PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
December 17, 2004
___________________
CHURCH CELEBRATES HISTORY OF SUCCESS
Like so many parishes, the story of the Holy Resurrection Church of
South Milwaukee, WI, reflects the larger story of Armenian Americans.
As more and more Armenian immigrants found their way to America, some
wandered away from the concentration of Armenians on the East Coast. In
1910, five Armenians traveled to South Milwaukee to work in its
factories. Finding the community welcoming, they beckoned their
Armenian brothers and sisters to join them.
In just two short years, the Armenian community in South Milwaukee
jumped to more than 100 individuals. By 1924, community leaders decided
the expanding community needed its own spiritual home. Until that time,
the Armenians had celebrated badarak with visiting pastors at St. Mark’s
Episcopal Church.
The community soon bought its first sanctuary, the former St. Luke
Church. It was the first Armenian church in Wisconsin.
In 1960, fire destroyed the church. But the community did not sit idly
by. As generations had done before, they found the faith to rebuild.
On April 15, 1962, Archbishop Sion Manoogian, then-Primate of the
Eastern Diocese, traveled to Wisconsin to consecrate the new Holy
Resurrection Church.
“Our predecessors set the foundation of this parish and skillfully
piloted this community through trying times,” wrote Fr. Vahram Hazarian,
the current visiting pastor of the Holy Resurrection Church, in a
message celebrating the parish’s anniversary. “Every generation has its
own challenges. Generations come and go, but nations persist. The
Armenian Church has been the tabernacle of our timeless values. A
church is not merely comprised of four walls and a roof. You — the
parishioners — are the church.”
The people of the church turned out in large numbers on October 24,
2004, when Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the current Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), traveled to South
Milwaukee to celebrate the church’s 80th anniversary with the
parishioners.
“The founders of this church and the generations that have followed have
always shown a great sense of dedication and devotion. That has always
been a cornerstone of the Holy Resurrection Church,” said the Primate,
who celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the parish and attended a banquet
where hundreds from the three parishes in Wisconsin joined to mark the
anniversary. “God has given the great Armenian community of South
Milwaukee a truly passionate spirit. So far from our motherland, they
have come together and built a truly Armenian community of faith.”
That sense of community and connection is still alive in South
Milwaukee. And it is the reason the community endures after so many
years and so many challenges.”
“A parish excels on the laborious shoulders of her children,” Fr.
Hazarian explained.
— 12/17/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Parishioners from the Holy Resurrection Church of
South Milwaukee, WI, turn out for a celebration of the parish’s 80th
anniversary.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): During a celebration of the parish’s 80th
anniversary, the Holy Resurrection Church of South Milwaukee, WI, honor
some of the stewards who have played a role in making the parish a
spiritual home for the area’s Armenian community.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Diocesan Council member Oscar Tatosian speaks about
his memories of the Holy Resurrection Church of South Milwaukee, WI,
during the parish’s 80th anniversary celebration on October 24, 2004.
# # #

President: There are Forces Trying to Harm Azeri-Georgian Relations
Baku Today
Dec 18 2004
Commenting on the current situation on the Georgian-Azerbaijani border,
President Ilham Aliyev told journalists on Friday that the issue has
been clarified.
“All problems on the border will be eliminated after we make sure that
no cargo is passed to Armenia,” underlined the President, saying that
Azerbaijan and Georgia are committed to fighting contraband.
Aliyev noted that consignments are smuggled to Armenia through
Azerbaijan, President Aliyev said: “We will not have this happen
again”. He stressed that the border will remain closed until a normal
work schedule in Georgia is provided.
Expressing his stance on the recent incident involving Azerbaijanis
living in Georgia, President Aliyev said that a peaceful life of
Azerbaijanis abroad is a very important issue for the state.
“There are forces trying to harm the friendly relations between the
two countries. We know who they are. Unfortunately, there are such
forces in Azerbaijan as well. However, the main forces are outside
the country. We cannot allow hurting the strategic partnership between
Georgia and Azerbaijan.”
President Aliyev called on the Azerbaijanis living in Georgia to
respect the laws of the country and not to commit violations. He
also voiced his confidence that all the outstanding discrepancies
will be eliminated.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (E.)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
December 17, 2004
__________________
ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL TO TAKE PLACE ON
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2005
In accordance with the earliest Christian traditions concerning the
Nativity of Jesus Christ, the Armenian Church celebrates Christmas on
January 6. This holy occasion will be observed at the St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral in Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services. A
special liturgical schedule will be in effect on Wednesday and Thursday,
January 5 and 6, 2005. Please make a note of the times.
On ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS EVE–Wednesday, January 5– there will be an
Evening Service with Scripture Readings (by students from the Diocese’s
Khrimian Lyceum) at 6:30 p.m. The Divine Liturgy will immediately
follow, beginning at 7:30 p.m., celebrated by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, the
cathedral dean.
The St. Vartan Cathedral Youth Choir–with the participation of students
from the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum, and from area Diocesan Armenian
Saturday schools–will sing the Divine Liturgy, under the direction of
the Maro Partamian. A reception will take place following the services.
On ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS MORNING–Thursday, January 6–His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The
Morning Service begins at 9:30 a.m., and the Divine Liturgy follows at
10:30 a.m.
This year, the sacred music will be sung by both the Gomidas Choir and
the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Kris Kalfayan and
Maestro Khoren Mekanejian.
According to Armenian tradition, this feast day commemorates not only
the birth of Christ, but also His baptism by John the Baptist. The
latter is remembered through the “BLESSING OF WATER” ceremony, which
will follow the Divine Liturgy. Mr. Mark Gabrellian, of Wyckoff, NJ,
will serve as “godfather” of the Blessing of Water service.
After the cathedral January 6 church services, a HOME BLESSING SERVICE
AND CHRISTMAS RECEPTION will take place in Haik and Alice Kavookjian
Auditorium, featuring a dance presentation by the Akhtamar Dance
Ensemble. The reception is open to all; admission is free.
Armenian Christmas will also be observed at local parishes across the
Eastern Diocese. Please contact your local parish to ascertain the date
and time of its celebration.
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is located at 630 Second Avenue (corner of
34th Street and Second Avenue), in New York City. Armenian Christmas
Eve services begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5. The Armenian
Christmas Morning Service on Thursday, January 6 will begin at 9:30
a.m., with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy beginning at 10:30
a.m., followed by the traditional Blessing of Water ceremony.
–12/17/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Mark Gabrellian, of Wyckoff, NJ, will serve as
“godfather” of the Blessing of Water service at New York City’s St.
Vartan Cathedral on January 6, 2004.
# # #

YOUNG ARMENIANS STAGE PROTEST IN FRONT OF EUROPEAN UNION OFFICE IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). The European Union member states
should not start the negotiations on the issue of Turkey’s joining the
EU until Ankara has not recognized the Armenian genocide committed
in 1915-1923. This was stated during the December 17 protest action
staged before the EU Armenian office. Representatives of the ARF
“Nicol Aghbalian” students union, the “Mitk-Kentron” youth analytical
organization and the students unions of various higher educational
institutions took part in the protest.
The protesters handed a letter over to the representative of the
European Union office. In the letter they express their concern about
the fact that Turkey consistently renounces the Armenian genocide,
conducts a hostile policy with respect to Armenia, as well as about
the scandalous facts of the human rights violation in this country. In
the document the Armenian youths express hope that the EU leasders
will not yield to an inoportune and momentary interest, to Ankara’s
“insincere and vain reforms” and will make a correct decision by
rejecting the negotiations on Turkey’s joining the EU until in
particular Ankara does not recognize the Armenian genocide
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Links: ‘We Turks want to be a part of Europe, but with our honour and values
intact’: People say they cannot continue to sacrifice their culture and feel
insulted by hostile European attitudes
The Guardian – United Kingdom
Dec 18, 2004
HELENA SMITH IN BEYPAZARI
Since Ottoman times, the people of Beypazari have rarely had to stop
their slow-motion lives to think of the world beyond the Anatolian
slopes that surround them.
But this quiet town, a showcase of social and economic progress which
is anchored at the country’s east-west crossroads, has been obsessed by
the thought of Turkey achieving membership of the EU, and the arguments
raging here yesterday were doubtless being echoed across the land.
For some in the town, there is the giddy excitement that a 40-year
wait to join the continent of Europe may be coming to an end; others,
though, say this must not come at any price. And if they had one
thing in common yesterday, it was irritation with the EU.
Many said they felt unhappy at what they viewed as the EU’s lack of
regard for the country’s culture and traditions.
“They [Europeans] have been teasing us for 40 years. And now they’re
delaying our membership again. It really bothers us,” said a local
jeweller, Ismail Akbay. “We don’t have to accept whatever the EU
asks from us. That’s just too many sacrifices. We should try and find
a mid-point.”
Even worse, said Yakup Turkoglu, a restaurant owner, was the blatant
discrimination of some EU states against the predominantly Muslim
country. “Personally, I think our bond with the EU can only be
economic. We can’t be united politically or culturally because the
EU has so many prejudices against us as Muslims.”
Huddled against the biting cold in a popular tavern, Peri Memis, a
headscarved mother-of-two, agreed. “I’m really worried that Europe’s
going to ask us to change our traditions and bring up our children
with cultural values that aren’t our own,” she said, clasping her
daughter’s hand. “They’ve already said we’re not allowed to eat the
intestines of sheep.”
But in Beypazari, at least, it is the perception of being “humiliated”
by an EU allegedly bent on moving the goalposts that remains by far
the biggest complaint. Why, many asked, should Turkey fulfil any more
conditions if there was no guarantee of the country joining the union?
“We Turks want to be part of Europe, but with our honour and values
intact,” said Irfan Solmaz, a factory worker. “The Europeans are
humiliating us with so many conditions. We’re afraid that as Muslims
we’ll be assimilated in this Christian club.”
Even Mansur Yavas, the mayor of the market town and an undiluted EU
enthusiast, said he felt “hurt” by the attitudes of Europeans towards
his country. All the talk about minority rights for Turkey’s Kurdish
and Armenian communities, he said, had rekindled suspicions that
Europe’s underlying intention was the break-up of the Turkish state.
There were certain red lines that Turks couldn’t cross. “Now they’re
asking us to say we discriminated against the Armenians when we never
did any such thing,” he said indignantly.
“The conditions they’re placing on us are becoming comical. Soon
they’ll be saying Turkish men should cut off their moustaches and
change their hairstyles. All of these are double-standards that were
never imposed on any other [EU] candidate.”
So far, under the leadership of the prime minister, Tayyip Erdogan,
Ankara’s Islamic-leaning government has skilfully contained mounting
resentment towards the EU. Yesterday, Mr Yavas admitted that, like
Turks elsewhere, many of his constituents’ ambivalence over Europe
was born of ignorance.
But he added: “Every day they wake up to a new condition from the
EU. The misconception that we’ll have to change our culture is very
much to blame on the confusion that has arisen as a result.”
Few places evoke as much admiration among Turks as Beypazari, and
there is recognition here among business leaders of the advantages
that EU membership could bring.
Barely five years ago, the town was a jumble of decaying wooden houses,
testimony to the poverty and unemployment that have marred Turkey’s
EU aspirations.
Under Mr Yavas’s entrepreneurial mayorship, buildings have been
restored and the handicraft industry re-energised, triggering a
tourism boom that few ever expected. Far from hiding in their homes,
women now stride purposefully along the streets, selling their wares
in gaily coloured shawls.
“Beypazari proves how fast things can change in Turkey,” said the
mayor, seated behind a laptop computer in his spacious office.
With the success has come optimism, highlighted by the dream of
joining the EU. Locals hope that, soon, they will begin exporting
rice and cotton as well as the town’s famous carrots to the bloc.
“We made the decision to look west with Ataturk [the soldier-statesman
who founded the modern republic out of the crumbling Ottoman empire
in 1923],” said Mr Yavas. “Turks have always wanted to have the same
living standards as people in the west.”
eu-np.htm Turkish government: EU
programme
EU delegation to Turkey
guardian.co.uk/turkey
An EU flag flies in front of a mosque in the Turkish capital, Ankara

DIRECTOR OF CATHOLIC NEAR EAST WELFARE ASSOCIATION IN ANTELIAS
ANTELIAS, LEBANON, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). His Grace Robert Stern,
the director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, visited
on December 16 His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Great House of
Cilicia. He was accompanied by the Middle Eastern director of the same
organization and his assistant. Located in New York, the Association
serves the humanitarian needs of Christian communities the countries
of the Near East.
The meeting with His Holiness was an opportunity to have a general
discussion on the ongoing activities of the Association.
According to the Press Office of the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I appreciated the work of the Association
particularly emphasizing the going collaboration with the churches. His
Holiness considered helping the Christian communities of the Middle
East of crucial importance to strengthen the Christian presence and
witness in the region.

ARAM I:”INFORMATION SHOULD BE APPLYED WITH THE PURPOSE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF COOPERATION BETWEEN CURCHES”
ANTELIAS, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). The international congress of the
Christian Informational Commission organized by the World Council of
Churches completed its work on December 10. It was held in Antelias
at the Mother See Church of the Catholicosate of the Great Cilician
House. Catholicos of the Great Cilician House Aram I received members
of the Commission before the completion of the sittings. His meeting
in the residence lasted over an hour.
Emphasizing that the current period is characterized with the
significance of mass media, Catholicos Aram I particularly spoke of
the following points: it is necessary that one should refrain from the
vulgar propagandistic approaches to information, information should
be applied with the purpose of Christian education and formation,
information should be applied with the purpose of the establishment
of cooperation between the churches.
Catholicos Aram I highly estimated the work carried out by the
commission. The new programs were elaborated and decisions on their
implementation were made in the process of work.
According to the press divan of the Catholicosate of the Great
Cilician House, Head of the Inter-Confessional Commission of the
Catholicosate of the Great Cilician House Manushak Boyajian is the
head of the Commission on Christian Information.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS’ MEETING AT WESTERN DIOCESE OF ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). On December 15,
the Religious Leaders’ meeting took place at the Western Diocese
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America, hosted by His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Diocese. The
religious leaders meet once a month in a luncheon meeting, rotating
the location between the members of the council. According to the
Press Office of the Diocese, the leadears discuss issues common to
the churches of the community. The Western Diocese had the privilege
to host the religious leaders this month.
Present at the meeting were: Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Western
Diocese; Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Western Diocese; Rabbi Mark
S. Diamond, Board of Rabbis; Rev. Jane Heckles, United Church of
Christ; Dan Romero, United Church of Christ; Bishop Mary Ann Swenson,
United Methodist Church; Richard C. Garner, United Methodist Church;
Grant Hagiya, United Methodist Church – LA District; Dr. Samuel
S. Chetti, American Baptist Church of Los Angeles; Donald Smith,
Presbyterian Church; Rabbi Alan Henkin, Union for Reform Judaism.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA CELEBRATES HOLIDAY SEASON WITH MEMBERS, ACTIVISTS
WASHINGTON, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). The Armenian Assembly of
America (AAA) held a series of holiday events across the U.S. this
month, thanking friends and members for their support throughout the
year and encouraging their continued activism in strengthening the
U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Karabakh relationships in the year ahead.
On December 12, supporters in the nation’s capital were briefed by
Armenian Caucus Member Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D-MD), who spoke
about the importance of grassroots activism and reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide.
“We have an obligation not to give up,” Van Hollen told supporters at
the Armenian Embassy. “We must make sure that the world never forgets.”
According to the AAA, the afternoon program, which was led by Board
of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah and Capital Region Host Committee
Members Clara Andonian and Doris George, included remarks by Armenia’s
Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Arman Kirakossian and Assembly Executive
Director Ross Vartian. The event, which was organized by members of
the Assembly’s Capital Region Host Committee, also included a slide
presentation of presidential photos by White House photographer Joyce
Naltchayan Boghosian.
>>From his home base in Massachusetts, Board of Directors Chairman
Anthony Barsamian participated in events in Arlington and Charlestown,
as well as an event in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Starting in Rhode
Island on December 7, Barsamian joined Board of Directors Member
Corinne Heditsian and RI District Chair Nathalie Yaghoobian in honoring
outgoing District Chair Jake Harpootian. A Fellow Trustee since 1991,
Harpootian was credited with rallying local activists and advocating
for congressional support of Armenian-American issues. That event was
organized and led by Development Co-Chair Lu Ann Ohanian and the New
England Regional Council.
The Council’s two other events were held at the Armenian Cultural
Center in Arlington and at the Meze Restaurant in Charlestown. The
first event held on December 8, welcomed Board of Trustees President
Carolyn Mugar and local officials including State Representative
Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown.) The second event, dubbed the
“The Next Leadership Group Party,” was a holiday mixer for young
professionals. Held on December 9, the event was organized by
Assembly supporter Joanne Tashjian and her children, Christopher,
Joy and Noelle. The events in New England also included a year-end
update from Executive Director Vartian.
The Assembly’s Great Lakes Regional Council hosted its annual holiday
event at Council Chairman Edgar Hagopian’s Roche Bobois store in
Novi, Michigan on December 5. More than 80 people turned out for the
event which included legislative briefings by Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) and Board Chairman
Barsamian. Guests also included State Representative Shelly Taub
(R-Bloomfield Hills) and several other community leaders. The Great
Lakes Regional Council assisted in planning the evening.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles-area supporters kicked-off the season
with a reception at the Four Season’s Hotel on December 3. Assembly
Western Office Chairman Richard Mushegain and Board Member Lisa
Kalustian welcomed 60 area supporters to the event, which included
a briefing by Mushegain on the Assembly’s legislative achievements
in 2004.
Also in California, Assembly Life Trustees Roger Strauch and Dr. Julie
Kulhanjian Strauch opened their suburban Piedmont home on December
5, helping the Assembly and its members celebrate another successful
year. Among the highlights of the evening was a presentation by Roger
Strauch on the organization’s achievements in the San Francisco Bay
Area. Deputy Executive Director Peter Abajian was also on hand to
provide a report on the Assembly’s national activities.

PRIMATE ATTENDS BANQUET TO BENEFIT MILLENNIUM ARMENIAN CHILDREN’S VACCINE FUND
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). Upon the official
invitation of the Ani and Narod Memorial Foundation, on the evening
of Wednesday, December 15, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
attended a banquet entitled “Mistletoe and Miracles”, in benefit of
the Millennium Armenian Children’s Vaccine Fund.
According to the Press Office of the Diocese, speakers featured
at the banquet included His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate; Golden Globe Winner Mike Connors; Angie Turner, CEO,
American Red Cross, San Gabriel Valley Chapter; Michael Mahdesian,
Former Deputy Director, Bureau of Humanitarian Response, US Agency
for International Development; Lisa Grande, UN Resident Coordinator;
and Raffi Ardhaldjian, Chief Volunteer Office, Ani and Narod Memorial
Foundation. Tamar Kevonian from Mosaix Magazine served as Master
of Ceremonies.
In his remarks, His Eminence addressed the attendees with the words,
“Tonight we are rejoiced with your presence as you become partners in
this God-pleasing mission, namely the Millennium Armenian Children’s
Vaccine Fund. As we prepare ourselves to celebrate Christmas, this
evening challenges us to renew our Christian spirituality, to put our
Christian faith in actions, to reach out to the Children of Armenia,
and to put a sense of joy in their hearts.
“We commend the exemplary work launched tonight by the Ani and Narod
Foundation, thus helping us to enrich our spirituality in participating
in this significant mission. We extend our sincere appreciation to
Raffi Ardhaldjian, the founder of this organization, as well as to
all its members.”
In closing the Primate said, “We all can give. We all should
give. Tonight with our participation, we make a milestone in the life
of the community. We become instruments of love and instruments of
change in the hands of God.”