ԱՌԱՋՆՈՐԴՈՒԹԻՒՆ.ՀԱՅՈՑ.ՄԵԾՆ.ԲՐԻԴԱՆԻՈՅ.ԵՒ.ԻՐԼԱՆՏԱՅԻ DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Տ.Վահան.Ե պս..Յովհաննէսեան,.Հայրապետական.Պատուիրակ.եւ.Առաջ նորդ The Right Revd Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate and Pontifical Legate

Issue13,Volume 5

PRAYING FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN KESSAB

In a letter addressed to HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, HH Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his concerns about the situation in Kessab (click here) ‘We  condemn the terroristic acts committed by the extremists   and   the   powers   collaborating   with   them’,   stated   Vehapar Der,  adding,  ‘and  we  pray  for  a  peaceful  and  safe  life  for  the  people of  Kessab.’  Meanwhile,   Bishop Vahan ordered a special requiem service be offered for the victims of Kessab in Armenian Churches in the UK and Ireland and contacted the leaders of the UK government including His Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Honourable David Cameron, Prime Minister, and HG Justin Welby, urging  them  ‘to intervene in this sad human tragedy and encourage our government and the governments of our friendly countries around the world to take decisive steps to drive out the extremists and militants from Kessab and facilitate and secure the safe return of this peace-loving Christian community back to their ancestral homes. Click  her  to  read  the  Bishop’s  letter.

ARCHBISHOP NATHAN VISITS THE LONDON COMMUNITY

The Armenian community of London was blessed this week to have among us His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhanessian, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in Canada and previous Primate of the Armenian Church in the UK. By the invitation of HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, Archbishop Nathan was the guest of the Church, Saturday, 20 March to Tuesday, 22 March. During his brief visit the two hierarchs discussed the latest developments in the Armenian Church and especially in the UK, France and Canada. Archbishop Nathan visited the St Yeghiche Church for the Sunday Morning service and stopped by the Gulbenkian Hall for the Sunday afternoon fellowship. He attended the Monday evening Badarak course and met with the members of the Armenian Community Council (ACC). Nathan Srpazan’s  visit  was  a  stop  on  his  way  back  to  Canada  from  Milan  where  he  attended  a  World   Council of Churches meeting

DUBLIN PARISH LENTEN SERVICES AND LECTURE

HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, will be the celebrant at Taney Parish Church in Dublin, this Sunday, 30 March 2014. Following the Lenten Services, His Grace will offer a lecture titled, ‘The  Armenian  Church  Spirituality  of  Holy  Week’.  Following  the  lecture  and  lunch,  HG  will   meet with the members of the Mission Parish Council of the Armenian Church in Dublin to discuss, among other things, the feasibility of purchasing a property to be used as a Armenian centre for the Parish and its activities. Meanwhile, Deacon Artur, from the Holy Trinity Church, Manchester, will be  in  Dublin  to  lead  another  session  of  the  newly  launched  Deacons’  Training   Programme in Dublin. For more information about the activities of the Armenian Church in Dublin please contact the chairman of the Council Dr Paul. Click here for more Dublin Church parish news. To support this and other Mission Parish ministries please click here.

ARMENIAN STREET FESTIVAL: FIRST GENERAL MEETING

As announced in the previous issues of the E-Newsletter, last Wednesday, 26 March, volunteers and people representing various Armenian organisation met with the volunteers and staff of the Primate Office to discuss the various key aspects of preparing the 2014 Armenian Street Festival (ASF),   scheduled   on   Sunday,   3   August,   2014   and   sponsored   by   the   Primate’s   Office   of   the   Armenian Church. Among the various items discussed on the agenda were the entertainment programme, the stalls, security, food menu, the Cigar   Tavern,   and   children’s   programme.   A   special booklet will be printed to include the programme, menu and the list of the stalls as well as the wishes of those supporting the Festival. The Primate announced the appoijntment of a permanent ASF committee to operate  under  the   Primate’s   Office   which   will   be   in   charge   of   preparing for the future Armenian Street Festivals in London. For suggestions or questions concerning  the  ASF  please  contact  the  Primate’s  Office:  primatespoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.

ANNUAL ARMENIAN CHURCH ASSEMBLY: NEXT SUNDAY – 6 APRIL

Next   Sunday,   6   April,   the   Primate’s   Office   will   organise   the   third   annual   Armenian   Church   Assembly which will be hosted by the Holy Trinity Church in Manchester. It has become a tradition, since HG Bp Vahan assumed the office of the Primate of the Diocese to organize annual   Assemblies   as   forums   to   discuss   the   reports   of   the   activities   of   the   Primate’s   Office, including the Educational Ministry, Mission Parish Outreach, Youth Fellowship and others. The public is encouraged to participate and scrutinize the reports and ask any questions they may have  about  any  aspect  of  the  Church’s  ministry,  including  the  financial report of the Armenian Church  Trust  UK,  a  charity  created  exclusively  to  fund  the  operations  of  the  Primate’s  Office.   All six parishes will participate in the Assembly. The Assembly day will start with the traditional Sunrise Service (Arevakal) 11:00am followed by lunch prepared by the Holy Trinity Church (for a donation of £6 per person) followed by the Assembly. All are welcome. If planning to stay for the lunch, please e-mail Ara: Ara@b2b1.co.uk.

BIBLE STUDY COURSE IN MANCHESTER

Last Sunday, 23 March, 2014, the Very Revd Fr Garegin Hambardzumyan launched the first Bible Study session at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Manchester. Over 16 people attended the first session during which Fr Garegin offered and introduction to the Holy Bible focusing on the Epistles  of  St   Paul  and   led  those  present  in  reading  and  explaining  St   Paul’s   Letter to the Romans. The questions-and-answer allowed for further clarification of different aspects of the passages read during the session. It is the intent of Fr Garegin and the Wardens of Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Manchester to continue organizing Bible Study session once month on the third Sunday of the month. You do not have to be a theologian or even a Bible - reader to join the group. All are welcome. For more information about the Bible Study group please contact Fr Garegin Hambardzumyan at:frgaregin@gmail.com

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Please note that Sunday early morning the daylight saving time takes place, when clocks and watches are changed forward one hour. 1:00AM Sunday morning will change to 2:00AM. Please make sure to change your watches and clocks accordingly. Smart phones and computers usually change their electronic locks automatically. So, if you show up to Badarak this Sunday at 11:00AM according to your watch now, you will have missed one hour of the Badarak.

This Sunday, March 30, 2014, 1:00:00 AM clocks were turned forward 1 hour to

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

29March,2014

Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan

RaffiHovhannisyan with Dublin MPC

ASF 2012 Committee

First Bible Study Session In Manchester

 HAPPY   MOTHER’s  DAY:   On  the  occasion  of  Mother’s  Day  in  the   UK  and  IrelandHG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, wishes to congratulate all mothers, and grandmothers, as well as aunts, sisters and God-mothers who sacrificed their lives to raise and nurture us and make us what we are today. God bless you all.

 ARMANIA: In association with the Armenian Institute, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse presents Armania: an evening of Armenian folksong, dance and poetry curated and directed by Seta White and performed on 13 and 14 April. Exploring   Shakespeare’s   influence   on   Armenian   culture, the evening will feature performances from the Dudukner Ensemble with Levon In association with the Armenian Institute, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse presents Armania: an evening of Armenian folksong, dance and poetry curated and directed by Seta White and performed on 13 and 14 April. The evening will feature performances fromthe Dudukner Ensemble with Levon. Click here for the online flyer.

 BADARAK COURSE: HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian continues offering a course on the theology and spirituality of our Divine Liturgy, Badarak, on Monday evenings, in Gulbenkian Hall, at 7:00pm.

 FREQUENTL Y AS KED QUES TIONS: The Pri mate’s   Office has prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions (collected from different people and parish council members), which is published in a document accessible by clicking here. Please send your questions or comments to the Primate’s  Office.

 BIBLE STUDY: Every Thursday at 7:00PM. Next session, 3 April in the Syrian Orthodox Church, 7-11 Armstrong Road, London W3 7JL

The  Primate’s  Office,  HyeDoon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG – 0208 127 8364 – primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk