Author: Zaminian Bedik

AZERBAIJAN’S FOREIGN MINISTRY COMMENTS ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH STATEMENT

Panorama.am
13:58 23/04/2009

"Azerbaijan’s position in this deal remains the same. It is the
sovereign right of any country to determine relations with another
country. But, Azerbaijan thinks that the normalization of the
Armenian-Turkish relations should be conducted parallel with the
process of Armenian troops leaving Nagorno Karabakh," the Foreign
Ministry of Azerbaijan says. According to the Azerbaijani mass media
publications Azerbaijani officials say that the Armenian-Turkish
relations should be normalized parallel with the NKR conflict
resolution.

HISTORY TEXTS DRAW SET OF BLANK PAGES

Hurriyet
April 22 2009
Turkey

ISTANBUL – The Ministry of Education has published a revised chapter
for Year 8 history books and asked instructors to teach from the new
text. Changes include removing the names of influential politicians
and a shifted definition of fundamentalism. The ministry’s move has
sparked a lively debate over whether the chapter alters or updates
the history of the Republic

Changes made to textbooks for Republic history classes have left
significant gaps in the country’s past 40 years, revealing that
Turkey’s recent history is still considered a difficult issue to
tackle.

"Turkey after Ataturk: The Second World War and afterwards," the
seventh chapter of the book, was criticized for mentioning the 1999
capture of the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party,
or PKK, and significant alterations made by the department of the
Education Ministry have raised eyebrows.

The ministry has published the altered, 27-page chapter on its Web
site, asking instructors who teach Year 8 Republic history to use
the revised version rather than the one in the book.

The chapter focuses on the history of the country after 1939, which
includes Turkey’s role in World War II; the start of multi-party
democracy; the 1960, 1971 and 1980 military coups; the 1970s,
dominated by left-wing and right-wing terrorism; Turkey’s efforts to
join the European Union; the start of PKK attacks in the 1980s and
the capture of its leader in 1999; both Gulf Wars; and the region
after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Historians believe that recent history should be held in an objective
way. ToktamıÅ~_ AteÅ~_, an academic from Istanbul University, said
the Board of Education and Discipline prepared the textbooks in line
with their political views and opinions. "Recent history should be
mentioned without any reference to values and opinions. Those people
who experienced those days are still alive and praising [the coups]
may hurt them," he told the NTV news channel yesterday.

But Zubeyde Kilic, head of the Education Personnel Union, or
Egitim-Sen, said the history textbooks do not meet their expectations,
especially on the issues of the military coups. "The military coup
of Sept. 12, 1980, was a major intervention into democracy and it
should not be mentioned in such a shallow way," she said.

Daily Milliyet focused on the changes, mainly on the section about
fundamentalist threats to the country.

While the original version defined fundamentalist acts as efforts to
create chaos through religious differences and accusing secularism of
being anti-religion through propaganda against the state and Turkey’s
founder Ataturk, the new version does not refer to secularism
and instead accuses fundamentalists of trying to "perpetrate
anti-scientific actions by rejecting the progressive values of the
society in order to bring back a medieval system."

Yunus Ozturk, head of Egitim-Sen’s Bahcelievler branch, said the
changes reveal the intervention of the ruling Justice and Development
Party, or AKP, to the curriculum as a way to defend political Islamic
views. "The fundamentals define Alevism as the same as atheism,
and they condemn Ataturk for introducing a secular system to
Turkey," Ozturk said. "But those details were removed, which makes
it difficult to teach children about fundamentalism in Turkey in a
concrete way." The new version also cites Ataturk’s statement warning
that the republic faced threats from people and groups that wanted
to turn back time. The chapter also argued that fundamentalists had
been a threat since the establishment of the Republic.

Military coups The new chapter refers to the 1960, 1971 and 1980
military coups as suspending the country’s democratization process and
adds that their negative consequences were overcome by constitutional
changes, new political parties laws and broader reforms.

Two pages dedicated to the coups in the original chapter were removed
and were replaced with two sentences. The section about the Feb. 28,
1996, statement released by the military that led to the toppling
of the coalition government, referred to as the post-modern coup,
was simply removed.

Mustafa Kovanlik, head of Egitim-Sen’s Taksim branch, said the removal
of the coups from the curriculum is a positive development because the
former version depicted the coups as reasonable or legitimate things.

Among the sections that were not included in the new chapter were
those that mentioned former Presidents Turgut Ozal and Suleyman Demirel
and former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Demirel and Ecevit were key
political leaders starting from the 1960s until after 2000. Ozal,
credited with opening the economy overseas, dominated Turkish politics
from 1983 until his death in 1993.

Missionaries Missionary activities were included in a section on
threats to the country and fundamentalist threats.

The chapter said: "Missionary activities are not simple religious
proliferation efforts. It cannot be protected by freedom of thought and
freedom of expression. It is an organized and systematic movement that
forces individuals to change their religion. Missionary activities also
carry a political, economic and cultural perspective and are supported
by nongovernmental organizations and foreign forces. Missionaries
exploit individuals’ economic problems and constitute a threat to
national unity and sovereignty."

The section called "Why are Armenians the problem?" in the original
was replaced with a new section called, "Turkish-Armenian Relations."

The new section lists the Armenian terrorist activities in the 1970s
and 1980s directed at Turkish diplomats and notes that Turkey opened
its archives concerning the 1915 incidents.

Daily AkÅ~_am noted that the changes came as Turkey and Armenia were
trying to improve bilateral relations.

ABORTION RATE IN ARMENIA DECREASED 4 TIMES COMPARED WITH 1990’S RESULTS

PanArmenian
April 21 2009
Armenia

900 000 conceptions are being registered in the world daily. 150
000 abortions are being performed daily and 53-60 million abortions
annually.

In 2004 a law was passed in Armenia stipulating for every woman’s
right to undergo an abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. To
undergo an abortion after the 12th and 22nd weeks, doctor’s permission
must be obtained.

Starting from 2005, no cases of women dying during abortion were
registered in Armenia. Abortion rate in Armenia decreased 4 times
compared with 1990s results, Mother and Child Healthcare Department
Leading Specialist Gayane Avagyan stated.

She noted that many Armenian women have changed their attitudes to
pregnancy and abortions: more women are using contraceptives which
decreases abortion cases.

Medical consultations for pregnant women are conducted free-of-charge
in Armenia.

According to recent National Program, every pregnant woman is
entitled to a Maternity Certificate in a policlinic where she receives
consultations. The certificate entitles a woman to free consultations
and childbirth.

PRIME MINISTER RECEIVED IFC DELEGATION

LRAGIR.AM
12:03:56 – 21/04/2009

On April 20, the Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with
the member of the World Bank group International Finance Corporation
delegation headed by the senior economist for the World Bank’s Doing
Business Reform Unit Stefka Slavova.

Stefka Slavova informed that the delegation arrived in Armenia at
the invitation of the Armenian government to get acquainted with
the process of implementing the "Doing Business Reforms" program in
Armenia and to project the future steps. In the frameworks of the
visit, Stefka Slavova had a number of meetings with the Armenian
ministers of economy, finance, town-building, etc.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

A SPECIAL REQUIEM IN ALEPPO FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE MASSACRES IN ADANA
(CILICIA 1909)

On Sunday 20 April, His Holiness Aram I presided over a Requiem Service in
memory of the 30,000 victims of the massacres in Adana in 1909. After the
Divine Liturgy and the memorial service, the faithful listened to the
Pontifical letter His Holiness Aram I had sent to all the Prelates,
informing them of the 90th anniversary of the massacres in Adana, and asking
them to organize special events to remember the victims of this second
largest massacre by the Ottoman Turks.

##
Photos: os/Photos377.htm#4
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

CA GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS "DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

icle=41559_4/18/2009_1
Thursday, April 16, 2009

LOS ANGELES–California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has once again
proclaimed the week of April 19-26 as "Days of Remembrance of the
Armenian Genocide," the Armenian National Committee’s Western Region
offices reported on Thursday.

"The Armenian American community offers its deep gratitude for
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s declaration and commitment to recognizing the
past so that genocides will not occur in the future," said Andrew
Kzirian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee
Western Region (ANC-WR).

"An important part of our educational efforts to end the cycle of
genocide and raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and the genocide
taking place in Darfur is to ensure that the horrific crimes of the
past are not repeated, " Kzirian said. "The Governor’s proclamation is
quite timely as it comes days before the eagerly anticipated Armenian
Genocide statement by President Obama."

With President Obama’s home state of Hawaii officially recognizing the
Armenian Genocide just days ago while the President visited Turkey,
the community is confident that the President will be clear in his
message on April 24, Kzirian added

The proclamation reads in part, "Four years ago I signed a bill
that permanently recognized the Days of Remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide. This week, we honor that commitment as we stand with
our Armenian friends and neighbors here and across the world in
remembering and acknowledging the genocide, the families it destroyed
and the history it changed. We do not like to recall such sorrows,
but we must, so that we can learn from history and renew our efforts
to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

This is the twelfth proclamation issued by the Office of the
Governor of California in the past thirteen years, and supplements
the seventeen proclamations by the California Assembly and Senate
dating back to 1991.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization
in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network
of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United
States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR
promotes awareness of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.

The full text of the proclamation is included below.

****

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT STATE OF CALIFORNIA PROCLAMATION

On the night of April 24, 1915, more than 200 leaders in the Armenian
community, in the city known today as Istanbul, were arrested. Sent
to prison, most were executed, beginning a horrible, systemic killing
and forced relocation of the Armenian people that would last until
1923. During these years, the government of the Ottoman Empire
claimed the lives of 1.5 million Armenians and forced 500,000 more
from their homeland.

Those who escaped death had to flee, and many of them settled right
here in California. They and their descendants have become leaders
in all walks of life and have made extraordinary contributions to
our state. While their presence has been and continues to be a great
blessing to California, it also reminds us of the incredible evils
that brought them far from their ancestral homes.

Four years ago I signed a bill that permanently recognized the Days
of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. This week, we honor that
commitment as we stand with our Armenian friends and neighbors here
and across the world in remembering and acknowledging the genocide,
the families it destroyed and the history it changed. We do not like to
recall such sorrows, but we must, so that we can learn from history and
renew our efforts to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State
of California, do hereby proclaim April 19-26, 2009, as "Days of
Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide."

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 13th day of
April 2009.

AZERI-TURKISH ROW LINKED TO BUSINESS INTERESTS – POLITICAL EXPERT

Azadliq
April 15 2009
Baku

The row between Azerbaijan and Turkey is linked to business interests
and has nothing to do with the opening of Turkish-Armenian border,
an Azeri political expert has told opposition daily Azadliq.

Co-chairman of the Republican Alternative Public Union, Ilqar Mammadov,
believes that Turkey’s proposal to purchase Azerbaijani gas for 150
dollars and sell for 400 dollars has angered Azerbaijan and created
tensions between the two states.

According to Mammadov, by keeping the border closed, Turkey suffers
great economic losses and the 16-year policy of closed border has
not resolved the conflict.

"Turkey has supported Azerbaijan’s position for 16 years and kept
the border [with Armenia] closed, losing great amounts of money. In
addition to economic losses, Turkey’s ties with partners such as
Europe and the USA are deteriorating. Now look, even though Turkey has
suffered economic and political pressure, it has accepted Azerbaijan’s
policy for 16 years. However, this policy has not contributed to the
resolution of the problem," Mammadov told Azadliq.

Mammadov also said that Azerbaijan would benefit from the opening of
the border between Armenia and Turkey.

"Normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations regardless of the
resumption of the armed conflict [between Azerbaijan and Armenia]
is for the benefit of Azerbaijan. This also reduces the risk of
the conflict. The opening of the border will benefit Azerbaijan’s
long-term plans in any case," Mammadov said.

BABACAN HAS A FOUR-PARTY MEETING WITH SARGSIAN, NALBANDIAN AND LAVROV

Anadolu Agency
April 16 2009
Turkey

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan got together with Armenian
President Serzh Sargsian, Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian and
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a four-party meeting in
the Armenian capital Yerevan on Thursday.

Babacan made a one-day visit to Yerevan to attend the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation meeting.

Babacan had a very brief meeting with Sargsian, Lavrov and Nalbandian,
diplomats said.

The meeting was not planned beforehand and nothing discussed in detail,
diplomats said.

Lavrov left the meeting early as he had another scheduled meeting,

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER

ArmenPress
April 16 2009
Armenia

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received today Foreign Minister
of Turkey Ali Babacan who arrived in Armenia to participate in the
20th session of the council of foreign ministers of the BSEC member
countries.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that at the meeting present
were Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Turkish deputy
Foreign Minister Ertughrul Apakan.

During the meeting the sides discussed issues on normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:
Email: [email protected]

April 2, 2009

FAITHFUL FLOCK TO THEIR CHURCHES FOR HOLY WEEK SERVICES
Prelacy parishes all reported large turnout of the faithful throughout
Holy Week and for Easter Sunday services. Archbishop Oshagan
celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Sarkis
Church in Douglaston, New York.

We have now entered the fifty day period that follows Easter
(Hinoonk).

40th DAY REQUIEM SERVICES FOR REV. FR. VARTAN KASSABIAN
Archbishop Oshagan has instructed all parishes within the Eastern
Prelacy to observe 40th day requiem services for Rev. Fr. Vartan
Kassabian, who died on March 12.

Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy and Requiem
Service at Der Vartans home parish of St. Gregory the Illuminator of
Merrimack Valley in North Andover, Massachusetts. The Liturgy will be
celebrated by Rev. Fr. Vazken Bekiarian. The Prelate will deliver the
Sermon.

Tributes to Der Vartan continue to pour in from near and far. May he
rest in peace and may our Lord grant comfort to Yn. Pauline and
family.

To read a remembrance by Archpriest Antranig Baljian in English click
here
( 65243081/goto: 9a.html).
To read a remembrance by Archpriest Nerses Manoogian in Armenian click
here ( to:(Arm).p df).

SECOND OF QUARTERLY FORUMS TONIGHT
An overflow audience is expected tonight for the second in a series of
forums that take place at the Prelacy offices in Manhattan. Yn. Joanna
Baghsarian and her Youth Bible Study students from Sts. Vartanantz
Church, Providence, Rhode Island, will make a special presentation
based on their research on the Armenian clergymen lost during the
genocide.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL OFFER OPENING PRAYER TOMORROW EVENING AT CITY
HALL GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION
Archbishop Oshagan will attend and deliver the opening prayer at the
Armenian Genocide Commemoration tomorrow, April 17, sponsored by the
New York City Council, and organized by the Armenian National
Committee of New York. It will take place at New York City Hall, City
Hall Chambers, corner of Chambers Street and Broadway.

Panel on Armenian Turkish Relations will feature Taner Akcam, Harut
Sassounian, Bilgin Ayata, Aram Hamparian, and Khatchig Mouradian.

Complimentary round-trip bus service from select locations is
available. For information 646-288-6979.

RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS WILL MEET
The Religious and Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy will meet
tomorrow and Saturday, April 17 and 18, at the Prelacy offices in
Manhattan.

PASHALIAN TRUSTEES TO MEET
The trustees of the Pashalian Family Education Fund will meet on
Monday, April 20, at the Prelacy for their annual meeting.

PRELATE AND VICAR WILL VISIT ST. ILLUMINATOR SCHOOL
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan will visit the
St. Illuminators School in Woodside, New York, Tuesday morning. April
21.

YEAR OF THE YOUTH
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated the year 2009 as the Year of The Youth. To read His
Holiness message in Armenian click here
( 79/goto: doc/Pontifical%20Messages/messages68.htm).
To read His Holiness message in English click here
( 78/goto: cal.pdf).

BIBLE STUDY PROGRAM CONTINUES
A six-part program on Great Prayers of the Bible which began last week
will continue every other Thursday, from 7:15 to 8:45 pm (March 19,
April 2, 23, 30 and May 14), at the Prelacy.
The program will include a number of biblical prayers that have been
incorporated into the liturgical prayers and services of the Armenian
Church. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Prelacys Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), will conduct the Bible
studies. The program is open to all and is free of charge. To
register, please send an email to [email protected]
(mailto:arec@armenianprel acy.org) or call 212-689-7810.

EXTENDED BOOKSTORE HOURS
On Bible Study evenings, the Prelacy Bookstore will remain open until
7 pm. The dates of the upcoming Bible Study series are: March 5, 19,
April 2, 16, 30, and May 14.

DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM: MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The 23rd annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, for
youth ages 13-18, is scheduled to take place at the St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 28 to July 5,
2009, preceded by a weekend retreat (optional) from June 26-28,
2009. The Program is sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC).

For more information click here
( 71/goto:).

PLG MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON
The Prelacy Ladies Guilds annual Mothers Day luncheon is going to take
place on Thursday, May 21, beginning at 12:30 pm. The luncheon is
being hosted by Rene and Linda Chirinian at their home in New Canaan,
Connecticut. A donation of seventy-five dollars per person will
benefit the charitable work of the PLG.

To make reservations and obtain directions to the Chirinian residence
please contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810.

PILGRIMAGE TO DEIR ZOR
As part of the year-long celebration of the Year of the Youth, the
dioceses of Aleppo and Lebanon organized a pilgrimage to Deir Zor for
the youth. A group of youthful pilgrims, led by Catholicos Aram I, is
currently in Deir Zor.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible reading for today, Thursday, April 16 are: Acts 4:13-31; James
1: 13-27; Matthew 5:1-12; Evening Gospels: Luke 24:36-40; Matthew
5:1-12.

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and
said to them,
Peace be with you. They were startled and terrified, and thought that
they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, Why are you frightened, and
why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see
that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh
and bones as you see that I have. And when he had said this, he showed
them his hands and his feet. (Luke 24:36-40)

For listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here
( 77/goto: df).

NEW SUNDAY
This Sunday, April 19, is New Sunday. Easter Sunday is followed by a
period of fifty days (Hinoonk) during which there are no fasting days
or saints days. This period from the Resurrection to Pentecost
(Hogegaloost) is dedicated to the glorification of the
Resurrection. Each of the seven Sundays of Hinoonk has a separate
name. This Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter, is called New Sunday
(Nor Kiraki), since the first day of the week through Christs
resurrection became consecrated and Sunday became a dominical day. By
virtue of its being the eighth day of Easter and a day similar to
Easter, it is also called Second Easter (Grgnazadig), which literally
means Easter repeated.

One of the readings on New Sunday is from the powerful first chapter
of the Gospel according to St. John, which proclaims Jesus as the Son
of God, the Word made flesh.

Today, you new peoples, with the heavenly and radiant angels let us
sing to the renewer of the human race who died and arose for us,
saying: May your resurrection be glorified.

Today, sons of Sion, born sons of God by grace in the font for the
renewal for the tomb, saying, May your resurrection be glorified.

Children of faith, celebrating today the feast of Jerusalem on high,
renew the garment of your souls and with the sons of light of the new
Sion bless Christ the King, saying: May your resurrection be
glorified.

From the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church for New Sunday

FROM OUR ARCHIVES
This week New Yorkers welcomed and celebrated the installation of the
new Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, Timothy M. Dolan. Our
archive photo this week was taken on April 4, 1968, at the
installation of Archbishop Terence J. Cooke as the new leader of Roman
Catholics in New York, succeeding Cardinal Spellman. In this photo
Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian (center of photo), Prelate

of the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, takes part
in the procession of clergy during the installation. The other
Armenian clergyman (on the right) is Archbishop Torkom Manoogian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church (now Patriarch of
Jerusalem). On the same day Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated
in Memphis, Tennessee, sparking riots in major cities nationwide.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 9 through May 5 The Uprooted: Genocides, the works of artist
Lucy Janjigian will be on display at the Carole and Norman Barham
Rotunda from April 9 through May 5.
Hosted by the Queens College Benjamin Rosenthal Library and The
Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and the Armenian
Museum. The library is open from 9 am to 10 pm, Monday through
Thursday; 9 am to 5 pm Friday, and 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday and
Sunday. A Power Point presentation will take place on April 22, 2 pm,
in the Presidents Conference room. For reservations to the Power Point
presentation, reception and parking passes, call 718-428-5650.

April 16Prelacys Quarterly Forum Series. Yn. Joanna Baghsarian of
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, will speak about the untold story
of the Armenian clergymen lost to the Genocide and the Stalin purges,
at the Prelacys Hovnanian Hall. Program will begin promptly at 7:15
pm. Reception will follow. Admission is free but RSVP is
required. Contact [email protected]
(mailto:events@armenian prelacy.org) or 212-689-7810.

April 17
Armenian Genocide Commemoration, sponsored by the New York City
Council, City Hall, corner of Chambers Street & Broadway. Featured
panel on Armenian-Turkish Relations:
Taner Akcam, Harut Sassounian, Bilgin Ayata, Aram Hamparian, Khatchig
Mouradian. For information [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or
646-288-6979.

APRIL 19
On the Road (Jampoun Vrah) by Levon Shant (U.S. Premiere), directed by
Dr. Herand Markarian, at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue,
Woodside, New York, at 8:05 pm. Sponsored by the Hamazkayin Armenian
Educational and Cultural Society of New York.

APRIL 19St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Granite City, Illinois, is
presenting a Chamber Concert at 2 pm, featuring members of the
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (English Horn and strings), sponsored by
the St. Gregory Fellowship Club, through the St. Louis Symphony
Orchestra Community Partnership program. Program will include the
Yegmalian Hayr Mer, as well as two original compositions by
Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, one in memory of Rev. Fr. Vartan
Kassabian. Light reception will follow. Free will offering.

April 23New six-part Bible Studies program at the Prelacy continues on
the following Thursdays: April 23, 30, May 14, from 7:15 to 8:45
pm. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council will lead the sessions. Open to all and free of charge. For
registration and information contact [email protected]
(mailto:arec@armenianprel acy.org) or 212-689-7810. The Prelacy
bookstore will remain open from 5 to 7 pm on each of these evenings.

April 24Flag raising ceremony on the grounds of the Connecticut State
Capitol Building in Hartford at noon.

April 24Armenian Genocide Commemoration, organized by the Armenian
National Committee of New Jersey, at Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461
Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Requiem services at 7 pm;
program at 8 pm. Guest speaker: Hovan Tashjian from Los Angeles. Also
participating in the program: AYF-YOARF Arsen Chapter, Homenetmen of
NJ, Nareg Armenian School, and Ms. Eugene Mukeshimana, a survivor of
the Rwandan Genocide and Genocide Panelist at the United Nations.

April 25Commemorative program and memorial service in the House
Chambers in Hartford, Connecticut, 11 a.m., followed by Madagh in the
Hall of Flags. Keynote speaker, Attorney Matthew Karanian.

APRIL 25Cultural Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, 7 pm, at the
Armenian Center, Woodside, New York. Participation from the New York
community including: New York City Dignitaries, Cultural and Arts
Organizations, Armenian Churches, Armenian Schools, Youth
Organizations, Community Organizers. For information: [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) or 646-288-6979.

April 26Martyrs day Requiem Service at St. Stephens Armenian Church,
167 Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut, followed by memorial
dinner in the churchs Aurora Kework Hall.

April 2694th anniversary commemoration of the Armenian Genocide,
sponsored by the Knights of Vartan and participating organizations, at
Times Square (NYC), 2 pm. For information

(http: //e2ma.net/go/1914305347/1753367/65243076/goto:htt p://).

April 22 & April 29Introduction to the Divine Liturgy, St. Gregory
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts. (Please
note: originally scheduled for January; dates have been changed.)

May 3Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, will present the
musical Hello Ellis Island, by Hourig Papazian Sahagian, performed by
the musical ensemble The Way We Were, Sunday, May 3, 2 pm at
Quinsigamond Community Colleges Hebert Auditorium, 670 West Boylston
Street, Worcester. For information: 508-852-2414.

May 350th anniversary celebration of consecration of Sts. Vartanantz
Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Divine Liturgy celebrated by
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, followed by luncheon and program.

May 3Senior Hye Prom, sponsored by St. Stephen Church Sunday School,
Watertown, Massachusetts. Senior members of the community are invited
to attend the Prom following Badarak for lunch and a musical program
featuring golden oldies. For reservations and information contact the
church office at 617-731-6051, or by email to Audrey Guzelian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

May 7-9National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy, hosted by
All Saints Armenian Apostolic Church, Glenview, Illinois. Clergy
Conference begins May 6.

May 9Step into Spring, Silent Auction and Wine Tasting, at Holy
Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, 7 pm to 10
pm. General admission: $25; seniors and students: $15. For information
508-852-2414.

June 28Annual Madagh Picnic, St. Hagop Church (Racine), at Johnson
Park Picnic Grounds, 6200 Northwestern Ave., Racine, Wisconsin, 10:30
to 7 pm.

June 29 July 5St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute, St. Mary of
Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania.

July 18Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Ladies
Guild/ARS Chapter present a Hye Summer Night 4 Dance at The
Annunciation Greek Church, Cranston, Rhode Island. For information
401-434-4467.

August 2Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Annual
Picnic and Blessing of Madagh and Grapes at Camp Haiastan, Franklin,
Massachusetts, 12 noon to 6 pm, rain or shine. Music by John
Berberian and Ensemble.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] (mailto:[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] (mailto:[email protected])