Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2005
Stagnation predicted in Armenia

Considering Armenia’s geo-political position and problems related to
its economic growth, the country’s future remains questionable for
Armenians. Therefore,
Armenian NGOs started implementation of the `Armenia-2020′ project in
2002.
The results of the project will be published in a book in Armenian,
Russian and English languages shortly.
The project coordinator Ardashesh Kazagetsyan told local media that
according to the project, only an insignificant part of people
involved in the project believe in economic progress in Armenia in 20
years.
`The majority of participants believe the situation in Armenia will
be the same or even deteriorate in 20 years, which is scary.’
Kazabetsyan stated that the project was participated in by 1,000
representatives of Armenia and 500 from the Armenian Diaspora in
foreign countries. The participants were from different regions and
with various occupations, he said.
Kazabetsyan continued that the project was valued at $2 million,
which was funded by wealthy Armenians living abroad. One part of the
project was prepared in Armenia and the other three parts in the
United States.*

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2005
Companies dispatching cargo to Armenia determined

Azerbaijani businessmen and 5 Georgian companies involved in
transporting cargo to Georgia and then to Armenia through Azerbaijan
have been determined.
A criminal case has been started over the activity of these
companies, the names of which are not disclosed, the Georgian Customs
Department reports.
According to initial investigation, the Azerbaijani companies have
transferred goods, which were purchased from Kazakhstan and
Turkmenistan, to Armenia.
Azerbaijani ambassador to Georgia Ramiz Hasanov told local ATV
channel that he was not authorized to name these companies.
Under the agreement reached with the Georgian Ministry of Finance,
the Azerbaijani government is regularly informed about the further
destination of the transit consignments.*

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2005
Carriages en route to Georgia detained again

Freight carriages en route to Georgia through Azerbaijan were
detained two days ago to ascertain whether or not they were further
bound for Armenia. The number of such carriages withheld at Boyuk
Kasik and neighboring railway stations has reached 709, the State
Railway Office said.
336 of the carriages are loaded with grain, 278 with diesel, 36 gas
and 31 stove fuel, and the rest with other products.
In December, the Azerbaijani authorities detained numerous carriages
at Boyuk Kasik and other railway stations being transported through
the country’s territory to find out whether they were en route to
Armenia. After an investigation, the State Customs Committee chairman
Kamaladdin Heydarov said the companies engaged in transporting
consignments to Armenia were determined but did not disclose their
names.
According to the existing agreement, the cargo going through
Azerbaijan is not to be transported to Armenia through Georgia.
A working group is working at the Azeri embassy in Georgia to
ascertain the destination of the consignments.*

Los Angeles Daily News
Jan 14 2005
Trial ordered in stalking by use of GPS
Ex-boyfriend, 32, charged
By Naush Boghossian, Staff Writer
BURBANK — A 32-year-old man was ordered on Thursday to stand trial
on charges that he used a high-tech tracking device to stalk his
ex-girlfriend, the first case of its kind in Los Angeles County.
Following a daylong preliminary hearing, Ara Gabrielyan, who managed
a video store, was ordered tried on charges of stalking and making
criminal threats. He is accused of attaching a cell phone equipped
with Global Positioning System technology to the car of Gayane
Indzheyan, 35, and using it to keep track of her whereabouts.
Indzheyan testified during the hearing that Gabrielyan refused to
accept that she was ending their two-year relationship, and would
call her as many as 100 times a day.
“He said, ‘It’s going to be me or no one else in your life for the
rest of your life,”‘ she said.
“This was a relationship I wanted to be out of. I was dealing with
someone who was capable of doing anything … someone who’s pretty
dangerous,” she said. “I was dealing with it so it would end one day
and it would not end tragically for me or him.”
The Glendale businesswoman also testified that Gabrielyan was
violent, breaking her car windshield with his fist and crashing into
her parked car at work.
She said she became suspicious he was following her when he began to
show up at unexpected places, including Los Angeles International
Airport and even her brother’s grave site.
“I started thinking, How come he knows where I was all the time?” she
said.
Before she tried to end the relationship, Indzheyan said, she put up
her house and $20,000 in cash to bail him out of jail after he was
arrested in January 2004 on charges of credit card fraud.
Gabrielyan’s attorney argued that Indzheyan never really ended the
relationship and continued to call and have sex with him in order to
ensure that he would appear in court and she wouldn’t lose her
property.
“She used a fragile man as a puppet. Rather than ending the
relationship, she used herself as bait,” said defense attorney Andrew
Flier.
Outside court, Flier said he hopes to resolve the case before it goes
to trial later this month, with Gabrielyan being deported to Armenia,
where his family lives.
Prosecutors maintain that Gabrielyan was extremely manipulative,
making Indzheyan stay with him and comply with his desires.
“It wasn’t that she was stringing him along. She didn’t need to,”
prosecutor Keri Modder said. “He’s obsessed with her and wouldn’t
leave her alone. It’s a classic case of stalking.”

United Press Interntional/Washington Times, DC
Jan 14 2005
Oskanyan plans to visit Equatorial Guinea
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan plans to visit Equatorial
Guinea in mid-February, seeking the release of six Armenian pilots
convicted on Nov. 26, 2004, on charges of taking part in a failed
coup attempt and espionage. A court in the capital Malabu sentenced
the chief pilot to 24 years in prison and the rest to 14 years each.
Oskanyan said recently that the Equatorial Guinean authorities are
willing to meet with him, and details of the visit are being worked
out. Beginning in Jan. 2004 the pilots flew an AN-12 transporter
registered in Armenia but operating out of Equatorial Guinea under a
contract with a German company. On March 7, the pilots were arrested
in Malabu following the failure of the alleged coup. They denied all
charges, saying they had only begun working in Malabu two months
earlier. South African Nicholas de Toit, accused of masterminding the
coup attempt, received a sentence of 63 years in jail, while three
compatriots received sentences of 50-60 years. Equatorial Guinea
citizens convicted on the same charges received a one-year sentence.
The lawyer for the Armenian pilots has appealed their sentence in the
Supreme Court of Equatorial Guinea.

Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep
Jan 14 2005
Azerbaijani FM: Talks With Armenia To Continue
13 January 2005 — Azerbaijan’s foreign minister says talks between
Azerbaijani and Armenian officials on the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute
will continue.
Foreign Minister Araz Azimov recently returned to Azerbaijan from
talks with his Armenian counterpart in the Czech capital Prague.
Azimov said that, while both sides still have disagreements on the
issue, everyone is interested in reaching a peaceful settlement.
Nagorno-Karabakh is a predominantly Armenian exclave in Azerbaijan.
It has had de facto independence since Armenian-backed forces won
control over the territory in 1994 following a six-year war.
Armenian-backed forces and Azerbaijani troops continue to face off
across a demilitarized zone in the region.

Zaman, Turkey
Jan 14 2005
Armenia: Friend or Foe?
Published: Friday 14, 2005
zaman.com
Yerevan is a stone-gray city. Only the girls with hairs colored in a
standard way have smiles on their faces, here, in this city, and only
music forms networks and links between souls, here, in this country.
Throughout the visit, I was caught between the feelings that our
common ties were so strong or that our grudges would separate us
forever. Just as my attitude was constantly changing, I found the
attitude of the Armenians I spoke to oscillate between wondering why
Turkey wouldn’t show mercy and open its borders, or why Turkey won’t
accept and take responsibility for the genocide.
The last stop of the visit initiated by the East Conference on the US
meddling in the region was Yerevan and the theme was “let’s get
acquainted with our neighbors so that if anything happens to them, we
will know who they are.” Armenia was not under the same threat as
other countries we visited; on the contrary, Armenia believes it will
join NATO to integrate with the US and to consolidate its security.
The irony is that what America means for an Iraqi today is the same
as what Turkey meant for an Armenian. Not that we were beaten or even
insulted, and the meeting at the Tashnak Sutyun Party was incredibly
refined despite the many excessive demands and messages it included.
They managed to present even the most radical demands in a highly
aesthetic way, saying, “Our radicalism derives from our sincerity in
asking for the establishment of a permanent peace.” Members of
Tashnak Party, which demands the return of Armenia’s historical
territory and maintain the allegations of genocide as if it happened
yesterday, were convinced that Turks made pilgrimages to Talat
Pasha’s grave. They were surprised when we said that Turks don’t even
know where his grave is, and put this misunderstanding down to the
lack of knowledge about the other between Armenia and Turkey. They
went on to say that if Turkey recognized the genocide, it would be a
sign that political problems no longer needed to be solved through
the use of force.
My blood feud or my neighbor
Turkey is both Eros and Thanatos for Armenia, a country that
continues to defend its claims at the same level and in the same
severity without knowing that they make the meeting of its demands
impossible. Even on the first day, we came across with an event at
Turkology Department at Yerevan State University which we could not
understand whether it was staged or not. While Vice Rector Melikyan
was welcoming us saying: “It is nice that you came and we should
appreciate this contact as all we want is a stable dialogue so there
will be no problems for Turkey to open its borders,” one of the
students stood up and called us to “stand up for the memory of those
who died during the genocide.” Quick-thinking Aydin Cubukcu stood up
in the memory of “all Turks and Armenians who died in those years.”
Thus, our Armenian brothers, who have built almost their whole
national identity on the tragic events of 1915, stood up for Turks in
the name of deaths they themselves caused, and perhaps this was a
‘first’.
It could be said that the East Conference claimed many ‘firsts’ in
this sense as our program included a visit to the Chief Patriarch of
the Armenian Diaspora Karekin II, which is apparently the first
meeting of the Patriarch with such a delegation. The Patriarch is a
polite man with a beaming face who was extremely open and warm. While
he called the genocide an unquestionable reality, he did not dwell on
it, instead talking of a policy that favors the development of
relations between Armenia and Turkey. We understood it as a sign of
his pleasure at the visit that the Patriarch showed us the locked
case holding the golden letters of the Armenian alphabet, which hold
religious significance and a special place in the Armenian identity.
2005 will be celebrated as the 1600th year of the Armenian alphabet
and an exhibition regarding this is planned to be held at the Louvre
in Paris. This is further evidence of the strength of the Armenian
diaspora, with seven million living abroad, twice the number of those
in Armenia. The diaspora is very important for Armenia as the
country’s economy stands on the financial flow of $600 million from
abroad. The only industry in the country is a cognac factory.
Opaque future, sulky faces
Surveys about Armenia’s future have found 50 percent see the future
as ‘unclear’. Armenian Research Center surveys have found that around
the same amount have no hopes for economic improvement in the short
term and are concerned about security issues. The desire to join NATO
rises in line with tension with Azerbaijan. A very small number of
people, meanwhile, think that going further to west will detach the
country from Russia and this will give “rather negative results”.
Russia plays the role of a hysterical father who loves but also beats
his children. The Armenian National and International Research Center
finds that except for a small minority who prefer Russia due to
geographical proximity, the majority of the people find the US more
rational and acceptable than Russia, but each negative development
stimulates people in panic to get closer to Russia. Turkey’s
attitudes and approaches are also included in these developments.
In my opinion, this environment is responsible for the sulky
expression on people’s faces and a fear of Turks, but there are
lovely things, too, in Yerevan and people who defy your expectations.
For example, the guidance of two Armenians of Istanbul origin, Ara
and Sevan, who work at Jamanak newspaper (which means “zaman”), and
their both being avid “Zaman” readers. Also my confusion after the
incident in the Turkology Department in the gift shop of the hotel I
was staying in, as I was quizzed on the state of Afyon, where the
shop assistant’s mother was from. I could not tell her much about the
present state of Afyon and this made me embarrassed a bit. As I said,
being a Turk in Yerevan is like traveling with a suitcase full of
embarrassment. When you say, “We came from Turkey”, the answer you
will get might be, “No problem”. On the other side, several meetings
that started in an unfriendly way ended in friendship when they
deepened a little. You frequently feel in meetings: “If only that
history had not existed, how nice it would have been.”
Is it possible that Armenians could move on? In fact, there is some
development in this direction. Garen Bekaryan, whom we talked at the
European Union (EU) Integration Center, says: “In fact, Armenians
might have to bury this genocide issue into history, but Turkey’s
massing of troops at the border during the Karabag incident revived
past fears.” She is not wrong on this point. Russia sent Armenia
50,000 soldiers after Turgut Ozal’s remark “What happens if a bomb
falls on Armenia?” These soldiers are still in Armenia, ostensibly to
protect it, but are damaging the country’s attempts at
democratization in the meantime.
The situation resembles the riddle of the chicken and the egg. It
seems that both sides must embrace their responsibilities and it’s
unlikely that a solution will be found overnight.
NIHAL BENGISU KARACA

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected]
Website;
January 14, 2004
**********************************************
ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT THE CANADIAN ARMENIAN PARISHES
On the morning of January 6, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church
throughout Canada in all parishes celebrated the Feast of the Holy
Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In TORONTO’S HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH, morning service started at
9:30 a.m. following which the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by
Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian. The Divine Liturgy concluded with
blessing the water with Holy Myuron.
At the end of his sermon Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian invited all
men named Avedis to the altar, gave them candles that were brought
from the Mother See of Etchmiadzin and blessed them.
In SAINT CATHARINE’S SAINT GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN CHURCH the
faithful parishioners attended the Armenian Christmas Liturgy. The
Primate’s representative of the Golden Horseshoe area Very Reverend
Father Hayrik Hovhannisyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy, assisted by
Rev. Fr. Datev Melenguitchian, Pastor of St. Gregory Church and Deacon
Vrej Berberian, Assistant to the Pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian
Church. The lights shone brightly throughout the church, as the
congregation greeted one another in the traditional greeting “Christos
Dzenav yev Haydnetzav” and responded “Ornialeh Haydnootoune
Christosi”. The Godfather for the year 2005 is Shahe Melengutichian,
Sunday School student of the Church.
For 75 years, the tradition of celebrating Armenian Christmas in St.
Catharines, has been the preparation and offering of Pagharch
(unleavened bread) to the community. This time-honored tradition
continues today, with the aid and support of our church
community. Under the capable direction of Helen Boyagian, the baking,
the digging out the melted butter and the garlic tahn are followed,
according to customs handed down through the generations. The workers
are the children and grandchildren of those gallant survivors of the
Armenian Genocide, who brought with them memories of their
homeland. Once a year, from near and far, they arrive, with homemade
tourshi (pickles) and a nostalgic appetite for one more Armenian
Christmas of delicious pagharch.
In HAMILTON’S SAINT MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH faithful celebrated the Eve
of Nativity and Theophany on Wednesday January 5th, 2005 with Very
Reverend Father Hayrik Hovannisyan, and The Day of Nativity and
Theophany on Sunday January9th, 2005 with Reverend Father Archpriest
Sarkis Gulian.

Both occasions included beautiful services of the Divine Liturgy and
provided young and old with the opportunity to rejoice in the coming
of Christ and renew their faith for the New Year. On Wednesday January
5th, prophetic scripture readings were read by Sunday School Students
Julia Apgarian, Sarkis and Tikran Mardikian. On Sunday January 9th,
2005 the blessing of the water took place and the children were
brought onto the alter and were blessed along side Sunday School
teachers Mrs. Silva Keleshian and Miss. Alexia Citak. Following the
Sunday service there was a luncheon in the Hall. The children received
gifts from Santa and everyone was joyful. The Feast of the Miraculous
Nativity ofour Savior Jesus Christ was a very cheerful and happy time
at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church of Hamilton.
In other parishes St Vartan of Mississauga, Holy Cross of Laval and
St. Vartan Armenian Church of Vancouver, Armenian Christmas
Celebrations took place as well as the ceremony of the Blessing of
Water. The St. Mesrob Parish of Ottawa will be celebrating the Divine
Liturgy this Sunday. His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian will
preside over the celebration and deliver his message.
The Primate His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian celebrated Divine
Liturgy at Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral of
Montreal assisted by Very Reverend Father Ararat Kaltakjian and
Reverend Father Vazgen Boyajyan. Serving the Altar were the deacons
and the acolytes of the Church. The Gomidas Choir of the Church sang
the Divine Liturgy conducted by Varoujan Markarian. Hundreds of
Armenians from Greater Montreal area attended the Christmas
Celebration. Verabadveli Manuel Jinbachian was the special guest
invited bythe Primate.
In his sermon, Bishop Galstanian said, “It is with a glorious economy,
that on the important milestone of the changing of the year, the image
of the Holy Nativity rises up in our minds and thoughts, as on this
significant occasion we meet with Jesusâ=80¦
Particularly, on these days, when we read the story of the Birth of
Jesus, we come across the Magi’s, who having traveled a long way “knew
Him”. His Eminence continued “In today’s culture of independent
individualism, and inthe chaos of multicultural globalization, there
are so many “spiritual orphans”who do not have a sense of identity,
accountability or commitment, yet there appears the same and
unchangeable image of Jesus “and He Himself is the propitiation for
our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole
world”(1 John 2:2). He added, “Today is a feast of Love. It is the
feast of God’s unlimited love with humanity. The Creator bows to His
creatures out of His boundless love and so what remains for us is to
KNOW HIM.” He then concluded, “With these thoughts, I lovingly extend
my congratulations to all Canadian Armenians on the occasion of the
New Year and Holy Nativity. With these thoughts we wish to see our
people live with the highest of values, apart and liberated from all
pettiness and life-consuming issues. The knowledge and insight of
Peaceand Love that must be expressed only by deeds, reaches our souls
and minds, through the voice of the newly born Jesus. “Anyone who does
not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not
love his brother” (1 John 3:10).
In his message, Bishop Galstanian also spoke of the significance of
the new year of 2005, noting that the Armenian people will celebrate
the 1,600th anniversary of the Invention of the Armenian Alphabet and
solemnly commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Primate officiated over
the Service of the Blessing of the Waters, in commemoration of the
Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan. The Godfather of the Cross
this year was Gregoy Dikranian. Serpazan congratulated the Dikranian
family on this blessed occasion.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a traditional reception was held in the
Marie Manoogian Hall.
* * *
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE AT THE HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH IN TORONTO
On the evening of January 5, the Eve of the Holy Nativity and
Theophany of Jesus Christ, a candlelight Divine Liturgy was celebrated
in the Armenian Church throughout Canada.
With the joyous singing of “Christ is Born and Revealed,” our Church
proclaimed the great tidings of Jesus’ birth to her faithful.
Hundreds of faithful, representatives of sister Churches as well as
Ecumenical guests in the Toronto region gathered in the Churches to
hear the traditional reading from the prophet Daniel, the readings
from the Holy Scriptures on the birth of Christ and to participated in
the liturgy.
On this joyful occasion, the Primate celebrated Divine Liturgy in
Toronto Wednesday, January 5, 2005 during which the Metropolitan
Archbishop Sotirios was the guest speaker.
Evening vesper started at 6:00 pm. Along with prayers and Christmas
hymns Sunday School students of the Church read the passages from
prophetic scriptures. It was rewarding to hear the Jr. Choir of the
church accompanied by the Sr. Choir in singing the Liturgy Hymns and
especially the Christmas songs.
In his sermon, our Primate expressed gratitude to the guest clergies
who had come to share Christmas with our faithful and praised the
dedication of the parish priest Fr. Zareh Zargarian. He then invited
the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada His Eminence
Metropolitan Archbishop Sotiriosto convey his thoughts on the eve of
Christmas.
The Eve of Nativity and Theophany was observed in the entrance of the
church where His Grace offered a Home Blessing service, and prayed for
our Lord to keep and protect the Armenian Church, her hierarchal
centers, her dioceses, clergy and faithful under the protection of His
Holy Cross.
Guest clergies were His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios
(Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada), Rev. Fr. Haridimos
Sarris (Greek Orthodox Church), Rev. Fr. Theodore de Oliveira (Greek
Orthodox Church), Costas Ketsetziz (Greek Orthodox Church), Very
Rev. Fr. Yeghia Kirejian (Pastor ofSt. Gregory the Illuminator
Armenian Catholic Church), Rev. Fr. Canon Harold Nahabedian (Rector of
St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church).
* * *
DIOCESAN FAITHFUL RESPONDE POSITIVELY TO TSUNAMI RELIEF
On January 11, 2005 His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galsanian met with the
representative of the Canadian Red Cross Mrs. Ginette Archambault in
his office. During the meeting Mrs. Archambault talked about the
current relief efforts undertaken by the Canadian Red Cross in Tsunami
struck areas.
On behalf of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church Bishop
Galstanian handed a cheque of 11.000 CAD to the representative of Red
Cross which willbe doubled by the Federal Government. Mrs. Archambault
thanked the Primate andthe Armenian Community for responding very
positively. His Eminence Bishop Galstanian stated that 17 years ago an
earthquake took many Armenian lives in our Motherland and more than
anyone we feel the grief and pain of the people inthe Tsunami
devastated areas. He then added, “Our prayers go with the victims and
the families of this natural disaster, and we wish you courage in your
most rewarding mission.”
* * *
MONTREAL BASED SEATPLY INC. DONATED 5000 CAD
It is with deep appreciation and gratitude we acknowledge that as a
response to the Primate’s appeal towards helping Tsunami victims,
Montreal based SEATPLY INC donated 5000 CAD. On this occasion,
Mr. Levon Afeyan, Presidentstated that “after reading Serpazan’s
appeal I couldn’t sit back and do nothing”. Over 20 employees from Sri
Lanka and other countries around Indian Ocean work for Seatply Inc.
Seatply Inc. offered the employees to donate their time. The outcome
was that a total 190 hours were donated by the employees that amount
to 2500 CAD, the company doubled this amount. On Friday, January 8,
2005 Mr. Afeyan accompanied by Martin Fiset and Murugavel Rajaratnam
handed a cheque of 5000 CAD to the Primate.
We thank the Seatply Inc and its president Mr. Levon Afeyan for the
thoughtful and heartfelt humanitarian act.
* * *
YOUTH RALLY ORGANIZED BY THE PRIMATE
On Thursday, January 13, 2005 the Primate of the Diocese of Canada His
Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian organized a Youth Rally.
The event took place at the Diocesan Hall 615 Stuart Avenue at
7:30pm. During the meeting CYMA’s 2004 Mission to Armenia (Youth
Project), 90th anniversary of the commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide, Diocesan Camp Project, 1600th Anniversary of the Invention
of the Armenian Alphabet and many other issues related to the Youth
and its involvement in the community life were discussed.
>From the very inception of his mission as Primate, Bishop Galstanian
has emphasized the importance of the role of the Youth in the
community’s build-up and prosperity. On many occasion during his
visitations to mission parishes and in relatively greater communities
such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, His Eminence has met with the
Youth and listened to the difficulties and challenges they face. He
has shown support and understanding to the Youth and has encouraged
them to actively participate in the mission of the Church.
* * *
THE GOOD SAMARITAN OUTREACH MISSION IN THE HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY SCHOOL
On January 8th and 9th 2005, the Students of Holy Trinity Armenian
Apostolic Church Sunday School graduating class participated in an
extraordinary Outreach Mission called ‘The Good Samaritan’. This was
one of many new traditions initiated this year by Rev. Arch Fr. Zareh
Zargarian. The purpose behind the Mission is to strengthen faith and
to activate Christ’s teachings in the students’ daily lives.
Participation in the Outreach Mission prompted the students to take an
active role in serving the community and spreading the good news of
Nativity and Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The children
followed an itinerary and visited families who were in need of support
and encouragement. They also visited families who were long time
supporters of the Church to show appreciation and respect for their
commitment, love and devotion.
The families were very surprised and overjoyed to the point of tears
to see the students with candles in hand, singing Christmas Carols,
the sweet smell of incense at their doors. The student Missionaries
spent time with every family during their visits and expressed
heartfelt best wishes while Rev. Arch Fr. Zareh celebrated the House
Blessing (Doun Orhneq) and prayed for the healing of the sick.

The Good Samaritan Outreach Mission was in fact very inspiring and
heartwarming. Putting into action the lessons learned at the school
encouraged the students to feel the real meaning of their studies in
the Spirit of Service. They could see how important they were as the
future responsible members of our community and had the duty to carry
out the teachings of the Bible by caring for others as in the parable
of the Good Samaritan.
The mission was coordinated under the auspices of Rev. Arch Fr. Zareh
and organized with the help and support of Dn. Vrej Berberian
(Principal), Mrs. Taline Gumushdjian (Chairperson of Board of
Trustees), Mrs. Takouhi Knadjian (Vice Principal), Mrs. Viviane McLean
(Board Member and PTO Chairperson), and Mr. Andranik Mirzoyan (Grade
7 Teacher).
In conclusion we would like to express our gratitude to everyone
involved and especially the parents who understood the true meaning of
the Mission and allowed their children to participate and become
messengers in the Spirit of Service, for the Nativity and Revelation
of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was an emotional day for the families and
most especially, an emotional day for the students. A real Christian
duty was put to practice. May God Bless and protect our student
Missionaries.
The participants were, on Saturday, Nareg Zargarian, Alisha
Shahmirian, Anashe Shahmirian, Maryam Meherian, Mayram Mesrop, and on
Sunday, Nareg Zargarian, Tamar Atik, Talar Thomasian, Allen
Sarkissian, Raffi Garabedian, Sarkis Kaltakjian, Sipan Galstanian.
* * *
BISHOP BAGRAT GALSTANIAN MEETS WITH THE ACYOC AND CHRISTIAN MISSION
COMMITTEE AT THE HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH (BY GREGORY
KALAYDJIAN)
On Tuesday January 4, 2005, His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian got
together with the Toronto Jr.-and-Sr. A.C.Y.O.C. along with the
Christian Mission Committee to discuss the role of the Armenian youth
in the Armenian Orthodox Church. Bishop Galstanian praised everyone
for his or her hard work and dedication to the Church. Various topics
were discussed including the value and meaning of A.C.Y.O.C., the role
of A.C.Y.O.C. in the Armenian Orthodox Church, and different ways we
can attract more youth to become an active and participating member of
the Church community. Bishop Galstanian emphasized the importanceof
educating people about the different facets of the Armenian Orthodox
Church including our holy procession ‘Badarak’. He has even offered to
teach the youth the meaning of ‘Badarak’ on a monthly basis so that
they (the youth) may understand and appreciate the various proceedings
and prayers that constitute this holy procession.
Overall, it was an enlightening experience to have Bishop Galstanian
in our presence discussing these various issues with the youth. The
importance of youth in our Church can never be over-emphasized but
without the proper guidance and leadership they will lack focus and
direction and will quickly lose interest in the Armenian Church
community. A train can have many cars but will go nowhere without its
conductor.
* * *

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Youth Federation – Western Region, USA
Glendale “Roupen” Chapter
104 N. Belmont St. #206
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Nairi Mirzayan
E-Mail: [email protected]
Http://
AYF Glendale Offers Free Tutoring for High School Students
Glendale, CA — The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Glendale “Roupen”
Chapter is kicking-off 2005 by establishing a new weekly tutoring
program for local high school students in the Glendale area. Local AYF
members who are currently college students and college graduates will
offer tutoring services in all of the primary high school subject areas
including mathematics, science, and English literature and writing.
The weekly tutoring sessions will begin this Saturday morning from 11:00
AM until 1:00 PM at Saint Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church on Central
Avenue in Glendale. All high school students who need assistance in
improving their study skills, grades, and homework are welcome to
attend. The tutoring sessions will continue every Saturday throughout
the academic year.
“The AYF’s number one goal is to educate the Armenian youth and the
establishment of this free high school tutoring program is an effort to
promote and initiate academic excellence throughout the
Armenian-American community here in Glendale” stated Razmik Libarian,
chairperson of the AYF Glendale “Roupen” Chapter.
If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about the AYF
Tutoring Program feel free to stop by Saint Mary’s Armenian Church this
Saturday, or contact the AYF at: [email protected], or 818.500.1933.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation serves Armenian American
communities west of the Mississippi through activities in education,
athletics, political activism, cultural awareness and social gatherings.
Over seventy years of organizational experience brings the AYF into the
twenty-first century prepared to tackle the critical issues facing
Armenian youth today. To learn more about the AYF please log on to

Whitehouse.gov (press release)
Jan 14 2005
Memorandum for the Secretary of State
Presidential Determination
No. 2005-18
SUBJECT: Extension of Waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support
Act with respect to Assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan
Pursuant to the authority contained in title II of the Kenneth M.
Ludden Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law 107-115), I hereby determine and
certify that extending the waiver of section 907 of the FREEDOM
Support Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-511):
is necessary to support United States efforts to counter
international terrorism;
is necessary to support the operational readiness of United States
Armed Forces or coalition partners to counter international
terrorism;
is important to Azerbaijan’s border security; and will not undermine
or hamper ongoing efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement between
Armenia and Azerbaijan or be used for offensive purposes against
Armenia.
Accordingly, I hereby extend the waiver of section 907 of the FREEDOM
Support Act.
You are authorized and directed to notify the Congress of this
determination and to arrange for its publication in the Federal
Register.
GEORGE W. BUSH