05 012007- WHY DO ARMENIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS ON JANUARY 6 ?

WHY DO ARMENIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS ON JANUARY 6 ?
(PERCHE ARMENI FESTEGGIANO NATALE AL 6 GENNAIO?)
Lraper.org 24/12/2006 - The festival generally called Armenian Christmas is a holy day celebrated as the Holy Nativity of Jesus Christ. Christmas is celebrated in the Armenian Church around the main them of the revelation and incarnation of God, "Asdvadz-a-haydnootyoon."
The most important observances of the Armenians in the Christmas period are of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem and his baptism in the Jordan River at the age of thirty. The Holy Nativity of Christ is celebrated in the Armenian Church on 6 January. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Christ's baptism is celebrated in the Tchrorhnek (Water Blessing) ceremony.
A question often asked is why Armenians do not celebrate Christmas on 25 December, as the rest of the world generally does. Just as chronologically there is no clear date for Christ's Holy Nativity, the Gospels also do not contain one. But historically all Christian Churches up until the fourth century celebrated the Festival of Christ's Nativity on 6 January.
According to the Roman Catholic Church, the date of 6 January was changed because the pagan traditional festival celebrated on 25 December that marked the birth of the Sun was declared invalid. But Christians continued to hold to those kinds of pagan festivals on that date. In order to break their influence, the Church hierarchy defined 25 December as Christmas, that is, as the Festival of the Holy Nativity of Christ, while 6 January was defined as the visit of the three magi to the newly born Christ.
Because the Armeni ans did not experience the problem of Saturnalia, i.e. the Festival of the Birth of the Sun, and because the Armenian Church was not a satellite of the Roman Church, Armenians were unaffected by this change.
According to church traditions, Armenians continue to celebrate Christmas on 6 January.
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt carries on with the same tradition together with the Armenians. However, the Ethiopian and Russian Orthodox Churches treat 6 January as the eve of the festival, which is celebrated on 7 January.

Armenians greet each other as follows on the Festival of the Holy Nativity:
--Christos dzenav yev haydnetsav! (Christ is born and revealed!)
--Orhneal eh dzenuntn u haydnuteunn Christosi! (Blessed be Christ's birth and revelation!)

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REMEMBERING 2006
The year 2006 was quite eventful for Armenia, even if it saw no elections and political upheavals. Below are the top eight developments that dominated public life in 2006.
GIBRAHAYER e-magazine1. The crash on May 3 of an Armenian airliner off the Russian Black Sea coast. All 113 people on board the Airbus A-320 were killed in what was the worst air disaster in Armenia's history.
2. The official disclosure in June of the international mediators' most recent plan to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
3. The emergence and rapid expansion throughout the year of a new political party led by Gagik Tsarukian, the most influential of Armenia's government-connected tycoons.
4. The year saw more street protests by residents of Yerevan that were forcibl y evicted from their homes as a result of the ongoing massive redevelopment in the city center. The evictions were declared unconstitutional by Armenia's Constitutional Court.
5. A further strengthening of the national currency, the dram, that triggered fresh opposition allegations about exchange rate manipulation. One U.S. dollar is now worth roughly 360 drams. It traded at about 460 drams at the beginning of 2006.
6. An apparent rise in anti-Russian sentiment fuelled by continued racially motivated killings of Armenians in Russia.
7. The year saw a number of high-profile cultural events such as Armenia's first-ever participation in the Eurovision song contest and the impressive eight position gained by Andre, an open-air concert given by Charles Aznavour and other famous French singers, and the annual Golden Apricot film festival in Yerevan.
8. The Armenian team's victory in the 2006 world Chess Olympiad.

IN CYPRUS
Gibrahayer also compiled the following eight points as important developments in the history of Armenian Cypriots in 2006.

1- The official visit of President Robert Kocharyan and his entourage on a state visit to Cyprus in November 2006
2- The election of Vartkes Mahdessian in May, as representative of the Armenian community in the Cyprus House of Representatives, after 25 years of election wins by AGBU-supported candidates.
3- The election of Marios Garoyian as the first Armenian Cypriot in the Cyprus Parliament.
4- The election of the first Armenian Cypriot party chief. Marios Garoyian got elected leader of the ruling DI.KO party by overwhelmingly defeating his opponent Nicos Cleanthous by a margin of 63%
5- Zaruhi Harutyunyan arrived in Cyprus and Gibrahayer e-magazine appealed for assistance to its readers launching her tennis career which saw her jump from 1,245 to the top 200. Harutyunyan won five ITF events in 2006, th e first two in Bolis.
6- The revokal of a Cyprus Court of the decision of the Melkonian injunction. Despite the wrongful decision of the AGBU central board to close down the school, the campaign to save Melkonian continues and focuses on appealing the court decision in Cyprus.
7- The opening of the second floor of the Kalaydjian Rest Home
8- The reunion of close to 100 members of the Yeramian family tree in Cyprus.
News in Brief - by Sevag Devledian

* Serbia has secured Russia's consent to proceed with a planned arms deal with Armenia, defusing earlier objections from Moscow that caused upheaval at a Serbian weapons manufacturer.
* The board of the OPEC approved the 10 million dollars lending to Armenia, stated the minister of agriculture of Armenia Davit Lokyan on December 27. Davit Lokyan said the money will be spent on the development of the agricultural infrastructures.
* "The fight against Armenian allegations requires a collective effort and cooperation among state institutions and non-governmental organisations," Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Sunday and added that "the fight against Armenian allegations requires a collective effort and cooperation among state institutions and non-governmental organisations. We need contributions of universities, vocational organisations and businessmen to this end."
* ARF Dashnaktsoutiun's Youth Union of Armenia organised a photo exhibition dedicated
to the 116th anniversary of ARF. The exhibition titled "My Past Is the Cornerstone of My Future" was held at Moscow Cinema on December 20. ARF's history starting with 1890 up to our days was presented at the exhibition. The exhibition aimed at showing to the youth the history of ARF's activities in Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora through photos.
* The website (www.artn.tv) of the ARTN (Armenian-Russian Television Network)operating in Los Angeles has started Internet broadcasts.
* By the decree of the Cairo mayor, one of the city's streets will be named after Alexander Sarukhan, the famous Armenian satirical painter, in recognition of his contribution to the Egyptian satirical painting art.
* On December 31st President Robert Kocharyan visited `Yerablur' pantheon to pay homage to the memory of victims of the Artsaki war.

From the Office of Armenian representative Vartkes Mahdessian
GIBRAHAYER e-magazineMP Vartkes Mahdessian has posted his second newsletter that reached the Armenian community of Cyprus recently. For our readers abroad we are including the first newsletter in the link below. As soon as we have the link for the second newsletter we will include it in one of our future publications.
www.armenianmp.com/images/_files/lradou_no_1.pdf

Would you like to contact MP Vartkes Mahdessian?
You can do so at:
Political Office - 9B & C Kastorias Street,
Ayia Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos
Telephone 22- 45 45 40, Fax:22- 42 46 42.
Email: office at armenianmp dot com

Cyprus Parliament - Office D-2-2,
House of Representatives, 1402 Nicosia
Telephone: 22- 40 72 02, Fax: 22- 40 74 42. Email: vmahdessian at parliament dot cy
Sports - by Sevag Devledian

* Cypriot tennis sensation Marcos Baghdatis defeated Ramirez Hildago of Spain 6-2, 6-0 earning a quarter final position at the Qatar Open ATP.
* Ajax are in negotiations to extend the contract of Armenian striker Edgar Manucharyan, who has been on the fringe of the first team, but coach Henk ten Cate sees him as an important player for the future.
* In the First Division of the Cyprus Futsal Championships AGBU Ararat achieved a remarkable 18-0 win against APOK continuing their 10-win match streak. AGBU Ararat greeted the New Year with a 3 point advantage on second place Parnasos.
* Armenian Hockey XI beat Bangladesh Air Force by 3-1 goals in the Victory Day Hockey Competition at the city's Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium.
*
In the Second Division of the Cyprus Amateur Football Championship AYMA/HMEM did not have a match this week due to the Christmas and New Years' break. AYMA/HMEM's next match will be on the 6th of January against Ethniki.

COMMUNITY ALERTS: If you would like to receive Gibrahay community event ALERTS, please send us your email address and your mobile number, to be notified on Armenian events taking place in Cyprus. Please note that this is a separate e-list different than Gibrahayer e-magazine. Reply to this email with your full name, email and mobile number.
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E-mails from our readers

Hello Simon and Dear readers,
It would be a shameful day if communities around the world accept the deceitful fate of Melkonian. A shameful day as well for the Cyprus community if it stands still and allows such illegal act to be taken place. This is like many previous times to show community unity, stand firm and show some 'teeth', otherwise one by one all AGBU centers in the Middle East and Europe will fade away as they are all under threat of being sold for the highest bid. They have started years ago in Lebanon...and following the map laid out by the CB of AGBU. AGBU is depending on everyone's silence, specially in the last few decades when the AGBU's by-laws had been changed.
If we don't help or back each other, no one will and certainly not AGBU. Show them the money and AGBU CB will be all smiles, seems to me lately they are only interested in events where their image looks better.
I am wondering after many years what will happen to AGBU? There has been no significant change in the CB members, same old faces, it's like they are hanging on or glued to those chairs.
AGBU owes to communities around the world, not the other way around. Things have become so business like in the AGBU CB meetings that under the table deals are very common occurrence everywhere. It's a shame what they have done to this amazing organisation.
Kind regards
Taline Att: Mr Simon Aynedjian

Dear Simon,
I have been following these events for some two years and from the beginning have been completely against both the shutting down of the Institute and now its possible sale. Melkonian was so popular and of such a high standard that even students from Yerevan were attending, during the last 15 years. I am convinced that an alternative, economically viable way of keeping the Institute alive, is available.
The present executives of the AGBU do not seem to be interested in keeping up the objectives for which it was originally founded i.e. to support Armenian communities in the diaspora – education, religion, health (after the genocide). For this reason it has lost much popularity amongst its members and chapters around the world.
I have been a lifelong member of AGBU based on my grandfather Movses Soultanian’s commitment t o the organization, however, I have decided to terminate my membership of AGBU as of today, for their erroneous and careless actions concerning Melkonian. If I can assist you or any other serious group in Cyprus which is trying to stop the sale, please let me know.
Kind regards and a Happy New Year.
Alan Kutchukian shame and shame again on all sobs that want to sell the school.
Marios Evriviades STOP SENDING ME THIS CRAP. I AM N O T ARMENIAN.
Laura Mouradian Parev,
Our family wish you a very good year for 2007 and a very Merry Chritmas... Thanks a lot for your news you send us here, in France....
KOULEIAN FAMILY Dear Friends and Gibrahayer Readers,
On the occasion of the New Year and Armenian Christmas I would like to use this forum to express my sincere wishes for good health and personal happiness to all friends and fellow Gibrahayer readers. In appreciation of the hours of work you do in preparing this newsletter every week I am sending you a contribution for USD 260. I hope other readers will be persuaded to donate similar amounts to encourage you to carry on for and improve the contents even more. Five dollars per week is not a lot to pay for 52 weeks of information, news, views, photographs, comments, cartoons and events !
Parsegh Zartarian Hello Simon, hope you and your team are well. My thoughts unfortunately are negative in this case, as much as I do not like it nor like to slander someone or a good institution but facts are obvious and I can not hide or keep quiet about it. Melkonian has still a lot to give, unfortunately the promises made by AGBU decades ago to do this and that in the institute were not done. Those promises were never fulfilled be it to us, be it to the church in Jerusalem or to the church in Turkey regardless of it being the legal guardian of Melkonian to which some oppose to. AGBU CB who has to give financial support for Catholicos of Cilicia in Antelias, in the last decade or so the amount has been decreased for a couple of hundred Dollars a year. Unfortunately the church in Antelias does not want to create a bigger issue in our society and hence it stays neutral in some cases. As for the Melkonian case, the Catholicos is in support of Melkonian but can not come public for it as we all know what it will lead to, in case no one knows, some old records in the archives of the church show that Melkonian for some time has been able to financially support the church in Antelias, this of course was more then 3-4 decades ago. So one wonders where all that prosperity went to if Melkonian was making money!?
Have a wonderful New Year, and Merry Christmas to all. May we get the courage to stand up for what we believe and see fruits for everyone's effort.
Kind regards/ Tal Sireli ashkhadagitcner Gibrahayer gaykechin,
Shnorhagaloutyoun ge haydnem tcer shnorhavoroutyan hamar, yes al ge shnorhavor tcez yev tcer okdagar ashkhadankin noranor hachoghoutyounner ge maghtem.
Maria Kaprielian I wish 'Gibrahayer' continued success and parkavajoum.
Please convey my congratulations to John Geuvherian for his moving painting which you have deservedly and timely chosen to use it for your Christmas card.
Cherm Parevner polor engerneroun
Hayasdan Vartanian - London Sireliner,
Pokhatartsapar Nor Darva yev Soorp Dsnoontin artiv, tsezi gu maghtem aveli avyoon sharoonageloo ays khisd garevor kordsu.
Abrik, vartsernid gadar.
Sirov-Dr. Herand Markarian Shnorhavor Nor Dari
Miguel Angel Nalpatian.- Mar del Plata.- Bs. As.- Republica Argentina Sirely Ansnagams Gibrahayer e- magazine-i,
Ge maghtem tsez noranor hachoghoutioun yev arevshadoutioun
SHENORHAVOR NOR DARI YEV SOURP DZENOUNT Shnorhavoroom em tser Nor Tarin yev Soorp Tsenoonde, yev maghtoom hajoghootiun tser ays geghetsik ashkhatankoom.
Anahit / Tehran Happy New Year as well to all Armenians all over the world.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=603875
Sincerely - Setrak Setrakian Happy New Year all my compatriots at Gibrahayer!
Garo Keshishian - London CHNORHAVOR NOR TARI EV S.TSNOUND - Lucineh Hovhanessian Hargeli GibraHayer,
Shnorhavor Nor 2007 Tari ev Surb Cnund, Hajoguciun ev Bariuciunner em cankanum, Huisov em vor 2007 -in ghamagorcakcenq aveli effektiv
Harganqnerov - Hayk Markarian - CEO Quantum College & Equal Opportunity Foundation -
College Quantum - Yerevan, Bagratunyats 23/2 Sireli Simon,
parevner yev lavakuyn mahtankner to you and your family from Bolis.
I wish that 2007 will be a year of health, prosperity and good events for the whole Armenians around the world.
Sirov - Hermine Sayan I wish you all a Happy and prosperous New Year.
Pirouz Mojtahed-Zadeh Wishing you Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2007.
Love - Linda Aintablian & Paul Belmont.

Zaruhi Harutyunyan in the United States

Dear Simon,
I am writing in regards to Zaruhi's needs for lodging near Weil Academy in Ojai, California. My wife (Hermineh) and I live in the city of Westlake Village, which is about 47 miles (76 Km) south of the Academy. I understand that this is quite a long distance, but we will gladly open our home to Zaruhi if she decides to stay with us for a few days/weeks/months. And we have an extra bedroom and bathroom, fully furnished, which she can use.
Unfortunately we would not be able to provide transportation as both of us work full-time jobs on weekdays. On weekends we would certainly be able to drive her if need be.
Please consider this offer and let me know if she wishes to take us up on it.
Sincerely - Rostom Aghanian

P.S. Even if Zaruhi declines this offer, please let her know t hat she is welcome at our home if she is ever in the neighbourhood and needs some Armenian company and a good meal. We urge you to contribute to ZARUHI'S WORLD TOUR so that she can keep playing and winning under the flag of Armenia !
Laiki Bank Strovolos Industrial Area, Stavrou 96 I, 2034, Strovolos:
Account No. 101-08-037631 for Zaruhi Harutyunyan under Simon Aynedjian -International transfers at IBAN CY30 0030 0101 0000 0101 0803 7631
Swift Code address LIKICY2N

We will announce her account number in the United States on our e-magazine soon.
We urge you to forward this email to your friends.
We thank you all for your assistance,
Dickran Bedrossian - London, Simon Aynedjian - Nicosia, Haig Bedrossian - California
g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r & e v e n t s

* Friday 5 January, 2006 Christmas Eve at 5:00 pm - Jamerkoutiun and Divine Liturgy in Armenian Churches in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol
* Saturday 6 January, 2006 Christmas Day at 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy in Armenian Churches in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol
* Sunday 14 January 2007 at 11:30 am – Melkonian Memorial Service with Briefing to follow. The annual hokehankisd (memorial service) of the benevolent founders of the Melkonian Education Institute, brothers Krikor and Garabed Melkonian, will be held at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church, Armenia, Str., Nicosia Church Service – 9am - Memorial Service – 10am - After the memorial service, representatives of the Melkonian Alumni Association of Cyprus will brief the Melkoniantsis and the community about the latest developments regarding the court cases in Cyprus at the Utudjian Hall of the Armenian Prelature at 11:30 am. All are welcome to attend.

LIVE ON SATELLITE
The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) will broadcast LIVE via satellite the Christmas Mass presided over by His Holiness Aram I, from St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, on Saturday 6 January 2007, beginning from 8:00 am GMT (10:00 am Cyprus time).

Free to Air Satellite Parameters for LBCI
NILESAT 102 / 7 Deg West on channel LBCI / LBC Europe
ARABSAT 3A / 26 Deg East on channel LBC Sat

IN CYPRUS: You can also listen to the Christmas Mass from Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia from the radio on 91.1 FM (Mount Olympus), 94.2 FM (Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa), 92.4 FM (Larnaka), 96.5 FM (Pafos) as well as on the Internet on www.cybc.com.cy
Images from Diran Der Avedissian's 90th Birthday Picture Exhibition

We have been meaning to publish these pictures for a few weeks now, but have been unable to. We had published a single picture from Diran Der Avedissian's 90th Birthday and Picture Exhibition a while back. Here are some more pictures taken from the event at the Utudjian Hall of the Armenian Prelature on that memorable evening on Tuesday October 31, that our community took a trip down memory lane.
click here for more pictures: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbMWTdwzaNWRI

then click on "View pictures", then on the right hand side click on "view as a slide-show"

Your contributions
Gibrahayer e-magazine has been circulating since 1999 on a weekly basis free of charge. Furthermore any contributions made to the e-magazine, has been directed to a worthy cause.
Due to increasing and recurring costs, Gibrahayer e-magazine will be accepting your contributions to ensure its continuity.
In an environment of true transparency, all contributions will be published, unless anonymity is requested.
At the same time, we will continue assisting young Armenians in sports and the arts and we will continue supporting the efforts of rising Armenian tennis star Zaruhi Harutyunyan. It was through the generous support that came from our readers, that enabled Zaruhi Harutyunyan to travel, and win five ITF events in 2006 under the colour s of Armenia. As she prepares for her American tour, we are grateful for the new contributions that are coming in.

To the Zaruhi Harutyunyan Tennis Fund:
Anonymous 10 =

To Gibrahayer e-magazine:
Parsegh Zartarian 260 US Dollars

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