E-NEWSLETTER

HH - J:RJIK

AArmenian Church of The United Kingdom and The Republic of Ireland

330th December 2011, Issue 52, Volume 2

The Right Revd Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate

AARMENIAN CHURCH OF UK & IRELAND

THE PRIMATE’S OFFICE

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

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primatesoffice@ armenianchurch.co.uk

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www.armenianchurch.co.uk

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NEW YEAR WITH NEW HOPES & RENEWED COMMITMENTS

In less than 24 hours the world will welcome the New Year, 2012. Once again we witness God’s creative love in action, as His creation is renewed with a new year of

new possibilities and opportunities for achievements, progress, growth and celebration of God’s gift of life and love. The final hours of every year and the early hours of the new year, set the stage for the annual mental and spiritual exercise of revisiting the memories of the past year. It is a sacred moment of journeying back through our experiences of the year, hopefully with the intention of learning from our past and correcting our old bad habits, while rejoicing in our many successes and achievements. As such it is time to give thanks to God for all that we experienced, celebrated and learned from. However, at the same sacred moment while revisiting the past, we look forward with optimism to the future. Our hearts and souls are showered with the great feeling of a new beginning with infinite possibilities to celebrate and help others enjoy God’s miraculous creation. As such, it is also the time to renew our commitments to God to live the years ahead according to His will, to do our best to seek Him: to seek His love and to live accordingly; to be ambassadors conveying His divine love and faith to all those with whom we come in contact during our life’s journey. It is time to make, remake, modify and renew our resolutions to be better Christians and dedicated sons and daughters of our spiritual mother: the Armenian Church. Finally it is time to pray. Let us pray that the year 2012 may bring with it God’s peace that many parts of our world today, especially in the Middle East, so desperately need. May the first dawn of 2012 shine forth the light of faith, hope, and love

into the hearts of God’s creation, especially those who live alone, away from their loved ones, and those who struggle with health challenges and diseases. May the first hours of the year 2012 mark the beginning of an even brighter future to the Armenian people all over the world, the Republic of Armenia and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. God bless us all. Happy New Year!

FIRST ANNUAL CHURCH ASSEMBLY

In an effort to actively engage every Armenian in the administration and programming of the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland, the Primate’s Office is

happy to announce the date of the first annual Assembly of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The assembly is scheduled to take place at St. Yeghiche Church on Sunday, 5th February, 2:00-4:00pm. The Assembly will include the presentation and discussion of reports by the Primate, the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) and the Primate’s Office with all its programmes including the Continuing Education Ministry, Mission Outreach, Deacons’ Training, and the Liturgy and Worship programmes. All are welcome to attend the Assembly and discuss the reports. For further information please contact the Primate’s Office at: 020 8127 8364 or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.

ANNUALACYFCHRISTMAS CAROLS -SATURDAY,17THDECEMBER

AARMENIAN CHURCH E-NEWSLETTER CIRCULATION

With this issue of the Armenian Church E-Newsletter this publication concludes its second volume. As of the date of the issuing of this E-Newsletter, our circulation list has reached to 1765 recipients. The list has been classified into several

categories based on various criteria. The E-Newsletter, for example, is sent to the various boroughs in London, Bath, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glascow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Walsall and other cities. The list includes categories such as students, seniors, ACYF London, ACYF Manchester, ACYF Dublin, MPCs ... etc. It is interesting to note that the first issue of the E-Newsletter was sent almost two years ago to less than 50 recipients! The list continues to expand as we receive requests from people who wish to have a member of their family or themselves connected with the Armenian Church and receive updates about the church’s various activities and programmes. If you or someone you know wishes to receive our E-Newsletter, please forward the person’s e-mail address and city to: information@armenianchurch.co.uk. Finally, thank you for your support and valuable feedback.

Հրապարակային Դասախօսութիւն

ԱՄԱԶԳԱՅԻՆ Կրթական եւ Մշակութային Միութիւն Լոնտոն, Հրապարակային Դասախօսութիւն, “Աղթամարի Սուրբ Խաչ Եկեղեցին Պատմութեան Ընդմէջէն“ Կը դասախօսէ՝ Պետրոս Թովմասեան, Պատմաբան - Լոս Անճըլըսէն, Հեղինակ «Հայկական Լեռնաշխարհը եւ Միջագետքը» Գիրքին: ԵՐԵՔՇԱԲԹԻ՝ 03 ՅՈՒՆՈՒԱՐ 2012 ԿԵ ժամը 8:00 –ին: ՆԱՒԱՍԱՐԴԵԱՆԿԵԴՐՈՆ. Մուտքը՝ ազատ

A Lecture by the LA Armenian historian and writer Bedros Tomassian titled: “The Holy Cross Church of Aghtamar in History, will be offered on Tuesday, 3rd January, 2012 at 8:00pm in Navasartian Centre. Free Admission. Click Here for further information,

JOIN THE PRIMATE IN CARDIFF AND CELEBRATE WITH THE MISSION PARISH

The Cardiff Mission Parish Council (MPC) is happy to announce the scheduling of the celebration of the Armenian Christmas Badarak on

Saturday 14th January 11:00am, at the Ararat Baptist Church, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1EQ. Following Badarak, which will be celebrated by His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, the MPC will have its annual Christmas Dinner which will continue until 18.00 hrs. Alice Kanekanian, from the Armenian Mission Parish of Cardiff, has organised some carols to be sung by the children. The ladies of Cardiff MPC are preparing their usual delicacies for this occasion. Also planned are Musical performances, Games and an appearance by Father Christmas to hand out presents to the children. All are welcome. For further information about the event and to join the Primate in the Badarak celebration and the programme to follow please contact the Armenian Church Mission Parish Council in Cardiff (MPC) by e-mailing John: john@jagproperties.co.uk.

PRIMATE MEETS HIS EMINENCE ABP. KHAJAG BARSAMIAN

During a brief visit to the United States of America, His Grace Bishop Vahan

Hovhanessian, Primate, met with His Eminence Abp. Khajag Barsamian,

Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America last

ՆԱՒԱՍԱՐԴԵԱՆԿԵԴՐՈՆ

Thursday, 29th December. During the meeting Bishop Vahan shared updates

from the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland and news of the various

new programmes and ministries in the Diocese. The two hierarchs discussed the diocesan bylaws adopted at a meeting in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin attended by Primates and Chairmen of Church Councils around the world, including the UK, in 2007. The training of future and young clergy and the role of St. Nersess Seminary was also discussed. Present at the meeting was the Very Revd Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Vicar General.

Tuesday, January 3 at 8:00pm

Մուտքը՝ ազատ

LET US MAINTAIN AND PROMOTE OUR BEAUTIFUL TRADITIONS Location: Navasartian Centre London

Armenians have beautiful traditions associated with major feast-days of the Church, especially Nativity (Christmas) and George 646 761 9971

Easter. One of these traditions is the visit of the local parish pastor to the homes in his neighborhood or town to bless the Armenian households. Usually, the main hymn of the feast is sung and a brief biblical passage, narrating the event of the feast, is chanted. The priest blesses a loaf of bread, a glass of water and some salt, as a sign of life and God’s blessings. Please, help the Armenian Church maintain and promote this beautiful tradition during the coming season of Nativity and Theophany (Surb Dzunoont). Please contact the Armenian Church office or the Church Mission Parish Council in your town or city to coordinate a house blessing by one of our clergy. Happy New Year and Blessed Nativity(Soorp Dzunoont)!

THE PRIMATE’S OFFICE - PRISON MINISTRY “Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something

to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:37-40)

The Primate’s Office recently announced the launching of a new ministry to reach out and comfort those among the Armenians who are incarcerated (in prison). We will contact the authorities involved and coordinate an Armenian priest’s visit to the prison to meet, pray with and comfort the incarcerated individual. For further information please contact the Primate’s Office at: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk, or call: 020 8127 8364. All information shared with the Primate’s Office and clergy will remain strictly confidential.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

(According to the Armenian Church Lectionary)

Sunday 1/1

Happy New Year!

Proverbs 11:2-11 Isaiah 4:2-6 Colossians 1:21-29 John 10:11-16

Monday 2/1

Isaiah 51:15-52:3 Hebrews 13:18-25 Luke 22:24-30

Tuesday 3/1

Hebrews 12:5-17 Luke 20:41-21:4

Wednesday 4/1

Hebrews 12:25-13:6 Luke 21:20-33

Thursday 5/1

Eve of the Nativity

Titus 2:11-15 Matthew 2:1-12

Friday 6/1

Feast of the Nativity

Titus 2:11-15 Matthew 1:18-25

Saturday 7/1

Acts 6:8-8:2 John 12:24-26

Happy New Year

a

2012

His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate and the volunteer editorial staff of the Armenian Church E-Newsletter

ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS AND NATIVITY SERVICES: The Primate’s Office announced the following schedule for the Church services on

the occasion of the Feast of the Birth and Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ:

St. Sarkis and St. Yeghiche Churches in London:

Thursday, 5th January: Eve of the Nativity

5:30-6:00 6:00-7:30

Friday, 6th January: 11:00-12:30

Evening service and Scripture Readings Badarak (Divine Liturgy)

Feast of the Nativity and Divine Revelation Badarak (Divine Liturgy)

Holy Trinity Church in Manchester:

Friday, 6th January: Feast of the Nativity and Divine Revelation 11:15-1:00 Badarak (Divine Liturgy)

THE BISHOP WANTS TO VISIT YOU

The Primate’s Office is happy to reiterate a wish by His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, announced during his first Badarak in the UK as Bishop, that he

wants to visit each and every Armenian and Armenian household in the UK and Ireland. Please help our Bishop’s wish come true! The Bishop is eager to know the Armenian community personally and to hear their ideas, suggestions, concerns and complaints and how they perceive the role of the Armenian Church in the UK- Ireland Armenian community. The Bishop’s visit can be anytime during the day, afternoon or evening, weekdays or weekends. If time is of essence to you, then the visit can be as brief as 15 minutes or so. No need for any prior preparations. Please contact the Primate’s Office and schedule the Bishop’s visit to you and your household. You can reach the Primate’s Office by phone: 020 8127 8364, or e- mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk/

PRIMATE’S OFFICE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

Please help us continue publishing the E-Newsletter & offering the various educational, cultural & social programmes planned and funded by the Primate’s Office by financially supporting the Armenian Church Trust UK. C L I C K H E R E

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS - UPDATE

For over a year now, the Continuing Education Ministry (CEM) of the Primate’s Office has been offering two Bible Study groups, which regularly meet at Nevart Gulbenkain Hall to read, discuss and interpret the Bible according to the Armenian Church traditions. During the past year we finished reading the Gospel of Mark and are almost done with the Book of Acts. Because of the New Year and Advent season with family gatherings and celebrations the Primate's Office has suspended Bible Study sessions till January 2012. The two groups will resume their study sessions during the second week of January 2012. Why not making Bible Study attendance one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2012? Happy New Year!

ARMENIAN CHURCH OF UK AND IRELAND

The Primate’s Office: 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG, UK Website: www.armenianchurch.co.uk • E

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