Armenian News - The contribution under this title encompass so many topics therefore it is incredibly interesting to go through it all.
" ST. SARKIS ...... THE ARMENIAN ST. VALENTINE "
While Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the U.S. and other parts of the world,
a very interesting tradition within Armenian circles turns out to be a little
more complicated than chocolates, roses and cards. On St. Sarkis Day,
women eat a very salty version of a sweet roll and they don’t drink anything.
There are an interesting traditions in Armenia related to this holiday. The
night before St. Sarkis Day, the teenagers go to church, firmly keeping an
"Aghi plit" (salty cookie) in their pockets, which must be eaten before going
to sleep (and they may not drink water). The salty cookie will make them
thirsty and in their dreams whoever offers them a drink of water, will be their
future husband or wife.
The church, however, does not connect folklore with the real significance
of the holiday.
"St. Sarkis is an ideology, which appeals to have devotion and love towards
God and religion. We should study from St. Sarkis to love our God and other
people, but first of all, other people, because only in this case we can
unconditionally love God, too, who is not visible."
The priest says that the Church does not encourage eating salty flatcakes,
however, it does ban it either. "The church does not prohibit its children to
be happy: if you want to eat salty cookies and be happy, do it!"
On the night preceding the feast of St. Sarkis faithful people place a tray full
of gruel before the door believing that while passing near their door at dawn
St. Sarkis will leave his footprint on the gruel symbolising the fulfillment of
their dreams.
Also young lovers write love messages to each other and some lovers
make their love proposal :) This is not only tradition, this is romantic day,
during which you can get interesting messages, balloons like heart and
many other interesting things
armenianweekly.com
HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE IN SAMATYA AFTER ATTACKS ON
While Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the U.S. and other parts of the world,
a very interesting tradition within Armenian circles turns out to be a little
more complicated than chocolates, roses and cards. On St. Sarkis Day,
women eat a very salty version of a sweet roll and they don’t drink anything.
There are an interesting traditions in Armenia related to this holiday. The
night before St. Sarkis Day, the teenagers go to church, firmly keeping an
"Aghi plit" (salty cookie) in their pockets, which must be eaten before going
to sleep (and they may not drink water). The salty cookie will make them
thirsty and in their dreams whoever offers them a drink of water, will be their
future husband or wife.
The church, however, does not connect folklore with the real significance
of the holiday.
"St. Sarkis is an ideology, which appeals to have devotion and love towards
God and religion. We should study from St. Sarkis to love our God and other
people, but first of all, other people, because only in this case we can
unconditionally love God, too, who is not visible."
The priest says that the Church does not encourage eating salty flatcakes,
however, it does ban it either. "The church does not prohibit its children to
be happy: if you want to eat salty cookies and be happy, do it!"
On the night preceding the feast of St. Sarkis faithful people place a tray full
of gruel before the door believing that while passing near their door at dawn
St. Sarkis will leave his footprint on the gruel symbolising the fulfillment of
their dreams.
Also young lovers write love messages to each other and some lovers
make their love proposal :) This is not only tradition, this is romantic day,
during which you can get interesting messages, balloons like heart and
many other interesting things
armenianweekly.com
HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE IN SAMATYA AFTER ATTACKS ON
ARMENIANS
January 25, 2013
ISTANBUL, Turkey (A.W.)-The Armenian neighborhood of Samatya in
Istanbul is now under heavy police patrol after a series of attacks
against elderly Armenian women in recent weeks, the Armenian Weekly
has learned from activists and sources in Samatya.
Agos headline: Turkey Silent as Attacks Continue The Istanbul Aksaray
Police department has announced that there are 20 police patrols in
the neighborhood, and around 100 plainclothes policemen have also
been dispatched to Samatya.
Police has also announced that one person might be behind all recent
attacks, while activists the Weekly has communicated with question
that scenario.
The Samatya area is home to many Armenians. The community is weary
of these attacks, and calls for caution have been made.
Agos: Turkey Silent as Attacks Continue
The front page headline in this week's issue of Agos, the Turkish
Armenian newspaper founded by Hrant Dink, reads "Turkey Silent,
Attacks Continue" (see photo).
On Sunday, Jan. 27, The Istanbul branch of the Human Rights
Association, Nor Zartonk (young Armenians' socialist initiative)
and AKADER (Antolian Peoples' Culture association) will hold a rally
in Samatya in solidarity with the Armenian community there.
In recent days, a few media outlets and politicians have broken the
silence on the issue, while overall, Turkey remains silent.
One murder, at least three other attacks in recent weeks
In recent weeks, there have been several attacks against Armenians
in Istanbul, mostly in Samatya. In early December an Armenian woman
was attacked and robbed; while months earlier an Armenian woman was
attacked by a taxi driver and called an infidel.
On Jan. 6, three assailants tried to kidnap an elderly Armenian woman,
according to Turkish sources. The attempt failed.
According to human rights activists, the common thread that runs
through all of these crimes is not just their being motivated by hate
or being committed in an environment that breeds intolerance against
Armenians, but also the efforts of the authorities to play them down.
The Armenian Weekly will continue following up on this issue.
ARMENIAN VERSION OF MAGNITSKY LIST? - NEWSPAPER
January 24, 2013 | 08:17 YEREVAN. - Following the March 1, 2008 tragedy in Armenia's capital
city Yerevan, the US still maintains its entry ban into the country
by several Armenian officials, Zhamanak daily reports.
"According to Zhamanak's information, [ruling Republican Party (RPA)
MP and businessman] Samvel Aleksanyan, [RPA MP] Mher Sedrakyan,
[Football Federation of Armenia President and businessman] Ruben
Hayrapetyan, [businessman] Levon Sargsyan [aka Lyov of the flour mill],
and [several] others still are banned from entering the US.
Until recently, Transport and Communication Minister Gagik Beglaryan
[likewise] was unable to receive a visa to US, but his US entry ban
was lifted ahead of the Armenian government's visit to US.
According to our information, Washington and Brussels could publicize,
just like the example of the Russian 'Magnitsky List' [and] following
Armenia's [forthcoming] presidential election, the names of several [of
Armenia's] officials and oligarchs that will be deprived of the right
to be issued a visa to visit the US and EU countries," Zhamanak writes.
January 25, 2013
ISTANBUL, Turkey (A.W.)-The Armenian neighborhood of Samatya in
Istanbul is now under heavy police patrol after a series of attacks
against elderly Armenian women in recent weeks, the Armenian Weekly
has learned from activists and sources in Samatya.
Agos headline: Turkey Silent as Attacks Continue The Istanbul Aksaray
Police department has announced that there are 20 police patrols in
the neighborhood, and around 100 plainclothes policemen have also
been dispatched to Samatya.
Police has also announced that one person might be behind all recent
attacks, while activists the Weekly has communicated with question
that scenario.
The Samatya area is home to many Armenians. The community is weary
of these attacks, and calls for caution have been made.
Agos: Turkey Silent as Attacks Continue
The front page headline in this week's issue of Agos, the Turkish
Armenian newspaper founded by Hrant Dink, reads "Turkey Silent,
Attacks Continue" (see photo).
On Sunday, Jan. 27, The Istanbul branch of the Human Rights
Association, Nor Zartonk (young Armenians' socialist initiative)
and AKADER (Antolian Peoples' Culture association) will hold a rally
in Samatya in solidarity with the Armenian community there.
In recent days, a few media outlets and politicians have broken the
silence on the issue, while overall, Turkey remains silent.
One murder, at least three other attacks in recent weeks
In recent weeks, there have been several attacks against Armenians
in Istanbul, mostly in Samatya. In early December an Armenian woman
was attacked and robbed; while months earlier an Armenian woman was
attacked by a taxi driver and called an infidel.
On Jan. 6, three assailants tried to kidnap an elderly Armenian woman,
according to Turkish sources. The attempt failed.
According to human rights activists, the common thread that runs
through all of these crimes is not just their being motivated by hate
or being committed in an environment that breeds intolerance against
Armenians, but also the efforts of the authorities to play them down.
The Armenian Weekly will continue following up on this issue.
ARMENIAN VERSION OF MAGNITSKY LIST? - NEWSPAPER
January 24, 2013 | 08:17 YEREVAN. - Following the March 1, 2008 tragedy in Armenia's capital
city Yerevan, the US still maintains its entry ban into the country
by several Armenian officials, Zhamanak daily reports.
"According to Zhamanak's information, [ruling Republican Party (RPA)
MP and businessman] Samvel Aleksanyan, [RPA MP] Mher Sedrakyan,
[Football Federation of Armenia President and businessman] Ruben
Hayrapetyan, [businessman] Levon Sargsyan [aka Lyov of the flour mill],
and [several] others still are banned from entering the US.
Until recently, Transport and Communication Minister Gagik Beglaryan
[likewise] was unable to receive a visa to US, but his US entry ban
was lifted ahead of the Armenian government's visit to US.
According to our information, Washington and Brussels could publicize,
just like the example of the Russian 'Magnitsky List' [and] following
Armenia's [forthcoming] presidential election, the names of several [of
Armenia's] officials and oligarchs that will be deprived of the right
to be issued a visa to visit the US and EU countries," Zhamanak writes.
hetq.am
ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM HAS NEW GRAND
SACRISTAN
January 25, 2013
By Arthur Hagopian
Jerusalem, Jan 25 - Armenian priests, members of the Brotherhood of St
James of Jerusalem, have cast their votes in favor of Archbishop Sevan
Gharibian as their Patriarchate's new Grand Sacristan, the second most
important and prestigious position within the church after the
patriarch.
The move follows the election of the former Grand Sacristan,
Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian, as the city's 97th Armenian Patriarch.
Born in 1940 in Beirut, Gharibian was ordained priest in 1968 and
elevated to the rank of a prince of the church in 1988.
For the past few years, he had been managing the Patriarchate's
financial affairs.
Despite a marked sense of humor, Gharibian is a man of action who
prefers to eschew dilly-dallying and cut quick to the core of a
matter.
With him by the side of the equally determined and strong-willed
Manoogian, there is every reason for confidence of a stable if not
bright future for the Armenians of Jerusalem, surrounded as they are
by a plethora of problems, chief among them the political uncertainty
in which the region has been wallowing for decades.
James of Jerusalem, have cast their votes in favor of Archbishop Sevan
Gharibian as their Patriarchate's new Grand Sacristan, the second most
important and prestigious position within the church after the
patriarch.
The move follows the election of the former Grand Sacristan,
Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian, as the city's 97th Armenian Patriarch.
Born in 1940 in Beirut, Gharibian was ordained priest in 1968 and
elevated to the rank of a prince of the church in 1988.
For the past few years, he had been managing the Patriarchate's
financial affairs.
Despite a marked sense of humor, Gharibian is a man of action who
prefers to eschew dilly-dallying and cut quick to the core of a
matter.
With him by the side of the equally determined and strong-willed
Manoogian, there is every reason for confidence of a stable if not
bright future for the Armenians of Jerusalem, surrounded as they are
by a plethora of problems, chief among them the political uncertainty
in which the region has been wallowing for decades.
ekklesia.co.uk
A NEW ARMENIAN PATRIARCH IN JERUSALEM:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? As many church leaders, organizations and individuals have learnt
already, Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian was elected earlier today
(24 January 2013) as the 97th patriarch of the Armenian Church in
the Holy Land (Jordan, Israel and Palestine).
The Grand Sacristan (or Lousararabed in Armenian) of the Church
for many years, Archbishop Nourhan succeeds the late Torkom II who
established a name for himself as a cautious reformer and an ecumenical
leader and who also helped mentor my own Oslo-led political years in
Jerusalem well over a decade ago.
Armenians are a tiny community, and are part of an ever-shrinking
Christian presence across the Holy Land let alone the whole Middle
East and North Africa (MENA) region. Yet they are by no means an
insular community that ghettoises itself in its own Armenian Quarter
in Jerusalem. Rather, they are a vibrant part of a much larger and
more diverse society and can be found in Jerusalem and Bethlehem just
as they can be found in Ramallah, Amman and Haifa too.
The patriarch-elect will not only be the shepherd of his own community
and the steward of its rights - in themselves onerous responsibilities
- but the Armenian Church is also one of the three churches that
oversee the Status Quo arrangements in Jerusalem that date back to
Ottoman times as they affect the religious shrines of this biblical
land - and most notably the Church of the Resurrection (or Holy
Sepulchre) in Jerusalem and the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
It often seems bizarre for many Western minds that Armenians place
such hullabaloo on the election of their church hierarchs. I agree
that it goes against the grain somewhat, and more so from our own
Western perspective where God and Caesar are kept deliberately - and
at times constitutionally - apart. Perhaps we interpret the prophetic
fire of our faith differently.
However, the Middle East and North Africa region also enjoys a
rich but somewhat different culture whereby each community still
looks generally at its religious leaders for guidance and support -
no more so than in those difficult moments facing the whole region
where mounting violence and discrimination or economic hardships are
together challenging the quest for dignity and citizenry.
So even though this 'coming round' a church leader is gradually
diminishing in this part of the world too, I believe that it is
still part of the intuitive and cultural genes of its inhabitants
and one of the prisms that many Christians, Muslims and Jews use in
their daily interplay with each other and with their neighbours -
consciously or perhaps even unconsciously.
In the past year, the Middle East and North Africa region has witnessed
the election of new patriarchs for the Maronite Catholic, Coptic
Orthodox and Antiochian Greek Orthodox Churches. Now Armenians in the
Holy Land have a new leader too - a man who is full of vim, conviction
and wit and who is manifestly unafraid to meet the challenges of the
day. No doubt he will need all those traits as he faces the daunting
challenges of office at a time of uncertainty, concern and even fear.
This is not a day for prolix reflections or over-the-top statements.
So I simply join the Members of the St James Brotherhood who elected
the new patriarch, many other Armenians from Israel, Palestine
and Jordan and elsewhere as well as ecumenical leaders or friends
worldwide in praying for the patriarch-elect. May his ministry be
undergirded let alone enriched by the three fundaments of faith,
love and hope. And given our history, we Armenians also cannot ignore
the age-long maxim that 'Unity applies for essentials, Liberty for
doubtful matters and Charity for all things'.
Serpazan hayr, shnorhavor ella ays or-e mer polorin - may this day
be a blessed and joyous day for us all.
A NEW ARMENIAN PATRIARCH IN JERUSALEM:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? As many church leaders, organizations and individuals have learnt
already, Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian was elected earlier today
(24 January 2013) as the 97th patriarch of the Armenian Church in
the Holy Land (Jordan, Israel and Palestine).
The Grand Sacristan (or Lousararabed in Armenian) of the Church
for many years, Archbishop Nourhan succeeds the late Torkom II who
established a name for himself as a cautious reformer and an ecumenical
leader and who also helped mentor my own Oslo-led political years in
Jerusalem well over a decade ago.
Armenians are a tiny community, and are part of an ever-shrinking
Christian presence across the Holy Land let alone the whole Middle
East and North Africa (MENA) region. Yet they are by no means an
insular community that ghettoises itself in its own Armenian Quarter
in Jerusalem. Rather, they are a vibrant part of a much larger and
more diverse society and can be found in Jerusalem and Bethlehem just
as they can be found in Ramallah, Amman and Haifa too.
The patriarch-elect will not only be the shepherd of his own community
and the steward of its rights - in themselves onerous responsibilities
- but the Armenian Church is also one of the three churches that
oversee the Status Quo arrangements in Jerusalem that date back to
Ottoman times as they affect the religious shrines of this biblical
land - and most notably the Church of the Resurrection (or Holy
Sepulchre) in Jerusalem and the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
It often seems bizarre for many Western minds that Armenians place
such hullabaloo on the election of their church hierarchs. I agree
that it goes against the grain somewhat, and more so from our own
Western perspective where God and Caesar are kept deliberately - and
at times constitutionally - apart. Perhaps we interpret the prophetic
fire of our faith differently.
However, the Middle East and North Africa region also enjoys a
rich but somewhat different culture whereby each community still
looks generally at its religious leaders for guidance and support -
no more so than in those difficult moments facing the whole region
where mounting violence and discrimination or economic hardships are
together challenging the quest for dignity and citizenry.
So even though this 'coming round' a church leader is gradually
diminishing in this part of the world too, I believe that it is
still part of the intuitive and cultural genes of its inhabitants
and one of the prisms that many Christians, Muslims and Jews use in
their daily interplay with each other and with their neighbours -
consciously or perhaps even unconsciously.
In the past year, the Middle East and North Africa region has witnessed
the election of new patriarchs for the Maronite Catholic, Coptic
Orthodox and Antiochian Greek Orthodox Churches. Now Armenians in the
Holy Land have a new leader too - a man who is full of vim, conviction
and wit and who is manifestly unafraid to meet the challenges of the
day. No doubt he will need all those traits as he faces the daunting
challenges of office at a time of uncertainty, concern and even fear.
This is not a day for prolix reflections or over-the-top statements.
So I simply join the Members of the St James Brotherhood who elected
the new patriarch, many other Armenians from Israel, Palestine
and Jordan and elsewhere as well as ecumenical leaders or friends
worldwide in praying for the patriarch-elect. May his ministry be
undergirded let alone enriched by the three fundaments of faith,
love and hope. And given our history, we Armenians also cannot ignore
the age-long maxim that 'Unity applies for essentials, Liberty for
doubtful matters and Charity for all things'.
Serpazan hayr, shnorhavor ella ays or-e mer polorin - may this day
be a blessed and joyous day for us all.
UK AMBASSADOR DISAPPOINTED NOT TO SEE CANDIDATES
FROM ARMENIA'S OPPOSITION PARTIES
news.am
January 22, 2013 | 18:12
news.am
January 22, 2013 | 18:12
YEREVAN.- UK Ambassador to Armenia Katherine Leach welcomed
ArmenianPresident's commitment to holding Armenia's best ever
election.
However, she noted it is disappointing that three of the key
non-government parties in parliament are neither putting up a candidate
of their own nor backing any other, Ambassador wrote on her blog
summing up the year of 2012 and outlining the challenges for 2013. UK
will send 25 election observers to join the ODIHR mission, she said.
"Are these parties not standing because they lack finance, because they
lack trust in a fair result, or because they are not really opposition
parties as we would normally understand the concept? If they lack
finance, is it because potential wealthy backers are concerned about
what will happen to their businesses if they back the wrong horse -
or because they have not found a way of communicating their message in
a way which would inspire donations from the general public?" Katherine
Leach wonders.
She said during conversation with members of all the parties, they
will be doing their best to understand what more could be done to
promote a truly vibrant spirit of political competition.
UK Ambassador pointed out three crucial areas for state authorities
to focus on during the elections, among them the voter list, the
involvement of public servants and responding vigorously to complaints.
However, she noted it is disappointing that three of the key
non-government parties in parliament are neither putting up a candidate
of their own nor backing any other, Ambassador wrote on her blog
summing up the year of 2012 and outlining the challenges for 2013. UK
will send 25 election observers to join the ODIHR mission, she said.
"Are these parties not standing because they lack finance, because they
lack trust in a fair result, or because they are not really opposition
parties as we would normally understand the concept? If they lack
finance, is it because potential wealthy backers are concerned about
what will happen to their businesses if they back the wrong horse -
or because they have not found a way of communicating their message in
a way which would inspire donations from the general public?" Katherine
Leach wonders.
She said during conversation with members of all the parties, they
will be doing their best to understand what more could be done to
promote a truly vibrant spirit of political competition.
UK Ambassador pointed out three crucial areas for state authorities
to focus on during the elections, among them the voter list, the
involvement of public servants and responding vigorously to complaints.
ARMENIA'S SOCCER SUPERSTAR CONTINUES WAY TO THE
TOP
by Lilly Torosyan
by Lilly Torosyan
January 24, 2013
Midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan may have just celebrated his 24th
birthday, but he is a seasoned pro when it comes to netting goals in
the post. In recent years, the Armenian soccer player has become a
household name for European fans of the sport, as well as Armenians
worldwide.
A myriad of awards and titles have been bestowed upon the young
athlete, including three "Armenia's Player of the Year" titles-in
2009, 2011, and 2012-and "Best Shakhtar Player" of the 2011-12 season,
voted on by fans. His other accolades include the title "Man of the
Year" in 2012 by Armenia's First Channel News, Ukraine's 2012 "Best
Footballer," the "most popular European player" in 2012 by the
International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS),
and most recently, the Commonwealth of Independent States' (CIS) 2012
"Top Footballer." It comes as no surprise that the UEFA European
Football Yearbook 2012-13 named Mkhitaryan as one of its "Top 100"
players.
The powerhouse midfielder has played for the Ukrainian premiership
football club Shakhtar Donetsk since 2010. He previously played two
seasons for Metalurh Donetsk, another Ukrainian football club.
Mkhitaryan began his career at the age of 17 in the Armenian
premiership league club FC Pyunik, where he scored 11 goals in 10
league games.
In addition to Mkhitaryan's hard work and determination, his family's
background and love for the sport were key to his success at such an
early age. Mkhitaryan's father, Hamlet Mkhitaryan, was a Soviet and
Armenian professional soccer player before his untimely passing in
1996. Inheriting his father's athletic genes, little Henrikh seemed
destined for greatness. His mother, Marina Taschian, currently heads
the department of the Armenian Football Federation, and his elder
sister, Monica, works at UEFA's headquarters.
With 18 goals in the Ukrainian premiership league and a slew of honors
to his name, the young star has attracted the attention of many of the
top football clubs in the world, including FC Liverpool, FC Bayern, FC
Juventus, and FC Tottenham Hotspur. If transferred to any of these
teams, Mkhitaryan will have advanced Armenian soccer to unprecedented
heights.
Mkhitaryan is the second top goal-scorer of all time for the Armenian
national team, with 10 goals in 33 matches, just one behind Arthur
Petrosyan's record, which took 70 matches to complete.
If the awards aren't enough to prove it, the athlete's market value
for a European transfer has jumped from under $1 million to nearly $25
million in the last 3 years, according to transfermarket.co.uk, a
soccer portal for the premier league and transfer rumor forum.
In addition to his athletic abilities, Mkhitaryan is also an avid
reader and language aficionado, speaking Russian, English, French, and
Portuguese-the latter due to his four-month spell at Sao Paulo's youth
set-up between his first club, Pyunik FC, and Brazilian giants. He is
keen on learning a few more, if time allows, which may be difficult
with the busy schedule ahead for Team Armenia.
Without a doubt, Mkhitaryan is one of the most important players on
the Armenian national team, and has helped the team soar to uncharted
heights in recent years, becoming the little-engine-that-could. The
great lineup of the team and enthusiasm from fans are at an all-time
high, catapulting the national team of the Republic of Armenia to a
status as a serious contender in international soccer championships.
Who knows what's in the future for Mkhitaryan and Team Armenia?
Perhaps we may see a new trend of Armenian athletes advancing to play
at the best clubs in the world. We're excited to find out!
Midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan may have just celebrated his 24th
birthday, but he is a seasoned pro when it comes to netting goals in
the post. In recent years, the Armenian soccer player has become a
household name for European fans of the sport, as well as Armenians
worldwide.
A myriad of awards and titles have been bestowed upon the young
athlete, including three "Armenia's Player of the Year" titles-in
2009, 2011, and 2012-and "Best Shakhtar Player" of the 2011-12 season,
voted on by fans. His other accolades include the title "Man of the
Year" in 2012 by Armenia's First Channel News, Ukraine's 2012 "Best
Footballer," the "most popular European player" in 2012 by the
International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS),
and most recently, the Commonwealth of Independent States' (CIS) 2012
"Top Footballer." It comes as no surprise that the UEFA European
Football Yearbook 2012-13 named Mkhitaryan as one of its "Top 100"
players.
The powerhouse midfielder has played for the Ukrainian premiership
football club Shakhtar Donetsk since 2010. He previously played two
seasons for Metalurh Donetsk, another Ukrainian football club.
Mkhitaryan began his career at the age of 17 in the Armenian
premiership league club FC Pyunik, where he scored 11 goals in 10
league games.
In addition to Mkhitaryan's hard work and determination, his family's
background and love for the sport were key to his success at such an
early age. Mkhitaryan's father, Hamlet Mkhitaryan, was a Soviet and
Armenian professional soccer player before his untimely passing in
1996. Inheriting his father's athletic genes, little Henrikh seemed
destined for greatness. His mother, Marina Taschian, currently heads
the department of the Armenian Football Federation, and his elder
sister, Monica, works at UEFA's headquarters.
With 18 goals in the Ukrainian premiership league and a slew of honors
to his name, the young star has attracted the attention of many of the
top football clubs in the world, including FC Liverpool, FC Bayern, FC
Juventus, and FC Tottenham Hotspur. If transferred to any of these
teams, Mkhitaryan will have advanced Armenian soccer to unprecedented
heights.
Mkhitaryan is the second top goal-scorer of all time for the Armenian
national team, with 10 goals in 33 matches, just one behind Arthur
Petrosyan's record, which took 70 matches to complete.
If the awards aren't enough to prove it, the athlete's market value
for a European transfer has jumped from under $1 million to nearly $25
million in the last 3 years, according to transfermarket.co.uk, a
soccer portal for the premier league and transfer rumor forum.
In addition to his athletic abilities, Mkhitaryan is also an avid
reader and language aficionado, speaking Russian, English, French, and
Portuguese-the latter due to his four-month spell at Sao Paulo's youth
set-up between his first club, Pyunik FC, and Brazilian giants. He is
keen on learning a few more, if time allows, which may be difficult
with the busy schedule ahead for Team Armenia.
Without a doubt, Mkhitaryan is one of the most important players on
the Armenian national team, and has helped the team soar to uncharted
heights in recent years, becoming the little-engine-that-could. The
great lineup of the team and enthusiasm from fans are at an all-time
high, catapulting the national team of the Republic of Armenia to a
status as a serious contender in international soccer championships.
Who knows what's in the future for Mkhitaryan and Team Armenia?
Perhaps we may see a new trend of Armenian athletes advancing to play
at the best clubs in the world. We're excited to find out!
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