Honor the Children Globally

June 1 - the first day of summer. 

June 1 – International Day for Protection of Children. 

"We were all Children once. And we all share the desire for the well-being of our Children, which has always been and will continue to be the most Universally cherished aspiration of Humankind." 

The World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland, proclaimed June 1 to be International Children's Day in 1925. It is usually marked with speeches on Children's rights and well-being, and other events involving or dedicated to Children.

Armenia ratified the Convention on Children’s Rights in 1992, after which in 1996 the Law of the Republic of Armenia “Children’s Rights” was adopted. Armenia organizes and holds different events dedicated to the Children Protection Day.

In Armenia June is made a real festivity for Children by the cultural and entertainment organizations. Different events are held in Armenia.

Victory - 9 May, 22th Anniversary

May 9, the 22th Anniversary of SHOUSHI’s Liberation, due to which Nagorno Karabakh Stopped being an enclave in 1992.
God Knows what would have Happened to this Land, and who would be Populating it Now if on May 9 of 1992 the Armenian Forces of Self-Defense did not start the Shoushi Operation. 
On May 9 Armenians Gained Total Control over the Shoushi Fortress. 

This is the Legacy of the Liberation Movement. The Struggle to Determine Own Destiny, to Protect Own Homeland and to Ensure that Armenian Nation will Persevere.

#ArmenianGenocide

#ArmenianGenocide it happened! For all those who are in denial...
We remember. We will never forget!

Happy Easter!!!

 
Hope Your Easter is as Bright as Your Smile,

And as Warm as Your Heart

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Easter Sunday - April 20

Episcopal Entry into the Holy Sepulcher – and Divine Liturgy, followed by Processions around the Edicule, Entry into the Holy Sepulcher, Divine Liturgy in and on the Tomb of Christ and Solemn Procession around the Edicule, Service, Blessing of the Four Corners of the Earth in the Courtyar.

Tomb of Christ - Jesus Who Was Crucified

"But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay." - Matthew 28:5-6

Holy Saturday - April 19

Morning Service, Solemn Opening of the door of the Holy Sepulcher, Entrance into the Holy Sepulcher, enter the Tomb, Ceremony of Holy Fire, Candle light Divine Liturgy.

Where Was Golgotha?

Where did the pivotal event of all the ages take place?
Modern archaeology sheds new light on an old controversy.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was the most significant event in all history! The precise location where he was crucified, buried and resurrected has intrigued Christians for many centuries. Of course, the fact of that great event does not depend on locating the authentic site. But it is only natural that Christians would have an interest in knowing where their Savior died—and where he rose again.
What does the Bible tell us about the location? The Gospel writers call the place where Jesus was crucified Golgotha—an Aramaic word meaning "the skull." Calvary is the Latin form of the word. Scripture does not reveal the precise location of Golgotha. It simply states that Jesus’ crucifixion took place outside the city of Jerusalem, though near it (John 19:20; Hebrews 13:12).  Jewish law did not permit executions and burials inside the city.
Further, Jesus was undoubtedly crucified near a well-traveled road, since passers by mocked him (Matthew 27:39; Mark 15:21, 29-30). The Romans selected conspicuous places by major highways for their public executions. The crucifixion probably took place on a hill, because it was at an elevation high enough to be plainly visible at a distance (verse 40). As for the tomb or sepulcher, we’re told only that it was in a garden near the place of crucifixion (John 19:41).

Golgotha outside city walls
In recent decades, archaeological excavations have revealed more facts about the Jerusalem of Jesus’ day—including the route of the city walls at that time. As we have seen, the Bible requires that #Golgotha lie outside those walls.
Currently, the most popular alternative site to traditional Golgotha, located in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem, is the area of Gordon’s Calvary, with the so-called ‘Garden Tomb,’ but scholarly endorsement of this locality has never been very strong. Generally, the current consensus holds that Golgotha was located in the vicinity of the traditional site, somewhere north of the first wall of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, and west of the second wall, though specificity is impossible.
Of course, we cannot know with 100 percent certainty, nor is it important that we know.

Holy Thursday, April 17

  #"Holy Thursday", April 17 - Order of Repentance, Divine Liturgy, Washing of the Feet Ceremony, Procession via Holy Archangels, first prison of Christ, then to the holy tree and Sion Gate to the House of Caiaphas, second prison of Christ, Order of Darkening.

The Department of Information Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia

Holy Week 2014 - Great and Holy Thursday

Holy Week is the sacred commemoration of the dramatic events leading to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, His victory over death and the redemption of humanity and the fallen world. The Armenian Church re-enacts these episodes in the days leading up to Easter.

April 17 is GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY, and the day's

services memori­alize the Last Supper, Jesus' vigil in the Garden of Gethsemane, his arrest and trial.

Holy Week-2014

Saturday, April 12 - Solemn Entry into the Basilica
Palm Sunday, April 13 - Episcopal entry into the Basilica, Processions,  Opening of the doors
Tuesday, April 15 - Divine Liturgy
#Holy Thursday, April 17 - Order of Repentance, Divine Liturgy, Washing of the Feet Ceremony, Procession via Holy #Archangels, first prison of Christ, then to the holy tree and Sion Gate to the House of Caiaphas, second prison of #Christ, Order of Darkening
Good Friday, April 18 - Order of the Holy #Crucifixion at the Second Golgotha, Order of Holy Burial 
Holy Saturday, April 19 - Morning Service, Solemn Opening of the door of the Holy Sepulchre, Entrance into the Holy #Sepulchre, enter the Tomb, Ceremony of Holy #Fire, Candle light Divine Liturgy 
Easter Sunday, April 20 - Episcopal Entry into the Holy Sepulchre – and Divine Liturgy, followed by Processions around the Edicule, Entry into the Holy Sepulchre, Divine Liturgy in and on the Tomb of Christ and Solemn Procession around the Edicule, Service, Blessing of the Four Corners of the Earth in the Courtyard
Monday, April 21 - Pilgrims’ Liturgy, Divine Patriarchal Liturgy, Celebrant His Beatitude
 Tuesday, April 22 - Divine Service, Divine Liturgy, Commemoration of the Dead

Warmest Day for Armenian Women - #April7

Sorry dear English readers, but this post might be Armenian.

Strong Wind, Heavy Snow throughout Armenia

10:30 • 30.03.14

Armenia’s Ministry of Transport and Communication reports that strong wind and heavy snow as observed throughout Armenia as of 10:00 a.m.

The Talin-Ani section of the Yerevan-Gyumri-Bavra-Georgia highway, as well as the Vardenyats Pass and Tukh Manuki, is blocked.

The Department for Emergency Situations, Georgia’s Ministry of the Interior, reports the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is blocked.  

Tert.am

Undermining the environment

 Despite recent economic growth, Armenia continues to confront economic, social and environmental challenges. The Government launched a Sustainable Development programme, but at the same time made substantial investments in mining and other extractive industries. The Teghut copper-molybdenum mining project in particular poses a threat both to the environment and to sustainable development. The Government has also failed to address pollution, deforestation, soil degradation, and other environmental issues, making the effective implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, as well as increased transparency and public participation in policy-making essential. 
Armenia’s  “Sustainable Development Programme (SDP) for 2009-2012, adopted in 2008, includes a series of measures designed to reduce poverty through: a) stimulation of economic growth and improvement of the business environment; b) increased employment and promotion of medium and small business; c) greater public access to infrastructure services; d) enhanced social assistance programs for the poor; e) expanded access to and consumption of culture; f) more extensive social assistance programs for youth; g) a reduction in corruption within State Government, the health and education systems, the judiciary system and  local government.
Implementation of the SDP was set back by the impact of the 2008-09 global economic crisis.  Reduced investment in construction hurt small and medium-sized businesses, and the proportion of the population living below the poverty line jumped from 27% to 47%. While per capita GDP had soared from USD 3,576 to USD 11,916 from 2004 to 2008 the impact of the economic crisis was negative (see chart), particularly for sustainable development. Although economic growth resumed in 2009 and 2010, in most cases this has helped realize only short-term economic objectives. Policies set up for the environmental and social spheres have been neglected,and the Government has decided to pursue sustainable development only in selected areas.
Environmental issues

One of the country’s most pressing environmental concerns is limited access to clean water. In many cases, aging and corroded infrastructure allows sewage to seep into freshwater pipes. Yerevan, the capital, still lacks a fully functional wastewater treatment plant. In the northern part of the country, rivers such as the Debed have alarming concentrations of lead, while in places such as the Ararat Valley, most water pollution comes from pesticides containing pollutants such as arsenic and cadmium. Experts predict that the most likely climate change scenario will cause severe drinking water shortages in the coming decades.
Air pollution is also increasing at an alarming rate. Yerevan, for example, is located in a geological depression in which stagnant air exacerbates heavy pollution, 90% of which is caused by vehicles. The other 10% is highly toxic, containing smoke filled with the residue of plastics burned at industrial and mining facilities near the city. The atmosphere in other cities is also heavily polluted. Alaverdi, for example, has had 11.4 times the permitted level of sulfur dioxide in recent years. Between 2001 and 2005, recorded cases of respiratory disease jumped 45%; experts believe the real incidence of diseases such as asthma is actually far higher.
Air pollution is exacerbated by the common practice of burning waste in the open. Unauthorized burning releases dioxins, furans and other toxic chemicals that can cause a wide range of health problems, including skin disorders, liver problems, immune system impairment and certain types of cancers.
Deforestation, which has escalated to an unprecedented level, is another concern. Only 7% of the territory remains forested, down from 35% two centuries ago, and much of this is degraded. The leading causes include use of wood for fuel, due to a lack of alternatives, and the Government’s decision to allow mining in ecologically sensitive areas, which shows the lack of official recognition of the importance of natural forests.
Corruption and the environment
Many environmental problems in Armenia are closely linked to corruption, especially in forestry and mining. For example, environmental restrictions are not enforced in most mining operations; in the period from 2001 to 2007, the then-Minister of Nature Protection issued several mining licenses to relatives.
It is widely believed that cases of corruption related to businesses sponsored by high level Government officials are abundant. Certainly Government actions have not been able to stop the destruction and degradation of the forests due to illegal logging. Also, many forest areas have been improperly reclassified and allocated to private individuals. In 2007, for example, the Government changed the status of the central part of the Khosrov Reserve to allow private construction and agricultural activities; it made this decision without consulting experts in the field.
The Teghut mountains: a case study in unsustainable exploitation
The Government is pursuing an extraction-led development model, as evidenced by its willingness to allow massive investment in mining. The Armenian Copper Program (ACP), for example, has been granted a 24-year license to extract copper and molybdenum ore from the Teghut Mountains. ACP is developing an open-pit mine with a surface area of 240 ha, all of which is forested land.
The village of Teghut, located in the Lori Region in the northeast has 3,600 residents, many of whom rely on subsistence agriculture. The surrounding forest is home to many rare and endangered plants and animals; species found there include 260 insects, 86 birds, 55 mammals and 10 reptiles.
ACP has already built numerous forest access roads for exploratory drilling sites, indiscriminately ravaging several areas. Ultimately, according to ACP, the project will require 670 ha, of which 510 ha are currently forested. 
ACP has declared that it will compensate for the damage by planting trees in Yerevan, but this plan is inadequate and unrealistic. New trees cannot replace established forest habitats; mature trees may not survive a move.
The mining operations will produce waste rock and tailings, which may contain silver, gold, rhenium, lead, arsenic, copper, molybdenum, zinc and sulfurous chemicals. In the inefficient extraction process that will be used, valuable metals such as renium will be lost; much worse, it will leave tailings that will pollute both local water and the air. If leakage occurs, toxic chemicals could get into the nearby Kharatanots River, already polluted by the copper tailing dump in the village of Aghtala, and where numerous downstream communities get their drinking water.
The deleterious environmental impact of the mine will hardly be offset by economic benefits. The project’s economists estimate that it contains ore worth more than 20 billion USD, of which the country will receive only 1.2-1.7% in taxes and fees and suffer severe, long term environmental problems costing USD 6.5 million. So far, there is no independent economic analysis of the potential environmental damage. 
As currently planned, construction of the ore processing plant and exploitation of the copper-molybdenum mine will breach 77 laws, as well as a range of international conventions signed and ratified by the Republic of Armenia, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Convention on Biodiversity, the UN Convention on Combating Desertification and the European Landscape Convention. However, the Government has designated the Teghut mining operation a high priority for its contribution to “economic development,” reflecting its short-term perspective, as well as its corrupt practices. It also reveals its lack of expertise, respect for the law, care for the environment and interest in pursuing a long-term sustainable development model.
Conclusions
The rapid growth of some sectors of the economy, along with the lack of appropriate government management, have created serious environmental problems and challenges. To promote sustainability, the country must make environmental protection a priority.
Armenia has ratified many international conventions on issues such as biodiversity, climate change and desertification. These commitments, as well as the voice of civil society, have been largely ignored. Improving environmental governance will require effective implementation and enforcement of existing environmental laws, as well as greater transparency and public participation in policy-making. This, in turn, will require a concerted effort to increase popular awareness of environmental issues.

Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade Hydropower System

Armenia imports about 60% of its primary energy needs, mainly natural gas, and suffers from obsolete power generation infrastructure. Hydropower stations, which provide about 1/3 of the electricity in Armenia, are the only source of domestic renewable energy resources. However, the large hydro-power plants do not meet international technical, economic, or environmental performance standards. Despite its favorable topography and hydrology, Armenia suffers from underinvestment in hydro-power generation capacity. The government has launched an initiative to promote private sector investment in the country's energy infrastructure, including hydro-power. As a result, numerous small hydro power plans have been built during recent years.

The Sevan-Hrazdan Hydro Power Plant (HPP) Cascade is the largest hydro-power generating facility in Armenia and supplies about 10% of the country’s electricity. The system was built between 1930 and 1962 and has a significant role in supporting the balance of the electric grid, and also provides more affordable energy than thermal power plants. The system consists of seven small to medium size run-of-the-river hydro-power stations located along Hrazadan River and its tributaries between the Lake Sevan and Yerevan. The Cascade is approximately 70 km long and the seven power generation plants are: Sevan, Hrazdan, Argel, Arzni, Kanaker, Yerevan-1, and Yerevan-3. Total installed capacity of the Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade is 560 megawatts (MW) and mean annual output is around 500 million kilowatt hours (kWt/h). Table presents sizes of these seven stations.

Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade Hydro-power System

Power Plant	Year of Commissioning	No. of Units	Original Installed Capacity (MW)	Available Capacity (MW)	Unavailable Capacity (MW)
Argel	1953	4	224.0	168.0	56.0
Arzni	1956	3	70.6	70.6	0.0
Hrazdan	1959	2	81.6	81.6	0.0
Kanaker	1936	6	100.0	87.5	12.5
Sevan	1949	2	34.2	24.0	10.2
Yerevan 1	1962	2	44.0	22.0	22.0
Yerevan 3	1960	1	5.0	5.0	0.0
Total		20	559.4	458.7	100.7

 Five stations are operational year-round and the remaining two stations work only during the irrigation season when additional water from Lake Sevan is released into the system. In order to maintain and control water level in the Sevan, the amount of water supply from the lake each year is based on water availability in the lake and irrigation requirement as determined by the government. Because agriculture is a priority sector in the country and water availability from the Lake Sevan is limited, the operation of the cascade is completely dependent on the country’s strategy for irrigation. Usually 150 million cubic meters of water is annually released from Lake Sevan.

The Sevan-Hrazdan HPP Cascade comprises of open diversion canals and tunnels which transports water from the Lake Sevan to the HPPs. Most of the canals were built in the middle of the last century and they are in very poor condition and require major rehabilitation. Another major issue is illegal connections to the canals.

International Energy Corporation (IEC) owns and operates the Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade Hydro-power System. IEC was incorporated in the Republic of Armenia in May 2003. IEC took ownership of the system in July of 2003 and obtained a license for generation of electric power in September of 2003. The initial owner of IEC was Inter RAO Company, a Russian state-owned company. In 2010, Hydro-invest (a subsidiary of RusHydro) acquired Inter RAO's ownership in IEC and currently RusHydro (through HydroInvest) holds the majority of the shares (90%) and controls IEC. In 2003 the Government of Armenia gave Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade to Inter RAO Company for $25 million as partial payment toward $40 million debt that Armenia had to Russia from importing fuel for generating nuclear energy.

RusHydro, was incorporated in 2004 in the Russia as part of the state program for power sector reform and creating a competitive industry. RusHydro is 67% state owned and its remaining shares are publicly traded on the Moscow and London stock exchanges. RusHydro is the Russia’s largest hydro-power generation company and the leader in renewable energy using water currents, sea tides, wind, and geothermal energy. The company owns 61 hydro power generation facilities with 35 gigawatt (GW) of electricity generating capacity.

Rehabilitation Project

The system requires significant rehabilitation to extend its working life and reduce the risk of major

failures. Aside from the rehabilitation of the hydro-power plants, some of the channels and tunnels also need to be reconstructed to eliminate leaks and loss of water. IEC has committed to undertake the rehabilitation of the Cascade. The estimated investment required for the complete rehabilitation is approximately $66 million. IEC will be financing this investment through both internal sources ($16 million) and external debt financing ($50 million). Asian Development Bank (ADB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have agreed to provide $25 million loan maturing in 2029 to IEC for the rehabilitation of the seven hydro-power plants of the Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade. Both ADB and EBRD have been financing different projects in Armenia since the country’s independence. As of early 2013, EBRD has invested over $850 million in Armenia. Investing in green energy generation is one of the EBRD’s key priorities in Armenia. The planned rehabilitation will be completed in 2017. The project aims to restore the capacity of the hydro-power plants by 44.7 MW, improve their reliability and safety, as well as reduce operational and maintenance expenses. The following are the major components of this rehabilitation project:

·         The project will restore part of the currently unavailable old power generation capacity, and make it available for generating additional electricity.

·         The project will enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and safety of the system and help avoid major outage and associated impacts on the populace.

·         The project will contribute to more efficient use of water resources by reducing water leakage from the system.

After repair of the diversion channels, it is estimated that water leakage will decrease by 50 million to 85 million cubic meters annually. This amount of water can generate additional of 18 to 30 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity and used for irrigation. The rehabilitation of the hydro-power plants will raise the technical standards in line with best international practices and restore the lost capacity while avoiding further deterioration. This will ensure the continued stability and security of the country’s domestic electricity supply while improving overall generation efficiency and carbon emissions.

The main environmental impacts and risks from the system operations and proposed rehabilitation are related to reservoir management; management of oils and lubricants for turbines, transformers, and support infrastructure; management of lead/acid batteries, material, and waste management; as well as occupational and community health, safety and security. Some environmental impacts are expected from the proposed dredging of Yerevan-1 dam mainly on the biological environment downstream from Yerevan-1 dam due to increased turbidity. The negative socio-economic impacts are mostly related to construction works and transportation of equipment and materials including air emissions and noise, which are expected to be localized and short term. All work items are planned within the existing footprint and the planned rehabilitation does not consider expansion of the existing facilities or installation of new facilities.

Environmental issues in Armenia

Armenia’s environment became severely polluted during the Soviet period. The Soviet government pushed heavy industry development to a massive scale, throughout the Soviet Union. The government ignored the environmental harm caused by these industries for too long, but in the 1980s liberalizing political reforms in the USSR resulted in the formation of environmental groups, which began to express concerns about the state of the environment.
Due to the pressure of these groups, several factories in Armenia that were sources of severe pollution were closed, starting from 1989. One of these, a rubber and chemical plant in Nairit, reopened in 1992. as Armenia needed the income generated by exporting the plant’s products. Although national environmental laws have been put into effect in Armenia since it became independent, no comprehensive environmental protection program has emerged, and environmental initiatives are typically addressed to an ad hoc basis.
In an attempt to offset a six-year-old energy crisis caused by blockades by Azerbaijan and Turkey, the Armenian government in mid-1995 reactivated a nuclear power plant at Metsamor, close since 1988. after the catastrophic earthquake in northern Armenia. Environmental groups opposed reopening of the plant, since it poses an environmental threat. Although it is in an earthquake-prone area, it was not built to withstand earthquakes. Portions of Armenia also were rapidly deforested during the winters of 1992, 1993, and 1994, as trees were often the only available source of fuel.
Armenian government claims they are ready to shut the plant down, as soon as they get able to replace its energy production with alternative energy sources. Soil intoxication is yet another problem and a result of reckless use of pesticides, in order to increase the yield. Usage of DDT has poisoned both soil and the rivers.
The country is almost entirely dependant on importing energy. The only domestic energy resource in use is hydropower, providing about 30% of energy demands, and the single nuclear power plant. All the natural gas for now comes from Russia, and existing inaccurate estimate of coal reserves is basis for opening a state owned coalmine.
Renewable energy sources are scarce except for the water and the wind, which might represent significant resources for the future. From 2001, 7.6% of the land in Armenia has obtained the status of protected areas.In further attempts to protect biodiversity, 10 fauna species have received a status of endangered species, from 2001 onwards.
Climate change:
Caucasus region already suffers serious consequences of climate changes on biodiversity and deposition of ice and snow, but climate would also have a significant effect on climate-dependent economy. One of most obvious effect on nature will be landscape zones shift towards higher altitudes, such as desert and semi-desert area which will expand for 33%, while sub-alpine and alpine zone will be reduced up to 22%. It is expected reduction of river flow, precipitation in continental regions and of agriculture yield, and increase of draught rate, precipitation in Sevana lake area, as well as expander of habitats of natural carriers of malaria and plague.
Armenia, bordering Georgia and Azerbajan, is sharing some of the same ecosystems and biodiversity of the Caucasus region, which is one of the riches areas in diversity, in Europe. However, species extinction within the region is reaching alarming rate. Therefore, the country will face same consequences of Caucasus range ice sheet melting, water reserves and biodiversity loss as two other neighboring countries.