Category: 2023

Armenpress: President of Artsakh convenes a meeting to address humanitarian and security issues

Alex Jidarian

 20:40,

YEREVAN, JULY 10, ARMENPRESS. On July 10, President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan held a working meeting with participation of representatives from different branches of the government and heads of power structures, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the President of Artsakh.

 The meeting aimed to discuss the measures being taken to address the deepening humanitarian and security problems resulting from Azerbaijan's ongoing aggressive policy against the Republic of Artsakh. The participants emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing internal resources and intensifying foreign political efforts to resolve the blockade of Artsakh.

Asbarez: EU Rep.’s Elation Ends in Disappointment

Tatoyan Vazgen
by ara-asbarez

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Toivo Klaar, the EU’s special representative to the South Caucasus


The European Union’s representative to the Caucasus Toivo Klaar saw a promising moment turn into “disappointment and frustration” almost immediately as Azerbaijan briefly allowed natural gas to flow to Artsakh from Armenia, only to shut it down again as its continues its stranglehold on Artsakh residents.

Klaar, who is tasked with pushing the EU’s policies in the region especially the notion of direct dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku, on Sunday welcomed the news of the gas flow resumption.

Artsakhgas announced on Sunday morning that the gas supply was restored to Artsakh, but shortly thereafter, the company reported that Azerbaijan turned off the valve, as was indicated by the falling pressure of the pipeline.

“It was nice to read this morning that the gas supply to Stepanakert has been restored,” Klaar was quick to write in a Twitter post.

The EU diplomat was forced to walk back his elation.

“A day that began with promise again ended in disappointment and frustration. As reiterated many times by the EU, it is crucial that the flow of energy supplies be restored without restrictions, as well as the movement of people and goods via the Lachin corridor,” Klaar wrote on Twitter soon after the gas shutoff.

Despite this, Klaar continued to push for direct dialogue between Artsakh and the very regime that has been blockading it for almost seven months.

“A genuine Baku-Stepanakert dialogue should start with the aim of providing alternatives to violence, build much-needed confidence and ensure dignity,” Klaar added, saying that the “European Union looks forward to upcoming trilateral Brussels meeting with Armenia and Azerbaijan leaders,” referring to talks scheduled on July 21.

In March, the Artsakh Foreign Ministry criticized Klaar for non-constructive statements he made in Baku to both Azerbaijani officials and during an interview with the APA news agency.

In Baku, Klaar seemed to echo Baku’s insistence on installing checkpoints along the Lachin Corridor, saying that transparency would lend to a more beneficial settlement. Not only have Artsakh and Armenian officials opposed such checkpoints, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov also told Azerbaijani officials that such mechanism go against the provisions of the November 9, 2020 agreement.

The EU envoy also made his own interpretations of the agreement, saying that Azerbaijan’s insistence to carve a pathway through Armenia to Nakhichevan was included in the language of the statement, which it is not.

Azerbaijan opened installed and began operating the checkpoint in April and last month halted all traffic along the Lachin Corridor.

Asbarez: Glendale Community Encouraged to Participate in Council District Formation Process

Eduard Nalbandian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

GLENDALE—The City of Glendale has passed a resolution of intent to change from citywide elections to district elections to elect its City Councilmembers, and the City is encouraging the community’s participation to consider this potential change.

City of Glendale community workshops ahead of city council elections flyer


Currently, all registered voters in Glendale have the ability to vote for all City Councilmembers in citywide elections. The City is considering a plan for six separate council districts and a directly elected Mayor. The proposed change to district-based elections will be put before voters on the March 2024 ballot. If this plan is approved by the voters, this would take effect beginning with Council elections starting in 2026. Voters would have the opportunity to elect one City Councilmember who lives in and is elected by voters in their district and all Glendale voters would also vote to select their next Mayor.

As part of the process of pursuing district-based elections, Glendale residents have the opportunity to share their input on where the district lines should be drawn. The City is offering paper and digital mapping tools that include demographic breakdowns based on census data. This allows residents to gain insights about Glendale and draw their own district maps for consideration. The following tools are now available on the City’s districting website:

  • Paper maps with population counts that can be printed, drawn on, and submitted to the City via email at [email protected]. Maps can also be dropped off at or mailed to 613 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206.
  • An online application called Dave’s Redistricting App (DRA), which enables residents to create, view, analyze, and share district maps with other community members.
  • An interactive review map, similar to Google Maps, where residents can explore population numbers and other statistics, as well as view and analyze draft maps once they are available.

Members of the public can access and provide detailed feedback at their convenience. Community members can submit as many maps as they would like throughout the district formation process. All maps compliant with districting criteria will be processed by the City’s professional demographer, posted to the Draft Maps page, and presented to City Council at a public hearing. 

Community members can also get involved in the process by submitting their communities of interest through the City’s districting website. The list of neighborhoods and communities of interest submitted by the public will be heavily considered in creating proposed voting districts.

Residents are encouraged to attend workshops and pop-up events to learn more about the process and share their input. Upcoming workshop dates are as follows:

  • July 11 at 6 p.m. – City Council will hold its second public hearing during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
  • July 15 at 5:30 p.m. – Cruise Night Pop-Up on Brand Blvd.
  • July 22 at 10 a.m. – Community workshop at Griffith Manor Park, 1551 Flower St.
  • July 22 at 2 p.m. – Community workshop at Maple Park, 802 E Maple St.

For additional event details and meeting materials, please visit the website.

To view the social media toolkit, please visit this link. 

Glendale, known as the “Jewel City,” is one of the largest cities in Los Angeles County. With a population of about 200,000, Glendale is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is rich in history, culturally diverse, and offers limitless opportunities. It is the home to a vibrant business community, with major companies in healthcare, entertainment, manufacturing, retail, and banking.

Sign up for their monthly newsletter Glendale City Connection to stay informed on news and events in Glendale. Follow MyGlendale on social media for all Glendale updates.


Would International Community Force Jews to Live Under Hitler’s Regime?

Kanayan Tamar
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

Azerbaijan's illegal checkpoint at Lachin Corridor


A group of prominent civic organizations in Artsakh equated the international community’s insistence that Artsakh be part of Azerbaijan and be under Baku’s rule to suggesting that Jews live under Adolf Hitler’s regime.

In an open letter to the international community, publicized Monday by Artsakh’s Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan, the civic organizations asked the international actors interested in a peace whether they would make the same proposal, equating Azerbaijan to a Nazi state.

“When there are calls from various international platforms for a peaceful resolution to the conflict by including Artsakh in Azerbaijan, we suggest that they recall the history of the Second World War and trying to imagine: would it be possible to ask Jews to live under Hitler’s Nazi government?” the open letter emphasized.

“Modern-day Azerbaijan is also a Nazi state in relation to the Armenians, and it is not difficult to prove. One only has to objectively look at the one-sided Azerbaijan propaganda being consumed [by its population],” added the statement.

The groups delineate the history of Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh beginning on December 12, 2022 and the further tightening of that blockade beginning with the installation of an illegal checkpoint and later by completely closing the Lachin Corridor to all traffic last month.

“These actions by Azerbaijan should not be considered as separate acts of aggression, but as a part of its consistent and systematic policy of ethnic cleansing against Artsakh and its indigenous Armenian population,” said the civic organization, pointing out that on June 28, Azerbaijani forces against attacked Artsakh positions, killing four Artsakh soldiers.

The statement also highlights the various rulings and resolutions adopted during the past six months, specifically those by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the United Nations, and especially the International Court of Justice, which ordered Azerbaijan to ensure the “unimpeded movement” along the Lachin Corridor. The ICJ reaffirmed this ruling last week.

“As if mocking the authority of thee organizations, Azerbaijan stubbornly continues to conduct the policy of genocide against the people of Artsakh, demonstrating its criminal will and thereby opposing the civilized world. Furthermore, the President of Azerbaijan overtly allows himself to threaten representatives of the international community who do not share his approach to resolving the Artsakh issue, while believing that international law is entirely on the side of Azerbaijan,” the statement emphasized.

“Official Baku has been rejecting the demand to provide guarantees for the security of the people of Artsakh and is constantly insisting that this is a domestic concern of Azerbaijan, which it intends to solve at its discretion, against the backdrop of blatant Armenophobia, which has become part of the state policy of the authoritarian regime of Azerbaijan and completely permeates the Azerbaijani society. As there is plenty of evidence, it is not difficult to imagine what this ‘solution’ might be if the people of Artsakh suddenly find themselves under the rule of Baku,” explained the statement.

“We would like to emphasize that the only reliable guarantee of our rights and security is the recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, which is based on the rights of the people to self-determination, enshrined in international law, and the free will of the people of Artsakh,” the civic organizations said.

“Artsakh is not a ‘territory’ inherited through force, but rather it is our Homeland, where we have a complete and inalienable right to live safely,” the civic groups emphasized.

RFE/RL Armenian Service – 07/10/2023

Elizabeth Jabejian 
                                        Monday, 


Armenian Policeman Accused Of Assaulting Oppositionist

        • Satenik Kaghzvantsian
        • Nelli Yeghiazarian

Armenia - Opposition activist Karapet Poghosian speaks to RFE/RL in Gyumri, July 
10, 2023


An opposition activist based in Gyumri on Monday claimed to have been assaulted 
by a local police officer.

The maverick activist, Karapet Poghosian, said that the officer verbally abused 
and hit him after a tense conversation in a local grocery store during which he 
told the latter to “stay away” from him.

“It was really a surprise to me, and I will definitely try to evaluate this as a 
clearly deliberate act,” Poghosian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. He did not 
specify why he warned the policeman moments before the alleged assault.

Poghosian, who is a vocal critic of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, claimed that 
he was attacked because of his political activities. “This is not the first time 
in recent years that they resorted to violence or fabricated criminal cases 
against me,” he said.

Armenia’s human rights ombudswoman, Anahit Manasian, expressed concern over the 
allegations, saying that law-enforcement authorities must investigate them in a 
“detailed and comprehensive” manner.

“The human rights defender once again emphasizes that violence is totally 
unacceptable and condemnable,” read a statement released by Manasian’s office.

The police told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that they have already launched an 
internal inquiry into the incident. Another law-enforcement body, the 
Investigative Committee, said it is conducting a separate probe based on the 
policeman’s claim that he himself was attacked by the oppositionist.

The Gyumri incident was reported two weeks after scores of Armenian lawyers went 
on strike to show support for their colleagues allegedly beaten up by police 
officers.

One of the lawyers, Karen Alaverdian, claimed to have been subjected to “undue 
physical force” after trying to stop several policemen kicking and punching his 
client at a police station in Yerevan earlier in June. The Investigative 
Committee effectively denied the allegations on June 13, saying that Alaverdian 
himself shoved and even hit the officers in a bid to free the criminal suspect.

Human rights activists say that ill-treatment of criminal suspects remains 
widespread in Armenia despite sweeping law-enforcement reforms promised by 
Pashinian’s government. Law-enforcement officers are still rarely prosecuted or 
fired for such offenses.

As recently as on June 22, a man in Yerevan claimed that the Investigative 
Committee chief, Argishti Kyaramian, personally tortured and threatened to kill 
him following his arrest on June 17. A spokesman for Kyaramian denied the 
allegations.




Opposition Lawmaker Set To Lose Parliament Post

        • Narine Ghalechian

Armenia-Member of 'I Have Honor' faction Taguhi Tovmasian hold parliamentary 
briefing at the RA National Assembly building in Yerevan, Armenia,10Oct,2022


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s Civil Contract party moved on Monday to oust 
the last remaining opposition lawmaker heading a standing committee of the 
Armenian parliament.

The party’s parliamentary group claimed that Taguhi Tovmasian, the chairwoman of 
the parliament committee on human rights, “showed an indifferent attitude 
towards … hate speech in various situations, including a committee meeting 
chaired by herself.” It said Tovmasian must therefore be dismissed by the 
National Assembly.

The parliament’s pro-government majority referred to the April 4 meeting during 
which the committee discussed two candidates for the then vacant post of 
Armenia’s human rights defender. The meeting was marred by verbal abuse and 
threats shouted by some Civil Contract deputies at Edgar Ghazarian, the 
candidate nominated by the Armenian opposition.

Those deputies were incensed by Ghazarian’s claim that the 2018 “velvet 
revolution” that brought Pashinian to power was in fact a “Turkish-Azerbaijani 
revolution.” One of them, Artur Hovannisian, publicly pledged to “cut the 
tongues and ears of anyone” who would make disparaging comments about the regime 
change.

Hovik Aghazarian, another pro-government lawmaker, defended Hovannisian’s 
scandalous behavior at the April 4 meeting, saying that it was “two levels below 
what was admissible in that situation created by Taguhi Tovmasian.”

Armenia - Edgar Ghazarian (right) and pro-government deputy Artur Hovannisian 
attend a paliament committee meeting, April 4, 2023.

“I could not ban Edgar Ghazarian from expressing any view during the committee 
meeting just like I could not prevent Artur Hovannisian from publicly 
threatening to cut the opposition candidate’s ears and tongue,” countered 
Tovmasian.

“Lies have become the linchpin of the activities of the Civil Contract faction 
and the party as a whole,” she told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.

Tovmasian, who is a former journalist and newspaper editor, claimed that 
Pashinian personally ordered his loyalists to strip her of the parliamentary 
post in retaliation against her defection from his political team following 
Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 war with Azerbaijan.

The National Assembly is scheduled to debate the issue on Tuesday. Tovmasian 
said she will not attend the session because of being on sick leave. She 
expressed hope that fellow lawmakers will not discuss her fate in her absence.

Despite a resulting uproar, law-enforcement authorities declined to investigate 
the threats. Nor did Pashinian’s party take any disciplinary action against its 
lawmakers involved in the ugly scenes. It appears to have decided instead to 
replace Tovmasian, who is affiliated with the opposition Pativ Unem bloc.

One of the parliament’s three deputy speakers, Ishkhan Saghatelian, and the 
chairman of the parliament committee on economic affairs, Vahe Hakobian, were 
ousted in July 2022 after weeks of anti-government protests organized by their 
Hayastan alliance and Pativ Unem. Another Hayastan deputy, Armen Gevorgian, 
immediately resigned as chairman of a committee dealing with “Eurasian 
integration” in protest. Tovmasian pointedly declined to follow suit.




Gas Supply To Karabakh Briefly Unblocked By Azerbaijan

        • Robert Zargarian

Nagorno-Karabakh - A woman and her son have a dinner at their home in 
Stepanakert in the absence of electricity and gas, January 18, 2023.


Azerbaijan unblocked Armenia’s supplies of natural gas to Karabakh at the 
weekend only to halt them again several hours later amid growing shortages of 
energy, good and medicine experienced by the region’s population.

The flow of gas through a pipeline passing through Azerbaijani-controlled 
territory has been regularly disrupted during Azerbaijan’s eight-month blockade 
of Karabakh’s only land link with Armenia and the outside world. According to 
officials in Stepanakert, it resumed on Saturday for the first time in more than 
three months but stopped shortly afterwards.

Azerbaijani officials made no statements on the latest disruption which came 
three weeks after Baku banned emergency supplies of food, fuel and other 
essential items to Karabakh carried out by Russian peacekeepers.

A senior Karabakh official, Artak Beglarian, accused Baku of seeking to “induce 
a sense of uncertainty and helplessness” among the Karabakh Armenians.

“The authorities of Azerbaijan must realize that they cannot take away our 
natural rights from us and break our will and spirit of freedom with gas, 
electricity, fuel, food and other household deprivations,” he wrote on Facebook.

Beglarian called on the international community to take “urgent and practical 
measures” to prevent a further worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Karabakh.

“A day that began with promise again ended in disappointment and frustration,” 
Toivo Klaar, the European Union’s special envoy for the South Caucasus, tweeted 
on Sunday. “As reiterated many times by the EU, it is crucial that the flow of 
energy supplies be restored without restrictions, as well as the movement of 
people and goods via the Lachin corridor.”

The United States and Russia have also repeatedly called for an end to the 
blockade. Azerbaijan has dismissed such appeals.

Nagorno-Karabakh - Customers visit an almost empty food store in Stepanakert, 
January 7, 2023.

With most vehicles in Karabakh powered by pressurized natural gas, the blockage 
of gas supplies has also disrupted public transport. Bus services between 
Stepanakert and other Karabakh towns and villages were seriously curtailed last 
week due to the fuel shortages.

Ashkhen Grigorian, a resident of the village of Machkalashen, complained on 
Monday the only realistic way to get to Stepanakert from her community now is a 
single minibus that runs twice a week and is too small to accommodate all local 
travelers.

“We ride it if we manage to get in and stand there on one foot,” she told 
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.

Karabakh is also running out of key foodstuffs which the Russian peacekeepers 
shipped from Armenia in limited quantities until the June 15 tightening of the 
blockade.

“There is no fruit, vegetables, cooking oil and sugar at all,” said Anahit 
Tonian, a resident of another Karabakh village. “The shops sell only limited 
amounts of rise, buckwheat and macaroni.”

“We grow cucumbers and tomatoes in our garden and get by that way,” added Tonian.


Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Luxury hotel lease angers residents in Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter

Yeghisabet Arthur
Israel –
Nicole Jansezian/The Media Line|08:41
The developer who leased a large portion of the Armenian Quarter has presented to the Jerusalem Municipality a concept for a luxury hotel complex that would encompass 10% to 20% of Armenian land with the potential to tack on “adjacent” properties during the duration of the lease.

Details of the contract between the Armenian patriarch and Xana Gardens Ltd. were made public for the first time during the presentation on Friday of a fact-finding report by a team of international lawyers from the United States and Armenia. 
Audible groans rippled through the main square of the Armenian Convent as Setrag Balian, one of the activists opposing the deal, read the report’s conclusions during a press conference. Residents lingered after the presentation to pore over the information, which included a copy of the contract that shows what appears to be an altered date.
If the lease goes through, many fear it will forever alter the Armenian and Christian presence in Jerusalem.
“I feel betrayed,” Serop Sahagian told The Media Line. “It’s against us and our interests, but this has all been done by those idiots, one of whom is called the patriarch.”
He fears the company, Xana, is a front for a Jewish organization that seeks Old City land.
“We are at a very dangerous crossroads,” Sahagian said. “I hope we can survive this. Our community activities are in real danger. We cannot have any community activities if we don’t have a parking lot – the school and our clubs will be under real pressure.”
The plan presented to City Hall calls for a sprawling luxury hotel complex, managed by the exclusive One&Only chain, between 14,000 and 16,000 square meters (3.5 to 4 acres), well beyond the 11,500 square meters mentioned in the contract. The parking lot alone is 7,000 square meters.
This would mean the eviction of residents, businesses, and the Armenians’ seminary hall.
The lease in question is a 49-year contract for the Cow’s Garden, the name for the land currently used as a parking lot for Armenian residents of the quarter. The contract allows the lessee to extend the contract for another 49 years. The Armenian Patriarchate, according to details of the contract signed by Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, an archbishop and the patriarchate’s then-real estate director, would receive an annual rent of $300,000 for the land during the duration of the lease.
The Media Line was able to view, but not copy or photograph, the documents.
Balian believes the report also offers hope in an expected legal battle to try to reverse the deal. The date on the contract appears to be altered from July 7 to July 8, 2021, to reflect the day that Xana Gardens Ltd. was incorporated in Israel. Also, the contract has three confirmed signatures on the Armenian side but only a stamp from the company without a signature or a position associated with it.
One of the signatories, now deposed priest and then-real estate director Khachik (formerly Baret) Yeretzian, told The Media Line in an interview in May that the land had been shopped around to hotel investors for decades. He said this one was the most financially beneficial for the Patriarchate.
Yeretzian brushed off comparisons to the sale of the Greek Patriarchate land including two hotels at Jaffa Gate to a Jewish land redemption group, saying that the developer, Danny Rothman (also known as Rubinstein), is not religious.
“The Greeks made the contract with Ateret Cohanim,” he said. “We did it with a secular Jew.”
Ateret Cohanim is a religious Jewish nongovernmental organization that aims to “redeem” land in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City and other predominantly Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem by reestablishing a Jewish presence in it. The organization utilizes various legal means, including buying properties directly or indirectly from Palestinian owners and seeking court orders for properties that were Jewish-owned prior to 1948. Its activities have been controversial, with critics arguing they exacerbate tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and contribute to demographic change in historically Palestinian neighborhoods.
After the controversial Armenian Quarter deal reverberated all the way to Los Angeles and Yerevan, Yeretzian was defrocked by the Armenian patriarch for “for his disloyalty and especially the series of frauds and deceptions he committed.” He said, however, that he was made a “scapegoat” by the patriarch whose signature matters more than his.
The Kingdom of Jordan and the Palestinian Authority froze their recognition of Manougian and called upon him to revoke his signature.
“Jordan and Palestine considered the land deal a threat to the status quo of occupied Jerusalem and a further attempt by Israel and Israeli settler groups to Judaize Jerusalem and change the facts on the ground,” the lawyers said in their 184-page report.
The Armenian Quarter – just one-seventh of the area of the Old City – has long been at the center of a tug-of-war between Israelis and Palestinians in final status negotiations of Jerusalem.
“A walled city of one square kilometer is a bone of contention,” said Amb. Manuel Hassassian, a veteran Palestinian diplomat, now the PA’s envoy to Denmark, who was in charge of the Jerusalem file in the 2000 Camp David negotiations. “[Palestinian] President [Yasser] Arafat did not concede [the Armenian Quarter].”
Hassassian said the Armenian Quarter was “hardest to crack” in the negotiations in 2000 because it is the bridge between the Jewish and Christian quarters. Conceding it to the Israeli side, he said, disrupts the contiguous access of the Armenians to the Christian Quarter.
Should the deal go through now, “Jerusalem is a lost cause” for Christians and Palestinians, he said.
“All the property opposite the Armenian compound will go to the Israelis and that means the end of the Armenian Quarter and an end to the final status negotiations,” he said. “This is more than a calamity to Armenians and Palestinians in Jerusalem.”
“The diverse mosaic will be gone. The population of Christian Jerusalem is jeopardized,” he added.
Manougian has not publicly commented and has refused requests to publicize the contract. Some 2,000 residents live in the quarter where Armenians have maintained a presence for 1,600 years.
Hassassian accused Israel of “trying to take over” New Gate, which provides access to the Christian Quarter, as well, with municipal investments and events in the heart of the Christian Quarter.
“Bit by bit, they want to swallow the Old City,” he said. “Since nothing was achieved at Camp David, and since we barely had negotiations since Camp David, now they use this incremental strategy until they change the nature of the Old City, which is hard to reverse.”
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1ueumtf2



 

 

45 Holy Martyrs at Nicopolis in Armenia

Emil Lazarian
Jul 10, 2023 | 10:07

 

in Carousel Front Page, Spirituality

The Forty-five Martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia suffered during the reign of Emperor Licinius (311-324), who was then co-regent with Saint Constantine the Great (May 21). Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern Empire, fiercely persecuted Christians and issued an edict to put to death any Christian who would not return to paganism. When the persecutions began at Nicopolis, more than forty of those being persecuted for Christ decided to appear voluntarily before their persecutors, to confess openly their faith in the Son of God, and to accept martyrdom. The holy confessors were headed by Leontius, Mauricius, Daniel, Anthony, Alexander, Sisinius, Meneus, and Belerad (Virilad), and they were distinguished by their virtuous life.

Lycias, the procurator of the Armenian district, before whom the holy confessors presented themselves, was amazed at the boldness and bravery of those who condemned themselves voluntarily to torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast. They refuted all the ruler’s arguments, pointing out to him the falseness of their vile and vice-filled pagan gods, leading those who worship them to ruin. The procurator ordered the confessors to be beaten about the face with stones, and then to be shackled and imprisoned.

In the prison the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. Saint Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, preparing them to accept new tortures for the true Faith, and telling them of the bravery of all those who had suffered previously for Christ. In the morning, after repeated refusals to offer sacrifice to the idols, the saints were subjected to further tortures.

Saint Leontius, seeing the intense suffering of the martyrs, and fearful that some of them might falter and lose faith, prayed to God that these torments would end quickly for all of them.

When the holy martyrs were singing Psalms at midnight, an Angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The Angel declared to the martyrs that their contest was coming to an end, and their names already were inscribed in Heaven. Two of the prison guards, Meneus and Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ.

On the following morning, Lysias decided to ask them if they had changed their minds and were willing to worship the idols. With one mouth, the Saints replied: “We are Christians! We are Christians!” Insane with rage, Lysias ordered that their hands and feet be cut off, and then threw them into the fire. After this, their bones were tossed into a river. Later on, when freedom had been given to the Church of Christ, a church was built on the spot and was dedicated to the 45 Holy Martyrs of Nikopolis.

The Forty-five Martyrs of Nikopolis contested during the reign of Licinius, in the year 315. After many torments, they were burnt alive.

During the reign of the wicked Emperor Licinius, who ruled the eastern half of the Byzantine Empire, there was a great persecution of Christians. In Armenian Nicopolis, St. Leontius, with several of his friends, appeared before Lysius, the representative of Emperor Licinius, and he declared that they were Christians. “And where is your Christ?” Lysius asked. “Was He not crucified and did He not die?” To this St. Leontius replied: “Since you know that our Christ died, know also that He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.” After a lengthy discussion about the Faith, Lysius scourged them and threw them into prison, where they were given neither food nor drink. A highborn Christian woman, Vlassina, brought them water, handing it to them through the window of the prison. And an angel of God appeared to them to comfort and encourage them. When the time came for sentencing, two jailers appeared before Lysius as Christian converts, and many others as well, numbering forty-five in all. The judge sentenced all of them to death, ordering that their arms and legs be severed with an axe and their torsos then be thrown into the fire. This horrible punishment was carried out, and the souls of the holy martyrs took flight to their Lord, entering into eternal life. They honorably suffered and inherited the Kingdom in the year 319 A.D.

https://orthodoxtimes.com/45-holy-martyrs-at-nicopolis-in-armenia/

Azerbaijan cuts off gas delivery to Nagorno-Karabakh

Garnik Zakarian
IRAN FRONT PAGE

ByIFP Media Wire

Azerbaijan Republic has once again cut off gas supply via a pipeline running from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh a day after gas pumping to the Armenian-populated Azeri region was resumed after a six-month break, the Armepress agency reported, citing local sources.

According to the agency, the gas pipeline began to lose pressure on July 9 and finally it dropped to zero. According to Artskhgaz, “a certain volume of fuel” was stored over the several hours of the pipeline’s operation but it was nearly exhausted by the ends of the day. Following the gas pipeline’s shutdown, gas stations will soon stop operating.

Azerbaijan has been blocking the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic with a primarily Armenian population since December 2022.

Gas and power supply have been periodically cut since January. Azerbaijan completely cut gas supply to the region in March, driving the region’s population of 120,000 to the edge of a humanitarian catastrophe.

Humanitarian organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, have problems with access to the region.

https://ifpnews.com/azerbaijan-cuts-off-gas-delivery-nagorno-karabakh/

Azerbaijani president targets French "neocolonialism"

Mike Maghakian
Jul 10, 2023

Azerbaijan's authoritarian president, Ilham Aliyev, is an unlikely champion for the victims of French colonialism.

But as chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), that is precisely how he is positioning himself. 

Of course, he has his own grievances against France, namely Paris' allegedly pro-Armenian stance in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace talks that have followed the Second Karabakh War of 2020.

In a speech on July 5 at the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau in Baku, Aliyev criticized France at length and said some NAM members are still suffering from its continuing practice of "neocolonialism."

NAM was established during the Cold War as a forum for states not formally aligned with or against the major power blocs of the time. It now has 120 members and is the largest congregation of states worldwide, after the United Nations. Azerbaijan joined NAM in 2011 and has been chairing it since 2019.

"Azerbaijan is very much concerned by the rising tendency towards neo-colonialism. NAM, which was created as a result of the decolonization process, should vigorously combat this shameful legacy of the past and contribute to its full elimination," Aliyev said in his speech. "French-administered territories outside Europe are nasty remains of the French colonial empire."

He then backed Comoros' claim of sovereignty over the French-administered Island of Mayotte and appeared to support the independence movement in New Caledonia. 

He said France's colonial-era atrocities in Algeria amounted to "genocide", echoing a claim made in 2011 by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Azerbaijan's closest ally, Turkey. Paris does not accept the claim. 

Aliyev called on France to "apologize for its colonial past and bloody colonial crimes and acts of genocide against NAM member countries in Africa, South-East Asia and other places."

France needs to do so now more than ever in the aftermath of unrest in the country following the killing of an Algerian teen, he said. 

Aliyev visited Algeria in November 2022 and paid a visit to the Martyrs' Memorial, which was built to commemorate Algerians who died fighting against French imperial rule. He said then that "France conducted a terrible war against the Algerian people for more than 130 years which resulted in the deaths of more than one and a half million Algerians," but stopped short of using the word "genocide." 

Azerbaijan has long been critical of France over its pro-Armenian stance in the Karabakh conflict, especially during the peace process that followed the 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

In a television interview in October 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron blamed Azerbaijan for launching "a terrible war" against Armenia in 2020 and again "attacking" the latter in September 2022. In response, the Azerbaijani president said that France should have no place in mediation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

"I had the opportunity to communicate quite closely with President [Jacques] Chirac, President [Nicolas] Sarkozy and President [Francois] Hollande, and our relations were quite balanced, quite friendly," he said at an October 14 CIS summit meeting in Astana. "We always perceived the activities of previous French presidents, despite, of course, a certain factor of the Armenian diaspora in France, as balanced. However, the current French leadership has effectively crossed out all this."

France was one of three mediating countries comprising the OSCE Minsk Group for the settlement of the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict that was set up in the mid-1990s. The format still exists on paper but has not been active since the 2020 war.

Most recently, on July 7, France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna reaffirmed her country's support for an international mechanism guaranteeing the rights and securities of Karabakh Armenians in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process in a phone call with her Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan. 

The Azerbaijani president and his government, meanwhile, find the French stance hypocritical given France's history of colonialism and "neocolonialism." 

"Unfortunately, France is trying to impose the same ill practice in the region of the South Caucasus by supporting Armenian separatism in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and by means of geopolitical rivalry, foreign military presence and colonial policy of 'Orientalism,'" Aliyev argued in his July 5 speech. 



Fashion Scout Armenia : A Bright Future Ahead For Budding Yerevan Fashion Week Designers

Nyrie Kalashian
MONDAY 10TH JULY 2023
|IN FASHION WEEK
|BY FAULT MAGAZINE

Words: Miles Holder

Last week, I had the incredible honour of travelling to Armenia to attend the inaugural Yerevan Fashion Week. Not only was I fortunate enough to witness this momentous event, but I also had the privilege of serving as a jury member for the prestigious Fashion Scout Armenia Award.

Fashion Scout Armenia is an exceptional opportunity that aims to illuminate the extraordinary talent of emerging Armenian fashion designers on a global stage. In collaboration with the esteemed Fashion and Design Chamber of Armenia (FDC Armenia), our task was to evaluate the collections of Armenian fashion students, recent graduates, and emerging designers, determining which among them were ready to take the next step in their careers. Let me tell you, this was no easy feat given the remarkably high level of talent on display.

The stakes were high, as the prizes for Fashion Scout Armenia ranged from a three-month internship at a renowned fashion atelier in Florence, a sponsored study trip to London Fashion Week in September 2023, exclusive one-on-one mentoring sessions with Fashion Scout experts, and the opportunity to be featured on Fashion Scout and FDC Armenia’s esteemed media channels. With such incredible rewards at stake, it became apparent from the outset that each designer brought their own unique flair and showcased remarkable potential which might one day gain them a coveted spot on the Yerevan Fashion Week schedule.

Now, let’s delve into a captivating rundown of the Fashion Scout Armenia collections we were fortunate enough to witness, along with my personal thoughts and, of course, the much-anticipated announcement of the winners.

MM2NINE’s “Lost Memory” collection drew inspiration from Armenia’s magnificent architectural legacy and the country’s traditional costume, the Taraz. This captivating collection transcended time, weaving a narrative that celebrated ancestral heritage while showcasing the prowess of modern craftsmanship. The inclusion of horned headpieces paid homage to the iconic Afrikyan’s Club Building, which once graced the heart of Yerevan. Through these striking elements, MM2NINE provocatively explored the intertwined nature of shared histories and the often-controversial removal of historic relics to pave the way for a dynamic and ever-evolving culture.

While rooted in history, the collection seamlessly integrated modern corsetry, innovative material choices, and the vision of a young and talented designer. These elements elevated “Lost Memory” to a contemporary stage, creating a captivating fusion of past and present that left a lasting impression.

Gayane Ghazaryan’s collection was a testament to the fusion of Armenian architecture and avant-garde fashion. Inspired by the captivating colours and architectural elements of traditional stone buildings, Ghazaryan skilfully incorporated these influences into her colour scheme, creating a visually striking collection. However, it was her ability to draw inspiration from more contemporary surroundings that truly set her apart. One of her designs paid homage to the Karen Demirtchian Sport/Concert Complex, infusing a modern edge into the collection.

One notable aspect of Ghazaryan’s collection was the use of sheer sleeves and trousers, which added a touch of ethereal elegance and further contributed to its contemporary vibe. While Ghazaryan’s talent and creativity suggest a potential future in haute couture, the underlying evidence of strong ready-to-wear contemporary design skills was unmistakable. The combination of innovative construction, attention to detail, and a modern aesthetic make Ghazaryan a designer to watch in the world of fashion.

Knarik Karapetyan unveiled one of the more contemporary collections which captivated the audience as her models confidently strode down the runway. It was evident that Karapetyan had a clear vision of her target audience, showcasing immense potential to attract a devoted customer base. Her brand, aptly named Boldness, truly lived up to its name, with a vibrant colour palette and striking silhouettes that commanded attention.

What set Karapetyan’s collection apart was its high level of customizability. The clothing pieces were designed to be adaptable, allowing individuals to personalize their looks. Additionally, the ingenious incorporation of handbags that seamlessly integrated with the garments added a touch of ingenuity and practicality to the collection.

We eagerly anticipate what Karapetyan has in store for the future, as her talent and ability to push boundaries are undeniable.

Lucciana Karabajakian, the founder of the brand Lily and Orchid, has already achieved significant success in the real world, and her expertise is evident in her latest collection. Through the utilisation of various techniques, her collection showcases versatility, sustainability, and above all, relevance. Additionally, her incorporation of felt-work adds a notable artistic touch to the collection, while her distinctive skirt woven belts demonstrate her keen eye for styling and attention to detail.

I would say that her designs show potential in the real world, had I not scrolled down Lily and Orchid’s Instagram to find already sold-out designs! Either way, we are eagerly anticipating her future endeavours as a designer, and look forward to witnessing her continuous growth in the industry.

Alla Dawson has seamlessly incorporated captivating storytelling into her avant-garde collection under her brand, Admery. The brand’s Instagram showcased a previously handmade dress, highlighting her evident design expertise.

Her collection, titled “Dove from Sevan,” draws inspiration from the mystical history of the Hayravank monastery. The collection narrates the tale of Abbot Hovhan, who transformed thousands of Armenians into doves, allowing them to soar towards freedom. By employing a variety of techniques and materials, this avant-garde collection presents a mesmerising spectacle, demonstrating a range of versatile skills applicable to a myriad of applications within the fashion industry.

Anahit Khalatyan’s brand Tihana serves as a valuable example from which larger brands can draw inspiration. By utilizing solely recycled denim, which she sources from her friends, Tihana has successfully crafted a collection that truly aligns with the elusive sustainable objective that so few brands genuinely fulfil. Demonstrating a diverse range of styles and employing various techniques, the collection features an array of garments, including jackets, trousers, and even a headpiece.

Anahit Khalatyan establishes that sustainable fashion need not be monotonous; most importantly, she showcases that with skill, sustainability can harmoniously exist in the world of high fashion an exciting prospect for a world desperately in need of bold thinkers.

Nana Metajanyan, the visionary behind the esteemed brand Alenkie, showcased her exceptional talent in her upcycled collection. Employing a diverse range of techniques, Metajanyan breathed new life into old creations. One particular standout piece that captured everyone’s attention was the striking two-tone trench coat. Through the clever use of illustration and patchwork, the collection exuded a playful yet rebellious edge, making it a perfect fit for fashion-forward individuals who exude confidence.

Sustainability was at the core of Metajanyan’s collection. To add a touch of ingenuity, models adorned headdresses constructed from pull tabs sourced from tinned drinks, further emphasizing the brand’s commitment to eco-consciousness. This creative move added a unique and unexpected element to the runway presentation.
Alenkie has already established a strong vision and a distinct aesthetic. With each collection, the brand can continue to evolve and captivate and it will be an exciting journey to witness as Alenkie grows and cements its place in the fashion industry.

Mari Airapetyan, the talented designer behind Mariko Design, emerged as the grand prize winner with her exceptional collection that seamlessly melded elements from the past and tradition with a contemporary twist. The boldness of her collection was evident in the expertly crafted shorts, jackets, dresses, accessories, and printed shirts that graced the runway. It was evident that Mari had invested considerable effort and research in conceptualising this remarkable range.
From the thoughtfully chosen colour palette to the carefully selected materials, every aspect of the collection paid homage to the rich fashion history of Armenia while incorporating elements of contemporary design language, striking a harmonious balance between the two. It is often said that the true essence lies in the details, and Mari’s collection exhibited an impressive range of techniques and meticulous craftsmanship.

The inaugural Fashion Scout – Yerevan Fashion Week showcased an exciting array of budding designers all of who displayed a level of talent far beyond their years. We eagerly await what lies ahead for all designers and feel assured that in their hands, Armenia’s future within the fashion world could very well be FAULTless.