“SARDARAPAT MEMORIAL COMPLEX” STATE INSITUTION REORGANIZED INTO STATE
NONCEMMERCIAL ORGANIZATION

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. In accordance with the RA Law on State
Noncommercial Organizations, the Armenian government made a decision
to reorganize “The Sardarapat Memorial Complex, State Museum of
Ethnography and Liberation Movement of Armenia” state institution
under the jurisdiction of the RA Ministry of Defence into a state
noncommercial organization (SNO) of the same name. NT was informed
about it from the RA Government Information and PR Department. It was
decided to transfer the state property worth 92,248 drams (about 205
USD) of the indicated state institution (except state lands,
buildings, constructions, as well as property of historical and
cultural value and property exceeding 10 minimal salaries) to the
newly established SNO with the right of ownership. The state lands,
buildings, constructions, property of historical and cultural value
and property exceeding 10 minimal salaries of a total of 279,894 drams
owned by the state institution will be transferred to the NSO with the
right of free and perpetual use. It was noted that the above mentioned
decision will enable to organize the management and activities of the
memorial complex most efficiently.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:
PRIMATE’S SCHEDULE OF
May 2006

The following contains items scheduled for the month of April 2006.
We will notify you with separate communiqué of any changes and
additions to the Primate’s Schedule.

Monday, May 1 His Eminence will preside over the meetings of the
Diocesan Ladies’ Auxiliary, The Etchmiadzin Children’s Fund, and the
Stewardship Committee.

May 2-7 The Primate will preside over the 79th Annual Diocesan
Assembly, held at St. Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa. The
Diocesan Assembly is held once a year during the first weekend of
May, during which the organizations and committees of the Diocese
present their annual reports. We are happy to announce that guest
clergy will also be present at the Assembly, to represent His
Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The Assembly will
take place according to the following schedule.

Weds. May 3 Diocesan Clergy Assembly
Thurs. May 4 Diocesan Ladies’ Assembly
Fri-Sat, May 5-6 Diocesan Delegates’ Assembly

Friday evening, May 5 Assembly Banquet

Those who wish to receive a copy of the Primate’s Annual Report may
contact the Diocese at 818-558-7474.

On Sunday, May 7, 2006 His Eminence will celebrate Divine Liturgy
and deliver the Sermon at St. Mary Armenian Church.

Sunday, May 7 The AGBU will host a Centennial Celebration under the
Auspices of the Primate, held at the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center. The
program includes keynote speakers Governor Deukmejian and Assadour
Guzelian, and artists Haroutune Bedelian and Lorna Griffith.

Monday, May 8 The Primate will visit St. Sophia Greek Orthodox
Cathedral to attend a reception in honor of the newly elected His
Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, the spiritual
leader of the Greek Orthodox Community in Western USA. The Primate
will be accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian.

Thursday, May 11 A joint Divine Liturgy and Retreat will be held
between the clergy of the Armenian, Syriac and Coptic Orthodox
Churches, hosted by the Western Diocese. Over 100 clergy are expected
to attend.

Saturday, May 13 His Eminence will preside over the meeting of the
Summer Camp Committee and the Cathedral Construction Committee.

Monday, May 15 The Primate will participate in an
Episcopalian-Armenian Church Dialogue at the headquarters of the
Episcopalian Diocese.

Tuesday, May 16 The Primate will attend an ecumenical gathering
hosted by the self ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of
North America. The Primate will be accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Dajad
Dz. V. Yardemian.

Wednesday, May 17 His Eminence will attend a meeting of the Los
Angeles Religious Leaders at the Claremont School of Theology. The
Primate will be accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian.

Saturday, May 20 The Primate will preside over the Mother Cathedral
Fundraising and Celebration Gala.

Sunday, May 21 His Eminence will celebrate Divine Liturgy and
deliver the Sermon at St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys. During
the Liturgy the Primate will bestow the St. Nersess the Graceful
Medal of Honor upon Mr. and Mrs. Arpiar Janoyan.

In the evening the Primate will attend an event in honor of the 25th
anniversary of the TCA Arshag Dickranian School.

Thursday, May 25 The graduating class of AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian
School will visit the Diocese to meet with His Eminence.

At Noon, the Primate will preside over a ceremony on the occasion of
the Feast of the Ascension.

May 26-28 The Primate will preside over the Annual ACYO Sports
Weekend held in Fresno.

Sunday, May 28 The Primate will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver
the Sermon at St. Mary Armenian Church in Yettem, as the closing of
the ACYO Sports Weekend. During the Liturgy the Primate will ordain
Deacons and Acolytes.

Monday, May 29 His Eminence will perform the opening prayer in
Memorial Day Observances in Glendale.

Office of the Western Diocese

April 27, 2006
Burbank, California

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]
28 April 2006
REFLECTION .. CELEBRATION . REVIVAL
If you are one of many who question the relevance of the Armenian Church
today and if you feel the connection between Creator and created has faded
in the busy schedule of daily living and materialism, then the past week of
celebrations rejoicing the 40th anniversary year of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of Holy Resurrection in Sydney, Australia would have transformed your
outlook, revived your spirit and steered you back on track, in the direction
of your Maker.
Under the auspice of His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the
Diocese of Australia, the administration of Very Reverend Father Vardan
Navasardyan and the Armenian Church Council of Australia in NSW, a week long
celebration of events began Easter Sunday on the Commemoration of the
Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ with the reading of the
Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians. On this auspicious occasion, His Grace Bishop Sion Adamyan
from Armenia represented His Holiness and the Mother See.
Easter Monday which observes a day of remembrance in the Armenian Church
paid respect to the memory of founders, benefactors and servants of the
Church of Holy Resurrection whose contributions have left a living legacy.
The solemn requiem service, attended by over 200 congregational members that
included families of the deceased, was followed by “hokejash” ~ a dinner in
remembrance of the souls of the dearly departed, where church community
gathered together, one in spirit, rekindling relationships with new and old
friends.
Tuesday was a night of joyous festivity dedicated to the children of our
community. More than 300 children, parents and teachers with beaming faces
congregated in the Church for a prayer service, the theme of which was
“obedience and protection” ~ obedience to parents, obedience to God,
protection from parents, protection from God. The buzz of excitement at so
many children from all spheres of the community gathered together in the
house of God perpetuated when everyone packed the church hall to present
their own beautifully rehearsed performance and message of congratulations
on occasion of the jubilee anniversary of their Church.
It was Youth Night on Wednesday that once again saw an electrified crowd,
this time a crowd of teenagers and young adults congregating the pews of the
Church of Holy Resurrection. The theme of the service was “God is love” ~
recognising the grace of God’s love upon us and calling Him to fill our own
hearts with love. Youth representing different organisations or just simply
from the community combined in prayer, liturgical chants and reading of the
scriptures to glorify the name of the Almighty. A casual cocktail reception
followed in the church hall when youth from the various organisations
addressed the 200 plus crowd on their respective mission and how each
perceived its role and relationship with the church.
Thursday evening presented a symposium with guest speakers submitting both
secular and religious views on “The challenges facing the church today and
the church’s contribution to moral issues in today’s society”. Speakers
included Ms Gladys Berejiklian MP (Member for the Willoughby), Mr Stepan
Kerkyashrian (Chairman of the Community Relations Commission and President
of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board), Reverend John Henderson (General
Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia – NCCA) and
Reverend Dr Ray Williamson (General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical
Council).
Friday evening was dedicated to a round table with Armenian organisations
and political parties to discuss issues facing the community today. Of
primary importance and dominating discussions was the matter of Armenian
youth and developing their interest in community affairs to ensure the
perpetuation of the local Armenian community.
An ecumenical service on Saturday evening was attended by a number of heads
of churches and representatives. Joining in the service were the Roman
Catholic, Anglican, Uniting and Middle Eastern Churches as well as the
Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. Reverend David Gill (former
General Secretary of the NCCA) gave the message of the day on “love and
unity”, a theme common to the ecumenical movement of today. Following the
prayer service, Archbishop Baliozian hosted a meeting in the Primate’s
office which preceded a banquet dinner in the Edgarian hall.
The culmination of the week long events concluded with the 40th Anniversary
Jubilee Concert at Willoughby Town Hall when a high calibre of Armenian
talent showcased Armenian culture at its very best. The evening began with
the reading of the Encyclical of His Holiness honouring the 40th anniversary
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection and celebrated the 40
year history with song, dance, recitations and an oral history presentation.
Ceremoniously and with great vitality, the community embraced the
celebrations forging ahead into another decade of discipleship and ministry.

FOREIGN WEAPONS, IRANIAN THREATS: THE CASPIAN BASIN IN IRAN’S GUNSIGHTS
CENTRAL ASIA – CAUCASUS ANALYST
Wednesday / April 19, 2006
By Stephen Blank
As the tension surrounding Iran grows, the possibility of military
action in and around its territory also grows commensurately. While
most attention focuses on conflict scenarios in Iran, the Gulf, or the
Straits of Hormuz because of their strategic significance; a fuller
assessment cannot and should not neglect the Caspian dimension of this
crisis. This is because Iran’s present capabilities and the possible
development of a nuclear weapon are ultimately fungible. Although
today America and Israel are its main enemies and the likely target of
Iranian scenarios, the Iranian strategic calculus, like every other
government’s, is not immutable for all time. Therefore these
capabilities could ultimately be targeted on Central Asian, Caucasian
states, Arab states in and around the Persian Gulf, Russia, or
Turkey. Turkey is already revising its force structures to deal with
the possible consequences of Iranian nuclearization.
BACKGROUND: Although its policies in the Caspian basin have generally
been circumspect, Iran is not necessarily a status quo power in this
region. It attacked Azerbaijani oil platforms in 2001 and subsequently
threatened Kazakh explorations in the Caspian in disputes over who
owns that sea’s waters. Since then, in 2002 the U.S. Central Command
(USCENTCOM) uncovered intelligence showing that elements of Iran’s
clerical army, the Pasdaran, were secretly providing training and
logistic support to the al-Qaeda affiliated Islamic Movement of
Uzbekistan. Iran is also tied to support for radical religious and
separatist movements in Azerbaijan, and in 2005 the London Sunday
Telegraph reported that Pasdaran had begun secretly training Chechen
rebels in sophisticated terror techniques to enable them to carry out
more effective attacks against Russian forces. These examples
illustrate the multifarious nature of the geopolitical threats to
security in this region and Iran’s capability to seriously expand
them. And since the ability of all states and energy producers to
survive and/or produce that energy is tied to the presence or absence
of such shocks, the geostrategic situation here is crucial beyond
Central Asia’s borders.
Iran’s threats include the use of conventional or potentially nuclear
weapons to threaten local governments and to provide what might be
called extended deterrence for insurgent groups among them whom it
already has cultivated and supported. Although Iran’s conventional
arsenal pales relative to those of Moscow and Washington; a nuclear
capability greatly augments its deterrence capability and potentially
frees it as it did Pakistan to conduct guerrilla campaigns against
hostile governments in its neighborhood. In its most recent exercises
conducted in the Straits of Hormuz, named `Holy Prophet’, in the first
week of April 2006, Iran attempted to send Washington a message of its
capability made up of what has also become habitual Iranian boasting
about its new conventional capabilities. While virtually every foreign
analyst dismissed the announcement of new weapons as nothing new or as
being mainly for domestic and local consumption, the fact remains that
even if these weapons are not as potent as Iran claims they are,
possession of them enhances its capabilities in the Caspian Sea as
well as in the Straits of Hormuz. In those exercises Iran claimed to
have tested a new radar-invisible, stealth multiple-head ballistic
missile, Fajr-3 with a range of 1200 Kilometers, the Kowsar land to
sea anti-ship missile. It also claims to have tested the world’s
fastest torpedo, a rocket-propelled torpedo called the Hoot (whale),
from which no ship can escape, evidently based on the Russian Shkval,
and a `super-modern flying boat’, possibly a derivation from a Russian
wing in ground platform (WIG), as well as jets and helicopters.
Although Iran claims to have made all these new missiles itself, again
foreign analysts believe that they largely derive from Russian,
Chinese, or North Korean models or from assistance provided through
the acquisition of Western technology, not domestic ingenuity.
IMPLICATIONS: The address of the recent Iranian saber-rattling is
clear: General Yahya Rahim Safavi, head of the elite Revolutionary
Guards, said on April 5 that the U.S. must recognize Iran as a big
regional power. Since Iran’s capabilities to attack shipping and
energy platforms in the Caspian, threaten neighboring governments with
missiles, and defend against their air attacks are real enough, if
they were buttressed by nuclear weapons Iran’s ability to incite
mischief in the area would grow enormously. Azerbaijan in particular
is already increasingly uneasy about what might happen if the United
States and Iran come to blows. In advance of President Ilham Aliyev’s
U.S. visit in late April, the Azerbaijani media candidly referred to
perceptions of intense U.S. pressure to join an anti-Iranian alliance
despite statements by Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov that
Azerbaijan would not join a coalition against any particular
power. Nonetheless, Azimov did indicate Baku’s concern about Iranian
activities in the disputed sector of the Caspian Sea. He also made
clear that Iran’s nuclear program as well as the Armenian nuclear
power reactor evoke serious apprehensions in Azerbaijan.
At the same time, the Azerbaijani press reports charged that if
Azerbaijan did ally itself with Washington and allow U.S. forces
overflight and even limited basing rights there, Iran would probably
hit it with multiple acts of sabotage and insurgency form within. Iran
could also invade its air space and strike it with its missiles,
including its oil industry. Azerbaijan’s Minister of National
Security, Eldar Makhmudov, also charged that Al-Qaeda was seeking to
recruit local girls to be Shakhids, (martyrs) and carry out suicide
terrorist operations. It is hardly inconceivable that Iran could also
recruit terrorists from within Azerbaijan for such purposes based on
existing or future cells that it develops within the country.
CONCLUSIONS: Even a cursory assessment of Iran’s present capabilities
makes clear that it does have the means to make a great deal of
trouble for many South Caucasian and Central Asian governments and
even for Russia, especially in the North Caucasus. The pressure
generated by Iran’s nuclearization and America’s determination to
prevent it are also narrowing the space for maneuver available to
local governments. But if Iran were to successfully become a nuclear
power, their space for maneuver would narrow even further. It is quite
clear that a nuclear capability, added to Iran’s regionally potent and
growing conventional capability, and its highly developed terrorist
connections constitutes a considerable threat capability directed
against all of its neighbors, and not just in the Gulf. This
development also bears out the old axiom and paradox that nuclear
capability and deterrence actually in some sense heighten the
possibility for conventional wars at smaller scales of the spectrum of
conflict. Iran’s growing capabilities and unmitigated belligerence
highlights the folly of the Russian and Chinese policies of supplying
it lavishly with weapons and technology. As Russian analysts are now
coming to realize more than ever before, the capabilities transferred
to Iran could be used to threaten Moscow’s vital interests and
possibly even Beijing’s as well. Whatever the consequences of Iran’s
nuclearization or of the campaign to stop it might be in the Middle
East and Persian Gulf, they will be no less important insofar as the
Caspian littoral and Greater Central Asia are concerned.
AUTHOR’S BIO: Professor Stephen Blank, Strategic Studies Institute,
U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA. The views expressed here
do not represent those of the U.S. Army, Defense Dept. or the
U.S. Government.

leid=4171

PanARMENIAN.Net
Karabakh Became `Subject of Talks’, Alexander Iskandaryan Considers
28.04.2006 22:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The year of 2005 in Armenia may be called the year
of death of the opposition, Caucasus Media Institute Director,
political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan stated at Caucasus 2005
international conference held in Yerevan. In his words, in 2005 the
opposition rating kept on falling what could be vividly seen after the
constitutional referendum when a small number of people attended the
opposition rallies. `People are bored of talks about revolution. This
became quite obvious after the events that followed the
referendum. The domestic situation in Armenia can be interpreted the
following way: weak power and absence of opposition,’ he remarked.
Alexander Iskandaryan also emphasized that the conflicting parties
still work towards conservation of the Nagorno Karabakh problem. The
political scientist supposes Karabakh has just become a `subject of
talks’. `All say that precise dialogue will become possible after a
political decision is made. But the interested sides know that there
will be no political decision,’ he said.
As for the rise in gas prices the CMI Director remarked Armenia loses
most of all. `When Russia blocks gas pumping for Georgia it does not
think of its strategic partner and ally. The same situation is with
the withdrawal of the military base from Akhalkalaki. We are not asked
weather we want these weapons. They just bring it,’ he remarked.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Azeri Diaspora to Have No Impact on Georgia’s Position in Karabakh
28.04.2006 22:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Georgia practices multisided foreign policy. We are
not merely geographical neighbors with Russia. We have great number of
contact points at historical, cultural and human level,’ Georgian
Ambassador to Armenia Revaz Gachechiladze stated in an interview with
PanARMENIAN.Net. In his words, there is nothing strange in the fact
that Georgia heads for the West, since Russia’s new policy is oriented
towards western democratic values as well.
When touching upon the regional conflict, the Georgian Ambassador
remarked that the unsettled conflicts in Georgia and the presence of
the Azeri Diaspora are by no means bound with the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement.

WHAT DID THE GOVERNMENT TELL ROGER ROBINSON?

Lragir.am
28 April 06

The World Bank Armenia Country Manager Roger Robinson gave a news
conference on April 28 and gave reporters interesting ideas and
revelations on the fifth generating unit of the Thermal Power Plant of
Hrazdan.
Roger Robinson first stated that the government of Armenia is planning
to hold public debates on the deal on the fifth generating unit next
week, and to answer questions on this issue. Roger Robinson announced
that the government is responsible for people and has to report on its
steps. After this idea the interesting viewpoints of Robinson began.
He said that judging by the information he got from government
officials the deal was highly profitable for Armenia, and if the mass
media discussed these problems with the government, they would agree
and realize that it was a truly favorable deal for Armenia. He does
not consider it troubling that the entire energy sector of Armenia is
monopolized by another country. Roger Robinson says it is more
important to have a strong controller to maintain and control the
offered public utilities. He also calls for considering the reality.
According to Roger Robinson, the reality is that the main supplier of
fuel for energy generation, i.e. nuclear fuel, gas, is Russia. The
only resource Armenia has is water, or the snow that melts and fills
the rivers and is used in water power plants. The World Bank Armenia
Country Manager emphasizes the awareness of the reality which cannot
be changed in a couple of minutes.
Certainly, this reality cannot be changed in a several minutes, but it
can be changed over years. In the meantime, there is danger that the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline that gave a hope of change may be given to
Russia. In this perspective it is interesting what the attitude of the
World Bank towards the new reality will be. With regard to this Roger
Robinson said the ownership of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is not
part of this deal.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Georgian Ambassador: Christian Peoples Surrounded by Islamic World –
Medieval Anachronism
28.04.2006 23:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The relations between the churches should be
determined at the meetings the church hierarchs. The Embassy
represents the temporal power and does not interfere in religious
matters, Georgian Ambassador to Armenia Revaz Gachechiladze stated in
an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. As for the cliché `Christian
peoples/states surrounded by the Islamic world’, this is an anarchism
of the medieval age. As far as I know Christian Armenia enjoys very
best relations the Islamic Republic of Iran,’ the Ambassador
remarked. To note, the Armenian Apostolic Church demands six Armenian
churches taken away in the soviet period be returned under its
jurisdiction.

From: [email protected]
Subject: Water Will Not Get Expensive But Over The Next Month Only
WATER WILL NOT GET EXPENSIVE BUT OVER THE NEXT MONTH ONLY

Lragir.am
28 April 06

The Public Utilities Commission, headed by the former mayor of Yerevan
Robert Nazaryan, was supposed to discuss the bid of Yerevan Water
Company on April 28. In other words, Robert Nazaryan and his
colleagues were supposed to discuss the new tariff of water. The
commission had even prepared the draft decision, and browsed on its
official website.
In the beginning of the meeting of the commission the head of the
State Water Committee under the government of Armenia Andranik
Andreasyan, apologizing to the participants, asked the commission to
postpone the meeting for a month. The official excuse is the procedure
of the management agreement, signed with the French company Generale
Des Eaux, which will take up the management of Yerevan Water Sewage
Company. Andranik Andreasyan says there are problems with transfers of
property, which requires additional time. In other words, the
agreement will take effect later than May 1, as it had been foreseen
in the agreement, as soon as the problems of transfers of property are
settled. Therefore the parties of the agreement asked the committee to
put off the meeting for a month. Robert Nazaryan asked Serge Popov,
the manager of Yerevan Water, to confirm that they accept the proposal
of the Water Committee. Popov confirmed saying that the proposal was
based on a mutual agreement. The meeting of the committee was
postponed.
`There is a huge problem of transfers of property, about 30 pieces of
property is being transferred, there are drawbacks regarding certain
elements, which need further elaboration. They have certain questions,
more elucidation and within these several days or a week these
questions will get answers. After all, a huge system is transferred,’
says Andranik Andreasyan.
The manager of Yerevan Water Serge Popov says the problems are typical
of big deals. Popov says Generale des Eaux has signed similar
contracts in the countries of East Europe where the period of transfer
of property was 6 months but an additional three months were
required. In Armenia the period mentioned in the contract was only 3
months. The problems are not unexpected, and the proposal of the
parties of contract is justified. Serge Popov says for a ten-year
contract 15 days is not a long time. Hence, Yerevan Water Company has
not started yet, which means that Yerevan Water Sewage Company still
operates, and the tariff remains the same.
Currently 1 cu. m of drinking water is 120 drams. The French suggest
increasing it to 172.8 drams. This price is written down in the
management contract as a source of investments. The Public Utilities
Commission has accepted the bid of Yerevan Water but partly, as it
usually does. However, this is not exactly the same as the previous
cases, for with regard to water the price is mentioned in the
contract. If the commission rejected the bid of the French company, it
would be considered a breach of the management contract.

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: 
April 28, 2006
Defense of Doctoral Theses in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Four New Vardapets in the Armenian Church
On April 21, three members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin and one
member of the Brotherhood of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople
defended their doctoral theses before the doctoral examination committee in
the Mother See.
Rev. Fr. Abgar Hovakimian, Vicar of the Diocese of Syunik, defended his
doctoral thesis entitled `St. Dionysius the Areopagite in Armenian
Bibliography’.
Rev. Fr. Mkrtich Proshian, Dean of the Vaskenian Seminary of Lake Sevan,
defended his doctoral thesis entitled `An Analysis of Feminist Sotierology’.
Rev. Fr. Hovakim Manukian, Office Director of the Department of Inter-Church
Relations, defended his doctoral thesis entitled `Ecumenism in the Twentieth
Century and the Armenian Church’.
Rev. Fr. Sahak Mashalian from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople
defended his doctoral thesis entitled `Faith and Miracle’.
The examination committee was comprised of His Grace Bishop Yeznik Petrosian
(Chairman); His Grace Bishop Mikayel Ajapahian, Primate of the Diocese of
Shirak; and His Grace Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother
See.
Following each candidate’s presentation and question and answer period, the
committee determined that all four presentations were acceptable and deemed
the priests worthy to be granted the rank of `Vardapet’ (Archimandrite).
On Saturday, April 23, in the Church of St. Mesrop Mashtots in Oshakan, His
Grace Bishop Yeznik Petrosian, bestowed the rank of Vardapet on the three
members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.  The priests recommitted
themselves to the service of the Armenian people and Holy Church by taking
an oath near the tomb of the `Great Teacher’ St. Mesrop, whereupon they
received their doctoral staffs.
Rev. Fr. Mashalian will be granted his doctoral staff in the month of June.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress