Author: Chmshkian Vicken

Los Angeles Times
March 5 2010

House panel narrowly passes recognition of Armenian genocide

The resolution sparks instant backlash from the Turkish government,
which warns that the passage could negatively affect the country’s
relations with the U.S.

By Richard Simon and Teresa Watanabe
March 5, 2010

Reporting from Los Angeles and Washington – Sponsors of a long-debated
congressional resolution to officially recognize the Armenian genocide
cleared a key hurdle by a one-vote margin Thursday, but face a tough
battle ahead to bring the measure before the House.

The resolution passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee 23 to 22
over opposition from members of both parties who warned it could
damage U.S. relations with Turkey, an important ally.

The Turkish government reacted immediately, recalling its ambassador,
Namik Tan, in protest, and warning that the resolution’s adoption
"could adversely affect our cooperation." The United States has been
seeking Turkey’s support for new sanctions against Iran for its
nuclear program.

Panel Chairman Howard L. Berman (D-Valley Village) pressed for the
vote, even after receiving a call from Secretary of State Hillary
Rodham Clinton expressing concern it could "impede progress on
normalization of relations" between Turkey and Armenia, according to
an administration spokesman.

But Berman said that the United States, as a leader in promoting human
rights, had a "moral responsibility" to pass the resolution. "Perhaps
there will be consequences. . . . But I believe that Turkey values its
relations with the United States as much as we value our relations
with Turkey."

The vote came in a packed meeting attended by three elderly genocide
survivors, who support the measure. Pointing to the survivors — ages
97, 98 and 105 — Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (D-N.Y.) said, "They’re here
for justice. How long can they wait?"

The Turkish government has disputed that the World War I-era killings
of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks were genocide, contending that both
Turks and Armenians were casualties of the war, famine and disease.
But historical evidence and authoritative research support the term,
and The Times’ policy is to refer to the deaths as genocide.

The resolution has been closely followed by California’s large
Armenian American population, and is backed by much of the state’s
congressional delegation. The tight vote underscored the challenge
facing the resolution’s sponsors in winning House approval.

"We have our work cut out for us," said Kenneth V. Hachikian, chairman
of the Armenian National Committee of America, adding that he was
"extremely disappointed" in the Obama administration’s position.

Indeed, when the resolution appeared at risk of being defeated, its
chief sponsor, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), rushed to the House
chamber to get supporters to the committee room to cast their votes.

In Southern California, the vote drew passionate and mixed reactions.

"I’m outraged and disappointed," said Ergun Kirlikovali,
president-elect of the Assembly of Turkish American Assns., an
umbrella group of 63 community organizations. He, like the Turkish
government, disputed the use of the term genocide and said it was
"being used as a tool by the Armenian lobby to defame Turkey, a
reliable friend and ally in the troubled Mideast. And Armenians don’t
care."

Kirlikovali said the vote jeopardized U.S. interests in the Mideast,
as Turkey could retaliate by withdrawing military cooperation.

But Father Vazken Movsesian, an Armenian priest in Glendale, hailed
the vote as an acknowledgment of the truth.

He said he was in his car driving back to California from Arizona when
he got a Twitter alert that the committee had passed the resolution.
His joy was cloaked in caution, as he noted that other hurdles
remained before the resolution could pass.

"We won a battle, not a war," he said. "But one day or another, the
truth will come out. There’s no question about it."

The new effort comes after a House vote was called off in 2007 when a
similar measure, initially backed by a majority of the chamber, lost
support as the vote neared.

The George W. Bush administration and Turkish government warned that
passage could lead Turkey to block U.S. access to air bases used to
get supplies to U.S. troops.

The resolution’s supporters said they were unlikely to bring it to the
House floor until they were confident they had the votes to pass it.

"The whipping operation starts today," Schiff said.

Earthtimes (press release)
March 5 2010

Turkey calls ‘genocide’ vote in Washington an ‘injustice’ – Summary

Istanbul – Turkish President Abdullah Gul Friday called the passing of
an Armenian "genocide" resolution by a Congressional committee "an
injustice to history and the science of history."The vote "was not an
action befitting Turkey-US relations," Gul said in a statement.

"Turkey will not be responsible for the adverse consequences this vote
may cause in all areas," he said.

The US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs committee Thursday
passed the bill which recognizes the mass murders of Armenians during
World War I as a "genocide."

House speaker Nancy Pelosi must now decide whether to bring the
non-binding resolution to a full vote. Ankara has warned that the
bill’s further progress could seriously damage ties between NATO
allies Turkey and the US.

The Turkish ambassador to Washington, Namik Tan, was recalled to
Ankara for consultations soon after the committee approved the
resolution, with a narrow 23-22 vote.

Also on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister criticized the US
administration for not doing enough to nip the resolution in the bud.

"It made Turkey uncomfortable that the US administration did not show
its strength in this regard," Davutoglu said during a press conference
in Ankara. "We are expecting them to increase their efforts
hereafter."

"It is not for other parliaments to judge our history. Turkey is
capable of dealing with these issues alone. It is a matter of national
honour," he said.

Davutoglu also warned that the resolution could harm an already
troubled reconciliation process that Turkey and Armenia initiated last
October, when they signed accords to renew diplomatic relations and
open their border. Both countries have yet to fully ratify the
accords.

"The question to America is simple: ‘Do you or do you not support the
peace process between Turkey and Armenia?’" Davutoglu said. "Because
if you don’t then come out and say so we can align our policy
accordingly."

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had spoken to the
congressional committee before it voted and told it the administration
opposes any moves that might "divert" the protocols signed between
Turkey and Armenia from moving along.

President Barack Obama and his counterpart Abdullah Gul also spoke by
telephone prior to the vote.

Armenians contend that up to 1.5 million of their own were
systematically killed by the Ottoman Turks during World War I. Turkey
has long denied the genocide claim, saying the number of Armenians
killed was much lower and that the deaths were the result of violent
turbulence that also affected other groups at the time.

2673,turkey-calls-genocide-vote-in-washington-an-i njustice–summary.html

NO ALARM ANNOUNCED IN ARMENIA’S BORDER MILITARY UNITS ON MARCH 2

Noyan Tapan
March 4, 2010

YEREVAN, MARCH 4, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 4, some Armenian media
(Zhamanak, Hayk) quotting "reliable sources" spread rumors that
allegedly on March 2 "alarm was announced in many border military
units," "orders were given by the head of the Armed Forces General
Headquarters to heads of border zones military units" where the
head of the Armed Forces General Headquarters "gives them some
assignments ordering to take into consideration the increase of the
probability of resumption of operations." All this was connected with
the home political situation, was classed as "falsehood planned by
the administration to distract the people."

According to the RA Defence Ministry Information and Public Relations
Department, the above mentioned rumors are false and do not correspond
to reality: service and duty in all military units proceed according
to military and training programs confirmed in advance.

COMMITTEE PASSES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
By Bartholomew Sullivan

Memphis Commercial Appeal
March 4 2010

WASHINGTON — The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution
condemning the Ottoman Empire’s Armenian genocide Thursday, with a
majority of members saying its truth outweighed the objections of
Turkey, a NATO ally.

The vote was 23 to 22.

Turkey, a key Muslim ally of the United States, angrily withdrew its
ambassador to the U.S. after the vote. Prospects for passage in the
full House are uncertain.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., a co-chairman of the Turkey Caucus, is
not on the committee and did not vote. But he did have a column in The
Hill newspaper today quoting a Turkish proverb: "A wise man remembers
his friends at all times; a fool, only when he has need of them." It
said the non-binding resolution, while "legally meaningless in the
U.S., would almost certainly be seen as a slap in the face to Turkey.

…"

U.S. Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn., who is on the committee and is the
president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, voted against the
measure. He noted that all the living former secretaries of state
opposed the resolution.

Opponents of the resolution said it is unwise to antagonize Turkey,
the transit country for military cargo en route to the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan. Proponents said it is both historically accurate and
likely to send a message to future tyrants that there are consequences
for ethnic cleansing.

Committee chairman Howard L. Berman, D-Calif., appeared eager to pass
the resolution, and was the first to vote "aye." A similar resolution
passed the committee in the previous Congress but never got a vote
in the full House.

Several committee members expressed reservations at the timing of
the vote as Turkey and Armenia are working out a set of protocols
to establish a normalization of relations. Many who opposed the
resolution acknowledged the historical truth of the genocide of
Armenians by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923.

As the vote was announced in the hearing room, a chorus of cheers
erupted.

"I declare such a decision that was taken with political concerns in
mind to be an injustice to history and to the science of history,"
Turkish President Abdullah Gul said in the capital, Ankara.

/mar/04/passes-armenian-genocide-resolution-cohen- di/

WHAT NKR STANCE IS

46.html
14:55:29 – 04/03/2010

The head of the NKR parliamentary commission on foreign relations
Vahram Atanesyan, on March 4, in Yerevan, made several statements
in connection with the NKR parliament’s position relating to the NKR
issue settlement.

In particular he said that by saying right to self-determination
for Artsakh, the NKR deputies mean the international recognition
of their independence. After which, according to Atanesyan, NKR as
an internationally recognized country, is ready to negotiate with
Azerbaijan over all disputable issues.

Vahram Atanesyan does not know when the international recognition
will take place but the notes that the executive power of NKR headed
by the president Bako Sahakyan leads a policy which will not allow
a solution without NKR participation.

As to the fact that the negotiation embraced a fatal phase, Vahram
Atanesyan says let them who say such a thing comment on what they mean
by saying a fatal phase. By the way, the Spanish foreign minister
Miguel Angel Moratinos made such a statement in Yerevan who visited
Armenia as the head of the European Union delegation.

TURKEY, ON EDGE, WATCHES U.S. VOTE ON ARMENIA
By Marc Champion

Wall Street Journal
2748704541304575099843692377622.html?mod=googlenew s_wsj
March 4 2010

Washington’s Shift on Armenian Genocide Debate Angers Ankara

ISTANBUL–A U.S. congressional vote on how to define the 1915 slaughter
of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, expected Thursday, is turning
into a game of brinksmanship between the White House and Ankara.

In previous years, Congress has attempted to pass a resolution to
recognize the Armenian events as genocide. Such a resolution would
inflame Turkey and has brought vows from past U.S. administrations
that they would block the bill, a nod to Turkey’s role as a key ally
of Washington in the Middle East.

This year, in a shift of U.S. position, the Obama administration
isn’t lobbying publicly to block the resolution, say officials and
lobbyists involved in the issue. That fact has triggered hopes among
Armenians who have long lobbied foreign governments for recognition of
the killings as genocide–and raised alarm in Turkey at the prospect
that the country’s ally might rule against it on a neuralgic issue
of history and identity.

On Thursday, at least one Turkish national TV channel, NTV, plans
to air the U.S. vote live; others are expected to do likewise. Two
delegations of Turkish lawmakers have been in Washington this week,
lobbying the committee to block the move.

"There would be consequences," if the vote passes, said Suat
Kiniklioglu, a legislator and deputy chairman of external affairs
for the ruling Justice and Development party. "Turks find it very
offensive to be equated with Nazis."

"We are working well with the U.S. in a number of areas–in Iraq,
in Pakistan, Afghanistan, on the Middle East peace process, Iran and
Syria. In all these areas, if this passes through the Congress there
would be an impact," said Mr. Kiniklioglu, speaking by phone from
Washington. Turkey has the second-largest armed forces in the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization and is a key U.S. ally in the region.

The Obama administration has largely remained silent on the resolution,
a break from previous administrations’ actively lobbying against
similar measures. Asked this week about how its passage would
effect bilateral relations with Turkey, State Department spokesman
P.J. Crowley said, "We have a pretty good idea of how everyone feels
on the issue."

Another State Department official said the administration continues
to support efforts by Turkish and Armenian officials to come to a
consensus on the incident as part of the two country’s negotiations
over re-establishing diplomatic ties.

Thursday’s vote in the House Foreign Affairs Committee would come less
than two months before President Barack Obama is due to make an annual
White House statement on April 24 commemorating the killings. The
committee vote wouldn’t be binding, but it would open the floor to
a vote on the floor of Congress, something Turkey is anxious to avoid.

Up to 1.5 million ethnic Armenians are estimated to have died through
executions, mass deportations, starvation and other means in 1915.

Armenians, and many historians, say the killings were an attempt to
erase Armenians from Eastern Anatolia and were therefore genocide.

Turkey argues that the events, while tragic, can’t be compared to the
Jewish holocaust and don’t amount to genocide. Turkish officials note
that the killings took place during World War I, as the Ottoman Empire
was disintegrating and under attack from all sides, including Russia.

Armenians, traditional allies of Russia, were seen as a fifth column.

Even the historical record, they say, was warped by the wartime
propaganda needs.

"Turks feel the way these events happened is not well known abroad
and only in a one-sided way," said Ilter Turan, a professor of
political science at Bilgi University in Istanbul. He said a vote to
recognize genocide would likely trigger anti-American demonstrations
and retaliation by the government.

Last year, Mr. Obama avoided using the term genocide in his April 24
statement. He made it clear he was doing so because he didn’t want to
destroy efforts under way between Ankara and Yerevan to reopen their
border and establish relations, and form a joint historical commission.

A year later, efforts have stalled to ratify the border-opening
protocols that each government has signed. Turkey has made it clear
it sees ratification as linked to progress in settling a territorial
dispute between Armenia and its other Turkic neighbor, Azerbaijan,
in the enclave of Nagorno Karabakh. Though Karabakh isn’t mentioned
in the protocols, Turkey wants Armenia to pull troops out of several
buffer zones around the enclave, which is in Azerbaijan, before it
will ratify them. So far, there is little sign of that happening.

Analysts say the U.S. administration’s silence looks like an attempt
to increase pressure on Turkey to ratify the reconciliation protocols.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s focused on promoting the protocols
in testimony on Capitol Hill last month, rather than warning directly
against a vote to recognize genocide.

The performance was welcomed by the Armenian National Committee of
America, a lobby, which noted that "for the first time in a generation"
a sitting secretary of state hadn’t lobbied against the genocide
classification. But just as the U.S. is likely to ignore Turkish
threats, Ankara is unlikely to buckle to pressure on the protocols,
analysts say.

"I don’t think it will work," said Bulent Aliriza, director of the
Turkey project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies,
a Washington think tank that hosted one of the Turkish delegations
this week. "The movement on Capitol Hill doesn’t seem to be making
the Turks reconsider–instead we have the Turks saying we have a whole
range of issues the U.S. needs us to cooperate on and well use these
to respond. This has the potential to spin out of control," he said.

–Peter Spiegel contributed to this article.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

March 4, 2010
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PASSES RESOLUTION
The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the Armenian Genocide
Resolution this afternoon by a vote of 23 to 22.
BBC News was one of the first news outlets to post the news as
its top story. The BBC web site features the following:
A US congressional panel has described the killing of
Armenians by Turkish forces during World War I as genocide, despite
White House objections.
The resolution was narrowly approved by the House Foreign
Affairs Committee. The administration had warned the panel that the
vote would harm reconciliation talks between Turkey and Armenia. It is
unclear whether the non-binding resolution will now go forward to the
full House but it is fiercely opposed by Turkey, a key ally of the US.
It was approved by 23 votes to 22 by the committee. In 2007, a
similar resolution passed the committee stage, but was shelved before
a House vote after pressure from the George W. Bush administration.
Turkey had warned of consequences for US-Turkey ties if the
latest resolution was passed.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL TO NORTH ANDOVER
This Sunday, March 7, Archbishop Oshagan will travel to North Andover,
Massachusetts, where he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at
St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley. Following the Liturgy, His
Eminence will lead the dedication of Khatchkar (stone cross) in memory
of their late pastor, Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian who passed away last
year on March 12, 2009.
PUBLIC FORUM THIS SUNDAY
A public forum, sponsored by the NY-NJ ARF committees, on
Armeno-Turkish Relations: Pitfalls and Possibilities, will take place
this Sunday, March 7 beginning at 4:30 pm, at the New York Hilton
Hotel, 1335 Avenue of the Americas (at 53rd Street), New York
City. The forum will feature: John Evans, former U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia; Ken Hachikian, chairman ANCA; Richard Hovannisian, AEF Chair
in Modern Armenian History, UCLA; and Dennis Papazian, Emeritus
Professor of History, University of Michigan, Dearborn. Admission is
free. For information: 718-651-1530 or 201-945-0011.
PRELACY LENTEN LECTURE SERIES CONTINUES
The third weekly Lenten program, in a series of six, took place last
night at St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York City, a faith-shaping
program that included worship, an educational component, and meal
fellowship (from 7:30-9:30 pm), under the auspices of Archbishop
Oshagan.
Last night, the topic was Armenian Women as Mothers and Wives,
and it was presented by Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, pastor of
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Der Hayr focused on
the witness and martyrdom of Shoushanig, a fifth century saint, the
daughter of St. Vartan. Recounting Shoushanigs life, Der Hayr showed
how, despite all her difficulties and hardships, she remained
steadfast and faithful to Christ until death. A lively discussion
ensued.
Afterwards, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan talked about the
special intercessions that we are making this year during the
HusgoomAsdvadzadzin (Mary, the Mother of God), called Mayr Soorp (Holy
Mother). His Eminence expounded on the different elements of the
intercession, such as peace, love and justice in the world, church
unity, and the weather and the environment. And he said, In our church
worship and communal prayers, we see Christian patterns of living and
being, things that today have become movements.
Next Wednesday, March 10, the lecture will focus on
MaryParadigm of Discipleship and Holiness and will be presented by
Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston,
New York.
The Lenten Program is sponsored by the Prelacys Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG),
and St. Illuminators Cathedral Ladies Guild. For more information
please contact the Prelacy office at 212-689-7810 or
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or the
cathedral at 212-689-5880.
VICAR LECTURES AT SEMINARY
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, lectured at the General Theological
Seminary in New York on Tuesday, March 2. The title of his lecture was
Spirituality in the Armenian Churchs Hymns and Prayers.

RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS TO MEET
The Prelacys Religious and Executive Councils will meet tomorrow and
Saturday at the Prelacy offices in New York City.
MUSICAL ARMENIA
The 26th Musical Armenia concert will take place on Sunday, March 21,
at 2 pm at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and
Seventh Avenue, New York City, featuring Tanya Gabrielian, piano; and
Natalie Aroyan, soprano.
Natalie Aroyan, soprano, participated in the 2009 American
Institute of Musical Studies vocal program in Graz, Austria. Her
achievements at Graz included winning First Place and the Audience
Vote at the prestigious Meistersinger Vocal Competition, in which she
performed under the direction of Edoardo Muller. In 2008 at the Sydney
Conservatorium of Music, she performed the role of Rosalinde in
Matthew Barclays production of Strauss Die Fledermaus, conducted by
Imre Pallo. She is currently a professional studies student at Mannes
College The New School for Music.
Tanya Gabrielian, was described as a pianist of powerful
physical and imaginative muscle, by The Times of London. She was
awarded first prize at the 2004 Scottish International Piano
Competition and the 2003 Aram Khachaturian International Piano
Competition. Ms. Gabrielian has performed with several major
orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New London
Sinfonia, and the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra. She toured Scotland
with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. She is currently an
artists diploma student at The Juilliard School.
For tickets ($30) contact the Carnegie box office at
212-247-7800 or the Prelacy at 212-689-7810.

ARSHILE GORKY STAMP WILL BE ISSUED NEXT THURSDAY
On Thursday, March 11, the U.S. Postal Service will issue an Arshile
Gorky postage stamp. Gorkys 1944 painting The Liver in a Cocks Comb,
will be the first of a series of stamps being issued on March 11 by
the Postal Service honoring abstract expressionists.

DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM: MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The 24th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, for
youth ages 13-18, is scheduled to take place at the St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 25-JUuly 4,
2010. The program is sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC). For information contact the AREC office at
212-689-7810, [email protected]
(mailto:arec@armenianprel acy.org).

PILGRIMAGE TO LEBANON AND SYRIA
On the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the
Eastern Prelacys St. Gregory of Datev Institute is organizing a
pilgrimage to Syria and Lebanon, from August 2 to August 16. Watch for
details in a special edition of Crossroads.
CATHOLICOS ARAM CONCLUDES
VISIT TO INDIA
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
concluded his five-day visit to India. During his visit, His Holiness
met on several occasions with His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus
I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara, of the Indian Orthodox
Church, and the members of the Holy Synod of the first Christian
Church on the sub-continent. He also met with the representatives of
the Syrian Orthodox Catholicos, Archbishops and Heads of the Roman
Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant churches, ecumenical
representatives, former staff members of the World Council of Churches
and government officials.
Upon his departure from India, Catholicos Aram described the
Indian Orthodox Church with its leadership and people as an example of
what it meant to be the church in the multi-religious society of
India. He noted that observing the way churches are living and working
together teaches us about local ecumenism, being minorities in a
largely Hindu society, and relating with other faiths shows how
dialogue and enculturation take shape.

NEW BOOK REVIEWED IN NY TIMES
Yesterdays edition of the New York Times featured a review of a new
book, Rebel Land: Unraveling the Riddle of History in a Turkish Town,
by Christopher de Bellaigue. The headline of the review, which was by
Dwight Garner, said: A Look at the Snarled Past of Armenians and
Turks. To read the review click here (
4882/goto: 03garner.html?ref=books
).

BIBLE READING
Bible readings for today, Thursday, March 4, are Isaiah 45:17-26;
Ephesians 3:14-4:13
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom
every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that,
according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be
strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being
rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to
comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and
height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses
knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to
accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him
be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever
and ever. Amen.
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life
worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility
and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to
the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one
God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
But each of us was given grace according to the measure of
Christs gift. Therefore it is said, When he ascended on high he made
captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people. (When it
says, He ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended
into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one
who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all
things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some
prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the
saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of
Christ. (Ephesians 3:14-4:13)

For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010dbr-3.pdf
).

SAINTS HONORED THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday, March 6, the Armenian Church remembers and honors the
following four saints:
St. John, Patriarch of Jerusalem , succeeded St. Cyril as
Patriarch of Jerusalem (386-417). He grew up with the monks at the
monastery of Nitria (Egypt) where he learned about Christianity and
the teachings of Origen. He was noted for his keen intellect and is
said to have delivered inspiring and eloquent sermons.
Hovhan Odznetsi (St. John of Otzoon) was catholicos from 717 to
728, which was a period when Armenia was under Arab rule. He defended
Armenians from forced conversion and was successful in securing the
right of worship for Armenian Christians. He was also successful in
receiving tax-exempt status for the church. He received the title of
philosopher and was educated in the Hellenic school of thought. He was
highly admired and respected.
Hovhan Vorodnetsi (St. John of Orotni) was born in
1315. Following his ordination he served at the monasteries of
Kailitzor and Datev. He dedicated most of his efforts toward the
preservation of the orthodox faith, and against the attempt to merge
the Armenian Church with the Latin Church. He wrote commentaries on
the Gospel of John and the epistles of St. Paul.
Krikor Datevatzi (St. Gregory of Datev), born in 1346 in the
province of
Vayotz Tsor, is perhaps the best known of the three. He was a student
of John of Orotni and a great defender of the character of the
Armenian Church. He was a brilliant scholar; he knew Latin fluently
and had studied the Greek philosophers extensively. He is regarded to
be the greatest teacher of the Armenian Church. His most famous work
is the Book of Questions (Kirk Hartsmants), which examines questions
of faith. He is also credited with setting a high standard for
preaching. He is often referred to as the second Gregory the
Illuminator.

SUNDAY OF THE STEWARD
This Sunday, March 7, the fourth Sunday of Lent, is the Sunday of the
Steward (Tntesi Kiraki). The reading on this day is from the Gospel
of Luke (chapter 16, verses 1 to 8), which relates the parable of The
Unrighteous Steward. This parable is about a rich man and his
steward. The steward was one who looked out for his own personal
benefit and through his cunning arrangements he made deals with those
who were in debt to his master. Jesus used this parable not to condone
the behavior of the steward but rather as an illustration of qualities
that have a necessary place in the life of true disciples. Since we
are stewards of the world, we are accountable to our Lord for the
talents we have and the things that have been entrusted to our care.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus used parables as a teaching
tool. His parables were common stories, usually short and always
interesting. Generally, the stories were used to convey important
moral and ethical messages. Some of the parables were simple and easy
to comprehend. Others were complex and more challenging.

MEDIAN DAY OF LENT
Next Wednesday, March 10, is the median day of Lent (Meechink). It is
the 24th day of Lent and it occurs on the Wednesday of the fourth week
of Lent. Although it does not have any specific religious
significance, this mid-point day has been traditionally marked as a
special day, and occasion for celebration with fellowship, friendship
an d the sharing of a table of Lenten foods.

THE SUNRISE (AREVAKAL) SERVICE
During Lent the Armenian Sunrise service (Arevakal) takes a prominent
place. Traditionally this service would take place on Wednesday and
Friday mornings during Lent. Here in the United States and elsewhere,
it is performed on Sundays immediately after the closed-altar liturgy.
Although the Church takes on a mournful appearance during
Lent, the Sunrise service is quite joyous with its main theme being
light, which is our God, Christ the Lord. Indeed, the word light
(looys) appears more than any other word throughout the service,
whereas the word darkness (khavar) is used just once. The upbeat music
of the hymns and the positive lyrics make this one of the most
pleasant and uplifting services in the Armenian Church. It makes you
want to sing for joy unto the Lord.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 5 Annual Lenten Dinner by the Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz
Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, following Lenten Service. All are
invited. Donation: $10 per person.
March 7 Mid-Lent Luncheon by Ladies Guild of St. Illuminators
Cathedral, New York City, at 1 pm. Admission $25 (adults); $10
(children). For information: 212-689-5880.
March 7 Mid-Lent luncheon by Ladies Guild of St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York, following Badarak. Enjoy a variety of homemade
Lenten food. Presentation by Lynn T. Cetin, MD, Technology and our
Youth and the Importance of the Family dinner.
March 7 General Membership meetings of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church,
Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
March 7 Annual Membership Meeting, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen
Blvd., Ridgefield, New Jersey.
March 7 Annual Membership Meeting, St. Paul Church, 645 S. Lewis Ave.,
Waukegan, Illinois.
March 10 Fourth Prelacy Lenten Service and Lecture at St. Illuminators
Cathedral, New York, 7:30 pm. St. Mary, Paradigm of Discipleship and
Holiness, presented by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis
Church (NY).
March 13 International Food Festival and Auction hosted by the
Armenian Relief Society at Hovnanian School, New Milford, New Jersey,
at 5 pm. Food booths of various nations. Silent auction and Tricky
Tray. For information Lucy Keomurjian, 201-567-3318 or
[email protected]
(mailto:lucine [email protected]).
March 13 NY Hamazkayin Literary Committee presents Historical Review
of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and its Recognition during Soghomon
Tehlirians Trial in 1921, lecture (in English) by Stephan N. Simonian,
MD, 8:05 pm at St. Illuminators Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New
York City. Admission $5.
March 14 Ladies Guild annual Lenten Luncheon following church
services, St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
March 14 Annual membership meeting, St. Stephens Church, New
Britain-Hartford, Connecticut, in Kework Hall immediately after
services.
March 16 The New York Society Library presents Nora Armani and David
Bakamjian in a journey through the spirit of Armenia, 6:30 pm at the
New York Society Library, 53 East 79th Street, New York City. For
information and registration: (
4882/goto:
) or 212-288-6900 Ext. 230
March 17 Fifth Prelacy Lenten Service and Lecture at St. Illuminators
Church, New York, 7:30 pm. Women as Charity Workers, presented by
Mrs. Valentine Berberian.
March 21 Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New
York City. Featured artists: Tanya Gabrielian, pianist; Natalie
Aroyan, soprano. Tickets $30. Carnegie box office 212-247-7800 or
Prelacy office 212-689-7810.
March 21 St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, presentation by
Heather Govern, who will speak on saving money, saving energy, and
saving the planet, at 1 pm following Badarak. Admission is free.
March 24 Sixth and final Prelacy Lenten Service and Lecture at
St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York City, 7:30 pm. Women as Christian
Educators Today, by Yeretzgin Joanna Baghsarian.
March 26 New York Hamazkayin Literary Committee presents, We are not
Ermeni: The Hamshen Armenians, lecturer Avedis Hadjian, 8:05 pm at the
Armenian Center, Woodside, New York.
March 27 New England Regional Conference for pastors, boards of
trustees, and delegates, hosted by Holy Trinity Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 10 am to 4 pm.
April 11 ARS Mayr Chapter presents ZULAL, a cappela trio, at the
Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs, 209-15 Horace Harding Expressway,
Bayside, New York, 4 pm. Donation: $50, $30; $15 for children under
12. Contact Sonia, 917-679-6992; Hasmik, 516-330-5290.
April 17 St. Stephen s Ladies Guild, Watertown, Massachusetts,
presents jazzy evening featuring Sandi Bedrosian jazz ensemble, 6 pm,
church hall. $35 per person. Contact [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) or Yeretzgin Baljian,
781-209-1915. Reservations only.
April 17 Ladies Guild New England Regional Seminar hosted
Sts. Vartanantz Church (Providence) Ladies Guild and the National
Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG), 9 am. Guest speaker: Shakay
Kizirian. Topic: Survival (A Womans Story). For information: Joyce
Bagdasarian, 401-434-4467 or [email protected].
April 18 ARS Mayr and Erebouni Chapters sponsor Walk-Armenia to
benefit Camp Haiastan. Registration at St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th
Street, Douglaston, New York, starts at 12 noon, $25 fee. Walk begins
1 pm. For information 516-330-5290 (Hasmik); 516-739-0805 (Nayda).
April 18 Health Expo 2010, To Your Health, St. Sarkis Church, 38-65
234th St., Douglaston, New York. Free tests, counseling, information
on medical conditions, mini-lectures on current health issues. For
information: Dr. Arthur Kubikian 718-786-3842.
April 24 Commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, organized by the Eastern Prelacy with the participation of
community organizations, 7 pm at St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York
City. Keynote speaker: Professor Peter Balakian.
May 10 Mothers Day luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild.
May 13 to 16 National Representative Assembly hosted by St.
Illuminators Cathedral, New York City, and St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.
May 13-14 NALG Annual Conference in conjunction with the NRA, Crowne
Plaza, LaGuardia Airport Hotel. For information Mary Derderian,
781-762-4253, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).
June 25-July 4 24th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer
Program for youth ages 13 to 18, at St. Mary of Providence Center,
Elverson, Pennsylvania.
July 17 A Hye Summer Night V, dance hosted by Ladies Guild of
Sts. Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode
Island. Watch for details.
August 22 Annual picnic of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts.
Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to
your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

ACA TEXAS URGES GENOCIDE BILL PASSAGE

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.03.2010 13:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Texas branch of the Armenian Council of America
along with Armenian American citizens of Texas are strongly urging
their Texas Representatives in the Foreign Affairs Committee to
co-sponsor and vote for House Resolution 252 in the upcoming March
4 hearing. H.R. 252 calls upon President Obama to ensure that the
foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding
and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic
cleansing and genocide documented in the United States record relating
to the Armenian Genocide.

"As Armenian Americans in Texas, I believe that it is our duty to
contact our representatives in Congress to urge them to vote on this
crucial bill," said Sarkis Ohanian, Chairman of ACA – Texas. "As of
today, out of the five Texas Congressional members, Representative
McCaul is the only one that has cosponsored the bill. I am hopeful
the remaining representatives respond favorably and do the right
thing by voting, not only for their constituency, but for mankind
and human rights as a whole," added Ohanian.

The Texas Congressional delegation comprised of Representatives Ted
Poe, Ron Paul, Gene Greene, Michael T. McCall and Sheila Jackson Lee
makes up the second largest State delegation within the Committee.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman has scheduled
a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252) on March
4. Over 137 House Members have cosponsored this measure, spearheaded
by Representatives Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, and Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone and Mark Kirk. A similar
measure in the Senate (S.Res.316) is led by Senators Bob Menendez
and John Ensign and currently has 13 cosponsors.

The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated
to work with all political leaders, offering Armenian related news,
analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and activists,
advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The Armenian
Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. – Armenia and U.S.

– Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting
sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while
promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.

JEWISH COMMUNITY NOT RECOGNIZE "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

news.az
March 2 2010
Azerbaijan

US Jewish lobby to spare no effort to prevent passage of resolution on
"Armenian genocide" in US Congress.

The head of the Jewish community of Azerbaijan has commented on the
upcoming discussion of the resolution on the so-called "Armenian
genocide" in the US Congress.

"I am confident that the US Jewish lobby along with the Azerbaijani
and Turkish diasporas will make everything possible to prevent the
adoption of the resolution on the so-called "Armenian genocide"
in the Congress", said head of the community of Mountain Jews of
Azerbaijan Semen Ikhiilov.

"We maintain regular contacts with Azerbaijani Jews who now reside in
the United States and they are ready to spare no effort to prevent
Armenians’ acts in the Congress. Our Jewish community officially
says that we do not recognize "Armenian genocide". Genocide is
what Armenians committed in Khojaly and not the mythical legends
of Armenians.

I do not think that the US administration is so naive and it will
believe these Armenian myths. Therefore, I think all efforts of
Armenians will fail like in previous years and I am more than confident
about it", Ikhiilov said.

DOMESTIC CRISIS MAY LEAD TO CHANGE IN POWER

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.03.2010 14:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian National Congress not only organizes
rallies but also carries out a great deal of work, according to
Surents Surenyants, member of Republic party’s political council.

"The legitimacy of the Armenian authorities is questioned. To improve
the situation, reforms are needed. Otherwise, the aggravating political
crisis will lead to change in power," Mr. Surenyants said at a joint
news conference with RPA (Republican Party of Armenia) member Artak
Zakaryan.

Commenting on the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, he said Armenia
should ratify the protocols ahead of Turkey. "My opinion may differ
from that of other ANC members. But it’s my personal view of the
situation," he said.

As to the Armenian Genocide resolution, Mr. Surenyants said it will
hardly be passed in the Congress. "It’s somehow offending that the
Armenian cause has become a plaything for Armenia," he said.

For his part, Mr. Zakaryan remarked that the legitimacy of the
country’s leadership cannot be questioned by a 20000 rally. "All
governing bodies function in accordance with the law and any talk about
a domestic crisis is improper," he said. In regard to the upcoming US
House panel vote on the Armenian Genocide resolution, he said it’s
"a problem of the US-Turkish relations". "Armenia’s involvement in
the process is limited to the activity of the Diaspora," he said.

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of
the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet
Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks
held through Swiss mediation. On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional
Court of the Republic of Armenia found the protocols conformable to
the country’s Organic Law.

The Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res. 106) was submitted to the
House of Representatives by Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), on
January 30, 2007, during the 110th United States Congress. It was
a non-binding resolution calling upon the US President to ensure
that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate
understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human
rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States
record relating to the Armenian Genocide, and for other purposes. Upon
its introduction it was referred to United States House Committee
on Foreign Affairs where it passed a 27-21 vote and was sent back
for a full house vote. On October 26, 2007, in a letter addressed
to the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, four key sponsors of the bill,
requested a debate on the bill in full House to be postponed.

Another resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian
Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of
Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich
(R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill) in 2009.

It currently has 137 co-sponsors.