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Pope delivers Easter message of hope after grim week of terror

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pp.thumbPope Francis preached an Easter message of hope after a grim week in Europe, calling on Christians not to let fear and pessimism “imprison” them, the BBC reports.

Speaking amid tight security at the Vatican, the Pope said: “Let us not allow darkness and fear to distract us and control our hearts.”

His message followed a condemnation on Friday of the Brussels terror attacks.

Islamist violence is expected to be a prominent theme of his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” Easter message.

Many pilgrims cancelled their planned trips to Rome in the wake of the violence in Brussels, but St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican was packed when Pope Francis celebrated mass on Saturday evening.

The Pontiff entered a darkened basilica with just a single candle guiding him. As he reached the altar, the basilica’s floodlights came on to symbolise the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Delivering his homily, Francis said: “Today is the celebration of our hope. It is so necessary today.”

The lengthy vigil service also included a papal baptism for 12 adults hailing from China, South Korea and other countries around the world.

On Sunday morning, Francis will preside over Easter Mass and offer his annual Easter blessing.

On Friday, he denounced the “terrorist acts committed by followers of some religions which profane the name of God and which use the holy name to justify their unprecedented violence”.

Meanwhile, Vatican officials distributed sleeping bags to 100 homeless people.

The police presence in the streets around the Vatican has been stepped up this year, as more pilgrims than usual are expected after Francis declared a jubilee year for the Catholic Church, calling it a “Holy Year of Mercy”

Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Feast of Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

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f56f7916847803_56f791684781d.thumbThe Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast is one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church, the qahana.am website reports.

The main origin of the feast is the following:

The king of Egypt didn’t agree to allow the Hebrews to travel into the desert to offer sacrifices to Lord the God, and the last punishment of God on the king of Egypt that should force the king to let the Hebrews out of the country was the death of every first-born son and every first-born of all cattle in Egypt. In order to save the Hebrews from that punishment the Lord spoke to Moses and by means of Moses ordered the Hebrews to kill a lamb and taking some of the blood and put it on the doorposts and above the doors of the houses. On the night when He would go through the land of Egypt to kill every first-born male, both human and animal, He would see the blood on the doors and would not let the Angel of Death enter the house. He would pass over and wouldn’t harm the Hebrews when punishing the Egyptians. Finally, after that punishment, the king allowed the Hebrews to leave the country, and the Hebrews left Egypt. So, mankind obtained life thanks to the Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, in order to reach the Christians’ blessed land – the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Mystery of Easter is the mystery of Jesus Christ, His Salutary Holy Blood shed for mankind and His Rising from the dead for mankind. The Son of God should incarnate, be subjected to tortures, be crucified, buried and the third day raise from death (Ps 15:9-11, 29:4, 40:11-13, 117:16-17, Ho 6:2-3).

Following the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ His body was taken off the cross and placed into the tomb and the entrance to the tomb was closed by a large stone and the soldiers were ordered to control the entrance to the tomb. After three days the three women, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the Mother of James and Joseph, and the wife of Zebedee brought spices and perfumes to anoint the body of Jesus. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, so they went in but they didn’t the body of the Lord. They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two angels dressed in white appeared and said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here, ha has been raised” (Lk 24:5-6). The women returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven disciples and the rest. According to Peter more than 500 people saw Christ who had risen from the dead. So, this is the evangelical tiding of the fact of Easter or Holy Resurrection.

Resurrection of Christ became the basis of the Christian doctrine and faith. “If that is true, it means that Christ has been raised from death, then we have nothing to preach and you have nothing to believe” (1 Co 15:13-14).

Christ rose from the dead, by means of His Death He destroyed Death and granted eternal life. “I am the Resurrection and I am the Life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn 11:25).

Christ died for the salvation of mankind and by His Blood took away the sin in the world, so that we should inherit eternal life.

On the day of the Easter feast people dye eggs red as a symbol of fruitful life, salvation and joy. St. Gregory of Datev considers the egg to be the symbol of the world, the shell of which is the sky, the membrane is the air, the white is the water and the yolk is the earth. Dyeing eggs red symbolizes the salvation of the world by means of Blood of Christ.

The Armenian Church celebrates the Easter Feast on the first Sunday following the full moon of the vernal equinox, with 35 days moveability, during the period from March 21–April 26.

The Armenian Church traditionally celebrates evening Divine Liturgy on the evening prior to Jesus Christ’s Glorious Resurrection (Easter). Following the conclusion of the Liturgy, the assembled faithful take lit candles home, symbolizing the Light that Christ brought into the world. The Divine Liturgy celebrated on the eve is the start of the festive ceremonies.

On Sunday, the day of the feast, a morning service is conducted the Andastan Service is performed wherein the four corners of the world are blessed, afterwards the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. That day the faithful welcome each other on the occasion of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ conveying the great tiding:  “Christ is Risen from the dead” and receive the answer: “Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.”

Fifty-day period beginning from the Easter Feast – the Holy Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ – and lasting till Pentecost in the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church is called Hinounk or Hinants period. That period is dedicated to the mystery of Resurrection of the Lord, and that is why it is Dominical period.

The name “Hinounk” comes from the word hisuonk (fifty). The first forty days of the period are dedicated to the appearings of Rosen Christ: “For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God” (Ac 1:3).

The last ten days of the Hinants period are dedicated to the Ascension of Christ.

Hianats period is concluded with the Feast of Ascension. According to the Church laws there are no fasting days during all fifty days of Hinants period, which means that all people can eat everything during that period.

Baghdad: 26 killed in suicide bomb attack in football field south of Iraq’s

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BAGHDAD, March 25 (Xinhua) — Up to 26 people were killed and 90 others wounded on Friday in a suicide bomb attack at a football field in a town south of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, a local police source said.

“The latest reports said that 26 people were killed in the suicide bombing,” the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The attack occurred in the evening when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest among a crowd of people during a football game at the pitch in the town of Iskandriyah, some 50 km south of Baghdad, the source said.

The mayor of the town, Ahmed al-Khafaji, was among the killed and Hassoun Hussein, the local leader of the Shiite militia Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, was among the wounded, the source said.

Iskandriyah is part of the once restive area, dubbed Triangle of Death, which is a cluster of towns scattered north of Babil’s provincial capital city of Hilla, some 100 km south of Baghdad.

Earlier, an UN Assistance Mission for Iraq report estimated 7,515 were killed and 14,855 injured in the armed conflicts in Iraq last year.

Rolling Stones inviting Cubans to free concert

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f56f4d82422021_56f4d82422057.thumbThe Rolling Stones are welcoming Cubans to their free concert on Friday with Mick Jagger speaking Spanish in a video on YouTube, though few are likely to see it, given Cuba’s scant Internet penetration.
“We have played in many incredible places but this concert in Havana is going to be a historic event for us,” Jagger said in a voice over while the Stones’ song, “Jumping’ Jack Flash” plays to snippets of concert video. “We hope it will be for you, too.” (here)
Less than one-third of Cubans have access to the Internet, with only 3.4 percent of homes connected to either the Internet or a local Cuban Intranet, according to U.N. data.
The Stones added Cuba to the end of a Latin American tour, becoming the first major international rock stars to play in the island nation.
The outdoor concert at a sports complex was postponed five days because of the 48-hour visit by U.S. President Barack Obama, who departed Cuba on Tuesday.
The band have brought in 61 shipping containers with an estimated 500 tonnes of equipment, such as a stage, speakers, lights and video screens, the production manager, Dale Skjerseth, told reporters on Sunday.
A crew of 140 Stones employees and at least 80 Cubans have set up on grounds including a football field and adjoining baseball fields with room for hundreds of thousands of spectators who are invited to arrive for free on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Cycle Against Genocide Denial Set for April 10 in Santa Monica

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cycleagainstdenialSANTA MONICA — For the first time, the Cycle Against Denial bike-a-thon hosted by the Armenian Youth Federation San Fernando Valley “Sardarabad” Chapter will be held in the city of Santa Monica on April 10.

The Cycle Against Denial is an annual bike rally to commemorate the Armenian Genocide and to raise awareness against all genocides. The bike rally usually takes place in the San Fernando Valley and starts from the Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Encino but for the first time, the “Sardarabad” Chapter decided to branch out and bring something new to this annual event.

“We feel that we needed to change an aspect of this great event and thought that taking the bike rally to Santa Monica would bring more exposure to our cause, especially since the location is near the Santa Monica Pier,” said Arek Soulahian, Cycle Against Denial Committee Co-Chairperson. “From the new location, there will be a great deal of people that will get to see the cyclists participating in the event and learn why we work so hard to spread awareness and genocide recognition,” added Soulahian.

The location where the registration table will be set up and the bike rally will begin is at 1640 Appian Way, Santa Monica, California 90401.

Registration will begin at 11 a.m. at the location mentioned above. It will be free and includes a t-shirt. The ride will begin approximately at 1 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes but there will be bike rental locations close by where participants will be able to pay and rent bikes for the event.

The bike rental locations close to the registration table are the following:

Sea Mist Rentals, 1619 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Santa Monica Bike Center, 1555 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Breeze BikeShare, located at Palisades Park.

Please join us in commemorating the 101st Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The event is open to all ages. For any questions, please email cycleagainstdenial@gmail.com or visit the Facebook Event page https://www.facebook.com/events/786236234853740/.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization in the world, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian youth.

Weirdest Eurovision contestant of all time?

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12157-1km8zamWhile you probably didn’t think Eurovision could get much weirder after Australia (which, last time we checked is not in Europe and is in fact on the opposite side of the word) was admitted into the musical clan last year… It just did.

Reports suggest that, in order to maximise his chances of success this year in Stockholm, IVAN plans to surprise viewers by performing totally naked and welcoming two real wolves to the stage.

Swedes are at a loss. Yes, [IVAN] will be naked on stage, and, yes, there will be wolves. Actually, every person identifies himself as some totemic animal. Sometimes we suppress it, but not everyone can meet it face to face. We want everybody to feel this thin edge between human and nature.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store:

Source: independent.co.uk/

The video for Armenia in Eurovision 2016, LoveWave Iveta Mukuchyan exceeds exceeded the threshold of one million hits

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arton123256-480x256Placed on March 2 on the internet, the video for the song LoveWave qu’Iveta Mukuchyan will present for Armenia at Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm (Sweden) in May already over in less than two weeks, the threshold of one million visits, more exactly 1,008,972 at 11 am this morning. It also has more than 14,000 “likes”.

The song of Armenia at Eurovision 2016 over a million hits on YouTube

It is thus one of the most watched clips of the songs present at Eurovision 2016. It also reflects the public interest for the song of Iveta Mukuchyan is a favorite under the Eurovision 2016. ..même if Armenia can not afford -like Azerbaijan in 2011- “buy” influence-or with counterparties with dozens of juries participants-country title. Especially since Azerbaijan and Turkey will influence a lot of lobbying on these juries, that Armenia is ruled out of the victory at Eurovision. While the organizers of Eurovision, remain without reaction to these methods that discredit the competition. Let us remember that in 2011 when the media have provided evidence of corrupt methods of Azerbaijan to win Eurovision, organizers refrained from punishing Baku.

Krikor Amirzayan

Armenian AYF Canada Stages Mass Walkout at Ottawa University to Protest Genocide Denial

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ayfcanada1OTTAWA(Horizon Weekly) – On Saturday, March 5, members of the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada (AYF Canada), in collaboration with the Armen Karo Student Association and the Armenian Students’ Association at Carleton University, conducted a mass walk-out at Carlton University, to express their concern and indignation to the administration of Carleton University and the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NSPIA).

The university’s administration and the NSPIA collaborated with the Council of Turkish Canadians (CTC)—an organization known to promote events denying the Armenian Genocide and present Turkish-Armenian issues in a divisive manner—to hold a two-day conference on Turkish-Canadian relations at the university.

The CTC organized the conference under the deceiving title of “Turkey-Canada Relations in Troubled Times,” when in actuality, the event promoted anti-Armenian sentiments. The organizers held a panel discussion, which included Professor Christopher Gunn of Coastal Carolina University and Lale Eskicioglu of Carleton University.

While Eskicioglu spoke about the Turkish claim of a small plot of the Brantford Mount Hope Cemetery that is allegedly dedicated to ethnic Turks, Gunn spoke about Secret Armenian Armies in the 1970’s and 1980’s—a topic that clearly diverged from the event’s supposed intent. The lecture focused on the actions of a small minority of Armenians outside of Canada, which contributed nothing to the discussion of Turkey-Canada relations.

Armenian attendees took part in the conference with the intent to give the speakers benefit of the doubt by listening to their presentations. Unfortunately, many pieces of inaccurate information were delivered. Representatives from the group politely questioned the validity of some of the remarks and statements by Gunn and Eskicioglu. It was later confirmed by Gunn that multiple points of his presentation were mere inferences, with no tangible evidence to support his claims.

“Carleton University, being one of the most prestigious universities in a country that strongly upholds human rights, justice, and democratic values, should not so willingly allow for such groups to stage events on its campus. In general, a university should be devoid of any affiliation to politically motivated agendas,” said Harout Kassabian, AYF Canada Chair.

Most of the ideas and opinions that were voiced during the panel clearly had underlying motives to create a false narrative in the attendees minds about the Armenian’s during the 20th century. The group was disappointed to learn that lecturers and attendees used the phrase “events of 1915” to refer to the Armenian Genocide; a common tactic by genocide deniers.

Sevag Belian of the Armenian Youth Federation questioned Gunn about the title of his latest publication “Getting Away with Murder: Soghomon Tehlirian, ASALA, and the Justice Commandos, 1921-1984.”

“What is your opinion of the Turkish government getting away with the murder of 1.5 million Armenians during the Armenian Genocide? Do you think there should be justice for that?” asked Belian.

After Gunn stated he is not an expert in the field and believes in having an impartial approach towards the issue, a member of the group stressed the unacceptable nature of his approach.

“The use of the term ‘events of 1915’ is commonly used by genocide deniers. The fact that this term keeps being used makes us question the impartiality and academic integrity of this conference. We do not see a beneficial purpose to continue being a part of this event.”

After the activists left the conference room in a mass walk-out, the group went on to the major intersections in downtown Ottawa to pass out flyers to the general public regarding Turkey’s human rights record, its denial of the Armenian Genocide, and why they should not be trusted as a NATO ally.

“Turkey has one the highest number of jailed journalists in the world and uses excessive force to silence protestors and other dissenters of the country, yet they are still regarded as Canadian allies. Furthermore, NATO has yet to speak out against Turkey’s human rights violations,” said Belian.

The Armenian Youth Federation condemns that an event with the intention to spread inaccurate and divisive speech took place at the university, and demands that Carleton University formally apologizes for this oversight.

Founded in 1934, the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada is the largest and most influential Armenian-Canadian youth organization, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness among Armenian-Canadian youth.

California: Armenian Genocide Commemoration to be held at Montebello Genocide Monument on April 23

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UACLA-LogoMONTEBELLO — In this 101st year of the Armenian Genocide, plans are in place for the Armenian community of Southern California to gather on April 23, 2016, at 1 p.m., at the Montebello Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument to remember and demand justice for the 1,500,000 martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Traditionally, the memorial event in Montebello has taken place on April 24th, the day Armenians world-wide formally commemorate the horrific tragedy. This year, the event will take place on April 23rd, because the community-wide “Rally for Justice” event in front of the Turkish Consulate will be held on April 24th.

The ceremony at the Montebello Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument will feature a full program which includes political messages and a religious service officiated by all religious denominations of the Armenian community and cultural presentations to honor the memory of those lost.

The United Armenian Council of Los Angeles (UACLA) which is comprised of close to 50 Armenian religious, political, compatriotic, and other active community associations is the organizer of the commemorative event. The UACLA is also organizing other events dedicated to the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. More details about these events will be presented to the general public through subsequent press releases of the UACLA and at the UACLA website www.uacla.com. The UACLA is also active throughout the year by organizing educational events about the Armenian Genocide.

The Montebello Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument is located at Bicknell Park, 910 Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA, 90640.

The UACLA invites all community members to attend the commemorative event at the Montebello Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument on April 23rd. The United Council also calls upon everyone to take part in great numbers in all 101st anniversary commemorative events.

The video for Armenia in Eurovision 2016, LoveWave Iveta Mukuchyan already exceeds over 360 000 visits

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g-480x234We follow with interest the video for the song LoveWave qu’Iveta Mukuchyan will present for Armenia in Eurovision 2016 song in Stockholm (Sweden) in May. The clip of the representative of Armenia posted on YouTube the night of March 2 after its official presentation to the Public Television of Armenia is at a new record level. In just over 48 hours, this morning LoveWave clip Iveta Mukuchyan had already been viewed over 360,000 times. One of the best scores of the clips of Eurovision 2016.

Thus Armenia displays its claims. It will be a favorite in Eurovision 2016 if the Turkish-Azerbaijani lobby does not buy again juries to influence votes and marginalize Armenia. Recall that by its petrodollars Azerbaijan in search of respectability had bought her victory at Eurovision 2011 to be organized in 2012 in Baku. Many media had then pointed Azerbaijan … but Eurovision organizers had not seen fit to punish Baku! In these circumstances, Armenia could easily bear the brunt of these methods of corruption of juries and vote by the Azeri-Turkish couple.

Krikor Amirzayan