PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
October 12, 2004
Holy Etchmiadzin Ordains an Unprecedented Nineteen New Priests
Sunday, October 10, was a joyous day in the life of the Armenian
Church. During the celebration of Divine Liturgy, the vast St. Gregory
the Illuminator Mother Cathedral of Yerevan was filled with faithful,
family and friends, as nineteen deacons of the Armenian Church
were anointed and ordained into the Holy Order of Priesthood by
His Grace Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Holiness, Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during this unprecedented
historic event. This marked the first occasion in memory that so many
faithful sons of the Armenian Church were ordained to the priesthood
at one time. In order to accommodate this large number of ordinates,
the ordination service was moved from the Mother Cathedral of Holy
Etchmiadzin to St. Gregory. Six of the deacons are graduates of the
Gevorkian Theological Seminary, one is a graduate of the St. James
Theological Seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and
twelve are the first graduates from the Accelerated Academic Course
for the Priesthood, under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin.
The Accelerated Academic Course for the Priesthood was a new
program instituted by His Holiness more than two years ago to select
individuals with higher educations who wished to bring their service
to the Armenian Church and Nation as priests. The Course had strict
and difficult entrance requirements: The candidates must have the
recommendation of their Diocesan Primates, a minimum of a bachelors
degree from an institution of higher learning, and passed the entrance
and subsequent exams, maintaining exemplary grades throughout the two
and a half year program. The main target of the program was to reach
out to the rural villages and settlements that are in dire need of
priests. The first twelve graduates who became priests were among the
most highly educated of the students. Among them are an architect,
a physicist, a composer, a psychologist, an accountant, a historian,
scientists and instructors.
On the evening prior to the ordination, a public examination of the
candidates’ profession of faith was conducted in the Mother Cathedral
of Yerevan. The sponsoring priests testified for the spiritual and
religious training and virtues of the candidates. The candidates
unanimously rejected and anathematized the heretics and schismatics
and vowed to follow the true faith of Jesus Christ, the Apostles
and the Armenian Patriarchs. As a sign of their orthodox faith,
they recited the dogmatic creed of the Armenian Church, written by
St. Gregory of Datev, and vowed to remain faithful to the hierarchy
of the Armenian Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The following morning, during the Divine Liturgy, the candidates
ascended to the Holy Altar of the Cathedral with the recitation of
psalms. Rev. Fr. Vardan Navasardian, assistant to the Grand Sacristan
of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, had organized a team of
deacons to assist their brothers in their vesting. After removing
their stoles from each individual deacon, they were placed back
around the ordinates necks, and turning westward to the faithful,
they raised their hands as a sign of their renunciation from secular
life and devotion to a spiritual one. The ordaining bishop anointed
the foreheads and palms of both hands of each new priest with Holy
Chrism (Muron) and gave them new names. The faithful present awaited
each new name in hushed yet eager anticipation.
Deacon Artur Hovhanissian became Father Aristakes;
Deacon Hovhannes Baghalian became Father Vrtanes;
Deacon Ararat Nurijanian became Father Husik;
Deacon Arman Shahnazarian became Father Nerses;
Deacon Mher Ghahramanian became Father Gyut;
Deacon Arman Simonian became Father Norayr;
Deacon Husik Hayrapetian became Father Babken;
Deacon Hovhannes Vahanian became Father Moushé;
Deacon Gagik Babayan became Father Mashtots;
Deacon Haik Petrosian became Father Ghazar;
Deacon Artur Sargisian became Father Smbat;
Deacon Artur Dravants became Father Matteos;
Deacon Arayik Mkrtchian became Father Manuel;
Deacon Vahan Andreasian became Father Tovmas;
Deacon Karlen Ghazarian became Father Arakel;
Deacon Vladimir Galsdian became Father Yeznik;
Deacon Garnik Arakelian became Father Simeon;
Deacon Hovhannes Sargisian became Father Pavstos;
Deacon Vachagan Babayan became Father Anania;
Following their anointing, His Grace Bishop Arshak presented the
chalice used to prepare Holy Communion to the newly ordained priests,
transferring to them the power and right to celebrate the Divine
Liturgy and distribute the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ to
the faithful. While the kiss of peace was joyfully being distributed
among the thousands of faithful, His Holiness Karekin II led the
procession of bishops, members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin,
and visiting clergy from a number of dioceses, as they ascended
the bema and conveyed their congratulations by kissing the anointed
foreheads and hands of the new priests. In attendance for the service
were Their Eminences Archbishop Datev Sarkissian and Archbishop David
Sahakian of the Mother See; Archbishop Grigoris Buniatian, Primate
of the Armenian Diocese of the Ukraine; Archbishop Mesrob Krikorian,
Pontifical Legate to Central Europe; His Grace Bishop Arakel Karamian,
Primate of the Diocese of Kotayk; Very Rev. Fr. Derenik Davitian,
Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Gegharkunik; Rev. Fr. Archpriest
Yeghishé Sargisian, Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary;
Rev. Fr. Mkrtich Proshian, Dean of the Vaskenian Seminary of Lake
Sevan; members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin; visiting
Armenian priests from the United States and Europe; visiting clergymen
from sister Churches and denominations; deacons and seminarians.
Also in attendance for this special occasion were benefactors of the
Mother See, Mr. and Mrs. Haroutiun Arslanian, from Beirut, Lebanon,
as well as the “Holy Etchmiadzin Ladies Society” of Beirut, Lebanon.
In the afternoon, a banquet was held in honor of the new ordinates
in the Pontifical Residence, hosted by His Holiness the Catholicos
of All Armenians.
Following the traditional 40-day seclusion period of fasting, mediation
and prayer, the new priests will celebrate their inaugural Divine
Liturgies at churches throughout Armenia.
##

Azeri MP throws “bus” remark back at US presidential hopeful Kerry
Ekho, Baku
12 Oct 04
Test of report by R. Orucov in Azerbaijani newspaper Ekho on 12 October
headlined ” Azerbaijani MP exposes the US presidential candidate”,
subheaded “Mais Safarli is displeased with John Kerry’s statements”
A statement made by US presidential hopeful Senator John Kerry
last week that Azerbaijan “should be thrown under a bus” has caused
political uproar in Baku (Ekho has already reported on this).
MP Mais Safarli answered Kerry from the rostrum of [the Azerbaijani]
parliament. As is known, the senator enjoys much support from the
Armenian diaspora in the USA. Ekho got in touch with Safarli,
requesting him to comment on the attitude to the issue that he
expressed in parliament.
“America is the cradle of democracy, or at least, it aspires to this
status. Of course, all election processes should proceed in this
country within the framework of democracy and the law,” the MP said.
“However, some candidates standing for the US presidency behave
immorally towards certain peoples and states. John Kerry made very
critical remarks about Azerbaijan. Of course, this is all down to
pressure from the Armenian lobby in the USA,” he said.
Safarli dwelt specifically on Kerry’s offensive remarks that Azerbaijan
“should be thrown under a bus”. I had something very sharp to say
about this. I said that these offensive remarks against Azerbaijan
were was just the sort of thing that one could expect from someone
from whose face one can tell that they themselves have been under the
wheels of a bus and now can’t think straight. Apart from that I said
that such speeches do not become a citizen of America – a country
which aspires to the title of bulwark of lawfulness and democracy.
Safarli also said he thought that one could expect something like this
only from Kerry because “this person is living on the dirty money of
Armenian terrorists and separatists”.
Meanwhile, all this is very sad and offensive since Azerbaijan is
an ally of the USA in the region. All the interests of the USA,
specifically its economic interests have been actually protected in
Azerbaijan. We are closely cooperating with the USA in the fight
against international terrorism. We feel insulted and therefore,
I decided to have a strong go at Kerry, the MP said.

MEETING AT THE NKR PRESIDENT
A1 plus
12-10-2004
On October 11, NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian received members of
the Directors’ Board of the Armenian Educational Foundation of the
USA (AEF) Hakob and Hilda Baghdasarian and Executive Director of the
organization’s department in Armenia Stepan Nalbandian. Leader of
the Armenian General Benevolent Union department in Austria Tamara
Babayan also participated in the meeting.
In the course of the meeting, Hakob Baghdasarian informed the
President about the projects, realized in Nagorno Karabakh by the
Armenian Educational Foundation. According to him, 37 schools have
been repaired and built in different regions of the republic since
1999. This year, the organization represented by him has already
reconstructed 8 schools, works on the reconstruction of the music
school are made in the town of Shoushi. Mr.Baghdasarian also added
that the Armenian Educational Foundation, besides educational programs,
planned to realise here also a number of projects on improving streets
and developing the NKR settlements.
In his turn, the Austrian spokesman of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union Tamara Babayan informed that her visit to Artsakh pursued the
aim to define the prospects of the contribution which the led-by-her
department could make to the resolution of vital problems of Nagorno
Karabakh.
Expressing gratitude to the guests for their aspiration to help
Artsakh, Arkady Ghoukassian at the same time appealed to them to
participate more actively in the republic’s development and
improvement.

Georgians who live in Russia
By M. Alkhazashvili
The Messenger, Georgia
Oct 12 2004
Russian politicians frequently mention that there are nearly one
million Georgian emigrants in Russia who work there and send nearly
USD 1.5 billion back to their homeland.
For example, speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe debate on Georgian-Russian relations last Thursday, Russian
delegate Natalia Narochnitskaya said that “twenty per cent of Georgia’s
population lived in Moscow.”
But how real are statements about one million Georgian emigrants
in Russia?
A census held in Georgia revealed that between 1989-2002, 977,000
people emigrated abroad, approximately one fifth of the total
population. The newspaper Rezonansi reports, however, that this number
includes only 280 thousand Georgians, while the other 697,000 were
from minority groups (including 163,000 Armenians and 62,000 Azeris).
This suggests that the majority of emigrants are not in fact of
Georgian ethnicity, and do not support family members living in
Georgia. Indeed, more generally, statistics suggest that only 41
percent of Georgian emigrants help their relatives, while 7 percent
actually receive support from relatives in Georgia.
Furthermore, the 2002 census held in Russia revealed that there are
only 198 000 Georgians living there, while the 1989 census found that
there were only 131,000 Georgians in Russia. This means that only
67,000 ethnic Georgians left for Russia from Georgia between 1989-2002.
It is noteworthy that in 1989 – 2002 the number of Armenians in Russia
increased by 598,000 and that there are currently 1,130,000 Armenians
living in Russia, while the number of Azeris increased by 265,000 to
a 2002 total of 621,000.
Despite such numbers, Russian MPs continue to highlight what they
describe as the very high number of Georgians living in Russia.

BRAWL EXPOSES OLD CITY TENSIONS –
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Israel
Oct 12 2004
A brawl that started when a yeshiva student spat at the cross being
carried by the Armenian Archbishop during a procession near the Holy
Sepulchre on Sunday has exposed growing tensions between traditional
Christian denominations and religious Jews in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Both were questioned by police and the yeshiva student will be brought
to trial, having been banned from approaching the Old City for 75 days.
;artid=2004/10/12/989689135

Minister Challenged over Turks’ Rights If Country Joins EU
By Joe Churcher, Chief Parliamentary Reporter, PA News
The Scotsman, UK
Oct 12 2004
No limit should be placed on Turkish immigrants seeking work in the
UK when their country joins the European Union, Europe Minister Denis
MacShane suggested today.
He told the Commons Turks should enjoy the same freedom of movement
rights as any other EU citizen and attacked the Tories for seeking to
impose quotas.
The European Commission last week recommended that accession talks
for the nation of 71 million, that lies mainly in Asia, should go
ahead.
Tory spokesman Graham Brady questioned whether the UK would set
limits for immigrants as some EU member states did earlier this year
when several Eastern European nations joined.
“Is it your view that Turkish accession should give Turkish citizens
of all ethnic groups immediate right to free movement within the EU
and the UK or will the Government seek a derogation with regard to
Turkey just as France, Germany and others did for the countries of
Eastern Europe which joined the EU this year?” he asked.
Mr MacShane replied: “When Turkey finally enters the EU, and that
frankly is a matter of some years of negotiation, then we expect that
Turkey will have the same rights as other countries.
“I regret and deplore the campaign against Poles, Hungarians and
Czechs led by the party opposite and the isolationist right-wing
press in the winter and I hope that when Turkey finally does enter
the EU the party opposite will have changed its spots and support our
partners in Europe instead of campaigning against them being allowed
to work in the UK.”
The Commission has cautioned that the talks, which could last up to a
decade and do not guarantee future membership, could be suspended if
Turkey backtracked on human rights or other reforms.
Mr MacShane said the rights of minority Kurds were “improving
steadily” as EU membership was increasingly used as a tool to secure
advances.
“For example, new laws allowing Kurdish people to study, broadcast
and register their own name,” he said.
But he was less forthcoming when pressed on what efforts Turkey
should take to address historic problems with Armenia.
“I’m a Foreign Office Minister not an historian and there are times
when history perhaps should be left to history,” he told the Scottish
National Party’s Angus Robertson (Moray).
“Turkey wants to look to a better future in the European Union. That
will require, as it requires of all EU states, to look with tolerance
and sensitivity at some of the problems of the past but sometimes the
past is best dealt by not excessively raking it up.”

Georgian-Russian border crossing closed again
Prime-News news agency
12 Oct 04
Tbilisi, 12 October: The Lars border checkpoint is closed again. The
Customs Department told Prime-News that the Lars crossing was only
open for a few hours on 11 October. Most of the vehicles which crossed
the border were lorries heading for Armenia.
“Several private cars and lorries heading for Georgia were able to
join those heading for Armenia, but after a few hours the border was
closed again,” the Customs Department said.
At present only a few cars are waiting at the Lars checkpoint,
although the Customs Department says this number could grow.
The crossing was closed unilaterally by the Russian government after
the Beslan tragedy.
In the last 40 days the crossing has only opened a few times, most
recently on 10-11 October.

CII inks MoU with Armenian chamber
The Hindu, India
Oct 12 2004
New Delhi, Oct 12. (PTI): As part of efforts to expand bilateral ties
with Central Asian nations, Industry body CII has signed a memorandum
of understanding (MoU) with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
the Republic of Armenia.
The MoU was signed in Yerevan, Armenia during CII’s ongoing ‘Enterprise
India 2004’ show, which has been organised to promote awareness about
Indian industry in the region, a CII release said here today.
The MoU aimed at fostering mutual understanding between business
communities of the two nations and to promote trade, investment and
technological cooperation, it said.
India’s trade with Armenia has remained insignificant despite a
trade agreement, CII said, adding bilateral trade in 2001 was only
5.3 million dollar as per National Statistical Service of Armenia.
The central Asian nation has sought India’s assistance in small and
medium industries, information technology, science and technology and
agriculture, it said, adding the show aimed to showcase the country’s
potential in these specific areas.

Budget expenditures will increase due to surplus profits
Gateway 2 Russia, Russia
Oct 12 2004
Russia’s federal budget surplus in 2004 will be R505.7bn, a source in
the Russian government told Ria-Novosti on the eve of the cabinet’s
sitting to discuss changes to the Law on the Federal Budget for 2004.
Initially, according to the budget for this year, a surplus of R83.4bn
was expected. “The Ministry of Finance has presented to the government
a budget forecast till the end of the year. It expects revenues to
increase by R531bn, and expenditure by R108.6bn,” the source said.
It said the increase in revenues is thanks to higher tax collection –
to the tune of R430bn – on mineral extraction, and thanks to revenues
from customs export duties.
Interest related expenditure will be down by R40.9bn, and non interest
related expenditure will go up by R149.6bn.
The source said that this means overall federal budget revenue by the
end of the year will be R3,273,8bn and overall expenditure, R2,768,1bn.
The Stabilization Fund is expected to receive R397.4bn by the end of
the year, the source said. This is R313.9bn more than envisaged by
the budget.
According to the source, the funding of the international cooperation
efforts has also increased. For example, Belarus is to receive a
credit of 175m dollars in order to finance part of the Russian gas
supplies and to balance out the trade. In addition, credit to Armenia
is to increase by 31m dollars.
In the sphere of agriculture, the current year expenditures
will be increased by R5bn. In the words of the source, this is a
contribution to the charter capital of Rosagrolizing for the purchase
of agricultural technology.
The healthcare section will be increased by R1.7bn. This sum will
cover the purchase of medical equipment.
Amendments to the budget also envisage an increase in investments. In
particular, R4.75bn will be spent on roads infrastructure projects,
while R11.9 bn will go to other capital investments, including the
reconstruction of facilities in Beslan.

ARKA News Agency
Oct 4 2004
Exhibition of opportunities of studying in the USA to be held in
Yerevan on October 8
RA Prime Minister receives members of world committee of Pan-Armenian
Games
Finnish Foreign Minister to come on a one-day visit to Armenia
tomorrow
Newly appointed Ambassador of Bulgaria to Armenia hands credentials
to RA President
Favorable conditions are created for deepening of Armenian-Bulgarian
relations
NKR President receives group of Armenian entrepreneurs and
philanthropists
RA President Robert Kocharyan receives the members of the delegation
from Isere, the region of France
Catholicos of All-Armenians meets Chairman of Council of Russian
Federation
*********************************************************************
EXHIBITION OF OPPORTUNITIES OF STUDYING IN THE USA TO BE HELD IN
YEREVAN ON OCTOBER 8
YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. An exhibition presenting the
opportunities of studying in the USA will be held in Yerevan on
October 8. According to International Research and Exchange Board
(IREX), exhibition of this type is being organized by IREX ninth year
running. The objective of the exhibition is to inform the population
about the activities of IREX and about the educational opportunities
and scientific and research work in the USA. Other international
organizations will also present their programs and lectures will be
delivered on study in the USA, films will be demonstrated about USA
higher education and possibility will be provided to take sample
English language tests. Armenian citizens who studied in the USA will
share their experience and impression with the visitors.
American study programs have been implemented in Armenia since 1992.
L.V. -0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES MEMBERS OF WORLD COMMITTEE OF PAN-ARMENIAN
GAMES
YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
received members of World Committee of Pan-Armenian Games. During the
meeting Margarian noted the importance of conduction of traditional
Pan-Armenian games in the view of strengthening and activation of
cooperation between Armenia and Diaspora. He expressed his support to
the members of the committee.
Vice President of World Committee Roland Sharoyan in his turn
represented oncoming programs related to conduction of Pan-Armenian
games. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
FINNISH FOREIGN MINISTER TO COME ON A ONE-DAY VISIT TO ARMENIA
TOMORROW
YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Finland Erkki Tuomioja will come on a one-day working visit to
Armenia. According to the Press Service Department of the RA Foreign
Ministry, in frames of the visit, meetings of the Finnish Foreign
Minister with the RA President Robert Kocharian, RA NA Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan, the RA Prime-Minister Andranik Margaryan and RA Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanian are planned. In addition, the sides will
sign Armenian-Finnish intergovernmental agreement on investment
protection and promotion. Erkki Tuomioja will also lay a wreath to
the Memorial of victims of the of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman
Turkey. L.V.–0–
*********************************************************************
NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF BULGARIA TO ARMENIA HANDS CREDENTIALS
TO RA PRESIDENT
YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. Newly appointed Ambassador of Bulgaria to
Armenia Stephan Dimitrov handed credentials to RA President Robert
Kocharian. During the meeting Kocharian noted that Armenian is
interested in development of relations with Bulgaria and ready to
assist deepening of political dialogue and activation of bilateral
cooperation in all fields. According to him, the fact that one year
ago RA President paid official visit in Bulgaria and tomorrow
Bulgarian President will pay a visit to Armenia testifies to will of
the two states to expand partnership.
The parties also discussed bilateral economic links and noted growing
volume of mutual goods’ turnover. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
FAVORABLE CONDITIONS ARE CREATED FOR DEEPENING OF ARMENIAN-BULGARIAN
RELATIONS
YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. Favorable conditions are created for
deepening of Armenian-Bulgarian relations, Bulgarian Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Stephan Dimitrov stated
at the meeting with RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian. The
Ambassador highly estimated centuries-long relations between the two
countries. Dimitrov expressed confidence that official visit of
Bulgarian President in Armenia will give new impulse to bilateral
relations.
Oskanian in his turn expressed confidence that newly appointed
Ambassador will even more expand good traditions created between
Armenia and Bulgaria. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
NKR PRESIDENT RECEIVES GROUP OF ARMENIAN ENTREPRENEURS AND
PHILANTHROPISTS
STEPANAKERT, October 4. /ARKA/. NKR president Arkadi Ghukasyan
received a group of Armenian entrepreneurs and philanthropists,
members to Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). As NKR President
General Information Department told ARKA, during the conversation the
guests shared their impressions on positive changes in Nagorno
Karabakh. They mentioned that NKR is an attracting place for
perspective businesses as e.g. tourism. At that AGBU Representatives
said that they are ready to provide assistance in realization of a
number of business and humanitarian programs in NKR.
In his turn Ghukasyan said that the Republic’s leadership considers
programs related to NKR development as priority. He said that it is
necessary to involve AGBU in Nagorno Karabakh development processes.
T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARYAN RECEIVES THE MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION
FROM ISERE, THE REGION OF FRANCE
YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharyan received
the members of the delegation from Isere, the region of France. The
delegation included the Mayors of Grenoble and Velobran Michel Desto
and Jan Pol Bred. According to RA President’s Press service
Department, the Mayor of Grenoble stated that the goal of his visit
to Armenia was to sign an agreement on cooperation between Grenoble
and Gegharkunik regions in the fields of education, healthcare and
tourism. In his turn Bred noted that French Velobran and Abovyan
Armenian city had been cities-blood brother for many years, and their
goal was to strengthen the cooperation even more. The Mayor of
Velobran also stated that he was in Yerevan 4 years ago and added
that quality changes and in the city during that interval were
obvious. A.H.- 0–
*********************************************************************
CATHOLICOS OF ALL-ARMENIANS MEETS CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL OF RUSSIAN
FEDERATION
YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All-Armenians His Holiness
Garegin II met Chairman of Council of Russian Federation Sergey
Mironov. As Echmiadzin Holy See told ARKA, during the meeting
Catholicos of Armenian Church mentioned that similar visits will
strengthen the centuries proved friendly relations between two
peoples and countries. He also expressed his condolences n relation
of tragic events in Beslan.
In his turn Mironov informed Garegin II on meeting made during his
visit and arrangements achieved. As it is mentioned in the press
release the sides also the issue of closing of Russian-Georgian
border due to Beslan events, mentioning the necessity of solution of
the problem. T.M. -0—
*********************************************************************