Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

Catholic News Agency, CO
Sept 13 2008

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2008

`If the Lord should give you power to raise the dead, He would give
much less than He does when he bestows suffering. By miracles you
would make yourself debtor to Him, while by suffering He may become
debtor to you. And even if sufferings had no other reward than being
able to bear something for that God who loves you, is not this a great
reward and a sufficient remuneration? Whoever loves, understands what
I say.’
-Saint John Chrysostom

Born in Antioch, c. 347; died at Commana in Pontus, 14 September, 407.

Saint John Chrysostom (Golden-mouthed) was perhaps the greatest
preacher in the history of the Church, thus the name given him, and
the most prominent Greek father of the Church.

He grew up in Antioch, received an excellent classical Greek
education, and upon meeting the holy bishop Meletus, he decided to
devote his time to the study of religious works and the Sacred
Scriptures. He received Baptism after three years of study and set out
for the desert to live the ascetic life of a hermit.

His extreme mortifications left him in fragile health, and he thus
returned to Antioch after 2 years to recover, and devote himself to
studying for the priesthood. He was ordained in 386 and served in the
cathdral of Antioch for 12 years winning widespread fame for his
sublime preaching.

In 398 he was forcefully appointed Patriarch of Constantinople and
fast became very popular with his flock through his example of
preaching and courage in front of the imperial power, whose corruption
and decadence he never shirked from criticizing in public.

This attitude naturally made an enemy of the empress, Eudoxia as well
as Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria, who had him condemned on false
charges in 403. He was exiled to Armenia where he continued to be a
great presence in the Church of the East through his many letters. He
was exiled from Armenia to an isolated place along the Black Sea. He
died during the journey in 407, his ill health unable to endure its
rigours.

In 438 the Emperor Theodosius II of Constantinople had John’s body
returned to Constantinople and did penance for the sins of his mother
Eudoxia.

Chrysostom’s many writings, especially homilies and commentaries on
the Gospels are still extant and have exerted great influence over the
centuries.

`When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no
longer to think that you are amongst men; but believe that there are
troops of angels and archangels standing by you, and trembling with
respect before the sovereign Master of Heaven and earth. Therefore,
when you are in church, be there in silence, fear, and veneration.’
– Saint John Chrysostom

ARARAT, BY FRANK WESTERMAN TRANS. SAM GARRETT
Reviewed by Peter Stanford

Independent.co.uk
Friday, 12 September 2008

Up the mystic mountain in a flight from faith

In their unceasing efforts to convince the rest of us that every single
line of the Good Book is literally true, Bible fundamentalists have
long been fond of undertaking treks to "prove" that some landmark
events of the Old Testament did take place. So Mount Ararat, in
present-day Turkey, has been trawled for signs that Noah’s Ark did
end up, as Genesis 8:4 claims, beached on its peak once the flood
receded. Fragments of old wood have been claimed as sections of the
rudder of the ark, and rock formations highlighted as evidence of
the skid marks where the prow of the zoo ship came to rest.

Frank Westerman touches briefly on several such escapades in Ararat,
but his approach to scaling this iconic mountain is altogether
different – and more intriguing. His climb is an assault on his own
loss of belief in God and an exploration of the current abyss that
exists between religion and science. As he circles the foothills of
Ararat, Westerman also travels back to his high school and university
teachers in search of ballast as the rational explanations of science
that seemed so watertight to him begin to spring leaks.

His questioning throws him back on childhood memories – not just
of being spoon-fed a tradi tional Christianity, but of a brush,
through his father’s involvement with the oil industry in his native
Netherlands, with the destruction of a drilling rig in Drenthe in
1965. Unexplained events ultimately caused the earth to erupt and
swallow the rig whole. Nature apparently defeated scientific progress.

Part memoir, part philosophical tome, part travelogue, Ararat is
an ambitious and attractive book. Its tone is learned, thoughtful
and usually intimate, for which part of the credit must go to the
translator, Sam Garrett.

Fundamentalists are fond of finding answers to every earthly
dilemma, but those expecting either trite platitudes or the dodgy
archaeological theories that make for headline-grabbing bestsellers
will be disappointed.

Westerman’s pilgrimage doesn’t have a happy or neat ending.

Once he has negotiated the politics that surround Ararat – standing
on disputed land between Armenia, Turkey and Iran – his climb becomes
an ordeal. Cold, sore and forced to make his ascent with less than
congenial Czech companions, he finds himself wondering if he has set
out with the wrong idea.

At one point he describes his whole project as "Job in reverse". Just
as Job is made to test his faith by Satan, acting as the chief
prosecutor in God’s heavenly court, Westerman is testing his own
unbelief. It is a finely balanced and well-told experiment that will
echo with many readers.

Peter Stanford’s latest book is ‘Teach Yourself Catholicism’

RA AUTHORITIES ALWAYS TRIED TO USE FOREIGN POLITICAL AND REGIONAL FACTORS AS DIVERSIONARY MANEUVRE: CHAIRMAN OF ANM BOARD

ArmInfo
2008-09-12 10:26:00

ArmInfo. ‘RA authorities have always tried to use the foreign political
and regional factors as a diversionary maneuver’, Chairman of Board
of the Armenian National Movement Ararat Zurabyan told ArmInfo.

He said that aggravation of the Georgian-Russian relations may be
a fresh example of that. ‘This circumstance turned out to be very
advantageous for the incumbent authorities of Armenia which tried
to derive maximum benefit from the developed circumstances: during
aggravation of the Georgian-Russian relations, the regime launched
power actions on the Northern Avenue – the people were banned to
hold events there. The initiative steps of the authorities in the
Armenian-Turkish relations may be considered in the same context’,
A. Zurabyan said.

Giving assessment to the last initiatives of RA president in
improvement of the Armenian-Turkish relations, the oppositionist rated
them as an attempt display himself as a pro-western figure who wishes
to place the region development within the frames acceptable for the
world community. ‘Only the personal interest of Serzh Sargsyan as
a political figure was taken into account here, there was also an
aspiration to achieve creation of his seeming image being far from
the reality’, A. Zurabyan said.

Talking of change of the authorities’ position on settlement of the
Armenian-Turkish relations and the recent critics to the opposition
leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan for his statements on the necessity of
normalizing the relations with the neighbouring states, A. Zurabyan
emphasized: ‘The regime has never fought with the political views and
positions of L. Ter-Petrosyan or the political forces supporting
him. Realizing complete absence or weakness of arguments, the
authorities have always tried to find some way of discredit. The
attempt to represent Ter-Petrosyan as a pro-Turkish or pro-western
figure was made just in this context. Be sure, it is difficult to find
a more Armenian political figure than L. Ter-Petrosyan as him and his
political team are guided by one important principle – all our actions
must contribute to prosperity of the Armenian people and the state. We
cannot be pro-Turkish, pro-western or pro-Russian. We are Armenians
who wish to live in the own state which is developed, has a future
and belongs to the generations irrespective of their political views’.

ARMENIANS VOLUNTEER TO RETREAT

Sabah
6950545A1A6D851B9AC2B0BC3.html
Sept 11 2008
Turkey

On his return from Baku, President Gul stated; "The Armenians have
volunteered to retreat from Azerbaijani lands," pointing that Armenian
and Azerbaijani leaders are respectfully in good terms with each other.

President Gul, went to Baku yesterday and relayed the message to Haydar
Aliyev that Armenia has volunteered to retreat from Azerbaijan. While
Gul was giving a speech to journalists, he stated that Aliyev was
not disturbed by Gul’s visit to Erivan, as well. President Gul, who
went to Erivan last Saturday, made important statements to a group of
journalists with him both going and on his return from Baku, yesterday.

Gul reassured Azerbaijan by remarking that Turkey’s Karabagh policy
had not changed. The President stated, "Azerbaijanis should not
be susceptible. Turkey has supported the Azerbaijani case up until
now making sacrifices of our own benefits. We are all a part of the
Turkish Nation."

AZERBAIJANI AND TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS SITUATION IN CAUCASUS

Trend News Agency
Sept 10 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 10 September/ TrendNews, corr R. Novruzov/ Foreign
ministers of Azerbaijan and Turkey Elmar Mammadyarov and Ali Babacan
discussed situation in Caucasus over telephone conversation on 10
September.

Turkish foreign minister informed his Azerbaijani counterpart of
the recent visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan and of
his own talks with the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan,
reported TrendNews quoting Turkish media.

Babacan once again expressed Turkey’s support for Azerbaijan.

Turkish foreign minister said that talks on this issue will be
continued within the 63rd session of UN General Assembly to be held
in mid-September in New York.

Azerbaijani foreign minister approved initiative of holding meeting
of foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia in New York.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began
in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since
1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group (Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful
negotiations.

GUL WELCOMED BY HEYDAR ALIYEV IN BAKU

Sept 10 2008
Turkey

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has arrived in Baku at 16:45 hours
(Turkish local time) in his private jet "ANA".

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has arrived in Baku at 16:45 hours
(Turkish local time) in his private jet "ANA".

Gul was welcomed to the Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport by
Turkey’s Ambassador in Baku Hulusi Kilic and other dignitaries.

Asked, during the flight to Baku, if his recent visit to Armenia
offended Azerbaijan, President Gul said that "Azerbaijan should not
have been offended. Such an act would be unfair. Turkey sacrificed
its interests and gave huge support to Azerbaijan. We are part of the
same nation (with Azerbaijan). I do not think that such a reality has
been weakened. Just as in Turkey, there could be different thinkers
in Azerbaijan. We have respect for all views."

Gul stressed that he received no "suggestion either from the United
States or the European Union on his recent visit to Armenia."

President Gul would return back to Turkey on Wednesday night after
holding talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev.

NET PROFIT OF VTB BANK (ARMENIA) REACHES AMD 2.74 BILLION BY EARLY SEPTEMBER

ARKA
Sep 10, 2008

YEREVAN, September 10. /ARKA/. Net profit of VTB Bank (Armenia)
reached AMD 2.74 billion by early September after growing 85% in July
and August, Valery Ovsyannikov, director general of the bank, said at a
press conference held in Novosti International Press Center on Monday.

He said the bank’s bet profit for the first half of 2008 was AMD 1.46
billion against 81 million at the same period of the previous year.

Ovsyannikov said that the bank’s net profit for the first quarter
2008 was AMD 625 million.

VTB Bank (Armenia) (Armenian Savings Bank before June 20, 2006)
became a participant of VTB Group in April 2004.

VTB Bank holds 100% of stocks of VTB Bank (Armenia). Authorized
capital of VTB Bank (Armenia) is AMD 13.9 billion and own capital
reached AMD 22.8 billion by early September.

The bank is reckoned among three largest banks of Armenia on key
indicators.

VTB Bank (Armenia) is the biggest asset owner among banks in Armenia.

The bank has 80 offices all over the country. In July 2008, the bank
received "B" short-term and "BB+" long-term issuer ratings from Fitch
Ratings international rating agency. Forecast on the long-term rating
is "Stable". ($1 – AMD 301.11)

EUROPE WANTS TO ASSUME CREDIT FOR ARMENIAN-TURKISH DIALOG

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.09.2008 16:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Europe wants to assume the credit for
Armenian-Turkish dialog, a Russian expert said.

"As a matter of fact, the European Union has nothing to do with it. The
presidential meeting is the result of pragmatism manifested by the
Armenian authorities," Sergei Markedonov, head of the interethnic
relations department at the institute of political and military
analysis, told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"Armenia should break the isolation and can talks even with Turkey
for the purpose," he added.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomed Saturday Turkish counterpart
Abdullah Gul’s visit to neighboring Armenia as "courageous and
historic".

"While the region is in the midst of a serious crisis, (his visit)
is a courageous and historic gesture for Turkish-Armenian relations,"
Sarkozy, who currently holds the European Unions rotating presidency,
said in a statement "It allows hope for progress soon in establishing
normal relations between Turkey and Armenia," he said.

ARMENIAN POLICE DISPERSE "SILENT" PROTEST DEMANDING PRESIDENT’S RESIGNATION

Aravot
Aug 29 2008
Armenia

Yesterday [28 August], a group of citizens, following their statement
made earlier, gathered outside the Presidential Palace to stage a
silent protest. They demanded [Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan’s
resignation. The protest lasted a few minutes because as soon as
the demonstrators shut their mouths and held up placards demanding
Sargsyan’s resignation, over 50 policemen and men in plain clothes
attacked the protesters, tore down the placards – even those that
were placed on people’s clothes – and pushing the demonstrators and
journalists, dispersed them.

AZERBAIJAN REFUSED FROM SAUDI DEVELOPMENT FUND LOAN FOR MODERNIZATION OF SCHOOLS AND RESTORATION OF HOUSES

Azerbaijan Business Center
Sept 8 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. The Azerbaijan Republic Ministry of Finance has
rejected the Saudi Development Fund’s proposals on development of
new modern schools and restoration of dwelling houses in the regions
that are frontier with Armenia, destroyed during Armenian aggression
in Karabakh.

The Governmental sources informed Fineko/abc.az that the Saudi Fund
suggested the privileged financing of projects focused on expansion
of the project of construction of five modern schools in Baku and
reconstruction of destroyed houses.

"Under general auspicious estimations, the Ministry of Finance has
rejected the proposals as the country does not need the additional
funds for that purpose," the source informed.

Earlier the Saudi Development Fund (SDF) project on construction of
5 secondary schools in Azerbaijan was completed successfully.

Construction of schools in Nasimi and Binagadi districts was carried
out by Azeraqrartikinti, in Khatayi district by Alibeyli, Yasamal
district by Azerkendtikinti, Surakhani district by Azersenayetikinti.

The project was financed from a $9.5 million SDF grace loan and $2.5
million from the government. Project completion is scheduled for late
2006. Each of the schools is designed for 1,296 pupils. They will be
computerized fully, equipped by swimming pools, sports and production
complexes, own drug-stores and workshop units.