HEAD OF ARMENIAN CHURCH DEPARTS ON PONTIFICAL VISIT TO TURKEY
Armenpress
Jun 20 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS: The head of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, has departed today for Istanbul, Turkey for a seven-day
Pontifical Visit. The press office of the Church said 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.

UGANDA DRAWN INTO GUNMEN SAGA
By Reuben Olita in Nairobi and Alfred Wasike in Kampala
New Vision, Uganda
June 20 2006
TWO Armenian brothers deported from Kenya for drawing guns on custom
officials at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport have now been
accused of working themselves into the heart of Uganda’s government.
Kenyan MP Raila Odinga, a former minister in the Kibaki administration,
who blew the whistle on Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargasyan in March,
accusing them of being merceneries on government rent, now claims
they attended President Yoweri Museveni’s May inauguration in Kampala.
On Saturday, Odinga alleged that the Armenians sat at the high table
as Museveni took oath.
In Kampala, Museveni’s press secretary, Onapito Ekomoloit, rubbished
Oginga’s claims. “I did not see those men anywhere near the
President. I have seen their pictures in the Kenyan papers but the
President has not met any investors from the former Soviet Union,”
Onapito said.

UKRAINE READY TO PROMOTE THE SETLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT
ArmRadio.am
20.06.2006 11:43
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko had a meeting with the Foreign
Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan in the framework of the latter’s
official visit to Ukraine.
Viktor Yushchenko and Vardan Oskanyan discussed a broad circle of
issues of bilateral cooperation and expressed in favor of development
of Armenian-Ukrainian relations. The President underlined that Ukraine
is looking ahead to RA President Robert Kocharyan’s visit. In his
turn Vardan Oskanyan noted that historically there have been good
relations between the two peoples and emphasized the existence of a
broad legal field between the two states.
During the meeting special attention was paid to the maintenance
security and stability in the South Caucasian region, particularly the
prospects of settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Viktor Yushchenko
underlined that Ukraine stands for the peaceful settlement of
the conflict and is ready to suggest its territory for holding
negotiations.

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