Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 19, Volume 3

6 MAY 2012 ISSUE 19 VOLUME 3

E-NEWSLETTER H- J:RJIK A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION OF THE PRIMATE’S OFFICE OF THE DIOCESE OF THE

ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND – 11 May Acts 1

ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND

THE PRIMATE TO CELEBRATE BADARAK

ON MOUNT OF ASCENSION IN THE HOLY LAND

This year, the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ falls on Thursday 17th May—forty days after Easter as indicated in the Bible. In the Holy Land, however, because the date of Easter is calculated following an older calendar, the Feast of Ascension will be on Thursday, on 24th May. His Eminence Abp. Nurhan Manoogian, on behalf of the Patriarchate and Brotherhood of Jerusalem invited H.G. Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland, to be the guest celebrant of the Feast. Traditionally the Badarak of Ascension is celebrated on the Mount of Olives, also known a the Mount of Ascension, under large tents erected on the spot believed to be where our Lord stood with His Apostles for the last time before ascending to heaven. The Evangelist Luke (24:50) states that the Ascension took place 'in the vicinity of Bethany' and the Book of Acts identifies the location as “Mount of Olives,” on which the village of Bethany is located. After the Ascension, the Bible states that the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, within a Sabbath day's journey. Before the conversion of Emperor Constantine, early Christians honored the Ascension of Christ in a cave on the Mount of Olives. By 384, the place of the Ascension was venerated on the present open site, uphill from the cave. The Chapel of the Ascension in Jerusalem today is a Christian and Muslim holy site. In the small round church/mosque is a stone imprinted with what some claim to be the very footprints of Jesus. This year’s Badarak and celebration of the Divine Liturgy will be part of the itinerary of the Second Annual Pilgrimage of the Armenian Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland to the Holy Land, which is organized by the Primate’s Office and funded by the Armenian Church Trust of the United Kingdom (ACT-UK).

Read the Primate’s Genocide Commemoration Message

Click Here

The Primate’s Office c/o Hye Doon (Armenian House) 25 Cheniston Gardens Kensington, London W8 6TG

The Primate’s Office

c/o Hye Doon 25 Cheniston Gardens Kensington London, W8 6TG

Church Website

armenianchurch.co.uk

E-mail

primatesoffice@

armenianchurch.co.uk

Telephone

0208 127 8364

6 MAY 2012 ISSUE 19 VOLUME 3

Land and Culture Organisation UK Announces 2012 Campaigns

Following the 2012 Land and Culture (LCO) AGM in Paris in March 2012, LCO are

pleased to announce two campaigns this summer:

 Sourp Astvatsatsin Church, Yeghvart village, Syunik Region This programme started in 2007 and LCO was proud to inaugurate the restored and completed Church of Yeghvart in 2011. This year LCO with its volunteers will complete the Yeghvart programme by focusing on important works needed on the cemetery nearby the Church.

 Tchitchkhanavank, Chiragamoud village, Spitak Region After a long period of archeological and excavation work required on the site of the Church, which led to surprising discoveries, LCO will start the renovation work on the Church itself and specifically will build the foundation wall.

Further information on all campaigns is available at www.landandculture.co.uk. Interested volunteers please contact landandculture@hotmail.com

2012 Campaign Dates: 1) From 9th July to 30th July, 3 weeks; 2) From 9th July to 3rd August, 4 weeks; 3) From 3rd August to 24th August, 3 weeks; 4) From 3rd August to 31st August (4 weeks).

Interested volunteers for this summer can contact landandculture@hotmail.com. The LCO team members have all been on previous campaigns and can answer questions and provide further information. We look forward to hearing from you.

CHURCH REGISTRY: APRIL, 2012

BAPTISMS (St. Sarkis Church; none at St. Yeghiche)  HAIG KOUYOUMJIAN, son of Rafy Kouyoumjian and Rebecca Kouyoumjian was baptised at St. Sarkis Church on 14th April,

2012. The Godfather was Hagop Chaparian.  LARA KOUYOUMJIAN, daughter of Rafy Kouyoumjian and Rebecca Kouyoumjian was baptised at St. Sarkis Church on 14th

April 2012. The Godfather was Garen Kouyoumdjian.  ARTHUR MICHAEL COSTELLO, son of Hanus and Tanya Costello was baptised at St. Sarkis Church on 22nd April 2012.

The Godfather was Michael Malcolm.

MARRIAGES (St. Sarkis Church; none at St. Yeghiche)  CYRILLE VOLANT, son of Jean Claude Volant and Suzanne Volant married ANNA POPPERWELL nee BERBERYAN,

daughter of Garik Berberyan and Marina Berberyan Mkrtychyan on 8th April, 2012 at St. Sarkis Church. Best Men were Dilhan

Sebastian and Artyom Berberyan.  ABRAM JOSEPH, son of Fawzi Yousif and Idis Yousif married ADRINE AVAKYAN daughter of Hovannes and Anahid

Avakyan on 29th April, 2012 at St. Sarkis Church. Best men were Amgad Yousif and Antranik Avakyan.

FUNERALS (St. Sarkis Church; none at St. Yeghiche)  GULBAHAR SARIKAYA KASPARIAN, born in Kesaria on 8th June, 1928 was deceased on 14th April, 2012. The funeral

service was held at Gunnersbury Cemetery Chapel followed by internment in Gunnersbury Cemetery on 25th April, 2012.

Second Annual Armenian Street Festival in the UK

Sunday 29th July, 12:00-18:00hrs. Admission Free Armenian food, entertainment, vendors and stalls, church concert, and celebrities Volunteers Needed. Contact the Primate’s Office.

6 May 2012

Issue 19, Volume 3

NEW BOOK ARTSAKH: GARDEN OF ARMENIAN ARTS AND TRADITIONS A new book is published at the initiative of the Association de Soutien au Haut-Karabagh to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Artsakh. It offers to the reader a visit through the history of Karabakh, its archaeological treasures, its sacred architecture represented by numerous churches, monasteries and chapels, its "khachkars" (cross- stone) of a great refinement, the typical colours and style of its manuscript illuminations, and finally the art of carpet. Numerous photos and maps illustrate the bilingual French and English texts. The Authors, renowned scholars, world experts in history and civilization of Karabakh, have contributed to the writing of the book with a clear objective to make it accessible to everyone: George Bournoutian (Iona College, USA), François Djindjian (Professeur, Université de Nantes), Patrick Donabedian (Université d’Aix en Provence), Dickran Kouymjian ( Professor Emeritus, California State University, Fresno, USA) Claude Mutafian (Docteur en Histoire, Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne).

“BADARAK BASICS” EVER WONDERED when to stand or sit during badarak? When to genuflect? What to say during the ‘kiss of peace’ and how to do it? How to sing the ‘der voghormya’? What the ritual words chanted or sung in grabar actually mean? What is the historical and spiritual meaning of the various stages of the service?

These and many other questions you can have answered by our clergy in the new ‘Badarak Basics’ Parish programme. This will be generally held on the last Sunday of every month in the St Sarkis Church after the conclusion of the service from fifteen to thirty minutes duration. Join us to have your questions answered and the spiritual and theological meaning of Divine Liturgy explained. –St. Sarkis Parish Council

ARMENIAN STREET FESTIVAL - UPDATES

HIS GRACE Bp. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, appointed the Revd Fr. Garegin Hambartsumyan to be in charge of the church procession and the medieval Armenian Church service of the Blessing of the Four Corners of the Earth. The procession will lead the clergy and faithful from the church to Iverna Gardens where the blessing service will take place. This will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony, scheduled at 12:30 which will officially commence the second annual Armenian Street Festival (ASF), to take place on Sunday, 29th July, 2012. Dick Bedrosian, General Coordinator of the Festival has been holding regular meetings with the various sub-committees of the Festival to pursue and finalise arrangements of the various aspects of the Festival. An interesting programme is being prepared which will include a church-concert, a book launching, children’s games, a magician and face painting, live entertainment, Armenian song and dance, and delicious Armenian and Mediterranean food. Join us as we expect to welcome many dignitaries, very high ranking politicians and sister church leaders. Mark your calendar and make sure to bring your family and a friend with you to the ONLY Armenian Street Festival to take place in Great Britain and Ireland.

Browse the official website of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland: www.armenianchurch.co.uk

CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS

FROM ARMENIA

UNDER the auspices of His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, and Her Excellency Karine Kazinian, Ambassador of Armenia in the UK, the London Tekeyan Cultural Association presents an exhibition of “contemporary Paintings from Armenia” on Monday 28th May to Friday 8th June 2012, Noon to 8:00pm at POSK Galeria, Polish Social and Cultural Association, 238-246 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RF. CLICK HERE for the online flyer.

MIRFIELD ARMENIAN DAY

JOIN the Armenian students and their friends in Mirfield monastery, West Yorkshire, to celebrate their Armenian Day, at the beautiful surroundings where the Anglican Community of the Resurrection and the College of the Resurrection are situated. The forthcoming Armenian Day in Mirfield, organized by Fr. Garegin Hambardzumyan, will take place this week, 8th May, starting at 2:30. Those interested to visit Mirfield for the Armenian Day can contact Fr. Garegin directly for further information: ghambardzumyan@mirfield.org.uk. All are welcome.

6 May, 2012

Issue 19, Volume 3

PILGRIMS’ ORIENTATION @ GULBENKIAN

Pilgrims, participating in the second Annual Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and all interested, are encouraged to attend the orientation session which is scheduled on Monday, 14th May in Gulbenkian Hall, at 7:00pm. The orientation will include information about the various places to be visited during the pilgrimage, the hotels, emergency contact numbers and airline information. Participants will receive a copy of the detailed itinerary of the pilgrimage and necessary information. This is the second pilgrimage organized by the Primate’s Office under the leadership of the Primate, Hs Grace Bp Vahan Hovhanessian.

Twenty people have signed up for the Pilgrimage which will take place 18-26 May, 2012. For further information or enquiries about the pilgrimage or the orientation day, please contact the Primate’s Office by E-MAIL or telephone: 0208 127 8364.

MEMO: ST. SARKIS PARISH COUNCIL

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith: Please allow us to extend to you our gratitude for the trust that you have placed in us in electing us as the first Council of this, our historic St Sarkis Parish. We pray to Almighty God to help us to discharge this responsibility in the spirit of the Parish motto: ‘Faith, Hope and Love’. We offer our thanks to His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, to the Parish Assembly Chairman Dr Hratch Tchilingirian and to all who have worked to create this historic Parish Mission. In this section of the newsletter, you will be able to read about the activities and programmes of the Parish. We encourage you to contact us with your ideas, suggestions and questions. In particular, we urge all of those who wish to join the Parish to contact us. In this exciting and wonderful time following the Resurrection of Our Lord, please come, participate and rejoice as we begin to write a new chapter in the history of our Community. In the spirit of our beloved national poet, Paruyr Sevak, allow us to wish ‘peace upon everyone and in every place, it is the whole world, in the whole world willing.’

St Sarkis Parish Council, Iverna Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TP, Tel. 0207 937 0152, stsarkisparish@armenianchurch.co.uk

ՀԱՐԳԵԼԻ ԵՂՊԱՅՐՆԵՐ ԵՒ ՔՈՒՅՐԵՐ ՀԱՒԱՏՔՈՎ

Նախ եւ առաջ, բոլոր Խորհուրդի գործընկերների կողմից թողէք ձեզի առաջարկէմնք մեր շնորհակալութիւնները որ ձեր վստահումն էք տվել որպես մեր հիմնադիր Սուրբ Սարգիս Ծուխի առաջին Խորհուրդը: Սույն իմաստով, աղոթում էնք Աստուծոյ օգնութիւն մեզի տալ որպեսզի մեր պատասխանատվութիւնը իրագործել մեր Ծուխի բնաբանով՝ « հաւադք, յույս եւ սեր »: Սակայն, մեր շնորհակալութիւնն էնք առաջարկում Գերաշնորհ Վահան Սրբազան Հովհաննեսեանին, Ծուխի Ժողովի նախագահ Դոկտոր Հրաչ Չիլինկիրեանին ինչպես նայեւ բոլորին ովքեր աշխատել էն մեր Ծուխը ստեղծելու նպատակով: Այս թերթիկի բաժինում, կը կարողանաք կարդալ Ծուխի գործունեութեանները եւ ծրագիրների մասին: Ինչպես Խորհուրդը սկսվում է գործել, հայտարարութիւններ եւ լուռեր մեջը կը հրապարակվեն: Այս իմաստով, խնդրում ենք մեզի հաղորդել ձեր մտքերը, խնդրանքները եւ հարցերը: Մանսավորապես, բոլորին խոդնրում ենք մոտենալ ովքեր Ծուխը դեռ չ'են միացել: Այս հրաշալի ժամանակին մեր Տէրի յառեալուց հետո, եկեք, մասնակցեք եւ վայելեք ինչպես սկսենք նոր գլուխ գրել մեր համայնքի պատմութեանը մեջ: Մեր սիրելի Պարույր Սեւակի բանաստեղծութիանը իմաստով, մաղթեմ « խաղաղություն ամենքի՜ն եւ ամենո՛ւր, Ողջ աշխարհն է ողջ աշխարհին կամենում: » - Սուրբ Սարգիս Ծուխի Խորհուրդը

CHECK OUT THE ARMENIAN CHURCH TRUST – UK WEBSITE (ACT-UK)

WWW.ARMENIANCHURCHTRUST.ORG.UK

6 MAY, 2012

ISSUE 19, VOLUME 3

SCRIPTURE READINGS

According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday –6 May Acts 17:1-15

1 John 1:1-10 John 7:14-23

Monday –7 May Acts 17:16-34 1 John 2:1-6 John 7:24-36

Tuesday –8 May Acts 18:1-11

1 John 2:7-17 John 7:37-8:11

Wednesday –9 May Acts 18:12-28 1 John 2:18-23 John 8:12-20

Thursday –10 May Acts 19:1-20

1 John 2:24-25 John 8:21-30

Friday – 11 May Acts 19:21-40 1 John 2:26-28 John 8:31-59

Saturday – 12 May Acts 20:1-16

1 John 2:28-3:1 John 9:1-38

CHILTREN-ARMENIAN SOCIETY SALE

Sale of framed reproductions of Armenian children's paintings and Illuminated Manuscripts in Gulbenkian Hall, priced at £10.00 each " Sunday 13th May 2012 and Sunday 3rd June 2012 , 10.30 am to 3.00pm. Organised by the Chiltern-Armenian Society (CAS)

SHUSHI ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

The Friends of Artsakh, under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, invite you to an evening of commemoration celebrating the liberation of Shushi, Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh), to take place on Saturday, 19th May, 2012 at 19:00 hrs in the Twyford Church of England High School (Twyford Crescent, Acton, London W3 9PP). The programme will include the screening of the documentary “Legends of Shushi” by Samvel Tadevosyan, and performances of music and poetry by UK Armenian talents. For further information please contact he Primate’s Office at 0208 127 8364, or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk

HELP ELLA RE-CONNECT WITH HER FATHER

“My name is Katharine Ariella Holden. Most people know me as Ella. I am 19 (my birthday is on 28th July 1992). I was christened at St. Sarkis Church in London. My fathers name is James Reid and hs surname is Hyarapetian, born on 4th July 1944. I was last in contact with him just over 12 years ago. I visited my Godmother Elizabeth, 2 years ago. However she was unable to give any concrete information but she did mention he had visited the church a couple of years ago. If you could in any way help me on my search I would be very grateful. My e-mail is: ells.holden@gmail.com

BIBLE STUDY GROUP RESUMPTION

Due to the Primate’s participation in meetings in Holy Etchmiadzin (4-11 May) and because of Shakespeare’s “King John” in Armenian scheduled on Thursday 17 May, and the forthcoming Annual Pilgrimage, 18-26 May, the Primate’s Office has postponed all Bible Study sessions in the month of May. We’ll resume in June.

SHAKESPEARE’S “KING JOHN” IN ARMENIAN

For the first time in the United Kingdom, the Gabriel Sundukyan Academic Theatrical Group from Armenia, will be performing Shakespeare’s “King John” in the Globe on the 16th and 17th of May, 2012. Click Here for more info!

DO YOU LIVE IN GLASGOW? EDINBURGH?

The Primate’s Office has received several e-mail and telephone calls from several Armenians, some students from Armenia, who are enquiring about organizing a church service in the vicinities of Glascow or Edinburgh. In order to estimate the practicality of coordinating such an event, please help us by letting us know if you or someone you know lives in or near Glasgow or Edinburgh. You can do so by sending your name and email address to: primatesoffice@armenian church.co.uk.

Click Here

for “Evidence for Genocide of Armenians”, thanks to Mr. Alex Boghosian