Category: 2023

Former ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo calls on Biden to help prevent new Armenian genocide

Karapet Navasardian

 12:50,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Former ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo, in an Op-Ed published by the Washington Post, has warned that Azerbaijan’s ambitions extend beyond Nagorno-Karabakh and the world has the responsibility to stop what is happening before its very eyes: the Armenian genocide of 2023.

Below is the full Op-Ed published by the Washington Post.

"In 2021, President Biden recognized the 1915 removal of Armenians from their lands in Anatolia, in today’s Turkey, as genocide. The United States had been silent on the issue for more than a century, and its silence had grievous consequences.

"Today, Armenians need global leaders, including Biden, to stop a new genocide — one that started this past winter and is now evolving into a more brutal phase.

"On Tuesday, after a months-long blockade and military buildup along the border of the Armenian-majority enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan’s military launched an attack. Within a day, Azerbaijani forces quickly overwhelmed local defenses, killing more than 200 people, including civilians. In short order, a shaky cease-fire was announced.

"In return for stopping the bombing, Azerbaijan demanded the surrender of Nagorno-Karabakh’s top leaders and the disarmament of all the armed forces of the Karabakh authorities.

"As Azerbaijan’s victory became more apparent, scores of Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian civilians gathered around the airport in Stepanakert (the enclave’s biggest city) looking to flee their ancestral lands.

"They have every right to fear the next steps Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev might take. Since December 2022, Azerbaijan has blocked the Lachin Corridor, the only connection between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. On Feb. 22, the International Court of Justice, after hearing arguments from both sides, ruled that the blockade produced a “real and imminent risk” to the “health and life” of Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian population.

"Rather than comply with the court’s binding order to end the blockade, Azerbaijan security forces doubled down in June, sealing off the enclave entirely, preventing even the transfer of food, medical supplies and other essentials. Since then, Aliyev has repeatedly ignored calls from the U.N. secretary-general and the U.S. secretary of state to comply with the court’s ruling. He correctly understood that Azerbaijan would bear no serious costs from the international community for its actions.

"Azerbaijan’s defiance is ominous. In international law, the Genocide Convention of 1948 makes it clear that one way to commit the crime is by “deliberately inflicting on [a] group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part” (Article II c). By blocking the Lachin Corridor, Aliyev turned Nagorno-Karabakh into a vast concentration camp for 120,000 Armenians. This week’s military intervention added killing (Article II a) and causing serious bodily and mental harm (Article II b) to the ledger.

"What happens next? Because Nagorno-Karabakh authorities surrendered, the international community has urged Aliyev to guarantee the full rights of his Armenian citizens in the enclave. Aliyev’s government has said it is not committing ethnic cleansing and assured the world that “reintegration” will bring prosperity to the region.

"But this rhetoric rings hollow given what has already been done. And Azerbaijan’s ambitions extend beyond Nagorno-Karabakh. Since 2010, Aliyev has regularly talked about Armenia itself as “Western Azerbaijan,” echoing long-standing Azerbaijani claims that Armenia as a whole is an illegitimate state. As recently as December, he said that “present-day Armenia is our land.”

"The world must call the crime by its proper name. Resistance to using the term “genocide” has been a long-standing problem in international affairs. In April 1994, most U.N. Security Council members refused to label the mass killings in Rwanda as genocide. Little has changed in 30 years.

"The last time the U.N. Security Council discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Aliyev’s blockade was repeatedly called a “humanitarian situation,” and continued negotiations were proposed. One is reminded of the heroic intervention by the Czech ambassador, Karel Kovanda, during the U.N. debates on Rwanda: When most leaders backed negotiating a truce, he likened the idea to “persuading Hitler to reach a ceasefire with the Jews.”

"Today, as always, geopolitics explain the world’s reticence. Azerbaijan is an ally with the West against Iran; it provides energy to Europe and it spends millions on sophisticated Israeli weapons. But such exigencies must not get in the way of the world’s responsibility to stop what is happening before its very eyes: the Armenian genocide of 2023.

"Biden did the right thing in 2021. Today, he needs to help prevent history from repeating itself."

US Congressmen introduce bipartisan legislation to provide humanitarian assistance to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh

Albert Nalbandian

 12:59,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. US Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr (D-NJ) has introduced bipartisan legislation with Reps. David Valadao (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) to protect Armenians and provide humanitarian assistance to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh in response to the brutal and unjust actions taken by the Government of Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

The Bill, "Supporting Armenians Against Azerbaijani Aggression Act of 2023," covers a spectrum of pertinent and swift actions that can be taken by the Administration in the aftermath of Azerbaijan's illegal and unprovoked attacks on the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh, from calling on Azerbaijan to open the Lachin Corridor to providing humanitarian assistance to imposing sanctions to ceasing waivers of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, as well as appropriating funding for future partnerships between the U.S. and Armenia. "President Aliyev's genocidal campaign against the Armenian people of Artsakh has gone on too long, and it is past time the United States takes meaningful action to halt it. This legislation takes a major first step in addressing the atrocities committed by his regime and holding him and his cronies accountable for the death and destruction they have wrought. It would also provide the Armenian people impacted by the conflict with the assistance and security they need to live safely in their ancient homelands without fear of reprisal from the Azerbaijani government," stated Congressman Pallone.

The Assembly's Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan stated: "Since he has taken a page out of Putin's playbook in Ukraine, Aliyev too must be held accountable for his ongoing targeting of civilians in Artsakh. We urge the Administration to sanction Azerbaijan for its genocidal actions." The Bill further calls for $30 million to "provide humanitarian assistance to groups in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh impacted by the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, Azerbaijan’s September 2022 attack on Armenia, and Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor."

The Bill also contains language to provide $10 million in Foreign Military Financing assistance to Armenia to "support Armenia's independence, joint training and exercises with the U.S., and train Armenian forces for future international peacekeeping operations." Imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan regarding the Aliyev regime's clear attempts at ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh is also specified, as well as the government's "operations that instigated the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War; attacks on Armenia in September 2022; the blockade of the Lachin Corridor beginning in December 2022; attacks on Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023." Finally, the Bill highlights the importance of protecting the rights of the Armenian people in Nagorno-Karabakh and requests that the Secretary of State "shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed strategy to ensure the durable security for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh" that incorporates the "rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh" as well as the "establishment of accountability measures to ensure the rights and security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh in the event that the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a peace agreement" as well as "support for the protection of Armenian cultural heritage sites in Nagorno-Karabakh."

Pashinyan says Armenians should stay in Karabakh

Emil Lazarian
eurasianet
Sept 22 2023

With the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh falling apart, and no deal between local leaders and the central government in Azerbaijan, the future of Armenians in the region remains precarious. 

While the vast majority of Armenian society, the Armenian foreign minister, as well as international observers are gravely concerned for their security, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says otherwise. 

"At this moment, our assessment is that there is no direct threat to the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh," Pashinyan said in a live address on September 21. 

In a complete contradiction, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told a UN Security Council meeting on the same day that "Azerbaijan's intention is to complete the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh." 

Since March 2021, access to Armenian-administered Nagorno-Karabakh has been tightly controlled by the Russian peacekeepers, making information difficult to verify. But three days after the beginning of Azerbaijan's 2023 offensive, credible reports are starting to emerge of civilian casualties and war crimes. The prime minister's statement triggered widespread outrage and led his critics to repeat their accusations of treason. 

"I believe the PM was talking to the domestic audience and trying to avoid panic in Armenian society, while fighting against Russian state attempts to weaponize the suffering of the Armenians of Artsakh to bring down democratic governance in Armenia. He failed in doing so and even angered many of his own supporters," analyst Eric Hacopian told Eurasianet. 

The timing of the statement, right before the UN Security Council meeting, couldn't have come at a worse time, according to human rights attorney Sheila Paylan. "The statement is puzzling, and also obviously untrue." 

"Perhaps in trying to calm people down, the prime minister thought he needed to make that statement," she told Eurasianet, noting the angry protests on the streets of Yerevan.

As of September 20, the de facto Karabakh authorities were counting 200 people killed and over 400 wounded. The streets of Stepanakert are filled with "displaced people, hungry, scared, and in uncertainty," said Karabakh Human Rights Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan.

According to Stepanyan, his office has received more than 600 cases of people missing in the region, as of September 22nd. 

"Lack of communication made it almost impossible to find them or find out whether they were killed or not. Residential areas are cut off from each other, people's fates are unknown," former Armenian human rights defender Arman Tatoyan said. There have been reports of a bounty of $500 being placed on the head of a particular Karabakhi Armenian woman on an Azerbaijani Telegram channel. She is to be given to a man named "Murad'' as a birthday present, the alleged Telegram post reads. 

Some Armenians on social media recalled video evidence of atrocities by Azerbaijani troops against female Armenian soldiers during Baku's incursions into Armenian territory in September 2022.

Against this backdrop, many found the prime minister's comment about Armenians not being under threat in Karabakh inexplicably tone-deaf.

He did say in the same remarks, however, that his government was prepared to handle an influx of 40,000 families from Karabakh (which should roughly cover the region's entire population that Armenian sources estimate at 120,000).

So far there has been no sign of Karabakh Armenians leaving through the Lachin corridor, the only route connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Azerbaijan has been tightly restricting and at times completely closing the corridor in one form or another for the past nine months, resulting in acute shortages of food and supplies.  

"It's not opening anytime soon," said journalist Shant Khatcherian, who is standing by on the Armenian side of the border alongside other journalists, NGO representatives and Armenians who have relatives in Karabakh. 

Meanwhile in Armenia, today marks the fourth straight day of protests. Roads have been blocked and dozens of people have been arrested. While the anger against Russia, the European Union, and other international institutions has been palpable, many Armenians are looking closer to home for someone to blame. 

Fin DePencier is a journalist based in Yerevan

Fin DePencier is a Canadian freelance journalist and photographer based in Yerevan.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Graphic execution videos emerge as Armenians flee and experts warn of genocide

Liana Toganian
iNews, UK
Sept 22 2023
Russian peacekeepers with fleeing Armenians at Stepanakert airport (Photo: AFP via Getty)

By Kieron Monks
2:18 pm(Updated 2:51 pm)

Footage purporting to show executions of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and bounties to kill and capture Armenians are circulating on pro-Azeri social media channels as tens of thousands attempt to flee the besieged enclave and experts warn a genocide may already be taking place.

One video showed the beheading of a civilian, according to researchers at investigative outlet Bellingcat. Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh – known as Artsakh in Armenian – reported that Azeri forces had entered the capital city Stepanakert and executed civilians and soldiers.

“Azeris are already in some districts of Stepanakert. Men from the age of 14 have been gathered and taken away,” political scientist Hovik Avenesov told Armenian media.

Another video on social media, geolocated to Nagorno-Karabakh by open source investigators, shows an Azeri soldier appearing to fire indiscriminately at a residential house.

Pro-Azeri channels also posted bounties with images of Armenians reported missing by friends and relatives. “I will pay $500 to who finds it for me. I will give it to Murad on his birthday,” one channel posted with a photo of a woman.

Another comment on a post showing a missing Armenian family read: “Find them… cut them into pieces and give them to the dogs for dinner.”

Several execution videos filmed by Azeri forces were verified by human rights groups and independent investigations during the previous war over Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020.

Tens of thousands of Armenians are attempting to flee the region, which is historically autonomous but internationally recognised as Azeri territory, following a ceasefire deal on Wednesday that included the dissolution of local defence forces and “reintegration” into Azerbaijan.

More than 200 deaths have been reported by Armenian human rights groups in Nagorno-Karabakh, including at least 10 civilians, since Azerbaijan launched its “anti-terror operation” on 19 September. Baku has not released casualty figures but independent estimates point to dozens of losses.

Many Armenians have been waiting at the defunct Stepanakert airport, headquarters of Russian peacekeeping forces who are to maintain security under the terms of the ceasefire deal, but say they have been unable to evacuate and remain without water or medical supplies.

The only route between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia has been closed for nine months, with the majority of the population reduced to rations of bread.

Azeri media showed aid trucks being allowed into the enclave on Friday morning, as Baku promised “amnesty” for enemy fighters who laid down their arms. Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev, vowed to guarantee the rights of Armenians of the region but said it would become “paradise” as part of Azerbaijan.

But Azeri military channels also showed Azeri forces continuing to advance through the region, corroborated by witnesses on the ground who reported incursions into Stepanakert.

Armenians and independent experts fear ethnic cleansing of the territory. “At any moment they could destroy us, engage in genocide against us,” said David Babayan, adviser to Samvel Shahramanyan, president of the unrecognised Republic of Artsakh.

Armenia, which lost the war for Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, has refused to intervene in the conflict, triggering mass protests in its capital city Yerevan and calls for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation.

Anti-government protesters in the Armenian capital Yerevan on Friday (Photo: AFP/Getty)

Armenia’s foreign minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, said on Wednesday that Azeri actions “were clear and irrefutable evidence of a policy of ethnic cleansing and mass atrocities”.

Genocide experts believe that Azeri policies including the nine-month blockade and attacks on civilian population centres amount to ethnic cleansing and genocide.

“I have no doubt that what is happening now can be classified as ethnic cleansing of Armenians – one step before physical genocide,” said Dr Joanna Beata Michlic of the Centre for Collective Violence, Holocaust and Genocide Studies at University College London.

Dr Elise Semerdjian of the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies pointed to aggressive rhetoric from Azeri leaders, including a statement from presidential spokesperson last week that “a genocide may happen” in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Azerbaijan will fulfill its promise of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Nagorno Karabagh/Arstakh and beyond, if we are to take Baku at their own word,” she said. “Azerbaijan started the process by depriving the population of bread and then completed the job with bombs.”

In August, Luis Moreno Ocampo, the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, warned that there is “reasonable basis to believe that genocide is being committed against Armenians”.

The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention recently stated that the blockade is “genocidal in its intent, which is to eliminate the Armenian population of Artsakh”.

Armenians in the besieged enclave have criticised Western leaders for failing to intervene.

The EU released a statement on Thursday criticising Azeri aggression.

“The EU condemns the military operation by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and deplores the casualties and loss of life caused by this escalation,” the statement read. “The EU stands ready to take appropriate actions in the event of a further deterioration of the situation.”

US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said: “The United States is alarmed by the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijan’s continued military actions, and we call for these actions to cease immediately.”

The UK’s Europe minister, Leo Docherty, said: “The UK continues to urge all sides to refrain from escalatory actions, engage in constructive talks to secure lasting peace, and facilitate humanitarian access to the region.”

Armenia-Azerbaijan: UN calls for ‘credible and durable’ end to fighting in flashpoint region

Jirair Kafian
Sept 21 2023

A senior UN official told the Security Council on Thursday that the wellbeing of civilians caught up in the long-running conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan should be the “overriding priority” following renewed fighting.

Miroslav Jenča told ambassadors that Azerbaijan had announced, in their words, “local counter-terrorism activities in the Karabakh economic region” two days ago, in response to the tragic deaths of two civilians and four police officers in incidents that allegedly involved landmines placed by the Armenian military.

He noted that Azerbaijan had notified the Russian peacekeeping force in the region, of its activities in a bid to “prevent large scale provocations” by Armenian troops and “ensure their withdrawal and the restoration of the constitutional order” within internationally recognized Azerbaijani territory.

Mr. Jenča lamented that following a “serious escalation in military operations” across the Line of Contact between the two forces, civilian casualties had been reported, as well as thousands evacuated within the flashpoint region.

He stressed that the UN has no observers in the region and was unable to verify the “various claims and allegations.”

The UN has supported the full implementation of a 9 November 2020 Trilateral Statement by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, following the ceasefire of that year, together with efforts to reduce tensions and advance the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan.

Mr. Jenča told the Council that in light of the 2020 Statement, Secretary-General António Guterres urges all concerned to “strictly observe” the ceasefire and continue to abide by their obligations relating to international humanitarian and human rights law.

He reminded ambassadors that in recent months the freedom of movement of local civilians and humanitarian access along the Lachin Corridor and Aghdam road, “have been major sources of tension and sharp exchanges”.

“The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the impact of the escalation on the fragile humanitarian situation and calls on the parties to urgently facilitate unimpeded access” of relief to all civilians, Mr. Jenča added.

He said the uptick in violence in recent days should be viewed within a “broader pattern of ceasefire violations which have continued to persist.”

Assistant Secretary-General Jenča noted Wednesday’s announcement of a cessation of hostilities, cautioning that the situation on the ground remains fluid.

“We also understand that, in a positive step, representatives of the local population and the Government of Azerbaijan met earlier today for an initial exchange.”

He called for a “credible and durable” end to the fighting. “Any renewed escalation would lead to further loss of life and human suffering and further set back internationally supported peace efforts.”

Protection of civilians including their basic human rights “must be the overriding priority.”

The only sustainable way forward, he said, was through genuine dialogue between Azerbaijan and representatives of the region, “together with full engagement in the normalization process”.

Holy Etchmiadzin Postpones Muron Blessing Formerly Planned for Oct. 1 (Message of the Primate)

Diana Dabaghian


HEADLINE:

 

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has announced that the Blessing of the Holy Muron ceremony, planned to take place on October 1, has been postponed. Instead on that date, the Mother See will lead worldwide Armenian churches in a pan-national Prayer for Artsakh.

 

Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan informed the faithful of the Eastern Diocese of the decision in a message of September 22. Despite the postponement of the Muron Blessing service, the Episcopal Ordination services on October 8–where Fr. Mesrop will be consecrated as a bishop of the church–will go forward as planned. The service in New York welcoming the newly ordained Bishop Mesrop back to the Eastern Diocese will also proceed as planned on October 14.

 

Read Fr. Mesrop’s message to the public below.

 

* * *

 

A Message from Our Primate, Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan

 

Dear Faithful:

 

These are hard days for all Armenians: a time of heartache, deep reflection, and earnest prayer over Artsakh. The mood of our people, in our homeland and around the world, is somber—and naturally that sensibility will affect our national observances planned for the coming days.

 

I am writing to inform the faithful of the Eastern Diocese that the Blessing of the Holy Muron—the grand ecclesiastical celebration scheduled to take place on October 1, 2023, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin—has now been postponed, and will not be going forward as planned.

 

This decision was made by our church’s Supreme Spiritual Council, during a meeting on September 22, presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The determination was prompted by the circumstances now surrounding Artsakh. A new date for the blessing ceremonies has not been announced.

 

Instead, a different service will be held at Holy Etchmiadzin on Sunday, October 1: a pan-national Prayer for Artsakh, which will be offered as part of the Divine Liturgy at the Mother See, and in Armenian churches throughout the world on that day. Additional information on this service will be shared with parishes as it becomes available.

 

Finally, with great humility, I want to inform our faithful that the Episcopal Ordinations scheduled for Saturday, October 8, will indeed go forward as planned. I am already deeply grateful for the honor His Holiness Karekin II will confer on me and my brother clergymen on that day—and to receive this precious sacrament at such a critical time in our history leaves me profoundly moved in my heart and spirit.

 

In our own Diocese, my first Episcopal Divine Liturgy in New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral will also go forward as planned, on the morning of Saturday, October 14. I take this opportunity to renew my invitation to all our people across this blessed Diocese to join us in prayer, with a spirit of Christian Hope, on that day.

 

To close, let me repeat what I told worshippers last night, during a united prayer gathering at St. Vartan Cathedral, presided over by myself and my Brother in Christ Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian. I observed that at this point in time, we cannot predict what the outcome of this week’s developments will be. But one thing is very clear to me: That in the days and weeks to come, our people in Artsakh are going to need our support more than ever before—and that we must stand united, as Armenians, to help in any way we can. It will take great spiritual reserves to undertake the task before us. But our Lord Jesus Christ has given the Armenian people such strength in the past—and He will do so again. It is to Him, above all, that we must open our hearts, and ask for his help and blessing.

 

In the days and weeks to come, please keep these calls to united effort in your heart. And please continue to pray for the Lord’s protection over our brave Armenian sisters and brothers in Artsakh.

 

Prayerfully

 

Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan
Primate

 

 

—9/22/23

 

# # #

Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan’s Words of Solidarity with Artsakh

Albert Nalbandian

PRESS OFFICE 

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) 

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016 

Contact: Chris Zakian 

Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558 

E-mail: [email protected] 

Website: www.armenianchurch.us 

 

__________________ 

 

ATTENTION EDITOR: Photo attached, wth caption below.



HEADLINE:

Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan's Words of Solidarity with Artsakh

 

St. Vartan Cathedral in New York was the site of a community gathering “In Solidarity with Artsakh,” in the early evening of Thursday, September 21.

 

The event went forward under the auspices of Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan and Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian. It included short remarks and prayers for God’s protection over the brave Armenians of Artsakh.

 

What follows are the remarks delivered by Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan on the occasion.

 

* * *

 

Dear Friends,

 

On behalf of my Brother in Christ, His Eminence Anoushavan Srpazan, and all our faithful clergy, I want to thank you for answering our call, and joining us this evening, here at St. Vartan Cathedral. At times like this, I truly feel that this sanctuary achieves the dream of its founders: to be a Home to all Armenians of America. So I want to welcome all of you to your home.

 

The idea of Home is why we are here: “Home” in the sense of Homeland. We Armenians have cultivated our homeland for thousands of years: built it up, adorned it with monuments to God, and defended it in times of crisis. In ages past, we nourished the dream of one day having an independent homeland to call our own. And 32 years ago today that long-held dream became a glorious reality for us: a miracle that came about by our people’s will and vote.

 

Of course, another part of our homeland was born in struggle, forged by heroes, secured and defended at significant cost for three decades. Our homeland of Armenia and Artsakh is small—but it is ours, and every square mile of its territory, every monument to its history, is precious to us, as Armenians.

 

My friends, I don’t have to tell you this is a dire time for our precious homeland. The war three years ago was a catastrophe for us. The aggression against Artsakh since then, and the blockade that it has endured for the better part of a year now, have threatened to make life itself impossible. And now the attack of this week raises the definite possibility of ethnic cleansing: another genocide of our people.

 

We cannot predict what the outcome will be from any of this. We cannot—we must not— fall into despair. But at the same time, we must be honest about the truth. The days to come will be difficult and demoralizing for our sisters and brothers in Artsakh. And for all Armenians, as well.

 

But one thing stands as clear as day to me. And that is: That in the days and weeks to come, the people of Artsakh will need our support more than ever before. And equally clear to me is that we must stand united as Armenians, ready to help in any way we can. In any way we are called to do.

 

My friends, we must be honest that we should not expect any outside forces to do this work for us. Indeed, we can continue to appeal to our governments, call our congressmen, and continue to make our voices heard however we can. Perhaps some help will come from such efforts.

 

But we must look to God and to ourselves, first and foremost. If our brothers and sisters in Artsakh are to survive, it will be because, with God’s help, we were united in our conviction to help them, and united in our actions. In the days to come, as the situation on the ground becomes more apparent, we will begin to know what form that help must take. And when we do, we must be ready to respond—together.

 

My friends, it is going to take great spiritual reserves to undertake this task. We must ensure that we nourish and maintain the health of the Armenian communities here in America, even as we re-dedicate ourselves to the well-being of the Armenians of Artsakh. But our Lord Jesus Christ has given the Armenian people such strength in the past. And He will do so again. It is to Him, above all, that we must open our hearts and ask for his help and blessing.

 

That is why Anoushavan Srpazan and I felt it was so important to hold this gathering in a sacred place, beneath the watchful eyes of God, as a united family of faithful. May our merciful Lord attend to the prayers being said tonight by His children—in Artsakh, in Armenia, and at this cathedral now—and in so doing, may He reveal His will for us, and for the continuing life of our precious homeland. Amen.

 

—9/22/23

 

***

 

PHOTO CAPTION:

 

At St. Vartan Cathedral in New York, Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan addresses a community gathering in solidarity with Artsakh. The gathering went forward under the auspices of Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian of the Eastern Prelacy and Fr. Parsamyan of the Eastern Diocese.

 

# # #


Russia blasts statements by both Armenia and Azerbaijan

Alex Jidarian
Sep 13 2023
Russia has protested to Azerbaijan over comments it made about weekend regional elections in areas of Ukraine claimed by Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

She also accused Armenia of making "unacceptable and harmful" statements that were damaging to the prospects for a peace settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the breakaway territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/2591660-russia-blasts-statements-by-both-armenia-and-azerbaijan