Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
&quo t;CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FORMS THE HEART
OF THE CHURCH’S MISSION”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
“Christian education is the spreading of the truths, values and principals
introduced through Bethlehem. The aim of Christian education is not only to
spread these values and truths, but also to form a conscious Christian.
Christian education is not the teaching of biblical and religious knowledge,
but in its essence, it is the formation of the Christian man. It is a path
of life, a purpose of life. It is with this approach and perspective that
Christian education should be organized,” said His Holiness while speaking
to a group of clergy and lay people participating in a conference dedicated
to Christian education in Beirut.
Referring to the need to re-evaluate Christian education in light of the
current world’s imperatives and challenges, His Holiness said: “Christian
truths are eternal; but it is essential that they are passed on according to
unique circumstances and concepts of the current time and environment. It is
not possible, for example, to engage in effective Christian education
following the same methods in Lebanon, Palestine and the United States.
Different religious-cultural environments demand different approaches. The
content should be the same, but the cover should be adjusted to the
corresponding environment.”
On textbooks related to Christian education, the Pontiff said: “It is true
that a textbook is essential, but a textbook convenes information only.
Faith, spirit, dedication, love can’t be passed on through textbooks. This
is where the church’s role as an educator comes to the fore; here comes the
role of teachers dedicated to Christian education.”
Representatives of the Catholicosate of All Armenians (Holy Etchmiadzine)
and the Catholicosate of Cilicia are also participating in the conference
along with participants from many countries in the world.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
jurisdiction and the Christian Education activities in both the
Catholicosate and the dioceses, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE CATHOLICOSATE’S RELIGIOUS STUDIES COURSE
COMES TO AN END
The Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
organized special religious studies courses in the Catholicosate
during the last two years. These courses included topics on
the Holy Book, the history of the Armenian Church and Christian
theology. Rev. Fr. Vaghinag was the organizer of the courses with
several members of the Cilician Brotherhood participating through
lectures. His Holiness Aram I also delivered occasional lectures on
theological issues.
Around 40 students enrolled for these courses during the last two
years. The courses will continue next year.
The purpose of these courses is to provide Christian formation and
illustrations on issues related to religion to teachers, university
students and other interested people.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about
the jurisdiction and the Christian Education activities in both the
Catholicosate and the dioceses, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE CEREMONY DEDICATED TO THE
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN FOUNDATION
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation will celebrate its 50th anniversary
on July 18-19 in Lisbon. The president of the foundation has invited
a large number of officials from different countries in the world to
attend the ceremony.
Responding to the invitation addressed to His Holiness Aram I,
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan (Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of North
America) and V.
Rev. Fr. Norayr Ashekian, Director of the Printing House of
the Catholicosate, will attend the ceremonies on behalf of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia.
On this occasion, His Holiness Aram I sent a letter to the foundation’s
president, praising its humanitarian, cultural and educational work
throughout the last 50 years and commending particularly the work
of the foundation’s Armenian Department. The Catholicos particularly
praised Dr.
Michael Yesayan, his son, Martin Yesayan, who has now replaced him
and Dr.
Zaven Yegavian, who carried out their tasks with great dedication and
commitment, bringing an important contribution to the flourishing of
Armenian educational and cultural life.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
history and mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer
to the web page of the Catholicosate, The
Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
A FUND FOR PUBLISHING CHILDREN’S BOOKS IN ANTELIAS
A special fund for children’s literature has been established
in Antelias by the financial support of the Armenian department
of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the cooperation of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia. The members of the Catholicosate’s committee
are V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian (Lebanon), Varti Keshishian (Syria)
and Sylva Ebleghatian-Karagulian (France).
The fund has been established following a proposal made two years
ago at a conference organized by His Holiness Aram I in Antelias
(Armenian Education in the Diaspora).
All those who wish to publish their works in the field of children’s
literature can establish contact with the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information
about the books published in the Printing House of the Cilician
Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the Catholicosate,
The Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative
center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
14-06-2006
Minister Oskanian Meets with Azerbaijani Counterpart
A meeting was held between Minister Oskanian and his Azeri counterpart
Elmar Mammadyarov on June 13, in accordance with the agreement
between the Armenian and Azeri Presidents reached in Bucharest on
June 5 during their last meeting. OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Bernard
Fassier of France, and Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia, and Andrzej Kasprzyk,
Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, were present
at the meeting.
During the meeting, the ministers discussed the principles to settling
the conflict and the problematic areas which remain unresolved.
The Ministers expressed willingness to continue negotiations in order
to try to bridge the different positions.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
15-06-2006
Ministers Sargsian and Oskanian Attend North Atlantic Council –
Armenia Meeting
On June 14, Defense Minister Serge Sargsian and Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian attended the North Atlantic Council (NAC) – Armenia
meeting with the ambassadors of the 26 NATO members.
The meeting agenda was a discussion of Armenia’s implementation of
the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP). This followed the
first assessment meeting by a delegation of NATO international staff
to Armenia in May to evaluate the implementation of the agreement
between NATO and Armenia.
In their reports, the Armenian ministers focused on deepening
Armenia’s cooperation with NATO, as well as measures targeted at
IPAP implementation.
Following their presentations, Ambassadors of the NAC member states
made statements assessing Armenia’s pace and progress in implementing
provisions of the IPAP. In this regard, the Ambassadors attached
importance to the democratization process in Armenia as the groundwork
for security, reforms in the defense sphere, and extension of the
political dialogue with NATO.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
June 20, 2006
His Holiness Karekin II Departs on Pontifical Visit to Turkey
Today, June 20, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians departs for Istanbul, Turkey for a
seven-day Pontifical Visit.  His Holiness is traveling to Turkey upon
the joint invitation of His Beatitude Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian,
Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople; and His All Holiness Bartholomew
I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
During this first Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II to
Turkey, the Catholicos of All Armenians will visit Armenian churches
and holy shrines, extend his pontifical blessings to the Armenian
community of Istanbul, and meet with Armenian intellectuals and young
men and women.  On Sunday, June 25, His Holiness will celebrate a
Pontifical Divine Liturgy in the Armenian Patriarchate’s Cathedral
of the Holy Mother of God.
For two days during the trip, His Holiness will also be the guest
of the Ecumenical Patriarch in a fraternal visit.  His Holiness will
have a number of ecumenical meetings in the Armenian Patriarchate as
well.  Also planned is a meeting between the Pontiff of All Armenians
and the Governor of Istanbul.
His Holiness is scheduled to return to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin on June 28.
Accompanying the Catholicos of All Armenians during the journey is His
Eminence Archbishop Dirayr Mardigian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese
of Romania and Bulgaria; His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern); His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of
the Armenian Church of North America; His Eminence Archbishop Karekin
Bekdjian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany; His Eminence
Archbishop Yeznik Petrosian, Director of the Publications Department
of the Mother See; His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar
General of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese; His Grace Bishop Vicken
Aykazian, Diocesan Legate for the Eastern Diocese (USA); His Grace
Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See; His Grace
Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus;
and Rev. Fr. Vasken Nanian, Staff-Bearer for His Holiness.
##
–Boundary_(ID_lv5o3V8mxVGtDl9ZQ0sq Hg)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
June 20, 2006
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 987-9125
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Maggie Mead
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON BASE ISOLATED HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS
Yerevan – The Anti-Seismic Systems International Society and the
American University of Armenia (AUA), in collaboration with the
Armenian Association for Earthquake Engineering, held an international
workshop on “Base Isolated High-Rise Buildings” on June 15-17, 2006
at AUA. Forty experts attended from 9 countries, including Armenia,
Iran, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, and the US.
The event provided a forum for the engineering community to assess
its accumulated experience with the behavior of civil buildings,
such as high-rise apartment buildings and multifunctional complexes,
during different types of earthquakes. Experts promoted the idea of
incorporating innovative Seismic Isolation (SI) techniques into design
rules for high-rise structures, and addressed the growing interest
in extending the application of SI techniques to other fields. Five
academic sessions and an international exhibition were followed
by technical visits to base isolated high-rise building sites in
Yerevan. Workshop findings were summarized during the closing session,
and all scientific documents will be published.
Armenia was the first among developing nations to implement seismic
isolation technology, and the only such country to have supported
substantial improvements to the technology, especially for apartments,
schools, hospitals and high-rise buildings. Armenia also pioneered
the practice of retrofitting buildings for seismic isolation at the
base and roof without vacating residents or terminating maintenance.
Mikayel Melkumyan, AUA Professor, President of Armenian Association
for Earthquake Engineering, VP of the International Association
for Seismic Isolation of NIS Countries, and member of the executive
committee/treasurer of Anti Seismic Systems International Society,
proposed the workshop and its location during the 9th World Seminar
on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation and Active Vibration Control
of Structures in Kobe in 2005. “The aim of the Workshop is the further
strengthening of international collaboration on research, transfer of
technology and information, implementation of anti-seismic systems
in practice, and dissemination of information among decision makers
and construction designers in seismic-prone countries, to promote
implementation of innovative SI techniques in the construction of
high-rise buildings,” he stated.
***************************************** *********
The American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC) is registered
as a non-profit organization in the United States and as the Armenian
University of Armenia Fund (AUAF) in Armenia .The American University
of Armenia (AUA) is affiliated through AUAC with the Regents of the
University of California.
Receiving major support from the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading
to the Masters Degree in eight graduate programs. For more information
about AUA, visit

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY LOOKS
TO SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR
ANSWERS TO AMB. EVANS FIRING
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee Set to Consider
New Nominee on June 28th at 2:30pm
WASHINGTON, DC – Armenian Americans across the U.S. will be closely
following the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation
hearings for U.S. Ambassador to Armenia nominee Richard Hoagland,
in hopes of gaining concrete insight into the exact nature of the
State Department’s policy of complicity in Armenian Genocide denial
– particularly as it relates to the firing of the current U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).
The nomination hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 28th at 2:30
pm in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee room, 419 Dirksen
Senate Office Building and is open to the public.
The hearing comes as Armenian American activists across the U.S.
continue to call on Senators to demand a full explanation for the
early recall of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans.
Concerned Americans can join the ANCA Congressional Call-in
Campaign to urge their Senators to attend the upcoming hearing and
press for answers by visiting:
t?alertid=8836481&type=TA
Amb. Evans, who first took on his post in August 2004, spoke openly
and honestly about the Armenian Genocide in community briefings in
San Francisco, and other cities in February 2005. The Ambassador
was later forced by State Department leaders to twice recant his
statement. The American Foreign Service Association, set to award
Amb. Evans with the Christian A. Herter Award for constructive
dissent, rescinded the decision, according to the Washington Post,
following pressure from State Department officials.
Calls by Members of Congress, the media and activists for answers
to Amb. Evans’ recall have been ignored or sidestepped by State
Department spokespeople, who have simply repeated the fact that
ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the U.S. President.
In recent weeks, Rep. Markey spearheaded a Congressional letter
with sixty signatories calling for clarification on the recall. In
the Senate, Massachusetts Democrats Edward Kennedy and John Kerry
registered a similar letter of concern. In previous months,
Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), and
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) have each publicly
called for an explanation for the State Department decision. No
concrete answers have been provided to date.
On June 9th, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, urged Senate Foreign
Relations Committee members to demand the truth about the Evans
firing prior to confirming his replacement. “The U.S. Senate
cannot, in good conscience, approve the nomination of a new
ambassador to Armenia until the circumstances of the current
envoy’s highly controversial firing are fully, officially, and
openly explained to Congress and the American people,” stated
Hachikian. More broadly, the Administration needs to honestly
explain its policies concerning the Armenian Genocide. This is
especially true given that serious questions remain unanswered
concerning the role that the Turkish Government played in
Ambassador Evans’ firing.”
Below find a list of suggested questions that Senators may ask Amb.
Hoagland.
#####
=========================== =====================================
The Firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans:
Suggested Questions for the Ambassador to Armenia-Designate
================================ ================================
* What guidance has the Department of State given you concerning
your public statements on the Armenian Genocide?
* Has the Department of State instructed you not use the word
genocide in characterizing the Armenian Genocide?
* Has the Department of State instructed other Department of State
employees or government officials not use the word genocide in
characterizing the Armenian Genocide? If your answer is yes, was
this instruction given in writing?
* What instructions do you intend to give your Embassy staff
concerning statements about the Armenian Genocide?
* What, in your opinion, is the impact on U.S.-Armenia relations
of having an Ambassador in Yerevan who fails to properly recognize
the genocidal crime that destroyed the majority of the Armenian
people, exiled a nation from its historic homeland, and continues
to severely impact the future of the Republic of Armenia?
* What is your understanding about the recall of your predecessor?
Specifically, can you describe the events, policies, and process
that led to his recall; explain the reasons for his replacement,
and; share your views on the implications of this action on the
U.S. Embassy in Armenia?
* What training and education have you received from the
Department of State on the Armenian Genocide?
* What are your thoughts about the Armenian Genocide – as a
historical event, a moral issue, a subject of denial, and a matter
of ongoing geopolitical significance?
From: Baghdasarian

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS GAREGIN II LEFT FOR ISTANBUL
ArmRadio.am
20.06.2006 17:30
At the invitation of the Constantinople Patriarch of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, Archbishop Mesrop Mutafyan and Ecumenical Patriarch
His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin
II left for Istanbul on a ministerial visit. During the 7 days
of his stay Garegin II will visit Armenian sacred places, will
bless the Armenian community of Istanbul, will meet with Armenian
intelligentsia and youth. June 25 the Supreme Patriarch will serve a
liturgy in St. Astvatsatsin Cathedral in Istanbul. The Catholicos of
All Armenians will also meet with Istanbul Governor, Press Service
of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin informs.