Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

PRESS 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
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – March 17, 2005
PRELATE ISSUES EASTER MESSAGE
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan issued his Easter message this week. His
message entitled, Resurrected Bones, focuses on the words of the prophet
Ezekiel, He said, Can these bones live? I said, O Lord, you know. (Ezekiel
37:3).
The Prelate said, in part:
As a nation we have witnessed Christ’s Resurrection. As a nation we have
miraculously been restored to life through our unshakable faith in Christ.
And when as a nation this year we commemorate the 90th anniversary of the
1915 Genocide, we turn to the Holy Bible, where God’s plan with regard to
the massacred nation is reflected in the resurrection and renewal of life in
God’s mighty intervention.
To read the entire message go to:
PRELACY, DIOCESE AND ORGANIZATIONS UNITE TO COMMEMORATE
90th ANNIVERSARY OF GENOCIDE ON APRIL 24
Led by the Prelacy and Diocese, the major organizations have joined to
form a united commemorative committee to mark the milestone 90th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide.
Armenian Americans all along the east coast and the midwest are planning
to gather in New York for a mass gathering at Times Square at noon, followed
by ecumenical and requiem services at St. Patricks Cathedral. Buses will be
available from various communities. For up to the minute information please
check the following web site on a regular basis:
For inquiries write to [email protected]
For bus information check with your local parish.
PRELATE ATTENDS CEREMONY AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
Archbishop Oshagan attended ceremonies at Fordham University yesterday
evening conferring the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters to Walter Cardinal
Kasper, President, Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.
The ceremony took place at the Fordham University of Law, at the Lincoln
Center campus.
BEAST ON THE MOON PREPARES FOR NEW YORK PREMIERE
Beast on the Moon, the internationally acclaimed play about two Armenian
genocide survivors is now in rehearsal and preparing for previews and its
official opening. The producer of this off-Broadway presentation is asking
the assistance of the Armenian community to pack the theatre for the first
five weeks which he says will give a jumpstart period to this story of
Armenian survival and the potential to run for many months, being seen by
thousands of people.
Beast on the Moon, which won best play in Paris and Buenos Aires, will
be performed in the Century Center for the Performing Arts, 111 East 15th
Street, New York City. Many parishes and local organizations have purchased
block tickets. Check with your local parish or call telecharge for tickets,
212-239-6200 (mention code BMNAA39).
CAPITOL HILL EVENT WILL COMMEMORATE
90TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
U.S. representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI), co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,
announced a Capitol Hill event in Washington to commemorate the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The event is being organized under the auspices of the Armenia Caucus
and the Armenian Embassy, with the full cooperation and participation of all
the Armenian American organizations. The event will take place in the Cannon
Caucus Room (Room 345) of the Cannon House Office Building, on Wednesday,
April 20, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
UCLA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE GENOCIDE
An international conference, After Nine Decades-the Enduring Legacy of
the Armenian Genocide, will take place in Pasadena and on the UCLA campus
beginning Friday, April 1 to Sunday, April 3. The conference is sponsored by
the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History in
cooperation with the UCLA International Institute, Center for Near Eastern
Studies, and Center for European and Eurasian Studies. The conference
organizer is A.E.F. Chair Holder Richard G. Hovannisian. Participants
include scholars from Argentina, Armenia, France, Lebanon, Syria, and from
throughout the United States. The conference program can be seen at
APPLY NOW FOR DATEV SUMMER INSTITUTE
Yes, it is that time of the year again. All of the new information,
including application forms, for the 2005 St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute is now on the Prelacy web page. The dates of the summer studies
program are July 3 to 10. Early bird registration deadline is May 15. For
full details go to:
ANEC PARTICIPATES IN COMPETITION
With the invitation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia,
the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) has invited schools within
its jurisdiction to participate in a contest dedicated to the 90th
anniversary of the genocide.
The competition is open to students 13 to 26 years of age. For details
contact the ANEC office, 212-689-7810.
PRELATE WILL ATTEND FAREWELL RECEPTION
FOR AMBASSADOR ARMAND KIRAKOSSIAN
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Washington, DC, tomorrow, Friday,
March 18, where he will attend a farewell reception for Ambassador Arman
Kirakossian, who has served as the ambassador from Armenia to the United
States for the past five years. Ambassador Kirakossian will return to
Yerevan to continue to work at the Foreign Ministry.
VICAR WILL ATTEND RECEPTION IN NEW YORK FOR CARDINAL SFEIR;
PRELATE WILL ATTEND LUNCHEON
Very Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy, will attend a
reception in honor of His Beatitude Mar Nasrallah Boutros Cardinal Sfeir,
Friday evening, at the Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations,
hosted by the consul general Mr. Ibrahim Assaf.
On Monday, March 21, Archbishop Oshagan will attend a luncheon in honor
of Cardinal Sfeir given by Cardinal Egan at the Catholic Center.
NALG CONFERENCE ON APRIL 16
The National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) and the Ladies Guild of
Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church will host the 2005 regional religious
conference on Saturday, April 16, 10 am to 3 pm at the church in Bethesda,
Maryland.
The keynote speaker will be Yeretzgin Joanna Baghsarian, from
Providence, Rhode Island. Her presentation, in English and Armenian, will be
about women of integrity taken from the Bible. Mary Derderian, adjunct
instructor at George Washington University and Stratford University, will
conduct a short workshop for special event coordination, implementation and
evaluation.
For information contact Mary Derderian, 703-759-3908, or email
[email protected].
CATHOLICOS ARAM EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF COOPERATION
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
emphasized the need to create harmony and coherence inside the Armenian
communities, in a speech given in St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia,
Cyprus. His Holiness said:
Diversity is a natural phenomenon in our lives. On many occasions we
have stressed the importance of preserving diversity as enriching factors in
various aspects of our lives. But when diversity is not expressed
harmoniously, it can lead us to polarization. When distinction is not
transformed to cooperation, it can become a source of internal tension.
In the second part of his speech, His Holiness spoke about the true
understanding of life, calling on believers to adopt the true values of life
given to humanity through Jesus Christ.
SEE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN WORLD MISSION CONFERENCE
The Holy See of Cilicia participated in the inter-orthodox preparatory
consultation for the World Mission Conference, organized by the World
Council of Churches (WCC). The preparatory consultation took place in
Athens, March 3 to 9, with 35 representatives from Orthodox and Oriental
Orthodox Churches to prepare for the World Mission Conference which will
take place in May in Athens, where 700 spiritual and secular representatives
from the WCC member churches, as well as the Roman Catholic, Protestant and
Benedictine churches will participate.
V. Rev. Fr. Khoren Doghramdjian, Primate of the Diocese of Greece, and
V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer of the Catholicate of
Cilicia, participated in the preparatory consultation.
ARMENIAN CHURCHES SPORTS ASSOCIATION
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
The Armenian Churches Sports Association (ACSA) completed another
successful year. The championship games took place last Sunday, March 13,
with the following results:
Jr. Boys: Holy Martyrs (beat St. Sarkis)
Girls: St. Leon (beat Holy Martyrs)
Sr. Boys: Sts. Vartanantz beat St. Leon
Men: St. Vartan Cathedral (beat St. Sarkis)
The ACSA originally started with senior boys and later added leagues for
junior boys, girls, and men. Churches participating include: Sts. Vartanantz
(Ridgefield, NJ); St. Sarkis (Douglaston, NY); St. Illuminator Cathedral
(New York City); St. Vartan Cathedral (New York City); Holy Martyrs
(Bayside, NY); St. Thomas (Tenafly, NJ); St. Leon (Fairlawn, NJ); St. Mary
(Livingston, NJ); Armenian Presbyterian Church (Paramus, NJ).
PRELATE WILL CELEBRATE PALM SUNDAY IN BOSTON
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Massachusetts this weekend to St.
Stephen Church in Watertown, where he will officiate Palm Sunday services
and deliver the Sermon this Sunday.
NEXT WEEK IS HOLY WEEK
The last Sunday of Lent is Palm Sunday (Tzaghkazard). The week preceding
the Resurrection (Easter) is marked in the life of Jesus with a series of
events that were ordained or prophesied. These events include the
resurrection of Lazarus and the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem,
which we commemorate on Palm Sunday. Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, as
described centuries earlier by the prophet Zechariah. A large enthusiastic
crowd greeted him with olive and palm branches and with the words, Hosanna!
Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. (John 12: 13)
On Palm Sunday the curtain, closed since the beginning of Lent (Boun
Barekendan), is opened, traditionally following Drnbatsek (opening the door)
ceremony in the morning.
During the Andastan service (Blessing of the Four Corners of the World),
the palms are blessed and passed out to the faithful.
A procession of young boys and girls carrying decorated candles is an
old custom on Palm Sunday, which continues to be an impressive sight to see
all of the young children of the parish dressed in their best clothes parade
around the church.
Each day of Holy Week (Avag Shabat) is a holy day. It is gratifying to
see that these commemorations, many of which had been discontinued, are
being revived by many of our parishes.
Monday commemorates the barren fig tree. (Matthew 21:18-20)
Tuesday commemorates the Ten Virgins. (Matthew 25:13)
Wednesday commemorates the Anointment and Betrayal of Christ.
Thursday is Maundy Thursday. Maundy comes from the command of Christ
(mandatum in Latin) that His disciples should love one another (John 13:34).
In the morning the Divine Liturgy is celebrated and Communion given. In the
early evening the Washing of the Feet (Votunlva) ceremony takes place in
remembrance of the events of the Last Supper. In late evening the betrayal
and torment of Christ, Tenebrae (Khavaroom) is commemorated, in a ceremony
that many consider to be the most impressive and emotional service in the
Armenian Church. Twelve small candles and one large candle are placed on the
altar. During the service seven chapters are read from the Gospel, depicting
Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, and denial by
Peter. Interspersed with the readings, hymns composed by Nerses Shnorhali
are sung. After each reading a candle from each side is extinguished in the
darkened sanctuary.
Good Friday commemorates the death and burial of Jesus and is the most
solemn and sacred day in the Christian calendar. In the Armenian Church
tradition, during evening Vespers a tomb is prepared and decorated with
flowers and candles. It is also a tradition in the Armenian Church for the
congregation to bring flowers and decorate the tomb throughout the service.
SPRING IS HERE
Sunday, March 20 is the first day of spring. It is a welcome sign of the
coming rebirth of nature after a dormant, but necessary, winter.
And, it is time to begin the planting for the growing season ahead. Our
late father, an extraordinary gardener, used to tell us that we must get the
sugar snap peas planted by St. Patricks Day, which is today, March 17. We
here at Crossroads have been planning our gardens in our minds since
Christmas. Thinking and planning for spring provides warmth for the soul and
hope for the future.
We leave you this week with these words from Inheriting Paradise:
Meditations on Gardening, by Vigen Guroian:
Every experienced Christian gardener knows that there is a spiritual
spring which comes just as surely as nature’s spring. The Lenten spring is
God’s invitation to prayer, fasting, and penance. Like the deep-rooted
thistle weed, some of our worst habits withstand all but the most
persistent, persevering, and strenuous exercise. A quick pull on the root,
however, will not do the trick, not with an aggressive chop of the hoe.
Patience is needed, and the humble willingness to drop down on one’s knees
and work carefully with the hand fork and trowel. The Christian gardener
patiently picks sin from the soul’s soil and cultivates it with care and
attention to the tender new growth of faith.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
March 17 2005
14 procedures needed to start business in Azerbaijan

People starting a business are required to undergo 14 procedures in
Azerbaijan, as compared to 9 in Georgia and 10 in Armenia. Whereas
123 days on average are needed for a business to be registered in
Azerbaijan, the figure in the other two countries is 25.
The indicators were provided in the “Doing Business” report compiled
based on the World Bank data for 2004.
Sabit Baghirov, chairman of the Association for Assistance to Market
Economy Development, told a recent roundtable, “Simplifying state
registration of legal entities”, that the current legislation impedes
business activity.
Entrepreneurs starting a business have to pay duties, register with
the notary public and the State Social Security Fund, open a bank
account, receive a legal address, and other procedures. All this
increases instances of corruption, he said.
The most favorable environment for doing business is provided in New
Zealand, followed by the United States, the mentioned WB report said.
Baghirov continued that a lengthy period of 90 days is required for
the registration of businesses. Afterwards, entrepreneurs are not
guaranteed that they will be registered either, he said.
Baghirov said that if the registration problem is solved, this will
allow business people to start their operation sooner, reduce
financial loss and encourage business activity. He added that the
problems indicated in the mentioned report are impeding the work of
not only local, but also foreign investors.

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
March 17 2005
Azerbaijani, Armenian presidents may meet in Moscow May 9

The meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, scheduled as part
of the Council of Europe summit in Warsaw on May 16-17, may take
place earlier – on May 9.
Both President Aliyev and Armenian President Robert Kocharian have
been invited to Moscow to attend the festivities dedicated to the
60th anniversary of victory over fascism, the Russian co-chair of the
OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov said. The two countries’ foreign
ministers may not meet prior to the presidents’ meeting.
“We [OSCE MG co-chairs] may meet with the two countries’ foreign
ministers beforehand separately. We have held talks with Minister
Mammadyarov in Prague, while our meeting with Minister Oskanian is
likely to take place when the OSCE fact-finding mission presents its
report to the Permanent Council in Vienna on March 17.”
The OSCE mission visited the occupied Azeri territories in February
to look into the illegal settlement of Armenians there.

Turkish opposition leader denies Armenian genocide claims
Anatolia news agency
15 Mar 05
ANKARA
[Opposition] Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal has
stated today (Tuesday [15 March]) that CHP expects the Turkish
government to launch an initiative in the parliament this week on the
Armenian allegations. “Unfortunate and sad incidents took place in
both sides. Yet describing such incidents as ‘genocide’ is a big lie
that would deeply hurt our nation and its friends. Claiming that a
‘genocide’ took place is an unjust allegation and must get the
appropriate legal, political, cultural and social response,” stressed
Baykal.
Baykal indicated that a planned move to exterminate a single ethnic
group during the Ottoman era never took place. “Just look at the
Ottoman archives. During the period when Armenians claim that a
‘genocide’ took place, historians note that there were Armenian
ambassadors, bureaucrats and advisers to the Ottoman Sultan. The fact
is that a portion of the Armenians got re-located due to the ongoing
war against Russia during which some died due to famine, poverty,
hunger and poor health conditions. Armenian bandits allied with the
Russians massacred hundreds of innocent Muslim Ottomans in eastern
Anatolia. There was a re-location due to war but absolutely no
genocide. If we want to talk about ‘genocides’ how about elaborating
on the transfer of thousands of Tatars from Crimea to Siberia during
World War II…? [ellipses as received]

President’s latest remarks mean Azerbaijan might be getting ready for war –
daily
Ayna, Baku
15 Mar 05

Text of C. Sumarinli report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ayna on 15 March
headlined “The president’s military priorities” and subheaded “Baku is
buying new military hardware for the next Azerbaijani-Armenian war”
The main priority in the activity of [Azerbaijani President] Ilham
Aliyev is to increase the country’s military budget and raise the
salaries of servicemen, as well as buy new military hardware for the
army, he declared in his address at a ceremony to mark the 13th
anniversary of the establishment of the Interior Troops.
Generally, when analysing the president’s remarks, one can come to the
following three conclusions.
First, war is inevitable although undesirable. Therefore, the army is
making preparations for further military operations [against
neighbouring Armenia over the disputed region of Nagornyy Karabakh].
The president uses the terms “military operations” or “war” as
infrequently as possible and prefers the words “other options” and
“new issues”. Experts believe that this is an indicator of Aliyev’s
relatively cautious behaviour over relations with international
organizations.
Despite dubbing war a “humanitarian disaster”, the president says that
the nation is ready to fight and a lot of work will be done to this
end.
If we take into consideration the fact that the preparations for war
are conducted in two directions (organization of mobilization
resources and better logistics of the army), one can suppose that the
government is bracing itself to do more serious work in this regard.
Second, the president said that Azerbaijan’s military budget will
again be increased. One can understand from his statements that this
increase could be as much as 40 per cent, as was the case last
year. Thus, Azerbaijan’s military budget in 2006 could be about 350m
dollars. At the same time, the salaries of servicemen will also be
raised.
Third, the purchase of military hardware for the army is a
priority. The president touched upon this several times in his latest
statements. At the same time, he said that the bulk of military
hardware of the Interior Troops had been bought over the past
year. The purchase of military hardware will continue over a solution
to “new issues” (a military option could be meant).
Ayna’s group of military experts says that there are a few noteworthy
points in these remarks of the president as compared to his previous
statements. These points are basically about buying new military
hardware and using it to resolve the conflict.
In general, Aliyev’s statements may mean that Baku does not rule out
the possibility of resuming military operations although it prefers
peace negotiations and prioritizes taking serious steps towards
organizing the country’s mobilization resources, improving the
provisions of the armed forces and conducting war with
state-of-the-arts weaponry.

Baku Today
Three Azeri soldiers wounded in ceasefire breach
AssA-Irada 15/03/2005 08:26
An Azerbaijani soldier received a head injury after Armenian military units,
from their positions in the occupied Shotlanly village of Aghdam District,
fired at the positions of the Azerbaijani troops located in Terter District
at 11:00 on Friday, local Lider TV reported.
The wounded soldier has undergone a surgery.
Another Azerbaijani soldier more was wounded in Chiragly village of Aghdam
District after Armenia violated ceasefire at about 21:00 on Thursday.
One more Azeri soldier was wounded after Armenian military units, from their
positions in the occupied Shikhlar village of Aghdam District, opened fire
at the positions of the Azerbaijani troops located in Orta Gishlag village
of the same district at 00:13 on Friday.

AZERBAIJAN CONSIDERS SOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT VIA FORCE, BUT AS
AN EXTREME MEASURE, ALIYEV STATED
PanArmenian News
March 12 2005
12.03.2005 05:27
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan considers the solution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict by force, but as an extreme measure, republic
leader Ilham Aliyev stated Saturday. “We want to solve the problem
peacefully. However, it is not a secret that we a ready to other means
of solution of the conflict. We are ready to negotiate till the very
last moment – even if 5% of hope for peace solution is present,”
Aliyev stated. It is clear that war is a humanitarian catastrophe.
However, we should be ready and we are ready to war,” the President
emphasized. Aliyev noted that “on the whole we feel the support of the
international community” and drew the attention to the PACE latest
resolution on Nagorno Karabakh. “For the first time the European
organization recognized Armenia aggressor, condemned the ethnic
cleansing, which formed good basis for the talks,” he considers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
March 11 2005
SWISS FOREIGN MINISTER INTENDS TO VISIT SOUTH CAUCASUS IN AUTUMN
YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS: Swiss ambassador to Armenia Stefan
Schpek told today in Yerevan that his country’s foreign minister
intends to visit the South Caucasus in 2005 autumn. Schpek who is
seated in Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, said Switzerland
looks at the South Caucasus as one region and builds its policy based
on this assumption.
He also said frequent mutual visits by government officials of the
two countries will help establish closer ties. “Switzerland is
interested in seeing stability in the region. Destabilization of the
region would be dangerous to Europe,” he said.
The ambassador has arrived in Armenia to sign an agreement with
Armenian emergency department whereby Switzerland will provide
420,000 Swiss Franks to the Armenian agency to purchase new equipment
and to reinforce its regional branches.

MEETING WITH SPORTSMEN
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
11 March 05
On March 8 the president of NKR Arkady Ghukassian met with the best
sportsmen of the year. Nine of the ten sportsmen were present at
the meeting (NKR chess champion Hovik Hayrapetian is taking part
in competitions abroad). Emphasizing the importance of sport in the
life of the country, A. Ghukassian said, “The meeting with sportsmen
is a tradition. We are happy that there are new faces beside the
familiar ones. This means that the country has achievements in
this sphere. Naturally, an unrecognized country has difficulties in
establishing relationships with other countries. However, we shall
find ways to display our abilities. Sports open the doors which
are closed to politics, and your contribution to state building is
great.” Informing that the 2005-2010 program for physical training
and sports had been worked out already, the NKR minister of education,
culture and sport Ashot Ghulian said that they anticipated the aid of
the government in this question. The sportsmen present at the meeting
with the president were: Ashot Danielian (sambo wrestling, judo,
champion of NKR and RA, medallist of European and world championships),
Ararat Tavadian (football, the national team of NKR, prize winner of
the RA first league), Varouzhan Baghdassarian (table tennis, NKR and RA
champion, participated in European and world juvenile championships),
Narek Grigorian (taekwando, RA champion), Marine Musayelian (track and
field, champion of NKR and RA women’s tournament, Tehran Pan-Armenian
Games), Anna Adamian (table tennis, NKR champion, champion of the RA
championship under 12), Armine Hayrumian (volley-ball, NKR champion,
medallist of RA premier league), Davit Lalayan (karate, black belt). At
the meeting the sportsmen received prize money.
AA.
11-03-2005

JIHAD AGAINST ARMENIA
A1+
11-03-2005
Azerbaijan must announce jihad â~@~S sacred war against Armenia in
order to free his â~@~ownâ~@~] lands. Hajig Nuriev, head of the
Azerbaijani Islamic Party has made this announcement.
The latter is pessimistic towards International structures mentioning
that the negotiations cannot give serious results, informs the site
day.az. According to Nuriev, in the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict no help can be anticipated from international
structures as they are not interested in the â~@~fairâ~@~]
settlement of the conflict.
â~@~]Only we can wipe the dishonor off us. Time has come for sacred
warâ~@~, announces Nuriev.
–Boundary_(ID_Fe6yoRupahxxroxla8sjVQ)–