Author: nina hovnanian

TURKEY LEVERAGING MAJOR ARMS PURCHASE AGAINST GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

Thursday, March 12th, 2015

A Chinese HQ-9 launcher (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

ANKARA (EurasiaNet.org)–Turkey is reportedly linking its purchase
of a multi billion-dollar air-defense system to whether the bidder
countries recognize the Armenian genocide.

That news, reported by a number of Turkish media, is the latest
unexpected turn in the multi-year saga over the arms deal. The original
bidders for the deal were companies representing the United States,
Europe, China, and Russia, giving the program the air of a geopolitical
litmus test. When Turkey announced that it planned to give the Chinese
company the contract, it faced a barrage of pressure from its NATO
allies who were concerned that linking that system with NATO air
defense equipment already in Turkey could expose NATO secrets to China.

All along, Turkey has denied that there was any political subtext to
its decision, saying that its choice of China was related solely to
questions of price and the fact that China would hand over more of the
technology to Turkey. Now, though, that appears to have changed. With
the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide approaching in April,
Ankara is reportedly waiting to see how the various bidders mark
that event.

“Rumors in political circles in Ankara said that no decision will be
made over the missile defense system winner before [April 24] since
Turkey wants to first see France and the U.S.’s position on the 1915
incidents,” reported the pro-government Daily Sabah. “An agreement
may be made with China if the U.S. and French administrations take a
‘pro-Armenian’ stance.”

Hurriyet Daily News has reported the same thing:

“‘We have agreed with the government leaders not to rush to a decision
any time soon,’ one defense procurement official said. ‘A decision
before April 24 is out of the question.’

“A senior diplomat confirmed that Ankara first wants to see the U.S.

and French positions on the ‘genocide claims’ before awarding
a sizeable contract ‘to a bidder potentially from one of these
countries.’

“‘How these countries observe the centennial of the events [of
1915-1920] will be an important input for our final decision,’
he said.”

And a “top government official for defense and security issues”
told newspaper Defense News last month: “One imminent political
deliberation is whether the US Congress will recognize the alleged
Armenian genocide in April. We will wait Congress’ move before making
a decision on the contract.”

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Ministry of Defense has said that whichever system
it buys will not be linked to NATO’s. That would seem to open the door
for buying the Chinese equipment. But it also has extended the deadline
for the Chinese, American, and European bidders until the summer —
as Defense News notes, the sixth time it has made such an extension.

It’s not clear whether official recognition of the Armenian genocide
has any more chance to get through Congress this year than it has
before. But arguments like Ankara’s have held sway in the past: in
2010, a coalition of American defense contractors wrote a letter
to Congress arguing against genocide recognition: “Alienating
a significant NATO ally and trading partner would have negative
repercussions for U.S. geopolitical interests and efforts to boost
both exports and employments.”

But the U.S. bid was relatively unlikely to win; the second-place
offer, after China’s, was that of Eurosam, based in France, a country
which not only recognized the genocide but even criminalized genocide
denial.

DOCUMENTARY OF ARMENIAN MUSIC IN DETROIT PREMIERES MARCH 16

The Oakland Press, MI
March 12 2015

“Guardians of Music,” a new documentary about Armenian music in Detroit
will premiere at 9:30 p.m. March 16 on Detroit Public Television. The
film was produced and narrated by Ara Topouzian of Farmington Hills, an
Armenian-American musician. Topouzian is a Kresge Fellow and president
of the Troy Chamber of Commerce. He is proficient in playing the kanun
(Middle Eastern harp) and has performed at many venues across the
nation and world. Topouzian received a $12,000 challenge grant from
the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to create the one-hour film
which features metro Detroit area locations where Armenian music was
once prominent, as well as interviews with some of the musicians and
nightclub patrons of that era.

— Staff writer Kathy Blake

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

** TOP STORY March 12, 2015
————————————————————
Sunday of the Judge
Parable of the Unjust Judge by John Everett Millais (1863).

** Sunday of the Judge
————————————————————
A common image runs through the Gospel reading for Sunday, March
15=80’the Sunday of the Judge, in Great Lent.

In one parable, our Lord tells the story of a widow who would not
cease calling on a judge for justice-and we are meant to think about
our own prayers to heaven. In a second parable, a Pharisee and a tax
collector pray in the Temple, displaying very different attitudes
towards God.

Both of these stories are offered in the context of Jesus telling
about the end of the world, the coming of God’s kingdom, and the
judgment of all mankind.

Listening to these passages, we are forced to realize that as human
beings, every day, we stand before God. Indeed, one day, at the coming
of His kingdom, we will stand before Him as our judge. And so we must
ask ourselves: How should we stand before God? How should we prepare
to show ourselves to Him?

Efforts like these of self-examination are especially important in the
present season of Lent. Click on the following links to learn more
about Lent
()
in the Armenian Church, and to view our 2013 Lenten video series
()
.

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

Is 65:8-25
Phil 3:1-4:9
Lk 17:20-18:14

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

O Lord, send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them
bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the
altar of God, and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my
God. Amen.

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

14 March: Forty Martyrs of Sebastia

15 March: Sunday of the Judge

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Archbishop Grigoris Buniatian
Archbishop Grigoris Bouniatian.

** In Memoriam: Archbishop Grigoris Bouniatian
————————————————————
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin announced this week that His
Eminence Archbishop Grigoris Bouniatian entered his eternal rest on
March 7, in the city of Kharkov, Ukraine. He was 69.

Archbishop Grigoris was the longtime Primate of the Diocese of the
Ukraine, having served in that capacity since 2001. Previously he had
served as Primate of the dioceses of Argentina and Shirak, and as
vicar of Armavir. As one of the senior archbishops of the Armenian
Church, he was admired as a prominent figure in the religious life of
the diverse countries in which he served. Click here
()
to read a biographical sketch of Archbishop Grigoris.

Parishes across the Eastern Diocese will remember Archbishop Grigoris
Bouniatian through a hokehankisd service on Sunday, March 15.

Cardinal Egan
Cardinal Eagan.

** In Memoriam: Cardinal Eagan
————————————————————
The Eastern Diocese mourns the loss of His Eminence Edward Cardinal
Eagan, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York from 2000 to 2009,
who passed away on Thursday, March 5. He was 82.

`Over the course of many years, the Armenian Church community came to
know Cardinal Eagan not only as an admirable churchman, but also as a
warm and generous friend,’ wrote Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
of the Eastern Diocese, in a message of condolence. =80=9CCardinal
Eagan was known for his graciousness and humanity, and it was always a
joy to meet with him in a spirit of Christian brotherhood.’

New York Times

** From the Armenian Genocide to Armenian Genes
————————————————————
This week saw a flurry of media attention directed at the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and Armenians in general.

On Tuesday, readers of the New York Times learned that an annual
million-dollar award had been established to commemorate the Genocide
and preserve the stories of its victims, survivors, and the brave
souls who helped the Armenians in their darkest hour.

Called the `Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity’ (named after Aurora
Mardiganian, the Genocide survivor immortalized in the memoir and the
lost 1919 film, Ravished Armenia), the prize will be awarded annually
to those who put themselves at risk to ensure that others survive. The
first award will be given next year. (Click here
()
to read the full article.)

The prize is the brainchild of the `100 Lives Initiative’
()
: a collaborative effort uniting leaders of the Armenian diaspora with
celebrities and human rights advocates. One of the supporters, actor
George Clooney, was interviewed on CNN about his attachment to the
project. Click here
()
to view the online video.

Elsewhere in the media, in a March 5 column titled `Remembering a
Forgotten Genocide,’ Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, the Roman Catholic
Archbishop of Philadelphia, offered a testimony to the enduring
significance of the Armenian Genocide, and the need to remember and
acknowledge it. Click here
()
to read Archbishop Chaput’s learned and deeply-felt essay.

Finally, an article by New York Times science writer Nicholas Wade
cited the work by a team of British geneticists, whose study of DNA
from 173 living Armenians dates the origin of the Armenian people to
the third millennium B.C. Even more remarkable than this conclusion by
21st-century scientists is the fact that it seems to vindicate the
5th-century historian Movses Khorenatsi, who wrote that Armenia was
established in 2492 B.C. Read the whole article here
()
.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Appeal of Conscience Foundation
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Senator Ted Cruz, and Rabbi Arthur
Schneier.

** Appeal of Conscience Foundation Marks Milestone
————————————————————
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, and Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian, the Diocese’s Ecumenical Director and Legate, took part in
the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Appeal of Conscience
Foundation, held at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, March 11. The event
also marked a personal milestone for the organization’s founder, Rabbi
Arthur Schneier, who will turn 85 later this month.

Archbishop Barsamian congratulated Rabbi Schneier on these milestones
and reflected on the close relationship between the Eastern Diocese
and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation over the past decades. The
Eastern Diocese has been a strong supporter of the foundation since
its inception.

Established in 1965, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation is a
coalition of civic and religious leaders, whose mission is to promote
peace, tolerance, and ethnic conflict resolution. In his remarks,
Rabbi Schneier made reference to the centennial year of the Armenian
Genocide, and the support the organization has received from
Archbishop Barsamian and the late Archbishop Torkom Manoogian.

Also joining the religious leaders, diplomats, and U.S. government
officials at Wednesday’s event was Ambassador Tigran Sargsyan,
Armenia’s ambassador to the United States.

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian speaks about the Armenian Genocide
Rev. Randolph Charles and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian during services
at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Washington, DC.

** Abp. Aykazian is Guest Homilist at Episcopal Church
————————————————————
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocese’s Ecumenical Director and
Legate, was a guest homilist at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
in Washington, DC, on Sunday, March 8.

Following an introduction by the Rev. Randolph Charles, the church’s
rector, Archbishop Aykazian made connections between the stories of
the Armenian Genocide and the Lenten focus on almsgiving, prayer,
reflection, and repentance. He also spoke about the close ties between
the Armenian and Episcopal churches, and noted that many members of
the latter helped Genocide survivors in the aftermath of 1915. Click
here
()
to view a video in Armenian from Armenia’s channel H1.

During this year’s Lenten season, the choir of Washington’s Church of
the Epiphany is singing Armenian hymns on Sundays in observance of the
centennial year of the Armenian Genocide.

Diocesan Clergy Retreat
Clergy pose for a group photo during this week’s retreat.

** Clergy Gather for Lenten Retreat in New Jersey
————————————————————
Clergy from parishes in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Washington, and Florida met for a Lenten retreat from March 9 to
11. The retreat was held at the Stella Maris Retreat Center in
Elberon, NJ.

Led by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, clergy gathered
for prayer, meditation, and discussion focusing on the Diocese’s theme
`Living the Gospel of Christ: Legacy of Our Martyrs.’

A similar retreat will be held in Illinois next week for clergy in the
Midwest region.

National Cathedral

** Tickets for Ecumenical Prayer Service in Washington
————————————————————
The Ecumenical Prayer Service, which will open the centennial
observance of the Armenian Genocide in Washington, DC, on May 7, is
nearly full to capacity. The service will be held at the National
Cathedral. Admittance is free of charge, but for reasons of security,
all attendees must register for the service in advance.

Parishioners of the Eastern Diocese wishing to attend the Ecumenical
Prayer Service must obtain tickets by submitting their name and parish
affiliation to the National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
Centennial (NCAGC) committee via e-mail at
[email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) . Please note that a
ticket must be issued for each person attending the prayer service;
tickets are not transferable. Tickets will be issued by the NCAGC
committee on a first-come, first-served basis.

For further information on the NCAGC events in Washington, visit

Scholarships

** Diocese Opens Scholarship Application Process
————————————————————
Each year the Diocese awards scholarships to college students
throughout the Diocese. The Diocese seeks students who are active in
their local parishes and have assumed leadership roles in their
communities. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled
in four-year undergraduate programs.

The scholarship funding comes from various endowment funds, including
the Adrina Movsesian Scholarship, the Armine Dikijian Journalism
Scholarship, the Mabel Fenner Scholarship, and the George Holopigian
Memorial Fund.

Click here
()
to access the application form. The application deadline is May 5,
2015. For information, contact Maria Barsoumian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

** A New Video Highlights FAR’s Work in Berd
————————————————————
In observance of International Women’s Day on March 8, the Fund for
Armenian Relief released a short film about its Berd office team, who
have been operating FAR’s `Breaking the Cycle of Poverty’ program
since its inception two years ago.

The seven-member team of social workers interacts with 260 families in
the city of Berd and several surrounding villages in Armenia’s Tavush
province. Click here
()
to view the video highlighting their efforts.

The `Breaking the Cycle of Poverty” program was established by the
Mardigian Family Foundation through the largest-ever contribution made
to FAR. The five-year project addresses malnutrition, unemployment,
poverty, and infrastructure weaknesses in Armenia’s northeastern
Tavush province.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan
Fr. Hratch Sargsyan made a presentation about the Armenian Genocide in
Ohio.

** Ohio Church Leaders Hear Talk on Armenian Genocide
————————————————————
The Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, pastor of St. Gregory of Narek Church of
Cleveland, OH, made a presentation on the Armenian Genocide to the
governing board of the Ohio Council of Churches on Wednesday, March
11.

Fr. Sargsyan gave an overview of the Armenian Church, including its
history and major theological statements of faith. He then described
the events of 1915 and its aftermath, and led the clergy in a prayer
service for the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. The Rev Dr. Nancy
Kahaian, of the Presbyterian Church, shared a personal story of her
grandmother, who was a survivor of the Genocide.

Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian
Fr. Untzag Nalbandian signs copies of his memoir in Cheltenham.

** Cheltenham Parish Hosts Book Presentation
————————————————————
Following services on Sunday, March 8, parishioners at Holy Trinity
Church of Cheltenham, PA, welcomed the Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian,
pastor of Holy Ascension Church of Trumbull, CT, who gave a
presentation on his recent memoir
Fate, Faith, Fun.

Dottie Bengoian, a parishioner of Holy Ascension Church and the editor
of Fate, Faith, Fun, gave an introduction. Fr. Nalbandian shared
stories from the book and said he hoped the publication would be of
interest not only to Armenians, but to a wider audience.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan
Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan gives a talk at his parish in Chelmsford.

** Lenten Lectures Continue in Chelmsford
————————————————————
Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA, is focusing its annual
Lenten program on the Armenian Genocide. On Friday, March 6, the
Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, parish pastor, spoke about divine
punishment, discipline, temptation, judgment, and redemption in the
Christian faith

Titled “Understanding: Does God Punish?” his heartfelt reflection drew
on Scriptural passages, stories from the Armenian Genocide, and
instances of acts of violence in today’s world.

On Friday, March 13, the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan
Vicar, will give a talk titled `From Victimhood to Sainthood: The Holy
Martyrs of 1915.’ Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Lenten Retreat

** Women’s Guild Retreat in Chicago
————————————————————
On Saturday, February 21, the Women’s Guild of St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, sponsored its annual retreat. This
year’s gathering was themed “Women of the Genocide,” and led by the
Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, parish pastor.

Participants spoke about women saints in the Armenian Church and
shared stories of women who experienced the Armenian Genocide. They
discussed how their examples can inspire people in the 21st
century. Another session focused on the `Orphan Rug,’ a rug woven by
Armenian orphans in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide that was on
display at the White House Visitor Center last November. The retreat
concluded with a prayer in the church sanctuary.

St. Sarkis Church, Dallas, TX
Parishioner Raffi Ohanian was honored with the `St. Sarkis Steward of
the Year Award.’

** Dallas Parish Raises Funds for New Church
————————————————————
On Saturday, February 28, St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX, held a
fundraiser to support the building of its future church and community
center. Some 300 people gathered for the event, titled `Growing Our
Unified Vision.’ Parishioner Raffi Ohanian was honored with the
`St. Sarkis Steward of the Year Award’ for his service and devotion to
the church.

Thanks to the generosity of Elie and Ella Akilian, St. Sarkis Church
is planning to erect a new sanctuary and community center. Mr. Akilian
donated the land and will donate a majority of the funds for the
project. The remaining contributions will come from the community.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Upcoming events

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

Holy Resurrection Church | New Britain, CT
On Sunday, March 15, the Women’s Guild of the Church of the Holy
Resurrection of New Britain, CT, will host an observance of “Saintly
Women’s Day” and the parish’s mid-Lenten luncheon. Speakers include
New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and Rhode Island State Representative
Katherine Kazarian. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
On Tuesday, March 17, St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will host a
book presentation by French journalists Laure Marchand and Guillaume
Perrier, authors of Turkey and the Armenian Ghost: On the Trail of the
Genocide. The book is a portrait of the aftermath of the Armenian
Genocide and the struggle to have it officially recognized. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Church | Belleville, IL
Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Church of Belleville, IL, is
co-sponsoring a lecture on the Armenian Genocide at the Jewish
Federation of St. Louis, MO, on Thursday, March 19, beginning at 7
p.m. Dr. Nicole Vartanian will discuss the history and lessons of the
Armenian Genocide. Click here
()
for information.

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, will host an
observance of `Saintly Women’s Day’ on Saturday, March 14, beginning
at 10:30 a.m. The day is dedicated to the unnamed women martyrs of the
Armenian Genocide of 1915. A program and luncheon will follow
services. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

On Friday, March 20, St. Gregory the Enlightener Church will host a
talk by the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan on the canonization of the
martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. The evening begins with a Lenten
service at 6:30, followed by dinner at 7, and the lecture at 7:30. For
information, call the church at (914) 428-2595.

St. Sarkis Church | Dallas, TX
Peter Balakian will give a talk titled “Raphael Lemkin, Cultural
Destruction, and the Armenian Genocide” at Southern Methodist
University on Thursday, March 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The lecture
will be held at the university’s Dallas Hall (McCord Auditorium),
located at 6425 Boaz Lane in Dallas, TX.

The event is one of several programs organized by St. Sarkis Church of
Dallas as part of the 100th year of remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or contact Hamlet Sarokhanian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

St. John Church | Southfield, MI
St. John Church of Southfield, MI, will focus its annual Lenten
Retreat Seminar on the upcoming canonization of the martyrs of the
Armenian Genocide. Guest Speaker Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor of
Armenian Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New York, will
give a talk titled =80=9CVictors for Christ: Who is a Saint?’ The
event is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 3:30
p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
The Shnorhali Choir of Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will give a
concert on Sunday, March 22, in observance of the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide. The program will feature performances by the
Shnorhali Choir, guest soloists Yn. Karine Malkhasyan and Ruthann
Turekian, and a special appearance by NJ Hamazkayin’s Arekag
children’s chorus. The concert begins at 3 p.m. It will be held at
St. Malachy’s Church in the Actors’ Chapel (239 West 49th Street, New
York City). Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Hagop Church | St. Petersburg, FL
St. Hagop Church of St. Petersburg, FL, is hosting a 5K walk on
Saturday, March 28, in commemoration of the 100th year of remembrance
of the Armenian Genocide. The walk will be held at Fort Desoto State
Park in St. Petersburg, beginning with registration at 7:30 a.m. It is
open to the public. Click here
()
for registration information.

St. Thomas Church | Tenafly, NJ
Following services on Palm Sunday, March 29, St. Thomas Church of
Tenafly, NJ, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a banquet. The
day’s program will be dedicated to the martyrs of the Armenian
Genocide. Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian will celebrate
the Divine Liturgy and preside over the banquet. Click here
()
for information.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
ACYOA Retreat
Fr. Ghevond Ajamian makes a presentation at Saturday’s retreat.

** ACYOA in Dallas Gather for Retreat
————————————————————
A Lenten retreat for ACYOA Juniors and Seniors was held at St. Sarkis
Church in Dallas, TX, on Saturday, March 7.

Themed `Living the Gospel of Christ: Legacy of Our Martyrs,’ the
day-long retreat was led by Daniel Zalinov, ACYOA Central Council
member, and Lorie Odabashian, coordinator in the Diocese’s Department
of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. They spoke about family legacies
and shared personal stories during a session titled `My Name, My
Legacy.’

Members of the ACYOA Juniors discussed chapter development and learned
about the ACYOA `Circles of the Cross.’ The ACYOA Seniors took part in
a Bible study and discussion on the canonization of the martyrs of
1915, led by the Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian, pastor of St. Sarkis
Church, and youth adviser Daron Bolat.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Sports Weekend

** General Assembly and Sports Weekend Registration
————————————————————
The ACYOA Seniors of St. John Church of Southfield, MI, are hosting
this year’s ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend, scheduled for
May 21 to 25. Registration for the annual youth gathering is now open;
the registration deadline is May 1.

Click here
()
for event information and registration materials, or contact
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

ASP

** Take Part in the Armenia Service Program
————————————————————
The ACYOA Central Council has opened registration for this year’s
ACYOA Armenia Service Program, scheduled for July 1 to 20. The program
of travel, service, and worship gives young adults (ages 18 to 30) a
unique opportunity to discover their homeland and to serve its people
in a meaningful way. ACYOA members leave Armenia with a connection to
their faith and heritage that continues to inspire them throughout
their lives.

This year’s trip leader will be the Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan
()
, pastor of St. Sahag Church of St. Paul, MN. The Dadourian Foundation
is providing generous scholarship funds to help offset costs for the
first 20 applicants to the ASP program. In addition, the ACYOA Central
Council is offering scholarships to participants in need of financial
assistance.

The registration deadline is March 20. Click on the following links to
view a flyer
()
and to download an application
form. ()
For more information on ASP and the scholarships, contact Jennifer
Morris, the Diocese’s director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
or (248) 648-0702.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
Times Square

** Genocide Centennial Observance in New York City
————————————————————
Every Armenian in the greater New York region needs to be a part of
the centennial observance of the Armenian Genocide in New York City on
Sunday, April 26. The day will begin with the Divine Liturgy at
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, scheduled for 10 a.m. Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy; Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan will deliver the sermon.

A procession to Times Square will depart the cathedral at 12:00
p.m. The program in Times Square will begin at 1:45 p.m. The 2015
Genocide Commemoration in Times Square is organized by the
Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan, in affiliation with the
Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America (Eastern Region).

Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Events Scheduled for April 24

On Friday, April 24, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at
St. Vartan Cathedral beginning at 10:30 a.m.

In the afternoon, a vigil will be held at the United Nation’s Dag
Hammarskjold Plaza (East 47th Street at Second Avenue). The program
will include traditional Armenian songs, poetry readings, and
remarks. It is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Click here
()
to download a letter intended for the attention of employers and
school administrators, to verify that Friday, April 24, is a day of
deep religious observance for the faithful of the Armenian Church.

Alan Hovhaness
Alan Hovhaness composed “Holy Mystery of the Martyrs” in 1976.

** A Concert at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral and St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral
are co-hosting a concert featuring Alan Hovhaness’s symphony `Holy
Mystery of the Martyrs,’ on Friday, March 20. The Rev. Fr. Hovhan
Khoja-Eynatyan, pastor of St. James Church of Evanston, IL, will be
the guest soloist.

`Holy Mystery of the Martyrs’ was commissioned by the Eastern Diocese
and composed by Alan Hovhaness in 1976. The `holy martyrs’ of the
title are the Armenian Christians killed on the field of Avarayr in
451 A.D. In its 17 movements, `Holy Mystery of the Martyrs’ presents
individual `prayers’ that convey both the tragedy of loss and the
triumph of survival. The March 20 concert is dedicated to the martyrs
of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

SR

** Armenian Films at “Socially Relevant Film Festival”
————————————————————
Four Armenian films will be screened at this year’s “Rated SR Socially
Relevant Film Festival,” organized by actor Nora Armani in New York
City, from March 16 to 22.

Click here
()
to view a flyer, and visit
()
for tickets and information.

Boston Symphony

** Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tribute to 1915
————————————————————
The Boston Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of
“Ascending Light
,” a new work for the organ and orchestra composed by Michael Gandolfi
in memory of the late organist Berj Zamkochian, and dedicated to the
centennial year of the Armenian Genocide.

“Ascending Light” is supported by funding from the Gomidas Organ Fund,
established by Mr. Zamkochian in 1970. Mr. Zamkochian, a frequent
collaborator with the BSO, passed away in 2004.

Performances will be held on March 26, 27, 28, and 31. Click on the
following links to read more
()
and for ticket information
()

EXHIBITION DEVOTED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OPENED IN ESTONIA

13:33, 12 March, 2015

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS. On March 20 an exhibition titled
“Armenian Genocide: Front Page Coverage in the World Press” was
officially opened in the National Library of Estonia.

The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of
Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov, Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to the Baltic countries Ara Ayvazyan, spiritual pastor
of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Baltic States, Father Khosrov
Stepanyan, Head of the Church Council of Estonia Anders Pyder, Head
of the Armenian Community in Estonisa Razmik Ivanian, Director General
of the National Library of Estonia Janne Andresoo, as well as several
political, public and cultural figures attended the opening ceremony
of the exhibition.

The Information and Public Relations Department of the National
Assembly of the Republic of Armenia informed “Armenpress” that at the
opening ceremony of the exhibition delivering a speech, the Deputy
Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Eduard
Sharmazanov has particularly mentioned that Turkey unfortunately
continues its policy of denial: instead of facing its own history,
recognizing the Armenian Genocide and rapprochement with Armenia,
Turkey has illegally been blockading the Republic of Armenian for
more than two decades. According to the NA Deputy Speaker, Turkey
thwarted the ratification process of the Armenian-Turkish protocols,
unjustly linking the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement with the NK
conflict settlement process.

The RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Baltic
States Ara Ayvazyan, Head of the Church Council of Estonia Anders
Pyder, the Estonian MP Igor Gryazin and Estonian Historian Lembo
Tanning has also come up with speeches at the opening ceremony.

CANONIZATION CEREMONY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MARTYRS TO BE AIRED IN GREECE

09:16, 12 March, 2015

ATHENS, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS. The main ceremony of commemoration of
the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Greece will be on
April 19 in Syntagma Square of Athens. An event will be held on that
very day, on the initiative of the Armenian community and the Greek
state. The representatives of the Greek parliament, government,
Ambassadors accredited to Greece, as well as cultural and public
figures will attend the event.

In a conversation with “Armenpress”, the Chairman of the Armenian
National Committee of Greece Kerob Ekizyan stated that it is considered
that the Greek political figures will make speeches at the event.

“People in Greece will follow the satellite broadcasting of the
ceremony of canonization of the Armenian Genocide martyrs, which
will be held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This way the
Greek-Armenians and Greece will participate in the canonization
ceremony,” Ekizyan concluded.

The Armenian Apostolic Church will be canonizing the victims of the
Armenian Genocide on April 23, 2015. This is the first time in 400
years, the Church will resume the rite of canonization.

There is no special number for Canonization, because it is not clear
how many genocide victims were followers of the Apostolic Church;
it will be a collective ritual.

The canonization will be an unprecedented event since the last saint
that was proclaimed and is remembered is St. Movses Tatevatsi, who
was canonized in the 18th century.

There are four conditions for Canonization, they are martyrdom for
the faith and the fatherland, pious life – pious behavior of an
individual or a collective, existence of miracles alive or dead,
and preaching the faith, spreading the belief.

The Armenian Church does not bestow sanctification, it merely
recognizes the saints or the sanctity of those people.

The ritual of canonization will be held at the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and will probably start at 16:00 and end at 19:15, which
will symbolize the year 1915. At the end, the bells of all Armenian
churches of the world will ring, after which there will be a moment
of silence and the Lord’s Prayer.

LE PIANISTE RICHARD CLAYDERMAN EN CONCERT A EREVAN

Musique

Le pianiste Richard Clayderman, connu depuis 1976 pour son
interpretation de la Ballade pour Adeline (22 millions d’exemplaires
vendus dans le monde), une composition de Paul de Senneville, est
arrive hier a Erevan pour se produire les 13 et 14 mars a l’Opera,
accompagne par l’Orchestre national de musique de chambre d’Armenie.

Pianiste dit populaire, très apprecie en Asie, Richard Clayderman
a cumule 251 disques d’or et 61 disques de platine pour 1600 titres
enregistres et 90 millions de disque vendus. Il est ne le 28 decembre
1953 a Paris.

Voir la video de son arrivee a l’aeroport d’Erevan ICI

jeudi 12 mars 2015, Jean Eckian (c)armenews.com

ISRAEL DESTROYS EU-FUNDED WEST BANK SHELTER FOR PALESTINIANS WHILE EXPANDING SETTLEMENTS

Published time: March 12, 2015 10:03

Reuters / Ammar Awad

With politicians around the globe calling on Israel to take action
against illegal settlements in the West Bank, the Jewish state has
finally taken action. Not against its own communities, but against
an EU-funded building for Palestinians.

On Tuesday, the Israeli government demolished an EU settlement on
Mount Scopus in northeast Jerusalem. The city’s municipality said it
undertook the measures because the structure was constructed on land,
which had been designated for a national park.

According to the EU it was not even a building, but a temporary
shelter, which the pan-European organization has continued to fund
to help displaced people.

“We condemn today’s demolition of temporary shelters funded by the
European Union… as part of its response to the needs of the affected
communities,” an EU statement said, according AFP.

The EU has helped to fund around 200 temporary structures, which
are used as shelters mainly for the Bedouin communities, which are
traditionally semi-nomadic tribes that stretch from North Africa to
the Middle East. The Israeli government has often tried to move the
Bedouin people into housing planned by the state. Israeli activists say
this is taking place so the government can build its own settlements
in the area.

This would effectively carve out an Israeli enclave running through
the middle of the West Bank, thereby making it almost impossible to
create a contiguous Palestinian state.

The charity Oxfam made a statement just days before the demolition,
saying the EU needed to take a tougher line against the Israeli
destruction of Palestinian homes, many of which were funded by EU
taxpayer money.

Read moreUN: Dozens of children homeless after Israel illegally
demolished Palestinian houses

“To see positive change on the ground, Europe needs to step up
and take a leadership role. EU governments must match their words
with urgent and concrete measures to push for an immediate end to
settlement construction and the unlawful demolition of Palestinian
civilian infrastructure,” Oxfam mentioned on its website.

Regavim, an Israeli conservative non-governmental organization counters
the EU’s claims, saying the body has built 500 structures in Israel,
without the consent of the national government.

“After years of researching this new phenomenon of illegal European
settlements in and around Jerusalem, we praise the Jerusalem
municipality for beginning to enforce the rule of law,” said Ari
Briggs, director of Regavim, cited by the Jerusalem Post.

A recent report by the right wing lobby group found that the EU’s
policy of continuing to illegally build settlements of the Palestinians
in Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank is an ongoing problem and they
want the Israeli government to continue to take measures against this.

“We see this action as a direct consequence of the recent Regavim
expose on the subject and call on the government of Israel to find an
immediate solution for the other 499 structures that we have identified
as illegal EU settlements,” Briggs, a co-author of the study, said.

image from peacenow.org.il

Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it. This is
a move that’s never been recognized by the international community,
while Israel’s continued policy to build settlements has brought
condemnation from all over the world, including from the country’s
staunch ally, the United States.

In late January, the US and the EU advised Israel against a plan to
drop its plans to construct an additional 450 settlement homes in the
West Bank, warning that failure to do so would further destabilize
the situation in the region and diminish prospects for peace.

Washington voiced concern, warning that building new settlements
would not help to improve Israeli security; rather it would have the
opposite effect.

“I can tell you that issuing tenders like this does nothing to bolster
Israel’s security, does not increase its prosperity and it does not
further the cause for peace. In fact it does precisely the opposite,”
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

Reuters / Ronen Zvulun

The US believes Israeli settlement activity is “illegitimate and
counterproductive” to achieving a two-state solution, Earnest told
reporters.

Some 500,000 Israelis have settled in the West Bank and East Jerusalem,
among 2.4 million Palestinians. The Israeli occupied territories have
been seeking full Palestinian statehood and independence from Israel
for decades. However, despite international criticism, the Israeli
government encourages the Jewish population in the West Bank to build
new settlements.

Rather than listening to the US and the EU, Israeli seems as though it
is determined to plough a lone furrow and in 2014, set a new 10-year
record for the number of settlements built.

According to Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog, 4,485 tenders
were issued in 2014, a 20 percent increase from the previous year
(3,710). In 2007, only 858 were handed out. The watchdog also stated
that there had been a 40 percent rise in construction in 2014.

Peace Now claims the increase in settlement building is an election
ploy by incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to win votes
ahead of the Israeli elections on March 17. The group adds that the
in seeking a fourth term in office, Netanyahu is sacrificing good
relations with the US, to secure the settlers’ votes.

“Once again, Palestinian lives, rights and lands are being violated
in the service of Israeli election campaigns,” said Hanan Ashrawi,
a senior official from the Palestinian Liberation Organization,
as cited by Reuters.

ETIENNE COPEAUX : “CHARLIE, L’ISLAM ET NOUS”

Publie le : 12-03-2015

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
propose cet article d’Etienne Copeaux, chercheur francais specialiste
de la Turquie, publie sur son blog susam-sokak.fr le 11 mars 2015.

Legende : La Une de Charlie Hebdo (mois de janvier).

Susam-Sokak

11 Mars 2015

Publie par Etienne Copeaux

Charlie, l’islam et nous (1)

Le battage mediatique a propos des attentats de janvier commence
a faiblir. Pendant des semaines, les emissions sur l’islam, sur le
terrorisme, l’humour, la caricature, le terrorisme, la lutte contre le
terrorisme, se sont succede. On n’avait jamais vu cela, je crois. Les
journalistes ont dû apprendre a prononcer certains mots arabes, ils
ont appris nahda, djahiliyya, takkiye qu’ils ont enonce doctement
pour faire croire qu’ils connaissaient tout cela depuis l’enfance.

Peremptoirement, certains ont annonce, sur les ondes et dans la
presse, que ” l’islam doit se reformer “, qu’ ” il faut une mise a
niveau “, une ” modernisation “, une ” reorganisation par l’Etat “,
un ” concordat “. Des theologiens ont ete convoques, des imams, des
philosophes musulmans. Puis dans une seconde vague, on a vu apparaître
des avis contraires : que l’Etat n’avait pas a reguler l’islam,
que l’islam s’etait sans cesse reforme tout au long de son histoire.

L’ecole etait montree du doigt, car elle n’avait pas reussi a empecher
l’apparition d’enfants devoyes de la Republique. Il fallait donc
reformer l’ecole, introduire un enseignement des religions, accentuer
l’apprentissage des valeurs republicaines, familiariser les enfants
avec le drapeau, la Marseillaise…

J’ai passe ma vie a l’ecole, en quelque sorte, et je me suis senti
interpelle par ces assertions. Si l’ecole avait echoue, je devais
m’en sentir responsable. Or, et particulièrement dans ce domaine de
” l’apprentissage d’une religion autre “, je croyais avoir fait
mon possible. Et je n’etais pas seul, je presume que nous etions
des milliers d’enseignants a avoir fait ce travail auprès de nos
elèves, pendant des decennies. Nous n’avions pas besoin de reforme
de l’enseignement, de directives, d’instructeurs. Nous faisons le
travail, par conviction. Etions-nous trop minoritaires ? Qu’est-ce
qui a echoue ?

Les evenements bouleversants de janvier l’ont ete, pour ma generation
et pour mon milieu, parce qu’ils nous forcaient a un retournement sur
nous-memes, notre vision de la societe, nos pratiques d’enseignants.

Puis, au fur et a mesure de l’avancee des debats mediatiques en janvier
et fevrier, l’introspection a deborde sur l’autre versant de ma vie,
celui d’une recherche sur la dissimulation d’un discours religieux
dans un Etat musulman laïque, la Turquie, sur l’analyse de ce qui
fait qu’un discours historique est laïque ou non… Enfin, de retour
dans l’enseignement et fort de cette experience, j’ai reflechi a la
manière de la faire passer (ou comment echouer a la faire passer)
parmi les elèves et au sein des institutions scolaires.

Une part du bouleversement provient de ce que tout au long de notre
vie nous avons côtoye a la fois Charlie et l’islam.

Hara-Kiri puis Charlie-Hebdo ont fait partie de notre formation, dès
l’âge de quinze ans, et nous n’etions pas choques qu’ils veuillent
nous choquer. Au contraire, cela faisait du bien dans la France
gaulliste, celle de la fin de la guerre d’Algerie et de l’OAS, celle
de l’amenagement/demenagement du territoire, celle de la police de
Raymond Marcellin.

Ces annees d’après-1968 etaient un temps de deceptions ; elles
etaient aussi les annees d’entree dans la vie, la confrontation avec
l’autorite, l’autorite politique reactionnaire, celle qui encadre la
vie professionnelle, et l’autorite militaire qui m’a permis, malgre
moi, de mieux comprendre le fonctionnement de la societe.

Lire la suite sur le blog d’Etienne Copeaux susam-sokak.fr.

Source/Lien : Susam-Sokak

ARMENIA MAY SERVE A GOOD PLATFORM FOR KUWAIT TO ENTER EEU MARKET: PM

12:11, 12 March, 2015

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS: The Prime Minister of the Republic of
Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan, being on an official visit to the State of
Kuwait, hosted the delegation, headed by the First Deputy Chairman
of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abdul Vahab Muhammad
Al-Vazani. The press service of the Government of the Republic of
Armenia informed Armenpress that the interlocutors highlighted the
deepening of the cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and
Industry of the two countries, which will give a new impetus to the
development of the business relations and the implementation of the
investment programs.

The sides considered prospective the development of the cooperation
in industry, agriculture, information technology, tourism and health
care. An agreement was reached to present investment proposals of
different projects in the nearest future, which will contribute to
the expansion of the economic cooperation between Armenia and Kuwait.

The sides stated that there is a great economic cooperation potential,
in the implementation of which the organization of business forums was
highlighted. The interlocutors reached an agreement to make concrete
steps in that direction.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CALLS ON EU MEMBER STATES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

16:23, 12.03.2015

Today on March 12 the European Parliament has adopted the Annual Report
on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2013. Several clauses of
this document are relevant to Armenia, especially the paragraph that
“calls, ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, on all
the Member States to acknowledge it, and encourages the Member States
and the EU institutions to contribute further to its recognition.

European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) warmly welcomes this European
Parliament report. EuFoA Director, Mr Eduardo Lorenzo Ochoa, comments:
“After a long break, the European Parliament reasserts its position
on the Armenian Genocide, and again reaffirms that genocides and
their denials are a human rights matter. During this special year,
we are thankful for this strong signal of European solidarity with
the Armenian people.”

In addition, the text adopted by the EP puts a particular focus on the
question of human rights in the relations with EU partners. Indeed,
the very first paragraph of the report states that “the preamble to
the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union affirms that
the EU ‘places the individual and human dignity at the heart of its
activities'”. The reports then adds that “the performance-driven
‘more for more’ approach should guide the EU’s relations with all
third countries, that the EU should grant partner countries advanced
status only if clear human rights and democracy requirements are
met, and that it should not hesitate to freeze this status if those
requirements are no longer fulfilled.”

“In practical terms it means that the European Parliament does not
want the EU to compromise its stance on human rights, democracy and
rule of law when dealing with third countries., comments Mr Lorenzo
Ochoa. “With these two paragraphs in mind, it becomes clear why the
report insists on human rights clauses in EU international agreements,
including trade agreements. This is also why the report, with its 215
paragraphs, is much longer than the previous yearly reports on that
matter. We are very pleased that the EU reasserts its moral authority
with this lengthy but clear report.”

The adopted text also recalls the situation of religious minorities,
particularly in the Middle East, mentioning among others the Apostolic
Armenians. In that particular paragraphs, the Parliament “calls for
the EU and its Member States to ensure that religious minorities are
respected worldwide, particularly in the Middle East, where Christians,
including Catholics, Apostolic Armenians, Copts and Yezidis, and Muslim
minorities are being persecuted by ISIS and other terrorist groups.”

The report was drafted by MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, Italy) and
adopted at the committee level on 9 February and will be published
by the European Parliament in the coming days.