Author: Vasilian Manouk

PanARMENIAN.Net

Murders, resolution, elections and Nagorno-Karabakh –
these are the key issues of the year of 2007

The year of 2007 started with the tragic murder of
Hrant Dink, the editor-in-chief of the
Armenian-Turkish magazine in Istanbul.
27.12.2007 GMT+04:00

It is customary that at the end of the year the events
of the passing year are being reviewed, though it
should be mentioned that the year of 2007 wasn’t rich
with many significant events. The year of 2007 started
with the tragic murder of Hrant Dink, the
editor-in-chief of the Armenian-Turkish magazine in
Istanbul. And although the murderer, the 17-year-old
nationalist Ogyun Samast was arrested in some hours
after the murder, his case has still been cancelled
till February 2, 2008.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to the Turkish legislation
Samast may be sentenced to imprisonment from 18 up to
24 years. The truth is though, that the lawyers of
Dink’s family do not exclude another development of
events either. It won’t be possible to completely
justify Samast, but the minimal period is definitely
secured. To sum up the issue, it must be mentioned
that 91 journalists have been killed during the year
of 2007.

On January 30 in the U.S. House of Representatives the
Congressman from the State of California Adam Schiff
drafted the bill of Resolution 106 about the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman
Empire in 1915-1923. It is also mentioned in the
Resolution that the President of the USA has to use
the term `genocide’ in his annual message to the
Armenian Community in the USA on April 24. The
discussion of the Resolution gave birth to strong
criticism from the Turkish party. Ankara managed to
make the US Administration and the US Department of
State cancel the vote in the House, in spite of the
fact that on October 10 the Commission for Foreign
Affairs of the U.S. Congress approved Resolution 106
with 27 votes for to 21 against. Meanwhile it is worth
mentioning that during the hearings in the Commission
none of the Congressmen, even those who had voted
against, hesitated to qualify the mass killings in the
Ottoman Empire as genocide.

In February the Presidents of Armenia and Iran started
the gas pipeline Iran-Armenia, which became Armenia’s
second gas provider. Due to the commissioning of the
gas pipeline, the energy dependence on the Russian
branch, passing through Georgia, has decreased.

In April 15th the anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between Armenian and Russia was
celebrated. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov visited Yerevan on
this occasion.

The Armenian parliamentary elections were held in May.
The Republican Party of Armenia with the present
Prime-Minister Serge Sargsyan at the head won in those
elections and for the first time in many years the
assessment made by the OSCE and PACE

No significant change was made regarding the issue of
the Karabakh Conflict. At OSCE summit in Madrid the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs submitted written proposals
on the resolution of the conflict to the Ministers of
Foreign Affairs of both countries. The Minsk Group
Co-Chair from Russia Yuri Merzlyakov believed that if
the mediators agree with the basic principles of
regulation, they can manage to draft a project of
peaceful agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
resolution by the Presidential Election in Armenia
(February 19, 2008)

«PanARMENIAN.Net» analytical department

From: Sebouh Z Tashjian <[email protected]>
Subject: Festive events to the feast of St. Sarkis, patron of youth and love

Panorama.am

14:16 29/12/2007

FESTIVE EVENTS DEDICATED TO THE FEAST OF ST. SARKIS,
PATRON OF YOUTH AND LOVE

During the last years the feast of St. Sarkis, Patron
of youth and love, became very popular. Each year
Araratian Patriarchal Diocese organizes festive
events, competitions, quizzes and concerts on the
occasion of the Feast.
Depending on the Feast of Holy Resurrection of Our
Lord Jesus Christ the feast of St. Sarkis may have a
35-day shift. In 2008 the feast will be celebrated on
January 21. Keeping to the tradition Araratian
Patriarchal Diocese will continue the complex of
festive events announcing a number of competitions in
advance.

Competition of stories.
1. St. Sarkis, the patron of our love (Real story)
2. St. Sarkis, the patron of our strong family (Real
story)
3. St. Sarkis – `Strong family, strong Motherland’
(Real story)
Stories should be maximum within the limits of 2
computer pages, written in Armenian language only and
in Armenian fonts (12 font size). Handed works will
not be returned.
The following monetary prizes will be granted to the
authors of the three best stories in each nomination:
– The first prize – 150.000 Armenian Dram
– The second prize – 100.000 Armenian Dram
– The third prize – 50.000 Armenian Dram
The best stories will be published in the biweekly of
Araratian Patriarchal Diocese `Shoghakn Araratian.’
4. Competition of paintings – `St. Sarkis, Patron of
youth and love.’ There are two nominations – `St.
Sarkis, the patron of our love’ and `St. Sarkis, the
patron of our strong family’. Two grand prizes –
150.000 Armenian Dram and 100.000 Armenian Dram
correspondingly, are established in each nomination.
5. Competition of photo reports (sessions) – `We
created our Armenian family.’ Three prizes – 100.000
Armenian Dram, 75.000 Armenian Dram and 50.000
Armenian Dram correspondingly, are established for the
three best works.

Stories should be sent to the e-mail address
[email protected]. Stories in printed form may be
handed also in the Press Center of the Diocesan
Headquarters. Authors’ contact telephone numbers
should be mentioned.

Paintings and photo reports (sessions) also may be
handed in the Press Center of the Diocesan
Headquarters located in the address R. Israyelian 21,
nearby the Church of St. Sarkis. Telephone number: 58
47 22.

ATTENTION: THE WORKS PRESENTED TO THE COMPETTTION WILL
BE RECEIVED ON JANUARY 7-17, 2008.

Festive events will be concluded on the day of the
feast, in the large concert hall named after Aram
Khachatrian where the following events will be held:
– Exhibition-sales of the 20 best works presented to
the paintings’ and photo reports’ (sessions’)
competitions in the foyer of the large concert hall
named after Aram Khachatrian. Exhibition-sales will
start 2 hours before the concert.
– Concert program, during which the names of all
nominations’ winners present at the concert will be
announced. The winners will be handed the sums and
prizes symbolizing the feast.

On January 21 Divine Liturgies will be celebrated in
all churches named after St. Sarkis. The churches will
be open till 21:00 p.m. The clergy will bless the
young people and present them color postcards telling
about the feast. Postcards will be distributed in all
churches of Yerevan.

People may receive any information concerning the life
and activity of St. Sarkis and his
soldiers-companions, as well as the competition
visiting the official website of Araratian Patriarchal
Diocese

Source: Panorama.am

IS AGREEMENT BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY POSSIBLE?

PanARMENIAN.Net
Analytical Department
22.12.2007 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The treaties make provisions for the Armenian
border, i.e. including Kars, Ardaghan, Surmalu and Trabzon. In
fact Turkey violates those articles of the treaty, which set the
Armenian-Turkish borders. Perhaps, this had its significant role in
the fact that the most part of Western Armenia is inhabited by Kurds
and Armenians. In the meantime Turkey raises the issue of recognition
of the current borders by RA, which is nothing but a serious concern
for national security of Armenia. It is natural that Yerevan cannot
go for it. The second and perhaps the most painful precondition
set by Turkey is the denial of the international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Turkey in 1915-1923. Even if these
two preconditions can still be somehow understood, though it’s quite
difficult, the third one is worthless any comments. Ankara insists
on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh problem to Azerbaijan’s benefit,
by the way, explaining the closing of the borders in 1993 by the
Karabakh conflict. According to the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vartan Oskanyan, Turkey has nothing at all to do in the regulation of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; Turkey cannot have any influence on
the resolution of this process. "The international practice doesn’t
allow interference of any interested party in the conflict resolution
process," said Oskanyan.

In the international community the first condition for normalizing
the relations is the opening of borders and this cannot be a
precondition. This was announced in Yerevan too and the EU special
representative to the South Caucasus Peter Semneby emphasized that
closing the borders is nothing but anomaly. "Armenia and Turkey need
to come to an agreement for the sake of the future. The EU is ready
to assist them in this process, but we believe that both parties
should come to a compromise. It shouldn’t be forgotten that the two
countries have a common future. Of course this is a long process, which
should be carried out carefully, step by step. Armenia and Turkey
have different viewpoints on the events of 1915 and the Karabakh
problem. But Armenia speaks for healing the relations without any
preconditions, while Turkey practices just the opposite viewpoint. This
is where compromise should be sought," said Semneby. In his turn,
the Head of the "Hay Dat" Office Giro Manoyan mentioned that Turkey’s
integration into the EU will definitely close all the ways for Armenia
to Europe. "Turkey’s integration into the EU at this moment will close
all the ways for Armenia to Europe, since now Turkey creates all sorts
of prohibitions for Armenia, trying to deprive our country of the
membership in international organizations and the chance of joining
the international negotiations," said Manoyan and added, that Turkey
will only use the EU in its own interests. He also believes that the
negotiations with Turkey on the EU membership have started without
the approval of all the EU Member-States, which already points at
political intentions of the USA and the Great Britain. "It is not
excluded that Turkey will be integrated into the EU with the same
political intentions, however, with its current views Ankara will
not carry out any reforms," said Manoyan.

As for the issue of the Armenian Genocide, Turkey doesn’t recognize it
not only because of its political convictions, or the so-called "insult
of Turkishness", but because of the huge financial compensation,
which will immediately follow the recognition. "According to official
documents the responsibility that Turkey carries for the damage it
caused during 1914-1919, the years when the Genocide was committed,
makes $415 milliard. In January 1919 the Paris Peace Conference
completed its works, whose main aim was concluding a peace treaty and
considering all aspects of war, including the compensations for the
damage caused by the war. Subsequently a working group was formed,
which estimated the damage done to the parties and nations, which were
not the immediate participants of the war. According to the report of
the working group, the sum of the damage to the Armenian nation in
Western and Eastern Armenia during 1914-1919 made more than 19.130
milliard francs, or more than $41.5 milliard, since for such cases
the exchange rate of franc to dollar is 1 to $2.17. Here the material
damage caused in 1920-1923 is not mentioned. If this period is also
taken into consideration, the above mentioned sum will definitely
be enlarged with minimum 20%, believes the historian and diplomat
Ara Papyan.

13 SMALL HYDROPOWER PLANTS OF ARMENIA ALREADY RECEIVE CREDITS OF 1.7 MILLION DOLLARS UNDER WORLD BANK "RENEWABLE ENERGY" PROGRAM

Noyan Tapan
Dec 19 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. 13 small hydropower plants of
Armenia have received credits of a total of 1.7 million dollars
under the World Bank’s program "Renewable Energy". NT correspondent
was informed by the director of Armenia’s Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency Fund Tamara Babayan that the credits are provided at 12-14%
interest rates for a 7-year period. According to her, these credits
are envisaged not only for construction of new hydropower plants but
also for increasing the capacities of the operating ones.

T. Babayan said that the World Bank has allocated 5 million
dollars to Cascade Credit organization for the implementation of the
"Renewable Energy" program, while Cascade Credit in its turn finances
borrowers. Besides, Cascade Credit has taken a 7 million-dollar credit
from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
with the aim of increasing the capacities of small hydropwer plants
and constructing new ones, while the Cafesjian Family Fondation has
received another 3 million dollars.

LONG ROAD TO ARMENIAN PRESIDENCY
By Ryan Vaillancourt

Glendale News Press, CA
Dec 18 2007

Presidential hopeful stops in Glendale to garner support and give
updates about political happenings.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE – A handful of candidates in the U.S. presidential
race have made pit stops in the area, all to much local fanfare and
national media attention.

But another presidential hopeful, in Glendale for a weekend stint
soliciting support and outlining his platform, went relatively
unnoticed outside the city. Perhaps that’s because he’s running in
an election set to take place in February on the other side of the
globe in Armenia.

For Vahan Hovhannisyan, the current vice speaker in the Armenian
Parliament and a candidate for his country’s presidency, Glendale’s
significant Armenian population makes it one of the most pivotal
stops on his global campaign trail.

With about 80,000 Armenians in Glendale alone and, by some estimates,
more than 200,000 Armenians in Southern California, the region
is behind only Moscow in Armenian population outside Armenia,
Hovhannisyan said.

"Armenians are in an unusual situation in that more Armenians live
outside of Armenia than in Armenia," said Levon Marashlian, a history
professor at Glendale Community College who teaches a course on the
Armenian diaspora. "So Armenians outside become a very important
factor for Armenia in terms of financial support, in terms of moral
support and in terms of lobbying in the various countries Armenians
are in for issues related to Armenia." advertisement

Under a new law passed by the Armenian parliament in February,
Armenian immigrants are not permitted to vote in their native
country’s elections – not even diplomats – unless they return to the
country to register and hit the polls in person. In previous years,
Armenian citizens living abroad could vote at their embassy. But
indirect support from the diaspora community is nevertheless crucial,
Hovhannisyan said, because those living abroad maintain strong ties
to their family, friends and investments "back home," he said.

"I’d say coming here is essential as a candidate," said Hovhannisyan,
one of nine presidential candidates, and the second candidate to
campaign in Glendale this year. "The American Armenian diaspora is
very involved in technical and political development, investments
and charity and other programs and, of course, people want to know
what’s the future of their investment, not only in terms of money
but also the human investment."

In fact, much of the candidate’s time at community gatherings
this weekend, including an evening event Saturday at Glendale High
School, was spent not on championing his platform but on updating
the Armenian-Americans on the political situation in Armenia, he said.

But while support from the diaspora is considered crucial, visits to
Glendale are not a rite of passage for Armenian political candidates.

Hovhannisyan, whose Armenian Revolutionary Federation party is
reportedly favored by much of the American diaspora, and Serzh Sargsyan
are the only two candidates to have visited Glendale this election
season, said Andrew Kzirian, executive director of the Armenian
National Committee, Glendale Chapter. And their campaign-minded
visits mark a relatively new phenomenon for candidates of the young,
post-Soviet republic, he said.

But the indirect effect of Hovhannisyan and Sargsyan’s U.S. visits
on Armenian electoral politics is perhaps more as an indicator that
the line between Armenia and diaspora strongholds is getting fuzzier,
said Zanku Armenian, board member of the Armenian Committee of America,
Western Region.

"You know, it’s kind of a those candidates who are becoming more
savvy to the relationship between the Armenian diaspora and Armenia,
and politicians in Armenia are realizing that the interests are
starting to become more intertwined, and because of the development
of Armenian community media into a more global entity, when you make
news here you make news back home," he said.

The overlap has not been limited to diaspora involvement in distinctly
Armenian issues.

Earlier this year, Armenian newspapers curious about what issues were
mobilizing Armenians abroad covered a town hall meeting for Glendale
City Council candidates, City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian said.

But most of the political and cultural cross pollination likely stems
from Armenian immigrants’ interest in their families’ quality of life,
he said.

"A lot of folks that live here support their families
financially so they do have a stake in what happens in the
country.&#8194;.&#8194;.&#8194;. Some have been out of work for many,
many years, and they want to know what direction the country’s headed
in," Kassakhian said. "Most recent immigrant communities will still
have one eye toward the homeland wondering what’s going on with their
parents, brothers or sisters they left behind."

ticles/2007/12/18/news/gnp-candidate18.art.txt

DIFFERENCE OF SALARIES IN PRIVATE AND STATE SECTIONS ENVISAGED TO BE PLAYED DOWN YEAR AFTER YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 17 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The minimum salary will increase
by 5 thousand drams since January 1, 2008 and will make 25 thousand
drams (approximately 83 U.S. dollars. According to the information
provided to a Noyan Tapan correspondent by Vahan Simonian, the Head
of the Department of Labour and Employment of the RA Ministry of
Labour and Social Issues, since January 1 the base salary of civil
servicement will increase by 4500 drams, thus making 40 thousand drams.

According to him, the salary of civil servicemen is envisaged to
be increased year after year. One of the goals of that initiative
is to play down the essential difference of the salaries of private
and state sections Vahan Simonian mentioned that the average salary
of a number of specialities in the system of civil service makes 84
thousand and in private section 159 thousand drams.

RAUF RAJABOV: "MASS MEDIAS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN MUST TRANSFORM THE IMAGE OF AN ENEMY INTO THE IMAGE OF A RIVAL"

Today, Azerbaijan
.html
Dec 18 2007

The mass medias of Armenia and Azerbaijan must do everything possible
to transform the image of an enemy into the image of a rival.

The said opinion was expressed by the military expert of Azerbaijan
Rauf Rajabov.

"The enemy will never become a partner. There is a golden mean between
a partner and an enemy-a rival. It is normal to be a rival.

It is good and must not bother, while it is not possible to negotiate
with an enemy.

How do you imagine a dialogue between two enemies? At the same time
rivals try to find common points", R.Rajabov said.

Answering the question about the possibility of the transformation in
the near future, R.Rajabov noted that it is real and added: "I do not
state that we will become brothers tomorrow. It would be ridiculous".

"SARGIS TKHRUNI" STUDENT UNION TO SUPPORT LEVON TER-PETROSIAN IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 14, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. 70-80% of the young of Armenia,
in general, does not play a role in the public-political life. This
opinion was expressed by Narek Galstian, the Chairman of the "Sargis
Tkhruni" Sudent Union of the Knchakian party, at the press conference
held on December 14.

At the same time he mentioned that it is normal and it could not be
other way as most of the political figures of the elder generation
do not trust the young so much and do not take serious what they
say. However, in the opinion of Narek Galstian, the young have their
place in certain political parties.

He mentioned that the "Sargis Tkhruni" Student Union, which makes part
of the Hnchakian party, will support Levon Ter-Petrosian, the first
President of the Republic of Armenia, in the forthcoming presidential
elections. "We believe in the idea he is bringing forth, we believe
in the national movement and will stand beside him," the Chairman of
the Union said.

Narek Galstian mentioned that at present a preliminary investigation is
being conducted in the police in connection with the fact of his having
been put to beating. "I do not want to make commentaries and believe
that the case will sooner or later be revealed," he said. In the words
of Narek Galstian, that was rather a personified political reckoning.

ARMENIA INVOLVED IN EUROPEAN TOURNAMENT

A1+
[12:25 pm] 14 December, 2007

The Armenian futsal team will participate in an international
tournament in 2008. This is the first time the team has been engaged
in a European international tournament.

Armenia was involved in Group 7 during the sortition held in the Swiss
city of Neon. Armenia’s contenders are Czechia, Croatia and Macedonia.

"Our team is really involved in a strong group. Both Czechia and
Croatia are serious rivals. As for Macedonia I must say that the
team enjoys certain privileges as the tournament will be held in
the country in April, 2008," chief coach of the Armenian team Ruben
Nazaretian told A1+

The chief coach is optimistic that the results will be favorable as
the Armenian team is comprised of skillful footballers.

"The Armenian youth team held two try-outs in Georgia in November. The
team won a victory over the Georgian national team. Judging by
the outcome of the meetings we can say that our team can have good
results."

Untitled DocumentPRESS 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

DECEMBER 14, 2007

DELEGATION FROM ARMENIA VISITS PRELACY
A delegation from Armenia, visiting New York to attend meetings devoted
to children at the United Nations, visited the Prelacy yesterday, December
13. The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, the Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, and Dr.
Vazken Ghougassian, Executive Director, welcomed the delegation and shared
in a very congenial dialogue about programs in Armenia that benefit
children, and the programs that the Prelacy currently supports through
orphan sponsorship program and direct aid to orphanages. Heading the
delegation was Mr. Aghvan Vardanyan, the Minister of Social Welfare Affairs.
Other members of the delegation were Dr. Ara Babloyan, chairman of the
standing committee on social, health care and Environmental Protection
Affairs; Col. Nelly Duryan, Deputy to the Director of Internal Affairs for
Children, and Ms. Lala Ghazaryan, head of the Department of Social Welfare
for Orphanages. Accompanying the delegation was Armen Martirossian,
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations.
Also on hand to welcome the delegation were Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian,
pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, in New York City and Rev. Fr. Nareg
Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York.

CONSUL GENERAL ANTOINE AZZAM VISITS PRELACY
Mr. Antoine Azzam, Consul General of Lebanon, visited the Prelacy today,
December 14, where he met with Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan. The
Consul General expressed greetings on the coming Christmas holiday, and
discussed the current situation in Lebanon. They agreed on the importance of
all factions coming together and standing firm in support of Lebanon.

PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO RHODE ISLAND
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Providence, Rhode Island, this weekend
to visit the parish of Sts. Vartanantz Church. Tomorrow, Saturday, December
15, the Prelate will visit the students of the Murad Armenian School. His
Eminence will visit each of the classes and speak with the students. On
Sunday he will preside over the Divine Liturgy and deliver the Sermon. His
Eminence will visit with the students of the Sunday School and share lunch
with them and then enjoy the students’ Christmas Pageant, directed by Yn.
Joanna Baghsarian.

BLESSING OF MURON IN 2008
The Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia announced that His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I will consecrate the Holy Muron (Holy Oil) next year on
June 7, 2008. The Holy Muron, symbol of the grace of the Holy Spirit, is
traditionally blessed every seven years. Only the Catholicos can consecrate
the oil which is then distributed to the various dioceses for distribution
to the parishes. The oil consists of 48 different herbs, flowers, and oils
which are combined in a special vessel and mixed with some of the old Muron,
creating an unbroken chain with the past.
The Muron Blessing is expected to attract a large number of pilgrims
>From various parts of the world. More details will be forthcoming.

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING IN AUGUST 2008
An International Gathering of Youth is being organized by the Holy See
of Cilicia. His Holiness Aram I is inviting the youth, 18 years and older,
to attend this gathering which will include a one-week pilgrimage to Der
Zor. Details will follow.

ST. JAMES (HAGOP) OF NISIBUS
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 15, is the feast day St. James (Hagop) of
Nisibus (Mdzbin). He was a participant at the first ecumenical council in
Nicea (325), where he earned great respect from the Emperor Constantine and
other attendees of the council. He was educated in Caesarea and was a cousin
of St. Gregory the Illuminator. He was the first bishop of Nisibis, an
important early Christian center in Asia Minor (south eastern Turkey) that
was a transit point of the caravans traveling between east and west. St.
Hagop is one of the most beloved saints in the Armenian Church. Gregory of
Narek dedicated one of his hymns to him. Although there is not much known
about his personal life, he attempted in old age to reach the summit of Mt.
Ararat in search of the Ark. During the difficult climb one night while
asleep an angel appeared telling him he is too old to continue. The angel
gave him a piece of the Ark and asked him to be satisfied with this and
return home. He complied. This piece of the Ark is kept in Holy Etchmiadzin.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This Sunday, December 16, is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Advent is
supposed to be a period of quiet reflection. It should be a remembrance of
those less fortunate. Feed the hungry. Clothe the poor. Visit the elderly
and sick. Recommit and reinforce the Lord’s commandments. That’s the real
Christmas.

ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS FOLDER ON INTERNET
>From ST. GREGORY CHURCH IN PHILLY
Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manoogian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church in Philadelphia, has sent an "Armenian Christmas Folder" through the
internet to his parishioners. The "folder" contains the church’s Christmas
liturgical schedule, greeting card list, the Prelate’s Christmas message,
Der Nerses’s Christmas message, several Armenian Christmas Hymns, and ends
with a Christmas greeting from Der Nerses. Very nicely done! If you would
like to see it click here.

2008 DIARY IS IN THE MAIL
Many of you may have already received the Prelacy’s 2008 pocket diary.
Besides its usefulness as a pocket diary, it is filled with information that
is not readily available elsewhere. Enjoy using it all year long.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, December 14, are: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Luke
15:1-7.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to
him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This
fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable:
"Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not
leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost
until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and
rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and
neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that
was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
repentance. (Luke 15:1-7)
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click here.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click here.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click here.
The year 2007 is coming to an end and with it the Year of the Armenian
Language will come to a close. For the remaining issues of Crossroads
during 2007 we will quote excerpts from the pontifical message issued by
Catholicos Aram I on January 1, 2007.
"Culture is the totality of a nation’s mental and spiritual emotions and
dreams, conceptions and aspirations as expressed in words and colors, sounds
and forms. Language has a definitive role in all of this.
"The Armenian language has become the backbone of Armenian culture, the
main artery pumping blood to it. The Armenian language became the driving
force in the creation of the Golden Age and Silver Age in the history of
Armenian culture. The Armenian language became the driving force in the
creation and development of Armenian historiography, hagiography, literature
and the press. In other words, the Armenian language has been the living
means giving form and style, spirit and flight to the Armenian mind.
"The Armenian language continues to remain the pivot of Armenian
culture, one of the main roads leading the Armenians to their intellectual
and spiritual values and traditions. Without the living and vivifying
presence of the Armenian language, Armenian culture will become emptied of
its true contents, will lose its authentic spirit and specific identity.
Without the Armenian language, the Armenian culture, as one of the principal
means of defining and expression of our identity and solid pillars of our
existence, will lose its particularity and vitality."
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Great House of Cilicia

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

October 16 to December 18-"From Jesus’ meals with sinners to the Lord’s
Supper," a five part Bible study at the Armenian Prelacy will begin on
October 16 and continue on the first and third Tuesday of the month, from
7:15 to 8:45 pm. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC). For information and registration, please
send e-mail to [email protected] or call 212-689-4481.

December 16-St. Gregory Church (North Andover, Massachusetts), Children’s
Christmas Pageant and Party following the Divine Liturgy. Luncheon buffet.

December 23-St. Stephen’s Day Celebration, Watertown, Massachusetts. The
Golden Jubilee celebration will come to a close with a commemoration of the
church’s patron saint, the first deacon and martyr, St. Stephen.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey, and ARF Dro Gomideh, The Sheraton Meadowlands, E. Rutherford,
New Jersey. For information 201-943-2950.

February 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, Annual Membership Meeting. Snow date: February 24.

February 24, 2008-Annual Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church (North
Andover, Massachusetts).

March 2, 2008-Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York
City, featuring Aleksandr Nazaryan on viola and Karen Tchougourian on piano.

June 7, 2008-Blessing of Holy Muron in Antelias, Lebanon. Details will
follow.

June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council. For
more information click here.

August 15-17, 2008-International Gathering of Youth and Pilgrimage to Der
Zor, organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Details will 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] 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]