ԱՋՆՈՐԴՈՒԹԻՒՆ.ՀԱՅՈՑ.ՄԵԾՆ.ԲՐԻԴԱՆԻՈՅ.ԵՒ.ԻՐԼԱՆՏԱՅ DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAN Տ.Վահան Եպս. Յովհաննէսեան, Հայրապետական Պատուիրակ եւ Առաջնորդ The Right Revd Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate and Pontifical Legate
Issues 1, Volume 6
ARMENIANS CELEBRATE 2015 THEOPHANY AROUND THE WORLD
Last Tuesday, 6 January Armenians around the world celebrated the Feast of the Theophany which commemorates the biblical events of the birth and baptism of Jesus, the angelic appearance to the shepherds, and the visit of the Magi. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, was the celebrant of the Divine Liturgy in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzinand distributed Holy Communion. In his sermon Vehapar stated, “One hundred years after the commencement of the crime of the Armenian Genocide, we continue our struggle with the same faith and confidence – for the sake of our righteous cause and our peaceful life.” (Click here to read the entire statement). Meanwhile, our Primate, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, celebrated Theophany in the St John the Baptist Cathedral in Paris, France. “Theophany is a very important feast,” said His Grace, “because it commemorates the birth of our salvation and our own victory of death, and the beginning of our journey back to eternity, and not a mere birthday of a historic figure.” Theophany was also celebrated in parishes in Manchester and London.
Last Tuesday, 6 January Armenians around the world celebrated the Feast of the Theophany which commemorates the biblical events of the birth and baptism of Jesus, the angelic appearance to the shepherds, and the visit of the Magi. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, was the celebrant of the Divine Liturgy in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzinand distributed Holy Communion. In his sermon Vehapar stated, “One hundred years after the commencement of the crime of the Armenian Genocide, we continue our struggle with the same faith and confidence – for the sake of our righteous cause and our peaceful life.” (Click here to read the entire statement). Meanwhile, our Primate, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, celebrated Theophany in the St John the Baptist Cathedral in Paris, France. “Theophany is a very important feast,” said His Grace, “because it commemorates the birth of our salvation and our own victory of death, and the beginning of our journey back to eternity, and not a mere birthday of a historic figure.” Theophany was also celebrated in parishes in Manchester and London.
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NEW YEAR’S CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
As in the previous two years, this New Year’s early hours were spent by some Armenians in the St Sarkis Church with prayers giving thanks to God for the gift of New Year. As announced by the Primate’s Office and published in the E-Newsletter and the Bulletin, the Church doors were opened a few minutes after midnight of the year 2014, and the faithful started arriving for the 12:30am service led by His Grace Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate. With the church in total darkness, except for the altar’s spotlight, the candles list around the church and carried individually by the faithful created such an inspiring atmosphere for all to rejoice in a prayer fellowship of a few minutes. The faithful, led by Srpazan, sung the Soorp Asdvadz, listened to the Gospel reading, knelt prayed “Der Voghormya” (Lord have mercy), and joined Srpazan in reading the main prayer. In his prayer, Bishop Vahan thanked God for the gift of the New Year, and remembered our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, and prayed for their safety and peace.
As in the previous two years, this New Year’s early hours were spent by some Armenians in the St Sarkis Church with prayers giving thanks to God for the gift of New Year. As announced by the Primate’s Office and published in the E-Newsletter and the Bulletin, the Church doors were opened a few minutes after midnight of the year 2014, and the faithful started arriving for the 12:30am service led by His Grace Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate. With the church in total darkness, except for the altar’s spotlight, the candles list around the church and carried individually by the faithful created such an inspiring atmosphere for all to rejoice in a prayer fellowship of a few minutes. The faithful, led by Srpazan, sung the Soorp Asdvadz, listened to the Gospel reading, knelt prayed “Der Voghormya” (Lord have mercy), and joined Srpazan in reading the main prayer. In his prayer, Bishop Vahan thanked God for the gift of the New Year, and remembered our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, and prayed for their safety and peace.
2015 ARMENIAN STREET FESTIVAL – SUNDAY 19 JULY
His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, met with the members of the permanent committee of the Armenian Street Festival, under the chairmanship of Mr Dick Bedrossian to start the preparations for the 2015 Armenian Street Festival. Having carefully explored the dates of announced events in London and activities of key organisations in the community chairman Bedrossian suggested Sunday, the 19th of July as the date of the fifth annual Armenian Street Festival in London. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has already been contacted to secure the date and the closure of streets necessary for the Festival. A general meeting open to all Armenian organisations and volunteers will soon be called to invite the public to contribute their feedback and input into the Festival, which through the past five years has proven itself to be a landmark of the life, identity and presence of the Armenian people in the UK. Click here and here to watch clips of the Armenian Street Festivals of previous years.
His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, met with the members of the permanent committee of the Armenian Street Festival, under the chairmanship of Mr Dick Bedrossian to start the preparations for the 2015 Armenian Street Festival. Having carefully explored the dates of announced events in London and activities of key organisations in the community chairman Bedrossian suggested Sunday, the 19th of July as the date of the fifth annual Armenian Street Festival in London. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has already been contacted to secure the date and the closure of streets necessary for the Festival. A general meeting open to all Armenian organisations and volunteers will soon be called to invite the public to contribute their feedback and input into the Festival, which through the past five years has proven itself to be a landmark of the life, identity and presence of the Armenian people in the UK. Click here and here to watch clips of the Armenian Street Festivals of previous years.
ARMENIAN CHURCH IN DUBLIN CELEBRATES THEOPHANY
On Sunday 4th January, the Dublin Parish of the Armenian Church held its Christmas Carol service at Taney Parish church. Families and individual members of the Parish were joined by visiting Armenian students from the USA, the Rector Canon Robert Warren and Bill Prasifka and his wife, and friends. With Carol singing in Armenian and English, appropriate readings from the Bible and a brief reflection by Fr Dr. Kieran O'Mahony, which was very thought provoking and appreciated by all, the event was truly an inspiring experience for all. The evening ended with the dismissal blessings given by Canon Robert. Following the service, all enjoyed a fellowship time together accompanied by some delicious food. Thank you Parish Council of the Armenian Church in Dunlin for such a great programme. For more information about the Armenian Church parish in Dubline, Ireland, click here.
On Sunday 4th January, the Dublin Parish of the Armenian Church held its Christmas Carol service at Taney Parish church. Families and individual members of the Parish were joined by visiting Armenian students from the USA, the Rector Canon Robert Warren and Bill Prasifka and his wife, and friends. With Carol singing in Armenian and English, appropriate readings from the Bible and a brief reflection by Fr Dr. Kieran O'Mahony, which was very thought provoking and appreciated by all, the event was truly an inspiring experience for all. The evening ended with the dismissal blessings given by Canon Robert. Following the service, all enjoyed a fellowship time together accompanied by some delicious food. Thank you Parish Council of the Armenian Church in Dunlin for such a great programme. For more information about the Armenian Church parish in Dubline, Ireland, click here.
ACYF DISTRIBUTE CHRISTMAS BASKETS TO THE ELDERLY
On Friday the 9th of January the ACYF London (Armenian Church Youth Fellowship) met at the Gulbenkian hall, Iverna Gardens, and packed 23 gift bags filled with Christmas sundries and personalised cards for our less able senior citizens. We set off to deliver our Christmas gifts bags on Saturday the 10th of January with our Primate Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian where we visited, prayed, spoke and sung with our elderly. It was such a humbling project that ACYF endeavour to continue. This was our 5th festive basket delivery and we deliver every Easter and Christmas. Thank you and God bless you dear Srpazan Vahan for inspiring us to run this very important project. We aim to add more and more names to our list for our future visits. If you know any senior citizens that would enjoy a visit from Srpazan and ACYF London, please do contact us on: ACYF@armenianchurch.co.uk or call us on 0208 127 8364. You can also visit us on Facebook as ACYF London.
On Friday the 9th of January the ACYF London (Armenian Church Youth Fellowship) met at the Gulbenkian hall, Iverna Gardens, and packed 23 gift bags filled with Christmas sundries and personalised cards for our less able senior citizens. We set off to deliver our Christmas gifts bags on Saturday the 10th of January with our Primate Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian where we visited, prayed, spoke and sung with our elderly. It was such a humbling project that ACYF endeavour to continue. This was our 5th festive basket delivery and we deliver every Easter and Christmas. Thank you and God bless you dear Srpazan Vahan for inspiring us to run this very important project. We aim to add more and more names to our list for our future visits. If you know any senior citizens that would enjoy a visit from Srpazan and ACYF London, please do contact us on: ACYF@armenianchurch.co.uk or call us on 0208 127 8364. You can also visit us on Facebook as ACYF London.
THE NATIVITY STORY- MOVIE AFTERNOON
In preparation for the Holy Feast of Nativity, the St Sarkis Parish Council organised a special movie screening event on Sunday afternoon, 4 January, 2015, after the Divine Liturgy, screening the film "The Nativity Story" in Gulbenkian Hall. H.G. Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, introduced the film, which focuses on Mary and Joseph’s life where they journeyed to Bethlehem to sign up for the census ordered by the Emperor, which is why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. During his comments, Bishop Vahan thanked the members of the Parish Council for coordinating such a timely educational programmes, and highlighted key biblical prophecies from the Old Testament which were fulfilled in this period of the biblical narrative. Guests were given a full cinema experience with large screen projection, hotdogs, nachos and popcorn being served at the screening.
In preparation for the Holy Feast of Nativity, the St Sarkis Parish Council organised a special movie screening event on Sunday afternoon, 4 January, 2015, after the Divine Liturgy, screening the film "The Nativity Story" in Gulbenkian Hall. H.G. Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, introduced the film, which focuses on Mary and Joseph’s life where they journeyed to Bethlehem to sign up for the census ordered by the Emperor, which is why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. During his comments, Bishop Vahan thanked the members of the Parish Council for coordinating such a timely educational programmes, and highlighted key biblical prophecies from the Old Testament which were fulfilled in this period of the biblical narrative. Guests were given a full cinema experience with large screen projection, hotdogs, nachos and popcorn being served at the screening.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
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PILGRIMAGE TO THE VATICAN: The Ladies Guils of the Armenian Diocese of France is coordinating a
pilgrimage to the Vatican for those interested to participate in the Divine Liturgy in memory of the Armenian Martyrs to
be celebrated in the St Peter’s Cathedral in the Vatican in the 12th of April, 2015. Those interested to participate in this
Pilgrimage are urged to contact the Primate’s Office at 0208 127 8364.
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LIMITTED SEATS: On the pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 6-14 February. The cost of the pilgrimage is 1150 per person
for shared room. Those interested to participate in this Pilgrimage are urged to contact the Primate’s Office at 0208 127
8364.
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BIBLE STUDY: There will be no Bible Study this Thursday. We will resume in February.
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VISIT THE ARMENIAN GIFT SHOP ONLINE: http://www.armeniangiftshop.org
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SUPPORT THE ARMENIAN CHURCH IN UK: by sending your donation payable to ‘the Armenian Church Trust
UK’ (ACTUK) to the Primates Office (see address below), or click here. Remember the Armenian Church in your will.
The Primate’s Office, Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG – 0208 127 8364 – primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk
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