San Diego Union Tribune, CA
Aug 4 2005
System of a Down’s music reflects the times we live in … and if
that includes politics, so be it
By George Varga
UNION-TRIBUNE POP MUSIC CRITIC
August 4, 2005
When is a politically and socially charged rock band not a
politically and socially charged rock band?
ROBERT SEBREE
The members of System of a Down create hard-hitting music that
inspires thought as well as moshing. “When you want your music to be
timeless, you have to make your topics more broad,” says singer Serj
Tankian (second from right).
That’s the conundrum facing System of a Down, the Los Angeles-based
quartet of three Armenian-Americans and one Lebanese-American, who
combine nu-metal ferocity and prog-rock complexity with elements of
punk, goth, Armenian music and more. The uncompromising band has
always followed its muse, creating charged songs that skewer a
variety of timely targets with fire and finesse.
Some of the group’s most memorable numbers take aim at greed,
poverty, racism and decaying public morality. Other songs decry
government corruption, corporate brainwashing, blind consumerism and
the current American administration.
Witness the band’s recent hit, “B.Y.O.B.” (short for “Bring Your Own
Bombs”), which rails against the war in Iraq and features the
impassioned refrain: Why don’t presidents fight the war? / Why do
they always send the poor?
DATEBOOK
System of a Down, with the Mars Volta and Bad Acid Trip
7 p.m. Saturday; ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena, 3500 Sports
Arena Boulevard, Midway area $39.50-$44 (plus service charges); (619)
220-TIXS
Witness, too, System’s 2001 song “Deer Dance,” inspired by the
aggressive police reaction to protesters at the 2000 Democratic
National Convention in Los Angeles. In it, lead singer Serj Tankian
embraces the city’s disenfranchised citizens and laments an American
Dream gone bad, as he intones Beyond the Staples Center you can see
America / With its tired, poor, avenging disgrace / Peaceful, loving
youth against the brutality / Of plastic existence.
And there’s the rub, whether listeners or today’s glut of apolitical
pop-music performers realize it or not.
System isn’t a socially and politically charged rock band. Rather,
it’s a band whose music seems designed to reflect on the world at
large, at a time when modern life has grown increasingly politicized.
“Reflecting the times is exactly what we’re doing,” said Daron
Malakian, the band’s guitarist and main songwriter, from his Los
Angeles home. “Most artists now – and not just in music – have done a
piece here and there about what’s going on in the world. To me,
that’s no different than having a couple of (timely) songs on our
records. It doesn’t limit what we’re all about.”
A lyric sampler
The members of System of a Down are quick to note that not all of
their songs address current or past social and political issues. But
some of the Los Angeles band’s most potent songs, including its
recent radio hit “B.Y.O.B.” (“Bring Your Own Bombs”), leave little
doubt about their subject matter. Here are samples of lyrics from
each of the band’s four albums:
Revolution, the only solution / The armed response of an entire
nation / Revolution, the only solution / We’ve taken all your (abuse)
/ Now it’s time for restitution. – “P.L.U.C.K.,” from 1998’s “System
of a Down”
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons / You don’t even flinch / All
our taxes paying for your wars / Against the new non-rich. – “Prison
Song,” from 2001’s “Toxicity”
Four thousand hungry children leave us per hour / From starvation /
While billions are spent on bombs / Creating death showers / Boom!
Boom! Boom! Boom! / Every time you drop the bomb / You kill the god
your child has borne. Boom! – “Boom!”, from 2002’s “Steal This Album”
We’re the regulators that deregulate / We’re the animators that
de-animate / We’re the propagators of all genocide / Burning through
the world’s resources / Then we turn and hide. – “Cigaro,” from
2005’s “Mesmerize”
– GEORGE VARGA
Those sentiments were seconded by Tankian, the band’s energetic
frontman, in a separate phone interview from a tour stop in
Rotterdam, Holland.
“We speak of real life, that’s the point I always make,” said
Tankian, who with Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello co-founded Axis of
Power, a nonprofit, social justice organization. “We speak about many
issues in System, and most of our songs are not political. There are
personal stories and social things and humor. There are some
political things, but that doesn’t make us a political band.
“The Beatles had a lot of songs that dealt with social change and
political issues. But they weren’t tagged as a ‘political band,’ and
we seem to be. And that’s something that’s bothered us for a while.”
That said, Tankian is quick to stress that apathy must be avoided at
all costs, especially in these tumultuous times.
“Politics is not something we can ignore,” he said. “The way the
world is today, everything is kind of tied together; economics is
global and it affects our lives, whether we want to ignore it or
fight it.
“And that’s something most people don’t realize. They say: ‘I’m not
political,’ and I respect that. But politics does change and affect
our lives.”
Tankian and Malakian, who perform Saturday with System at San Diego’s
ipayOne Center, both discussed their band and its music at length.
But they responded very differently to some of the same questions.
Asked what his strongest and weakest points are, Tankian said curtly:
“I don’t know, man. I don’t think that way.”
Malakian, conversely, was eager to respond.
“Regarding my musicianship,” he said, “I can tell you a million
things, although I’ve got to say that the songs I take to System are
pretty good. Are they perfect? There’s no such thing. But if the
emotion comes across, I think that works. “As a musician, I don’t
think I’m the greatest guitar player. I’m a bigger fan of the drums
than I am the guitar; I just happen to play guitar. I play drums
almost every day at my house. I wrote a lot of songs behind the drum
kit, just having the music and vocals in my head, and playing the
rhythm. Music is an emotion and I put it out there.”
The differences between Tankian and Malakian were also visible when
they were asked to name some of their early musical heroes and
influences.
Tankian declined to answer. “I don’t have any heroes,” he said, “and
there are too many influences to name.”
But Malakian cited everyone from Kiss and Def Leppard to such
decidedly non-hard-rocking inspirations as the Partridge Family,
Christopher Cross and Wham!
“The greatest song of all time is Christopher Cross’ (sentimental
1980 ballad) ‘Sailing,’ ” Malakian said with infectious enthusiasm.
“My whole life, I’ve just really loved that song.”
Sentimental ballads are in short supply on System’s potent new album,
“Mesmerize,” which showcases music that is hard-hitting and
thoughtful, challenging yet accessible. It also demonstrates how well
the band – which also features drummer John Dolmayan and bassist
Shavo Odadjian – can use humor to make serious points. On “Cigaro,”
for example, mock, over-the-top operatic vocal flourishes provide
comic counterpoint to the barbed lyrics, which depict the war in Iraq
as a tragic game of one-upmanship by braying political leaders.
ROBERT SEBREE
System of a Down’s new album, “Mesmerize,” entered the national
Billboard album charts at No. 1 in May. Another album, “Hypnotize,”
is due before the end of the year. From left are guitarist Daron
Malakian, drummer John Dolmayan, singer Serj Tankian and bassist
Shavo Odadjian.
“Some people can take ‘Cigaro’ in a very political way, and some can
take it as a joke,” Tankian said. “Both points of view are valid.
“The type of people we are, if we can’t laugh at what we do on a
daily basis, it’s not worth doing. Even in more serious times, you
have to step back and look at things in perspective, and humor plays
an important role in that.”
The angular, ascending guitar lines on “Cigaro” are one example of
how the shared Armenian heritage of the band’s members influences
their work.
Much Armenian music employs a modal style (music based on modes, not
keys), which falls neatly between the modal styles used in Turkish
and Iranian music. The Armenian modal style, present in varying
degrees on previous System albums, also is evident on other
“Mesmerize” songs, most notably “Soldier Side,” “Lost in Hollywood”
and the polka-inflected “Radio/Video.”
“It’s something that has to do with being Armenian, and that goes for
everyone in the band,” Malakian said. “Growing up, I’d hear it at a
wedding or at church, certain church songs that are very old and
traditional for us, and they probably inspired me more than even the
wedding songs. But with my songs I can’t ever put my finger on one
kind of music, and say: ‘This is where it comes from.’ It’s like a
big mutation of all the stuff I grew up with.”
But what if the musical subtleties and lyrical metaphors of System’s
provocative music don’t get through to fans who prefer to just mosh?
“You put the food out,” Tankian said. “And some people eat less, and
some eat slowly and eat everything, and probably benefit more. You
can’t make people eat their food, you just put it on the table.”
Three that fought the power
At its worst, the mix of music and politics can result in simplistic
songs that sound smug and self-righteous. At its best, the same mix
can produce timeless music that inspires and provokes, be it the
stirring civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome” and Bob Dylan’s
gripping “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” or more recent ones like
Eminem’s “Mosh.”
Here are three of the most memorable artists to fuse music and
politics over the past 30 years:
MC5: Their recording career lasted only from 1968 to 1972, but this
Detroit band soared with its blazing proto-punk-rock and incendiary
performances. The group’s high-decibel mantra of sex, drugs and
revolution in the streets led to police raids and FBI wiretaps, but
no matter. The MC5’s legacy lives on in its ferocious music – a key
link between garage-rock, punk and heavy metal.
Key albums: “Kick Out the Jams” (1968); “Back in the U.S.A.” (1970)
Choice cuts: “Starship,” “Ramblin’ Rose,” “Kick Out the Jams” (1968);
“Tonight,” “Looking at You,” “Call Me Animal,” “High School” (1970)
The Clash: With singer-guitarist Joe Strummer at the fore, this
seminal English band made music that seethed with passion and
intensity. The group also boldly expanded punk’s stylistic palette,
embracing reggae, roots-rock and even swing. Commercial success was
fleeting (1980’s “Train in Vain” and 1982’s “Rock the Casbah” are the
band’s sole U.S. radio hits), but Green Day, blink-182 and many more
owe a big debt to the Clash.
Key albums: “The Clash” 1977; “London Calling” (1979)
Choice cuts: “White Riot,” (1977); “White Man In Hammersmith Palais,”
“Tommy Gun” (1978); “London Calling,” “Spanish Bombs” (1979)
Public Enemy: No hip-hop group before or since has rapped with such
ferocity, or produced such raging music. Eschewing empty odes to
bling-bling and booty, P.E. vividly chronicled various political and
social ills. Chuck D., the group’s masterful MC, espoused black
nationalism and took aim at corruption and inequities. Hank Shocklee,
P.E.’s in-house sonic visionary, gave the music a visceral punch that
puts most other hip-hop – then and now – to shame.
Key albums: “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” (1988);
“Fear of a Black Planet” (1990)
Choice cuts: “Bring the Noise,” “Don’t Believe the Hype,” (1988);
“Fight the Power” (1989); “911 Is a Joke” (1990)
– GEORGE VARGA
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Aug 4 2005
MILITARY PROSECUTOR OFFICE RESUMES PROBE INTO ACTS OF MASSACRE
COMMITTED BY ARMENIAN MILITARY FORCES IN OCCUPIED NAGORNO-KARABAKH
TERRITORY AND BORDERING AZERBAIJANI REGIONS
[August 04, 2005, 18:08:26]
The office of Azerbaijan’s military prosecutor told AzerTAj that
it has resumed a criminal investigation into the killing of dozens
of ethnic Azerbaijani civilians by Armenian forces during the
Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Since 1988 by the Armenian military forces and the Armenian terror
organizations were killed and wounded thousands of Azerbaijanis,
our country has fallen as victim of Armenian terror attacks, were
destroyed and sacked towns and villages of Azerbaijan. Over 600
criminal cases were opened by law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan
in connection with these barbarian actions of Armenians.
Azerbaijan’s military prosecutor says 339 residents of Khojali, a
predominantly Azerbaijani town of Karabakh, were killed in February
1992 soon after the poorly defended area fell into Armenian hands.
By the Azerbaijani military prosecutor’s office was also opened
a criminal investigation into the February 1992 killing of nearly
50 residents of Garadaghli, an ethnic Azerbaijani village of the
predominantly ethnic Armenian separatist enclave. Unfortunately this
criminal case was also suspended in December 1992.
Moreover, criminal investigation on the Khojali determined there were
3 thousand people in the town at the time of Armenian military forces’
attack by support of 366th regiment of the Soviet troops. As most part
of the population had to leave town during 4 months blockade. Hundreds
of residents were killed, 1000 peaceful people of different age became
invalid during Khojali genocide. Amongst the victims of the Khojali
genocide are 106 women, 63 children, and 70 old men. 8 families were
completely annihilated, 130 children lost one parents, while 25 both
of them. 1275 peace residents were taken hostages, the fate of 150
of them is still unknown. Therefore the Armenian murderers should be
charged in accordance with the United Nations Convention on genocide.
The military prosecutor noted the Armenian military forces have ignored
also the Geneva Convention’s relative to the Treatment of Prisoners
of War that says persons taking no active part in the hostilities,
including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and
those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any
other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without
any adverse distinction founded on race, color, religion or faith,
sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.
In connection with all these criminals of Armenian military forces
the military prosecutor office has been commenced a criminal case
on July 14, 2005. About the criminal investigation’s progressing the
public will be informed regularly, said the military prosecutor.

BAKU- TBILISI- AKHALKALAKI-KARS RAILROAD TO LINK CENTRAL ASIA TO EUROPE
[August 04, 2005, 18:12:19]
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Aug 4 2005
The Baku- Tbilisi- Akhalkalaki-Kars railroad project is of strategic
importance for the South Caucasus, and will give impetus to economic
development of the region, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar
Mammadyarov told representatives of business circles at the Azerbaijan
Center for Trade and Culture on August 3 in Washington D.C. “Imagine,
it will take you just 3 days to get by train to Brussels or Paris
from Baku,” he said.
Informing the attendees on his meetings in Washington D.C., the
Minister described the talks as very important saying they mainly
focused on anti-terror cooperation, joint efforts aimed at peaceful
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, economic relations
between the two countries and democratic development in Azerbaijan.
On the same day, Minister Mammadyarov addressed before the participants
of the round table discussion including representatives of such
non-governmental organizations as National Democratic Institute,
International Republican Institute, International Foundation for
Election Systems, as well as those of the US Department of State and
National Security Council.
During the discussion held in a “question-answer” format, the Minister
spoke of the pre-election situation in Azerbaijan.

Turkey determined to clarify Armenian genocide claims – foreign minister
Anatolia news agency
4 Aug 05
Ankara, 4 August: “We have been carrying out multi-dimensional works to
reveal the truths about the Armenian issue,” Turkish Foreign Minister
and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday [4 August].
In response to a question motion of Motherland Party (ANAP)
parliamentarian Muhsin Kocyigit, Gul said, “both the Turkish Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Turkish embassies have been carrying out
multi-dimensional works to reveal the truths about the Armenian issue.
We have published a number of books refuting the allegations
of Armenians, and sent them to decision-making mechanisms,
parliamentarians, academicians, journalists, universities,
libraries and the other relevant institutions in the world through
our embassies.”
“Also, books and articles of both Turkish and foreign academicians
were distributed to the relevant circles. The MFA holds a series
of seminars and conferences with the participation of Turkish and
foreign scientists in countries where Armenian lobby is active,
with the aim of informing public opinion,” he said.
Gul noted, “as a member of the Minsk Group of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and as a regional actor
in southern Caucasia, Turkey has been making active contributions to
efforts to resolve the Upper Karabakh dispute between Azerbaijan and
Armenia from the very beginning of the dispute.”
“Turkey closely monitors developments about Azerbaijani refugees
who were forced to leave their homes due to the occupation of Upper
Karabakh by Armenia. In addition to our aid, we pursue an active
policy in order to draw attention of the international community to
the issue,” he said.
[Passage omitted]

Roots of terrorism reach into the past
By Harout H Semerdjian
Asia Times
August 5, 2005
The roots of Islamic terrorism are not in the founding of the modern
nation- state of Israel or in the US-led war in Iraq, as some wrongly
assert. These events have merely fueled worldwide Islamic terror in
the name of Allah, or God, and once again exposed the hostile face of
Islamic fundamentalism. The recent acts of international terrorism
are a modern-day demonstration of the deadly magnitude of terrorist
objectives, particularly as they transpire on North American and
European soil. What we are experiencing today, however, is not a new
phenomenon in world history.
With the birth of Islam in the 7th century came its steadfast
dissemination, often through violence and jihad, or holy war. Over
centuries, millions have converted to Islam through good faith while
others have done so through subjugation and force under the ultimatum
of the medieval sword. On Western soil, this form of terror is largely
a new reality to cope with and is now even deemed a threat to the
very existence of civilization.
The eminent French writer Victor Hugo once appropriately remarked
that “If a man has his throat cut in Paris, it’s a murder. If 50,000
people are murdered in the East, it is a question.” For centuries
entire indigenous populations in the Middle East and elsewhere have
been exterminated in the name of religion. While the patterns of such
events are not exactly the same as what we are witnessing today in the
form of Al-Qaeda-inspired violence, the thought process behind the
systematic and orchestrated murder of innocents is. In the last 200
years, such sadistic acts have been further exacerbated by the advent
of nationalism. Unfortunately, the breadth and scope of these crimes
have been ignored by European powers due to a combination of short-term
interests and short-sighted policies, often yielding tragic results.
The first people in the modern-era to collectively fall victim to
Islamic terror were the Armenians of the Islamic Ottoman Empire. What
is today the eastern portion of the Republic of Turkey was for three
millennia the homeland of the Armenians. This land that had nurtured
generations of these people 2,000 years before the Turkic invasions of
the 11th century, became a distant land for them almost overnight in
1915. The outcome was one of the worst quantitative measures of terror
and genocide in human history, resulting in the massacre of 1.5 million
people and the destruction of an astounding 4,000 Christian churches
and monasteries. An entire people was systematically targeted and
annihilated on the grounds of their religion and what it represented
in the confines of the Islamic empire.
While this forgotten genocide, long ignored by the West, was a
calculated result of Turkish nationalism and racist policies of
Turkification, Islam was the ideological weapon for mass annihilation
and slaughter. “Whoever kills seven Christians will go to heaven,”
Islamic clerics and town criers would call out. For backward, rural
Kurdish and Turkish religious communities, killing gavour (infidel)
Armenians was an opportunity for salvation, while for the Turkish
government it was the ultimate weapon for genocide.
This is the same logic and method recently employed by Al-Qaeda,
the Taliban and other deadly Islamic terror groups to incite their
people against peaceful populations. Religion is a powerful ideology,
and ideology has proven to be the single most destructive element
in history. Today’s Turkey – a member of NATO – is considered a
strategic US ally in the Middle East. It is in this very context
of alliance that the United States should expose this dark chapter
in world history and require Turkey to own up to its Ottoman past,
and hence secure a more reliable and responsible partner in the
region. This is particularly important if this partner is said to be
committed to fighting extremism and terrorist-prone elements within
its own borders and in surrounding regions.
In Israel today, Islamic terror against the Jewish “infidels”, as
Islamists have long labeled them, has claimed the lives of hundreds
of innocent civilians. Afghan Mujahideen, the Islamic world’s favored
religious fighters, have long been known to assist the struggles of
Islamic countries and regimes. Recently, Azerbaijan hired hundreds
of such mercenaries to fight the Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. These very mercenaries were later exported to Chechnya to
fight against Russians in the name of Islam. In Africa, the Islamic
Janjaweed militias of Sudan are annihilating thousands of indigenous
Sudanese in Darfur.
Needless to say, the pinnacle of recent Islamic terror for the West
was September 11, on the very soil of America – the nation that
has been a global safe haven over the years to refugees fleeing
war, ethnic conflict and religious discrimination, including large
numbers of Muslims. Despite being a prime target of terror, America
still continues, though often controversially, to aid and assist
Arab and other Muslim countries. This is primarily because America
distinguishes Islamic extremists and terrorists from Islamic moderates,
who understand that the real message of Allah as one of peace.
Islam is a noble religion based on respect, love, charity, good
morals and values. In fact, the Koran calls the Christians and Jews,
the two other Abrahamic faiths, the “Peoples of the Book” who ought
to be protected. During the Turkish genocide of Armenians, it was
the Muslim Arabs of the Levant and Mesopotamia who honorably gave
shelter to the homeless and ravaged survivors. Islam has given the
world a tremendous amount of knowledge, piousness and wisdom. Meantime,
however, exploiters of the religion have unleashed an incredible degree
of havoc on peaceful populations in the name of their faith. What we
have witnessed among certain Muslim regimes over the past century
is nothing more than an abuse of Islam for reasons of expedience and
convenience. Their actions have been atrocious, immoral, and bellicose
acts of desperation to dominate and dictate.
The war that rages today within our own borders is a new, globalized
variant of international terrorism. This latest extent of Islamic
terror, quite ironically, has been advanced by modern, Western
technology. This is a clear contradiction of the terrorists’ struggle
against modernization – and hence a clear sign of convenience of
choice by the fighters as well as an indication of the incoherence
of their jihad.
The events of the last century, and particularly in the last
decade, should embolden the West’s commitment to fighting worldwide
terrorism. This, however, cannot and should not be done without careful
consideration of the historical development of today’s problems. The
way Islam has been exploited in the past has not been rectified one
iota by the inability of the international community to call a spade a
spade, or for that matter, a genocide a genocide. Truth has over and
again been sacrificed to the expediency of political alliances and
short-term interests, and thus the collective sense of being “beyond
reproach” has prevailed in many countries where those who mastermind
mass violence have lived. Herein lies the root of the reprehensible
thinking that a people, a race, or a country “have gotten what they
deserved” upon completion of a violent or terrorist act. Ironically,
the same expediencies mentioned above may lie at the very root of the
terrorist problems we are encountering today. US President George W
Bush has rightly demonstrated increased determination in countering
and fighting terrorism; hopefully he can match that resolve with an
equal will to understand its real causes, and to remedy some of its
most blatant manifestations through clear recognition.
We need to strengthen this effort by promoting education and
knowledge about historic and current issues of vital importance. The
key in countering current acts of violence lies in understanding and
absorbing lessons of history, and helping to set the historical record
straight. Our fortitude and capacity to acknowledge past acts of terror
will assist our current efforts in countering terrorism. Additionally,
our findings and know-how in this regard should be exported abroad
in defense of commonly upheld and applied standards of humanity. We
are not there yet – neither in reality nor in the perception of the
majority of our counterparts in the international community. Our
global partners in this effort deserve our assistance and support,
as well as the chance to benefit from our own introspection.
Harout H Semerdjian is a Research Associate at Harvard University’s
Kennedy School of Government. He holds dual MA degrees from the
Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and the University of California,
Los Angeles. He may be reached at [email protected]

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:
INTELLECTUALS MEET WITH PROSPECTS FOR
ARMENIA-DIASPORA COOPERATION IN MIND
A gathering of intellectuals will be held in Antelias on August 11-13
on the initiative and under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I.
A group of intellectuals will be invited from Armenia and the
Diaspora for this purpose. They will discuss contemporary educational,
cultural, economic, political and other issues within the context of
Armenia-Diaspora cooperation.
His Holiness Aram I will deliver the opening remarks of the three-day
meeting. A summary of the discussions and the expressed viewpoints will
be prepared after each session and will be published as press releases.
Those who wish to attend the gathering as observers should contact the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Information and Communication Department
on 04-410001 from 9:00 AM till 12:00 PM.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
history and the 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.

ARCHBISHOP VAZGEN MIRZAKHANYAN SANCTIFIES CHURCH OF HOLY BLESSED
VIRGIN OF GREAT SAMSAR, AKHALKALAK
ARKA News Agency
Aug 3 2005
YEREVAN, August 3. /ARKA/. Head of the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan re-sanctified the
Church of the Holy Blessed Virgin in the village of of Great Samsar,
Akhalkalak region, Georgia. The member of the Georgian Parliament
Hamlet Movsisyan, Mayor of Akhalkalak Nairi Iritsyan, Leader of
the popular movement “Javakhk” Norik Karapetyan and Co-Chair of the
Forum of Javakhk Intellectuals David Rstakyan were present at the
sanctifying ceremony.
After the ceremony Archbishop Mirzakhanyan blessed the flock,
congratulated them on this occasion, and called on them to keep
devotion to the Armenian Apostolic Church and to the traditions of
their fathers. He appreciated the charity of Samvel Barseghyan, a
native of this village, who sponsored the reconstruction of the church.
The village of Great Samsar was founded in 1848 by the clergyman
Barsegh (a grandfather of Samvel Barseghyan). According to some
historical data, the village was founded on the site of the ancient
settlement of Samsar, and many people think that it was Samosat. The
Church of the Holy Blessed Virgin was constructed in 1850 and was
destroyed by the 1899 earthquake. After that, the population of the
Great Samsar reconstructed it in 1902. A.A. -0–

DEFENSE OF THESES FOR ARCHIMANDRITE’S DEGREES HELD AT GEVORKYAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
ARKA News Agency
Aug 3 2005
YEREVAN, August 3. /ARKA/. Defense of theses for Archimandrite’s
degrees has been held at the Gevorkyan theological seminary.
Submitted were the works of celibate priests Ignatos Malkhasyan and
Zohrab Kostanyan, “Father Khrimyan” and “Pastorological study and
critical research.” The theses were approved by the commission headed
by Archbishop Nerses Pozapalyan. Ceremonial ordaining will soon be
held at Saint Mesrob Mashtots church. P.T. -0–

ST ASTVATSATSIN CHURCH RE-CONSECRATED
ArmenPress
Aug 3 2005
ETCHMIADZIN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS: Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanian,
the leader of Georgian Diocese of Armenian Church traveled to the
village of Metz Samsar in the Akhalkalaki region of the southern
Georgia to re-consecrate St Astvatsatsin (Virgin) church on August 1.
Armenian Catholicosate said the church was reconstructed by the funds
provided by a Russia-based Samvel Barseghian, a grandson of priest
Barsegh who was the founder of the Samsar village. Georgian member
of parliament Hamlet Movsisian, Akhalkalaki mayor Nairi Iritsian and
others were present at the ceremony.
Metz Samsar village was founded by priest Barsegh in 1848. The St
Astvatsatsin church was built in 1850s and an earthquake in 1899
affected it heavily but in 1902 with the efforts of local population
it was restored. Besides the village has churches and khachkars
(cross-stones) dating back to 11-13th century.

ARMENIAN ATHLETES SECURE BRONZE MEDALS
ArmenPress
Aug 3 2005
YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS: Yerevan wrestler Arthur Arakelian
(60 kg) won his Russian competitor in the European Free Style Youth
Championship held in the Polish city of Wrozlav and entered the
semi-final securing at least bronze medal.
Today the Armenian wrestler will fight for playing in the final.
Another Armenian athlete Myasnik Sargsian (81 kg.) participating in
the European Youth Boxing Championship held in Tallinn also played
successfully and entered the semi-final thus securing bronze medal.