E-NEWSLETTER HH - J:RJIK AArmenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland

E-NEWSLETTER

HH - J:RJIK

AArmenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland

VV. Revd Dr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate

33 April 2011, Issue 13, Vol 2

ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GB AND IRELAND

THE PRIMATE’S OFFICE

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ARMENIAN CHURCH MISSION PARISH COUNCIL IN DUBLIN

On Saturday, 26 th March, 2010, the Very Revd Dr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, was the guest speaker at a gathering of the Armenian community in Dublin, Ireland. The gathering was convened by representatives of the Armenian community with the intend of discussing the establishment of an Armenian Church Mission Parish in Dublin, Ireland. The assembly started with a welcoming remarks by Ayda Sarafian Lundon, representing the organizing committee. Mrs. Lundon then introduced the Primate and invited him to deliver his talk. Fr. Vahan offered a discussion on the biblical definition of Church as a community of believers and continued elaborating on the importance of establishing a Church community in Dublin to promote the Armenian Church values for the Armenians in Dublin and its surrounding. Following the presentation a discussion followed whereby questions were asked and supportive comments were made by the over-seventy people present at the assembly, in addition to their children. At the end of the discussion, Fr. Vahan introduced the following as the members of the Armenian Church Mission Parish (MPC) of Dublin: Mrs. Ayda Sarafian Lundon, Chairman; Mr. Paul Manook, Vice Chairman; Mrs. Margret Sarafian O'Neill, Treasurer; Mr. Kevork Malkhasian, Secretary; Mrs. Janna Sasunts, Public Relations; Mrs. Liana Harutunyan, Public Relations; Mr. Vahe Paronyan, Information Technology & Communications. Following the introduction by the Primate, the members of the MPC were unanimously received and approved by the assembly. This is the first time in the history of the Armenian community in Ireland that a Church Council is being confirmed. In November of 2010, the Armenian Church was officially recognized for the first time by the authorities in Ireland as a legal denomination and given the right to conduct its religious services and sacrament and preside over wedding sacraments. For further information about the Dublin MPC and to reach the Armenian community in Ireland, please contact Ayda Sarafian Lundon, Chairman at: alundon@eircom.net. Congratulations and God bless.

Armenian Church Mission Parish Council’s First Meeting in Dublin

BADARAKPEWBOOKS -COMMITTEEMEETING Following the celebration of Badarak on Sunday, 20th June, a meeting was held in the Vicarage for the members of the

committee appointed by the Primate to research and prepare the text of the pew book for Badarak. The committee includes members representing the parish council of St. Sarkis Church, the Church Committee of the St. Yeghiche Church and the Board of Wardens of the Holy Trinity Church in Manchester. Participating in the meeting were also representatives of the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) and of the mission parish councils of the Armenian Churches in Cardiff and Dublin as well as senior deacons and clergy. The committee Discussed in details the layout and binding of the book, the commentary to be included parallel to the text of the Badarak, and the practical instructions to help the faithful actively participate in the Badarak. The book is a project of the “Worship and Liturgical Services” programme of the Armenian Church in Great Britain and Ireland.PRIMATE’S PASTORAL VISIT TO THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN IRELAND

Last weekend, 25-27 March, Dublin was the host of the second pastoral visit of the very Revd Dr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, to the Armenian Community in Dublin. The visit was the culmination of several meetings and discussions with representatives of the Armenian community in Dublin. During his visit the Primate officially announced the formation of the Mission Parish Council (MPC) of the Armenian Church in Dublin during an assembly at Stillorgan Park Hotel in Dublin. Fr. Vahan presided over a three-hour meeting that discussed the various aspects of developing and supporting the programmes and activities of the Dublin MPC. The MPC discussed the schedule of upcoming events including a celebration of the Badarak sometime in May. Details to be announced. Later in the afternoon, Fr. Vahan offered a lecture on the history of the Armenian Church which was followed by a general assembly of the community. During his visit, the Primate attended a programme by the Armenian School organized by the Armenian community in Dublin. Present at the event was Mr. Ohan Yergaynaharsian, the Honorary Consul of Armenia to Ireland and a benefactor of the Armenian community in Ireland. The children presented a beautiful performance celebrating the arrival of Spring. During his pastoral stay in Dublin, Fr. Vahan visited 8 families and blessed their houses, and two people in two hospitals. There was even a choir rehearsal on Sunday afternoon! For further information about the Armenian Church MPC of Dublin and to reach the Armenian community in Ireland, please contact the chairman of the MPC at: alundon@eircom.net.

IMPRESSIVE AND EDUCATIONAL SERIES OF LECTURES BY REVD DR. NERSESSIAN

After church services last Sunday, 27 March, Father Nerses presented his third Lenten Talk on the „Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Church and its benefits to the participants‟. Exploring the links between liturgy and culture, Father Nerses made a strong historical defense of the need to upkeep the traditional Armenian liturgy as expressed by the celebrant in his secret prayer «Տէր Աստուծ մեր կեցո զժողովուրդս քո եւ օրհնեա զժառանգութիւնս քո»:Through a selection of prayers said silently by the priest, Father Nersess emphasised the active participation of the congregation in the liturgy more than they anticipate. The Armenian church should be warned of the dangers of following the path of the Catholic and Anglican traditions. In both these traditions the reformed liturgies have destroyed the mystery and transcendence that was at the heart of the old rite, replacing it with a utilitarian liturgy often marked with banalities of both language and ethos. The new rites, represent a modernistic man-centred liturgy ,serving didactic ends rather than having adoration as its central pattern and purpose. “If we offend the principles of reason our religion will be absurd and ridiculous .If we submit everything to reason our religion will be left with nothing mysterious or supernatural”. The liturgy is a moment for contemplation and not speculation as expressed in the Prayer of the Firs Antiphon «Տէր Աստուած մեր,որոյ կարողութիւնդ անքնին է եւ փառքդ անհասանելի,որոյ ողորմութիւնդ անչափ է եւ գթութիւնդ անբաւ...». In his upcoming talk this Sunday, 3rd of April, 2011, Father Nersess will focus on the movements within the Armenian church from the fourth to the 17th centuries, whose sole purpose was to safe guard the purity of the link between Armenian Christianity and culture. Armenia as the crucial centre between east and west and south, the Armenian church fathers gave their own interpretation to social and religious ideas, whether pagan or Christian. Armenia became a fertile ground for a bewildering number of movement, which prompted Movses

Khorenatsi to reflect upon the period after the deaths of Sahak and Mesrop as being chaotic “ the peace was disturbed, chaos became rooted, orthodoxy was shaken, and heterodoxy was established through ignorance”. Combating these movement was not only crucial from a religious point of view, but also because it shaped Armenia’s attitude towards Byzantium, Iran, the spread of Hellenism, and the emergence of the Caliphate.

ARMENIANS IN IRELAND – IMPORTANT CENSUS PLEASE PARTICIPATE

The Primate’s Office strongly urges Armenians in Dublin and the rest of Ireland to actively participate in the important upcoming census. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) of Ireland will be conducting the “Census 2011” in Ireland which will take place on 10th April of this year. Everybody present in the country on Census Night must be included, according to the law. Census enumerators must have delivered your census form by now. By the census date, you should complete the form for each person in your household and sign the declaration at the end of the form when it is complete. Your enumerator will call again in the 2-3 weeks after census day to collect your form.

The Primate’s Office urges all Armenians in Ireland to fill the census form and answer Question 11, “What is your ethnic or cultural background?” by checking option D8 and writing “Armenian” in the appropriate field. Please do not check the option “Other.” The following links offer a Sample of the census form, and help to fill out the census. For Question 12, “What is your religion” please check option 6 and write “Armenian Orthodox.” For Question 15 concerning other language, please choose option 1, “yes”, and indicate “Armenian.” Do not hesitate to contact the Primate‟s Office if you need help in an answering the census form.

HOLY WEEK CALENDAR OF CHURCH SERVICES Sunday: 17April, PalmSunday-?a[kaxard(St.SarkisandSt.Yeghiche)

Badarak: 11:00AM - No Hokehankisd

Thursday: 21 April, Washing of Feet/Betrayal - Otnloua\ ;u >auaroum (St. Sarkis) Badarak 11:00 am - No Hokehankisd Washing of Feet - 4:30pm Betrayal Vigil (Khavaroom) - 8:00pm

Friday: 22 April, Burial Service - Ja[man Karg (St. Sarkis) Burial Service 4:30pm Procession 5:00pm

Saturday: 23 April, Eve of the Resurrection - Yragalo\z (St. Sarkis and St. Yeghiche) Evening Service and Scripture Readings 5:30pm Badarak 6:00pm

Sunday: 24 April, Feast of the Resurrection - Sourb |aroujiun - Xatik (St. Sarkis and St. Yeghiche) Morning Service 10:00am Badarak 11:00am

PLEASE NOTE: 1. Hokehangisd requests on Palm Sunday and Easter will be honoured the Sunday following Easter, 1st May. 2. In order to sign up for the service of the “Washing of the feet”, parents and grandparents of those wishing to have

their feet washed are encouraged to contact the Primate‟s Office: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk, Phone: 020 8127 8364, Fax: 0872 111 5548 to sign the names of their sons or grandsons, ages 13 and older, for participation in the service. The number of the participants will be limited to 12, representing the twelve Apostles.

3. Those wishing to donate toward the palm branches of Palm Sunday, Holy Friday flowers of the tomb of Christ, or flowers for Easter, are kindly required to contact the offices of St. Sarkis and St. Yeghiche Churches.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

(According to the Armenian Church Lectionary)

Monday 4/4

29th day of Great Lent

Hebrews 1:1-14

Tuesday 5/4

30th day of Great Lent

Isaiah 7:10-8:10

Wednesday 6/4

31st say of Great Lent

Exodus 4:1-21 Joel 3:9-21

Thursday 7/4

32nd day of Great Lent. Feast of the Annunciation of Mary

Song of Solomon 1:1-11 Proverbs 11:30-12:4 Isaiah 52:7-10 Zechariah 2:10-13 Malachi 3:1-2

2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 Luke 1:26-38

Friday 8/4

33rd day of Great Lent

Deuteronomy 10:1-15 Job 19:1-29 Isaiah 45:1-13

Saturday 9/4

34th day of Great Lent. St. Gregory’s commitment to the pit

Wisdom 1:15-2:22 Micah 7:7-10 Philippians 1:12-21 Matthew 16:24-28

Sunday 10/4

Fourth Sunday of Great Lent.

Isaiah 66: 1-24 Colossians 2:8-3:17 Matthew 22:34-23:39

WASHING OF THE FEET SERVICE – HOLY THURSDAY

This year the inspiring service of the Washing of the Feet, which is part of the annual Holy week services, is scheduled on April 21st, at 4:30pm. The service commemorates the Lord‟s washing of the feet of the 12 apostles. In order to better organize the service and help our children enjoy the service, the Primate’s Office is requesting that the parents who want to have their son‟s feet washed to contact he Primate’s Office in advance. Please note that your son‟s or grandson‟s name needs to be registered in advance so they can attend a rehearsal with the Primate prior to the date of the service. To register please contact he Primate’s Office at 020 8127 8364 or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk

INTENSIVE SUMMER COURSE OF ARMENIAN LANGUAGE:

The Primate’s Office has been informed that the Department of Asian and Mediterranean Studies of the University of Venice in collaboration with the Cultural Association “Padus-Araxes” will be offering its popular summer course of Armenian Language, to take place 1-18 August. Tuition fee € 700. Deadline for registration is 31st March. For information please fax +39 041 241 4448, or e- mail: Daniela@padus-araxes.com. You can learn more about the language course by visiting the following website: http://padus-araxes.com/summercourse/index.htm

BIBLE STUDY SESSIONS:

The Bible Study groups continue meeting during the week according to the following schedule: The study group in Armenian meets on Tuesdays at 7:00pm, while the study group in English is meeting on Wednesdays at 7:30pm. Both groups meet in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall. These sessions are perfect opportunities for people who have not yet read the Bible. You do not have to be a theologian, a regular church-goer or even a believer to join our Bible Study. You don‟t even need to own a Bible. We will provide you with a copy. All are welcome. All are welcome and admission is free. However, please note that this Wednesday; there will be no Bible Study session in English.

ONLINE MINISTRY:

We are happy to inform our readers that the Armenian Church of GB and Ireland has a website that is updated regularly. You can visit the website to learn more about upcoming programmes, lectures and church services and browse pictures of past events at: www.armenianchurch.co.uk.

If someone you know wishes to receive the E-Newsletter, or if you want us to send the E-Newsletter to a relative or a friend, kindly forward the person‟s e-mail to: information@armenianchurch.co.uk.

Meanwhile, we are building up our e-list with special attention to Armenians living in the Wales region and in Birmingham. If you know of someone who lives or studies in these areas, or anywhere else in GB and Ireland, please forward the person‟s e-mail address to: information@armenianchurch.co.uk.

ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND

The Primate’s Office: 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG, UK Website: Armenianchurch.co.uk • E-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk Phone: 020 8127 8364 • Fax: 087 2111 5548

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