SEPTEMBER 28, 2013 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIV, NO. 11, Issue 4305 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Genocide Memorial Unveiled in France Armenia Celebrates 22nd PARIS (PanArmenian.net) — The French Roquebrune-sur-Argens commune in the Var department hosted an unveiling ceremony on September 21 of a memorial for Armenian Genocide victims created by architect Antranik Anniversary of Republic Zakarian. The ceremony opened with the music by Jean Marc DerMesropian and Charles Aznavour, with sis - YEREVAN (Combined Sources) — On ple in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, come, as a plight and pledge for its nation - ters Fabienne and Laurence Chanoyan performing September 21, Armenians in Armenia as on the joyous occasion of Armenian al awakening.” Komitas songs. well as around the world, celebrated the Independence Day. On this glorious day in From the US, Secretary of State John Mayor Luc Jousse, members of the French 22nd anniversary of the independence of 1991, we re-established an independent Kerry issued a statement. “On behalf of National Assembly and representatives of the the Republic of Armenia. Messages poured Armenian State. We solemnly celebrate this President Obama and the American people, Armenian embassy in France attended the ceremo - in from leaders near and far. day, vanquishing the struggles and sacri - I extend my warmest wishes to the people ny. Armenian President Serge Sargisian, for fices of our generations in obtaining it. of Armenia as you celebrate your Former Presidential the occasion, signed decrees to confer high Placing faith in God, our people always Independence Day on September 21. The state awards, honorary titles and high mili - hoped that the blessed daybreak would see REPUBLIC, page 3 Candidate Sentenced tary ranks upon a group of representatives in the fields of science, education, health, YEREVAN (PanArmenian.net) — Former presiden - economy, arts and culture. The award tial candidate Vardan Sedrakyan was sentenced to recepients were from Armenia and the dias - Armenia Opens Embassy in the Vatican 14 years in prison for the murder attempt of his pora. opponent, Paruyr Hayrikyan. He also issued a statement, in which he VATICAN (Pubilic Radio of Kachatur Poghosyan and Samvel Hartyunyan, congratulated those who had received Armenia) — Rome’s Palazzo who were ordered to assassinate Hayrikyan, by awards. “While the state itself is strong della Cancelleria hosted a Sedrakyan, according to the charges, were sen - with persons like you, who through their reception dedicated to the tenced to 14 and 12 years, respectively. work and service are providing a strong opening of the Armenian According to the investigation, in early January, momentum to state structures and our soci - Embassy at the Holy See, the Sedrakyan ordered the murder in order to stop ety. Moreover, the state is the people and 22nd anniversary of Hayrikyan’s political activity. The perpetrators first of all, capable people. The more you Armenia’s independence and received money to purchase a revolver. can do in your areas, the stronger we will the launching of the “St. Hayrikyan was shot on January 31. He was taken be as an entity and as a state. I congratu - to the hospital where doctors removed the bullet. Gregory the Illuminator: Officials attend the opening of the Armenian Embassy late you on receiving the high state awards. Common Christian Heritage” The politician travelled to Holland for further treat - Certainly, it is gratifying. However, this real - exhibition. ment. ity does not make your job easier: on the The reception hosted by the Armenian Armenian and Italian MPs, ambassadors contrary, you are assuming a greater Ambassador to the Vatican featured accredited to the Vatican, heads of Sculptor of Friendship responsibility. You have become exemplary, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the prefect of European and Italian NGOs, businessmen worthy persons whose services to the state the Congregation for Eastern Churches, and representatives of the Armenian com - Monument Files Appeal and people are significant.” Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secre - munity. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in tary for Relations with States, clergymen of “This is a symbolic day, as Armenia — the ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — Turkish sculptor his statement said, “We extend greetings the Armenian Apostolic Church, represen - first nation to adopt Christianity as state Mehmet Aksoi, the creator of the now-dismantled and blessings from the Mother See of Holy tatives of the Armenian Catholic Church, religion — is opening a diplomatic represen - “Friendship Monument” on the border of Turkey Echmiadzin and congratulate all our peo - high-ranking clergy from the Vatican, tation in the Holy See,” Armenian Foreign and Armenia, has appealed to European Court of Minister Edward Nalbandian said in his Human Rights. opening remarks. The sculpture, which was intended by Aksoi to be “Our cooperation has deep historic roots. a symbol of friendship between the two countries, Christian belief has served as a basis for was dismantled in 2010 because Turkish Premier these special ties,” Nalbandian said, adding Recep Tayyip Erdogan called it “grotesque” in 2009 that prominent figures like St. Nerses during his visit to Kars. Erdogan visited Kars in Shnorhali, Mkhitar Sebastatsi and others October 2009 after signing protocols on establish - see VATICAN, page 16 ing relations between Armenia and Turkey. In an interview with Haberler , Aksoi said, “Turkish courts today are not free and impartial. How can a piece of art be called ‘grotesque?’ It is Vicar General of an obvious abuse. This monument was being built Armenian Patriarchate for three years. The meaning of the monument is friendship with Armenia. But Erdogan destroyed it. Of Constantinople, Abp. It means that Erdogan, who wished for peace, was against it. We appealed to all kind of Turkish courts Svajian, Dies which was like a comedy theatre. Now we will appeal to European Court of Human Rights,” he ISTANBUL (Combined Sources) — One said. of the prominent spiritual leaders of the Armenian community of Turkey, the vicar Partial view of the southwestern chapel general of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, Archbishop Shahan Svajian, died in the Armenian Hospital of INSI DE Holy Savior at the Monastery Carved out of Rock age of 87 on September 22. Discovered in Historic Armenia Archbishop Iran Shahan Svajian CHUKURAYVA, Turkey (PanARMENIAN.Net) — The ancient Armenian was born on monastery complex Tzarakar has been discovered near the village of Chukurayva, September 15, Architect five kilometers south-east of the fortified town of Kechror, modern-day Turkey 1926 in Page 10 (the old Gabeghiank district, Ayrarat province of Greater Armenia), reports the Constantinople. website peopleofar.wordpress.com. His father, Toros, What remains of it are the interior cut-in-rock structures, while the exterior was from Caesarea, buildings are irretrievably lost. and his mother, The monastery consists of a church with several entrances connected with Martha, came from INDEX each other, at least six chapels and other adjoining buildings. It is remarkable for Kharbert. He Arts and Living . 10 received his prima - Archbishop Shahan Armenia . 2,3 its very interesting structure and extended lapidary inscriptions. Despite the Svajian uniqueness, however, until recently neither specialists nor topographers had ever ry education in Community News. 5 Constantinople Editorial . 14 paid any attention to it. International . 4 see MONASTERY, page 16 and continued with his education in Jerusalem. see SVAJIAN, page 4 2 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 28, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Lord Byron School Reopens Armenian Cheese With New Heating System Banned in US YEREVAN (ARKA) — Armenia’s State Food Safety GUMRI, Armenia — On September Service, an affiliation of the Ministry of 13, the Lord Byron School celebrated Agriculture, said it had certified a batch of the opening of the school year with the Armenian cheese Lori, produced by a Gumri-based unveiling of its new heating system. company AMM as safe before it was shipped to US Byron students had previously braved and banned there for consumption. cold classrooms due to a lack of a mod - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ern heating system. said the Armenian cheese appeared to have been The Lord Byron School was opened contaminated. On September 13, the FDA pub- with the aid of the British government lished a list of cheeses imported from 28 countries after the 1988 Spitak earthquake dev - which an FDA examination found to have microbi- astated the city. The official opening of ological contamination. It said the Armenian Lori the school was in 1990, with the par - cheese contained E.Coli (Typical). ticipation of Prime Minister Margaret “The entire batch of 1000 kg of the cheese (N69- Thatcher, who was then taking her first A), was produced in May 2013 with a shelf life of trip to the Soviet Union. six months before being exported to US. The batch At the time, the school was a state- was found to be safe and was given a certificate on of-the-art building with modern facili - June 18 based on laboratory examination,” the ties and furniture. Unfortunately, Armenian agency said. The FDA had earlier banned Byron students could not enjoy the the import of some Armenian soft drinks and innovations for many years to come UK Ambassadors to Armenia Jonathan Aves and Katherine Leach with Vartan Ouzounian and staff at the reopening of the Lord Byron School. sweets because they contained coloring agents. after its opening. The country faced new disasters such as the war, block - ade, energy and economic crises. As a UNHCR Armenian Rep. result, all of the facilities including school. Lord Byron School Headmaster Visits Armenia the heating system, went into disar - Grigor Haroutunian, on behalf of the ray. The number of students gradual - staff, schoolchildren and parents, YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenian Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan welcomed the Armenian office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) Kristoff Frederick Otto Biervirti.