WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE POLICEMEN?
A1+
| 20:07:39 | 25-09-2005 | Politics |
Today in almost all the electoral areas of the Kentron community one
could see the same: there were at least three policemen at the center
of the hall near the ballot-boxes.
Surprisingly not only the pro-authority, but also the oppositional
candidates’ confidants and the members of the Committees were not
worried about the fact. The policemen themselves whom we naturally
managed to see from backside only, claimed that they are keeping order.
By the way, we learned from the pre-election campaign of Rouzan
Khachatryan that her confidant Sona Mouradyan has been ousted from
the electoral area 9/14. She only tried to prevent violations of law
in the above mentioned area.

NO NEWS FROM ARABKIR
A1+
| 19:55:28 | 25-09-2005 | Politics |
At 05:00 p.m. the Central Electoral Committee has no new information
about the number of voters in Arabkir. In Kentron community 29 980 of
the 85 thousand electors have already voted. In the other communities
the scene is the following: Ajapnyak – 17 077 from 71 615, Davtashen
– 9 000 from 25 481, Avan – 9 455 from 34 746, Malatia-Sebastia –
22 600 from 84 493, Shengavit – 10 500 from 95 140.
In Shengavit the electors are still the most passive of all: only 11%
of them have voted so far. The highest level of activity has been
recorded in Kentron and Davtashen – more than 35% of the electors
has participated in the elections.
By the way, there have been cases when the citizens called the Central
Electoral Committee to learn whether they can vote with the old Soviet
red passports, or where their electoral area is.

FIRST RESULTS ARE KNOWN
A1+
| 12:04:18 | 26-09-2005 | Politics |
The preliminary results of the elections are already known:
particularly the journalist of “A1+” was present in the Kenton
electoral area 9/32 located in the school after Charents where 451
of the 553 electors voted for Gagik Beglaryan, and 80 – for Rouzan
Khachatryan. 20 ballots were considered invalid.
We also have approximate data from the Central Electoral Committee
about the participation of electors. According to them, in Ajapnyak
32% of electors have participated, in Davtashen – 41%, in Avan – 33%,
in Malatia-Sebastia – 34%, in Kenton – 43%, an Shengavit – 12%,and
in Arabkir – 31.7%. That is, not even half of the total number of
voters has participated in the elections.

ROUZAN KHACHATRYAN IS DISCONTENT
A1+
| 11:36:15 | 26-09-2005 | Politics |
According to the Kenton community head candidate Rouzan Khachatryan,
before the elections the head of the Central Electoral Committee
Garegin Azaryan gathered together all the heads of the 9th electoral
area and ordered to give the right to check passports to only two
member of the Committee.
“In several electoral areas the number of the electors has been more
than the allowed number, there have even been open votings”, said
Rouzan Khachatryan in a press conference right after the elections.
The most grave violation, according to her, was the way the confidants
got their certificates: according to the stipulated order, it must
be mentioned in the certificate whose confidant a person is, and
the names must be mentioned in the headquarters of the corresponding
candidate. But the heads of the areas ordered to mention the names
of the confidants in the certificates.
Today Rouzan Khachatryan expressed her discontent with Garegin
Azaryan and said that Justice bloc will by all means call him to
responsibility. There is information according to which a man has
voted with a woman’s passport.
Asked by the journalists how much money she has spent on her
pre-election campaign, Rouzan Khachatryan answered, “I have spent as
many millions in drams as my competitor has spent in dollars”.
Nevertheless, Rouzan Khachatryan did not exclude the possibility of
changing her opinion about the electoral phase after the announcement
of the finals results of the elections.

ELECTIONS ARE OVER
A1+
| 22:27:01 | 25-09-2005 | Politics |
The elections of local governing bodies are over. The Central Electoral
Committee informed us that in Davtashen 41% of the electors have
participated in the elections, in Malatia-Sebastia – 34%, in Avan –
33%, and in Shengavit – 12%.
At 09:15 there was no information about the participation of electors
in Kentron and Arabkir.
By the way, in the electoral area 9/32 which is located in the school
after Charents the ballot boxes are not yet open.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“WELL ORGANIZED ELECTIONS”
A1+
| 20:29:22 | 25-09-2005 | Politics |
“The Regional Electoral Committee was supposed to provide us with
information every three hours, but they never did”, we were informed
in Rouzan Khachatryan’s pre-electoral headquarters.
According to them, the main violations in the Kentron community were
moral and other kinds of pressures upon the confidants and members
of the Committee. Because of this many people left the electoral areas.
Another kind of violation was the bringing of electors to the areas
with route taxis. By the way, the secretaries of the Committees
commented n the fact as “well organized elections”.
Our Company got a warning signal about the driver of the Kentron
community head candidate Gagik Beglaryan distributing money opposite
the electoral area 9/185, but we saw nothing of the kind there. The
representative of the Justice bloc from the Committee and the confidant
of Rouzan Khachatryan claimed that everything is fine inside.
According to the head of the Committee David Ayvazyan, “the elections
are free, fair and transparent”.
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 OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES
IN THE “WORLD PRAYER DAY”
Holy Mass and meditation for peace in the world were held on September 21 in
the Mar Georges Church in Beirut’s Nejme square on the occasion of the
“World Prayer Day”.
The event was organized by the Middle East Council of Churches in
collaboration with the Middle East department of the World Council of
Churches.
The primates of the communities of Lebanon attended the Holy Mass and
participated in the meditation. Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Primate of the
Diocese of Lebanon, also participated in the event on behalf of His Holiness
Aram I.
The following annual event gathers all the Christian communities of Lebanon,
further strengthening ecumenical life.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities 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:
THE CATHOLCIOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE MEETING OF ORTHODOX
AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
A meeting was held between the representatives from the Orthodox Churches
and the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Greek city of Volos on September
19-22.
The purpose of the meeting was to set the direction of discussions between
these two churches and the United Bible Societies.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate of Cilicia,
participated in the meeting on behalf of the Catholicosate. Hratch
Sarkissian, director of the Bible Society of Armenia, represented the
Catholicosate of All Armenians.
The participants discussed the results of the 1999 and 2004 meetings of
Orthodox Churches and Bible Societies in Larnaca and Antelias respectively.
They laid out the plans for future cooperation.
Bishop Nareg highlighted the warm cooperation between the Catholicosate of
Cilicia and the Bible Society of Lebanon, especially in the fields of
translation and preparation of textbooks.
The participants decided to hold the next meeting between the Orthodox
Churches and United Bible Societies on October 15-22.
His Holiness Aram I has played an important role in the strengthening of
cooperation between United Bible Societies and the Orthodox Churches. Four
years ago the General Secretary of the United Bible Societies visited His
Holiness Aram I to consult on issues related to cooperation between the
society and the Orthodox Churches. Two meetings between the two sides, one
in Larnaca the other in Antelias, followed.
On his way back to Antelias, Bishop Nareg visited the Coptic Orthodox church
being built in Athens. He conveyed His Holiness’ greetings to the believers
and delivered a lecture entitled “The Birth of the Armenian Church and the
Catholicosate of Cilicia Today.”
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities 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.
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:
HIS HOLINESS CONTINUES HIS PONTIFICAL VISIT TO CANADA
ARMENIAN STUDENTS GREET HIS HOLINESS IN MONTREAL
On the second day of his Pontifical visit to Canada, His Holiness Aram I met
with Armenian students from the “Sarafian” Elementary and “Pasdermadjian”
Secondary sections of the St. Hagop national school, as well as children
from the kindergarten of the Armenian Relief Society.
Students greeted His Holiness Aram I, Prelate Archbishop Khajag Hagopian,
religious officials, representatives form the diocese and the board of
trustees with enthusiasm. Both sections presented well-prepared performances
in honor of His Holiness, with the student choir delivering a series of
beautiful religious hymns.
“The Armenian School is a mission; it’s the extension of the Armenian family
and church. Your parents have entrusted you to this institution so you would
be enriched with our national values and cultural treasures and one day
enrich our nation yourselves,” said His Holiness.
His Holiness commended the school’s administration, the Prelate, the board
of trustees and the teachers for their dedication. He highlighted the
numerous sacrifices taken by Armenian national institutions in preserving
Armenian schools.
Speaking with the Armenian teen, His Holiness called on them to overcome the
challenges of preserving the Armenian national identity.
“It’s not a regular school you’re attending; you’re attending an Armenian
School. The difference between regular schools and the Armenian School does
not preside in the walls or desks; the difference is in the unique formation
you’re given here,” said His Holiness Aram I.
The Catholicos stressed that the youth succeeds “only if it discusses
tomorrow’s agenda today.” “You are not the Armenians of tomorrow; you’re the
Armenians of today. We not only need you tomorrow; we also need you today,
because you are not only our future, you are also our present,” said His
Holiness.
***
After his Pontifical visit to the St. Hagop School, His Holiness met with
the Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Church, Soterios.
The two spiritual leaders discussed ecumenical and inter-church issues.
International efforts for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the
restoration of the Armenian people’s rights also featured on the agenda.
The Catholicos and the Metropolitan also exchanged souvenirs. His Holiness
gave a copy of “Cilicia’s Salvaged Treasure”, a book about the masterpieces
of Cilician culture salvaged from the Armenian Genocide.
##
View pictures here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses 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:
HIS HOLINESS MEETS WITH ARMENIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN MONTREAL
“ANTELIAS’ PRAYER IS COMMITMENT, STRUGGLE AND SERVICE”
SAYS THE PONTIFF
His Holiness Aram I met with around 250 leaders and representatives from
the Armenian community of Montreal on September 2005.
Representatives from Montreal’s Armenian political, cultural, educational,
social, sports’ and youth organizations and unions, religious officials,
teachers of Sunday Schools, members of their boards of trustees greeted His
Holiness in the “Aharonian” hall of Montreal’s Armenian Center (“Hay
Getron”).
Viken Tufenkjian delivered the opening remarks, speaking about His
Holiness’ 10-year tenure. Tufenkjian highlighting the wide scope of the work
carried out during this time and the flourishing of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia with all its dioceses as a result.
Tufenkjian also spoke about His Holiness’ international, ecumenical
activities, due to which the Armenian Church and the Catholicosate claimed
their rightful place in the community of churches.
Prelate Archbishop Khajag Hagopian then invited His Holiness to have an
honest discussion with the representatives of the community about issues
related to the Armenian Church and the nation’s collective life.
His Holiness welcomed the attendants, extending his Pontifical blessings
to them. He spoke about the role of the Armenian Church vis-à-vis the
challenges of the current world.
“Our church has an urgent need of reform. Today’s world has changed and
our church should adopt measures suitable to the current circumstances so
its service would be more effective,” said His Holiness.
His Holiness also spoke about the necessity of approaching the youth and
listening to their expectations. “The church is not a regular institution;
it’s a mission, a movement. Therefore, it has to approach the youth, not
only attracting them but also involving them in its mission.”
“Christian education should adopt new methods particularly in passing the
church’s moral teachings to Armenian children. Today’s religions should work
together to bring out the common aspects of their moral teachings and to
face the challenges of the current world,” stated His Holiness.
The Catholicos expressed his thoughts on Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. His
Holiness considered the strong Diaspora, which has preserved its Armenian
identity, as imperative for the strengthening of Armenia. His Holiness
assured that the true path for Armenia and the Diaspora is for each to
carefully carry out its role.
His Holiness Aram I also spoke about the efforts for the restoration of
the Armenian nation’s life and the work carried out within the context of
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. He highlighted the role of
the Catholicosate of Cilicia in this respect in the past decades.
“The church has a right to pursue this just cause, because it is the
foremost protector of human rights. Second, as a national church our church
can not remain indifferent to our nation’s suffering. Third, the
Catholicosate of Cilicia is itself a victim of the Armenian Genocide; with
its people, it is the holder of its rights and will therefore be the pursuer
of those rights until their restoration,” said His Holiness.
At the end of the meeting His Holiness questions related to national,
ecclesiastical, ecumenical and political issues concerning the Armenian
nation’s collective aims and worries.
Similar meetings are scheduled to take place with the youth in many cities
within the three dioceses of Northern America.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses 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.