Armenian Church News Primate Celebrates the Divine Liturgy in Manchester
Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland
Volume 1, Issue 9 9 October 2015
the sophisticated faith of theologians and scholars. But it was always the unshakeable faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that supported our people both in times of difficulty and prosperity.
Despite the fact that our people have been scattered all over the world, and that some of them could not speak their mother tongue and therefore could not understand the language of the worship, they kept their faith. Their faith survived because our sacred traditions were kept alive within the family along with a respect for the Church. They survived because there were strong links and golden chains of unity with their spiritual centre - the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Today we see one of the symbols of this unity: the newly blessed Holy Muron that we have brought from Armenia, with the blessings of the Catholicos of All Armenians, for the benefit and spiritual nourishment of the faithful of the Armenian Church.’’
After this speech, the Primate thanked the wardens and members of the community. At the end of the Divine Liturgy a special water blessing service was held with the newly blessed Holy Muron that the Primate brought from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Rev. Fr. Nerses Nersisian assisted the Primate in the water blessing ceremony.
The previous day, 3rd October, the first baptisms took place with the new Holy
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
Examine yourselves to make sure you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you acknowledge that Jesus Christ is really in you?’’ (Cor 13:5)
“These are not my words but those of Paul, the apostle of gentiles, who was writing to the congregation in Corinth in his second epistle. I urge you to do the same by examining yourselves to make sure you are in the faith’’ said the Primate during the sermon whilst celebrating the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church in Manchester on 4th October. Making his first official visit to the Armenian Community, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan praised the community in Manchester for their strong Christian commitment and organization.
While speaking about the importance of faith, Bishop Hovakim said; “The faith in Jesus Christ has been the sole power that has helped the Armenian nation to survive throughout the centuries. Sometimes it was a naïve and simple faith of ordinary people. Sometimes it was also
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Armenian Church News
Muron, at Holy Trinity Church in Manchester. The newly baptised members of our Church are: Ellie Aida Hripsime Mkhitaryan (parents: Davit Mkhitaryan and Christine Yeramian, godfather: Alex Yeramian); and Zachary Sarkisian (parents: Hiek Sarkisian and Louise Foy, godfather: Noah Sarkisian).
Churches Together in England - Conference
CTE (Churches Together in England) is the ecumenical body which brings together major Christian denominations, churches and Christian organizations in England under one roof. Formerly it was known as Council of Churches in England. The Armenian Church of the UK and Ireland has been a member of CTE for over two decades as an independent member and also as an associate member through the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches in the UK. His Grace Bishop Nathan Hovhannissian served as one of four Presidents of CTE between 2004 and 2009 while he was the Primate of the Armenian Church of the UK.
The CTE Conference takes place every three years. This year it took place from 28- 30th September 2015 at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire. The Forum was a delegate conference, bringing together over three hundred representatives of Churches Together in England's Member Churches, Intermediate Bodies, Co-ordinating Groups and Bodies in Association.
By the directive of our Primate H.G. Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, our Diocese was represented in the Forum this year by Rev. Fathers Movses Sargsyan and Shnork Bagdassarian.
This year’s Forum was different from previous years as there was a strong presence of Orthodox delegates and also young people.
Page 3 Armenian Church News ACYF Elects New Executive for London Chapter
ACYF Social Gathering
On the 14th October at
7:30pm Srpazan Hovakim, Primate of the UK and Ireland and the ACYF London Chapter would like to invite the youth for pizza and desserts at the Vicarage in Iverna Gardens, Kensington, W8 6TP, to meet with the new Primate and to have an official handover and to congratulate former executives for serving their terms and for all their hard work towards the ACYF London Chapter.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
On the 4th October 2015 the Primate invited some of the active members of the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship and some deacons to have a meeting regarding recruitment for the ACYF London Chapter. They all met in the Vicarage, with Hayr Sourp Movses also present for guidance. Srpazan Hayr appointed a couple of new positions to the committee. The temporary committee was appointed and approved by all present :
Anais Heghoyan: Chariman
Ariana Kosyan: Vice Chariman Krikor Sabounjian: Communications Akop Gulushanian: Treasurer Anahit Vardanova: Secretary
With Nairy Afrikian and Tigran Mkrtchyan as advisors.
Diocesan Clergy Meeting
On the 6th October in the Gulbenkian Hall, the Primate presided over a meeting of the clergy of the diocese. Practical questions related to the liturgical life of the communities were discussed in the presence of the priests and deacons.
The order of procession of deacons and priests during the ecumenical prayer service (which will take place on 28th October to celebrate the lives of Holy Martyrs of 1915, in Westminster Abbey) was discussed as well as questions of pastoral concern.
By the decision of the Primate, deacons and choirs will start special rehearsals of Church songs, particularly the hymns of midday prayers for the Divine liturgy. The rehearsals will be led by Mr. Aris Nadirian from Sunday, 11th of October, at 17:00 hours in St. Sarkis Church.
The next meeting of the clergy of the diocese will be held on 12th November 2015, in the Gulbenkian hall, at 19:00.
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Armenian Church News
Armenian Church News
current projects, including the building of a kindergarden (Soseh magabardez) in Stepanakert, Artsakh. A summary of the kindergarden project was shown in a short film.
During the evening members and guests were entertained with beautiful Armenian folk dancing by Maral Baghjian and friends as well as poetry by poet Mrs. Gayaneh Khachateryan.
Towards end of the cocktail reception, the anniversary cake was brought into the hall and all the members gathered around to cut the cake.
The evening's last word was with Hayr Movses, who praised the ARS's humanitarian work and reminded all that giving is a great joy.
Armenian Relief Society in London Celebrates 33rd Anniversary
The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) was founded in New York, USA in 1910. At the time it was known as the Armenian Red Cross. Today the ARS has branches in over 25 countries and has over 15,000 members. The ARS serves the humanitarian, social and educational needs of Armenians and non- Armenians all over the world.
Currently the ARS is holding its 71st International Convention in Yerevan.
In 1982 the Armenian Relief Society of Great Britain (ARS GB) was established. On Sunday 27th September 2015, ARS GB celebrated their 33rd Anniversary at the Navasartian Centre, with their members and guests.
The cocktail reception was opened with a welcome speech from ARS GB's chairlady, Mrs. Arshalouys Babayan, followed by the ARS's anthem. During her speech, Mrs. Babayan informed members and guests about the work of the ARS and its
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Armenian Church News
Spirituality and Religious Life
The Armenian Bible
There are two great literary dialects of modern Armenian, in which it was necessary to publish the Bible, since the ancient Armenian (called Grapar, or "written") was no longer generally understood.
Ararat-Armenian: The first version of the New Testament into Ararat Armenian, by Dittrich, was published by the British and Foreign Bible Society in Moscow in 1835; the Psalter in 1844; the rest of the Old Testament much later. There was an excellent edition published in Constantinople in 1896.
Constantinopolitan-Armenian: A version of the New Testament into Constantinopolitan Armenian, by Dr. Zohrabian, was published in Paris in 1825 by the British and Foreign Bible Society. This version was made from the Ancient Armenian. A revised edition, by Adger, appeared in Smyrna in 1842.
With the authorization of the Armenian Apostolic Church new translations of the Bible were made in Eastern and Western Armenian in recent periods.
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in cooperation with the Armenian Bible Society translated and republished the version of the Arsen Bagratuni (Venice 1860) in 1994. The Bible has been re- published in 1999 and 2001.
The Bible is read during the Divine Liturgy and the Liturgy of Hours as well as during the Sacraments. The sermons of the clergy are mostly based on the Biblical passages of the day and the faithful follow the interpretation of the Bible and receive the message during the liturgy and other sacraments.
The Bible is a highly venerated book not only in the Armenian Church but also in Armenian families. The late Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin I, on one occasion said “the Bible is not a simple source of knowledge but rather it is a source of inspiration. You can’t read the Bible like any other book. It must be accepted as an image, in which our image corresponds with the image of Jesus.”
These two sentences depict the importance of the Bible in the life of the Armenian people. The Armenians have been reading it in their mother tongue since the 5th century, when the Armenian alphabet was created in 405, and subsequently the Holy Scriptures were translated into Armenian (ancient Armenian-Grabar), the first version from Syriac Peshitta (406-432) and Greek Septuagint and Origen’s Hexapla, known also as the queen of translations from 432-439.
Because of foreign invasions, the Armenians had to flee their home country and establish centers in Europe and even in the Far East. Thus, the first Armenian bibles were printed in Europe. The Psalter was printed in Rome in 1565 and the Bible by Vardapet Oskan of Erivan in Amsterdam in 1666. Later on a new edition was published in Constantinople in 1705 and in Venice in 1733. Friar Hovhannes Zohrabian, member of Armenian Mkhitarist brotherhood in Venice, published the Bible in 1805. His version is known as Zohrabian Bible. Arsen Bagratuni published the first critical edition of the Armenian Bible in 1860.
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Armenian Church News
Apart from the liturgical practices, the Diocesan Office of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland has launched a project to teach the Bible to the laity. Men and women of different ages attend these studies.
The rich commentaries of the Armenian Church fathers are being utilized to ascertain specific topics related to faith and morality.
The Bible studies are usually held every Thursday evening. During the interactive sessions the participants are welcome to participate and to express their opinions and ideas on the topics under discussion.
"To the Right Hand (of St. Gregory the Illuminator)
and to Holy Etchmiadzin, the whole of the Armenian nation
is bound."
-Archimandrite Arakel Davrizhetsi
17th Century Historian
Our History and Heritage
The Mother Church of Holy Etchmiadzin
Etchmiadzin Cathedral (Armenian: Էջմիածնի Մայր Տաճար) is the Mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the city of Vagharshapat, Armenia. According to most scholars it was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia, and is considered the oldest cathedral in the world.
According to the ‘History of the Armenians’ (c. 460) by Agathangelos, Saint Gregory the Illuminator had a vision of Jesus Christ descending from heaven and striking the earth with a golden hammer to show where the cathedral should be built. Hence, the Catholicos gave the church the name of Etchmiadzin (էջ ēĵ "descent" + մի mi "only" + -ա- -a- (linking element) + ծին tsin "begotten"), which translates to "the Descent of the Only- Begotten [Son of God].
The original church was built in the early fourth century—between 301 and 303 according to tradition—by Armenia's patron Saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. The core of the current
building was built in 483/4 by Vahan Mamikonian after the cathedral was severely damaged in a Persian invasion. From its foundation until the second half of the fifth century, Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Church.
Although never losing its significance, the cathedral subsequently suffered centuries of virtual neglect. In 1441 it was restored as a catholicosate and remains as such to this day. Etchmiadzin was plundered by Shah Abbas I of Persia in 1604, when relics and stones were taken out of the cathedral in an effort to undermine Armenians' attachment to their land. Since then the cathedral has undergone a number of renovations. Belfries were added in the latter half of the seventeenth century and in 1868 a sacristy was constructed at the cathedral's east end. Today, it incorporates styles of different periods of Armenian architecture. Diminished during the early Soviet period, Etchmiadzin revived again in the second half of the twentieth century, under an independent Armenia.
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Armenian Church News
As the main spiritual center of most Armenians worldwide, Etchmiadzin has been an important location in Armenia not only religiously, but also politically, economically and culturally. A major pilgrimage site, it is one of the most visited places in the country. Along with several important early medieval churches located nearby, the cathedral was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.
The Mother Cathedral is open to the faithful everyday from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy is celebrated every Sunday starting at 11:00 a.m., except on Feast Days or special occasions when it starts at 10:30 a.m. Morning services are conducted starting at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday. Evening Services are conducted at 5:30 p.m. every day.
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Your Questions Answered
The Diocesan Office was asked if it is mandatory to fast before the Holy Communion. The answer is yes. According to tradition the fasting is mandatory before taking Holy Communion. Those faithful who want to partake in Divine Liturgy and take Holy Communion first of all must fast. This means they are not going to eat anything in the morning before the liturgy. At the same time the faithful are invited to prepare themselves spiritually and be ready for the confession of sins. These are traditions established by Church fathers. Those who have health problems and cannot fast, are invited to liaise with their pastors.
Prayer intentions:
September and October
Upcoming Events
Armenian Church News
11th October: on the Feast of the Holy Translators there will be a solemn liturgy at St. Yeghiche Church in London. At the end of the liturgy there will be a requiem service in memory of the parents of the benefactors of the Church. The liturgy will be celebrated by guest clergy, Very Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan, Head of the Inter-Church Relations Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
18th October: the Primate will visit the parish in Dublin and celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
28th October: there will be an Ecumenical Prayer Service celebrating of the lives of the newly-sainted Armenian Martyrs of 1915, Westminster Abbey, at 7:00 pm.
7th November: the Primate will celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the Armenian Community in Cardiff.
Editorial:
The main objective of the diocesan e-newsletter is to serve and reach out to Armenians throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. The community members and organizations are welcome to send their announcements for the e- newsletter, including information not only about public events but also about important family events such as christening, matrimony or passing away.
We pray and ask you to remember in your prayers our brethren and sisters in the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Iraq. We ask the mercy of God for those suffering because of wars and for those who have become refugees. Please, also remember in your prayers that peace and stability may prevail on the borders of Armenia and Kharabakh.
Armenian Church News
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/
St. Sarkis Church
Iverna Gardens Kensington, London, W8 6TP Tel: 020 7937 0152 http://www.stsarkisparish.co.uk
St. Yeghiche Cathedral
13b Cranley Gardens Kensington, London SW7 3BB Tel: 020 7373 8133 http://www.styeghiche.org.uk/
Parishes of our Diocese:
Cardiff - Tel: + 44 771 279 2304, +44 2920779248. john@jagproperties.co.uk
Dublin - Tel: +44 2891 863559. http://www.armenians.ie/
Mission Parish of Birmingham – Tel: +44 121 675 1469. St John’s Church, Stratford Road, Birmingham, B11 4EA
Oxford Campus Ministry:
Oxford - Tel: +44 7810 490242. armenian.society@studentsclub.ox.ac.uk
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
The Armenian Vicarage
Iverna Gardens
London, W8 6TP
or email: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE OUR CHANGE OF POSTAL ADDRESS
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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