Author: Zargarian Hambik

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

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

A FEW PERSPECTIVES
FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH
(Dialogue with the youth- Number 7)

2-3 December 2006 were marked in my pontifical ministry with my encounter
and open dialogue with the Armenian youth. This Youth Gathering took place
in Detroit and was organized on the occasion of my short visit to the USA.
I want to express my deep appreciation to His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of Easter Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag
Hagopian, Prelate of Canada and His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate of Western Diocese, for taking this initiative as an
essential part of their pastoral responsibility. My special appreciation is
due to those young adults who came from different parts of North America to
attend the youth event.
The renewal of the Armenian Church was the core of this gathering. In my
dialogue with the youth I touched on a number of issues and identified
challenges pertaining to this pertinent theme. By carefully listening to
them, I became more aware of their expectations as well as of their
unwavering dedication to our Church and its values and traditions.
Upon my return to Antelias, I would like to share succinctly with the
Armenian youth of other communities some of the major perspectives that I
conveyed to the youth in Detroit.
1) The renewal of the Armenian Church is an urgent necessity. In order to
carry on its God-given mission efficiently, our Church is called to keep
pace with the changing conditions of modern societies. Therefore, the
question is not why renewal, but rather how renewal? (In my book, Beyond the
1700th Anniversary (2001), I have already addressed basic issues concerning
the renewal of the Armenian Church). The renewal of our Church will not be
accomplished simply by shortening the liturgy and introducing certain
adjustments within the church structures. This perception must be changed.
Renewal is not easy; it is a long, critical and all-embracing process. The
Church’s total life in its institutional and spiritual, theological and
liturgical dimensions and manifestation must be included in any serious
renewal process.
2) The Armenian Church must become more responsive to the new realities,
concerns and challenges of its specific environment. This is, indeed, a
vital feature of renewal. We are living in a new world. Tremendous changes
are taking place in our immediate milieu. The Church must be neither
indifferent nor reactive. In order to be relevant and reliable, the Church
must respond proactively to the imperatives of changing times and
circumstances, remaining firmly attached to its own identity and vocation.
It is vitally important that in the Church’s response, the global and the
contextual be interwoven in a way that the unity and integrity of the
Armenian Church are preserved intact and solid.
3) Being in dialogue with its environment implies meeting the expectations
and needs of the people and seeking solutions to their problems. The world
today is marked by growing anxieties and despair. People are caught in
turmoil; they are in search of meaning and direction. They are facing in
their daily life ethical, moral and social questions and dilemmas related to
sexual orientation, family, marriage, spiritual life, etc., which require
clear guidance. Our Church cannot remain silent. Globalization has made the
inter-dependence of humanity even more acute and existential. Others’
concerns are our concerns and the other way round. The Armenian Church must
deal with socio-ethical issues with utmost care and sensitivity.
4) The Church must give priority to the promotion of spiritual values. These
values come to us from the Bible and the Apostolic tradition, from our
church fathers, from our liturgy and traditions. Those who say that the
Armenian Church has no spirituality or gives no attention to it are mistaken
and misguided. Every church has its own ways and forms of expressing
spirituality. We must beware of ‘cheap’ and ‘false’ spiritualities that
surround us, often with ‘attractive’ forms and expressions. We must stick to
our own spirituality which is so rich and profound. We must renew our own
spirituality by making it more compatible with new conditions.
5) Christian education must occupy a central place in the renewal of the
Church. By Christian education I do not understand only formal education but
basically Christian formation that must start in the family. By Christian
education I also mean re-Christianization of our people. In a world
dominated by secularism and materialism, the Christian values are often
pushed to the periphery of our life. We have become nominal Christians. Our
Church must take the re-evangelism of its people seriously. Our missionary
outreach must be perceived and practiced essentially as an inreach. True
renewal is re-evangielization and transformation of the community of faith.
6) The reformation of liturgy is an area of particular and immediate
concern. Any attempt to introduce changes in the liturgy – shortening the
text, changing the language, introducing new prayers, editing the texts,
etc. – must be made on the basis of well-established criteria and clear
guidelines. Arbitrary, superficial and one-sided approach to the liturgy may
become counter-productive. The inner unity, integrity and particularity of
the Armenian liturgy must be preserved.
7) Clergy has a crucial part to play in the renewal of the Armenian Church.
In order to renew our Church our clergy must be renewed. We need a clergy
who are well versed in Armenian Church history and theology as well as in
contemporary theology; who have a comprehensive knowledge of the context in
which they are called to exercise their pastoral ministry; who, driven by
ecumenical vision, are engaged in dialogue and collaboration with other
churches; who are courageous enough to take the Gospel to our people in
response to the new challenges of modern societies and in faithfulness to
the values and spiritual and theological heritage of the Armenian Church.
Our Church in the 21st Century needs a clergy for the 21st Century.
8) We must embark on a kind of renewal process which takes our Church beyond
its institutional confines and makes it a dynamic reality in the life of our
people. The Armenian Church must become a missionary church through
Christian education, pastoral work, social service and living spirituality.
This is only an outline of some major issues, concerns and challenges that
must be considered in the renewal of our Church. Renewal must be carried on
carefully and in an organized manner. Holistic and contextual, realistic and
pragmatic approaches, in their coherent interconnectedness, must become the
driving force and the guiding principle of a credible renewal. A committee
representing the Hierarchical Sees of the Armenian Church is already in
formation to lead the renewal process.
The youth are called to play an important role in this respect. With their
perspectives and experiences they can significantly contribute to all
efforts aimed at making the Armenian Church a church for the 21st century.
We must give space to the youth in our Church. They are integral and vital
part of the Church’s life and witness. I have strong confidence in our
youth.

ARAM I

CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA

15 December 2006
Antelias-Lebanon

EX COMMANDER OF KARABAKH DEFENCE ARMY KNOWS HOW TO RESOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT

Yerevan, December 15. ArmInfo. There is no universal solution to the
Karabakh conflict and similar conflicts, says the leader of the
Dashink party, ex commander of the Karabakh Defence Army Samvel
Babayan.

The Karabakh conflict can be resolved if the conflicting parties are
democratized. There are four key principles: transitional sovereignty
under patronage of some international structure (for example EU),
voluntary return of Armenian refugees and internal displaced persons
of Azerbaijan, creation of prerequisites for Karabakh’s economic
development and determination of Karabakh’s status through new
referendum.

The resolution of the Karabakh conflict will stimulate regional
integration, while the preservation of the status quo does not serve
the interests of the Armenian side. If the above principles are
observed Karabakh will gain independence and it will be for the
Armenian nation to decide if it will remain independent or will join
Armenia, says Babayan.

SPOKESMAN: IRAN RESPECTS AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, BACKS LASTING PEACE IN REGION

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Dec 14 2006

Iran Thursday reacted to a referendum in Karabakh region in the
Republic of Azerbaijan, saying it respects the republic’s territorial
integrity while supporting a lasting and fair peace in the region.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini was commenting on a
referendum held in the Azerbaijan breakaway region on Sunday approving
a constitution which declared it an independent state.

"While Iran respects territorial integrity of the Republic of
Azerbaijan it backs lasting and fair peace in the region," said the
spokesman in a statement a copy of which was faxed to IRNA.

"Iran has repeatedly expressed its readiness to actively help the
Karabakh peace talks," Hosseini stressed.

He expressed hope that talks would continue through democratic
processes and lead to a sustainable peace in the region.

IT IS EXTREMELY FAVORABLE TO INCUMBENT AUTHORITIES TO SIGN PROPOSED PACKAGE ON KARABAKH CONFLICT’S SETTLEMENT: ARMENIAN MP

Yerevan, December 14. ArmInfo. "The politicians and experts who think
that it is unfavorable to the incumbent authorities to sign a package
of documents providing for the referendum for the status of Karabakh
only in 15 years are mistaken," said independent parliamentary Hmayak
Hovhannissyan at political discussions at the Armenian Center for
National and International Studies, Thursday.

He said if the incumbent leadership of Armenia represented by President
Robert Kocharyan and Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan signs an agreement
on return of the part of the territories to Azerbaijan in exchange for
conduct of the referendum in NKR in future, they will secure their
reelection for the next term. It is evident that the international
community will need guarantees of fulfillment of the agreements
signed. Hence, one of these guarantees will be the presence of the
very authorities who made the concessions, he said.

ARF MEMBER CALLS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF INSTITUTIONALIZED NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

Armenpress
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS: A senior member of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) commended today an extensive team
of experts for developing a high quality national security strategy
draft paper.

The official, Vahan Hovhanesian, who is also deputy parliament
chairman, said the team had made use of related international
experience and received assurances of competent people from other
countries that it was in line with all accepted criteria.

The deputy parliament speaker was talking to a group of students. He
said, despite the successful work, the document lacks any mechanism
how it should be applied. "The ARF believes that an institutionalized
national security council should be established, which we do not
have. There is a national security council (under the president)
but it is not operational. The executive power solves only short-term
issues and lacks any vision of future. We have to have a special body
to tackle this issue because to put it on the government would not
be sensible," he said.

Presenting the draft strategy to local academics in November Armenian
defense minister Serzh Sarkisian said the document would serve as a
guideline for various caliber government officials to express their
opinions about the issue, but he added the it would not be binding
for political parties and nongovernmental organizations, which "
will be able to have their own opinions on any issue."

PARONIAN THEATER HAS TO GO ON LEAVE IN WINTER MONTHS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Hakob Paronian State Theater
of Musical Comedy will not work until spring because of lack of
heating. Karo Shahbazian, theater Director, reported this at the
December 12 press conference. In his words, this situation has
a negative impact on the theater collective’s creative life. In
the director’s words, this year young producers have staged three
performances at the theater – Searching for Happiness, The Bear and the
Proposal and The Same Day Every Year. Besides, another two performances
have been restored from the theater’s former repertoire. The theater
has had 140 performances during the year. Karo Shahbazian said that
from November 30 to December 6 the theater performed on tours in
Gyumri and Vanadzor where they presented the musical comedy-operetta
My Mother-in-Law, operetta Eastern Dentist and comedy The Landlords
of Our House. In the theater director’s words, the tours passed in
warm and full halls, which is the evidence that this theater is loved
and expected everywhere.

60% OF EUROPEANS AGAINST TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.12.2006 14:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The next survey of public opinion in Europe showed
that 60 % of Europeans are against Turkey’s EU membership. With only a
short period of time left before the EU makes some critical decisions
regarding the Turkish accession process, a poll in 5 different EU
countries shows an ever-lower level of public support for Turkey’s
potential membership.

According to the poll, which was carried out by France Inter, an
average of 26% of EU members now support a Turkish membership. The
poll of 1,000 people found that 60% of the respondents said that they
did not want Turkey to join the EU, while 14% said that they had no
opinion, Hurriyet reported.

AKGUN: EU HAS SPECIAL SYMPATHY TO ARMENIA

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Dec 11 2006

Mensur Akgun, the executive director of Turkey Economic and Social
Studies Foundation (TESEV), told the APA Turkey bureau that Karabakh
and Cyprus issue have some similarities yet the EU does not make any
pressure on Armenia.

Akgun stressed that UN resolutions on both conflicts did not find
its settlement.

"Security Council has several resolutions concerning Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. No-one, even EU does not put pressure on Armenia
for execution of the resolutions. It has two reasons. First, Armenia
is not a country willing to be member of EU, second, EU has special
sympathy to Armenia. No-one can deny that Armenia is better than us
for EU" he said.

However Dr. Nilgun Gulcan from USAK says that there are great
differences between these two problems:

"First, the Turks did not occupy another country. They re-gained
their own right in their own country. The Republic of Cyprus was not
a Greek state, but a joint state. The Greeks made a coup and Turkey
helped the Turkish Cypriots to restore their rights. In Karabakh,
Armenian forces attacked another country. Karabakh was not an Armenian
state. It was not even a state but part of another state.

Not only Karabakh but also many orther towns were also occupied by
the Armenians. If Mr. Akgun thinks that these two cases are similar,
he knows nothing about both of the problems. However he is right that
the Armenians are the golden child of the EU like the Greeks."

Armenian singer Silva has won the BBC World Service’s Next Big Thing
competition with her song I Like.

BBC NEWS
2006/12/09
inment/6216088.stm

The 17-year-old was chosen ahead of six other acts from around the
world at the final, held in the BBC’s Maida Vale studios in London.
The judges praised I Like, which was composed by the singer’s brother,
as "fresh and new" and described her performance as "second to none."
"It’s terrific, it’s unbelievable to be in first place," she said.

She added the comments from the judges – producer William Orbit
described her as "fabulous" – meant she felt confident she could "make
the step up to international level." Second place in the competition
was split between Malawian rapper NiC and London duo Stefan and Mya.
‘Great tradition’ Stefan and Mya’s song My Dunks – a rock-rap track
about a trainer-obsessed fashion victim and his bitter rows with his
girlfriend – was described by Jeff Travis – founder of UK indie label
Rough Trade – as part of "a great tradition in rock ‘n’ roll."

NiC’s Take A Look Into My Eyes – an anti-materialistic rap song about
the difficulties of getting into the music industry in Africa – was
lauded by the judges for its lyrical content and use of a Greek
sample. Meanwhile, third place went to Brazilian collective Sweet
Cherry Fury for their song Cold Blonde Body.

Generation Next

The other finalists included British rock group Skagz, American outfit
MLK and the Dreamers, and Ghanaian singer Mishkini, who performed his
song in three different languages. The competition, part of the BBC’s
Generation Next season, was aimed exclusively at acts aged under 18.
The final seven had been selected by a panel of music journalists and
experts from a group of 20 acts – who themselves had been pooled from
all the entries submitted via the BBC’s website.

The judges for the final included legendary producer William Orbit,
Rough Trade founder Jeff Travis, African star Angelique Kidjo and
Dirty Pretty Things drummer Gary Powell.

© BBC MMVI

ARMENIA REMEMBERS 1988 QUAKE VICTIMS
By Satenik Vantsian in Gyumri

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep
Dec 7 2006

President Robert Kocharian led on Thursday low-key official
commemorations of the 18th anniversary of a powerful earthquake that
killed some 25,000 people and devastated much of northwestern Armenia.

The main official ceremony took place in the country’s second largest
city of Gyumri where thousands of people continue to huddle in
temporary shelters despite considerable reconstruction carried out
in recent years. Kocharian and local government officials observed
a minute of silence by a memorial to earthquake victims before an
open-air liturgy was served by representatives of the local diocese
of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Kocharian was confronted after the religious service by scores of
local women with a litany of grievances, most of them relating to
their wretched housing conditions. His bodyguards were at pains to
hold back the crowd.

"I have supported a disabled child for 18 years, it’s impossible to
continue like this," a middle-aged pleaded with Kocharian.

"Mr. Kocharian, please help us solve the problem of our hostel,"
screamed another woman who claimed to be facing eviction from a
ramshackle building that houses dozens of impoverished families.

Kocharian promised to address the complaints as he left the square
to inspect the new building of the Gyumri mayor’s office which is
currently under construction. He also pointed to the scale of mostly
Diaspora-funded construction work that has been carried out in the
town and the broader earthquake zone since the late 1990s.

According to the local authorities, at least 2,000 Gyumri families
still lack decent housing despite past government pledges to completely
rebuild the area by 2002. Unofficial estimates of the number of such
people are much higher.

The Armenian government did not finance construction of new homes in
the earthquake zone this year and is unlikely to do so in 2007. It
is due to spend instead 700 million drams ($1.9 million) on buying
new apartments for over 300 Gyumri families.

Kocharian discussed the matter at a two-hour meeting with senior
officials from the municipal and regional administrations. His planned
news conference was cancelled for unknown reasons. The Armenian leader
likewise avoided any contact with local reporters during his previous
December 7 visit to Gyumri.