Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

Turkey to fight genocide claims
>>From correspondents in Ankara, Turkey
Advertiser Adelaide, Australia
Australian, Australia
March 25 2005
TURKEY has enlisted the help of a United States historian today as
part of its campaign to counter damaging, decades-old claims Armenians
suffered genocide at Ottoman Turkish hands during and after World
War I.
Turkey is worried the 90th anniversary of the alleged genocide on
April 24 will trigger a fresh outpouring of sympathy for the Armenians
which could harm Turkey’s image and even derail the planned start of
European Union entry talks in October.
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan went on the offensive earlier this month,
calling for an impartial study of the genocide claims and declaring
Turkey’s archives open to all scholars.
Invited to address the Ankara parliament today, Justin McCarthy,
an expert on the Ottoman period, argued a complex historical tragedy
had been manipulated for ideological reasons, becoming a vehicle for
anti-Muslim, anti-Turkish prejudice.
“The Armenian question has from the start been a political
campaign… Yes, many Armenians were killed by Turks at this time and
many Turks were killed by Armenians, but this was war, not genocide,”
Mr McCarthy said.
“Many politicians use the Armenian genocide not so much because
they believe it but because they see it as a means to prevent Turkey
joining the European Union,” said Mr McCarthy.
Armenia says 1.5 million of its people died between 1915 and 1923
on Ottoman territory in a systematic genocide and says the decision
to carry it out was taken by the political party then in power in
Istanbul, popularly known as the Young Turks.
Turkey denies genocide, saying the Armenians were victims of
a partisan war during World War I which claimed even more Turkish
Muslim lives. Turkey accuses Armenians of carrying out massacres
while siding with invading Russian troops.
Mr McCarthy urged Turkey to fund translations from Turkish into English
and other European languages of historical records and books providing
documentary evidence there was no genocide.
Foreign diplomats said Turkey’s support for an impartial study of
the genocide issue, possibly under the aegis of the United Nations,
was a positive development.
But they said inviting an opponent of the genocide claims to address
lawmakers who largely shared his views would merely reconfirm, not
challenge, people’s firmly held views.
It would have been more fruitful to invite people of differing opinions
on the subject to the parliament, said one.
“They are still very timid,” the diplomat said.
Armenia, a tiny ex-Soviet republic which has no diplomatic relations
with Turkey, has rejected Mr Erdogan’s proposal for an impartial
investigation, saying scholars had already established the genocide
as indisputable fact.
The European Parliament and several national assemblies from France to
Canada have also backed the claims in recent years, passing resolutions
urging Turkey to accept its past misdeeds.
Some EU politicians, notably in France, home to Europe’s largest
community in the Armenian diaspora, say Turkey must accept the genocide
claims before it can start talks to join the wealthy bloc.

CONFLICTS BETWEEN COSSACKS AND ARMENIANS IN NOVOROSSIYSK
NOVOROSSIYSK, MARCH 23. ARMINFO. Some 200 Cossacks have organized
pogroms in one of the districts in Novorrosiysk.
According to the newspaper “Yerkramas,” persons of Armenian nationality
as well as their cars, cafes and shops were subjected to pogroms. The
reason of the conflict was a quarrel in a cafe between Armenians,
Greeks who celebrated a birthday, and Cossacks who approached
them headed by Ataman of the local Cossacks Community Vladimir
Petrushin. The latter was taken to hospital wherein he underwent
surgical operation. The health stated is assessed as stable at
present. A criminal case was initiated on Article 282 (stirring
up of national, racial and religious enmity) of the CC of RF.
Novorossiysk Mayor Vladimir Sinyagovskiy held an extreme discussion
with representatives of national communities of the city and stated
that those guilty would be exposed and punished. An agreement was
reached not to aggravate the tension and restrain the emotions of the
conflicting parties. The local Armenian cultural society “Luys” states
that the Armenian party strictly observed these agreements calling
its compatriots for calmness and guarantying that the law-enforcement
structures control over the situation.

YEREVAN AUTHORITIES INTEND TO PLANT 30,000 TREES THIS YEAR
YEREVAN, MARCH 21. ARMINFO. Plantation of threes will start on April
16 2005 in Yerevan, Head of Nature Protection Department of Yerevan
Municipality Romik Kosemyan informs journalists today.
He says that the capital’s authorities intend to plant 30,000 trees
and 41,000 bushes this year. Besides, within the frameworks of a
preliminary agreement with CJSC “Armles” (Armforest), 60-80,000 trees
will be planted. In its turn, “Tsaratunk” charity organization intends
to plant 4-5,000 trees and bushes.

Montreal Gazette
Fresh from Easter ovens
Tsoureki, chorek, folar de Pascoa: Around Montreal this week, bakers are
creating special breads that symbolize the resurrection
SUSAN SEMENAK
The Gazette
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
When I was a little girl, there was no running, jumping or frolicking in the
house on Good Friday.
For Christians, it is the most solemn day of the year, marking the
anniversary of Christ’s death.
My mother’s Good Friday edicts, however, had more to do with the massive tub
of paska dough that was left to rise – like a baby swaddled in layers of
dishcloths, towels and woollen blankets – in a bedroom with the door closed
and a space heater cranked to full blast.
Mixing, kneading and baking the traditional Ukrainian Easter bread was an
all-day affair that called for 10 pounds of flour and a dozen eggs and
relied on a hand-scrawled, oil-stained recipe handed down over several
generations. The next day, the paskas, along with boiled eggs, horseradish,
butter, cheese, eggs and kielbasa sausage, would be transferred to decorated
baskets lined with embroidered linens, and brought to the church hall for
blessing.
In many Christian traditions, special Easter breads are baked to symbolize
Christ’s resurrection. Some cultures bake whole eggs, ancient symbols of
spring and fertility, into their breads. Others shape theirs into the form
of birds or animals.
The Greeks have their tsourekia – rich, brioche-like braided breads,
seasoned with the spices mahlepi and mastiha and with red-dyed, hard-boiled
eggs baked into them.
“You can’t have Easter without tsoureki,” said Christos Hatzimarkos, head
pastry chef at Afroditi, the Greek bakery and pastry shop in Park Extension.
In the old days, everybody made their own, but now they are just as likely
to order it from his bakery.
“After going through all of Lent without sweets, a slice of tsoureki is
delicious with coffee right after midnight mass or on Easter morning. And
then again after supper.”
Armenians have their own version, called chorek, also a spiced sweet-dough
bread braided around an egg. Khatchik Merdjanian, who owns Armenia Bakery in
north-end Montreal, likes his chorek for Easter brunch, along with a
traditional egg, onion and parsley omelette called ekee, and yogurt and
spinach.
In Portugal, they dream throughout Lent of folar de Pascoa, a fat,
pumpkin-shaped bread studded with coloured hard-boiled eggs. Sometimes it’s
flavoured with raisins and cinnamon, or anise.
Italians eat special breads at Easter, too, a savoury loaf called a corona
pasquale or a dove-shaped loaf called a colomba. And for Easter Monday, when
Italians in and around Rome head outdoors for a picnic, there’s torta salata
pasquale, Easter bread with prosciutto, olives and parmesan cheese.
For Montrealers without the time or inclination to bake their own Easter
bread, there is a wealth of bakeries whose shelves are filled with seasonal
sweets and savouries:
Afroditi Bakery has an assortment of Greek Easter treats. Tsourekia are
traditional brioche-like braided loaves with red-dyed eggs (from $7 to $25
depending on the size). Also try the koulourakia shortbread cookies for
Easter ($8 for a 500-gram box).
756 St. Roch St. in Park Extension. (514) 274-5302.

Congressional Record: March 17, 2005
>>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
AFFIRMING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John
Evans, in public forums with the Armenian community, recently
characterized what President George W. Bush has described as an
“appalling tragedy of the 20th century, the massacre of as many as 1.5
million Armenians through forced exile and murder at the end of the
Ottoman Empire,” as Genocide.
I rise today to join with Ambassador Evans and other public officials
who have affirmed the truth and recognize that reconciling with the
past is an important first step in creating a better future.
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is widely acknowledged. One
hundred and twenty-six Holocaust scholars publicly affirmed the
incontestable fact of the Armenian Genocide during the 30th Anniversary
of the Scholars’ Conference on the Holocaust and the Churches. And in
1981, former President Ronald Reagan stated: “Like the genocide of the
Armenians before it, and the genocide of the Cambodians which followed
it–and like too many other such persecutions of too many other
peoples–the lessons of the Holocaust must never be forgotten.”
In addition, a recent study released by the International Center for
Transitional Justice (ICTJ) on the use of the term Armenian Genocide
and the applicability of the 1948 Genocide Convention to events which
occurred during the early twentieth century in Ottoman Turkey, found
that “the Events, viewed collectively, can thus be said to include all
of the elements of the crime of genocide as defined in the Convention,
and legal scholars as well as historians, politicians, journalists and
other people would be justified in continuing to so describe them.”
As we approach the 90th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, we
must ensure that we do not forget the lessons of the past. Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, in the Preface to the Encyclopedia of Genocide, published
in 1999 by the Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide in Jerusalem,
writes: “It is sadly true what a cynic has said, that we learn from
the history that we do not learn from history. And yet it is possible
that if the world had been conscious of the genocide that was committed
by the Ottoman Turks against the Armenians, the first genocide of the
twentieth century, then perhaps humanity might have been more alert to
the warning signs that were being given before Hitler’s madness was
unleashed on an unbelieving world.”
Mr. Speaker, let us never forget and let us affirm the truth.
____________________

PRNewswire
United Business Media
Epygi and Content Directions Break New Ground to Launch World’s First
Interactive, Multilink-Driven Ad
New Ad Unit from Content Directions Promises Superior User Experience,
Superior Advertiser Results
NEW YORK and DALLAS, March 21 /PRNewswire/ — Epygi Technologies, a
leader
in SIP based VoIP technology and manufacturer of Quadro telecom products for
the small to medium sized business market, has become the first advertiser
to
deploy Content Directions Inc.’s next generation online ad based on the
Digital Object Identifier (DOI). Placed initially on the telecom portal
TMCnet.com, the ad provides customers with immediate access to all of
Epygi’s
current product information from within a single, rich MultiLink(TM)
dropdown
menu, without having to leave the page on which the ad is displayed and then
navigate through the Epygi website hunting for product information. (See
and roll your mouse
over the banner ad at the top or on the right side of the screen.) The
MultiLink menu is automatically refreshed with current product info via a
central update process managed by Content Directions based on Epygi’s ever-
current product and distribution channel data.
Epygi CEO/President, Jeff Kirchner, explains, “CDI’s implementation of
DOI
technology allows Epygi to syndicate our marketing and sales information
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instantly update information in every channel, keeping pace with an
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With over 200 employees worldwide, Epygi is building a global
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large corporations and organizations.
About Content Directions, Inc. (CDI)
CDI helps companies maximize the commercial effectiveness of their web
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It
is the industry leader in Digital Object Identifier (DOI) technology, the
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Anthony Knape
Mobile Phone: 214-680-6942
Phone: 972-692-1166 x33
Email: [email protected]
Epygi / Sales Force Europe
General Castanos 9-2D
Madrid 28004 Spain
Jennifer Sundquist
Phone: +34 666 751 344
Email: [email protected]
or
Tina Aridas
Deputy Manager, Marketing & Press Relations
CONTENT DIRECTIONS, INC.
phone: 718-965-8490 or 917-514-5364
fax: 718-768-7542
email: [email protected]

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT TO RECOGNIZE INDEPENDENCE OF NAGORNY KARABAKH:
RESOLUTION OF OPPOSITION JUSTICE BLOC
YEREVAN, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. Armenian National Assembly must
immediately recognize the independence of Nagorny Karabakh, says a
resolution adopted at today’s conference on problem of peaceful
settlement of Karabakh’s conflict organized by the opposition Justice
bloc. The resolution was read out by Leader of Armenian Democratic
Party Aram G. Sargsyan.
Representatives of both the opposition and the ruling parties
participated at the conference. The resolution says that the Karabakh
problem’s essence in various international instances has been
distorted recently and now it is presented as an especially
territorial quarrel between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The recent
resolution adopted by the PACE proves it.
As a result, the independence of Karabakh from Azerbaijan found itself
doubtful. There are high-rank officials in Armenia continuing to
insist with dangerous optimism that Narogny Karabakh is in no
danger. The authorities have to submit to the international community
the full-value (diplomatic note) consisting the state position of
Armenia on Karabakh problem.
Besides, it is necessary to have a common concept and the program of
actions concerning the settlement problem, as well as to establish a
Center coordinating its realization. An active propagandistic activity
aimed to introduce the international community the Karabakh problem’s
essence is also necessary, resolution stresses.
To note, conference participants addressed a letter to the Council of
Europe. They stated the history of Nagorny Karabakh, its involving
into the structure of Azerbaijan and the Karabakh conflict based on
the historical facts. -r-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

57.3-KM SECTOR OF 160-KM “NORTH-SOUTH” ARTSAKH ROAD ALREADY BUILT,
CONSTRUCTION OF 40.2 KM UNDERWAY
YEREVAN, MARCH 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The construction of 57.3-km sector of
the “North-South” Artsakh road lasted 5 years, the 40.2-km sector is
still being built. According to the Executive Committee of “Hayastan”
(“Armenia”) pan-Armenian fund, the construction in the “Vanki
Khachmeruk – Kichan,” “Kichan – Drmbon,” “Stepanakert – Chanakhi
Khachmeruk,” “Azokh – Tsakuri,” “Tsakuri – Hadrut” road sectors is
underway. And the construction of the “Drmbon – Martakert” and
“Chanakhi Khachmeruk – Sarushen” sectors will begin in April-May. A
tender has been announced for the construction of the above-mentioned
2 sectors.

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.