ARMENIAN CHURCH OF UK & IRELAND THE PRIMATE’S OFFICE

E-NEWSLETTER

HH - J:RJIK

AArmenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland

VV. Revd Dr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate

118th July 2011, Issue 28, Vol 2

ARMENIAN CHURCH OF UK & IRELAND

THE PRIMATE’S OFFICE

25 Cheniston Gardens Kensington London W8 6TG Tel: 020 8127 8364 Fax: 0872 111 5548

E-mail:

primatesoffice@ armenianchurch.co.uk

Website:

armenianchurch.co.uk

Website:

Click Here

GENERAL INFORMATION

information@ armenianchurch.oc.uk

ARMENIAN CHURCH YOUTH

FELLOWSHIP (ACYF)

E-mail:

ACYF@

armenianchurch.oc.uk

Facebook:

Click Here

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/ACYFUK. CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Calendar

E-NEWSLETTER

Recent Issues Older Issues

CONTINUING EDUCATION MINISTRY (C.E.M.)

Download Audio/Video

THE PRIMATE’S BLOG

Archives

NEW DATES FOR THE BADARAK COURSE

The Continuing Education Ministry of the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church of the UK and

Ireland is happy to announce the offering of a four- session summer course titled ―Exploring the Hymns and Prayers of Our Badarak.‖ The course will be offered by the Very Revd Dr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, at the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall on the following Fridays: the 19th & 26th of August and the 2nd and 9th of September. Each session, beginning at 6:00pm, will last for two hours with a 10-minute break in the middle of the session. The course will offer an English translation of the Classical Armenian text of the specific hymns and prayers of that session, elaboration on the various biblical themes our Church Fathers have incorporated in these hymns and prayers, and an explanation of how these hymns and prayers help build up and develop the overall theology of the Badarak. In addition to the PowerPoint presentation, registered participants will receive a copy of handouts which include a summary of the information discussed during each session. No knowledge of Armenian is required or necessary to participate in the course. However, this course will be a good opportunity for those who attended Fr. Garegin’s introductory lectures in Classical Armenian, to review their knowledge. All are welcome. Admission is free. For further information or to sign up for the course please contact the Primate’s Office by phone: 020 8127 8364, or via e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.

CEM LECTURE: WHEN HE CAME TO HIS SENSES

The Continuing Education Ministry (CEM) of the Armenian Church of the UK is happy to announce the offering of the lecture ―When He Came to Hi Senses: Food and the Prodigal Son‖ by Dr. George Piligian. The lecture will be offered in lieu of the Bible Study session on Wednesday, 20th July, 2011 at 7:00pm. In the gospel of Luke (15:11-32), Jesus is telling the story of a man who had two sons. The younger son demanded his share of the estate and set off on his own to a far off land—the

ultimate insult to his father. After a severe famine in that land, the starving son changes his mind (Luke15:17): 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!" In our first encounter with this parable, we examined the intelligent design of DNA and the physical and spiritual senses afforded to human beings that compel us to consider meaning in life. In this latest encounter, we will explore the way in which food physically satisfies the nutritional and energy needs of the body and how remarkably this holds true for the spiritual dimension as well. Jesus gave us many metaphors for food, so come prepared with a few of them and we will enjoy a very satisfying meal together—in mind and spirit, that is. (And of course, what gathering of Armenians would be complete without food?)

A WEEKEND OF GRADUATIONS – CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL:

Last weekend, 9-10th July, 2011, was the graduation weekend for the two Armenian Schools in London. On Saturday, 9th July, the Armenian Saturday School commenced its graduation ceremony at 6:00pm. The Tahta Sunday School had its graduation ceremony on Sunday at 1:00. Both graduation ceremonies took place at the Twyford school (Acton W3 9PP) and were presided over by the Very Revd Dr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate. The two schools had prepared an impressive programme of recitations, poetry, songs and dances, performed by the students. The theme for the Saturday School was Cities in Historic Western Armenia, while the Sunday School theme was King Dikran the Great. The Primate presided over the graduation commencements and assisted the principals, Mrs. Romelia Ghazarian of the Saturday School and Mrs. Rousanna Tatoulian, of the Tahta Sunday School, in the distribution of the diplomas and the awards to the graduating students. Fr. Vahan congratulated the graduating students, their parents, teachers, principals and the members of the faculties and the Boards of Directors. He thanked the parents for their commitments to raise their children in the beautiful traditions and culture of our people and invited the graduating students to be actively involved in the various Armenian programmes and activities available to them in the UK, including the ACYF. Congratulations to all!

Sunday School – Dikran the Gread

Sunday School Group Photo

Sunday School

Saturday School

Click Here

for more photos of the Saturday & Sunday Schools’ Graduation ceremonies

JOIN US FOR A BADARAK CELEBRATION IN BIRMINGHAM

Join the Primate of the Armenian Church of UK and Ireland and a group of deacons, altar servers and members of the choirs from the Armenian parishes in London and Manchester as they visit the Armenian community in Birmingham to celebrate a traditional Badarak. The Badarak celebration and the fellowship to follow are scheduled on the 23rd of July in Walsall, Birmingham. The Badarak will commence at 12:00 noon and will be celebrated at the Green Lane Baptist Church in Burrowes Street, Walsall, West Midlands WS2 8NX. A fellowship gathering will follow the celebration of Badarak in the church hall, courtesy of the Armenian community in Birmingham. All are invited. If you live in or near Birmingham, please make every effort to join us all on Saturday, the 23rd of July for an inspiring day of Armenian Badarak and prayer, fellowship, faith, friendship and fun. If you know of someone who lives in the area, please forward the e-mail and contact info to the Primate Office: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.

CLICK HERE for map and directions

STREET FESTIVAL REPORT & NEXT YEAR’S DATE – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

The Primate’s Office is happy to announce that it has already coordinated with the office of the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to reserve Sunday, 15th July, 2012 as the date of the second Armenian Festival in

UK. Please mark your calendar and join us. The Primate’s Office invites all Armenian organizations in the UK to be part of an annual celebration of Armenian identity, culture, history and traditions in the UK. The Primate and the volunteer staff members of the Primate’s Office are grateful to the over-2000 Armenians and their friends who, despite the rain, came and supported the first Armenian Street Festival in the UK. Special thanks to the sponsors, donors and volunteers of the Festival, without whose financial support and volunteer time and efforts the Festival could not have been as successful as it was. Thank you all! The Primate’s Office has also released the following financial statement of the first Armenian Street Festival:

FIRST ARMENIAN STREET FESTIVAL Primate’s Office – Sunday, 12th July 2011:

I Income  Sale of food, drinks and

items at the Primate’s Office stall  Stall rental (including partial

payments by certain Armenian organisations)  Sponsorships and donations

Total:

II. Expenditure  Food, drinks, books, souvenirs, application

fees and long term investments by purchasing furniture and tools, e.g. canopies, tables ... etc.

£ 6,219.10

£ 430.00 £ 7,326.00 £13,975.10

Total: £ 7,839.95

.

Total income after expenses:

£ 6,135.15

JOIN THE UK AND IRELAND CHAPTER OF EUROPEAN WOMEN OF FAITH Religions for Peace is the largest international coalition of representatives from the world’s great religions dedicated to promoting peace. Respecting religious differences while celebrating humanity, ―Religions for Peace” is active on every continent including some of the most troubled areas of the world, creating multi-religious partnerships. Closely working with the United Nations and other NGOs, Religions for Peace strives to establish roots in the local communities around the world. One way of doing so is establishing a ―Women of Faith‖ network with chapters around the world including the UK and Ireland. The Primate has been approached to invite Armenian Church women to participate in the UK and Ireland committee meetings of the Women of Faith. The Primate’s Office, consequently, cordially invites Armenian women of any age who are willing to be part of the ―Armenian Church Women’s Guild,‖ to contact he Primate directly at primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk, or telephone: 0208 127 8364. A committee will be formed of those interested, which will meet regularly with the Primate and elect its representative to participate in the Women of Faith UK council of the Religions for Peace.

.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

(According to the Armenian Church Lectionary)

Sunday 17/7

Isaiah 2:5-11 Romans 8:31-10:4 Matthew 13:24-30

Monday 18/7

Proverbs 1:1-9 Isaiah 41:1-3 Hebrews 12:1-7 Mark 13:9-13

Tuesday 19/7

Zechariah 3:7-4:9. 1 Corinthians 12:28-13.3 Matthew 23:34-39

Wednesday 20/7

Fasting day

Romans 10:5-17 Matthew 13:31-42

Thursday 21/7

2 Kings 13:14-21 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 Luke 4:25-30

Friday 22/7

Fasting day

Romans 11:1-12 Matthew 13:43-52

Saturday 23/7

Wisdom 9:9-10:2 Exodus 15:23-27 1 Thessalonians 2:9-16 Matthew 9:36-10:7

a

ASAZOUA?Q! «Baroujiune l;xou men h4 orow krnanq .7sil famr;rou f;t ;u ls;li da5nal .oul;lou f;t0!

DEACONS’ TRAINING PROGRAMME UPDATE

The Deacons’ Training Programme (Continuing Education Ministry) of the Armenian Church of UK and Ireland will resume its sessions on Monday evening, 25th July. By request of the participants the sessions have been extended to two-hours each, starting at 6:00pm. Participants will receive a copy of the ―Deacons’ Training Manual‖ and go over the various parts of the functions of the deacons’ in the Armenian Church liturgy. This is the perfect opportunity for those interested in the Armenian Church liturgy to join the programme. If you, or someone you know, is interested to learn and participate in the beautiful and inspiring liturgy of our ancestors please write to the Primate’s Office at: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk, or join us next Monday.

Bible Study Sessions this Week As part of the Continuing Education Ministry of the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church of the UK and Ireland, we are happy to inform our readers that the Bible Study groups in Armenian and English will continue meeting during the summer. However, please note, that there will be no Bible Study session in Armenian this Tuesday. The English study group will meet on Wednesday, to focus on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32. Guest Lecturer: George Piligian, M.D. If you have not been to any of our discussion sessions, please make an effort to join us whenever you can. We know you will enjoy them!

The Primate’s Office

The Very Revd Dr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, can be reached at the

Primate’s Office (25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG) by phone: 020 8127 8364, or via e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. Appointments can be made by contacting the Primate’s Office. Please note that messages left on the office at St. Sarkis Church (Vicarage) are not accessed by the Primate or his staff. Also, due to the unavailability of any funding or budget for the Primate’s Office, the office is managed by part-time volunteers, who try their best to process messages left on the answering service, as soon as it is humanly possible.

Online Outreach: You can read all about news and past and forthcoming events in the Armenian Church in UK and Ireland by visiting the official website of the Armenian Church in UK and Ireland: www.armenianchurch.co.uk.

 If you are not on our mailing list and do not receive our popular weekly E-Newsletter, or someone you know does not, kindly forward yours or the person’s e-mail to: information@armenianchurch.co.uk.

 Do you Tweet? Follow our Armenian Church Youth Fellowship.

ARMENIAN CHURCH OF UK AND IRELAND

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

»!

Church News