Asbarez: Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan in Recovery

Arpi Talalian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan (left) with Very Rev. Zareh Sarkissian


The Executive and Religious council of the Western Prelacy announced Friday that due to health concerns and under the strict orders of his physicians, Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan is in need of immediate convalescence to fully recover, thus he will be halting his administrative duties.

During this period, Very Reverend Zareh Sarkissian, the Dean of the St. Mary’s Apostolic Church in Glendale, will be the representative of the Prelate and the chief administrator of the Western Prelacy.

Armenian Sacred Music Project Announces Scholarship Opportunity for University Students

Toneyan Mark
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Arts & Culture, Latest, Music, News, Top Stories
Armenian Sacred Music Project logo


The Armenian Sacred Music Project announced that applications for the Kinarik Altinyuzuk Scholarship is now open to students pursuing a music degree with a Fall 2024 financial disbursement. Our non-profit organization was established to promote the appreciation, teaching, and preservation of Armenian Sacred Music through workshops, masterclasses, trainings, physical and digital archives to sacred music enthusiasts, students, educational institutions, clergy, and to all those who wish to learn more about our project and sacred music.

This scholarship will provide music students the opportunity to further develop in their collegiate studies and be connected with a network of sacred music enthusiasts, educators, and professionals under the patronage of our nonprofit. This scholarship will ensure that our precious Armenian sacred music will be preserved and promote through collegiate studies.

Scholarship Academic Requirements:

  • Students must be enrolled in a four-year undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college/university;
  • Students must be majoring in a musical studies program with a current grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Scholarship Application Requirements:

  • Students will complete an application, provide unofficial transcripts, and one-page essay explaining how Armenian sacred music has affected their personal or collegiate musical studies.

Students can apply for the scholarship online or by visiting the website.

Asbarez: Armenia’s Cosmic Ray Division Joins Virtual Alpine Observatory

Emil Lazarian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Armenia, Latest, News, Top Stories

Dr. Johannes Knapp (left), ASEC board chairperson, accepting the accession certificate from VAO chairperson, Dr. Michael Krautblatter


The polar and high mountain regions of the earth are warming at nearly twice the rate of Europe, and two-and-a-half times the global average. This can have profound consequences on earth’s weather including, for example, the supply of fresh water from melting snowcaps at places such as Armenia. In April 2012 the “Virtual Alpine Observatory,” a networked collaboration of international research organizations operating high-altitude observatories and research stations, was established and has been studying this situation.

Cross-border cooperation has made it possible to study problems related to the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere to determine the environmental impact on human health and well-being. All these spheres are interlinked. Changes in one can affect the others. Participating are research institutes and observatories in Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Georgia, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

The Cosmic Ray Division’s accession certificate from the Chair of the VAO, Dr. Michael Krautblatter, welcoming CRD as a member of the VAO

Dr. Johannes Knapp, a scientist at the DESY research center in Germany, and member of the international board of directors of the Aragats Space Environment Center of the Yerevan Physics Institute’s Cosmic Ray Division, on October 26, 2023 accepted CRD’s accession certificate from the Chair of the VAO, Prof. Dr. Michael Krautblatter. The CRD is now a VAO associate member. The VAO is a subproject of the European Neighborhood Policy. As a statement by the VAO indicated, “That environmental and climate challenges are transboundary interdependent by nature, and therefore require a holistic approach to address them.”

CRD will participate in VAO’s interdisciplinary study of Alpine warming. Measurements of various parameters at different locations will be collected, put into formats according to international standards, and shared. Moreover, analysis and visualization tools will be developed to access this data at VAO’s high performance computing centers. CRD operates two high altitude research stations on Mt. Aragats: Aragats station at 3200 m (10,500 ft), and Nor Ambert at 2,000 m (6,560 ft). Here a large number of meteorological, geophysical, and atmospheric processes are monitored, including electrical events in the atmosphere. Data from these measurements are put on the internet in near real time together with analytical tools.

Dr. Knapp is professor at Deutches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) in Germany, where he specializes in astroparticle physics. He is chairman of the Aragats Space Environment Center Board of Directors, and is a frequent visitor to Armenia.

AW: Stepanyan and Beglaryan advocate for rights and safe return of Artsakh’s Armenians

Mary Lazarian
 ANCA ANCA News 3

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Gegham Stepanyan and former State Minister Artak Beglaryan concluded a two-week advocacy mission to Washington, D.C. that called on U.S. congressional leaders, administration officials and a broad array of faith-based and human rights groups to hold Azerbaijan accountable for the genocide against Artsakh’s 150,000 indigenous Armenian Christians and to provide support to refugees as mechanisms are explored to ensure their safe return to the homes from which they were forcibly displaced.

Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan and the ANCA’s Tereza Yerimyan speak with Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chair David Valadao

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) joined with Stepanyan and Beglaryan in over 60 meetings and briefings with congressional offices, coinciding with the introduction of two resolutions that would cut military aid to Azerbaijan’s genocidal regime, holding Azerbaijan accountable for its crimes.

Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan and former State Minister Artak Beglaryan and ANCA’s Tereza Yerimyan with Senate Armed Services Committee chair Jack Reed (D-RI)

In the Senate, Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced a bipartisan resolution (S.Res.540) that would require the State Department to provide a detailed description of widely-documented human rights abuses perpetrated by Azerbaijan, pursuant to Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, which could block all military aid to the genocidal Aliyev regime.

U.S. Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) was joined by Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and House Foreign Affairs Committee member Gabe Amo (D-RI) in introducing the House counterpart (H.R.7288) of the Senate’s unanimously-adopted “Armenian Protection Act,” (S.3000), which would block U.S. security aid to Azerbaijan for two years.

Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan and former State Minister Artak Beglaryan thank Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) for leading the unanimous passage of S.3000 cutting U.S. security aid to Azerbaijan and discuss the need for expanded U.S. aid to support Artsakh genocide survivors

Stepanyan and Beglaryan offered eyewitness accounts of the brutal realities of Azerbaijan’s ten-month blockade of Artsakh, which culminated in the September 2023 genocidal attack that forcibly emptied Artsakh of its indigenous Armenian population. In addition to the passage of the latest legislation urging an end to U.S. support for Azerbaijan’s genocidal actions, the Artsakh people’s advocates urged:

— Sanctions on Azerbaijan, including the enforcement of Section 907 and the application of Magnitsky sanctions on Aliyev government officials for war crimes and ethnic cleansing committed during the 2020 Azerbaijan-Turkey attacks against Armenia and Artsakh and subsequent genocidal aggression.

— U.S. aid for Artsakh’s forcibly displaced Armenians, including housing and job placement assistance, until a secure mechanism can be put in place through international oversight and mediation with Artsakh authorities to guarantee the safe and dignified return of forcibly displaced Armenians to their Artsakh homes.

Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan and former State Minister Artak Beglaryan and ANCA’s Tereza Yerimyan and Alex Galitsky with senior House Foreign Affairs Committee member Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)

— Expanded U.S. and international efforts to help secure the immediate release of Artsakh leaders, POWs and all the other captured persons illegally held by Azerbaijan since the 2020 Azerbaijan/Turkey attacks and the 2023 aggression.

— Preservation of Artsakh’s Armenian cultural and religious heritage already vandalized or under threat of destruction by Azerbaijan.

Stepanyan and Beglaryan stressed that without international efforts to address the Artsakh people’s right to safe return, dignified life in Artsakh and justice for the crimes committed, it will be impossible to establish sustainable peace in the region. They also emphasized that the systemic anti-Armenian hatred fomented by the Azerbaijani government must be eradicated to ensure an enduring settlement of the conflict and regional stability.

While in Washington, D.C., Beglaryan and Stepanyan participated in the International Religious Freedom Summit, co-chaired by Amb. Sam Brownback, the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom (2018-2021) and Katrina Lantos Swett, president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights.

Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan and former State Minister Artak Beglaryan share the need for concrete U.S. action to address Azerbaijan’s genocide against Artsakh’s Armenians with U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain

During a presentation made to a diverse group of faith-based organizations and U.S. government officials, Stepanyan explained, “I speak before you today not just as the human rights defender (Ombudsman) of my people but as a witness and a survivor of genocide.” He stressed that the world is witnessing the systematic erasure of “the Christian and world heritage of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), of its ancient churches and hallowed cemeteries, now standing silent under the shadow of occupation and desecration by the dictatorial Aliyev regime of Azerbaijan.” Stepanyan urged faith leaders and government officials to rally together and serve as “the shield that protects the vulnerable, the voice that speaks for the silenced and the light that pierces the darkness of cultural erasure. Only then can we ensure that the soul of Artsakh, its ancient and sacred Christian heritage, is not lost forever.”

Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan, former State Minister Artak Beglaryan, and ANCA’s Tereza Yerimyan discuss Azerbaijan’s genocide of Artsakh and ongoing aggression against Armenia with International Religious Freedom Summit co-chair Amb. Sam Brownback

“Artsakh’s rights were center stage these past two weeks in Washington, D.C., as two of the Republic’s most eloquent voices – Artak Beglaryan and Gegham Stepanyan – made the case to U.S. legislators and international religious freedom leaders for the safe return of indigenous Armenians to their ancient homeland,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Over the course of dozens of congressional meetings, legislators heard first-hand about the Artsakh genocide and explored the concrete U.S. steps needed to restore this integral part of the Armenian homeland.”

Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan and the ANCA’s Tereza Yerimyan discuss the need for expanded U.S. aid for Artsakh’s forcibly displaced population with Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), a longtime champion of U.S. aid to Artsakh

Beglaryan and Stepanyan’s visit was part of a 120,0000 Reasons coalition effort, supported by the Tufenkian Foundation and the Philos Project, and over 20 human rights, faith-based, and ethnic organizations, calling on the U.S. government to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its genocide against Artsakh’s Armenian population and to prevent further aggression against Armenia.

The Artsakh people’s representatives also participated in a fireside chat, organized by the George Washington University Armenian Law Students’ Association, where they shared the ongoing challenges facing Artsakh’s displaced Armenians and the need for concrete political and legal action. They also shared their powerful message of survival and issued an international call to action during a series of press interviews.

Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan discusses paths forward to secure justice for Azerbaijan’s genocide against Artsakh’s Armenians with Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission co-chair Chris Smith (R-CA)

In addition to educational efforts in the nation’s capital, the trip also included a robust series of meetings with international organizations and community leaders in New York.  While in Washington, DC, they met with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Earlier, Stepanyan and Beglaryan participated in meetings with California state and local government officials, various university law programs and community forums organized through the Armenian Bar Association, in conjunction with their annual meeting.

The Artsakh advocates offered an overview of their meetings in the U.S. during a press conference held in Yerevan upon their return, available here.

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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


RFE/RL Armenian Service – 02/16/2024

Alex Jidarian 
                                        Friday, 


Pashinian Again Meets British Spy Chief


Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian meets Richard Moore, chief of Britain's 
foreign intelligence agency, Yerevan, December 16, 2022.


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian met on Friday with the chief of Britain's foreign 
intelligence agency, Richard Moore, on the sidelines of the annual Munich 
Security Conference.
In a one-sentence statement on the meeting, Pashinian’s press office said 
nothing about the agenda or other details of their conversation in the southern 
German city.

Moore, who runs the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) also known as MI6, 
previously met with Pashinian during a surprise visit to Yerevan in December 
2022. The Armenian government said at the time that they discussed “processes 
taking place in the South Caucasus.”

The British spy chief flew to the Armenian capital four days after meeting with 
Armen Grigorian, the pro-Western secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, in 
London. Shortly after that visit, Pashinian’s government pushed through the 
parliament a bill on the creation of an Armenian foreign intelligence service.

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns visited Armenia and held 
talks with Pashinian in July 2022. Few details of those talks were made public.

Russian-Armenian relations have steadily deteriorated in recent years, with 
Yerevan accusing Moscow of not honoring security commitments and saying that it 
has to “diversify” Armenia’s foreign and security policy. Azerbaijan’s recapture 
of Nagorno-Karabakh last September only added to the tensions between the two 
longtime allies. Moscow has since repeatedly accused Pashinian of “destroying” 
Russian-Armenian relations.




Serzh Sarkisian Sees More Concessions To Baku

        • Anush Mkrtchian

Armenia - Former President Serzh Sarkisian and his supporters visit the Komitas 
Pantheon in Yerevan, March 25, 2022.


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian will bow to pressure from Azerbaijan and make 
more concessions to Baku, former President Serzh Sarkisian claimed on Friday.

Pashinian complained about the Azerbaijani “policy of military coercion” on 
Thursday, saying that it is aimed at clinching more Armenian territory and other 
concessions from Yerevan. He said Baku may be planning to launch a “full-scale 
war against Armenia.” The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry dismissed the claim.

Sarkisian said Pashinian’s comments were designed to prepare the ground for 
meeting Azerbaijani demands.

“As a result of that pressure, something will again be surrendered without 
[Armenia getting] anything in return,” he told reporters.

Sarkisian’s Republican Party is one of Armenia’s leading opposition groups which 
say that Pashinian’s appeasement policy cannot lead to lasting peace and would 
only encourage Baku to demand more Armenian concessions. They say the Armenian 
government has failed to rebuild the country’s armed forces since the 2020 war 
in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Sarkisian, who ruled the country from 2008-2018, charged that the government is 
now actually “suppressing” Armenian army units protecting the border with 
Azerbaijan.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijani forces opened fire at one of the sections of the border, 
killing four Armenian soldiers and wounding another. Baku said that they did so 
in retaliation against the alleged wounding of an Azerbaijani serviceman by 
Armenian cross-border fire on Monday.

In an unprecedented move, the Armenian military did not deny that its troops 
deployed in the area violated the ceasefire. It pledged to investigate the 
reported incident and, if necessary, punish military personnel responsible for 
it.

“If the Azerbaijanis attack tomorrow or the day after, I think that our soldiers 
will not necessarily have a desire to resist because they could be investigated 
and punished for that resistance,” said Sarkisian, who has also served as 
Armenia’s defense minister in the past.




Armenian Official Dismisses Russian Warning On CSTO

        • Shoghik Galstian

Armenia - Sargis Khandanian attends a session of the Armenian parliament, 
September 13, 2021.


A senior Armenian lawmaker on Friday hit back at a top Russian diplomat who 
warned that Armenia will risk losing its independence if it keeps moving away 
from Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Over the past year Yerevan has boycotted high-level meetings, military exercises 
and other activities of the Russian-le alliance of six ex-Soviet states in 
response what it sees as a lack of CSTO support for Armenia in the conflict with 
Azerbaijan.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin criticized this stance in an 
interview with the Moscow daily Izvestia published on Thursday. Galuzin urged 
the Armenian government to resume its security cooperation with Russia and other 
CSTO allies, saying that there is no viable alternative to the country’s 
continued membership in the alliance.

“It is often claimed that in the current situation the CSTO and Russia can lose 
Armenia,” he said. “I think that we should talk not about the possible losses of 
Russia or the CSTO but about the fact that the fascination with Western factors 
on the one hand and the oscillations regarding whether to leave the CSTO or not 
on the other could lead to the loss of Armenia's identity and independence.”

Sargis Khandanian, the chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on foreign 
relations, dismissed the warning, saying that it is the CSTO, not Armenia, that 
should make a “choice.”

“Armenia is trying to deepen its relations with its many partners,” Khandanian 
told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. “We are going down the path of diversifying both 
our security and economic relations … and it is this path that will help to 
ensure Armenia's security, independence and sovereignty.”

Amid its growing estrangement from the CSTO and Russia in particular, Armenia is 
seeking closer security ties with the West. A senior NATO official praised this 
foreign policy “shift” last month.

He said Armenia and NATO are now working on a new “individually tailored 
partnership program” that will flesh out their closer partnership. The Russian 
Foreign Ministry responded by warning that closer ties with the U.S.-led 
alliance could only spell more trouble for the South Caucasus nation.

“Armenia makes decisions on its own,” said Khandanian. “We welcome the 
involvement of all parties that are ready to help Armenia become more secure and 
support its independence. Armenia also expects that no country will force it to 
make any decision.”

Critics of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s administration counter that the 
United States, NATO and the European Union are not giving Armenia any security 
guarantees or large-scale military aid.




Ex-Minister Put Under House Arrest

        • Naira Bulghadarian

Armenia - Former Economy Minister Vahan Kerobian attends a court hearing on his 
house arrest, Yerevan, .


A court in Yerevan allowed law-enforcement authorities to put former Economy 
Minister Vahan Kerobian under house arrest on Friday one day after they indicted 
him in an ongoing corruption investigation criticized by him.

Kerobian, who spent the night in custody, denied the accusations of abuse of 
power leveled against him and said he will appeal against the court’s decision 
when he spoke to journalists in the courtroom. He said he is not allowed to 
comment on details of the high-profile criminal case.

The accusations stem from a procurement tender organized by the Armenian 
Ministry of Economy last year. Another Armenian court invalidated in June the 
ministry’s decision to declare a major software company, Synergy International 
Systems, the winner of the tender. The decision followed a lawsuit filed by 
another bidder that set a much smaller price for its services.

Armenia’s Investigative Committee said late on Thursday that Kerobian and four 
other ministry officials rigged the tender in a bid to grant a $1 million 
procurement contract to Synergy “at any cost.” It said nothing about the reasons 
for the allegedly privileged treatment of the U.S.-registered company. None of 
the five indicted officials, including Kerobian’s former deputy Ani Ispirian, 
has been charged with bribery or embezzlement of public funds.

Armenia - Economy Minister Vahan Kerobian (left) and his deputy Ani Ispirian 
attend a news conference in Yerevan, January 8, 2024.

Kerobian openly defended his subordinates before resigning from his post on 
Wednesday. During a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian 
last week, he complained that the criminal proceedings have “paralyzed the work 
of the entire state system.”

Kerobian was formally relieved of his duties a few hours after announcing his 
resignation. In a statement, he said that he disagreed with Pashinian and wanted 
to step down on numerous occasions during his more than three-year tenure. He 
did not elaborate.

Kerobian on Friday confirmed media reports that the chief of Pashinian’s staff, 
Arayik Harutiunian, told him to resign shortly before he posted the statement on 
Facebook. He claimed that Harutiunian gave no reason for the recommendation.

“They were not happy with my work,” he said.

The ex-minister also said that he does not think the charges brought against him 
are politically motivated. Some Armenian commentators have suggested that 
Pashinian ordered this and a separate corruption probe involving another 
ministry official in hopes of boosting his falling approval ratings.

Kerobian, 47, was appointed as economy minister in November 2020 in the wake of 
Armenia’s disastrous war with Azerbaijan. He was until then the chief executive 
of a food delivery company which he had set up with his wife and a friend. He 
previously managed an Armenian supermarket chain that went bankrupt before being 
purchased and rebranded by other investors.



Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2024 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

At St. Vartan Cathedral, a Day of Youthful Energy, Outreach, and Kindness

Jack Hunanian

PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Contact: Chris Zakian

Tel: (212) 686-0710

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.armenianchurch.us

 

___________________


ATTENTION EDITOR: Four photos attached, with captions below. Download additional photos here (credit Diran Jebejian, Jebejian Images):

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/Youth/Childrens-Day-at-St-Vartan-Cathedral-Feb-3-2024

 

 

HEADLINE:

At St. Vartan Cathedral, a Day of Youthful Energy, Outreach, and Kindness

 

New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral rang with the excited voices of children, and was filled with their youthful spirit of compassion, during a special event on Saturday, February 3.

 

“Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral” was conceived as a way to bring young Armenian faithful together in a meaningful cause, to honor the 125th Anniversary of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.

 

The heartwarming result saw 115 children from throughout the New York Metro region—ranging from the 3rd to 8th grades—converge on the Diocesan cathedral to pray alongside their Bishop, make new friendships, and lend their eager hands to a special community service project.

 

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan presided over the occasion, and expressed his delight in seeing the cathedral sanctuary filled with young faces. Addressing them during the opening prayer service, he praised the children for their outreach to others in the community, and urged them to stay close to the church, and embrace their Armenian Christian identity.

 

“The sight of our cathedral, the very heart of our Diocese, pulsating with the energy, laughter, and joy of so many young attendees, is nothing short of inspirational,” said Bishop Mesrop. “Your enthusiastic dedication to serving others is a living testament to the teachings of Christ on love and service.”

 

 

* Outreach Packed with Kindness

 

After the service, the children went to the Diocesan Center’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, where they had lunch and undertook their charitable service project.

 

Working in association with the Sant’Egidio charitable community—which runs a weekly soup kitchen out of the St. Vartan Cathedral Complex—the children joined together to fill 200 bags with meals for the poor and houseless in the area. Each bag contained a ham and cheese sandwich, mustard packet, water bottle, banana, apple sauce, Purell handwipes, bag of cookies, hot beverage cup with a lid and the elements to make tea, a Nestle’s Crunch bar, and a toothbrush with toothpaste.

 

To cap off their effort, the children put a sticker on each bag that read: “Made and Packed with Kindness.” Using markers, they decorated the bags with their personal messages of support and hope. For their efforts, each child was awarded a community service certificate.

 

The Sant’Egidio Community—which reaches out to around 150 needy individuals in the area of Manhattan surrounding the cathedral—was overjoyed with the result, expressing in a thank-you message how touched and impressed they were by the care that the children had put into the assembly of every bag. They thanked the Diocese for its trusted partnership over the years, and noted how important it is to teach young souls to value volunteerism, outreach to the local community, and Christian service.

 

 

* The Importance of Giving Back

 

While they were enjoying lunch and working on the project, the children listened to a motivational talk by Chris Sarafian, the chief operating officer of New Jersey’s Hovnanian School. He engaged the children in a friendly, informal style, encouraging their spirit of charity and compassion.

 

“I was extremely impressed with the students' enthusiasm and empathy toward helping feed the less fortunate,” Mr. Sarafian explained. “In my talk, I moved among the tables reading the students’ inspirational notes, often quoting the messages they had written on the meal bags. The words were motivating and inspired hope for the recipients.”

 

“In talking with the children, I touched on the importance of volunteering, and displaying acts of kindness toward others—not only people we know, but those we don’t know, as well,” he added. “I also tried to instill the importance of giving back to the church by serving on the altar or in the choir. I truly believe that Bishop Mesrop’s sermon energized and inspired the children to become enthusiastic about giving back and engaging in acts of kindness.”

 

The Children’s Day organizing committee included Yn. Hasmik Ajamian, Maral Beylerian, Talia Jebejian Bouldoukian, Melanie Bourghol, Souzi Kasaryan, Nazig Kirokian, Noushig Ohanian, Lori Saganda, and Yn. Alla Terzyan.

 

Maria and Bryan Stepanian, the enthusiastic and creative chairs of the Diocese’s 125th Anniversary Committee, took a special active interest in the Children’s Day committee—an event that played a key role in their conception of the year-long celebration and its connection to the year’s “125 Acts of Kindness” initiative. As a result, plans are underway to make Children’s Day an ongoing annual event at St. Vartan Cathedral.

 

“The enthusiasm on February 3 from both parents and children was palpable,” said Children’s Day committee leader Talia Jebejian Bouldoukian. “That was a testament to our organizing committee—which was cohesive, dedicated and hard-working. From our very first meeting, everyone was excited about the Children’s Day idea, and especially about the meal bags project. And they kept that enthusiasm going all the way until we were cleaning up in the kitchen and talking about doing this again next year.”

 

She went on: “We had representation on the committee from the Hovnanian School, Kirikian Saturday School, Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School, and St. Leon Sunday School: a wonderful show of unity among our community.”

 

The event was also generously supported by the local community, including monetary contributions and donations of food and supplies by Toufayan Bakeries; Dr. Natalie Capan and Dr. Nayat Hacikian; ShopRite (Fair Lawn), Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods (Edgewater) markets; and several anonymous donors.

 

Afterwards, Bishop Mesrop summed up the hopeful spirit of the occasion with these words: “This extraordinary day stands out as a beacon of hope and goodness, reminding us all of the incredible things that can be achieved when we unite in faith and love. It was a true embodiment of the spirit we aspire to cultivate within our Diocesan community, especially as we commemorate the 125th Anniversary of our Diocese.”

 

Click here to view photos of Children’s Day by Diran Jebejian (Jebejian Images).

 

—2/12/24

 

***

 

PHOTO CAPTION (1):

During the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral,” 115 children from throughout the New York Metro region converged on the Diocesan cathedral to pray alongside Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, make new friendships, and lend their hands to a special community service project. The gathering was part of the 125th Anniversary celebration of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

 

PHOTO CAPTION (2):

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan was delighted to engage with young faithful during the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral.” (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

 

PHOTO CAPTION (3):

While working on a community service project, the young participants in the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral” heard a motivational talk by Chris Sarafian, the chief operating officer of New Jersey’s Hovnanian School. He engaged the children in a friendly, informal style, encouraging their spirit of charity and compassion. (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

 

PHOTO CAPTION (4):

In a community service project at the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral,” children joined together to fill 200 bags with meals for the poor and houseless in the area. To cap off their effort, the children put a sticker on each bag that read: “Made and Packed with Kindness.” (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

 

***

 

LINKS:

 

Photo Gallery (credit Diran Jebejian, Jebejian Images):

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/Youth/Childrens-Day-at-St-Vartan-Cathedral-Feb-3-2024

 

# # #

 



US highly values Armenia’s commitment to a dignified and stable peace – Blinken

Emil Lazarian

 13:05,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS.  The United States of America highly values Armenia's commitment to a dignified and sustainable peace.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this during the meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
"Armenia is a highly valued partner in the United States and we appreciate its commitment to achieving  a dignified and lasting peace," said Blinken.
Bliken stated that in addition to discussing and working towards it, they are also  working on strengthening relations between the two countries across various fields.
U.S. Secretary of State  expressed his intention to discuss those matters with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.