Author: Vasilian Manouk

November 6, 2009
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 CELEBRATE DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN HONOR OF THE
24TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE PARISH

On Sunday, November 8th, 2009, the 24th anniversary of St. Sarkis
Church in Pasadena will be celebrated with Episcopal Divine Liturgy and a
luncheon.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate
Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon on this occasion.
The luncheon organized by the Pastor, Board of Trustees, and Ladies
Auxiliary will take place following church services at the Union of Marash
Center.

PRELATE WELCOMES FORMER PRESIDENT OF
NKR H.E. ARKADY GHOUKASIAN

On the afternoon of Thursday, November 5th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy former President of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic H.E. Arkady Ghoukasian, who was accompanied by
Armenia Fund Chair Mr. Ara Agishian and Public Relations Director Mr. Sarkis
Kotanjian. Joining the Prelate were VeryRev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, Rev. Fr.
Ardak Demirjian, Central Executive member Mr. Vahe Yacoubian, Executive
Council members Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian, Dr. Navasart Kazazian, and Mr.
Khatchig Yeretzian, as well as Board of Regents member Mrs. Maggie Sarkuni.
The former President, who is Vice-President of the "Hayastan"
All-Armenian Fund Board of Trustees, is currently in Los Angeles ahead of
the Telethon which will air on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26th.
The discussion centered on preparations for the Telethon and means
of garnering support for the rebuilding of Shushi, which this year’s
proceeds will be allocated towards. The Prelate assured H.E. that the
Prelacy remains a staunch supporter of Armenia Fund and that our churches
and schools will lend their support by contributing to the Telethon.
The meeting came to a close with the presentation of a memento by
the Prelate to President Ghoukasian.

"YEAR OF THE YOUTH" CELEBRATION
HELD AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH

In response to the proclamation of H.H. Catholicos Aram I of 2009 as
the "Year of the Youth", on the evening of Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, a
celebration was held at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale under the auspices of
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. The event was organized by
the Prelacy Outreach Committee.
The event began with the collective recitation of the Lord’s Prayer
by the Prelate, clergy members, and guests, after which Master of Ceremonies
Mrs. Sona Madarian delivered the welcoming remarks. The first part of the
program consisted of youth remarks by representatives of community
organizations; they were Talin Hindoyan (Homenetmen), Arek Santikian (AYF),
Melanie Vartabedian (Shant Student Association), and Raffi Naljian (ACYA).
The representatives briefly presented the general endeavors of their
respective organizations and spoke of their participation in our community
life. At the end of the remarks, a video on the activities of the ACYA was
shown.
Keynote speaker Dr. Viken Yacoubian was then invited up for his
speech on "The Role of Youth in our Church and National Life". Dr.
Yacoubian went over the challenges facing youth today, from finding their
self-identities, to faith and ethics issues. He focused specifically on the
situation of Armenian youth living in the Diaspora and the special
challenges they face living in a multi-cultural environment with a number of
outside influences that can alter their sense of belonging to their
nationality. Dr. Yacoubian noted that kids growing up in America struggle
between their Armenian and American identities and face the challenge of
finding a balance between the two. He stressed the role of Armenian
families, our church, and community organizations in this regards, making
sure that our youth are ready to actively participate in our national life
in any and every capacity. He noted that adults must stand by our youth,
welcoming their participation and giving them opportunities; and they must
allow our youth the chance to reconcile their two identities all the while
contributing to the advancement of our nation. He concluded by reiterating
that we must stand by our youth and allow them the chance to build their
self-identities and self-awareness.
The artistic program consisted of two songs presented by Sossy
Avakian-Mardirossian, and a performance by the "Lousavorich" Youth Choir led
by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian.
Following the choir’s performance, the MC invited the Prelate to
deliver his message. The Prelate first and foremost thanked God for the
successful event, and commended the organizing committee and participants
for their efforts and contributions, specifically Dr. Viken Yacoubian for
his thoughtful presentation. The Prelate noted that events dedicated to the
"Year of the Youth" have taken place throughout the year in various
parishes; however, this evening was difference in that we were able to hear
the perspective of our youth. He commended them once again for their
remarks and urged them to become further involved in our church and
community. The Prelate continued, stating that although our churches and
various organizations individually carry out great work, he stressed the
need to combine efforts for a more productive outcome, and called for
further collaboration and the uniting of minds and efforts. The Prelate
concluded by underscoring the need for youth involvement in all aspects of
community life, whether as clergy members, educators, Board of Trustees
members, delegates, and so on, and the responsibility of the older
generation to give the right guidance and instruction to our youth.
The singing of the Cilician and Pontifical anthems followed the
Prelate’s message, and the evening concluded with the Prelate’s benediction.
Guest were then hosted to a reception in the church hall organized
by the parish Ladies Auxiliary.

PRELATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY ON
THE NAME DAY OF HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH

On Saturday, October 31st, 2009, the Armenian Church observed the
Feast of All Saints’ Day, which is also the name day of Holy Martyrs Church
in Encino. On this occasion, on Sunday, November 1st, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the
sermon at Holy Martyrs Church. Assisting at the altar were Very Rev. Fr.
Barthev Gulumian and Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian. H.E. Archbishop Yeprem
Tabakian also participated in the sevice.
The Prelate began his sermon by giving thanks to God for His
blessings and guidance to Holy Martyrs Church over the past 46 years. In
honor of the name day of the Church, the Prelate invited the faithful to
renew their vow of faith and their commitment to the splendor of the Church
and community.
Speaking on the Feast of All Saints’ Day, the Prelate explained that
our saints are champions of our faith who gave their lives for Jesus Christ.
They are living witnesses of Christ who with their bloodshed and unwavering
faith established the Church. Our saints not only heard the commandments of
God, they heeded His commandments and applied them in their lives. They
left for us a legacy of faith and spiritual riches, and it is our
responsibility to remain true to that legacy, to walk in the path of
righteousness just as they did, and to live our lives true to the
commandments of our Lord. The Prelate concluded, acknowledging that though
we find ourselves in difficult economic times, we must not be disheartened
or lose faith; on the contrary, we must remain unyielding in our faith and
continue to look to Jesus Christ for guidance to overcome any obstacles.
At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, the Prelate was led in a
procession to "Avedissian" Hall where he blessed the madagh that was
prepared by the parish Ladies Auxiliary. The Prelate conveyed his blessings
and commendations to the Pastor, Board of Trustees, Ladies Auxiliary, and
all the servants of the church for their devoted service, as well as the
faithful for their support, specifically Mrs. Janet Vartazarian who had
taken on the sponsorship of the madagh in memory of her husband Razmig
Vartazarian. The Prelate also honored the memories of the founders of Holy
Martyrs Church and the servants who are no longer with us.
The ceremony came to a close with the Prelate’s benediction and the
singing of the Cilician anthem.

PRELATE TO DELIVER THE INVOCATION AT THE
ANC WESTERN REGION ANNUAL BANQUET

On Sunday, November 8th, 2009, the annual banquet of the Armenian
National Committee Western Region will take place at the Pasadena Convention
Center.
The Prelate will attend and deliver the invocation.

SAYAT NOVA DANCE COMPANY PERFORMANCE

On Sunday, November 8th, 2009, the Sayat Nova Dance Company will be
performing at the Glendale High School auditorium. The presentation is one
of a series taking place nationwide in celebration of the organization’s
23rd anniversary.
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian will represent the Prelate at the
event.

ARS CENTENNIAL LOGO UNVEILING

Under the auspices of the Armenian Relief Society Executive Board,
the ARS Regional Executive has organized a formal unveiling of the ARS
Centennial Logo which will take place on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at
the ARS headquarters in Glendale.
The Prelate will preside over the unveiling and convey his blessings
and well wishes. Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian will accompany the Prelate.

PILIBOS SCHOOL 40TH ANNIVERSARY KICK-OFF RECEPTION

The administration of Rose and Alex Pilibos has organized a kick-off
to its 40th anniversary, to take place on the evening of Friday, November
13th, 2009, at Phoenicia Restaurant. The 40th anniversary banquet is
scheduled for March 6, 2010.
Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian will attend and convey the Prelate’s
blessings.

3000 PIECES OF BOOKS TO NAGORNO KARABAKH’S LIBRARIES

Aysor
Nov 6 2009
Armenia

Today the delegation of Armenian National Library in the framework
of the "Biblius" project will donate 3000 pieces of books to NKR
library, informed to Aysor.am Hasmik Ghazaryan the deputy director
of the Armenian National Library.

Half of the books have been transported to Karabakh yesterday, but
the solemn ceremony of donation will take place today.

"We had announced "harvesting" of books, during which was gathered a
rather big amount of literature around 8000 pieces of books. 3000 of
them have been donated by the National Library, more than 5000 books
have been donated by the publishers and those who have a private
library", – H. Ghazaryan explained.

The deputy director mentioned during the interview that only the books
donated by the Natioanl Library have been taken to Karabakh as they
didn’t have enough means to take all the books. In the same time he
informed that the rest of the books will be transported to Karabakh
and will find their place in the Library of Artsakh.

As Hasmik Ghazaryan stated, Karabakh’s libraries, just as it is in
other libraries of Armenian regions, lack for books. She mentioned that
the books denoted to the libraries are mainly fiction; there are also
historical books, informative books, books in different languages, etc.

"Unfortunately we do not get the literature coming out in Artsakh.

There are more than 15 newspapers published in Karabakh, the library
is getting half of them only and in not complete state", – told us H.

Ghazaryan speaking about the present problems.

On this occasion the deputy director of the library informed that the
delegation that has left for Karabakh is going to have meetings also
with the publishers of Karabakh in order to find a solution to those
problems and for strengthening the Armenian – Karabakh ties and to
pass the published literature on time.

It is already 3 years that the program "Biblius" exists and during
this period it has donated a great number of books to the libraries
of different regions of Armenia.

NO ISSUES THAT CAN’T BE RESOLVED BETWEEN ARMENIA AND GEORGIA

Tert
Nov 6 2009
Armenia

Today, the recently appointed Ambassador of Georgia to Armenia
Grigol Tabatadze submitted his credentials to Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan, informs the President of the Republic of Armenia
press office.

Congratulating the diplomat on being appointed ambassador, the
president said, "We have passed quite a long historic path and our
previous relations oblige us to become even closer friends and to
cooperate even more closely. The level of our relations today, of
course, is very high but they need constant attention and improvement.

That is why, the ambassadors of our countries must work very
intensively. I think we haven’t exhausted the entire potential of
our opportunities, and we can offer new prospects of cooperation."

In Ambassador Tabatadze’s words, Mikheil Saakashvili, too, places much
importance on the development of relations with its friend Armenia and
finds that there is no other option than friendship and cooperation.

At the same time, he said that his country’s political leadership
highly praises the Armenian president’s vision considering he is
the political figure who looks upon the future while not forgetting
the past.

The Armenian president and the ambassador were of the same opinion
that there are no such issues between the two countries that are
impossible to settle through joint discussions and dialogue.

The parties also referred to issues relating to the agenda between
Armenia and Georgia and the intergovernmental commission’s activities.

VTB BANK ARMENIA AND MONEYGRAM SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

ARKA
Nov 6, 2009

YEREVAN, November 6, /ARKA/. VTB Bank Armenia and the international
money transfer system MoneyGram signed last month a cooperation
agreement, VTB Bank Armenia said in a statement today. It said
now its customers can send and receive money-US Dollars and Euros-
through this safe and fast system.

In comments on this agreement, VTB Bank Armenia CEO Valery Ovsyanikov
said the bank has chosen MoneyGram because it has a wide network of
agents and because it offers speedy money transfer operations.

Customers can receive money in just minutes.

Now, according to Ovsyanikov, VTB Bank Armenia customers can also
choose the currency in which they would like to receive or send money.

MoneyGram operates about 180,000 agents and financial institution
customers in over 190 countries.

It also allows a free extra message of 10 words with the money
transfer.

VTB Bank Armenia and MoneyGram started their cooperation in 2009
September. Now MoneyGram services are available to all VTB Bank Armenia
customers in its 74 branches across Armenia in Yerevan and all regions.

As of November 1 VTB Bank Armenia offered its customers six different
money transfer systems. All 100 percent of shares in VTB Bank Armenia
are owned by the second largest Russian VTB Bank.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS ARE ONLY A STAGE OF RESOLVING SITUATION IN SOUTH CAUCASUS: RUSSIAN POLITICIAN

Trend
Nov 5 2009
Azerbaijan

Armenian-Turkish protocols are only one of the stages of resolving
the situation in the South Caucasus, the General Director of the
Information Analytical Center of Moscow State University, Professor
of post-Soviet foreign countries department Alexey Vlasov said.

"There is more multifaceted aspect of this process, where the protocols
play an important, but not a single role, Vlasov told Trend News
by telephone from Moscow. Speaking of protocols, we must understand
that this affects only two countries, but the whole context, which
is linked with it still includes the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh and
the broader aspect of the problem of security in South Caucasus."

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the protocols Ankara-Yerevan in Zurich on October
10. Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey have been broken
due to Armenia’s claims of an alleged genocide, and its occupation of
Azerbaijani lands. The border between them has been broken since 1993.

According to Vlasov, for the month since the meeting of the Presidents
of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan in Chisinau,
all the key players in the region – Russia, the U.S. and the EU
clearly indicated their position.

The latest meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents on the
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was held on Oct.

9 in Chisinau within the CIS summit.

The first moment, denoted by Russia, the U.S. and the EU, is that
the ongoing process of the Armenian-Turkish settlement is a positive
tendency, which should be supported, the expert said.

On the other hand, it does not remove the question of the main
destabilizing factor in the region – the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh,
Vlasov said.

"It seems to me that lately under the influence of the consolidated
position of the outside players, the Armenian government chooses more
restrained rhetoric. Maybe it does not correspond to their actual
view of things, but in the media space the sharp statements by the
Armenian side are becoming less and less," he said.

According to the expert, this indicates that the outside forces,
including the OSCE Minsk Group, understood the tendency that the
establishment of the Armenian-Turkish relations should by followed
by the progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement.

In addition, now Serzh Sargsyan must more consider the interests
of the Armenian population, which unlike the diasporas, occupies a
position "to maintain dialogue with all countries of the region,"
the expert said.

"I think that now Armenia should continue its way. Starting
negotiations with Turkey, it should make some consensus on
Nagorno-Karabakh as well," said Vlasov.

According to him, for a long time the Turkish officials have assured
Azerbaijan that they will not do anything contrary to its interests.

"Now it is time when signing protocols between Turkey and Armenia
should lead to advancements in the process of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement, or the Turkish political elite does not fulfill
the promises made", – he said.

According to Vlasov, one of the means of moving forward is to release
five Armenian-occupied districts of Azerbaijan.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

INTERNET PRICES WILL DROP IN ARMENIA, SAYS ANALYST

Tert
Nov 5 2009
Armenia

Armenian Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) member Samvel
Arabajyan, in an interview with local Armenian daily Capital, announced
that interesting developments in the internet services market can be
expected; lowering of the cost of internet, in particular.

"I believe that there will be a drop in wholesale internet prices,
and as a consequence, a drop in retail prices as well. During the past
two years, there has been the following dynamic: wholesale internet
traffic doubles every year. The increase in the number of customers
results in an increase in internet traffic.

"The practice is such that internet prices are dependent on the volume
of traffic: the larger the volume, the lower the cost. I think that
within 1 to 1.5 years’ time, the volume of internet traffice will
double in Armenia. If today we use around 1.5 Gbit/sec traffic,
in 1.5-2 years, internet traffic will be around 3-4 Gbit/sec. The
increase in traffic raises its own problems. I think it’s already
time to take steps toward shaping our own content.

"There must be data centres in Armenia, mainly to install ‘mirror’
pages of websites mostly used inside the country. Endlessly adding
incoming traffic and creating new links are not possible. It’s
necessary to use our own content, which will promote a drop in internet
prices, and an increase in speed and reliability," said Arabajyan.

ARMENIA IS NOT GOING TO GIVE UP KARABAKH

The Messenger
Nov 4 2009
Georgia

In an interview with Reuters Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard
Nalbandian has stated that Armenia is not going to reconcile with
Turkey at the expense of concessions concerning the Karabakh conflict.

He said that negotiations are over and both sides are taking steps to
ratify the protocols signed on October 10. If either side hinders this
ratification it will be responsible for any negative outcomes of this,
Nalbandian said.

The Foreign Minister stressed that normalising Turkish-Armenian
relations and resolving the Karabakh conflict are two different
issues. He said that this is not only Armenia’s position but that
of the whole world. He thinks that there are certain positive moves
being made in the direction of resolving the Karabakh conflict but
it is doubtful that a serious breakthrough will take place in the
near future.

FUNNY STORIES ABOUT ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: INTERNATIONAL LAW LESSON OR A MAGIC WEAPON
By Nurani

Today
204.html
Nov 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Edward Nalbandyan stared at Shavarsh Kocharian.

"We ruined our relations with Semneby before he reached Armenia,
and thanks to your interview. Now no Armenian cognac will make them
better," Nalbandyan said.

– I’m just bored of silence in the country! We are silent while Turks
are making statements. Azerbaijanis "warn" our president not to go
to Karabakh any longer, but we are still silent. Now this European
will tell us about the status quo and we will keep silent again?

Personally, Lavrov did not order me to be silent. He stepped on
Nalbandyan’s sore toes. "I will not be silent this time!"

Minister waved his hand:

– Ok, you may go…

Arman Kirakosyan entered the cabinet next.

– What should we do with Kocharyan? Nalbandyan inquired. Have you
read his interview? He ruins our relations with European partners! Of
course, we can explain to Kocharyan that no one except us recognizes
the Karabakh referendum. Today we lack power to dictate terms. He
will not understand this anyway and will even blab about "a spirit
of defeatism" in the Foreign Ministry. Unless we not tell him, he
will keep on doing it.

– Wouldn’t be it better if he continues? Kirakosyan suddenly asked.

– In what way will he continue? He makes interviews as though we can
make the whole world dance under our duduk*! He makes a laughing-stock
of us and you dare to say let him continue.

– Of course. Someone may believe him, especially in Yerevan. He
is our secret weapon! Dou you remember when all believed in Berlin
in 1945 that Reich would obtain "a magic weapon" to make a turning
point in the war in own favor? But there was not any magic weapon. If
Shavarsh today teaches Semneby international law, someone might think
that we are strong in fact! It helps people to remain steadfast and
optimistic. So let him go on!

Nalbandyan got lost in thoughts.

– Well. Let him go on. Battle spirit should be preserved.

Suddenly, Nalbandyan grew cold with terror when Kiraskosyan closed
the door: What if Shavarsh Kocharian is the main magic weapon of the
country? Simply, he was not explained how bad the things are ..

— *Azerbaijan’s national wind instrument that Armenians try to
describe as belonging to them

WILL FROCH BECOME WBA AND WBC CHAMPION BEFORE COMBAT AGAINST ARTHUR ABRAHAM?

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 18:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch is looking
forward to his next fight in the Super Six tournament. Whether or not
WBA champion Mikkel Kessler is able to beat Andre Ward on November 21,
he has to fight Froch in the first quarter of 2010.

Unlike Dirrell who is a mover, Froch expects Kessler to stand and
trade in war-like fashion when necessary.

"I’m looking forward to it. Win, lose or draw when he fights Andre
Ward he will be next for me, and he’s getting knocked out then as
well! He’ll stand and fight and when I catch him he’ll go, unlike
Dirrell who wanted to play kiss chase. Kessler’s a proud man. He’ll
box and move," Froch told Ralph Ellis of Betfair.

Froch loves the idea of the Super Six because it causes him to be
in position for a possible unification bout, which isn’t easy to get
at 168-pounds.

"When I beat Kessler I’ll be the WBA and WBC champion. It’s a
unification fight, I can be undisputed champion. These fights don’t
really happen all that often, it’s difficult in pro-boxing to get the
fights you want. He was due to fight me before but it never happened,
the same way the Joe Calzaghe fight never happened. In this tournament
I’m guaranteed it," Froch said, boxingscene.com reported.

Carl Froch will combat against Armenian boxer Arthur Abraham in 2010.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN VISITS KUWAIT

armradio.am
03.11.2009 17:48

Today President Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Kuwait for a two-day
state visit.

The delegation headed by President Sargsyan comprises Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian, Finance Minister Tigran Davtyan, Diaspora Minister
Hranush Hakobyan, Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan, Minister of
Education and Science Armen Ashotyan, Chairman of the Armenia-Kuwait
Deputy Friendship Group Vahan Hovhannisyan, President of the Union
of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Arsen Ghazaryan, President of
the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Martin Sargsyan.

At the International Airport of El-Kuwait, the Armenian President was
welcomed by Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Crown Prince Sheikh
Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, other senior officials.

President Sargsyan is scheduled to have a number of official meetings
within the framework of the visit. Besides, Serzh Sargsyan will meet
representatives of the Armenian community of Kuwait.