Armenia Arrests A Turk
Anatolian Times, Turkey
June 19 2005
Yektan Turkyilmaz, the first Turk to receive a permission to study
Armenian international archives, has been arrested at the Yerevan
Airport.
Turkyilmaz is accused of attempting to take history books to Turkey.
Lowell Sun, MA –
June 19 2005
In Stone, a Tribute to So Many Lost
Armenians dedicate memorial on 90th anniversary of genocide
By JENNIFER AMY MYERS, Sun Staff
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, center, primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), leads the blessing of
the Armenian Martyrs Memorial at St. Vartanantz Armenian Church
yesterday. With him, from left, are Deacons Bruce Kayajanian, Ara
Jeknavoirian and Richard Juknavorian. SUN / HOWARD MARTIN
CHELMSFORD — Thomas Magarian was born into a family of 10. Before he
reached preschool age, only he, his brother and two sisters remained.
His parents and other siblings were among the 1.5 million Armenians
systematically massacred by the Turks of the Ottoman Empire between
1915 and 1923.
“I was only about 3 or 4 years old and I remember that we were made
to march the complete area of the camp,” said Magarian, now 91 and
the only living survivor of the Armenian genocide in the area. “The
older children took care of the younger in the orphanage in Beirut
where we were.”
Magarian was among more than 200 parishioners who gathered at St.
Vartanantz Armenian Church yesterday for the dedication of the
Armenian Martyrs Memorial, in conjunction with the 90th anniversary
of the genocide.
The funds to build the granite monument, which honors those killed
during the genocide, were donated by William Hausrath of Wakefield,
in honor of his late wife, Agnes Manoogian Hausrath.
The red, brick groundwork that leads up to and surrounds the monument
is in the shape of a cross. The monument itself consists of three
granite slabs: one tall and dark gray, symbolizing the men killed
in the genocide, a smaller rose-colored stone in honor of the women
killed, and a small, light-gray slab in honor of the children killed.
Eight granite benches ring the monument, seven of them donated by
families of survivors, their family names prominently displayed on the
front of each bench. The eighth bench is reserved for the “unknown:
those known only to God.”
“I’m not Armenian myself, but I knew from what I heard from her and
her family that the genocide was the most significant event of their
lifetime and for generations afterward,” Hausrath said.
“This is something that I’ve wanted to see here for years,” George
Simonian, chairman of the Memorials Committee, said. “All I needed
was a godfather like Bill Hausrath to come along.”
“This has really been a labor of love, a great deal of my family
members perished in the genocide, and this is a fitting memorial,”
he said.
Simonian said he is angry that the Turkish government, to this day,
refuses to acknowledge that the Armenian genocide took place.
“For 90 years these people have been in a state of denial,” he said.
“My mother saw her grandparents thrown overboard by Turkish soldiers.
How do you define “alleged” to her? She knew it happened — she
saw it.”
The parish was honored to have Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, primate of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), in attendance.
Barsamian, born in Arapkir, Turkey, presides over St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral in New York City. He said his life was greatly influenced
by his grandmother, a survivor of the genocide.
“She was 18 years old and a newly married bride and she was three
months pregnant,” he said. “One night, Turkish soldiers came and
took all of the men of the family, leaving her with her mother and
mother-in-law.”
“There she was, this young bride with hope for the future, when
suddenly the world was black,” Barsamian said. “But, she went ahead
and gave birth to my father, who never knew his father.”
He added that he was amazed by his grandmother’s strength and faith,
and the fact that she did not hold any ill feelings towards the Turks.
“She was an amazing woman, so strong,” he recalled. “I never saw any
bitterness in her, even when she spoke about what happened and she
never held any bad feelings against the Turks.”
Barsamian said he believes the Turkish government has failed to
recognize the genocide for two reasons.
“First of all, it is difficult, psychologically, for the Turks to
admit that their grandfathers were killers,” he said. “Secondly,
they are worried that the Armenians will want more than recognition
and may make a claim on their land.”
However, he does see hope in the region, as the topic, once forbidden
to be spoken about in Turkey, is being discussed on television
and radio.
“In order to resolve the problems, we need to put the issues on the
table, even if it is difficult,” he said.
Following the elaborate dedication and blessing of the monument,
parishioners stepped up to the large, granite structure, placing on
it red and white carnations in memory of their fallen ancestors.
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
June 17, 2005, Friday
UKRAINE AIMS AT ARMENIA
SOURCE: Voyenno-Promyshlenny Kurier, No 21, June 15 – 21, 2005, p. 3
by Samvel Martirosjan
UKRAINIAN MILITARY IS PREPARED TO BECOME PEACEKEEPERS IN THE KARABAKH
CONFLICT AREA
Kyiv aspires for the role of a serious player in the Caucasus.
Lieutenant General Valery Frolov, Senior Second-in-Command of the
Ukrainian Ground Forces, said the other day that the Ukrainian
Defense Ministry could send peacekeepers to Nagorno-Karabakh after
two months’ worth of training provided the Rada authorized it. Pyotr
Poroshenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council,
does not rule out the possibility of deployment of Ukrainian
peacekeepers in the conflict area with the consent of all involved
parties. Poroshenko is convinced that the peacekeeping mission in the
region – just like in all other latent conflict areas – will boost
the image of Ukraine as a national leader. Ukraine merely needs trust
of both warring sides and it will certainly become the regional
guarantor of peace.
It does not seem, however, that Ukraine itself is unanimous on the
matter. Georgy Kryuchkov, Chairman of the Rada Committee of National
Security and Defense, was extremely critical of the statements on the
possibility of peacekeeping deployment. He said that it would not
have hurt to know what the Rada thought on the matter before making
statements like that.
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh took the offer of Ukrainian peacekeepers
without enthusiasm. Masis Mailjan, Deputy Foreign Minister of
Nagorno-Karabakh, said that it was not time yet to talk of
peacekeepers. Mailjan is convinced that the truce on the
Azerbaijani-Karabakh front this last 11 years has been maintained
only through preservation of parity. The diplomat added that the
composition of peacekeepers must be run by all involved parties
including Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, in any case.
“According to the decision of the 1994 OSCE Budapest summit,
deployment of international peacekeeping contingent in the Karabakh
conflict area requires a political agreement signed by all warring
sides,” he said.
Foreign Minister of Armenia, Vardan Oskanjan, also called Kyiv’s
statement untimely. “It may become necessary when the conflict is
over, but statements like that are certainly untimely at this point,”
he said.
Despite what Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia might be thinking on the
matter, there is more to the statement on the agreement of all
involved parties than meets the eye. Ukraine cannot be neutral in the
Karabakh conflict. It does not even matter that a great deal of
Ukrainian mercenaries fought on the side of Azerbaijan in the war
over Nagorno-Karabakh (detachments of mercenaries were formed under
the aegis of UNA-UNSO or the so called Kyiv Patriarchate). Along with
everything else, Ukraine was major supplier of arms for Azerbaijan in
the war. In 1993, official Kyiv confessed to the UN Conventional Arms
Roster the delivery of 100 tanks and 110 helicopters to Azerbaijan.
Information on larger quantities of munitions, artillery pieces,
armored vehicles, aircraft, and spare parts delivered to Azerbaijan
from Ukraine appeared both before and after that document.
What with its practically direct involvement in the Karabakh conflict
in the past, Kyiv’s aspirations for the role of peacekeeper in the
area look certainly quaint. Moreover, Ukraine’s ambitions in the
Caucasus are not even restricted to that. Practically simultaneously
with the offer of Ukrainian peacekeepers for the Karabakh conflict
area, Kyiv invited Armenia to join GUAM. Addressing journalists in
the wake of the meeting of GUAM Parliamentary Assembly in Yalta, Rada
Chairman, Vladimir Litvin, said that countries like Russia,
Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Armenia could join the organization in
future. According to Litvin, every country should aspire for
membership in international structures for the purpose of advancing
its interests, provided interests of other countries are taken into
account too. “This is what processes of globalization demand. Unless
one is present, others will make decisions for him,” Litvin said.
Oskanjan responded to Litvin’s words the following day. Speaking on
behalf of official Yerevan, he denied any knowledge of offers of this
sort. “Whenever one joins some organization, he must have faith in
its principles and goals,” Oskanjan said. “GUAM itself as an
organization is revising its goals and programs at this point…”
As a matter of fact, Kyiv seems to have succeeded in persuading the
Armenian authorities at least on one matter. The matter concerns
transit of Iranian gas via Armenia to Georgia, Ukraine, and on to
Europe. This is one of the worst problems that mar the
Russian-Armenian relations at this point. Moscow is doing what it can
to prevent this turn of events, suggesting that Armenia be content
with getting Iranian gas exclusively for its own needs.
In short, all of a sudden Kyiv grew extremely interested in Armenia.
>>From the political point of view, Ukraine’s actions look clumsy. The
impression is that official Kyiv is trying to elbow its way into some
niches in the region by driving Russia out. How independent the
Ukrainian leadership is in the matter is impossible to say. It is
clear, however, that the statements with far-reaching implications
are made in haste which is why their effect sort of falls flat. If
Kyiv’s advances to Armenia are clumsy from the political point of
view, then it can be certainly relied on to be better prepared in the
sphere of economic relations. Anything to elbow Moscow out.
ORIGINAL-LANGUAGE: RUSSIAN
Embassy of The United States
Yerevan, Armenia
16 June 2005
U .S. Ambassador John Evans Expresses His Support for the Office of the
Ombudsman of the Republic of Armenia
On June 16, 2005 U.S. Ambassador John Evans met with Larisa Alaverdyan,
Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Armenia. Ambassador
Evans expressed his support for the Office of the Ombudsman and the
democratic principles for which it stands. As an expression of this
support, Ambassador Evans presented the office with a computer to aid
in its important work. The rights of women, children, refugees, and
other vulnerable groups is an important priority for the U.S. Embassy.
UK Newsquest Regional Press – This is York
June 16, 2005
System Of A Down Mezmerize (Columbia) HHH
Matthew Woodcock ([email protected])
IN terms of inventiveness System Of A Down can have few peers.
Mesmerize is schizophrenic in the extreme and totally unpredictable
but all the better for it.
One minute you are listening to ear-splitting thrash metal before
being hit with a beautiful melodic chorus. Radio/Video even has
elements of polka fused in with the messy rock mayhem.
Bring Your Own Bombs is a breathless anti-war rant with vocalist Serj
Tankian breaking out into an R&B chorus and the robotic voices and
strange synth sounds of Old School Hollywood are off the radar even
for these guys.
The US Government’s war record is just one of a number of targets for
the angry Armenian-American four-piece who are releasing a second CD –
Hypnotize – to accompany this within a few months.
PRESS RELEASE
June 15, 2005
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: [email protected]
AUA Helps Establish Regional Ophthalmic Unit in Sevan
Yerevan – The Ararat-1 Lions Club and the Garo Meghrigian Eye Institute for
Preventive Ophthalmology (GMEIPO) of the Center for Health Services Research
and Development, American University of Armenia, in conjunction with the
Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, hosted the opening of the
Lions Regional Ophthalmic Unit in Sevan on June 11, 2005.
The Lions Regional Ophthalmic Unit is part of an integrated project
supported by the Lions Club International Foundation SightFirst grant to
strengthen ophthalmologic services throughout the region and to serve as a
model for sustainable, community-based primary eye care and a blindness
prevention system.
The Unit was renovated and equipped according to World Health Organization
(WHO) standards and the core staff, including one ophthalmologist and two
ophthalmic nurses, was trained on new methods of diagnostics and treatment
at the Lions Aravind Institute for Community Ophthalmology in India. The
Lions Regional Ophthalmic Unit will focus on cataract surgery, the main
blinding condition in Armenia, according to the GMEIPO~Rs population-based
survey and Armenia~Rs Ministry of Health statistics.
In support of the Unit, 10 village examination centers were established in
village ambulatories in the Gegharkunik region. The centers will provide
primary eye care and screening services by nurses that completed a training
session conducted by the GMEIPO, with support from the Jinishian Memorial
Fund. Within 2 years, approximately 20,000 people aged 50 and over from the
Gegharkunik region will receive free ophthalmic examinations. An estimated
1,000-1,500 cataract surgeries will be conducted, many for free or at
substantially reduced prices.
~SThis project is the outcome of a partnership that has been forged to
provide needed eye care services to the poor people of the Gegharkunik
region. It is a unique event and I have every confidence that it will be a
great success,~T said Dr. Para, WHO/Geneva Consultant Ophthalmologist.
*******************
The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit educational
organization in both Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with
the Regents of the University of California. Receiving major support from
the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight
graduate programs. For more information about AUA, visit
Photo 1 (left to right): AUA Director of Center for Health Services and
Research (CHSR) , Dr. Michael Thompson, AUA President, Dr. Haroutune
Armenian, Silva Gevorgyan, Grant Administrator of Ararat-1 Lions Club
International, and Mikael Antonyan, Project Committee Member and Member of
Ararat-1 Lions Club International
Photo 2: A plaque on the wall of the Sevan Regional Ophthalmic Unit (near
the main entrance)
Photo 3: back row (left to right) Varduhi Petrosyan, Associate Director,
CHSR; Dr. Michael Thompson, Director, CHSR; front row (left to right):
Ovsanna Najaryan, Operations Manager, Garo Meghrigian Eye Institute for
Preventive Ophthalmology (GMEIPO); Lilit Kirakosyan, Ophthalmic Consultant,
GMEIPO; Varsik Hakobyan, Ophthalmic Consultant, GMEIPO; Naira Khachatryan,
Principal Investigator, GMEIPO
PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Committee
Eastern United States
P.O. Box 1066
New York, NY 10040
Contact: Doug Geogerain
Tel: 917.428.1918
Fax: 718.651.3637
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
ANC Applauds Election Monitors to Observe Nagorno-Karabagh Elections
June 13, 2005
The Armenian National Committee applauds Global Exchange, a San
Francisco based human rights organization, for sending a delegation
of independent human rights observers to Nagorno-Karabagh this
month for its parliamentary elections. Tom Miller, Human Rights
Attorney and General Counsel of Global Exchange, and Chris Michael,
Coordinator of the Global Exchange Democracy Program, will lead the
delegation. They will be joined by Dan Shartin and Leontina Hormel,
both of Worcester State College, and its Center for the Study of Human
Rights. The delegation will arrive in Karabagh the week prior to the
June 19th elections.
“This delegation led by Global Exchange and the Center for the
Study of Human Rights marks an important step in building a highly
functioning civil society in Karabagh,” stated Dikran Kaligian,
Chairman of the Armenian National Committee for the Eastern United
States. “Global Exchange comes to Karabagh with broad experience
in election monitoring, while Worcester State College’s Center has
extensive contacts in the human rights community. The Karabagh
conflict has raised controversial issues regarding democracy in
the region. All parties will be well served by allowing impartial
observers to be present during elections in Karabagh, as well as in
Armenia and Azerbaijan.”
With Azerbaijan under scrutiny for rigged elections and corruption,
fledgling Karabagh feels it can hardly afford to hold unfair
elections, especially when its de jure status still hangs in the
balance internationally. However, sources in the region report
pre-election hirings and firings, bribes and pork-barrel spending,
and various forms of intimidation in the run up to the elections.
Global Exchange (GX) is an international human rights organization
with an established track record of promoting political, social and
environmental justice on a global scale. Since its founding in 1988,
it has worked to increase global awareness among the U.S. public while
building partnerships around much of the world. Its Political and Civil
Rights Campaigns include the monitoring and reporting on human rights
and elections in areas of the world often beleaguered with protracted
conflict. It has supported pro-democracy movements in South Africa,
Cuba, Mexico, Indonesia, the United States and other countries.
Ted Smith is GX’s Democracy International Program Director. “We are
excited about this visit to explore the possibility of expanding our
activities in the Caucuses. We look forward to meeting with the NKR
Central Electoral Commission as well as official and ordinary members
of Karabagh’s civil society. Through informally observing these
elections, we can see if comprehensive monitoring can be arranged in
the future,” said Lewis. The delegation will serve as observers on
June 19 and will remain in Karabagh until the vote tally concludes
the following day.
Based in Massachusetts, the Center for the Study of Human Rights
at Worcester State College examines and explores issues of human
rights and presents these primarily through speaker series, which
have included Noam Chomsky, U.S. Representative James P. McGovern,
Archbishop of South Africa Ndungane, poet activist Dennis Brutus
and many others. The Center received an official citation from the
Massachusetts State Senate for contributing to the advancements of
human rights through community and academic education. The Center’s
director, Dr. Henry Theriault, said, “In receiving Professors Shartin
and Hormel, the people of Nagorno-Karabagh will empower their future
by hosting deeply conscientious and highly trained witnesses of
their elections.”
###
PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected], [email protected]
Website;
June 10, 2005
* * *
HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II, CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS MEETS WITH
GOVERNMENT AND ECUMENICAL GUESTS DURING VIP LUNCHEON IN LA
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, met with
government and ecumenical guests on June 8, 2005 during a VIP Luncheon
hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Walter and Laurel Karabian. The Luncheon was
held in the Kalaydjian Hall of the Arshag and Eleanor Dickranian
Complex of the Western Diocese in Burbank.
His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese; His Eminence Archbishop
Nerses Bozabalyan of the Mother See; His Eminence Archbishop Vatche
Hovsepian, as well as several Diocesan clergy.
Mr. Richard Mushegain, Esq., former Chair of the Diocesan Council,
served as Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Walter Karabian, Esq. delivered
the opening remarks in which he welcomed His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians, to the Western Diocese. Mr. Karabian
introduced his daughter, Madeline Karabian, who in both Armenian and
English, beautifully welcomed His Holiness on behalf of her family,
and gave a perspective on the family’s personal history and
involvement within the Western Diocese.
Over 200 guests including government and religious leaders were
present during the reception. Mr. Karabian acknowledged the federal
and state government and official leaders, as well as judges in
attendance. Local government leaders were introduced by Paul
Krekorian, President of the Burbank Unified School District.
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western
Diocese, introduced the Ecumenical leaders who were present,
Rev. Fr. John Bakas, Dean of the St. Sophia Cathedral; Rev. Fr. Alexei
Smith, Director of the Ecumenical & Interreligious Office; His
Eminence Mor C. Eugene Kaplan, Archbishop of the Western Archdiocese
of the Syriac Orthodox Church; His Grace Bishop Serapion, Primate of
the Coptic Orthodox Church; Rev. Dr. Paul Lance; Dr. Michael Mata,
Claremont School of Theology; Rev. Dr. Fr. Efstathios Mylonas, Coptic
Orthodox Church; Bishop Dean Nelson, Evangelical Lutheran Church;
Rev. Fr. Justin Rose, Greek Orthodox Church; Rev. Dr. Lloyd Saatjian,
United Methodist Church; Rev. Gregory Bishay, Coptic Orthodox Church;
Albert Cohen, Southern California Ecumenical Council, Rabbi Mark
Diamond, Board of Rabbis, Rev. Fr. Gwynne Guibord, Episcopal Diocese
of LA; Rev. Mark Jauffman, Chaplain of Glendale Memorial Hospital;
Dr. Jay Johnson, Southern California United Church of Christ; Very
Rev. Josiah Trenham, Antiochan Orthodox Church; Rev. Sally Welch,
Southern California Ecumenical Council.
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians addressed the
attendees, thanking them for their continued support of the Western
Diocese and her missions. He blessed them and conveyed to them his
love from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Government and civic leaders included Supervisor Michael Antonovich,
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor-Elect of Los
Angeles, Mary Boger, President, BUSD; Lisa Kalustian, Chief Deputy
Director, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; Joyce Streator,
Council Member, Pasadena; Bob Yousefian, Glendale City Council; Greg
Krikorian, GUSD; Katherine Barger Leibrick, Chief Deputy to
Sup. Antonovich; Rafi Manoukian, Mayor of Glendale; Judge Ronald
Sohigian; Prof. Jonathan Kemp, Director, Davenport Institute; Peter
Abajian, Lena Kaimian and Nicole Shahian, Armenian Assembly; Randy
Adams, Glendale Chief of Police; Dennis Zine, Los Angeles City
Council; Dr. Michael Mata, Claremont School of Theology; James
Bozajian, Mayor of Calabasas; Haig Kartounian, District
Representative, Cong. Adam Schiff; Frank Quintero and Ara Najarian,
Glendale City Council; Michael Mahdessian, LA Planning Commission;
Andrew Adelman, General Manager, City of LA Dept. of Building and
Safety; Sarkis Aghazarian, Senior Building Inspector, City of LA
Dept. of Building and Safety; John Boyajian, LA Transportation
Commission; Berj Boyajian and Sarkis Kitsinian, Board Member, Mayor’s
office of International Trade; G. Steve Simonian, Chief, Bureau of
Investigations; Dr. Dean Nielsen, President, Woodbury University;
Congresswoman Lois Capps; Cindy Montanez, California State Assembly;
Laura Chick, LA City Controller; Maria Mehranian, Planning Commission,
La Canada; Linda Shahinian, Planning Commission, Culver City; Armond
Agakhani, Parks and Recreations Commission, Glendale.
* * *
MORTGAGE BURNING AND APPRECIATION EVENT IN VANCOUVER
Under the auspices of, His Grace Bishop Bakrat Galsdanyan the Primate
of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church, and organized by the
Pastor and Parish Council of St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church of
Vancouver , ‘A Mortgage Burning and Appreciation Ceremony’ was held;
on Saturday, June 04, 2005, in the Setrak Kalpakian Hall. After the
banquet dinner, the MC of the day Mr. Arto Tavukciyan, Chairman of the
Parish Council, read a brief history of the start of St. Vartan Church
and community accompanied by a slide show about community events and
members pictures since 1967.
After the remarks of the MC, Archpriest the Pastor Rev. Father Keghart
Garabedian was invited to give his remarks. Father Keghart invited
His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan to give his massage and the
blessing. After the Primate’s remarks, the MC invited Mr. Hasso
Essmailian the general contractor and the building project manager and
Mr. Onnik Isbeceryan, the major fundraise,r to be honored by the
Church for their dedication and efforts in the life of the Church.
His Grace also honored Mr. Ed Hrant Souin by the Golden Cross medal of
the Diocese, on his 70th birthday and his long and devoted service, in
the life of the Armenian Church from East to the West coast.
At the end the MC, Mr. Arto Tacukciyan invited Mr. Vahak Kurkcioglu to
join the the Primate and the Pastor in the memorable Mortgage burning
ceremony.
* * *
FEAST OF HOLY ETCHMIAZIN AND THE BLESSING DAY OF STUDENTS
The feast of Holy Etchmiadzin was celebrated on Sunday June 5, 2005 at
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral of Montreal. In
September 2003, then newly elected Primate of the Diocese, Bishop
Bagrat Galstanian asked the pastors to perform the Blessing of
Students on the occasion of the feast of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Very Reverend Father Ararat Kaltakjian, Vicar General, of the Canadian
Armenian Diocese, celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Serving on the Holy
Altar, were the deacons and acolytes of the Cathedral. The Komitas
choir of the Cathedral sang the Holy Badarak directed by choirmaster
Varuzhan Margaryan. Hundreds of faithful, together with the students
of AGBU the Director Mr. Robert Kechayan and the school teachers
attended the service. The participation of the students in singing the
Divine Liturgy was highly appreciated.
Following the Divine Liturgy Der Vazgen Boyajyan invited the students
to come forth and receive the blessings of Father Ararat. Around 50
students received the blessing after which Father Ararat highlighted
the importance of Armenian School in the life of our community. On
behalf of the Primate, Father Ararat congratulated the students and
wished them many successes in their future academic work.
As a concrete expression to their love towards the mother Church,
students of AGBU Armen Quebec Alex Manougian school presented, a
miniature of Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, which was made
possible by the collective work of students.
* * *
ARMENIAN PAVILLION DRAWS LARGE CROWDS AND MISSISSAUGA MAYOR
More than 4000 people filled the Armenian Pavillion in Mississauga’s
multicultural festival ‘Carassauga’ last weekend. For the second year
in a row, St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga, introduced the
Armenians and their history and culture to the Mississauga and
surrounding area communities.
Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, delegates from the Diocesan
Council meeting in nearby St. Catharines, led by Canadian Primate His
Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian and St. Vartan’s Parish Priest Very
Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan, visited the pavillion.
Saturday afternoon and evening were the busiest times, with
standing-room-only when Mississauga’s Mayor Hazel McCallion dropped by
for a visit. She was greeted by Pavillion Mayor Berge Shalvardjian,
Parish Council Chairman Vartegez Simonian, and Pavillion Chair Noush
Tahtadjian, all of Mississauga.
A three-day event, the pavillion managed to raise a substantial amount
towards St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church of Mississauga’s building
fund. St. Vartan is actively looking for property to house its
faithful, as it has been renting facilities since it was established
as a parish in 1990 by Canada’s previous primate, Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian.
The Armenian Pavillion received many favorable comments for its new
painted canvas awnings and other canvas paintings of Armenians in
traditional dress The food and beverage committee was praised for its
selection of delicious Armenian foods like lahmadjoon, kubeba,
beoregs, sarma and shish kebabs.
The dance troupe, The Armenia Folk Dance Ensemble, led by Toronto
choreographer Arpi Meras, once again amazed the crowd, with their
grace, fancy footwork and acrobatic feats. The pavillion also
featured the voice of Nersik Ispirian and his band playing popular and
well-known Armenian music. The lively music created an energetic and
welcoming ambiance for visitors who were encouraged to join volunteers
on the busy dance floor and learn Armenian dancing. It was satisfying
to see how many of them did get up and give it a zealous try.
A huge undertaking, the event depends entirely on the hard work and
enthusiasm of St. Vartan’s faithful who generously volunteer their
time and skills. There were more than 50 men, women, youth and even
children who volunteered at the Armenian Pavillion this year.
Volunteers also manned booths selling Armenian foods from Armenia
including the popular rose petal jam, Armenian artifacts like
khatchkars, paintings by a local Armenian artist, CDs and videos of
Armenian artists, and a popular cultural booth where Armenian history
and culture were explained to visitors.
Admission to the Armenian Pavillion was by passport. There were 22
pavillions participating in this year’s Carassauga. Many Armenians
from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) attended, giving their support to
St. Vartan.
* * *
NEWS UPDATE FROM SAINT VARTAN CHURCH PARISH OF MISSISSAUGA
a) Junior Choir Sings at St. Vartan, Mississauga: The angelic voices
of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church Junior Choir of Toronto sang
at the last Badarak before summer break for St. Vartan Armenian
Apostolic Church faithful, Sunday, June 5. The 30 boys and girls came
by bus with their Choirmaster Lena Beylerian.
Mrs. Beylerian has been leading the Junior Choir since 1999. Karin
Simonian, daughter of St. Vartan Parish Council Chairman Vartegez
Simonian, is the sole Mississauga member of the choir. The children
sang soprano-alto and included solos.
The church was filled with more than 100 faithful. Following his
sermon, Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan blessed the parish’s five
high school graduates and presented them each with a Bible to give
them guidance as they continue their education. Grade 12 graduates
Steven Beler, Danny Hanna, Nairi Kazazian, Lara Sevadjian and Taline
Shalvardjian were wished success in their future.
Members of St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church, Oakville, had also been
invited to attend this service. St. Vartan rents St. Cuthbert’s
facilities for its Badaraks. Regular Sunday Badaraks will resume in
September for St. Vartan parishioners.
b) A Memorable Evening: If you missed it, it’s too bad. Friday
night’s Kef Night was a terrific party with high energy dancing and
great food. Hosted by St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga, the
event was held in Holy Trinity Armenian Church’s Magaros Artinian Hall
in Scarborough.
About 100 adults, children and youth enjoyed a memorable evening and
had nothing but praise for the event.
St. Vartan’s volunteers at the Armenian Pavillion at Mississauga’s
multicultural festival Carassauga were thanked by St. Vartan Parish
Council Chairman for their time and effort in making the second annual
event a success on the May 27 weekend. The Kef Night also celebrated
the fifth wedding anniversary of Pavillion Chair Noush Tahtadjian and
her husband Cyril.
The many lottery gifts were provided by High Fashion Handbags Ltd.,
J.C. Appliance Ltd., Dr. and Mrs. Cyril Tahtadjian and Mr. and
Mrs. Berge Shalvardjian. Edmond Ayvazyan of E & A Sound was the disc
jockey for the evening.
* * *
JOIN THE DIOCESAN SUMMER CAMP -AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER-
We are pleased to offer this wonderful overnight camp, August 8 – 13,
2005 at Echo Lake, Frontenac County (approximately 50 km NW of
Kingston, Ontario.) This is a Christian-based facility consisting of
several acres of wooded property, together with sandy beach for
relaxing and swimming, a fireside area overlooking the lake and sports
fields.
Come enjoy our overnight summer youth program (open to children 8 to
14 years old), consisting of land and water sports activities, arts
and crafts, music and religious education, and wonderful snacks and
home cooked meals prepared by our In-house Chef. Our new Counselor in
Training (CIT) program provides an opportunity for young adults (15-17
years old) to develop leadership skills and friendships in the context
of Christian camping. Our capable, trained staff of counselors and
staff are sure to make the children’s experience a safe, fun and
memorable one.
The vision of Camp Ararat is to one day have our own camp facility,
where the children of our Diocese from across Canada can come together
and not only create everlasting friendships with one another, but also
where they can strengthen the bonds with the Armenian Apostolic
Church, which is an integral part of their culture and heritage. This
same facility would serve as a central location to be used for various
other Diocesan projects and activities. Come join us in realizing our
vision and making it a reality. The future of our people lies in the
eyes and hearts of our children. Let’s make it happen.
AZG Armenian Daily #107, 11/06/2005
Appointment
EDUARD MURADIAN APPOINTED HEAD OF RA ECONOMIC COURT
A press release of RA Justice Ministry informed that Eduard Muradian was
appointed head of RA Economic Court. Yesterday, David Harutyunian, RA
justice minister, introduced the newly appointed head of the court to its
staff and the judges, emphasizing the importance of the Economic Court in
Armenia.
Hovhannes Manukian, head of RA Appeal Court, congratulated Eduard Muradian
on his new appointment, expressing the opinion that he newly appointed
official will be able to continue the work at the economic court and
contribute to its development.
Eduard Muradian promised that his work at the court will be easy, as he will
work with formed staff and experienced judges already.
Pan Armenian News
RA FM AND US PRESIDENT ADVISOR DISCUSSED KARABAKH PROBLEM
10.06.2005 03:43
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the first day of his 2-day working visit to Washington
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with US National Security
Advisor Stephen Hadley, RA MFA press center reported. The parties discussed
the prospects of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement and the
Armenian-Turkish relations. Mr. Hadley showed special interest in
democratic, constitutional and legislative reform process in Armenia. Vartan
Oskanian also met with the members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues to discuss the Armenia-US relations, latest developments in the
process of the Karabakh conflict settlement, the Armenian-Turkish relations
as well as the issues likely to be included in the agenda of the
Armenian-American Commission on Economic Cooperation. Vartan Oskanian
thanked the Congressmen for consistent assistance rendered to Armenia. The
RA FM also held a meeting with the representatives of the Armenian National
Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly of America.