Revd Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate

E-NEWSLETTER
HH - J:RJIK
AArmenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland
VV. Revd Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate
55 March 2011, Issue 9, Vol 2
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GB AND IRELAND
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POON PARÉGÉNTAN: ENTERING THE SEASON OF RENEWAL Nature all around us is already hinting to its readiness to shift gears to the beautiful season of Spring! Pure and bright green-coloured leaves on trees and plants around us are heralding the news of the arrival of the season of renewal. However, for us Armenian Christians, this is also the season of spiritual renewal. According to the Armenian Church calendar, this Sunday, 6th March, is Poon Parégéntan (Boon Barékéndan): the Sunday that precedes the season of Great Lent (Medz Bahk). Parégéntan is a Classical Armenian (grabar) word meaning ―good living.‖ It is supposed to remind us of God‘s purpose for creating us: to live a happy and good life eternally. In our liturgy, the word Parégéntan is used as a title for the Sundays preceding fasting periods in the Church calendar. The word poon, on the other hand, means ―the essential‖ or ―the actual.‖ Poon Parégéntan, therefore, means the Parégéntan before the main fasting season. The Armenian Church has several seasons, based on different biblical themes, such as Advent, Nativity, Eastertide, etc. ―Great Lent‖ is one of these annual seasons that is designated by the universal church as a period of spiritual reflection and self examination. The six weeks of Great Lent, followed by the Holy Week, is an opportunity for every Armenian to focus on her or his spiritual journey. It is the season to spend more time contemplating our faith, the Church, baptism, salvation, sin, death and life after death, and our journey on this earth as followers of Christ (Christ-ians) and as sons and daughters of a nation that has fought battles (e.g. Avarayr) and sacrificed millions of her sons and daughters for the sake of the Christian faith. Lent is also the season of self- examination. It is time to reflect on questions such as: Are we truly living a life of a Christian who is called to imitate Christ? Does our lifestyle truly bring honour to the memory of the millions of Armenians martyred for our faith? In order to help us truly experience and benefit from this season the church does two things: Firstly, it invites us to a period of fasting. During this period we are invited to give up certain pleasures and lavish dietary lifestyles. Traditionally, Armenians do not have weddings and baptisms during this season and abstain from any social celebrations such as parties, banquets and dances. Armenians also impose on themselves a dietary discipline whereby they abstain from animal and dairy products. Practically speaking, it is a season to become 100% vegetarian. It is amazing how only in recent years did the secular world start focusing on the importance of vegetarian diet, when Armenians two thousand years ago knew the importance of such a discipline. Secondly, the Church offers several church services to help us immerse in the Armenian Church spirituality and prayer life. Here in the UK, we will be offering the Sunrise service on Sundays, and the Peace and Rest services on Friday evenings. The Church also draws the curtain close during the Badarak signifying the separation between the faithful and Holy Communion. This is a self-imposed practice to remind us of the consequence of sin: separation and alienation from God. Consequently, Holy Communion is not distributed during the Sundays of Lent. Furthermore, to help us walk through this blessed season the Church has designated themes for every Sunday during Lent. Each one of these themes is based on a biblical event or parable and has to do with our sinfulness, God‘s love for us, His redemptive plan and our salvation. For now, please think about creating and designing your own Lenten experience. Your ingredients are: prayer, reading the Bible, fasting and deeds of charity. If you never opened the Bible, why not make a commitment to join one of our Bible Study groups on weekly basis during Lent? If you cannot come to Kensington, then read one of the books of the Bible on your own, in the privacy and comfort of your house, with your family members. May we suggest you start with the Gospel of Mark. Also, decide on a dietary discipline. Give up something for the Lenten experience, either as extreme as the Armenian tradition abstaining from everything dairy and all animal products, or a partial version of it. Also, you can apply this dietary discipline for the entire Lenten experience (7 weeks), or partially, i.e. the first and the last weeks of Lent, or the Wednesdays and Fridays. Feel free to contact the Primate’s Office if you have any questions or suggestions regarding Great Lent. And ―Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things‖ (Philippians 4:8-9).
AREV CHILDREN PLAY GROUP: ST. SARKIS PASTORAL COUNCIL SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMME Fun, laughter and storytelling are regular features of the AREV Children's Play Group. Organised under the auspices of St. Sarkis Church Pastoral Council, AREV has
been meeting once a month since its inauguration in June 2010. Last Sunday, storytelling focused on Pushkin's "The Golden Fish", a story about greed and being thankful for what one has, and Mgneri Zhoghoveh ―The Meeting of the Mice‖, underlying the fact that deeds are more important than just words. "We thank all the parents, the grandparents and especially the children for their participation and support, and most of all, for their enthusiasm in our AREV sessions," said Shakeh Major Tchilingirian, who runs the programme. The next AREV Play Group sessions will take place on the following Sundays: 27th March; 17th April; 29th May; and 26th June. The sessions start at 11:00 am in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall and last 50 minutes, followed by a short break for refreshments prior to joining the Congregation for family worship in St. Sarkis Church. For more information send an email to: iShakeh@gmail.com or text/call 07968 446 223. "We are very much looking forward to more fun, laughter and storytelling with children who have been coming regularly, as well as new friends who are joining the group at each new session," said the programme director. Thank you Shakeh for a well done ministry to our children!
Shakeh Major Tchilingirian, AREV coordinator
REVD BAGHDASARIAN REPRESENTS THE ARMENIAN CHURCH @ THE GEORGIAN DIOCESE:
His Holiness Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia visited London to consecrate a new Cathedral for the newly formed Georgian Orthodox Diocese in the UK. The Diocese was established last year by the order of Patriarch Ilia II. The new Cathedral of the Nativity of our Lord was consecrated in North London on Sunday, February 6th. The same evening the Georgian Orthodox community held a reception at the Dorchester Hotel in London, to which a number of ecumenical guests were invited. On behalf of the Primate, the Very Revd. Vahan Hovhanessian, the Armenian Church was represented by Father Shnork Bagdassarian, pastor of St Sarkis Church. At the reception, Father Shnork congratulated His Beatitude Catholicos Ilia II and the Diocesan Bishop Zenon of Dmanisi, conveying them the good wishes of the Primate and of the Armenian Church.
JOIN US AS WE RE-LIVE THE PILGRIMAGE - 2011 REUNION: The Primate’s Office is happy to confirm Wednesday, 30th March, at 7:00pm as the day of the ―Pilgrimage Reunion.‖ All pilgrims who joined the Primate in the first pilgrimage of the Armenian Church of the UK and Ireland to the Holy Land are cordially invited, with their family members and friends, to a wine-reception at the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall. The evening will include a slide presentation and a video documentary revisiting the highlights of the pilgrimage. The Primate will be present to lead a discussion of the pilgrimage and its importance as well as hearing suggestions for planning future pilgrimages. But that is not all. There are several surprises awaiting the pilgrims who will be joining us at the reunion. Meanwhile, if you were a pilgrim and would like to suggest an idea for the reunion please contact the Primate‘s Office at: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. WHAT??? You were not a pilgrim? That‘s alright! You can still join us at the reception and enjoy the programme and the discussion led by the Primate. Please be there at 7:00pm sharp, and bring a friend. For further information please contact the Primate‘s Office at 020 8127 8364 or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. Admission free and all are welcome!
INTENSIVE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE SUMMER COURSE FOR OUR YOUTH:
The Primate’s Office is happy to announce, and encourage our youth to participate in an exciting language course offered by the Department of Asian and Mediterranean Studies of the University of Ca’ Foscari in Venice in collaboration with the Cultural Association ―Padus-Araxes.‖ This is the popular summer course of Armenian Language, to take place 1-18 August in Venice, Italy. The programme is a university level course accredited by the University in Venice. Based on the applicant‘s knowledge of the Armenian language or the lack of it, he or she will be placed on one of the four levels of the course from absolute beginners to advanced. Lessons take place from Monday to Friday in the morning. The programme includes various cultural initiatives which accompany the course, including free of charge Armenian dance instruction, which will be offered in the afternoons, to those interested. Tuition fee £600. The deadline for registration is 31st March. Lodging is offered to the participants at a Student Home (dormitory) in the historic Centre of Venice. Accommodation fee for the whole period from 30th July through 20th August is: £700 for a single room, £520 for a double room. Within this period lunch or dinner at the University canteen will cost 8€ to be paid on site. 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.
GREAT LENT TALKS BY REV NERSES AVG. KHN. NERSESSIAN St Yeghiche Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church,
Cranley Gardens, London SW7
6th March to 3rd April, 2011
These informal talks will take the place of the sermons and will be delivered at the completion of the Divine Liturgy. Those among the congregation who do not wish to participate are not obliged to do so.
―A story or a practice, or a formulation of faith becomes part of a tradition because of its initial intrinsic value, and then, because it has become an element in a tradition, it acquires further authority and significance‖.
1st Sunday of Lent : Boun Barekendan (Primal Convivium) The Divine Liturgy will also be in Remembrance of the Ghevondeants and Vardanants Zoravaratsn
2nd Sunday of Lent: Expulsion Sunday
Commentary on three ̳Hard Sayings of Jesus‘ from the Gospels. These are three of several ̳Sayings‘ selected by members of the congregation.
ա.« Ամէն, ամէն ասեմ ձեզ. Եթէ ոչ հատն ցորենոյ անկեալ յերկիր մեռանիցի, ինքն միայն կայ. ապա եթէ մեռանիցի, բազում արդիւնս առնէ»( Յով.ԺԲ։ 24)
բ. «Եւ ոչ ոք ել յերկինս, եթէ ոչ որ էջն յերկնից՝ զի այնպէս սիրեաց Աստուած զաշխարհ ,մինչեւ զՈրդին իւր միածին ետ, զի ամենայն, որ հաւատայ ի նա մի կորիցէ»(Յով.Գ։ 13)
գ «.Հուր եկի արկանել յերկիր. եւ զինչ կամիմ՝ թէ արդեն իսկ բորբոքէր» ( Ղուկաս ԺԲ։ 49)
3rd Sunday of Lent : The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Drama during the Holy Week. A glance at the rites of the Armenian Church from Palm Sunday to Saturday. Illustrated by miniatures from Armenian manuscripts.
4th Sunday of Lent: The Parable of the Steward
―Mystery profound, unapproachable, without beginning‖. How does the believer benefit from the liturgy. Commentary on the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church with the aid of slides.
5th Sunday of Lent :The Parable of the Unjust Judge
Religious movements in the Armenian Church from the 5th century to the 17th century. A brief outline.
6th Sunday of Lent : The Coming of the Lord
The Bible in the Armenian Tradition. The principal events of the Gospel story as illustrated in medieval Armenian art, worship and piety
Sunday 17th April: Palm Sunday (Dsaghkazard).
For further information about this talk-series, please contact Mrs. Tamara Stephan, Chairman of the St.Yeghiche Church Committee At: tamara.stephan@ntlworld.com
Revd Dr Vrej Nersessian
A senior priest in the Armenian Church, who is a scholar and the curator of the Christian Middle East collections in the British Library and has authored several books including The Bible in Armenian Tradition.
SCHEDULE OF LENTEN WEEKLY CHURCH SERVICES
In an effort to help her faithful enjoy and benefit from the holy season of Great Lent, the Armenian Church throughout the centuries has developed beautiful hymns and inspiring Church services which are offered during the weeks of Great Lent. In London we will be offering these services according to the following schedule:
Sundays: 10:30 – 11:00 Sunrise Service (Ar;uagal) 11:00 – 12:00 Closed curtain Badarak/Patarag (Patarag) – No public distribution of Holy Communion 12:00 – Hokehankisd (Hogehangist) by request
Fridays: 6:30 - 7:30pm Lenten Vigils (>a[a[akan ;u Fangst;an vamq)
Please Note: The location of the weekly Friday evening Lenten Vigils will alternate between St. Sarkis and St. Yeghiche churches in London, according to the following schedule:
11 March: St. Sarkis 18 March: St. Yeghiche 25 March: St. Sarkis
1 April: St. Yeghiche 8 April: St. Sarkis 15 April: St. Yeghiche
THE BATTLE OF AVARAYR - VARTANANTS According to the Armenian Church calendar the Tuesday preceding Poon Parégéntan and the first week of Great Lent is designated to commemorate the martyrdom of the senior priest Ghevond and his companions, the Armenian clergy who were martyred in defense of Christianity, against the imposition of Zoroastrianism on the Armenians by the Persian Empire. Two days later, on the Thursday preceding Poon Parégéntan the Armenian Church commemorates the great Battle of Avarayr, and the heroic martyrdom of the great General Vartan Mamigonian in defense of Christianity in Armenia. According to historians this is the first war in the history of the world fought in defense of Christianity. The battle of Avarayr, 451 AD, was a decisive battle in the sense that it was a powerful expression of the Armenians confirming Christianity as an essential element in their national identity. Just a few hours before his martyrdom, General Vartan Mamigonian (Vardan Mamikonyan) is quoted saying: ―We confess the Holy Bible as our Father and the Armenian Apostolic Church as our Mother". In other words, for the martyred general and for the hundreds of thousands who fought under him, the faith and moral values of the Armenian Church had already become the source— father and mother—of the Armenian people that gives birth to the true Armenian identity. It is not just a coincidence therefore, that Armenians commemorate the martyrdom of General Vartan a few days before the beginning of Great Lent, a period of spiritual self-examination and renewal, as a reminder of the importance of understanding and defending our faith as lived and taught by the Armenian Church. In the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on Thursday 3rd March, on the day of the remembrance of Avarayr, a special Badarak was offered in the mother cathedral with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presiding. Accompanying His Holiness was His Grace Bishop Nathan Hovhannisyan. Meanwhile, here in London, this Sunday, 6th March, a special Badarak will be offered by the Revd Dr. Nerses Nersessian at St. Yeghiche Church, where students from the Armenian Saturday and Sunday schools will be in attendance. May the memory of the martyrs be eternally blessed. Amen
PROMOTING NEWS OF CHARITIES BENEFITTING ARMENIA AND ARMENIANS IN THE UK
The Primate‘s Office is thrilled that since our announcement in the E-Newsletter last Friday, already several charities have contacted us to promote their benevolent events in the E-Newsletter. As mentioned last week, while the main objective of publishing the E-Newsletter is to inform our people about the activities and events within the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland and to educate our people in the faith and tradition of our church, the E-Newsletter editorial committee has been approached by many individuals and organizations requesting that the E-Newsletter promotes their activities. The policy of the E-Newsletter has been to focus on the Armenian Church activities and mission. However, in order to help other charities and organizations reach as many Armenians as possible, we are happy to announce that the E-Newsletter is willing to promote one charitable event an issue. However, please note:
- The event being promoted must be in support of the Armenian people and the Armenian cause. - The Primate’s Office does not get engaged in preparing or editing such press releases. - The charity is responsible for preparing and providing via e-mail a one-paragraph long announcement (300
words maximum) with a picture to be included in the E-Newsletter. - No events related to personal performances or exhibits will be promoted. - The E-Newsletter editorial committee is offering the service with no cost to the charity and reserves the right to
schedule the date of publishing the announcement or to reject any announcements. If you want us promote a charity you know or a charitable event you know about, please contact the Primate‘s Office at: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS
(According to the Armenian Church Lectionary)
Monday 7/3
First day of Great Lent
Isaiah 1:16-20
Tuesday 8/3
Second day of Great Lent
Ezekiel 18:20-23
Wednesday 9/3
Third day of Great Lent
Exodus 1:1-2:10 Joel 1:14-20
Thursday 10/3
Fourth day of Great Lent
Romans 6:3-14
Friday 11/3
Fifth day of Great Lent
Deuteronomy 6:4-7:10 Job 6:2-7:13 Isaiah 40:1-8
Saturday 12/3
Sixth day of Great Lent
Wisdom of Solomon 8:19-9:5 Isaiah 62:6-9 Romans 8:28-39 Matthew 10:16-22
Sunday 13/3
2nd Sunday of Great Lent
Sunday of Expulsion
Isaiah 33:2-22 Romans 12:1-13:10 Matthew 5:17-48
Let Us Promote Our Own Armenian Traditions
Since the publication of our comments on participation in the Badarak by making the sign of the cross and bowing our head saying hishés-cheer yev zis ―remember me also in your prayers,‖ when the priest approaches the faithful at the beginning of the Badarak, we received several questions and observations from our audience regarding the practice of kissing the hand-cross of the priest. The question therefore is: to kiss or not to kiss the priest‘s hand-cross! The answer is, yes. When the priest extends his hand with the hand-cross, the tradition among Armenians is to kiss the hand-cross. This does not mean that Armenians are pagans who worship a piece of metal! It is simply a pious practice to remind us of what the cross stands for. It is the symbol of the New Covenant, through which we receive salvation. So the next time you are in church and the priest approaches you with the hand-cross, bow your head and make the sign of the cross. And as he extends the hand-cross, kiss it saying hishés-cheer yev zis, asking him to remember you in his prayers at the altar.
CONTACTING THE ARMENIAN CHURCH IN THE UK AND IRELAND:
The Armenian Church of the UK and Ireland can be accessed online by visiting our website at: www.armenianchurch.co.uk. You can contact the E-Newsletter editorial committee via e-mail at information@armenianchurch.co.uk. Meanwhile, if you want to reach the Primate’s Office, you can either dial 0208 127 8364 or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. Please note that the Primate cannot be reached via the Vicarage contact info (telephone or e-mail).
THE DEACONS’ TRAINING PROGRAMME:
Please note that there will be no Deacons’ Training session on 9th March, because of the Primate‘s participation in an international meeting. It will resume on Wednesday, 16th March. The Armenian Church in the UK is very eager to reach teenagers and young men who love the Armenian liturgy and are willing to devote an hour or so every Sunday to the service of the Lord. If you are interested to join the Deacons’ Training Programme, please contact the Primate’s Office at 020 8127 8364 or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.
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 meets 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. Please note that there will be no Bible Study session in English this Wednesday, 9th March. We will resume the following Wednesday, 16th March.
ARMENIANS IN BIRMINGHAM: If you live, or someone you know lives, in Birmingham or in its surrounding towns, please forward your or that person‘s contact info (e-mail address or telephone number) to the Primate’s Office: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk
E-LIST: If someone you know would like to receive a copy of the Armenian Church E-Newsletter, the flagship publication of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland, please forward his or her e-mail to our editorial committee: information@armenianchurch.co.uk
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