Armenian News
JERUSALEM SENDS 43-YEAR WATER BILL TO CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE
Palestine Note
Aug 3 2010
Washington
In a reversal of a tradition centuries old, the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre will now have to start paying for its water, the Jerusalem
Post reported Tuesday.
Thousands of tourists and religious pilgrims pass through the church's
mammoth doorway every day, and with temperatures in the three digits
during the summer months, many walk straight to water fountains for
refreshment. This service is offered by the church for free, but that
may not be the case for long.
"We are providing water to the pilgrims and tourist[s] for free," said
doorkeeper Jawal Hussein. "It's not fair. We should not have to pay."
Jerusalem's public water utility, Gihon, is not only asking for the
church to begin paying for water as of this month. Gihon has also
demanded the church pay for all water used since 1967, when Israel
annexed the Old City following the 1967 war.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of Christianity's holiest
sites, considered by many to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion,
burial, and resurrection.
The water tradition was first set into legal stone by the Ottoman
Empire in 1852 and was later continued by both British and Jordanian
custodians, according to Asia News. But now the power of the Ottoman
Emperor has passed down to the Jerusalem government.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is not managed by any one authority
that can answer to Gihon, however. The holy site is managed by a
Byzantine system of power sharing among various Christian sects,
including Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Armenians, Copts, and others.
This network of caretakers is known as the "Status Quo."
"I'm part of the Status Quo," said one Armenian priest who spoke
with Ynet anonymously. "This will be brought up for discussion by
the Status Quo and then we will make a decision."
The Israeli government has tried to interfere in the church's affairs
before. In 1970, the High Court ruled that two small sanctuaries
should be given to Ethiopian religious authorities to oversee. The
court order was never followed by the Status Quo.
It has yet to be seen how the Status Quo will respond to the water
bill. One Franciscan monk argued that the church is "doing a favor to
the pilgrims and tourists" by handing out water. "The government must
be earning something from [their visit]. We are doing them a favor."
The monk did admit, however, that "if the synagogues and mosque have
to pay, then I guess we have to pay as well."
Gihon said "a standard price of about $4 dollars per cubic meter for
water from all religious institutions in the Old City, including
mosques, synagogues and churches," JPost reported. "It should be
stressed that this is a uniform fee for all," the utility's statement
continued.
Palestine Note
Aug 3 2010
Washington
In a reversal of a tradition centuries old, the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre will now have to start paying for its water, the Jerusalem
Post reported Tuesday.
Thousands of tourists and religious pilgrims pass through the church's
mammoth doorway every day, and with temperatures in the three digits
during the summer months, many walk straight to water fountains for
refreshment. This service is offered by the church for free, but that
may not be the case for long.
"We are providing water to the pilgrims and tourist[s] for free," said
doorkeeper Jawal Hussein. "It's not fair. We should not have to pay."
Jerusalem's public water utility, Gihon, is not only asking for the
church to begin paying for water as of this month. Gihon has also
demanded the church pay for all water used since 1967, when Israel
annexed the Old City following the 1967 war.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of Christianity's holiest
sites, considered by many to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion,
burial, and resurrection.
The water tradition was first set into legal stone by the Ottoman
Empire in 1852 and was later continued by both British and Jordanian
custodians, according to Asia News. But now the power of the Ottoman
Emperor has passed down to the Jerusalem government.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is not managed by any one authority
that can answer to Gihon, however. The holy site is managed by a
Byzantine system of power sharing among various Christian sects,
including Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Armenians, Copts, and others.
This network of caretakers is known as the "Status Quo."
"I'm part of the Status Quo," said one Armenian priest who spoke
with Ynet anonymously. "This will be brought up for discussion by
the Status Quo and then we will make a decision."
The Israeli government has tried to interfere in the church's affairs
before. In 1970, the High Court ruled that two small sanctuaries
should be given to Ethiopian religious authorities to oversee. The
court order was never followed by the Status Quo.
It has yet to be seen how the Status Quo will respond to the water
bill. One Franciscan monk argued that the church is "doing a favor to
the pilgrims and tourists" by handing out water. "The government must
be earning something from [their visit]. We are doing them a favor."
The monk did admit, however, that "if the synagogues and mosque have
to pay, then I guess we have to pay as well."
Gihon said "a standard price of about $4 dollars per cubic meter for
water from all religious institutions in the Old City, including
mosques, synagogues and churches," JPost reported. "It should be
stressed that this is a uniform fee for all," the utility's statement
continued.
ARMENIA TO IMPORT NEARLY 1500 TONS OF WHEAT SEEDS
UkrAgroConsul
Aug 2 2010
In 2010 Armenia is expected to import nearly 1500 tons of high
yielding variety of wheat seeds "Elita". The Government of Armenia has
allocation 558 million drams (nearly$1.5 million) for these purposes,
briefed Gerasim Alaverdyan, Minister of Agriculture, Thursday.
He said that 950 tons of seeds will be purchased in Russia from "Luch"
LLC and another 500 tons from local producers at seed growing centers
in Gyumri and Etchmiadzin and from two private companies. Another 60
tons will be supplied from Russia without compensation for testing.
The minister said that the Government has approved funds for these
purposes as part of the recently approved program of plant growing
and seed production for 2014.
The program will upgrade the self-sufficiency level of the country
in wheat production from the present 37% to 55%. He said that annual
wheat consumption in Armenia is 650-720,000 ton. Local production
for 2007-2009 totaled 254,000 tons, 225,000 tons and 198,000 tons,
respectively. The quantity deficiency is imported from Russia, the
minister said.
Residents of Halidzor village treat longest ropeway's construction
with optimism
July 30, 2010 - 18:49 AMT 13:49 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net -
The National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia (NCFA) organized a
contest to choose a name for the longest ropeway leading to Tatev
monastery, as part of implementation of the project on reconstruction
of Tatev monastery complex. Residents of Halidzor and Tatev villages
(Syunik region) wrote essays to present their vision of how the
ropeway will change their lives.
There was no age limit for the contest participants, thus, both school
students and their teachers participated in it. The contest winner,
who offered Eagle Wings name, received a computer.
The contest basically aimed to involve residents of the villages in
the program of tourism development in the region, Press Secretary of
the NCFA Zara Amatuni told journalists.
Head of Halidzor administration Samvel Asryan noted that the ropeway
construction will create new jobs in the village. `Many residents of
the village have migrated since the Soviet times to earn money.
Meanwhile, the problem of employment will be solved now. We treat the
project with optimism,' concluded Asryan.
with optimism
July 30, 2010 - 18:49 AMT 13:49 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net -
The National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia (NCFA) organized a
contest to choose a name for the longest ropeway leading to Tatev
monastery, as part of implementation of the project on reconstruction
of Tatev monastery complex. Residents of Halidzor and Tatev villages
(Syunik region) wrote essays to present their vision of how the
ropeway will change their lives.
There was no age limit for the contest participants, thus, both school
students and their teachers participated in it. The contest winner,
who offered Eagle Wings name, received a computer.
The contest basically aimed to involve residents of the villages in
the program of tourism development in the region, Press Secretary of
the NCFA Zara Amatuni told journalists.
Head of Halidzor administration Samvel Asryan noted that the ropeway
construction will create new jobs in the village. `Many residents of
the village have migrated since the Soviet times to earn money.
Meanwhile, the problem of employment will be solved now. We treat the
project with optimism,' concluded Asryan.
EGYPTIAN FLYING DOG IN ZOO OF YEREVAN
ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 4, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS: The Zoo of Yerevan will get 10
newpairs of animals, as well as a bride for the Mandrill monkey late
September and early October, according to Director of the Zoo Sahak
Abovyan. He said that the zoo will also get beneta kangaroo, capricorn,
Egyptian flying dog and an ordinary vari monkey. The animals will be
brought from the zoo of Nikolaev city, Ukraine. Sahak Abovyan says
the animals are gained in virtue of a barter of birds.
As to the weather conditions, Sahak Abovyan said that the animals
still bear the hot weather. The Director of the Zoo mention
September and early October, according to Director of the Zoo Sahak
Abovyan. He said that the zoo will also get beneta kangaroo, capricorn,
Egyptian flying dog and an ordinary vari monkey. The animals will be
brought from the zoo of Nikolaev city, Ukraine. Sahak Abovyan says
the animals are gained in virtue of a barter of birds.
As to the weather conditions, Sahak Abovyan said that the animals
still bear the hot weather. The Director of the Zoo mention
ed that
no any animal suffered from the hot weather conditions.
THE OVERGROUND PASSAGE OF KHANJYAN-TUMANYAN
CROSS ROAD TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBERno any animal suffered from the hot weather conditions.
THE OVERGROUND PASSAGE OF KHANJYAN-TUMANYAN
ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 4, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS: The overground passage being built in
the point were Khanjyan and Tumanyan streets meet will open in late
September. Now the betony filling works are in process. The works
are being carried out with the assistance of Hrayr Hovnanyan of the
"Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund's US Eastern Region.
An official from the fund's public relations department told Armenpress
that the passage will be 2,5 meters high and 25 meters long. It will
be illuminated. The program is being carried out in collaboration
with the Yerevan municipality.
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