have taken to settle the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Roman Vasilenko,
Kazakh Foreign Ministry International Information Committee chairman,
told journalists in Tbilisi. He was commenting on a visit of Kanat
Saudabayev, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan’s Secretary of
State and Foreign Minister, to Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"Kazakhstan will try to work out a formula of conduct based on results
of these visits," Vasilenko said.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakh FM Kanat Saudabayev visited
Azerbaijan and Armenia as part of his tour of the South Caucasus on
Feb. 14-17. Now he is on an official visit to Georgia.

To note, according to Kazakh mass media, on 15 February during
his visit to Baku the OSCe Chairman-in-Office Kanat Saudabayev
met President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and transferred to him
suggestions of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev on
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict settlement. As for the Armenian party,
there are still no official comments on the issue.

INTERVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA SERZH SARGSYAN TO AL JAZEERA NEWS NETWORK

Noyan Tapan
Feb 16, 2010

"Frost over the world"

– Mr. President, the Turkish side claims that the Armenian side
protracts the process. What are the next steps after the Protocols
have been ratified by the Parliaments of both countries? What kind of,
so to speak, "happy ending" would you like to see for this process?

– At the moment the Protocols are at the Presidential Office, and
as soon as I am back to Yerevan, I will submit them to the National
Assembly to start the process of ratification. We are surprised, as
actually everybody else is, that the Turks think or claim that we are
dragging our feet on the process of ratification. On the contrary,
it is quite obvious that the Turkish side is protracting the process.

– The Turkish side is protracting the process?

– Yes, undoubtedly, because we have stated many times and the last
time it was yesterday, when I said that as the leader of the political
force which currently holds parliamentary majority, I rule out any
possibility of the Armenian Parliament not ratifying the Protocols
if they are ratified by the Turks without preconditions.

– Mr. President, what is next? After the Protocols have been ratified
by the Armenian and Turkish sides, what is the next step to bring the
entire process to its conclusion and normalize relations between the
two countries?

– After the ratification of the Protocols and their entry into force,
the border must be opened, after that an intergovernmental commission
will be established along with its sub-commissions, and we will start
the dialogue. Thus, by ratifying the Protocols we are not concluding
the process but rather we are launching a process.

– Actually, for you the ratification or opening of the border are
important for the purposes of trade as well as for obtaining an outlet
to the outer world. Do you think that border opening is important
for other countries too, for instance, for Russia or the United States?

– I believe, yes. That’s the reason why the US, Russia, and the
European Union support this process. It is not only about opening
the border; it is about establishing relations.

– Are you going to deepen your relations with the United States and
Russia, since you are between these two "worlds"?

– Yes, we have very good relations with the Russian Federation,
we are strategic partners. We both are present in many structures,
and our relations continue to deepen. We also have good relations
with the United States. The US is home to many Armenians who serve
as a natural bridge in our relations with America. The best situation
for us is when the US and Russia maintain good relations.

– As you rightly mentioned, many Armenians live in the US as well as
all over the world. Many Armenians have left Armenia, and today they
are supporting their families from abroad. Do you think of bringing
them back to Armenia, somehow?

– Certainly, and not only those Armenians who are supporting their
families and the Armenian economy, who left Armenia after independence
but also those Armenians who were spread all over the world in the
wake of the Armenian Genocide. Armenians help and assist us from every
corner of the world. In our estimate, today there are over ten million
Armenians in the world, and only three million are residing in the
Republic of Armenia. We would be happy, if the other seven million
come back to Armenia. We, of course, understand that it is hardly to
happen, however we want every Armenian born in Armenia to come back.

– What would you say of a President of the United States who says,
"America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian
Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be
that President."? It was said by Barak Obama. Is he responding? Is
he the kind of President that will?

– Yes, he did respond. Of course not to the extent he had promised
before he became the President. But he stated unequivocally that he
hasn’t changed his mind.

– Does it mean, you continue to anticipate his assistance?

– Well, if you mean that to articulate the word "genocide" or to
speak about genocide is assistance, then it can be put that way,
yes. I believe that it means to accept the truth, to speak the truth.

– Do you want him to say that word?

– Absolutely.

AZERBAIJAN’S BEHAVIOR "A NEW WAY AND A NEW KIND OF TERRORISM"

Aysor
Feb 16 2010
Armenia

"I am calling the behavior of Azerbaijan concerning the conflict
settlement process as a new type of terrorism", – stated the president
of the NKR Bako Sahakyan touching upon the warlike statements of
Azerbaijan and its arming policy.

B. Sahakyan informed that "the international community being long
before informed about this kind of behavior of Azerbaijan is not
undertaking the measures and the steps which will make Azerbaijan to
keep away from such kind of warlike statements."

The president of Artsakh expressed hope that the OSCE Chairman-in
Office Kanat Saudbaev will implement corresponding actions and
"Azerbaijan will find itself in more constructive situation, which will
only benefit in the logical development of the negotiation process."

CULTURE FESTIVAL DEDICATED TO ARMENIA

STA – Slovenska Tiskovna Agencija
;id= 1481104
Feb 16 2010

Ljubljana, 16 February (STA) – The Cankarjev dom arts centre in
Ljubljana will dedicate this year its traditional festival of foreign
cultures to Armenia. The festival will kick off with an exhibition
on Wednesday, followed by a number of concerts, theatre performances,
film screenings, literary events and three other exhibitions.

EX-SPEAKER SAYS IS DISSATISFIED WITH PRESIDENT’S SPEECH IN LONDON

Aysor
Feb 15 2010
Armenia

Speaking at London’s Chatham House, Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan
had to point Armenian side’s position over the settlement to the
Karabakh conflict, said at the press conference former speaker of
Armenian Parliament, Tigran Torosian.

"President Sargsyan should point how to put into practice the
fundamental principles of territorial integrity and rights of nations
to self-determination, as well as he should point what results they
can lead to. President didn’t voice such wordings.

"Only repeatedly voiced before wordings and statements were made, I
mean, statements on impossibility of concessions that can put safety
of people of the Nagorno-Karabakh republic at risk. I think this is
a very approximate wording. I believe the presented at the Chatham
House professional people were waiting for more concrete formulations,"
said ex-speaker.

AXE METHODS

s16829.html
13:16:21 – 15/02/2010

On February 15, the former NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan was asked to
comment on the change in the Armenian delegation to PACE. The point
is about Zaruhi Postanjyan’s expulsion from the main delegation.

Torosyan says that questions are not solved this way. Those are rough
methods, such things did not happen in the past. According to him,
the question has political grounds and it sounds ridiculous when they
state there is no money for parliamentarians to go and work.

"Calculations are made for 8 people in the National Assembly.

Moreover, not only for travel to Strasbourg, but also to participate
in meetings of the committees. So, everything is absolutely clear. We
have 4 main members of the delegation and 4 – rotational", said
Tigran Torosyan.

STEPAN BIANJIAN COLLECTS PRIMETEL TOP AWARD

Feb 2010

Gibrahayer e-magazine – Stepan Bianjian collected a top Primetel Award
for his active participation in multiple projects in Research and
Development, Design of Data Centres, Store Development and
arrangement, Maintenance of Primetel Nicosia buildings, Network
Infrastructure design and development as well as NOC support. The
awards were given at Primetel Corporate meeting entitled "The Road
Ahead" on January 29 in Limassol at "Columbia Plaza"

NKR President meets representatives of the Armenian community of Abkhazia

armradio.am
13.02.2010 12:20

On 12 February President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan met
representatives of Armenian community of Abkhazia at Soukhum School N
9 after H. Toumanyan.

During the meeting the Head of the State introduced to the
participants the socio-economic situation and development programs in
the NKR, as well as the current stage and prospects of the Karabakh
conflict settlement. Bako Sahakyan touched upon issues related to
further strengthening of ties between the Motherland and Diaspora and
answered questions of participants of the meeting.

Adviser of the NKR President Armen Isagulov, NKR deputy foreign
minister Vasily Atajanyan and head of the central information
department of the office of the NKR President David Babayan partook at
the meeting, Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR
President reported.

U.S. Under State Secretary to Visit Turkey and Azerbaijan Next Week

Tert.am
11:44 – 13.02.10

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Bill Burns will
travel to Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Azerbaijan from February 16-19.

Under Secretary Burns will travel to Turkey on February 18 for
meetings with senior officials pursuant to the 2006 Shared Vision
framework for our strategic partnership.

>From there, he will continue on to Azerbaijan for a meeting on
February 19 with President Aliyev to reinforce the strength of
U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral relations and for a meeting with civil
society members, states the official website of the U.S. Department of
State.