NKR President Bako Sahakyan signed a decree on awarding posthumously private of NKR Defense Army’s N division Aramayis Voskanyan with the “For Service in Battle” medal for bravery shown during the defense of the NKR state border.
Aramayis Voskanyan, born in 1996, was killed in Azeri firing in one of the military units located in the eastern direction of the line of contact on January 9.
Photo by Aram Boghosuan/The Boston Globe
Peter Schworm
When the Old State House’s century-old time capsule was opened last fall, the red hardback book found inside, a routine government report, was dismissed as a mere space-filler.
Now it appears that the book’s curious inclusion was anything but an afterthought. With a corner carefully folded on a page that describes an attack agsaint Armenians by Ottoman Turks, the volume is seen as delivering a message, a call to remember from the distant past.
It was an Armenian coppersmith, Moses Gulesian, who was commissioned in 1900 to replace the wood figures of a lion and unicorn on the east facade of the building. When his work was completed, he placed the time capsule — a copper box filled with letters, photographs, and newspaper articles from the time — inside the lion’s head.
“One of the last things he did was to seal a copper box,” reported a Boston Daily Globe article from 1901.
But not before he placed the thick tome inside, nestled snugly atop the other objects as if it had been cut to size. When the capsule was opened, the book, which contained a summary of US foreign relations from 1896, was the first item seen.
Yet, the reason for such a prominent placement remained unclear. Officials at the Bostonian Society, which operates the Old State House Museum, were eager for answers, but the book’s broad scope defied them.
“It was a mystery,” said Elizabeth Roscio, the society’s archivist.
When Don and Barbara Tellalian, a couple from Newton who had researched Gulesian’s life, heard about the book, they quickly made the connection.
Gulesian was a leading figure in the Friends of Armenia, a Boston group that raised awareness about the Armenian massacres. And the book provided a historical record of attacks against Christian minorities that began in 1895.
“From his point of view, it made perfect sense to include,” said Barbara Tellalian. “It just seemed to fit.”
Don Tellalian, a retired architect who had worked on the restoration of the Old State House, set up a meeting with Roscio in October to examine the book. As he thumbed through the section about the Ottoman Empire, they came across the folded page, a cleanly pressed triangle marking page 887. The section describes an attack by Turkish forces on an American mission in an Armenian province.
“There can be no doubt I think, judging from the penetrating force of the bullets, that they were fired from rifles such as are used by the Turkish troops,” a diplomatic letter read.
In a revelatory moment, the Tellalians concluded that the book was Gulesian’s way of preserving a piece of history, to mark a moment in time for future generations. What had first seemed to be a dull, bureaucratic selection was instead a deeply personal choice to document the atrocities against his homeland, they decided.
“We knew then,” Barbara Tellalian said. “This was a passion for him.”
Gulesian was 17 when he came to the United States, arriving in New York City in 1883. He slept on a park bench before a fellow countryman put him to work at his carpet shop.
In 1890, he built a copperworks factory in Boston, and in the coming years took in scores of Armenian refugees.
He is best remembered for rallying support to save the USS Constitution from being scrapped by offering to pay the Navy $10,000 for the vessel.
Photo: Reuters
Pope Francis celebrated a historic Mass in Kenya on Thursday, a day declared a national public holiday as throngs of jubilant Catholics flocked to the capital, the CNN reports.
The Pope drove past the crowd in his popemobile, waving to thousands who started lining the streets at dawn to catch a glimpse of him.
When he got to the University of Nairobi, the site of his first Mass in Africa, choirs and traditional dancers swayed to Swahili Christian music as they waited.
Music mixed with the sound of rain wafted across the field as crowds peeked under multicolored umbrellas.
“I wish I was at that Mass now,” said Jane Waceke, who was watching the Pope on television in the town of Nakuru.
“He’s just what we needed, someone to lift Kenyans’ spirits after the terrorist attacks we’ve had. I have a sense of peace and calm just watching him.”
Serving and giving oneself for others may make one “seem like a loser in the eyes of the world,” but in reality that person is imitating Christ’s love and service, which conquered death and gave life to the world, Pope Francis said, according to the
“He who serves, saves,” the pope said. “On the contrary, he who does not live to serve does not serve to live.”
Pope Francis presided over Mass Nov. 3 in St. Peter’s Basilica in remembrance of cardinals and bishops who died in the past year. They included U.S. Cardinals Edward M. Egan of New York, Francis E. George of Chicago, William W. Baum of Washington, D.C., and Canadian Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte of Montreal.
Also remembered at the Mass were 99 archbishops and bishops from around the world who died in the past 12 months, as well as Armenian Catholic Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni.
Recalling the lives of the deceased cardinals and bishops, the pope expressed his gratitude for their vocation of serving others and said that like them, we too, “are called to renew the choice of serving in the church.”
The pope explained that although it may be difficult to understand the mystery of Christ’s humility, the secret lies in the strength of a love “that lowers itself” and “assumes the condition of a servant.”
Jesus, he continued, “made the cross a bridge toward life” that “also allows us to conquer death with him” by choosing to love others with humility.
“It is a love that does not cry out and does not impose itself, but knows how to wait with trust and patience because, as we were reminded in the Book of Lamentations, ‘It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save,’” he said.
In remembering the cardinals and bishops who have passed away this year, the pope said that the faithful are called to reflect not on what serves their needs, but rather what serves the needs of others.
Christians, he said, are “not called to be officials who perform services, but beloved children who give their lives for the world.”
Artak Barseghyan
Public Radio of Armenia
“The developments in Syria and Iran do not directly affect the prospects of Armenia-Turkey normalization. But there may be some indirect connections,” Nigar Göksel, the Turkey and Cyprus Analyst for International Crisis Group’s Turkey/Cyprus Project, said in an on-line interview with Armenian journalists.
“One effect of the conflict in Syria is that Turkey is significantly distracted by the turmoil in its southern neighborhood and has less attention to spare for the Caucasus. For Ankara to embark on an ambitious initiative regarding normalization with Armenia becomes accordingly less likely. The war in Syria drains Turkey’s strategic and political attention, and leaves less for any initiatives related to the Caucasus. Developments in Syria also dominate the discussions between Turkey and the West, pushing Armenia-related agenda items down in the list of importance,” she said.
“European capitals are engaged with Ankara primarily on the IS-threat and migration issue. Armenia-Turkey relations do not make it to the radar,” Nigar Göksel added.
Armenian has welcomed the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Senate of Paraguay.
“The continuity of the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide proves that the crimes against humanity have no statute of limitation, and the humanity continues to recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide even 100 years after it was committed,” Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said in a statement.
“With this step the Senate of Paraguay made an important contribution to the international efforts of preventing genocides and crimes against humanity,” the Foreign Minister stated.
Three Armenian civilians were killed as a result of ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side on September 24.
The rival used artillery weapons and mortars of different calibre as it opened fire in the north-eastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The shelling left three civilians killed in Tavuh Province (Paytsar Arakelyan, 83, Shushan Asatryan, 94, and Sona Revazyan, 41).
“As a rule, the Azerbaijani side resorts to provocative actions on the eve negotiations and meetings targeted at the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict, intentionally escalating tension at the border. This comes to prove that the military-political leadership of the neighbouring country ignores initiatives aimed at peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and periodically destabilize the situation at the line of contact,” the Armenian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
“The current situation is a result of insidious tactics of the Azerbaijani military-political leadership and contradicts the logic of negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and the principles of international humanitarian law,” the Ministry declared.
The Armenian Ministry of Defense urges the Azerbaijani side to refrain from steps aimed at escalation and take practical measures to stabilize the situation. It also urges residents of villages bordering Azerbaijan to avoid serving a shield for own Armed Forces.
“The Armenian Armed Forces will resort to equivalent actions to stabilize the situation and restrain the Azerbaijani troops,” the Ministry said, adding that “the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan will bear full responsibility for the consequences.”
On the occasion of the 24th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia, President Serzh Sargsyan has signed decrees awarding high state decorations to a number of workers of science, education, sports, arts and culture, as well as to representatives from the areas of healthcare, economy, army and law-enforcement bodies. In addition, honorary and highest titles, as well as ranks have also been conferred upon.
According to a , Executive Direcor of Public Rdaio of Armenia Armen Amiryan has been awarded a Title of Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Armenia.
Serzh Sargsyan handed over the decorations to the awardees with significant achievements and success during the solemn awards ceremony which took place at the Presidential Palace. The Armenian president congratulated all the awardees on the occasion of the holiday and on being awarded the high state decorations and wished them success.
Remarks by RA President Serzh Sargsyan during the Independence Day Awards Ceremony
Dear friends,
I cordially welcome you to the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Armenia. It is with pleasure that I congratulate all of you on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and on receiving high state titles and decorations.
State award ceremonies usually take place on important holidays. Independence Day is innermost and bright just like the generation of independence to which you will pass on the heights achieved in your spheres.
All of us should be fully aware of the fact that it is necessary to recognize, honor and encourage the people who deserve it. We should put the principle of justice at the core of our state so that we are able to separate the good and the nice from the bad and the evil.
We have here with us many honorable sons of our state and society. These decorations are merely a symbolic means to express our people’s gratitude for your honest, fruitful work and service. I have no doubt that the time will come for all devotees, and the next honorable ones will receive their decorations.
Dear friends,
We are grateful to all those representatives of different spheres who push forward our society and state with their diligence, persistence, inexhaustible creative vigor and with their faith in the future.
Today’s warmth should give new impulses to all of us so that we settle down to work with new energy. We are obliged to only bear those impulses but also to pass on them to our families, relatives and friends in order for our entire society to be inspired with them.
I congratulate you once again on receiving high state decorations and titles. I wish you and your families good health, happiness, further success and achievements.
Thank you.
Armenia trip is featured in Season 10 of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians Show that returened on E! Sunday.
Sunday’s mid-season premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians began with the family cooking dinner at Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick’s house. But Kourtney was understandably upset that Kylie Jenner flaked on spending time with them.
“Kylie has been really distant, just not responding to texts, which is so not like her,” Kourtney said. “I just feel bad. With her dad transitioning, everyone’s been really emotional…and I just want to make sure that she’s okay, but I haven’t even seen her.”
Later, Kim Kardashian met Khloé Kardashian at her house as she was packing for their very first trip to Armenia! “You, me, North and Kanye are going to rule that town!” Khloé said. “Dad would have been so excited,” Kim replied.
Afterward, mama Kris Jenner visited Khloé to find out if Rob Kardashian was going to join his sisters in Armenia. “You know he’s not going,” Khloé told her mom. “You guys have got to leave him alone and let him have a breather.”
“I just want to encourage him to go,” Kris replied. “So, you want to force him to go to Armenia with the most popular Armenian girl ever?” Khloé responded.
Subsequently, Kim and Khloé flew to Armenia later that night with Kanye West and North West. When they touched down, it was safe to say they were greeted with a warm welcome. The sisters were obviously thrilled to visit the country and learn about their ancestors, but they were disappointed that Rob and Kourtney weren’t there.
At their hotel, even more fans were waiting outside. “They’re all chanting Kim’s name,” Khloé said. “Kim is in her glory. She loves all this. If Kim ever loses a little bit of fame, she should just move to Armenia. She’ll be golden for the rest of her life.” LOL!
The next morning, Khloé and Kim got ready to embark on an Armenian adventure around the city. But first, Kim had some surprising news to share with her little sis! “I am pregnant!” Kim said. Yay!
“When did you find out?” Khloé asked, surprised. “Like two days ago,” Kim responded. “But I haven’t told anyone, just you. I told North last night, but I don’t think she understands.” Aww!
“I really thrived when you were fat and pregnant and they compared you to a whale,” Khloé said to her. “It was the first time I was ever the thin one.”
“This is like your moment to shine,” Kim told her. “You’ve got to do every sexy photo shoot you could possibly imagine. Kourtney’s just not sexy anymore.” Ouch!
“That’s so sad that you guys have to be pregnant for me to be the thin one,” Khloé joked.
Kim, Khloé and their cousins visited an authentic Armenian carpet factory for dinner, music and a traditional fashion show. When the cultural center representative came over the welcome the ladies, Khloé had an unusual request for the attractive woman. “My brother isn’t here and you’re such beautiful girl, can I take a picture of you? I want to show my brother how beautiful Armenian girls are!”
Following fashion show, Kim told the representative that she really liked one of the necklaces. She immediately took it off the model’s neck and gave it to Kim to wear! “Literally, if Kim said, ‘Oh, you’re daughter is so cute,’ they would give Kim their daughter!” Khloé said. Ha!
Later, the sisters were given the opportunity to try on traditional Armenian garments. After that, the group invited Kim to dance, but she coerced Khloé to join in the festivities in her place.
In Armenia, Kanye visited the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, an art and technology school, where the students got an opportunity to play their music for the Grammy-winning artist!
Elsewhere, Kim and Khloé met with a genealogist to learn more information about their heritage. She told them that they were able to locate their ancestors’ hometown and their old house, and they would be able to visit! Then, the conversation turned to the tragic Armenian genocide. “My great-great grandparents—that’s why they moved to California,” Kim revealed.
Later that night, Kim called her mom to chat. When Kris started tearing up about Caitlyn Jenner’s transition, Kim cheered her up with her excited pregnancy news! “That’s the best thing I’ve heard in so long!” Kris said.
Apple has unveiled a larger iPad tablet, a TV box with its own app store and new iPhones that can detect how firmly their screens are being pressed, the BBC reports.
The firm suggested the iPad Pro was suited to work tasks, video games and both editing and watching movies.
Sales of the company’s earlier iPads had been on the decline.
Apple said the “3D touch” feature of its new phones “transformed” the experience of using them by making it easier to use and switch between apps.