Author: Jack Hunanian

In the heart of a bustling Paris, a stage was set not for the romance of its streets but for the unfolding drama of international diplomacy. The protagonists, Edmon Marukyan, Armenia's Ambassador-at-Large, and the ever-contentious neighbor Azerbaijan, found themselves locked in a narrative that treads the thin line between peace and provocation. At a press conference with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a critical dialogue emerged, spotlighted by none other than French President Emmanuel Macron.

Amid the historic backdrop of Paris, Marukyan voiced a potent critique against Azerbaijan's reaction to Macron's overtures of peace. It was not merely a question of diplomatic etiquette but a profound inquiry into the sincerity of Azerbaijan's peace commitments. Marukyan underscored the irony in Azerbaijan condemning peace-oriented statements while simultaneously engaging in military exercises and hurling accusations of ethnic cleansing and territorial occupation at Armenia. This, he argued, painted a stark contrast between proclaimed peace endeavors and actual military actions.

The narrative takes a deeper dive as we explore the underlying contradictions. While Azerbaijan faces criticism for its military posturing, the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis painted a different picture, highlighting the positive strides in peace negotiations and border delimitation talks. The discourse pointed towards efforts at long-term peace and stability in the region, underscored by large-scale rehabilitation and reconstruction work in liberated territories. The bilateral meeting between the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia was projected as a significant step toward mending fences, with a focus on establishing relations based on international law norms and principles for enduring stability.

In the face of accusations and military maneuvers, Armenia's stance, as articulated by Marukyan, centered on the defense of its territorial integrity. The country's military cooperations were framed not as acts of aggression but as necessary measures to safeguard against external threats. This perspective sheds light on the complex dynamics of international relations, where actions are often interpreted through the prism of national security and sovereignty.

The dance of diplomacy and discord between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Paris as its latest arena, encapsulates the challenges of achieving peace in a landscape marked by historical grievances and contemporary geopolitical tensions. As each side navigates the fine line between defending its interests and striving for a peaceful resolution, the international community watches closely, hoping for a future where dialogue triumphs over discord.

By PanARMENIAN

PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Contact: Chris Zakian

Tel: (212) 686-0710

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.armenianchurch.us

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ATTENTION EDITOR: Four photos attached, with captions below. Download additional photos here (credit Diran Jebejian, Jebejian Images):

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/Youth/Childrens-Day-at-St-Vartan-Cathedral-Feb-3-2024

HEADLINE:

At St. Vartan Cathedral, a Day of Youthful Energy, Outreach, and Kindness

New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral rang with the excited voices of children, and was filled with their youthful spirit of compassion, during a special event on Saturday, February 3.

“Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral” was conceived as a way to bring young Armenian faithful together in a meaningful cause, to honor the 125th Anniversary of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.

The heartwarming result saw 115 children from throughout the New York Metro region—ranging from the 3rd to 8th grades—converge on the Diocesan cathedral to pray alongside their Bishop, make new friendships, and lend their eager hands to a special community service project.

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan presided over the occasion, and expressed his delight in seeing the cathedral sanctuary filled with young faces. Addressing them during the opening prayer service, he praised the children for their outreach to others in the community, and urged them to stay close to the church, and embrace their Armenian Christian identity.

“The sight of our cathedral, the very heart of our Diocese, pulsating with the energy, laughter, and joy of so many young attendees, is nothing short of inspirational,” said Bishop Mesrop. “Your enthusiastic dedication to serving others is a living testament to the teachings of Christ on love and service.”

* Outreach Packed with Kindness

After the service, the children went to the Diocesan Center’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, where they had lunch and undertook their charitable service project.

Working in association with the Sant’Egidio charitable community—which runs a weekly soup kitchen out of the St. Vartan Cathedral Complex—the children joined together to fill 200 bags with meals for the poor and houseless in the area. Each bag contained a ham and cheese sandwich, mustard packet, water bottle, banana, apple sauce, Purell handwipes, bag of cookies, hot beverage cup with a lid and the elements to make tea, a Nestle’s Crunch bar, and a toothbrush with toothpaste.

To cap off their effort, the children put a sticker on each bag that read: “Made and Packed with Kindness.” Using markers, they decorated the bags with their personal messages of support and hope. For their efforts, each child was awarded a community service certificate.

The Sant’Egidio Community—which reaches out to around 150 needy individuals in the area of Manhattan surrounding the cathedral—was overjoyed with the result, expressing in a thank-you message how touched and impressed they were by the care that the children had put into the assembly of every bag. They thanked the Diocese for its trusted partnership over the years, and noted how important it is to teach young souls to value volunteerism, outreach to the local community, and Christian service.

* The Importance of Giving Back

While they were enjoying lunch and working on the project, the children listened to a motivational talk by Chris Sarafian, the chief operating officer of New Jersey’s Hovnanian School. He engaged the children in a friendly, informal style, encouraging their spirit of charity and compassion.

“I was extremely impressed with the students' enthusiasm and empathy toward helping feed the less fortunate,” Mr. Sarafian explained. “In my talk, I moved among the tables reading the students’ inspirational notes, often quoting the messages they had written on the meal bags. The words were motivating and inspired hope for the recipients.”

“In talking with the children, I touched on the importance of volunteering, and displaying acts of kindness toward others—not only people we know, but those we don’t know, as well,” he added. “I also tried to instill the importance of giving back to the church by serving on the altar or in the choir. I truly believe that Bishop Mesrop’s sermon energized and inspired the children to become enthusiastic about giving back and engaging in acts of kindness.”

The Children’s Day organizing committee included Yn. Hasmik Ajamian, Maral Beylerian, Talia Jebejian Bouldoukian, Melanie Bourghol, Souzi Kasaryan, Nazig Kirokian, Noushig Ohanian, Lori Saganda, and Yn. Alla Terzyan.

Maria and Bryan Stepanian, the enthusiastic and creative chairs of the Diocese’s 125th Anniversary Committee, took a special active interest in the Children’s Day committee—an event that played a key role in their conception of the year-long celebration and its connection to the year’s “125 Acts of Kindness” initiative. As a result, plans are underway to make Children’s Day an ongoing annual event at St. Vartan Cathedral.

“The enthusiasm on February 3 from both parents and children was palpable,” said Children’s Day committee leader Talia Jebejian Bouldoukian. “That was a testament to our organizing committee—which was cohesive, dedicated and hard-working. From our very first meeting, everyone was excited about the Children’s Day idea, and especially about the meal bags project. And they kept that enthusiasm going all the way until we were cleaning up in the kitchen and talking about doing this again next year.”

She went on: “We had representation on the committee from the Hovnanian School, Kirikian Saturday School, Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School, and St. Leon Sunday School: a wonderful show of unity among our community.”

The event was also generously supported by the local community, including monetary contributions and donations of food and supplies by Toufayan Bakeries; Dr. Natalie Capan and Dr. Nayat Hacikian; ShopRite (Fair Lawn), Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods (Edgewater) markets; and several anonymous donors.

Afterwards, Bishop Mesrop summed up the hopeful spirit of the occasion with these words: “This extraordinary day stands out as a beacon of hope and goodness, reminding us all of the incredible things that can be achieved when we unite in faith and love. It was a true embodiment of the spirit we aspire to cultivate within our Diocesan community, especially as we commemorate the 125th Anniversary of our Diocese.”

Click here to view photos of Children’s Day by Diran Jebejian (Jebejian Images).

—2/12/24

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PHOTO CAPTION (1):

During the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral,” 115 children from throughout the New York Metro region converged on the Diocesan cathedral to pray alongside Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, make new friendships, and lend their hands to a special community service project. The gathering was part of the 125th Anniversary celebration of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

PHOTO CAPTION (2):

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan was delighted to engage with young faithful during the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral.” (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

PHOTO CAPTION (3):

While working on a community service project, the young participants in the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral” heard a motivational talk by Chris Sarafian, the chief operating officer of New Jersey’s Hovnanian School. He engaged the children in a friendly, informal style, encouraging their spirit of charity and compassion. (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

PHOTO CAPTION (4):

In a community service project at the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral,” children joined together to fill 200 bags with meals for the poor and houseless in the area. To cap off their effort, the children put a sticker on each bag that read: “Made and Packed with Kindness.” (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

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LINKS:

Photo Gallery (credit Diran Jebejian, Jebejian Images):

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/Youth/Childrens-Day-at-St-Vartan-Cathedral-Feb-3-2024

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Patriarch Daniel of Romania welcomed Tigran Galstyan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Romania, on a presentation visit on Wednesday.

Patriarch Daniel congratulated the newly-appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Bucharest and wished him a successful diplomatic mission in Romania.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the Patriarch of Romania for the privilege of receiving him and emphasized the outstanding relations between the two nations.

According to a press release issued by the Department for inter-church and inter-religious relations of the Romanian Patriarchate, Patriarch Daniel conveyed optimism that these relations would be strengthened throughout his term, particularly by fostering spiritual and cultural connections.

The ambassador stated that his initial official encounter was with the Patriarch of Romania after presenting his credentials, as he desired the diplomatic endeavors to commence under God’s blessing.

In addition, Tigran Galstyan reminisced about the Armenian community’s centuries-long presence in Romania and the significance of Patriarch Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, who was a symbol of the Armenian people’s resurgence of national consciousness and was born and educated in Romania.

During the meeting, Patriarch Daniel emphasized the Christian faith’s significance and role in safeguarding the Armenian people’s identity amidst challenging historical periods. Furthermore, he stated that the two peoples have shared historical experiences.

Preserving and advancing spiritual heritage is thus imperative within a geopolitical and religious context beset by difficulties.

After the meeting, the Patriarch of Romania specified that the organization of pilgrimages in Armenia and Romania and the development of collaborative initiatives constitute a practical means of fostering mutual understanding between the two peoples.