Author: Jilavian Emma

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
January 28, 2005

PAPA: RICEVE PRESIDENTE REPUBBLICA DI ARMENIA KOCHARIAN ;
AUSPICA PACE VERA E STABILE NEL NAGORNO KARABAK

CITTA’ DEL VATICANO

(ANSA) – CITTA’ DEL VATICANO, 28 GEN – Il Papa ha ricevuto
il presidente della Repubblica di Armenia, Robert Kocharian,
accompagnato dalla moglie e dal seguito.

All’udienza, che si e’ svolta nella biblioteca privata e
durante la quale si e’ parlato in russo, Giovanni Paolo II e
apparso in forma e molto sorridente.

Al presidente armeno papa Wojtyla ha rivolto un discorso in
russo, del quale ha letto la prima e l’ultima frase, affidando
la lettura del testo completo a un collaboratore. Ricordando che
il presidente e’ originario del Nagorno-Karabak, il Papa ha
auspicato “che sorga una pace vera e stabile” in quella
regione. “Cio’ – enuncia il discorso papale – potra’ scaturire
dal rifiuto deciso della violenza e da un paziente dialogo tra
le parti, grazie pure ad un’attiva mediazione internazionale”.

Kocharian ha offerto in dono un calice liturgico piuttosto
grande, e il Papa ha ricambiato con le medaglie del pontificato
e i rosari per le signore. Con molta cordialita’ ha salutato la
figlia diciannovenne del presidente armeno, studentessa in
giurisprudenza.

Prima di lasciare il Vaticano il presidente Kocharian si e
fermato all’esterno della basilica di san Pietro per vedere la
statua di san Gregorio armeno istallata la scorsa settimana in
una delle nicchie della chiesa.(ANSA).

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – February 2, 2005

MUSICAL ARMENIA CONCERT RECEIVES
ACCLAIM OF CAPACITY AUDIENCE
The Musical Armenia concert last Sunday, January 30, was received
enthusiastically by the sold-out audience.
The first part of the program featured the baritone Oshin Gregorian, who
thrilled the audience with his renditions of works by Gomidas, Mozart,
Donizetti, Puccini, Ravel, Ganatchian, Gregorian and Sayat Nova.
The second part featured the works of the young composer Eric Hachikian
played with great expression and feeling by the Motyl Chamber Ensemble. The
audience was enthralled with Voyage to Amasia and Saint Sarkis Suite.
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate, expressed his deep appreciation of
the exceptional talent of these two young artists. He noted that the
creative art a nation produces is the best indicator of the health of that
nation.
The Musical Armenia series began in 1982 and has continued its
commitment to promote young Armenian artists.

CATHOLICOS ARAM I ISSUES ENCYCLICAL
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 1600TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE CREATION OF THE ARMENIAN ALPHABET
His Holiness Aram I has issued an Encyclical concerning the 1600th
anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet. His Holiness has
directed all dioceses within the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia to
mark this milestone anniversary with appropriate commemorations during 2005.
The Eastern Prelacy in conjunction with the Armenian Chair at Harvard
University will host an international conference on this occasion during the
month of October 2005.
To read the Encyclical by Aram Vehapar go the catholicosate web site at

TOWN HALL MEETINGS WITH AMBASSADOR
John Evans, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, will host a series of town
hall meetings in the United States this month. He will be accompanied by
USAID Director Robin Phillips and colleagues from the U.S. Department of
State.
The schedule includes the following: February 11-12, New York/New
Jersey; February 14-15, Boston; February 15-17, Los Angeles, Glendale,
Pasadena; February 18, Fresno; February 19, San Francisco; February 22-23,
Washington, DC.

YOUNG ORGANIST FILLS KEY ROLE
Without doing any extensive research we can say with fair certainty that
Vahe Hovhannisyan is the youngest organist in any Armenian Church, and
perhaps, any Church in the country. Vahe, at age nine (he will turn 10 next
month), plays the entire Divine Liturgy each Sunday at St. Stephen Armenian
Church in New Britain, Connecticut.
Last year, the long-time organist of the church, Shirley Kevorkian,
wanted a respite from her duties. Vahe came forward and told the priest,
Rev. Fr. Krikoris Keshishian, that he would play the organ. And he did and
continues to accompany the choir and deacons for the more than two-hour
service each Sunday. Last year the Hartford Courant featured a front-page
article about the young organist.
The next issue of Outreach will feature the full story about this
exceptional young man.

VARTANANTZ COMMEMORATION
Tomorrow is the Feast of Vartanantz, perhaps one of the most popular
feast days for Armenians. It is always observed on the Thursday before the
beginning of Great Lent.
Vartanantz commemorates the memory of Vartan Mamigonian and his soldiers
who went into battle against the mighty Persians to defend their faith and
preserve their identity. The definitive battle between the Armenians and the
Persian forces (with three times the strength of the Armenians) took place
on the fields of Avarayr in 451. It was a fierce battle, and ultimately
Vartan and most of his men were martyred. The Armenian Church showed its
great respect for them by consecrating the entire group collectively as the
Saints of Vartanantz. Armenian resistance to Persian rule continued with a
nephew of Vartan, Vahan Mamikonian, who conducted guerilla warfare with a
number of successes. In 485 King Vagharsh of Persian sent envoys to a
village named Nvarsak (northwestern corner of Iran), to meet with Vahan and
Armenian nobles. Ultimately they signed a treaty (Treaty of Nvarsag) that
guaranteed the right of the Armenians to practice their religion, among
other provisions. The Treaty of Nvarsag is rightfully regarded as one of the
first (if not the first) human rights documents.
In a sense, it can be said that it was on the battlefield of Avarair,
where Vartan and his men fell, that Christianity truly became an indelible
part of the national identity of Armenians.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL BE WITH
STS. VARTANANTZ PARISHES IN NEW JERSEY AND RHODE ISLAND
Tomorrow, on the occasion of Vartanantz, Archbishop Oshagan will
officiate over the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield,
New Jersey. Attending the services and partaking Communion will be students
of the Hovnanian School in New Milford, New Jersey. As in previous year, the
students will present a Vartanantz program during the luncheon that will
follow the services.
On Saturday and Sunday, February 5 and 6, His Eminence will visit the
Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence, Rhode Island. On Sunday he will
officiate at the Divine Liturgy.

SUNDAY IS POUN PAREGENTAN
This Sunday, February 6, is Poun Paregentan. Poun means main and
Paregentan means good living or mardi gras. The Armenian liturgical calendar
has many occasions of Paregentan, but Poun Paregentan is associated with the
start of the long period of abstinence leading to Easter and the Feast of
the Holy Resurrection.
Traditionally, Poun Paregentan is a day of lavish tables, rich foods,
and festive family gatherings.
Monday begins the Medz Bahk (Great Fast), which is accompanied with
prayer and introspection. In the Armenian tradition during this period no
animal based food is permitted, including dairy products, eggs and fish. The
diet is confined to vegetables and grains and vegetable oils.

COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE COMMEMORATED
This Saturday, February 5, the Armenian Church commemorates the first
Ecumenical Council of Constantinople, which took place in 381 by order of
Emperor Theodosius.
It is traditionally accepted that the Armenian Catholicos, Nerses the
Great, attended this Council, although there is no hard and fast proof. The
Armenian Church accepts and commemorates this and two other Ecumenical
Councils.

PASSION NARRATIVES FOCUS
OF LENTEN PROGRAM
The Prelacy Lenten program will focus on passages from the passion
narratives. The program will begin Wednesday, February 9, and continue each
Wednesday during Lent. The Lenten programs will take place at St.
Illuminator Church, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City, beginning with a
Lenten Service at 7:30 pm and Bible Study at 8:00 pm, followed by Fellowship
with a Lenten meal prepared by the Prelacy Ladies Guild. The Bible Study
will be conducted by Deacon Shant Kazanjian with the following schedule:
February 9: The Passion of Jesus-Predicted and Interpreted
February 16: The Last Supper
February 23: The Trial
March 2: The Crucifixion
March 9: The Burial
March 16: The Resurrection
All are welcome to the series sponsored by the Armenian Religious
Education Council and the Prelacy Ladies Guild. For information contact the
AREC office, 212-689-4481.

AND, FINALLY, THIS FROM A SOON TO BE PUBLISHED BOOK:
.Yazdigerd tried to persuade the Armenian princes to accept
Zorastrianism by pledging to grant them a status equal to that of the
Persian nobility. They refused, whereupon Yazdigerd issued a decree ordering
all of the nations in the empire to become “worshippers of the sun,” as
Eghishe characterizes the Zorastrians.
When the Armenians, together with the other Christian nations of the
Caucasus, refused, Yazdigerd summoned their cavalries together and had them
tortured. Even in the face of torture, they would not renounce Christianity.
He sent some of the nobility off into the distant desert to fight against
the Huns, who were attacking the eastern parts of the empire. Yazdigerd also
imposed heavy taxes on the Armenians, and for the first time taxed the
churches and monasteries. He appointed a Persian governor for Armenia. And
he ordered the chief magus to compose a letter refuting Christianity and
presenting Zorastrianism as the true religion.
When the Armenians received the letter, the bishops gathered together
and wrote a response. The bishops letter, as Eghishe presents it, is an
important document. The bishops did not challenge the political authority of
the Persian king. Rather, they pledged loyalty to him as long as they were
free to remain Christians:
All our possessions and properties are in your hands and our bodies
stand before you; do [with them] whatever you will. If you leave us with
[our] faith we shall not exchange you for another lord on earth.
There was no room for compromise over Christianity, however:
From this faith no one can shake us, neither angels nor men, neither
sword nor fire nor water nor any kind of cruel torture.

>From LIGHT FROM LIGHT: An Introduction to the History and Theology of the
Armenian Church by Michael B. Papazian

Visit our website at

KARABAKH PEOPLE’S REVOLT PREVENTED ANOTHER GENOCIDE OF ARMENIAN
POPULATION

Azg/arm
2 Feb 05

The speech of Artashes Geghamian, chairman of the National Unity
Party, delivered at the PACE sitting on January 27 dealt with the
report of Mats Einarsson (United Left).

Mr. President and dear colleagues,

It is very symbolic that the discussion of creating a European center
for commemoration of the victims of ethnic cleansing is going on in
current year, the year that the Armenians commemorate the 90th
anniversary of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey. The political and
intellectual elite of the Armenian nation, more than 600 people,
living in Constantinople was arrested on the night of April 24,
1915. That put the beginning to annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians
and their exodus throughout the world. That was the time when Bruno
Jasenski wrote one of the pages of his “Plot of the
Indifferent”. Europe kept silent. And that wasn’t an accident that
after a quarter of a century, in the August of 1939, Hitler stated in
his speech held for the commanders of his troops the following: “I
ordered my “Dead Heads” detachments to annihilate all the men, women
and children speaking Polish and having Polish origin. Only this will
help us conquer the vital territories we need. Who, after all, speaks
todayof the annihilation of the Armenians?” Later, the Jews shared the
tragic fate of the Polish people. Holocaust took place.

Ethnic cleanings were resumed in the late 80s and early 90s, when
hundreds, thousands of Armenians were massacred in Sumgait, Baku,
Kirovabad and Dashqes. Over 450 thousand of Armenians had to flee
from Soviet Azerbaijan. The Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh could
survive only after many people perishedas heroes in the war.

Unfortunately, two days ago, Mr. Mercan, our Turkish colleague, was
blaming in his speech the Karabakh people that they averted the danger
of being killed in the genocide. His draw to make parallels between
the Nagorno Karabakh issue and the cases of separatism in some of the
European countries are doomed to failure. These cases of separatism
are always strictly criticized by the majority of the population of
these very European countries.

In fact, Mr. Mercan called for the Belgians, the French, the English,
the Polish, the Russian and Italian to save themselves from
themselves. It is aluck that Canada isn’t represented in the CE,
otherwise the Turks would never forgive this country for the
opportunity it gave to the people of Quebec todecide their future fate
through a referendum. Mercan has preserved the traditionsof the
Byzantine notorious policy. It seems that the Ottomans have learned
some lessons after burning Constantinople and killing its residents in
1453. Let’s be just and say that they adopted not the best things from
the Byzantine civilization. We wonder why our Turkish colleague didn’t
mention the July events of 1974, when the Turkish troops invaded
Cyprus and occupied 40 percent of this independent state’s
territory. The 82 percent of Cyprus population are the Greeks. The
Armenians and the Maronits live there, too. He didn’t mention that
thousands of Cyprus Greeks were killed as a result of Turkey’s attack,
while over 200 thousand Christian residents of Cyprus had to leave
their homes and became refugees in their own country.

I came to remind the following verses from the Bible: “Why do you see
the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice log that is
in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own
eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your
brother’s eye”(Mathew, 7:3-4).

We should begin the establishment of the European center for the
victims of ethnic cleansings by restoring our own historic memory. In
“Mea Culpa” confession of 2000 Pope John Paul II asked forgiveness
from God and the Humanity for the activities the Catholic Church
carried out against the heretics and free-minded people, for the
intolerance, for the religious wars and the expeditions of the
crusaders, as well as the hostility and mistrust that many Christians
feel against the Jews.

I think that before establishing the European Center, the PACE should
make “Mea Culpa” statement-confession, as the political figures and
not the people are guilty for all the victims of ethnic cleansings in
Europe. While the people are waiting for the penance of the political
figures, of our penance.

By Artashes Geghamian, Strasburg, January 27, 2005

KRNV, NV
Jan 27 2005

Reid intervenes in southern Nevada immigration case

Senator Harry Reid is intervening in a deportation case that could
send two Nevada girls to Armenia.

18-year-old Emma Sarkisian and 17-year-old sister Mariam have been in
federal custody since last week in Los Angeles.

Authorities decided they have to leave the country, but their parents
and other family members can stay.

The girls were born in the former Soviet Union but have been in the
US since 1991.

Reid’s appealing to federal Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on
grounds of extenuating circumstances.

First checks distributed from insurance settlement for Armenians killed by
Turks

.c The Associated Press

AP Photos NYR101-2

NEW YORK AP) – Five Armenian charities received checks for $333,333
(euro254,744) each Wednesday as part of an insurance settlement with
descendants of Armenians massacred 90 years ago by the Turks.

The checks are part of a $20 million (euro15.28 million) settlement
with New York Life Insurance Co., which issued 2,300 policies to
Armenians in Turkey before 1915 that were never paid, according to
plaintiffs’ attorney Brian Kabateck.

Armenians contend that 1.5 million people were executed between 1915
and 1919 by Turkish authorities who accused them of helping the
invading Russian army during World War I. Turkey rejects the genocide
claim and says Armenians were killed in civil unrest during the
collapse of the Ottoman Empire. France and Russia are among countries
that have declared the killings genocide, but the United States has
not.

The agreement set aside at least $11 million (euro8.41 million) for
descendants, $3 million (euro2.29 million) for charities and $2
million (euro1.53 million) for administrative costs. Four charities in
Los Angeles will receive the rest of the $3 million (euro2.29
million).

Descendants of the policy holders have until March 16 to file claims.

The settlement, approved last year by a federal judge in Los Angeles,
is believed to be the first involving the events of the era.

On the Net:

01/26/05 17:03 EST

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
January 26, 2005 Wednesday 2:52 PM Eastern Time

Armenian president decorates Ilya Klebanov with order

By Tigran Liloyan

YEREVAN

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan decorated Ilya Klebanov, the
Russian president’s envoy in the North-Western Federal District, with
the St. Mesrop Mashots Order on Wednesday.

Klebanov received one of Armenia’s highest state awards to commend
his contribution to developing and strengthening Russian-Armenian
economic ties at a time when he chaired the Inter-governmental
commission for economic cooperation with Armenia.

The Klebanov-led Russian delegation comprises the leader of the Komi
Republic Vladimir Torlopov and representatives of the business
circles of the North-Western Federal District.

The Russian and Armenian sides discussed Russian-Armenian economic
ties. Kocharyan noted that they had become more intensive. He thinks
that ties between entrepreneurs in both countries have also grown
stronger.

Defence minister says Armenia aims to join European family

Noyan Tapan news agency
25 Jan 05

YEREVAN

“We see ourselves as Europeans and our objective is to become a
fully-fledged member of this family,” the secretary of the Armenian
Security Council and defence minister, Serzh Sarkisyan, told a
visiting delegation led by the EU special representative for the South
Caucasus, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie.

Talvitie said one of his functions is to lay the foundation for
Armenian-EU cooperation in conflict settlement. He said that as a
result of the forthcoming signing of the agreement on individual
partnership, which is part of the European Neighbourhood Policy, all
the South Caucasus states will be assessed in accordance with their
real opportunities.

As regards the Nagornyy Karabakh problem, Serzh Sarkisyan said: “I
have always been in favour of a negotiated solution to the Nagornyy
Karabakh problem and I am sure that the issue must be resolved only
peacefully.”

Welcoming the Armenian defence minister’s position, Heikki Talvitie
expressed the hope that progress would be made in resolving the
Nagornyy Karabakh problem peacefully.

[Passage omitted: list of people included in the visiting EU
delegation]

Persian League, Iran
Jan 25 2005

American Eskandarian makes papa proud
Tue 01-25-2005

FIFAworldcup.com – With only one cap to his name, steadily improving
striker Elecko Eskandarian is primed for a big future with the U.S.
national team. The 23 year-old D.C. United man may not be the biggest
or the fastest, but his understanding, eye for goal and undeniable
pedigree have him in frame for a fine run on the international stage.

After three years at the University of Virginia – a side brought to
prominence by current national team boss Bruce Arena – Eskandarian
went into Major League Soccer as the U.S.’ top collegiate player in
2003.
After coming into the league highly touted, he scored only three
goals for D.C. United in an unremarkable start to his professional
career. The squat forward looked sadly out of his depth. But willing
to pay his dues, the remarkably down-to-earth Alecko learned his
lessons well and 2004 proved another story altogether as he brought
the capital club back to greatness with a championship run.
In the run-up to the 2004 campaign, 14-year-old wunderkind and league
record-signing Freddy Adu was grabbing all the headlines. But it was
his teammate, Eskandarian, who got the job done for United once the
ball got rolling. The player capped off his fine run of form with two
goals in the MLS championship match against Kansas City.
D.C. United coach, former Poland captain and one of the finest-ever
MLS players, Peter Nowak, was amazed with the vast improvements on
display in Alecko’s sophomore season.
`Now when I ask him `how many goals will you score today?’ he has
more confidence and asks `how many do you want?” the coach
commented. Twice Eskandarian was named player of the week and became
the first D.C. United player to score more than ten goals in a season
since 2001. He finished the year as the team’s top scorer, helping
them to earn a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
`It’s pretty sweet to go to everybody that was doubting me and just
show them the trophy (MLS Cup) and just be like, `Shut up. I did
it,” Eskandarian said of his triumphant 2004.
Family ties, football ties
The Eskandarian saga is a compelling and peculiarly `American’ tale,
screaming of long, arduous journeys and the intermingling of
cultures.

Originally of Armenian origins, the Eskandarian clan was forced to
flee Europe for Iran to escape the horror of early 20th century
genocide. Alecko’s father Andarik went on to make his name playing
football in the mid-east. The hard-nosed, no nonsense defender lined
up for Iran at the 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina, and his
performances were so impressive he was named to a Cup all-star team.
And after playing an exhibition match at the Meadowlands in New
Jersey, USA, his ample talents were noticed by the then managers of
the New York Cosmos. Almost at once, the player relocated to the East
Coast of the U.S. where he lined up alongside such icons as Pele and
Franz Beckenbauer for the legendary Cosmos of the North American
Soccer League (NASL) – the ill-fated precursor to MLS.
Andarik’s son Alecko was born in the ethnic hotbed of Montvale, New
Jersey in July of 1982 and almost at once showed an aptitude for
football. His father – who now owns a sporting goods store – did all
he could to nurture that talent.
`I have been playing soccer ever since I can remember,’ Alecko
recalls fondly. `And my first soccer memory is kicking the ball
around with my brother and my dad in our backyard and going nuts when
I scored a goal.’
It did not take long for the stocky poacher to climb the ladder of
the American game, scoring goals with a predatory instinct. What he
lacked in size and speed, he more than made up for with creativity
and a predatory nose for goal.
He was only 16 when the powers that be in U.S. Soccer noticed the
clever, cocksure Alecko. In 1999 he was called in to play with the
under-17 national team, went on to play four games with the under-20s
at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina in 2001, and led
the U-23 (Olympic) side in scoring in 2002 with seven goals.
It was only a matter of time before he got his chance with the big
boys in the senior squad. And it came on 26 May 2003, when he came
off the bench in a friendly against Wales.
Though he failed to score, it is surely just the beginning for the
young, stout striker. With Bruce Arena alerted to Eskandarian’s
substantial ability, he has been called into the training camp for
the final six-team `Hexagonal’ of North, Central American and
Caribbean Zone FIFA World Cup qualifying.
The U.S. will take on Trinidad & Tobago on 9 February in their first
match of the final round.

ARF BUREAU REPRESENTIVE TO PARTICIPATE IN “ARF DAY” FESTIVITY ON US
WESTERN COAST

YEREVAN, January 21 (Noyan Tapan). Since January 17 the ARF Bureau
representative Hrant Margarian has been on the Western Coast of the US
where he has had meetings with various organizations of the ARF and
the community. He will also be the principal speaker at the “ARF Day”
festivity to be held on January 22. NT was informed about this from
ARF press service.

STABILITY MOVEMENT ACCUSES ARAVOT DAILY OF BETRAYAL

YEREVAN, January 21 (Noyan Tapan). On January 21, the Stability public
movement organized an action of protest near the editorial office of
Aravot daily, in front of the Press building, demanding that the
newspaper should publish a refutation in connection with the editorial
of the previous issue, otherwise the editor-in-chief of the newspaper
should leave the homeland “as a traitor.” The above-mentioned
editorial, in particular, said: “According to some observers, the
statement of Elizabeth Jones, Assistant US Secretary of State for
Europe and Euroasia, about the “corrupted” and “criminal” authorities
of Nagorno Karabakh is an absolute slander as the “criminal” and
“corrupted” elements of Karabakh are in Armenia long ago.” Burning the
January 20 issues of Aravot, the representatives of the movement
declared that their action is against the partiality of the newspaper
and not against freedom of speech and democracy. In their opinion,
this article “was copied from the Turkish press and corresponds to the
mentality of the Turkish scum.” The participants of the action carried
a “Traitor Aravot” poster. Aram Abrahamian, editor-in-cheif of the
Aravot daily, informed a Noyan Tapan correspondent that the newspaper
isn’t going to refute its viewpoint and he doesn’t treat the
“statements of those youths” seriously. He mentioned that the
organizers of the action may express their indignation in the Aravot
newspaper.