Author: Badalian Vardan

MEET YOUR CAPTAINS: SAM BABAYAN

The Captain’s Log
Feb 5 2015

If Sam Babayan only had thirty seconds to tell you his life story,
he’d do it in five. “My life is me being torn between things,” the
sophomore said, although that’s not actually as terrible as it sounds.

The first thing Babayan is torn between is which of his parent’s
cooking he prefers. His mother is Dominican and his father is
Armenian, so Sam grew up eating traditional dishes from both of their
homelands. Just don’t ask him to pick a favorite, because he won’t
be able to choose.

In all honesty, such a dilemma has “given me a love of diversity. I
had the privilege of being raised speaking both of their
languages–speaking Armenian and Spanish; that’s actually something
I’m really grateful for,” said Babayan.

Babayan learned English in school, where one day he eventually picked
up his love for psychology and biology–the other things he can’t
choose between. “I really love science a lot, and how quantifiable
everything is, and how there’s a concrete answer to everything. As
difficult as calculus can be, I really like that sometimes…. but then
I go to a psych class and get a multiple choice question where there’s
all kinds of different right answers. It can be really ambiguous,
but I really enjoy it.”

Sam is currently double majoring in cell/ molecular biology and
psychology, and is well aware of what his post-CNU future holds. “I’m
definitely going to grad school. It’s necessary. Med school is an
option, but it’s going to be hard…. Maybe I’d do a doctoral program
for neuroscience, if everything works out.”

But Babayan has no desire to take his practice too far afield. “I
don’t see myself anywhere other than the DC metro area,” he said. “I
was born and raised there; I like the city and there are a lot of
things to experience.”

For the time being, Babayan wants to focus on making it through
undergrad. Unfortunately, this comes with a few tough decisions.

As a freshman, Babayan was a member of the Presidential Leadership
program, but in the beginning of his sophomore year he had to withdraw
to accommodate both of his majors.

He also gave up football–one of his primary reasons for applying to
CNU. “I was originally going to play football for CNU,” he said. “I
played all of high school, and it was an awesome experience that
lead to friendships I’ll have for the rest of my life. That was
something I wanted to continue and hone, but I chose CNU because I
didn’t want the stress of having to play on scholarship.” Ultimately,
things didn’t work out, and Babayan had to walk away from his dreams
of being a Captain on the gridiron.

As it turned out, walking away from one dream opened the door for
another opportunity. “I was approached by a bunch of older guys on the
rugby team who invited me to a few of their practices,” said Babayan.

“It took some getting used to, because [rugby and football] are two
very different sports. They brought me out, and it was the same kind
of brotherhood that I’d found with football in high school.”

Some of his favorite memories concerning rugby involve their public
philanthropy. “We did Dude Looks Like a Lady last year, and it was
really cool to play a full-contact rugby game in dresses.”

Another perk of rugby is that “it isn’t as life consuming as varsity
football was.” So with his free time Babayan participates in a couple
committees for the Delta Upsilon brotherhood, and he also serves as
the fraternity’s IFC representative.

In addition to his time with DU, Babayan is an RA for York River East,
2B. He spent his own freshman year on hall 4A. “I’ve lived in the
same building for half of college,” he jokes. But being an RA “has
been an amazing experience. I wouldn’t trade the relationships that
I’ve built with my residents for anything. They make it all worth it.”

“ARMENIA SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE INDEPENDENCE OF PALESTINE”

February 5 2015

“Armenia must demonstrate a clear stance on the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. I think that the first step should be the recognition of
Palestine by the Parliament of Armenia”, such a statement was made
by the Head of “Globalization and Regional Cooperation” NGO, also
political scientist Stepan Grigoryan in the interview with “Aravot”.

He does not consider this move beyond the context of Armenian matters
or outdated.

Moreover, he thinks that it should be prior to marking the centennial
of the Armenian Genocide. “Israel has a rather one-sided approach on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Israel is also selling advanced offensive
weapons to Azerbaijan, and it built several military factories in
this country and so on. In other words, Israel is obviously running
an anti-Armenian policy in the region,” he said, adding that Israel
is also obviously running a subjective, even hostile policy on other
issues. “For example, on January 28, the Holocaust Remembrance Day,
the Israeli leader said in his speech from the UN podium that the
other genocides should be condemned, including the “Khojaly massacre”.

Such a statement ahead of the Genocide Centennial is obviously a
hostile attitude,” opines the political analyst and believes that the
Armenian side should not leave this statement unanswered. The move of
recognizing the independence of Palestine by Armenia, according to him,
will be viewed quite well by Europe and Russia, which also supports
the interests of the Palestine on this issue. “Several European
countries’ parliaments, and Sweden even at the government level,
recognized the independence of Palestine. But most importantly, the
Arab world will respond to Armenia’s move positive, which will boost
the future Genocide recognition process.”

Nelly GRIGORYAN

Read more at:

Armenian Studies Program
Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Coordinator
5245 N. Backer Ave. PB4
Fresno CA 93740-8001

ASP Office: 559-278-2669
Office: 559-278-2669
FAX: 559-278-2129

Visit the ASP Website:

Photo caption:

SAS Conference in Washington, D.C. Seated, left to right: Dr. Rouben
Adalian, Khatchig Mouradian, Asya Darbinyan, and Umit Kurt.

Standing: SAS President Barlow Der Mugrdechian

PRESS RELEASE

Society for Armenian Studies Holds Elections
for Executive Council Officers for 2015

The Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) celebrated its 40th anniversary
at its Annual Membership meeting held in Washington, D.C., held on
Saturday, November 22.

A new Executive Council was elected with Barlow Der Mugrdechian
(California State University-Fresno) chosen as the new SAS
President. Also elected were Vice President Bedross Der Matossian
(University of Nebraska-Lincoln); Secretary Lilit Keshishyan (UCLA);
Treasurer Sergio La Porta (California State University, Fresno); and
advisors Tamar Boyajian (Michigan State University), Marc Mamigonian
(NAASR), and Jean Murachanian (University of New England).

On behalf of the SAS newly elected President Der Mugrdechian thanked
outgoing President Kevork Bardakjian (University of Michigan-Ann
Arbor) and outgoing Secretary Ani Kasparian (University of
Michigan-Dearborn) for their dedicated service to the Society.

`It is a privilege to be elected as the new President of Society for
Armenian Studies. The SAS plays an important role as a forum for
scholars to meet and exchange ideas. SAS members conduct research in
many different fields, but in each case this is related to the study
of Armenia and the Armenian people. This research is shared with other
academics and with the public at large, bringing greater awareness
about Armenian culture,’ stated Der Mugrdechian.

In 2014 SAS held several major activities to mark its 40th
anniversary, including an international Armenian Studies Workshop in
Yerevan, Armenia, October 3-5, with 44 scholars participating from
Armenia and abroad. In November the Society sponsored a two-day
conference in Washington, D.C. on =80=9C Armenians in the Ottoman
Empire in the 19-20th Centuries.’ This year the SAS planning several
activities in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, including co-sponsorship of a major international conference
` Crossing the Centennial: The Historiography of the Armenian Genocide
Re-Evaluated,’ March 19-20, with the Department of History and
Humanitarian Affairs Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
organized by SAS Vice-President Bedross Der Matossian.

The SAS annually publishes a peer-reviewed Journal of the Society for
Armenian Studies , edited by Sergio La Porta, and a Newsletter .

The SAS website, societyforarmenianstudies.com, provides information
about events and activities about the Society. The Society does
encourage supporting membership for those who wish to financially
support the SAS. The Secretariat of the SAS is based in the Armenian
Studies Program at California State University, Fresno. For more
information please call the SAS at 559-278-2669 or send an email to
[email protected].

ARTIST SELECTED FINALIST IN PARAMOR PRIZE

South West Advertiser
February 4, 2015 Wednesday

by Kirstie Chlopicki

A circuit board taken from a disassembled computer served as the
foundation for an art work submitted by Gary Deirmendjian for this
year’s Paramor Prize.

The Armenian artist, who is visiting his family home in Bonnyrigg,
has been chosen as one of 40 finalists whose work is displayed at
the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre for the inaugural exhibition.

Mr Deirmendjian said that he was working at a merchant bank when he
was inspired by the circuit board that would become his futuristic
artwork METROPOLIS NEW – The savage loses heart.

“These circuit boards as I was pulling them out just sort of connected
with me; they looked like a town plan, they hinted at regularity and
containment,” he said.

“It’s like a model of a future city.

“There’s this notion of futurism and what the future may hold.”

Mr Deirmendjian teaches at the National Arts School, Darlinghurst,
and said he aimed for his work to be socially critical and question
where we were as a society, where we are going and what we are
leaving behind.

“You communicate through your work,” he said.

“I’m a maker, so I make what I feel.

“I’m very dubious about this notion of progress.”

Although he feels strongly about the message of work, Mr Deirmendjian
hopes viewers will take away their own meaning.

“You’re planting seeds.

“The aim of many works is to help the viewer see themselves, to go
away with a part of yourself.

“All I can do is put what I understand in front of them.”

Powerhouse curator Adam Porter said the artists were selected from
a shortlist and they each showed excellence in art.

The theme of the exhibition is innovation and the prize was named
after local artist Wendy Paramor, in memory of the 40th anniversary
of her death.

Artist Erica Seccombe received the $20,000 top prize for her work
Virtual Life at the exhibition opening on the weekend, while Susanna
Strati received the $5000 mayoral award for her work Wreath #2.

Visitors to the exhibition can vote for their favourite art work to
determine the winner of the $1000 People’s Choice Award, which will
be announced on March 15.

TRAILER OF MOVIE ABOUT AURORA MARDIGANIAN UNVEILED

February 5, 2015 15:12

Aurora Mardiganian

Photo: hammer.ucla.edu

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute has unveiled
the first official trailer of the documentary recounting the story
of Aurora Mardiganian and the first Armenian Genocide movie shot in
Hollywood in 1918 based on her memoirs.

“Aurora” movie is about Arshaluys Mardikyan (later Aurora Mardiganian),
an Armenian girl who survived the Armenian Genocide. She was 14 when
in summer of 1915 the wave of massacres and deportation also reached
the province of Kharberd where her birthplace – Chmshkatsag village
– was located. Surviving the massacres and going through all the
horrors of the Armenian Genocide Arshaluys moved to Tiflis, then to
Petrograd. She then moved to Norway and following it, to New York, U.S.

It’s where she started to put down the story of her life which drew the
public attention in the U.S. Later “Ravished Armenia” book presenting
the memoirs of Aurora Mardiganian was published. The book prompted a
huge response among Americans and an idea to shoot a Hollywood movie
recounting this story occurred.

Aurora Mardiganian herself played the main role in “Ravished Armenia”
movie (also known as “Auction of Souls”).

KOCHARYAN METHODS ARE COMING BACK

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

February 5 2015

SDHP Chairman Narek Galstyan about the tradition of “beating
a person in mask” and “declaring one or two needles or
toothbrushes more”

– On Saturday, the incident happened in Berdzor between the Founding
Parliament of Artsakh and the NKR police during the automobile march
was differently interpreted. In your estimation, what happened and why?

– Frankly speaking, the question here should be divided into two
parts. What happened in Berdzor is definitely condemnable. I have seen
the footage posted on the internet. They were beating with special
severity, broking the car windows. As I understood, there were also
cameramen from Artsakh, let them present their understanding of the
events. But, anyway, likewise treating unarmed and peaceful people
does not fit in the conscience, the law, nor in our understanding of
political logic.

Here, however, there is a second important factor. For us, the style
of the Founder Parliament’s actions, the logic of moves have
never been acceptable. Now, they are talking about the “regime
change” on April 24. On the day of the Centennial of the
Genocide, if a single Armenia’s nose bleeds in the city center,
we will decry our Cause in front of the whole world. It is clear that
in these days, the whole world’s attention will be concentrated
on Yerevan. Moreover, the logic of going out of Yerevan and holding
a demonstration in Artsakh is not acceptable. Artsakh has a plenty of
problems apart from going out of Yerevan and holding a demonstration
there. The border is a few kilometers away, every day subversive
acts are taking place, so why it is necessary to involve Artsakh in
domestic political matters. Absolutely, not.

– Recently, the beating of civil activists and politicians often
manifests as an attitude. Isn’t the time actually a passed
phase for us?

– You are right, lately, regular physical settlement of accounts are
taking place. After Robert Kocharyan’s tenure, such phenomena
were not find in our political and social life, which, indeed, was
welcomed. In recent months, the occurrences are beyond the logic in
general. There is no other disgracing and more villainous phenomenon
than beating a person in a mask. In 2007, I was attacked in the same
sneaky style, but perhaps a few times cruel. You know, somehow I will
understand that if someone curses him on the Internet, you shall go
and openly settle account with him.

In many cases, they go beyond the red line, involve families, which
is no way perceivable. But in contrast to it, the attacks in masks do
not also particularly shine by their honesty. At the same time, taken
objectively, there are thousands of problems in our country. What
does it mean, should there be no oligarchy in Armenia after making
the civil activists silent? Should the monopolies be eliminated?

Should the corruption in the public-sector stop ruling as a
cornerstone of building public relations? Of course, not. These are
our country’s real problems, these are the challenges before
the authorities and the whole public, rather than the Facebook users.

– You have repeatedly announced that SDHP party will act from the
interests of small and medium-sized businesses. It has been several
months since the RA Law on “Turnover tax” has made hundreds
of people to come out to the street, the talks with the government are
underway, but there is no final solution. Whom does the SDHP support?

– One gets the impression that a class struggle has begun in Armenia
against all small and medium-sized businesses. It seems we are back
to the 20’s of the 20th century, when the USSR as viewed
as a “hostile” class to all people who had more than
two chicken. Under this difficult social situation, the SDHP party
believes that it would be much righteous for the government to be
focused on bringing the oligarchy to the taxation field. After that,
everything will be regulated. Or else, by declaring one or two needles
or toothbrushes more, you would only make the social severity further
deep. SDHP Party shares the concerns of SME representatives, support
their claims, but our representatives do not participate in their
rallies only for one reason – no need to politicize people’s
legitimate social requirements.

Interviewed by Nelly GRIGORYAN

Read more at:

ARMENIA: DOMESTIC ABUSE BILL BACK ON THE TABLE

Institute for War and Peace Reporting, UK
IWPR CRS #766
Feb 5 2015

After past failures, campaigners are optimistic that parliament will
pass the new legislation this time round.

By Ani Hovhannisyan Pro-government and opposition politicians in
Armenia are about to begin work on a long-awaited domestic violence
law that will define offences and set out procedures to support
victims and prosecute perpetrators.

A local non-government organisation, the Coalition to Stop Violence
Against Women, has been working on the bill for more than a year,
and a working group made up of lawmakers and NGO representatives will
revise the document next month before submitting it to parliament.

The new bill comes after parliament rejected similar legislation
two years ago on the grounds that it was incompatible with Armenia’s
justice system. The decision caused outrage among activists who had
spent six years preparing the draft law. (See Domestic Abuse Law
Dumped in Armenia.)

Anna Nikoghosyan, executive director of the NGO Society Without
Violence, told IWPR that in 2013, the authorities lacked the political
will to pass the legislation. But unlike last time, activists are
now expecting a fruitful debate in parliament because politicians
themselves have expressed a willingness to discuss the law.

“The lack of legislation is the first hurdle in the fight against
domestic violence, as legal and judicial institutions currently tend
to punish perpetrators if the woman dies,” Nikoghosyan said. “But
when the woman survives and is repeatedly subjected to violence, the
perpetrator is acquitted or given an insufficient length of sentence.”

Nikoghosyan said this was because the law enforcement agencies were
ignorant of the issues.

The authorities do not keep statistics on domestic violence, as
separate from generic crimes like assault.

In a 2007 nationwide survey on domestic violence against women,
35 per cent of respondents said they had suffered domestic violence,
and 40 per cent of this group said their children had witnessed it. Of
those who experienced violence, half felt they themselves were partly
to blame.

One case that has been reported extensively in the media is that of
Sargis Hakobyan, who repeatedly assaulted and humiliated his wife,
Hasmik Khachatryan, over a period of nine years.

The case is a clear example of the trend Nikoghosyan describes.

Following a year-long trial, a judge in the eastern Gegharkunik region
sentenced Hakobyan to one-and-a-half years in jail. But instead of
sending him to serve his sentence, the judge immediately granted him
clemency and released him.

During the trial, there was both live testimony and a substantial
forensic evidence to show that Hakobyan abused Khachatryan, gave her
cigarette burns, repeatedly hit her with various objects, and punched
and kicked her in the head.

The last time Khachatryan was beaten by Hakobyan, she fled from the
house and she spent the rest of the night hiding outside. The next
morning she got in touch with her parents to ask if she could go and
stay with them.

“I thought it was better for me to die than to lead such a life,”
Khachatryan said. “When he beat me the last time, I thought I wouldn’t
live to see the morning.”

In court Hakobyan denied the charges against him and argued that as
a husband he was entitled to hit his wife.

Hakobyan was charged with intentional grievous bodily harm with
aggravating circumstances, which carries a punishment of up to three
years’ imprisonment. However, in his ruling the judge dropped the
aggravating circumstances, which made it possible to offer clemency.

Khachatryan’s lawyer, Nona Galstyan, said the judge also cited a
technicality – although the couple went through a church wedding,
they did not register the marriage with the civil authorities, so
the victim was not a dependent of her husband.

Galstyan argues that this was a misreading of the law, which states
that a person can be dependent on someone else in various ways –
financially, physically and psychologically.

Khachatryan has appealed against the verdict, and says she is prepared
to fight as long as it takes to get redress for the abuse she suffered.

According to Galstyan, who was involved in drafting the new domestic
violence bill, it will prevent judges from acquitting or releasing
perpetrators as happened in this case. The law also required the
state to support victims, who currently have few places to turn to
and are often forced to carry on living with the perpetrator.

Arpine Hovhannisyan, a Republican Party member of parliament MP of the
Republican Faction at the National Assembly, told IWPR how important
it was to get the law’s wording right so that it would be enforceable.

“One should first note that the bill has still to undergo lengthy
discussions both inside the National Assembly’s chamber and
outside it,” she said. “It’s beyond dispute that the law has to
include provisions that can actually be enacted. In other words,
we cannot succeed unless a law is passed – and not one that is just
a declaration – that specifies a comprehensive set of procedures,
and become a basis for preventing and eliminating violence.

At the moment, it is NGOs that provide all the legal and psychological
support available to victims.

Armenia’s capital Yerevan only has one shelter that accepts women
affected by abuse, including those who would be at risk if they
returned to the family home.

The refuge is run by the Centre for the Assistance of Women, and
provides shelter to 35 women a year, although there are several times
more applicants than it can accommodate.

One of the centre’s caseworkers, Alvard Karapetyan, said that in the
first half of 2013, 40 people called the organisation’s hotline, but
in the same period last year, that number increased to more than 300.

Galstyan hopes the new law will provide more support to victims and
lead to more convictions.

“Once the law is passed, the specific nature of domestic violence
will be taken into account in the course of an investigation,”
Galstyan said. “The main purpose of the law is to prevent violence
and to provide protection to victims.”

Ani Hovhannisyan is a journalist at Hetq Online.

“TODAY THERE ARE NO AUTHORITIES”: VARDAN OSKANYAN

16:29 | February 5,2015 | Politics

“The process of Karabakh issue resolution has never been in such a deep
deadlock,”- announced BHK deputy Vardan Oskanyan during BHK conference
today. He thinks that even during the years of war there wasn’t so
much distrust between the sides. Oskanyan assessed negatively also
Armenian-Turkish relations. He considered the relations with Georgia
and Iran deteriorative, “We have lost the respect of Russia and the
confidence of the West. The only solution is regime change.”

Mr. Oskanyan says that today there are no authorities, there are
only individuals, “There are no results, instead there is a group,
which has turned the state into a private business. When looking at
the attitude of these authorities we come to a conclusion that they
don’t want to change anything.”

ARE ARMENIAN PEOPLE ON THE VERGE OF A POWERFUL EXPLOSION?

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Feb 5 2015

5 February 2015 – 4:28pm

The opposition plans to hold rallies in the regions of Armenia and
a powerful rally in Yerevan in the near future, Prosperous Armenia
party leader Gagik Tsarukyan said at a meeting, Armenian media report.

“Armenia needs a new government and educated people. In this regard,
I stress my willingness to support such candidates. I invite the
Armenians living in Armenia and abroad. I invite well-educated
professionals to unite to form an alternative to the current
government,” Trend cited Tsarukyan as saying.

Tsarukyan noted that in the current situation, all political forces in
Armenia, except for the ruling party, feel themselves out of play. The
authorities must change the approach, by providing an opportunity
for other political forces to also be in power.

“One careless action, one word can bring hundreds of thousands of
people onto the streets … It will be an uncontrollable wave. In
this situation, our position is clear – the demand of the people
should be the determining one,” ‘Novosti Armenia’ cited Tsarukyan.

Experts Alexander Makarov and Alexander Iskandaryan in an inteview
with ‘Vestnik Kavkaza’ agreed that the dissatisfaction of Armenia’s
population is gradually maturing with the current state of affairs
in the country, but expressed confidence that a social explosion does
not threatened to the country.

“As for the discontent, it is clear that in the post-Soviet republic,
a state that is under siege for more than 20 years, with a fairly
complex migration and regional situation, there is a certain stratum
of the population that lives below the poverty line. This layer and
some other people have some resentment about the policy of the Armenian
authorities. However, it seems to me unreasonable to say that Armenia
is on the verge of a social explosion,” the director of the Armenian
branch of the Institute of CIS countries, Alexander Markarov, said.

Director of Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan, in his turn,
reminded that the poor social status of the present day has its origins
in 2008. “Since then, the country has witnessed economic stagnation:
the growth is a very small, or it doesn’t exist aat all.

Social discontent is quite broad, and the popularity of the authorities
i not very wide. However, all these phenoms are not new, and some
drastic changes that have come in recent months and made social
discontent a very serious, I personally do not see,” he said.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710 or (973) 943-8697
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

** TOP STORY February 5, 2015
————————————————————
St. Vartan
A stained glass window at St. Vartan Cathedral depicts the
fifth-century hero.

** Sts. Vartanantz Day
————————————————————
Every year on the Thursday preceding Great Lent, Armenians throughout
the world commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Avarayr
(A.D. 451), in which Christian Armenia, under the leadership of
St. Vartan Mamigonian, fought against the Persian Empire, which aimed
to convert the country to Zoroastrianism.

On the field of Avarayr, outnumbered Armenian fighters faced a mighty
Persian army. St. Vartan and his companions saw a military defeat, but
their unyielding commitment to defend their faith ultimately thwarted
the Persians, and ensured that Christianity would endure in
Armenia. Click here
()
to read more about the Battle of Avarayr on our website, or download
the Diocese’s iBook
()
for an interactive introduction to St. Vartan’s historic campaign.

Two days prior to the Feast of Sts. Vartanantz, the Armenian Church
remembers the sacrifice of St. Leontius (Ghevont) the priest and his
companions. St. Ghevont is one of the great exemplars of the Armenian
priesthood, remembered for his rare courage and resolution at the
Battle of Avarayr.

On the eve of battle, Ghevont celebrated the Divine Liturgy, conferred
the sacrament of Holy Communion on the soldiers, and baptized those
who had not yet been received into the church. His stirring sermon
assured the soldiers that their mystical union with Christ would
survive even physical violence and death. In observance of
Ghevontiantz Day, the clergy of the Eastern Diocese hold regional
gatherings every year. Click here
()
to learn more about St. Leontius and his companions.

Presentation of the Lord to the Temple
The Presentation at the Temple from The Gospel of Khizan (1499).

** Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple
————————————————————
On Saturday, February 14, the Armenian Church will observe the Feast
of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple, a beautiful story from
the infancy of Jesus, in which he is confirmed as the Holy Messiah or
Christ-the world’s long-awaited savior. In Armenian, it is known as
Dyarnuntarach, or “the bringing forward of the Lord.’

Forty days after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph brought their baby to
the temple, as was the pious custom at the time. There they
encountered Simeon, an elderly and devout man who had prayed to God to
keep him alive until he could see the savior promised to mankind.

When Simeon saw Mary and her baby, he sensed God’s presence, and said:
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy
word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared
in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the
Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

Click here
()
to read more, and to find activities and resources for children and
adults.

Lent Begins

** Great Lent Begins on February 16
————————————————————
This year, the Armenian Church calendar designates Monday, February
16, as the first day of Great Lent: the season when Christians
consciously turn away from worldly matters and make the effort-through
prayer, fasting, study, and introspection-to prepare for the spiritual
drama of Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

The Scriptural basis for Lent resides in the 40-day period Christ
spent in the wilderness following his baptism. In the words of
St. Matthew’s Gospel (4:12): “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into
the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days
and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry.”

During Lent we are called to follow the Holy Spirit to confront our
own `inner wilderness’-the realm of spiritual emptiness engendered by
sin, laziness, and vanity. Through prayer, fasting, Bible-reading, and
self-examination, we are given an opportunity to renew our commitment
to God, and gain the strength to work at being more loving, humble,
and gentle. Click here
()
to learn more about the Armenian Church traditions concerning Great
Lent.

** Scripture of the Week
————————————————————

Is 63:18-64:12
Ti 1:1-11
Jn 7:37-52

** Prayer of the Week
————————————————————

My soul is always in your hands and I place my hope in your Holy
Cross, O Heavenly King. May the multitude of your saints intercede on
my behalf.

You who are patient with everyone, do not neglect me who trusts in
you, but keep me in peace with your precious and Holy Cross. Amen.

** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
————————————————————

7 February: Catholicos St. Sahag Parthev

10 February: St. Leontius the Priest and His Companions

12 February: St. Vartan the Warrior and His Companions

14 February: Presentation of the Lord to the Temple

15 February: Great Barekendan

16 February: First Day of Lent

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Abp. Barsamian Visits Rome
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian with His Holiness Pope Francis.

** Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches Meet
————————————————————
The 12th meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological
Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox
Churches took place in Rome from January 24 to 31, 2015. Meeting at
the Vatican, delegates from the Roman Catholic Church met with
representatives of the Armenian, Antiochian Syrian, Coptic, Ethiopian
Tewahdo, and Malankara Syrian churches.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, was part of the
delegation representing the Armenian Church. Also representing the
Catholicate of the All Armenians was Bishop Hovakim Manukyan,
Ecumenical Officer of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; and the
Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan, Etchmiadzin’s director of publishing. The See
of Cilicia sent Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and Bishop Magar
Ashkarian. Among the Roman Catholic delegation were Armenian churchmen
of the Armenian Catholic order: Archbishop Boghos Levon Zekiyan and
Archbishop Peter Marayati.

His Holiness Pope Francis personally received the Joint Commission
participants on the afternoon of Friday, January 30, at the Vatican’s
Apostolic Palace.

During their time in Rome, Archbishop Barsamian and Bishop Manukyan
met separately with Cardinal Kurt Koch; Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the
Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches; and Cardinal
Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. In the course of
those meetings, they discussed the April 12 mass that Pope Francis
will conduct at St. Peter’s Basilica, in memory of victims of the 1915
Armenian Genocide. They also continued discussions begun last year by
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, regarding the possibility of a papal visit to Armenia
during the current centennial year of the Genocide.

Click on the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Dr. Edgar Housepian
Dr. Edgar Housepian (1928-2014).

** Memorial Service for Dr. Edgar Housepian
————————————————————
On Saturday, February 14, the Eastern Diocese and the Fund for
Armenian Relief will host a memorial service for the late Dr. Edgar
Housepian=80’an internationally-renowned neurosurgeon and a founding
member of the Fund for Armenian Relief, who passed away on November
14, 2014.

Dr. Housepian was heir to a remarkable family tradition of
compassionate involvement in Armenian life. In an earlier era, his
parents Dr. Moses and Makrouhi Housepian were pioneers in humane
outreach to our homeland. The warmth of their family life in New York
was memorably portrayed in the novel A Houseful of Love, by Dr. Edgar
Housepian’s late sister Marjorie Housepian Dobkin.

Days after the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, Dr. Housepian joined the
late Archbishop Torkom Manoogian and the late Kevork Hovnanian on a
visit to our homeland to assess the damage and formulate a
response. From that trip, the seeds of the Fund for Armenian Relief
were planted. For more than 20 years, Dr. Housepian led FAR’s effort
to restructure the health care system in Armenia. Thanks to his
foresight, a new generation of Armenian physicians would enjoy
invaluable opportunities for training and education.

A memorial service for Dr. Housepian will be held at St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral on Saturday, February 14, at 11:00 a.m. It will be
followed by a memorial luncheon and a special program of remembrance,
beginning at 1 p.m. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate,
will preside.

Armenian Genocide Cintennial

** Resources for the Genocide Centennial
————————————————————
With the 100th year of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide advancing
rapidly, the Eastern Diocese has created a special section on its
website for downloadable resources. Parishes, community groups, and
anyone else can obtain materials to help them inform local press and
reach out to their surrounding communities. Click here
()
to access these resources.

In the meantime, the Armenian-American community is building towards a
national observance in Washington, DC, in May 2015. Special events are
scheduled for May 7 to 9-including an ecumenical prayer service at the
National Cathedral, a Pontifical Divine Liturgy, a memorial concert,
and an awards banquet honoring those who helped the survivors. His
Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia, both will journey to the United States to lead the
Washington commemoration. They will be joined by Armenians from across
the U.S., under the auspices of the Eastern and Western Dioceses, and
the Eastern and Western Prelacies. Click here
()
to learn more about the May events in the nation’s capital.

The Eastern Diocese’s Annual Diocesan Assembly and Clergy Conference
will convene in Washington that same week. Click here
()
to view information for clergy, delegates, and Parish Council chairs.

People in the New York metro region should also reserve the dates of
April 24, 25, and 26 for commemorative events in New York City. These
will include a Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on
Sunday, April 26, with the participation of Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. The annual Times Square
program sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan
will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 26.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian has appointed George and Lorraine
Marootian as Diocesan liaisons to the Genocide commemorative
committees. They will be working with established committees at the
national, regional, and local levels, and have begun reaching out to
our parish communities. Contact them via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Never Forget 1915

** Support the Genocide Awareness Campaign
————————————————————
The Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America (Eastern Region)
is planning a creative national campaign spanning public relations,
social media, and print and broadcast outlets to raise awareness about
the Armenian Genocide in this milestone year.

The committee is raising funds to finance the national
campaign. Please consider supporting this ambitious outreach
effort. Click here
()
to make a donation.

In addition, the Centennial Committee (Eastern Region) has launched a
new website-
()
-which will soon offer a listing of events organized nationwide in
commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. They are asking all local
committees to share their contact information to assist in this
effort.

Concert at St. Vartan Cathedral
Yeghishe Manucharyan performs at St. Vartan Cathedral.

** St. Vartan Cathedral Hosts Opera Concert
————————————————————
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral hosted `An Evening at the Opera’ on
Friday, January 30. The concert featured Armenian and Western opera
music, performed by internationally-acclaimed artists Narine Ojakhyan
and Yeghishe Manucharyan. Lusine Badalyan accompanied on the piano.

The Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, cathedral dean, and Jacob
H. Yahiayan, Diocesan director of administration, welcomed guests, who
included Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Zohrab
Mnatsakanyan.

The concert was made possible by the Dadourian Family Foundation, in
memory of Haig Dadourian. Click here
()
to view photos and a video of the January 30 program.

Lenten Resources

** Download the Lenten Family Resource
————————————————————
Every year the Diocese’s Department of Christian Education produces a
Lenten family resource for distribution to Diocesan Sunday
Schools. This year’s publication is an informational booklet about
Great Lent, accompanied by 20 double-sided bookmarks, each bearing a
Scripture verse and a daily activity.

The packet has been mailed to parishes for distribution to Sunday
School families and staff, but it can also be downloaded by clicking
here
()
.

FAR
Mothers at the Stepanakert maternity ward.

** FAR and AAHPO Train Doctors in Karabagh
————————————————————
The Fund for Armenian Relief recently organized Continuing Medical
Education (CME) seminars in Nagorno-Karabagh. The seminars focused on
modern trends in obstetrics and gynecology and were led by lecturers
Dr. Hripsime Apresyan and Dr. Rusadan Vardanyan.

Participating physicians from Stepanakert and other regions of
Nagorno-Karabagh said they appreciated the opportunity to discuss
local cases and raise questions with other medical
professionals. Click here
()
to read more on FAR’s blog.

Working with the Armenian American Health Professionals Organization
(AAHPO), FAR has been implementing Continuing Medical Education
sessions in Nagorno-Karabagh since 2011.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
Holy Trinity Church, PA
Parishioners Dr. Garo Garibian and Merle Santerian share recollections
of their pastor’s first five years at Holy Trinity Church.

** Cheltenham Parish Celebrates Pastor’s Milestone
————————————————————
On Sunday, January 25, Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, honored
the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan on his fifth anniversary as Holy
Trinity’s pastor. Some 350 people attended the celebratory event in
the church’s Santerian Hall.

The program included a video message from Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate, who congratulated Fr. Gevorgyan and Yn. Anna on this
milestone. A surprise video message was recorded by Fr. Gevorgyan’s
father in Armenia, and a slide show of photographs showed the young
priest’s journey through seminary in Armenia and his tenure at the
Cheltenham parish. Other activities included music, dancing, and games
for children.

Also celebrating with the community was the Rev. Fr. Karekin
Kasparian, the recently retired pastor of St. Gregory the Enlightener
Church of White Plains, NY, who mentored Fr. Gevorgyan when the latter
first arrived in the Eastern Diocese from Armenia.

`For me, there is no greater joy than to serve God and His people,’
Fr. Gevorgyan said. `This service gives me happiness and lots of
energy.’

Click here
()
to view photos.

New Britain Armenian Church
Hary Mazadoorian Esq., acolytes Matthew and David Marottolo, and
Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian.

** Two Altar Servers Honored in New Britain
————————————————————
Two acolytes were honored at Holy Resurrection Church of New Britain,
CT, on Sunday, January 25. Brothers Matthew and David Marottolo
received the `Deacon Charles N. Mazadoorian Memorial Altar Server
Award’ in recognition for their service and their dedication to
learning the worship traditions of the Armenian Church.

The award was established in 2008 by Harry Mazadoorian, Esq. in memory
of his late brother, Deacon Charles Mazadoorian. The Rev. Fr. Kapriel
Mouradjian, parish pastor, presented the award recipients with an
honorarium and copies of the Deacon’s Guidebook to the Divine Liturgy.

Fr. Tateos Abdalian
Fr. Tateos Abdalian at a service honoring police, firefighters, EMTs,
and other first-responders.

** First-Responders Recognized in Pennsylvania
————————————————————
The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s director of Mission
Parishes who also serves as a police chaplain for the Police
Department of Cheltenham, PA, attended a service honoring local
police, firefighters, EMTs, and other first-responders last month.

The service was held at Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church in
Ardsley, PA, on Friday, January 30, as part of `Catholic Schools
Week,’ during which students, faculty, and staff of Good Shepherd
Regional Catholic School honored first-responders.

Fr. Abdalian has been serving as a police chaplain for the past 10
years. His duties include making hospital visits to officers and their
families, personal counseling, and responding to critical
incidents. He also is an instructor in the Community Policing Program
for civilian personnel.

Saint Egidio Community at St. Vartan Cathedral
The annual Christmas dinner for the Catholic lay community of
Sant’Egidio.

** Reaching Out to the City’s Elderly
————————————————————
On December 25, St. Vartan Cathedral hosted the annual Christmas
dinner for the Catholic lay community of Sant’Egidio. With the support
of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, Diocesan staffers
Jennifer Morris, Eric Vozzy, and Lorie Odabashian organized volunteers
from local Armenian parishes to assist at the dinner.

Sant’Egidio’s guests included the elderly, nursing home residents, and
the homeless. The community was especially grateful for the presence
of the Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian who blessed the meal and helped serve
guests.

Sant’Egidio
()
has a long history in New York City, and has been hosting its
Christmas dinner at the Diocesan Center for the past three years.

Upcoming events

** Upcoming Parish Events
————————————————————

St. Gregory the Illuminator Church | Chicago, IL
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, will host a Poon
Paregentan dinner and dance on Saturday, February 14. Highlights
include music by the Kevork Artinian band and a magic show for
children. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Church of the Holy Ascension | Trumbull, CT
The Church of the Holy Ascension of Trumbull, CT, will host a
=80=9CMardi Gras Fun Night’ on Saturday, February 14, from 6 to 10
p.m. Enjoy music, dance performances, and more. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Armenian Church of Southwest Florida | Naples, FL
The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy
at the Armenian Church of Southwest Florida on Sunday, February 8. The
service will take place at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
(3901 Davis Blvd. in Naples). The parish’s annual bake sale featuring
Armenian breads and pastries will follow; a light luncheon will be
served. For information, contact Carole Meghreblian at (239) 348-3804,
or via e-mail at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

St. Mary Church | Livingston, NJ
The Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest New Jersey, in
collaboration with St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, is hosting an
exhibit in commemoration of the 100th year of remembrance of the
Armenian Genocide. The exhibit will open on Monday, February 9
(rescheduled from Jan. 26), with the screening of a film about the
Armenian Genocide. It will run through April 30. Click here
()
for information.

St. George Church | Hartford, CT
The Sunday School of St. George Church of Hartford, CT, will sponsor
special guest Stepan Piligian on Sunday, February 8. Mr. Piligian will
present his “Time Machine” program on St. Vartan Mamigonian. Click
here
()
to view a flyer for information.

The St. George Women’s Guild will sponsor a “Poon Paregentan Family
Fun Day” with dinner, a student talent show, and raffle prizes on
Sunday, February 15. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

The Women’s Guild is also hosting a Lenten Dinner on Saturday,
February 28, with guest speakers Ted and Marianne Hovivian from `NY
Friends of Gavar Special School in Armenia.’ Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, is sponsoring a
=80=9CFamily Fun Night’ on Friday, February 6. Enjoy dinner and
activities for children and families. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

The church will host a Vartanantz Day commemoration on Thursday,
February 12. Services will be followed by a dinner and program. Click
here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
Musicologists Krikor Pidedjian and Ã…=9Eahan Arzruni will give a talk
on Armenian composer Kristapor Cara-Murza at St. Leon Church of Fair
Lawn, NJ, on Thursday, February 19, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Krikor
Pidedjian and Ã…=9Eahan Arzruni will place the work of Cara-Murza in
historical and social contexts and bring to life exchanges with
personalities of the time, such as Khrimian Hairig. They will share
new discoveries, including a Divine Liturgy composed by Cara-Murza
that was found by Krikor Pidedjian. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Leon Church is sponsoring a course for high school students on the
Armenian Genocide. Sessions will be held on Monday evenings, beginning
on March 9. Instructor Khatchig Mouradian will guide participants as
they investigate the political, social, and economic environment in
the Ottoman Empire on the eve of the Armenian Genocide, and consider
questions pertaining to genocide denial, resistance, and
awareness. Mr. Mouradian, a Ph.D. candidate at Clark University, has
lectured widely on the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath. Click here
()
to view a flyer for registration information.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
Diocesan Summer Camps

** Get Ready for the Summer Camp Season
————————————————————
Mark your calendar for a summer filled with friendship, fellowship,
and fun at St. Vartan Camp and Hye Camp. St. Vartan Camp is housed at
the Ararat Youth and Conference Center in Greenville, NY. Hye Camp is
located at Camp Hickory in Ingleside, IL.

Online registration is now open through the new camp website:
Brochures and flyers can be picked up at
your local parish or downloaded on the new website.

To add your name to the camp e-mail list, or for more information,
contact Jennifer Morris, the Diocese’s director of Youth and Young
Adult Ministries, at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

St. Vartan Camp Dates
Staff Training: Wednesday, June 24 – Saturday, June 27
Session A: Sunday, June 28 – Saturday, July 11
Session B: Sunday, July 12 – Saturday, July 25
Session C: Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 8

Hye Camp Dates
Staff Training: Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26
Two-week session: Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 8
One-week session: Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1 (all
participants)
One-week session: Sunday, August 2 – Saturday, August 8 (for those
unable to attend week 1)

** EVENTS
————————————————————
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral

** Vartanantz Day Program at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————
Sts. Vartanantz Day will be observed at New York’s St. Vartan
Cathedral on Thursday, February 12.

The Rev. Fr. Hagop Gevorgyan, pastor of Holy Trinity Church of
Cheltenham, PA, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy beginning at 6
p.m. A dinner and program will follow services.

Christopher Sheklian, a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology at the
University of Chicago, will be the evening’s keynote speaker. The
program also will include a performance by soloists of the St. Vartan
Cathedral Choir.

The Vartanantz Day commemoration is organized by the Eastern Diocese
with the participation of the Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of
Vartan. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Farah Siraj
Fusion artist Farah Siraj will perform during the dinner and music
program on February 14.

** Artist Farah Siraj to Perform at Diocesan Center
————————————————————
The recently-formed St. Vartan Cathedral Community of New York City is
hosting an exciting evening of dinner and music featuring the talented
fusion artist and humanitarian, Farah Siraj.

Farah Siraj has performed around the world, including in Europe, the
Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the United States. She uses her music
to raise awareness for urgent humanitarian causes around the world,
among them the genocides in Darfur and the Republic of Congo, as well
as the military conflicts in Gaza. Click here
()
to read more about her music and humanitarian work.

The event will be held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium (630
Second Avenue, New York City). Tickets are $50 for adults; $35 for
seniors and college students. Advance reservations are required by
February 12; tickets will not be available at the door. Click here
()
to purchase tickets.

** A NOTE TO OUR READERS
————————————————————
The Diocese’s e-Newsletter will not be published on Sts. Vartanantz
Day , Thursday, February 12. We look forward to resuming e-Newsletter
publication on Thursday, February 19.