Author: Varosian Antranik

CBS unveils the identities of the eleven ‘The Amazing Race 5’ couples
By Steve Rogers, 06/10/2004

Reality TV World, MA
June 11 2004

CBS announced yesterday the identities of the eleven couples
apppearing in its upcoming The Amazing Race 5.

Prior to yesterday’s annoucement, only the identity of one couple had
been formally announced — that of Alison Irwin, the runner-up in
last summer’s Big Brother 4, and Donald Patrick, Alison’s college
football playing boyfriend whom she frequently mentioned (as
“Donnie”) while confined within the Big Brother house.

In addition to Alison and Donny, the cast also includes an NFL
cheerleader, a former Miss Teen USA, the second runner up at Miss USA
2003, and a male model. Maybe it’s just us, but does anyone else
think it’s a bit obvious that CBS is pulling out all the stops in an
apparent attempt to finally transform the Emmy Award-winning but
modestly-rated program into a ratings hit? No wonder CBS was
reportedly “so pleased” about this edition that it wasted little time
greenlighting The Amazing Race 6. Of course, at this rate, don’t
expect TAR6 to feature more than a token older couple… but remember
Race fans, it could be worse — after all, The Mole viewers had to
watch their show disintegrate into a watered-down home for D-list
celebrities… only to watch the ratings-challenged ABC network still
ultimately pulled the plug on the series.

As previously reported, The Amazing Race 5, once again featuring
eleven couples in a race around the world, will premiere with a
special 90-minute broadcast on Tuesday, July 6 at 9:30PM ET/PT
(following a special 90-minute premiere of the fifth season of Big
Brother.) After the premiere, the series will settle into its
regularly scheduled Tuesdays at 10PM ET/PT time period (following Big
Brother 5’s regular Tuesdays at 9PM ET/PT broadcast.)

The eleven couples competing in The Amazing Race 5 are:

• Kami And Karli French, 26-year-old identical twin sisters from
Eugene, Oregon. Kami is a café manager while Karli is a student at
University of Oregon.

• Marshall and Lance Hudes, brothers who are originally from New
York, but have since relocated to Dallas, Texas, where they own and
operate a pizza shop. Marshall is 31-years-old, while Hudes is age
26.

• Colin Guinn and Christie Woods, a couple from Corpus Christi, Texas
that have been dating for over a year. Colin, age 24, owns a cell
phone store. Christie, age 26, is the managing partner of the
Longevity & Wellness Center and the 1996 Miss Teen USA.

• Chip and Kim Mcallister, married parents from Coto De Caza,
California. Chip, age 46, is the owner of a web technology company.
Kim, age 44, is the owner of an information technology recruiting
company. They have been married for over 25 years and have three
children.

• Alison Irwin and Donald Patrick, a dating couple from Pennsylvania.
As Big Brother 4 viewers are well aware, the 23-year-old Alison
managed to cheat, lie, flirt, and backstab her way to Big Brother 4’s
final two, where she was trounced by the equally reviled Jun Song in
the program’s final houseguest voting. Throughout the show viewers
endured Alison’s incessant whining regarding whether her relationship
with 21-year-old boyfriend Donny would still be intact after he’d
seen her Big Brother behavior. Obviously the answer was yes… so now
CBS viewers will get to spend another summer watching Alison cheat,
lie, flirt, and backstab — only this time while she travels (at
least partway) around the world. Thanks CBS.

• Linda Ruiz and Karen Heins, best friends and bowling partners from
Palmdale, California. Linda, age 45, is a mother and tennis teacher.
Karen, age 41, is a mother and homemaker. Both have been married for
over 20 years.

• Dennis Frentsos and Erika Shay, a “once engaged” couple from New
York. Dennis is a 27-year-old mortgage broker from West Nyack while
Erika is a 25-year-old wedding planner from Piermont. According to
CBS, Dennis broke off the engagement after Erika went tandem
skydiving naked with her instructor. No word on whether any peanut
butter or chocolate was involved.

• Jim and Marsha McCoy, a father and daughter from Florida. Jim is a
53-year-old helicopter pilot who lives in Jacksonville. The
26-year-old Marsha is a law student living in Gainesville and
attending the University of Florida College of Law. Marsha, who
considered herself an “ugly duckling” as a child, is an NFL
Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleader. With Jim having spent 23 years in
the military, the family once lived in Germany for two years.

• Charla Faddoul and Mirna Hindoyan, first cousins from Maryland.
Charla, age 27 and living in Phoenix, is “married to the man of her
dreams” and is manager/co-owner of a chain of ten sportswear stores.
Mirna, age 23, lives in Towson and is an attorney who graduated from
the University of Maryland School of Law. The two were born only a
month apart in Syria and emigrated to the United States when they
were young children. Between the two of them, they speak a variety of
languages, including Armenian, Turkish, French and Spanish, and have
traveled extensively to foreign countries — skills that should prove
valuable during the competition.

• Brandon Davidson and Nicole O’Brian, a dating couple. Nicole, age
21 and currently living in Los Angeles while trying to break into
Hollywood, was Miss Texas USA 2003 and second runner up at Miss USA
2003. Brandon, age 25, is a male model currently living in Houston.
The two consider themselves very religious and spiritual people and
met just over a year ago when both were hired to work the runway at a
bridal expo in Houston.

• Bob Barron and Joyce Nicolo, a dating couple from Mount Laurel, New
Jersey who, despite living in the same town, met on an Internet
dating website. Both are widowers who lost their partners to cancer.
Bob, age 61, is retired. Joyce, age 54, is a medical practice
administer.

LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFENDERS TO SERVE TERMS IN RENOVATED PRISON

ArmenPress
May 31 2004

YEREVAN, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS: Some 60 former employees of
law-enforcement bodies, serving prison terms for various offences
will move in July into a new correction facility, complying with
international standards.

The Vardashen prison located in Yerevan outskirts that will take
in the convicts is being now reconstructed as part of a program of
Armenian judiciary system reformation. The major repair, started in
2003 September is expected to be over in July 2004.

Varuzhan Melkonian, head of a justice ministry department, supervising
prison facilities, told Armenpress that the Vardashen prison is
going to be the first one in its kind correction facility in Armenia,
meeting all international requirements.

He said the facility will be of so-called “half–open” type meaning
that prison cells will have wooden doors instead of iron ones and
will be shut only for the night. It will also have a gymnasium and
will be furnished with new furniture. The new prison is expected to
accommodate some 150 inmates.

Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, PA
May 30 2004

Exhibit uses obsessive compulsive behavior as theme

Art ‘Monk’ might like

By HELENA PAYNE

Associated Press Writer

BOSTON – A Boston artist has dedicated a museum exhibit to the type
of behavior that causes some to separate their M&Ms into colors, pop
bubble wrap until there is no more plastic to crush and focus all
their attention on the most minute detail out of pure obsession.

The exhibit at the Boston Center for the Arts is called “OCD,” as in
obsessive compulsive disorder. Curator Matthew Nash said it’s not
about an illness but how the creative process can be driven by a
series of obsessions and compulsions.

“You should see my studio,” said Nash, who has shown his art in
Boston, Chicago, New York and Italy.

He is one of the people who separates his Skittles, M&Ms and Reese’s
Pieces into separate containers for each color. He used the latter
two sugary goods to create his art for the “OCD” exhibit, which lasts
through May 9 and showcases artists from Pennsylvania, New York and
Virginia.

Using the Halloween-like colors in the candies, Nash made a grid that
forms the images of soldiers, planes and other war-related pictures.

“The obsession of this is having bins and bins of M&Ms and hoping
when you’re done it looks like something,” Nash said.

Nancy Havlick has bins with objects separated by color, but they’re
filled with sugar eggs. In an attempt to fuse her multicultural roots
– English and Armenian – with her American upbringing, she decided to
start her own tradition.

With the sugar eggs, Havlick creates “rugs.” Make no mistake, they
aren’t to walk on.

The eggs are colored with a mixture of spices and foods often used in
Armenia, including mahleb, sumac, almonds, apricots, paprika and
rosebuds. She organizes them in decorative patterns on the floor.

“I’m deciding my own tradition. Rather than looking backwards, I’m
forging ahead,” Havlick said, laying one of the eggs in its position.

Havlick said she didn’t recognize her obsession with making sugar
eggs until she realized she has been doing it for a decade. But she
also has realized another fixation: carving out an identity from her
multiethnic past.

In her parents’ generation, Havlick said, it was much more common to
assimilate to the American culture rather than celebrate differences.
“My mother wasn’t cooking Armenian food. We were having hot dogs and
hamburgers,” she said.

The sugar eggs have become her own way of bridging the past to the
future and a way “to control the chaotic feelings” of life, she said.

Many of the exhibitors wanted their art to express something about
both the creation process and the result.

New York artist Jason Dean wanted to conquer bubble wrap after
working for an animation company where he did a lot of packing. So he
decided to make it an art project and see how much time it would take
for him to pop the largest roll of bubble wrap he could find: 110
feet by 4 feet. It took about six hours.

That roll and other smaller ones are mounted on a wall of the exhibit
like paper towels above a kitchen sink. There is also a video that
features Dean’s “popping spree.”

“I kept thinking that they were a lot louder,” he said. “It just
sounded like fireworks, and I kept thinking that someone is going to
question this odd sound.”

Joseph Trupia, another New York artist, used office supplies to make
drawings called “What I can do in 40 hours” and “What I can do in 8
hours.”

Another work in “OCD” shows 600 photographs of rear ends.

“It was kind of a silly thing to do at first, and it became a
document of the process of looking,” said Boston artist Luke Walker
of his gluteus photography.

Norfolk, Va., artist Jennifer Schmidt became fascinated with the
repetition of filling in ovals on test score sheets.

“The idea of the artwork showing evidence of repeated activity is
something we see in a lot of different forms,” said Martha Buskirk, a
fellow at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in
Williamstown, Mass., and author of “The Contingent Object of
Contemporary Art.”

The clinical disorder is even more consuming, said Diane Davey, a
registered nurse and program director of the OCD Institute at McLean
Hospital in Belmont.

“Obsessive compulsive disorder is really defined as someone who has
unwanted or disturbing intrusive thoughts and who engages in a set of
behaviors that are meant to sort of neutralize the thought and help
them to feel less anxious,” Davey said.

Davey said an exhibit like “OCD” might help someone to question his
or her own behavior and seek help if necessary.

AP PHOTOS

Boston artist Nancy Havlick installs her artwork, ‘Sugar Egg Rug,’ at
the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston in March as part of the
exhibit ‘OCD,’ as in obsessive compulsive disorder. The exhibit runs
through May 9.

Boston artist Matthew Nash stands in front of his artwork ‘Children’s
War’ at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston.

VATICANO: INIZIA OGGI VISITA CARD. KASPER A GERUSALEMME

CITTA’ DEL VATICANO

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
May 24, 2004

(ANSA) – CITTA’ DEL VATICANO, 24 MAG – Inizia oggi la visita a
Gerusalemme del card. Walter Kasper, presidente della Commissione
per i Rapporti Religiosi con l’Ebraismo e del pontificio Consiglio
per la Promozione dell’Unita’ dei Cristiani. Il cardinale, presente
ieri alla Sinagoga di Roma per il centenario del Tempio, nel corso
del viaggio incontrera’ il patriarca latino di Gerusalemme, Michel
Sabbah, e gli ordinari cattolici, il nuovo Custode di Terra Santa,
padre Pierbattista Pizzaballa, religiose, religiosi e fedeli laici
e celebrera’ la Santa Messa nella chiesa di S. Caterina a Betlemme,
al Santo Sepolcro e nella chiesa della Dormizione.

L’agenda del porporato include la partecipazione ad un colloquio
organizzato dall’Istituto Ecumenico di Tantur per gli studi di teologia
su ‘Il perdono e le sue dimensioni’. Sono inoltre previsti colloqui
con i rettori di istituzioni culturali, quali l’Ecole Biblique de
Jerusalem e la Facolta’ di Scienze Bibliche e di Archeologia, e dei
Seminari di Beth Jala, Salesiano e Francese.

Nell’ambito del dialogo ecumenico e interreligioso il presidente del
dicastero vaticano fara’ visita al Patriarca greco ortodosso Ireneos
I e al Patriarca armeno Torkom Manoogian, ai rabbini capo di Israele
e ai responsabili di altre tradizioni religiose. La fine della visita
del card. Kasper e’ prevista per il 28 maggio. (ANSA).

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
May 21 2004

INT’L ORGANIZATIONS MUST INCREASE EFFORTS FOR SETTLEMENT OF THE
ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN, NAGORNY KARABAKH CONFLICT
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES THE DELEGATION OF
INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP
[May 21, 2004, 19:55:25]

President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received the delegation
of International Crisis Group (ICG) headed by its president Mr.
Gareth Evans, 21 May.

The visitor updated head of the Azerbaijan State on his useful
meetings at the Cabinet of Ministers and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He also informed on the work done by ICG in elimination of the
sequences of misfortunes in the Balkans, countries of Central Asia
and Africa, noting that they have rendered practical assistance to
the leaders of those countries.

Noting that the Group comprises professionals – former Premiers,
foreign ministers and other high-rank persons. Gareth Evans said that
members of the former Clinton government lead the Group’s Washington
and New York offices. The ICG comprises representatives form 35
countries and are also engaged in conflict settling. Currently, the
Group carries out researches in numerous world countries – in the
conflict areas, potential conflict regions and prepares appropriate
reports. Mr. Evans said that they prepare similar report on Nagorny
Karabakh conflict, as well as held meetings with the leaders of
Georgia and Armenia for settlement of the conflicts in the South
Caucasus region. He said that they closely cooperate with the UN
Secretary General, Security Council, US State Department to eliminate
sequences of calamities and settlement of conflicts.

President Ilham Aliyev said he welcomes the Group’s interest in the
region and expressed regret that these conflicts cause hard problems
and tragedies for people. Noting that Azerbaijan has over one million
of refugees and IDPs, Head of the Azerbaijan State stressed the
necessity of increasing by international community the efforts
against Armenia’s aggression towards Azerbaijan.

Reminding that currently the OSCE and other international
organizations are engaged in settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
Nagorny Karabakh conflict, President Ilham Aliyev said that should
the international community increase its efforts for fair solution of
the problem, the conflict will be removed. If the international
community will know what has happened, why has happened, who is
aggressor and who is victim of the aggression, who has occupied and
keeps under occupation whose lands, then, it will become clear that
just Armenia is an aggressor state and brutally has violated
international legal norms, has occupied Azerbaijan’s lands and keep
under control up to day. If the international community will pay due
attention to these moments, the conflict will be settled and security
will be established in the region, President of Azerbaijan
underlined.

Also was discussed a number of other issues of mutual interest.

Head of the foreign relations department of President Administration
Novruz Mammadov, head of the law enforcement management department of
President Administration Fuad Alaskarov attended the reception.

PRESS RELEASE

Horizon Weekly
3401 Olivar-Asselin
Montréal, Québec
Canada, H4J 1L5
Phone: (514) 332-3757
Fax: (514) 332-4870
Email: [email protected]

Contact:Silva Ehramjian
514-332-3757

May 18, 2004

Horizon Armenian Weekly Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

Montreal, QC – Horizon Armenian Weekly began celebrating its 25th
anniversary during a gala at the Ritz Carlton on Sunday May 16, 2004.

The event marked the beginning of Horizon’s celebrations, during which the
weekly presented 10 long-time contributors with awards. The recipients were
Vartkes Papazian, Vrej-Armen Artinian, Shake Minassian, Berj Momjian, Soline
Chamlian, Hagop Hagopian, Arch Priest Armen Keshishian, Viken Tufenkjian,
Sossie Chakmajian and Zaven Injejikian.

Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate, also presented editor-in-chief Vahakn
Karakashian with an award on behalf of the Prelacy.

Ara Papian, Armenian Ambassador to Canada, Stephane Dion MP, as well as
other government and prominent community members, attended the event.

In September 2002, Horizon was the only Quebec ethnic newspaper to be
recognized by the Canadian Ethnic Press Council as one of the best across
Canada. Horizon was one of eight to be honoured from more than 800
publications in 125 languages.

First published on May 28 1979, Horizon Weekly has continuously grown,
publishing numerous monthly supplements, and since 2000 has published three
yearly magazine editions.

The weekly is also planning the launch an online version for July 2004.

Contact:Silva Ehramjian

Horizon Weekly
3401 Olivar-Asselin
Montréal, Québec
Canada, H4J 1L5
Phone: (514) 332-3757
Fax: (514) 332-4870
Email: [email protected]

-30-

Melkonian on the agenda in talks with Armenian minister
By Jean Christou

Cyprus Mail
May 21 2004

THE CLOSURE of the Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI) in Nicosia
was discussed yesterday during discussions between Foreign Minister
George Iacovou and his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian, who is
on an official visit to the island.

Speaking after the meeting, Oskanian said the issue was discussed with
Iacovou, as well as Interior Minister Andreas Christou and Nicosia
Mayor Michael Zampelas.

“This is an issue that concerns the Government of Armenia and I simply
heard the views of the Cypriot government officials as to what they
think about the future of the school; I should also say that I met
with the community members yesterday and I focused on the Melkonian’s
closure,” he added.

“We in Armenia like to see a solution to this issue that will meet
the needs of everyone,” the Armenian Foreign Minister said, adding
Armenia was ready to offer its good offices, if it could be of any
help, to reach a positive conclusion to this issue.

Last month, the government slapped a preservation order on the
Melkonian, giving the school, slated to close next year, a temporary
reprieve from the developers, but so far there are no assurances
about the school’s continuation beyond June 2005, after which a good
number of Armenian students living in Cyprus would be deprived of a
national-language school, while boarding students would be sent home.

The central board of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU)
in New York said in March that the 78-year old school should close
in June 2005.

The loss-making Melkonian is sitting on a £40 million plot in the
capital’s commercial district and reports have been rife that it is
up for grabs by developers.

The AGBU said in November that the school was not for sale but
then changed tack and announced the closure. The schools alumni are
convinced the foundation’s only aim is to “take the money and run”.

Staff at the school are also outraged over comments by the AGBU
that the standard of education at the MEI was not up to scratch,
and threatened this week to take industrial action.

Iacovou and Oskanian also discussed the Cyprus issue, the island’s
EU accession and relations with Armenia during yesterday’s meeting
Oskanian stressed the importance of Cyprus’ accession to the EU for
Armenia. “We see Cyprus as a friendly country, as an insider in the EU
and that we can rely on its help to further advance our integration
processes with European structures and particularly with the EU,”
he said.

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] Website;

Honoring the Babayan Foundation and the Pillars of the Diocese

On Saturday, May 15, 2004 upon the invitation of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian a reception was held to honor the Babayan Foundation as well as the
Pillars of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese.

Over two hundred and fifty guests and benefactors, representatives of
Montreal, Toronto, Windsor, Ottawa and Edmonton Armenian communities were gathered on
this occasion. At Dikran Karibian Hall of the Diocesan headquarters, Bishop
Galstanian together with the President of Babayan Foundation’s Board of
Trustees Mr. Haig Selian made the official opening of two plaques where the names of
the benefactors of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese were
carved. Attending the ceremony was the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in
Ottawa His Excellency Ara Papian. His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian
greeted the faithful and thanked them for their assistance and support to the
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church through the Diocese of Canada.

In the evening, an official banquet was organized at Marie Manoogian Hall of
St Gregory Armenian Cathedral. Mr. Meguerdich Kanondjian, Chairman of the
Parish Council of St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral was the MC. A
brief cultural program, the newly established website (presented by Mrs. Shoghik
Shabazian) of the Diocese and the current financial status (Diocesan Council
Chairman, Jack Stepanian) of the Diocese were presented by audiovisual means.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Ara Papian congratulated the
Primate the Diocesan Council the babayna Foundation and the Pillars of the
Diocese on this occasion and wished the Diocese successful implementation of its
projects for the years to come. Mr. Haig Selian, President of the Board of
Trustees of Babayan Foundation thanked Bishop Galstanian for the initiative and
reaffirmed the Babayan Foundation’s commitment to support the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada.

His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, expressed his joy and once again,
extended his gratitude and thanks to all benefactors and sponsors, who have
supported the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada and many of its missions and
projects both in Canada and in Motherland, Armenia since the establishment of
the Diocese in 1984. In his address, Serpazan stressed the significance and
the importance of the role of the Armenian Church in the Diaspora in general,
and in Canada particularly. He said, “Today, as we confront the many challenges
and difficulties of the ‘modern world’ we, more than ever, need to stand
together to preserve and educate a new, dynamic generation thus establishing a well
founded Canadian Armenian community”.

On this occasion, donations were made by the faithful to express once again
their staunch support and unreserved backing to the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of Canada.

60TH Anniversary Celebration of the Canadian Council of Churches

On May 13, 2004 the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the Canadian Council of
Churches was held at the York Minster Park, Baptist Church of Toronto.

Attending the ceremony were representatives of Christian churches in the
Province of Ontario, high ranking clergies and faithful. His Eminence Bishop
Bagrat Galstanian, Rev Archpriest Fr Zareh Zargarian, Deacon Vrej Berberian, the
choir of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church as well as a group of Armenian
faithful were present. Prior to the religious ceremony a reception was held, during
which Church Leaders and Ecumenical guests had the opportunity for discussion.

The event was presided by the Secretary General of the Canadian Council of
Churches Reverend Dr. Karen Hamilton. During her speech, Rev. Dr. Hamilton
highly acknowledged the work of the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Toronto
His Eminence Terrence Finley and invited him to deliver his message to the
faithful. After His Eminence’s speech, the choir of the Holy Trinity Armenian
Church of Toronto performed Armenian Liturgical songs, Sharagans conducted by
Maestro Hagop Dugmedjian.

Family Support Services Of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church

Family Support Services consists of a team of 13 members and came into being
in January of 2004 as the newest organization under the umbrella of Holy
Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Scarborough, Ontario.

To provide quality assistance, programs and advocacy for persons and families
through referrals and collaboration with Community Services. To promote
communication and understanding towards positive emotional, social and spiritual
growth.

Our programs and services will include the following:

” Social/Life Skills Assistance
” Crisis Intervention
” Vocation/Employment Services
” Educational Workshops
” Family and Youth Support
” Research
” Parent Education and Workshops
” Volunteer Program
” Information and Advisory Services
” Assessment and Follow-Up
” Newsletter

Since the onset of our program and over the past few months we have been
involved in or sponsored the following events:
February 6, 2004 – Family Support Services (FSS) held its first lecture as
part of the Health and Wellness series. The topic of choice was Crisis
Intervention through the Scarborough Mobile Crisis Unit. The welcomed guest speaker was
Krystal Arndt, a mental health therapist with the Mobile Crisis Unit. Ms
Arndt successfully outlined the functions and goals of the Scarborough Crisis
Unit. The audience was educated on defining crisis situations and made aware of
the services available to them.
**********
February 7, 2004 – The Volunteer Program of Family Support Services along
with ACYOC took part in packing boxes of food for the needy at the North York
Food Harvest. The event was attended by our youth who received recognition and
credit for the volunteer time.
**********
March 27, 2004 – Tree of Remembrance fundraiser launched with the setting up
of our tree in the foyer of the church.
March 28 – April 24, 2004 – Tree of Remembrance fund raiser for FSS. Faithful
parishioner’s who wished to make a donation to FSS in memory of a loved one
purchased a white dove upon which a scroll was placed in its beak with the name
of the person to be remembered on it. These doves were then placed on a tree
in the foyer of our church and will be gifted back to the donor’s in the days
to come. The 178 memorial names were recited aloud during the Badarak
requiem service. We thank everyone for their support.

**********

April 24, 2004 – The Youth Volunteer Program of the Family Support Services,
participated in the “Clean-Up and Rehabilitation Day” organized by the
Centennial College Environmental Student Society and the City of Toronto.

April 25, 2004 – A Grand Opening Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting for the newly
formed Family Support Services of Holy Trinity Armenian Church was held on
Sunday, April 25, 2004, following Badarak in the mezzanine level above the Maral
Ishkanian Hall.

During Badarak, the members of the Family Support Services Team received the
blessing of His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galsdanyan, Primate of the Canadian
Diocese, His Eminence, Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian, Primate of Artsakh and Rev.
Arch Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church with wishes
for success in all undertakings. We also had the attendance of Jim Karygiannis,
MP of Scarborough-Agincourt, who has been a strong fighter in Parliament for
Armenian rights and Genocide.

**********
May 2, 2004 – The second in a series of Health and Wellness Lectures
sponsored by the Family Support Services was held featuring guest speaker Rev. Dr.
Paul Scuse, a marriage and family therapist. He addressed issues of family and
marriage and the importance of Christian values in tying individual and family
members together.

**********
Armenians belonging to a large community, we can all benefit from Family
Support Services, if not for ourselves, then to be equipped with knowledge that
may help others now or in the future. Most of us are unaware of the great
resources available in our own communities and the Family Support Services (FSS)
hopes to provide a link between Armenian community members and these community
agencies. You can reach the Family Support Services of Holy Trinity Armenian
Church at (416) 431-5549 and leaving a voice message or by email at
[email protected].

Armenia’s FM terms Iran as a major regional partner

IRNA, Iran
May 14 2004

Moscow, May 14, IRNA — Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan in
a meeting with Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh in Yerevan Friday
referred to Iran as a major partner of his country in the region.
In the meeting, Oskanyan said that the agreement signed between
the two countries on sale of gas to Armenia is in line with Iran’s
political will to expand the mutual friendly ties.

He further underlined Iran’s decisive role and stance in the region.

Turning to the significance of Iran’s balanced regional policy, he said
that bilateral cooperation under the framework of North-South Route
and construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline are of great importance.

For his part, Zanganeh expressed pleasure over the finalization of
the contract on transfer of gas from Iran to Armenia on the basis of
exchange with power as a major development.

The minister noted that the materialization of the project marks
sustained and long-term collaboration between Iran and Armenia.

Referring to the pace of the global economic growth, he reiterated
the need for economic development in Caucasus, in particular in the
coming years.

On the first day of his visit to Armenia on Thursday, Zanganeh met
President Robert Koucharian, prime minister, energy minister, head
of presidential institution and the Armenian chairman of Iran-Armenia
Economic Commission and discussed matters of mutual concern.

The two sides signed an agreement on transfer of gas from Iran to
Armenia and a memorandum of understanding on collaboration in the
field of energy on Thursday.

JUDICIAL AUTHORITY BELONGS TO COALITION

A1 Plus | 15:59:16 | 14-05-2004 | Politics |

Robert Grigoryan, Advocate of Suren Surenyantc, member of “Republic”
Party political board, had appealed in the Review Court against
2-month-long preliminary detention for Surenyantc made by the First
Instance Court. Court had rejected the claim.

Robert Grigoryan had applied to the Appeal Court, too. The case
consideration has been postponed for unknown reasons.

This morning Robert Grigoryan has been phoned by the Appeal Court
and asked to appear before Court 15 minutes later since the appeal
would be heard. The appeal was reviewed and rejected in a hurry.

Thus, Authorities once more refused to meet PACE demand to quickly
release all the political prisoners.