Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate

E-NEWSLETTER H - J:RJIK
AArmenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland
FFr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate
226 February 2011, Issue 8, Vol 2
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GB AND IRELAND
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REMEMBERING A MARTYRED SAINT & HONORING TWO LIVING! Last weekend, 19-20 February, Armenians around the world celebrated the feast of St. Sarkis, a very popular one among the Armenians. All over the world Armenians on this saint‘s feast would travel to the nearest Armenian Church carrying the name Sarkis for Badarak, Holy Communion, remembrance and the traditional blessing of Harissah! In London, Armenians did not need to travel far to celebrate Soorp Sarkis! A journey to Kensington was sufficient. Indeed, Armenians and non-Armenians from all over the world gathered in St. Sarkis Church, Kensington, on the eve of the Feast, Saturday, 19th February, for a special Vigil. The Board of Trustees and the Parish Council of St. Sarkis, under the chairmanship of Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, have designated ―Peace‖ as the theme of the ecumenical vigil. By 7:00pm the church was packed with the faithful. Attending the Vigil were hierarchs and dignitaries including The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain His Eminence Gregorios, the Metropolitan of Glastonbury of the British Orthodox Church His Eminence Abba Seraphim, and the Canon of the St. David‘s Cathedral of the Church of Wales the Very Revd Dr. Thomas Patrick. Representing Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh, Moscow Patriarchate, was Archpriest Vadim Zakrevsky. Other clergy representing the Anglican and Catholic Churches in London were also present. Attending the Vigil and the following reception was the Mayor of Kensington, Cllr James Husband and his wife as well. Presiding at the Vigil and the ceremonies was the Very Revd. Dr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate.
A special vigil of peace service was prepared for this occasion in Armenian and English, according to the Armenian Church traditions, to make it possible for the guests to participate in the service. At the conclusion of the Vigils, the Primate offered a brief reflection focusing on the testimony of the martyred saint. ―By celebrating his feast,‖ emphasized Fr. Vahan, ―the Armenian Church honours his memory calling upon the faithful today to emulate the saint in making Christ and His gospel the most important priority in our life, striving to understand His gospel and to make it our way of life.‖ Fr. Vahan then added, ―In our daily life we come across many ̳St. Sarkis‘ figures who have become examples of consecrating one‘s life to promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ by serving His church and people. Among them, I am happy to recognize a long-time benefactor of the St. Sarkis Church and the Armenian people worldwide and a member of the Board of the Trustees, Mr. John Kurkjian. I am also happy to recognize a devout and committed member of the Board of Trustee, Revd Deacon Stepan Ovanessoff.‖ Fr. Vahan then invited Dr. Tchilingirian to introduce the honourees. Dr. Tchilingirian offered a brief resume of the life-long services of the two honourees and highlighted a few of their many contributions to the St. Sarkis Board. At the conclusion of his comments, Dr. Tchilinigirian invited Mr. Kurkjian and Deacon Ovanessoff to receive a plaque from the Primate especially prepared by the Board of Trustees in recognition of their many years of service and dedication to the Armenian Church. The Vigil was followed by a reception at the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall, attended by the Mayor and Mayoress, the dignitaries, honourees and their families, as well as the faithful. However, this was not the end of the St. Sarkis weekend celebration!
The following day, Sunday, the church was packed once again, this time to celebrate Badarak. The Celebrant of the day was the Primate, who at the end of the distribution of the Holy Communion and his sermon, invited the pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Revd Shnork Baghdassarian and Revd Fr. Garegin Jambartsumyan to read two Encyclicals of Blessings issued by Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, recognizing the many years of dedicated service to the Armenian Church of the two honourees. Following the services, the Primate led the people in a procession to the churchyard where the Board of Trustees had arranged for three big caldrons of Harisseh, prepared by Jackobs Restaurant. At the conclusion of the procession, the Primate accompanied by Very Revd Bisak Hatamian, Fr. Garegin Hambartsumyan and Fr. Shnork Baghdassarian, blessed the harisseh. Following the blessing, the over 250 faithful gathered in the churchyard approached the three caldrons and were served of the blessed herisseh by members of the Board of the Trustees of the St. Sarkis Church, and by Tanya from Jakobs Restaurant as well as the clergy—whose portion of the harisseh seemed to have been the most popular one!
Thank you to the Board of the Directors of the St. Sarkis Church and to the membrs of the Parish Council for such an unforgettable weekend, celebrating the feast of the patron saint of our 84-year old church in Kensington! (PTP for photos of the event.)
A Glance at the Celebration of the Feast of St. Sarkis 19-20 February 2011
TThe Mayor of Kensington
The two honorees with the Primate, their wives, Chairman of the St. Sarkis Board & Board members
Crowd of faithful following procession
... more crowd
Preparing for the blessing
...and more faithful
Reflections
Blessing the harisseh
Some of the dignitaries and hierarchs
RESERVE YOU PLACE ON AN EXCITING PILGRIMAGE TO ST. DAVID’S The Primate’s Office is happy to announce the coordination of a trip to Cardiff, Wales on Friday, 29th April, for those interested to participate in the pilgrimage planned by the Mission Parish Council (MPC) of the Armenian Church in Cardiff, Wales, to the historic, 6th-century, St. David‘s Cathedral in Pembrokshire, Wales. The pilgrimage is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, 29-30 April. There will be a celebration of Badarak and Hokehankist for the souls of the martyrs of the 1915 Genocide. Present at the services will be the Archbishop of Wales as well as the Dean of the Cathedral.
The Primate‘s Office has arranged a package for £120.00 which covers the following: Friday afternoon, 29th April - Departure to Cardiff by train Friday evening – lodging in Ibis Hotel in Cardiff Friday evening – Dinner and a programme courtesy of the Cardiff MPC
Saturday early morning, 30th April, joining pilgrims from all over the UL for a continental breakfast Saturday morning - departure on a coach to St. David‘s Saturday, 11:30am – celebrating Badarak and hokehangist for the martyrs at the historic St. David‘s Cathedral Saturday afternoon – Visiting the historic cathedral and its library with a special exhibition of Armenian documents Saturday afternoon – return to Cardiff by coach Saturday evening – return to London by train
To reserve your place in the pilgrimage, the Primate’s Office must receive your cheque for the amount of £120 the latest by 1st April, 2011. Space is very limited. First come, first served. For further information please contact the Primate’s Office at 0208 127 8364, or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.
ST. YEGHICHE LADIES’ COMMITTEE BRUNCH @ NAVASARTIAN The Very Revd Dr Vahan Hovhnaessian, Primate, was the guest of a brunch prepared by the Ladies‘ Committee of the St. Yeghiche Church last Wednesday, 23 February, 2011. The newly renovated Navasartian Hall, which looks charming since its renovation, was beautifully adorned with the table of delicious appetizers in the centre of the hall. The Primate started the gathering with a few words of appreciation followed by a prayer of blessing. The guests were first treated to a variety of delicious appetizers. Then the main meal was served which was a combination of delicious Armenian
cuisine items. Mrs. Zabel Malas, chairman of the Ladies‘ Committee, welcomed all and thanked the Primate for his visit and participation. Those present were treated not only to a great variety of delicious Armenian appetizers and food, but also enjoyed a very
joyful and uplifting fellowship. Guests walked from table to table to greet one another and enquire about each other. A few of the people present were so inspired by the fellowship that they decided to share a few jokes with the public! Before his departure, the Primate thanked Mrs. Malas for her great work in leading the Ladies Committee for many years and for being passionately committed to serving her people and church. Fr. Vahan extended his thanks and gratitude also to all the members of the committee and the ladies who contributed to the preparation and serving of the brunch. The St. Yeghiche Ladies’ Committee prepares such brunches every often as great opportunities for fellowship among Armenians and as means for raising funds.
God bless you ladies!
PROMOTING NEWS OF CHARITIES BENEFITTING ARMENIA AND ARMENIANS IN THE UK
As our readers know, the main objective of publishing the E-Newsletter is to inform our people about the activities and events within the Armenian Church in UK and Ireland and to educate our people in the faith and tradition of our forefathers and the Armenian Church. During the past year of our publication, the small and volunteer-based editorial committee has been approached by many people, individuals and organizations, suggesting that the E-Newsletter promotes their activities. The policy of the Primate’s Office has been to focus on the Armenian Church activities and mission. However, in order to help other charities and organizations reach to as many Armenians as possible, we are happy to announce that the Primate’s Office is happy to promote one charitable event per issue. However, the event being promoted must be serving a purpose that supports and helps the Armenian people and the Armenian cause. If you want us promote a charity or a charitable event you know about, please contact the Primate’s Office at: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. Kindly note that the Primate’s Office does not get engaged in preparing or editing press releases, nor does it have the human resources or funds to do so. The person or charity is responsible for preparing a one paragraph-long announcement with a picture to be included in the E-Newsletter. No events related to personal performances or exhibits will be promoted, unless they are to support an Armenian cause or charity. The Primate’s Office reserves the rights of deciding the date of publishing or of rejecting of any of the announcements.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS
(According to the Armenian Church Lectionary)
Monday 28/2
Zechariah 8:1-3 Romans 8:28-39 John 15:17-21.
Tuesday 1/3
Wisdom 5:16-23 Isaiah 35:1-2 Isaiah 61:6-7 1 Peter 1:3-9 Luke 12:4-10
Wednesday 2/3
Titus 1:12-2:10 John 8:12-20
Thursday 3/3
Wisdom: 3:1-8 Isaiah 49:8-9 Hebrews 12:1-7 Luke 6:20-26
Friday 4/3
Titus 3:1-15 John 8:21-30
Saturday 5/3
Ezekiel 3:16-19 2 Corinthians 6:1-14 Matthew 12:22-32.
Sunday 6/3
Poon Parégéntan (Boon Barékéndan) Beginning of Great Lent
Isaiah 58:1-14. Romans 13:11- 14:25. Matthew 10:16-22.
Let Us Promote Our Own Armenian Traditions
What would you do if you were ―attending‖ Badarak (Patarag) and the priest celebrating Badarak (i.e. the celebrant) comes down from the altar and going around the congregation starts approaching you extending his arm with a small hand-cross toward you?
1. 2. 3. 4.
Pretend that I am praying and close my eyes. Talk to my friend or parents, and let him pass by. Totally ignore him, as if he is not there. Panic, and never come back to the church!!!
Of course the correct answer is none of the above. Our Badarak, being a public and community service of worshiping God, is full of beautiful & ancient Armenian expressions. These expressions, from centuries of Armenian ethos and pathos, were inserted to help the faithful participate in the liturgy. However, if the participant in the Armenian Church liturgy is disconnected from the tradition that gave birth to these expressions or from the meaning of these expressions, the latter become obstacles and possibly even deterring factors that may keep the person away from active participation in our beautiful Badarak. One of the many instances of such Armenian practices and expressions inserted in the liturgy is when the celebrant comes down from the altar to go around the congregation during the procession, which happens at the beginning of the Badarak. According to the Armenian Church traditions, when the celebrant gets closer to the faithful worshipper, he or she makes the sign of the cross bowing her or his head down, so the celebrant may bless him/her with the hand-cross that he carries during the procession. Traditionally the faithful says Hishés-cheer yév zees, ―remember me,‖ and some add: arachi anmah Karinn Asdoodzo ―before the immortal Lamb of God.‖ The celebrant responds saying, ―You shall be remembered in the presence of the Lamb of God.‖ So, join us this Sunday, and practice this part proudly!
Armenian Church requires that all participants in the Badarak who want to THE DEACONS’ TRAINING PROGRAMME:
receive Holy Communion, be fasting until they consume the Holy Communion.
The Primate’s Office is happy to announce that the Primate will be resuming the This is a pious Church tradition established by the Apostles and the early Church
training/discussion sessions for those interested to learn and participate in our fathers, which the Armenian Church preserves until today. Some Christian
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introduced into the Armenian Church. Having said that, obviously, health or age Armenian liturgy and are will to devote two hours a Sunday for the service of the
requirements sometimes necessitate eating or drinking something in the Lord. If you are interested to join the Deacons’ Training Programme, please join us
morning. In such cases the faithful should feel free to do so. However, remember, this Wednesday, 2nd March at 6:30pm in St. Sarkis Church. For further
fasting is a spiritually important practice which Armenians observed for centuries. information please contact he Primate’s Office at 020 8127 8364.
Let us teach our children these beautiful traditions of our forefathers.
INTENSIVE SUMMER COURSE OF ARMENIAN LANGUAGE: The Primate‘s Office has been informed that the Department of Asian and Mediterranean Studies of the University of Venice in collaboration with the Cultural Association ―Padus- Araxes‖ will be offering its popular summer course of Armenian Language, to take place 1-18 August. Tuition fee € 700. Deadline for registration is 31st March. For information please fax +39 041 241 4448, or e-mail: Daniela@padus-araxes.com. You can learn more about the language course by visiting the following website: http://padus-araxes.com/summercourse/index.htm
BIBLE STUDY SESSIONS: The Bible Study groups continue meeting during the week according to the following schedule: The study group in Armenian meets on Tuesdays at 7:00pm, while the study group in English meeting on Wednesdays at 7:30pm. Both groups meet in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall. These sessions are perfect opportunities for people who have not yet read the Bible. You do not have to be a theologian, a regular church-goer or even a believer to join our Bible Study. You don‘t even need to own a Bible. We will provide you with a copy. All, including Stephen Hawking, are welcome.
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
The Primate’s Office: 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG, UK Website: Armenianchurch.co.uk • E-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk Phone: 020 8127 8364 • Fax: 087 2111 5548