Armenian News...A Topalian
Interfax: Russia & CIS General Newswire
September 26, 2015
Sixteen thousand Armenians arrive in Armenia from Syria since
beginning of crisis
Yerevan is concerned about the situation in Syria, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsian said.
"We are deeply concerned about the clashes continuing in Syria and the
humanitarian situation, which is getting worse every day. The Armenian
authorities are focusing on the problems of Syrian Armenians, which is
indicated by the Armenian general consulate in Aleppo, the only
foreign diplomatic mission, and also the embassy in Damascus,"
Sargsian said at a meeting of the state commission on the coordination
of events devoted to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
The Armenian president said 16,000 Armenians have already arrived from
Syria in Armenia since the beginning of the crisis.
ITAR-TASS, Russia
September 26, 2015 Saturday 10:19 PM GMT+4
Armenia's president concerned over situation in Syria
Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan has expressed his deep concern
over the Syria crisis affecting the Armenian community, Sargsyan told
on Saturday a meeting of the governmental commission on coordination
of events dedicated to the centenary of Armenian genocide in the
Ottoman Empire
Armenia "is deeply concerned with the continuing clashes in Syria and
with the daily deteriorating humanitarian situation in that country,"
Sargsyan said. "Armenia keeps a watching eye on the problems of
compatriots living in the region and in particular, of Syrian
Armenians."
"The only diplomatic mission operating in Aleppo, Armenia's consulate
general, testifies to the fact," he said noting that "Armenia's
embassy keeps working in Damascus."
"Successors of the Armenians, who were lucky to survive in the 1915
genocide, share the destiny of the people who thrusted out a helping
hand to them then and now are suffering huge human and material
losses," the president said recalling that his country had accepted
16,000 Syrian refugees.
"Without a single exception, all the Armenian state bodies have been
involved in solution of Syrian Armenians' problems and in socialising
them," he said.
Besides, Sargsyan thanked the countries and international
organisations, the Armenian community abroad and individuals who have
provided and are providing assistance in settlement of Syrian Armenian
refugees in Armenia.
Business Insider
Sept 27 2015
Five killed in clashes between Armenian-backed Karabakh troops
and Azeri army
Reuters
By Hasmik Mkrtchyan and Nailia Bagirova
BAKU/YEREVAN (Reuters) - One Azeri soldier and four troops from the
Armenian-backed breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region have been killed in
border clashes, the Azeri defense ministry said on Saturday.
The Azeri defense ministry accused Armenia of provoking the
confrontation but Armenia said on Friday that Azeri forces had
attacked several villages near the border between the two former
Soviet republics, killing three civilians.
Clashes around Nagorno-Karabakh, which lies inside Azerbaijan but is
controlled by a majority of ethnic Armenians, are stoking fears of a
wider conflict breaking out in the South Caucasus, which is crossed by
oil and gas pipelines.
Nagorno-Karabakh has run its own affairs with heavy military and
financial backing from Armenia since a separatist war ended in 1994.
Its Armenian-backed forces hold seven Azeri districts surrounding
Nagorno-Karabakh.
One Azeri soldier was killed and three were wounded in the clashes,
the Azeri defense ministry said in its statement.
"Responsibility for escalation of tension at the frontline is on
Armenia's political and military leadership," the ministry said.
The Nagorno-Karabakh ministry of defense said on Friday that four of
its soldiers had died and several were wounded as a result of
artillery shelling and gunfire from the Azeri forces.
Armenia's defense ministry accused Azerbaijan of stoking the conflict.
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan say the other side has been using heavy
weapons.
"In order to quiet and deter the adversary ... Armenia's armed forces
will hereafter apply adequate artillery and rocket striking means,
continuously targeting permanent deployment areas, military movements,
military equipment and manpower," the ministry said in a statement.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in the dying years of the
Soviet Union and has killed about 30,000 people. Efforts to reach a
permanent settlement have failed despite mediation led by France,
Russia and the United States.
Oil-producing Azerbaijan, host to global oil companies including BP
Plc, Chevron Corp and ExxonMobil Corp, frequently threatens to take
the mountain region back by force, and is spending heavily on its
armed forces.
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
appealed to the sides to avoid civilian casualties.
Reuters
By Hasmik Mkrtchyan and Nailia Bagirova
BAKU/YEREVAN (Reuters) - One Azeri soldier and four troops from the
Armenian-backed breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region have been killed in
border clashes, the Azeri defense ministry said on Saturday.
The Azeri defense ministry accused Armenia of provoking the
confrontation but Armenia said on Friday that Azeri forces had
attacked several villages near the border between the two former
Soviet republics, killing three civilians.
Clashes around Nagorno-Karabakh, which lies inside Azerbaijan but is
controlled by a majority of ethnic Armenians, are stoking fears of a
wider conflict breaking out in the South Caucasus, which is crossed by
oil and gas pipelines.
Nagorno-Karabakh has run its own affairs with heavy military and
financial backing from Armenia since a separatist war ended in 1994.
Its Armenian-backed forces hold seven Azeri districts surrounding
Nagorno-Karabakh.
One Azeri soldier was killed and three were wounded in the clashes,
the Azeri defense ministry said in its statement.
"Responsibility for escalation of tension at the frontline is on
Armenia's political and military leadership," the ministry said.
The Nagorno-Karabakh ministry of defense said on Friday that four of
its soldiers had died and several were wounded as a result of
artillery shelling and gunfire from the Azeri forces.
Armenia's defense ministry accused Azerbaijan of stoking the conflict.
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan say the other side has been using heavy
weapons.
"In order to quiet and deter the adversary ... Armenia's armed forces
will hereafter apply adequate artillery and rocket striking means,
continuously targeting permanent deployment areas, military movements,
military equipment and manpower," the ministry said in a statement.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in the dying years of the
Soviet Union and has killed about 30,000 people. Efforts to reach a
permanent settlement have failed despite mediation led by France,
Russia and the United States.
Oil-producing Azerbaijan, host to global oil companies including BP
Plc, Chevron Corp and ExxonMobil Corp, frequently threatens to take
the mountain region back by force, and is spending heavily on its
armed forces.
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
appealed to the sides to avoid civilian casualties.
RFE/RL Report
Mediators Urge Baku To Accept Karabakh Ceasefire Safeguard
27.09.2015
The U.S., Russian and French mediators urged Azerbaijan on Saturday to
accept their long-standing proposal to set up a mechanism for
international investigations of ceasefire violations in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.
"Armenia has agreed to discuss the details of the mechanism, and we
urged Azerbaijan to do the same," the three co-chairs of the OSCE
Minsk Group said one day after hosting fresh talks in New York between
the foreign ministers of the two states.
The talks were overshadowed by recent days' fresh escalation of
fighting along "the line of contact" around Karabakh and the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which has left about a dozen soldiers and
civilians dead.
"The Co-Chairs condemned in strong terms the use of artillery that
caused additional casualties in the last twenty-four hours," read a
joint statement issued by them. "We extend our deepest condolences to
the families of the deceased. An escalation of violence is not in the
interest of Azerbaijanis or Armenians, or a negotiated settlement."
The mediators said that they discussed with Foreign Ministers Edward
Nalbandian and Elmar Mammadyarov the "immediate need to reduce
tensions" on the frontlines. They believe that an "OSCE mechanism to
investigate ceasefire violations" would help to defuse tensions.
Armenia and Karabakh's ethnic Armenian leadership have repeatedly
said that they support the idea. Nalbandian reaffirmed this stance
during the talks with Mammadyarov.
By contrast, Azerbaijan has objected to the proposed investigations
until now. Its leaders have said that such an arrangement would be
meaningless in the absence of an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal.
Significantly, the mediating troika also announced on Saturday that
the two ministers "agreed to continue preparations with the Co-Chairs"
for a meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents. The summit
is "expected to be held before the end of this year," it said.
By contrast, Azerbaijan has objected to the proposed investigations
until now. Its leaders have said that such an arrangement would be
meaningless in the absence of an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal.
Significantly, the mediating troika also announced on Saturday that
the two ministers "agreed to continue preparations with the Co-Chairs"
for a meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents. The summit
is "expected to be held before the end of this year," it said.
armenpress.am
Blessing of the Holy Muron launched at Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin
27 September, 2015
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27. Blessing of the Holy Muron is
launched at Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Primates of dioceses of
the Armenian Apostolic Church, leaders of Hierarchical Sees of
Jerusalem and Constantinople, representatives of the Great House of
Cilicia came to participate in the ceremony conducted ones in 7 years.
`Armenpress' reports that the silver pot of Muron is located at the
Holy See open-air altar St. Trdat,filled with olive oil mixed with a
substance made from 40 spices of herbs. The pot had remained on the
Main Altar of Mother Cathedral for 40 days.
After the blessing of the Holy Muron, covered with a veil, will remain
on the altar for the believers and pilgrims.
The blessings and consecration of the Holy Muron (Chrism) is a sacred
and mysterious service, which is traditionally held once every 5 to 7
years. Muron has two essential elements: olive oil and balsam, which
are mixed with more than 40 varieties of incense, flowers, spices,
flower essences, oils and leaves. 40 days before the Blessing and
Consecration of Muron the caldron filled with pure olive oil, is
placed on the altar of the Mother Cathedral and covered with a woven
veil. During each of the 40 days, a special service is offered after
the evening worship, in preparation for the upcoming Muron Blessing
Ceremony.
In the Armenian Church, the right to Bless and Consecrate the Holy
Muron is reserved for the Catholicos of All Armenians, who blesses it
with three traditional Holy relics of our Church: the Relic of the
True Cross, which contains a piece of the Life-Giving Cross of the
Lord; the Holy Lance `Geghard' which pierced the side of Christ; and
the reliquary of the Right Hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator.
The blessing of the Holy Muron is a sacred act for every Armenian. It
is a uniting force for Armenians spread all over the world and a
powerful tie between the past and present of this small nation.
27 September, 2015
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27. Blessing of the Holy Muron is
launched at Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Primates of dioceses of
the Armenian Apostolic Church, leaders of Hierarchical Sees of
Jerusalem and Constantinople, representatives of the Great House of
Cilicia came to participate in the ceremony conducted ones in 7 years.
`Armenpress' reports that the silver pot of Muron is located at the
Holy See open-air altar St. Trdat,filled with olive oil mixed with a
substance made from 40 spices of herbs. The pot had remained on the
Main Altar of Mother Cathedral for 40 days.
After the blessing of the Holy Muron, covered with a veil, will remain
on the altar for the believers and pilgrims.
The blessings and consecration of the Holy Muron (Chrism) is a sacred
and mysterious service, which is traditionally held once every 5 to 7
years. Muron has two essential elements: olive oil and balsam, which
are mixed with more than 40 varieties of incense, flowers, spices,
flower essences, oils and leaves. 40 days before the Blessing and
Consecration of Muron the caldron filled with pure olive oil, is
placed on the altar of the Mother Cathedral and covered with a woven
veil. During each of the 40 days, a special service is offered after
the evening worship, in preparation for the upcoming Muron Blessing
Ceremony.
In the Armenian Church, the right to Bless and Consecrate the Holy
Muron is reserved for the Catholicos of All Armenians, who blesses it
with three traditional Holy relics of our Church: the Relic of the
True Cross, which contains a piece of the Life-Giving Cross of the
Lord; the Holy Lance `Geghard' which pierced the side of Christ; and
the reliquary of the Right Hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator.
The blessing of the Holy Muron is a sacred act for every Armenian. It
is a uniting force for Armenians spread all over the world and a
powerful tie between the past and present of this small nation.
EURASIAN UNION FAILS TO DELIVER FOR ARMENIA
Institute for War and Peace Reporting, UK
Sept 24 2015
by Armen Karapetyan
Against expectations that Armenia's economy would be boosted by
membership of the Eurasian Economic Union, the figures show the
country worse off than before.
Many Armenians hoped that improved customs and trading terms would
open the way to a boom in exports to other members of the bloc,
which came into being in January 2015.
When President Serzh Sargsyan formally signed the accession treaty
in October 2014, he was upbeat about the prospects.
"It's obvious to us that together, we are stronger economically and
it's easier for us to respond to global challenges," he said. "The
Eurasian union is huge in terms of geographical reach. We are certain
that there's enormous untapped potential there to boost our position
on the map of the world."
But in 2015, Armenia's weak economy has struggled to compete against
giants Russia, Kazakstan and Belarus.
A weak ruble has made Armenian goods relatively expensive in Russia,
and imports from that country are correspondingly cheaper. The fifth
bloc member, Kyrgyzstan, is also suffering a disappointing start.
The head of the Union of Exporters, Raffi Mkhjyan, says the promised
benefits of accession have yet to arrive.
"In recent years, we've constantly been told that the
170-million-strong market of the Eurasian union countries will open
up colossal opportunities for us and that we'll get easier access to
the Russian market," he told IWPR. "But what do we see now? The same
queues and problems at the Russian border. That country thinks only
about its own companies. The ruble has been devalued so much that
it's quite simply unprofitable for us to sell there. As a result,
our exports are falling."
Armenian's statistical office reports that exports to Russia fell
by a whopping 47 per cent year on year in the first half of 2015,
and by 33 and 30 per cent to Kazakstan and Belarus, respectively.
Imports from Russia might have been expected to rise, since a weaker
ruble has made them cheaper for Armenians. But instead they too
fell, by 15 per cent, as spending power contracted due to the general
economic situation, and specifically a reduction in spending power as
Armenian migrant workers in Russia send less money home. Nevertheless,
Armenia's imports from Russia still dwarf exports to that country,
at 420 million US dollars against 70 million in January-June.
The fall in Russian imports fits a pattern of slowing trade among all
Eurasian bloc members, as regional economies slow down as a result
of recession in Russia caused by low oil prices and Western sanctions.
International Monetary Fund figures from June predict the Russian
economy will contract by 3.8 per cent this year, while Armenia will
see zero growth.
Figures for January to May (the month Kyrgyzstan joined) show that
trade between Russia, Belarus, Kazakstan and Armenia fell by 26 per
cent compared with the same period in 2014.
The ruble has fallen to 50 per cent of its value against the US
currency at the start of 2014, whereas the dram has fallen by only
17 per cent over the same period - and almost not at all in the last
seven months.
Gagik Makaryan, chairman of the Armenian Employer's Union, says Russia
has gained an unfair advantage over its Eurasian bloc partners because
a cheaper ruble makes its goods so much more competitive than theirs.
"If the Russian economic slump continues, other countries will
experience growing disappointment with the Eurasian Economic Union,"
he said.
Stepan Safaryan, head of the Armenian Institute for International
Affairs and Security, said the government in Yerevan should be doing
a lot more to protect domestic businesses.
"We now see that when important economic decisions are discussed within
the [Eurasian] union, the Armenian government's voice isn't heard,"
he said.
RFE/RL Report
Human Rights Watch Condemns Attack On Armenian Activist
Sisak Gabrielian
23.09.2015
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned as "savage" the beating of yet
another Armenian anti-government activist and called on the
authorities in Yerevan to identify and punish those responsible for
the violence.
In a statement released late on Tuesday, the New York-based watchdog
stressed that Smbat Hakobian, a member of the Alliance of Freedom
Fighters, was assaulted and severely injured on Monday shortly after
taking part in an anti-government demonstration in Yerevan.
"The effectiveness of the investigation into the vicious assault on
Smbat Hakobian will be a true test of how seriously the Armenian
government takes its commitment to free expression and peaceful
assembly," Rachel Denber, HRW's deputy director for Europe and Central
Asia, was quoted by the statement as saying.
"People in Armenia shouldn't be risking serious injury to take part in
a peaceful protest," Denber said. "The government needs to make clear
that anyone who interferes with peaceful protesters will be held
accountable to the full extent of the law."
HRW noted in that regard that three other members of Hakobian's
organization, which unites Armenian veterans of the Nagorno-Karabakh
war critical of the government, were beaten up in Yerevan late last
year. "No one has been held accountable for those attacks," it said.
Meanwhile, the Armenian police said on Wednesday that they have
detained three men on suspicion of involvement in Hakobian's
beating. A police spokesman did not identify them, saying only that
none of the suspects is called Tigran.
Hakobian claimed on Tuesday that one of his attackers, a certain
Tigran, works as a bodyguard for Ruben Hayrapetian, a controversial
businessman close to the government. He said that Hayrapetian
threatened him with violence when he attended last June's street
protests in Yerevan against an electricity price hike. The tycoon
angrily denied any involvement in Hakobian's beating, branding the
activist a "well-known liar."
Hakobian told RFE/RL's Armenian service from his hospital bed on
Wednesday that he continues to suspect Hayrapetian of having a hand in
the assault. He at the same time sounded optimistic about the outcome
of the criminal investigation launched by law-enforcement
authorities. He said that Vladimir Gasparian, the chief of the
national police service, twice phoned him on Monday to inquire about
his health condition and offer support.
Institute for War and Peace Reporting, UK
Sept 24 2015
by Armen Karapetyan
Against expectations that Armenia's economy would be boosted by
membership of the Eurasian Economic Union, the figures show the
country worse off than before.
Many Armenians hoped that improved customs and trading terms would
open the way to a boom in exports to other members of the bloc,
which came into being in January 2015.
When President Serzh Sargsyan formally signed the accession treaty
in October 2014, he was upbeat about the prospects.
"It's obvious to us that together, we are stronger economically and
it's easier for us to respond to global challenges," he said. "The
Eurasian union is huge in terms of geographical reach. We are certain
that there's enormous untapped potential there to boost our position
on the map of the world."
But in 2015, Armenia's weak economy has struggled to compete against
giants Russia, Kazakstan and Belarus.
A weak ruble has made Armenian goods relatively expensive in Russia,
and imports from that country are correspondingly cheaper. The fifth
bloc member, Kyrgyzstan, is also suffering a disappointing start.
The head of the Union of Exporters, Raffi Mkhjyan, says the promised
benefits of accession have yet to arrive.
"In recent years, we've constantly been told that the
170-million-strong market of the Eurasian union countries will open
up colossal opportunities for us and that we'll get easier access to
the Russian market," he told IWPR. "But what do we see now? The same
queues and problems at the Russian border. That country thinks only
about its own companies. The ruble has been devalued so much that
it's quite simply unprofitable for us to sell there. As a result,
our exports are falling."
Armenian's statistical office reports that exports to Russia fell
by a whopping 47 per cent year on year in the first half of 2015,
and by 33 and 30 per cent to Kazakstan and Belarus, respectively.
Imports from Russia might have been expected to rise, since a weaker
ruble has made them cheaper for Armenians. But instead they too
fell, by 15 per cent, as spending power contracted due to the general
economic situation, and specifically a reduction in spending power as
Armenian migrant workers in Russia send less money home. Nevertheless,
Armenia's imports from Russia still dwarf exports to that country,
at 420 million US dollars against 70 million in January-June.
The fall in Russian imports fits a pattern of slowing trade among all
Eurasian bloc members, as regional economies slow down as a result
of recession in Russia caused by low oil prices and Western sanctions.
International Monetary Fund figures from June predict the Russian
economy will contract by 3.8 per cent this year, while Armenia will
see zero growth.
Figures for January to May (the month Kyrgyzstan joined) show that
trade between Russia, Belarus, Kazakstan and Armenia fell by 26 per
cent compared with the same period in 2014.
The ruble has fallen to 50 per cent of its value against the US
currency at the start of 2014, whereas the dram has fallen by only
17 per cent over the same period - and almost not at all in the last
seven months.
Gagik Makaryan, chairman of the Armenian Employer's Union, says Russia
has gained an unfair advantage over its Eurasian bloc partners because
a cheaper ruble makes its goods so much more competitive than theirs.
"If the Russian economic slump continues, other countries will
experience growing disappointment with the Eurasian Economic Union,"
he said.
Stepan Safaryan, head of the Armenian Institute for International
Affairs and Security, said the government in Yerevan should be doing
a lot more to protect domestic businesses.
"We now see that when important economic decisions are discussed within
the [Eurasian] union, the Armenian government's voice isn't heard,"
he said.
RFE/RL Report
Human Rights Watch Condemns Attack On Armenian Activist
Sisak Gabrielian
23.09.2015
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned as "savage" the beating of yet
another Armenian anti-government activist and called on the
authorities in Yerevan to identify and punish those responsible for
the violence.
In a statement released late on Tuesday, the New York-based watchdog
stressed that Smbat Hakobian, a member of the Alliance of Freedom
Fighters, was assaulted and severely injured on Monday shortly after
taking part in an anti-government demonstration in Yerevan.
"The effectiveness of the investigation into the vicious assault on
Smbat Hakobian will be a true test of how seriously the Armenian
government takes its commitment to free expression and peaceful
assembly," Rachel Denber, HRW's deputy director for Europe and Central
Asia, was quoted by the statement as saying.
"People in Armenia shouldn't be risking serious injury to take part in
a peaceful protest," Denber said. "The government needs to make clear
that anyone who interferes with peaceful protesters will be held
accountable to the full extent of the law."
HRW noted in that regard that three other members of Hakobian's
organization, which unites Armenian veterans of the Nagorno-Karabakh
war critical of the government, were beaten up in Yerevan late last
year. "No one has been held accountable for those attacks," it said.
Meanwhile, the Armenian police said on Wednesday that they have
detained three men on suspicion of involvement in Hakobian's
beating. A police spokesman did not identify them, saying only that
none of the suspects is called Tigran.
Hakobian claimed on Tuesday that one of his attackers, a certain
Tigran, works as a bodyguard for Ruben Hayrapetian, a controversial
businessman close to the government. He said that Hayrapetian
threatened him with violence when he attended last June's street
protests in Yerevan against an electricity price hike. The tycoon
angrily denied any involvement in Hakobian's beating, branding the
activist a "well-known liar."
Hakobian told RFE/RL's Armenian service from his hospital bed on
Wednesday that he continues to suspect Hayrapetian of having a hand in
the assault. He at the same time sounded optimistic about the outcome
of the criminal investigation launched by law-enforcement
authorities. He said that Vladimir Gasparian, the chief of the
national police service, twice phoned him on Monday to inquire about
his health condition and offer support.
[Tigran is performing with member of the Yerevan State Choir in
London on 15 October]
The Irish Times
September 25, 2015 Friday
TIGRAN HAMASAYAN Luys I Luso HHHH ECM
by: Cormac Larkin
Could this be the next ECM dinner-party hit? On his label debut,
Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasayan's seriousness about exploring his
musical heritage is not to be doubted, and the ancientness and
profundity of Armenian sacred music are beyond question; but whether
those issues are going to matter when ECM's latest jazz-improv-
meets-spooky-male-choir reaches the ears of the chattering classes is
another matter.
Light from Light, as the name translates, will reward close attention,
touching the ancient roots of western music and revealing a pianist of
growing international stature; but this delightful filigree of melodic
invention, laid over a shifting reed bed of male vocal harmony, will
also provide a perfect accompaniment to a goat's cheese salad. I'm
just saying. propermusic.com
September 25, 2015 Friday
TIGRAN HAMASAYAN Luys I Luso HHHH ECM
by: Cormac Larkin
Could this be the next ECM dinner-party hit? On his label debut,
Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasayan's seriousness about exploring his
musical heritage is not to be doubted, and the ancientness and
profundity of Armenian sacred music are beyond question; but whether
those issues are going to matter when ECM's latest jazz-improv-
meets-spooky-male-choir reaches the ears of the chattering classes is
another matter.
Light from Light, as the name translates, will reward close attention,
touching the ancient roots of western music and revealing a pianist of
growing international stature; but this delightful filigree of melodic
invention, laid over a shifting reed bed of male vocal harmony, will
also provide a perfect accompaniment to a goat's cheese salad. I'm
just saying. propermusic.com
RFE/RL Report
Vatican Cardinal Opens New Catholic Church In Armenia
Satenik Kaghzvantsian
24.09.2015
Underscoring Armenia's warm relationship with the Vatican, President
Serzh Sarkisian attended on Thursday the inauguration of a newly
constructed Catholic church in Gyumri which was led by a visiting
Vatican cardinal.
The Church Of Holy Martyrs was consecrated by Cardinal Leonardo
Sandri, head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Oriental Churches,
five years after the start of its construction financed by Roman
Catholic structures in Europe and the United States. The Lebanon-based
Patriarch Gregory Peter XX, the head of the Armenian Catholic Church,
also took part in the ceremony.
Armenia is home to some 20,000 Catholics following traditional
Armenian religious rites. They are concentrated in the northwestern
Shirak province, of which Gyumri is the capital. All Catholic churches
in Gyumri were shut down shortly after Armenia was incorporated into
the Soviet Union in 1922.
Thousands of other Armenian Catholics live in Georgia's Javakheti
province bordering Shirak.
"I'm a believer of the Armenian Apostolic Church but decided to come
to the Catholic church. It doesn't make any difference," a Gyumri
resident attending the consecration told RFE/RL's Armenian service
(Azatutyun.am).
Senior clerics of the Apostolic Church, to which the vast majority of
Armenians belong, were also present at the ceremony. They included
Bishop Mikael Ajapahian, the head of its Shirak diocese.
Officials said that the Church of Holy Martyrs is dedicated to some
1.5 million Armenians who were massacred by the Ottoman Turks during
the First World War.
Pope Francis referred to those massacres as "the first genocide of the
20th century" in April while holding a special mass at the Vatican's
St. Peter's basilica on the 100th anniversary of the tragedy. Turkey
reacted angrily to that characterization, accusing the pontiff of
distorting history and recalling its ambassador to the Vatican in
protest.
Armenia rejected the Turkish criticism. Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian praised Francis for delivering the "important message of
solidarity with and support to the Armenian people."
Francis again paid tribute to Armenians massacred "just for being
Christians" after holding a mass with Gregory Peter XX at the
Vatican's St. Martha chapel earlier this month. He compared their
suffering with the ongoing persecution of ancient Christian
communities of the Middle East.
Vatican Cardinal Opens New Catholic Church In Armenia
Satenik Kaghzvantsian
24.09.2015
Underscoring Armenia's warm relationship with the Vatican, President
Serzh Sarkisian attended on Thursday the inauguration of a newly
constructed Catholic church in Gyumri which was led by a visiting
Vatican cardinal.
The Church Of Holy Martyrs was consecrated by Cardinal Leonardo
Sandri, head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Oriental Churches,
five years after the start of its construction financed by Roman
Catholic structures in Europe and the United States. The Lebanon-based
Patriarch Gregory Peter XX, the head of the Armenian Catholic Church,
also took part in the ceremony.
Armenia is home to some 20,000 Catholics following traditional
Armenian religious rites. They are concentrated in the northwestern
Shirak province, of which Gyumri is the capital. All Catholic churches
in Gyumri were shut down shortly after Armenia was incorporated into
the Soviet Union in 1922.
Thousands of other Armenian Catholics live in Georgia's Javakheti
province bordering Shirak.
"I'm a believer of the Armenian Apostolic Church but decided to come
to the Catholic church. It doesn't make any difference," a Gyumri
resident attending the consecration told RFE/RL's Armenian service
(Azatutyun.am).
Senior clerics of the Apostolic Church, to which the vast majority of
Armenians belong, were also present at the ceremony. They included
Bishop Mikael Ajapahian, the head of its Shirak diocese.
Officials said that the Church of Holy Martyrs is dedicated to some
1.5 million Armenians who were massacred by the Ottoman Turks during
the First World War.
Pope Francis referred to those massacres as "the first genocide of the
20th century" in April while holding a special mass at the Vatican's
St. Peter's basilica on the 100th anniversary of the tragedy. Turkey
reacted angrily to that characterization, accusing the pontiff of
distorting history and recalling its ambassador to the Vatican in
protest.
Armenia rejected the Turkish criticism. Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian praised Francis for delivering the "important message of
solidarity with and support to the Armenian people."
Francis again paid tribute to Armenians massacred "just for being
Christians" after holding a mass with Gregory Peter XX at the
Vatican's St. Martha chapel earlier this month. He compared their
suffering with the ongoing persecution of ancient Christian
communities of the Middle East.
arka.am
ARMENIAN GRAPE HARVEST EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT
ARMENIAN GRAPE HARVEST EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT
300,000 TONS
YEREVAN, September 25. This year's grape harvest is expected
to be around 300,000 metric tons, by 20,000 tons more than in 2014,
Armenian agriculture minister Sergo Karapetyan told a Cabinet session
The minister said some 80,000 tons have been already bought by wineries
and other processing companies, by 20,000 less from the year before.
According to the ministry, the purchase of grapes began on September
7 and 32 of the 49 processing companies are buying grapes. Procurement
is not started yet in Vayots Dzor region, Karapetyan said.
According to him, there are certain difficulties due to lack of
funding, but the processing companies are working so that all the
grapes be procured.
Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan on September 19 instructed the
ministry of agriculture to ensure that all grape and fruit grown by
farmers be procured in full.
YEREVAN, September 25. This year's grape harvest is expected
to be around 300,000 metric tons, by 20,000 tons more than in 2014,
Armenian agriculture minister Sergo Karapetyan told a Cabinet session
The minister said some 80,000 tons have been already bought by wineries
and other processing companies, by 20,000 less from the year before.
According to the ministry, the purchase of grapes began on September
7 and 32 of the 49 processing companies are buying grapes. Procurement
is not started yet in Vayots Dzor region, Karapetyan said.
According to him, there are certain difficulties due to lack of
funding, but the processing companies are working so that all the
grapes be procured.
Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan on September 19 instructed the
ministry of agriculture to ensure that all grape and fruit grown by
farmers be procured in full.
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