Wednesday 15 July 2015

Armenian Church News Bishop Hovakim INAUGURATION as Primate

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Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland
Volume 1, Issue 2 15 July 2015


visit to Armenia during the historic ceremony of the canonisation of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in April. Dr Chartres then shared his impressions of the new Primate. His Eminence Mor Athanasius Touma Dakkama, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of the UK, conveyed the greetings of His Holiness Patriarch Moran More Ignatius Aphram II. Bishop Hovakim thanked all those taking part and delivered a sermon according to the Gospel of the day.
In his address, the Primate said: “I thank His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, for calling me to this new ministry. I am grateful to all the clergy and members of the parishes and churches who have shown their support and willingness to build the life of our church
together. I am thankful to my predecessors, Their Eminences Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian and, especially, Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian for the work they have done for this community. They have done their best for this Diocese and community leaving a challenging task to continue their mission. I am also thankful to you, dear faithful, for taking part in this Divine Liturgy and for praying with me at this very beginning of our journey together.”
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On the joyous occasion of the Feast of the Transfiguration, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan was formally installed as the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The faithful of the Armenian Church, ecumenical guests from sister Churches, and representatives of community organisations took part in the ceremony, held in St. Yeghiche Church on 12th July.
His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galastanian, special representative of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All ArmenianS, introduced the new Primate to the congregation and to those present and passed on him the pastoral staff, which symbolizes leadership and authority of the Bishop over a Diocese. In his introduction, Bishop Galastanian spoke about the role of the Primate and adorned Bishop Hovakim with a ”Panagia” (an episcopal pandent) and handed him the Pastoral Staff, signifying his new office. He then wished him a successful and productive service to the Church.
The Right Revd and Right Honourable Lord Dr. Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, who was among the dignitaries, congratulated His Grace and spoke about His
Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland
His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate
Diocesan Office
Tel. 0208 127 8364 primatesoffice@ armenianchurch.co.uk
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Armenian Church News Armenian Church News
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Cooperation and mutual understanding is important for our success.”
Meeting with Chairs of Parish Councils
His Grace Bishop Hovakim convened a meeting of the chairs and vice chairs of the Parish Councils of the Diocese on July 12th 2015. A number of questions related to the life and mission of the Diocese were discussed. Representatives of St. Yeghiche, St. Sarkis and Holy Trinity Church in Manchester, the parishes in Cardiff and Dublin, as well as the mission parish of Birmingham were present.
Life in our Parishes
London
Saturday, July 4th: His Grace attended St. Sarkis Parish Council's Annual BBQ, which took place on grounds of St. Sarkis in Iverna Gardens. The Primate greeted the participants and had informal discussions with the parishioners and their guests.
Manchester
Sunday 12th July 2015: The Holy Trinity Church parish in Manchester held a Vartavar Street Party on the occasion of the Feast of Transfiguration following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the church grounds. There were children’s entertainment, bouncy castle, face painting and even some games involving water, which is part of the Vartavar tradition. Parishioners and guests enjoyed the obligatory barbeque, drinks and, of course, Armenian music.
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Page 3 Armenian Church News ACC Reception in Honour of New Primate
Saturday 11th July: A reception in honour of the newly appointed Primate was held by the Armenian Community Council at the Marriott International Hotel in Kensington. Representatives of the Armenian community and sister Churches, and other dignitaries were present. At the end of the reception ACC Chair Ara Palamoudian welcomed the Primate. His Grace Bishop Manukyan addressed the guests and the audience. His Grace said, It is a great pleasure to greet you all wholeheartedly and express my deepest appreciation for the honour extended to me as the new Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland”.
Welcoming the President of Artsakh
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It was a great joy for the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland and, particularly, for the newly appointed Primate to greet the President Bako Sahakyan of Artsakh, the Armenian Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. A reception and a public event, organized jointly by the Armenian Embassy and the Community Council, took place at St. Yeghiche Church. His Grace the Primate addressed the President of Artsakh and expressed his profound joy in welcoming him to London. In his remarks, Bishop Hovakim underlined that “Artakh is our pride,” adding that “in pursuing their national and patriotic vision and ideals, Artsakh united the Armenian people as one body and spirit to secure and
protect the freedom of an important portion of the Armenian nation. Artakh is a holy land for us as it has been imbued by the blood of our sisters and brothers.” His Grace expressed a wish and prayer that the day will come when the banner of the embassy of Karabakh will be blessed in this Church.
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Graduation ceremonies of Armenian Schools
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His Grace the Primate attended the end of year graduation of the Kevork Tahta Armenian Community Sunday School on Sunday 5th July. The two-hour pleasant program included the pupils of the school performing in Armenian. At the end of the ceremony, His Grace blessed those present and expressed his appreciation to the teachers and parents of the school for the work they had done to keep the language and Armenian values alive.
On 11th July, the Saturday Armenian School celebrated the completion of the academic year 2014-2015. The school children of all classes put on a very lavish performance including a theatrical sketch on the story of Nemesis. The Very Rev. Fr. Aren Shaheenian expressed the kind wishes of the newly appointed Primate Bishop Hovakim Manukyan and then gave the graduates their Certificates and congratulated them for completing their studies.
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Page 4 Armenian Church News Youth Conference in Holy Etchmiadzin
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ACYF Executive Committee members Alex Adamov (Chairman) and Anaïs Heghoyan (Secretary) travelled to Armenia last week, where they were among 110 worldwide ACYO members attending the Pan-Armenian Church Youth Organization Conference that takes place annually in Holy Etchmiadzin. This year it was held 1-5 July.
Discussion topics included the role of the Armenian Church in the lives of young people and ways they can help support Armenia and contribute to strengthening their Armenian communities in the diaspora. Participants also had a chance to share projects implemented in their Diocese and brainstorm ideas for future programming.
This year’s meeting was the third gathering of Armenian youth since the establishment of the Pan-ACYO conferences in 2001. It was led by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church and director of the Pan-ACYO initiative.
On July 4th the group was received by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. His Grace said “Every Armenian who passes through the arches of Holy Etchmiadzin is strengthened and transformed. I know that you, too, have felt a transformation during your time here, and I pray that you will continue to be inspired as you return to your dioceses and work to strengthen your local youth organizations.” The group also
visited several historic sites in Armenia including Dzidzernagapert, the Genocide memorial monument in Yerevan.
If you would like to help, join and sponsor ACYF UK, please contact them
on:
acyf@armenianchurch.co.uk or on facebook https://www.facebook.com/acyf.london
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Vespers Service at St. Sarkis Armenian Church
A Vespers Service was held in St. Sarkis Armenian Church on the eve of the Feast of Transfiguration on Saturday, 11th July. His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galastanian, representative of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Diocese of the UK and Ireland, led the prayers attended by the clergy of the Diocese and the faithful.
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ForthcomiForthcoming Events
Armenian Street Festival
Armenian Church News
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The 5th annual Armenian Street Festival will take place on the grounds of St. Sarkis Church and on Iverna Gardens on Sunday, 19th July from 12- 6pm; ribbon cutting ceremony 1:00pm.
The Divine Liturgy will start at 10:30am and will be followed by Andastan, the traditional “Blessing of the Four Corners of the World” service.
There will be special entertainment for children in the Gulbenkian Hall.
The day’s program for everyone to enjoy includes a special music program and
live entertainment, including the London Armenian Opera, the singer Jirair and the Akhtamar Dance. Bring the whole family and your friends for a day of Armenian food, culture and entertainment.
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Blessing of the Holy Muron
‘’The Blessing of the Holy Muron, dear Armenian sons and daughters, is a call and invitation to our nation, to remain under the graces of holiness, to renounce evil and its works, and to keep the light of our Lord’s gospel undimmed in our lives. The Blessing of the Muron is an exhortation to live with Christ, to walk with Christ, since you were baptized in Christ and took on the garment of Christ with the Holy Muron. (ref. Gal 3:27)’’ Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians.
On this special centennial in the life of the Armenian nation, the solemn ceremony of the blessing of the Holy Muron will take place in the Mother See of Holy
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Etchmiadzin in Armenia on 27th September 2015. This year it is dedicated to the centenary of the Armenian Genocide.
The Diocese’s Office is organising a pilgrimage to Holy Etchmiadzin on this special occasion as an opportunity for the faithful to take part in this unique ceremony.
For further information regarding our pilgrimage to Armenia please contact the primate's office via phone call on 0208 127 8364 or email: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk
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Armenian Church News
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Worship services in the Armenian Churches
Services are held in the Armenian Churches every Sunday starting at 11:00 am. For further details, please contact the parish nearest to you:
Holy Trinity Armenian Church
229 Upper Brook Street Manchester, M13 0FY
Tel: 0161 273 1074
www.armenianchurchmanchester.org/
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St. Sarkis Church
Iverna Gardens Kensington, London, W8 6TP Tel: 020 7937 0152 http://www.stsarkisparish.co.uk
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St. Yeghiche Church
13b Cranley Gardens Kensington, London SW7 3BB Tel: 020 7373 8133 http://www.styeghiche.org.uk/
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New Parishes of our Diocese:
Cardiff, Dublin, Birmingham Oxford Campus Ministry
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We invite those who have questions or wish to gain deeper understanding of the faith, moral discernment, teachings and traditions of the Armenian Church to contact the Office of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in United Kingdom and Ireland:
The Primate’s Office c/o Armenian House 25 Cheniston Gardens London, W8 6TG
or email: Primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk
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Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland
His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate
Diocesan Office
Tel. 0208 127 8364 primatesoffice@ armenianchurch.co.uk 

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