IRANIAN SPEAKER TO VISIT ARMENIA ON 10 SEPTEMBER
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran
9 Sep 06
The Majlis Speaker [Gholamali Haddad-Adel], heading a parliamentary
delegation, will visit Armenia tomorrow [10 September]. Mr Haddad-Adel
will meet high-ranking Armenian officials during the two-day visit. The
expansion of bilateral ties and discussions over regional issues are
among the items on the Majlis Speaker’s agenda.
He is also scheduled to visit to the Yerevan State University and
Yerevan Blue Mosque during this visit.

ARMENIAN ARMY CARRIES ON ARSONS IN AZERI LANDS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 9 2006
Starting from last afternoon the Armenian Armed Forces continued
to commit malicious arsons in the Azerbaijan territories occupied
by Armenia.
APA’s Karabakh bureau reports strong fires committed in the Paprevend
village of Aghdam were easily observed from the frontline overnight.
Borderers say they witnessed Armenians having committed arsons
here before.
Observation shows that Armenians now set fire to the places which
had been used as shelters before.

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON RA COOPERATION WITH EUROPEAN UNION TO BE CREATED
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Government made a decision
at the September 7 sitting to create a National Council on the
RA cooperation with the European Union as well as a commission
coordinating that cooperation. According to information submitted
to Noyan Tapan by the RA Government’s Information and Public
Relations Department, regulations of the mentioned national council
and commission as well as the staff with the RA Prime Minister’s
chairmanship were affirmed by the same decision. It was defined
that representatives of the civil society are involved in the staff
of the national council on the RA cooperation with the European
Union. Standards for choosing representatives are the experience of
the organization they represent and goals of the regulations. The
RA Government’s staff head-minister was instructed to affirm the
individual staff of the national assembly civil society representatives
created by a decision, based on the civil society representatives’
applications.

PRESENTATION OF “YOU CAME, SURPRISED, WENT” BOOK DEDICATED TO
PLAYWRIGHT ZHORA HAROUTIUNIAN TAKES PLACE AT WUA
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. During the September 7 memory-party
in the Writers’ Union of Armenia (WUA), dedicated to playwright Zhora
Haroutiunian, the presentation of the “You Came, Surprised, Went”
collection of works was also held. Memories of Zh.Haroutiunian’s
contemporaries, fellow-writers, prominent directors and actors
about the talented playwright are involved in the book formed by
Gayane Haroutiunian, the playwright’s daughter. In WUA Chairman Levon
Ananian’s words, few generations were brought up with Zh.Haroutiunian’s
dramaturgy. And, in his words, it is not accidental that famous
directors like Vardan Achemian and Tatik Sarian staged his plays, and
same Tatik Sarian, Hrachia Nersisian, Mher Mkrtchian, Karp Khachvankian
and others gave scenic life to heroes created by him. But, as L.Ananian
mentioned, the greatest estimation for the playwright’s work was the
people’s love. At the same time, WUA Chairman noticed with pain that
Zh.Haroutiunian’s comedies and dramas are out of the repertoire of
theaters today. He expressed a hope that “in some time producers will
turn to Zh,Haroutiunian’s works.”

TEACHER’S DAY MARKED IN ARMENIAN PHILATHROPIC ACADEMY OF CALCUTTA
CALCUTTA, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Teacher’s Day
was solemny celebrated on September 5 in the Armenian Philanthropic
Academy of Calcutta. The ceremony prepared by the academy students
took place in the ceremonial hall of the academy on that occasion. The
academy staff members and teachers participated in the event. At
the beginning of the event, academy director James Dayas warmly
congratulated all the teachers, emphasizing importance of the teacher’s
mission in the society. He also persuaded them to pay more attention
to children’s education, personally becaming an example for them.
Then the students presented some modern dances, recited, academy
student Etchmin Shahijian and academy teacher Shon Manuk sang a duet
with guitar. Ani Karapetian from the academy led the ceremony. A
sortition was also held. After the artistic part, children invited
academy manager Archimandrite Oshakan Gyulgyulian to address
the speech of his soul to those present. The Archimandrite also
congratulated the teachers on the occasion of their holiday, touching
upon his own experience. He spoke about Armenian first teacher Surb
(Saint) Mesrob Mashtots’ activity, persuading academy students to do
their best to keep high the name of the Philanthropic Academy with
their education and behaviour, bringing just by it honour to their
teachers as well. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Calcutta Armenian
Philanthropic Academy, academy administrator Deacon Tigran Baghumian,
former academy graduate Michael Steven also addressed the speech of
their soul to those present. At the end, Brita Roy, an academy teacher
of many years expressed gratitude on behalf of the teachers. A joint
dinner party took place at the end of the ceremony.

DELEGATION OF EUROPEAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PAYS TWO-DAY VISIT TO ARMENIA
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. By the invitation of Gagik
Tsarukian, the Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of
Armenia, a delegation headed by Patrick Hickey, the newly elected
Chairman of the European Olympic Committee (EOC), a member of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Chairman of the Olympic
Committee of Ireland, arrived in Armenia on late September 6 on a
two-days visit. Ishkhan Zakarian, the RA Sports Committee Chairman
received the guests on September 7. Cooperation of the state sports
structure and the Olympic Committee was especially attached importance
during the conversation. I.Zakarian presented the state of sport
in Armenia and the committee’s work with federations of different
kinds of sports. P.Hickey greeted the circumstance that mass sport
is paid great attention in Armenia. He said that they will continue
showing financial assistance, especially for progress of the youth
sport. Then the EOC delegation met with the NOCA members of the
executive committee and commissions chairmen. After the meeting the
EOC delegation visited the newly built sports base of Abovian where
it had a meeting with NOCA Chairman G.Tsarukian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DIRECTOR OF NOYAN TAPAN: INSTANCES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST REPORTERS ARE
A RESULT OF LACK OF JOURNALISTIC SOLIDARITY
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. “The present-day press of Armenia
is a direct result of the independence, but it is more difficult to
work now,” the chairwoman of the National Press Club Narine Mkrtchain
stated during a discussion at the club on September 7. According
to her, the recent years’ experience shows that the situation in
the country becomes strained before each election campaign, as a
result of which pressure on reporters grows as well. She noted the
the current situation requires making respective conclusions and
joint efforts of reporters. Hovhannes Galajian, editor-in-chief of
the newspaper “Iravunk” (“Law”), expressed an opinion that the fact
that problems may be solved in Armenia by applying “criminal pressure”
has caused the current situation. In his words, such pressure should be
counteracted by steadfastness of the journalistic corps. According to
Tigran Harutyunian, director of the Noyan Tapan News Agency, instances
of violence against resporters are a result of the lack of solidarity
among them and the split in the journalistic field.
“The field of journalism is now more split than ever. Many mass
media heads make their reporters present events in an incomplete,
even distorted form by violating the journalistic ethics and not to
address certain subjects or persons, which weakens the journalistic
field and prevents the people from implementing control over the
authorities based on impartiality of the mass media,” he said. In his
words, as a result of the split in the journalistic field, violence
against reporters is becoming a usual phenomenon not receiving a
counterblow. T. Harutyunian sees the way out of the situation in
the unity and solidarity of reporters. He said that reporters should
put their professional interests above political and material ones,
which would make the general atmosphere in Armenia healthier.

SCOPE OF SHAHEN HOVASAPIAN’S MURDER CASE WIDENS
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The scope of the case of
premeditated aggravated murder of Shahen Hovasapian, head of the State
Tex Service’s Operative Investigation Department, has widened. The
criminal case will also be based on Article 34-104, Part 2, Point 1 of
the RA Criminal Code (attempted murder of two other persons who were
in the car) and Article 235, Part 1 (illegal carrying of arms). NT
correspodent was informed about it from the Spokeswoman for the RA
Prosecutor General Sona Truzian. To recap, in connection with the
crime, the Investigation Department of the RA Prosecutor General’s
Office opened a criminal case under Article 104 Part 2 of the RA
Criminal Code – a premeditated murder in aggravating circumstances.

WEIGHT-LIFTERS OF ARMENIA AWARDED SILVER AND BRONZE MEDALS IN EUROPE
CHAMPIONSHIP, AS A RESULT OF COMPETITORS’ DISQUALIFICATIONS
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. Genady Oleshchuk (Belarus), the
champion of the Europe Championship of weight-lifting held in May in
Poland, was disqualified for using doping drugs, owing to what Armen
Ghazarian (69 kg, Spitak), who had got the 4th place, rose higher,
on the 3rd horizontal line.
According to the Noyan Tapan correspondent’s information, the blood
analysis result of Valentina Popova (Russia) of 75 kg weight category
was not clean, either.
Intead of her, already former bronze medal winner Hripsime Khurshudian
(Kasakh) will get the silver medal of the Europe Championship.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2006
ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE
CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY
NEW YORK, NY-It all started more than twenty years ago thanks to a visionary
Archbishop and a nucleus of dedicated priests. It evolved through the years
and adapted to the needs of the Armenian American community, and this year
the St. Gregory of Datev Institute commemorated a milestone with the
celebration of the 20th anniversary of what now is a popular youth-oriented
summer program.
Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, a banquet to mark the two
decades of Datev took place on July 8 at the Holiday Inn in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, nearby the retreat center where the Institute holds its summer
sessions each year. The Datev Institute is sponsored by the Eastern
Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC).
SECURING THE FUTURE
Mr. Hagop Kouyoumdjian served as the honorary chairman of the 20th
anniversary commemoration and chairman of the fundraising committee. Mr.
Kouyoumdjian and his wife Ica, dedicated supporters of the Armenian Church,
are especially devoted to youth programs. Mr. Kouyoumdjian’s efforts on
behalf of Datev made possible the establishment of an endowment fund
specifically for Datev. It is the hope of the Prelacy that this fund will
continue to grow ensuring the future continuity of the Datev program. (See
accompanying story about this year’s Datev program).
The gala celebration was attended by the seventy Datev students who
attended this year’s program, along with many alumni, clergy, and friends
throughout the eastern region of the United States and Canada. The master of
ceremonies for the evening was the director of the Institute and Vicar of
the Prelacy, His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, who had just returned
from Lebanon where he received his Episcopal consecration by His Holiness
Aram I.
Jeanette Nazarian, chair of the program committee, welcomed the guests.
As the first female student to attend the Institute, she provided background
and insight into what makes this program so special for the Armenian
American community. “The Institute has provided Armenian American youth with
not only a stellar education in Christian faith, but also a friendly
environment in which to grow and nurture relationships that last a
lifetime,” she said.
In his remarks, Bishop Anoushavan provided a brief history of the
Institute and thanked all those who contributed to its success. He noted:
“The Institute was established in 1987 by His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian, of blessed memory, as a training program for altar servers. In
1990, the Institute opened its doors to female participants, particularly
those involved in the various ministries of the church. Within a few years,
in an effort to meet the spiritual needs of various segments of our
communities, the Institute accepted all youth interested in learning more
about the Armenian Christian faith. By the mid-1990s, the Datev Institute
modified its goals and objectives, and evolved into a full-fledged
youth-oriented program. With the election of a new Prelate in 1998 this
impetus continued and we are proud to say that under the leadership of our
Prelate Archbishop Oshagan, the Datev program is one of the most successful
programs of the Eastern Prelacy.”
SPREADING THE NEWS OF DATEV
The history of Datev was told in words and images through a 20th
anniversary booklet written and designed by Melissa Selverian, and an
audiovisual presentation prepared by Datev alumnus Mikhail Mekaelian.
Interspersed in the 32-page booklet amongst the text and photos were
“Spotlights on a Datevatzi,” bringing to life the thoughts of graduates of
the program. Looking through the booklet one gets a good sense not only of
Datev’s past, but its bright future as well. The booklet was distributed to
everyone attending the celebration, and sent to all donors and friends of
Datev.
The audiovisual presentation provided everyone a delightful retrospective
on the past twenty years of the program. The audience-especially all of the
Datevatzis-looked on as the fond memories of the great friendships forged
and positive experiences with students and instructors were recalled. Two of
those instructors-Haroutiun Misserlian and Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian-spoke
about the memories they cherished. Two Datev alumni, Dn. Jack Karakelian
(class of 1991) and Ms. Mary Gulmezian (class of 2004), reflected on their
experiences and what the Institute has meant for them.
The musical portion of the evening included hymns by a choir of Datev
students under the direction of Dn. Nishan Baljian, and a violin interlude
by a current Datevatzi, the talented Arpi Shetilian.
Following the various presentations, Archbishop Choloyan spoke to the youth.
Directing his words to them, His Eminence spoke about the importance of
communicating their newly acquired knowledge to their respective
communities. He encouraged all to return to their communities with new
motivation to participate in the life of the church.
“Amongst all of the programs of the Eastern Prelacy,” His Eminence said,
“the Datev Institute has a unique position and role. The Institute is where
our young generation receives its vital instruction in language, religion,
liturgy, and history-all of which augments the attentive participation of
our younger generation in the life of our church and nation. The Datev
Institute deserves everyone’s wholehearted support. We are confident that in
the future the roots of Datev’s mission will be further strengthened in its
fertile soil.”
Before concluding, His Eminence expressed his thanks to Bishop
Anoushavan, the director of Datev, to the guest lecturers and faculty,
especially Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), and the many volunteers. “We pray that the
protective arm of Almighty God will stretch over and protect the Institute,
the administration, the teachers and students so that through their service
to our Lord they will enjoy the grace and happiness of the spiritual growth
of our people,” said the Prelate.
Evening entertainment was provided by the wonderful sound of the Aravod
Band, which includes several Datev alumni. The popular musicians donated
their services as a token of their esteem for the Datev program.
Current and former students celebrated the 20th anniversary of Datev with
renewed resolve to give the Datev program the support that it richly
deserves.
For more information about the Datev Institute, visit the Prelacy website
at
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