Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 4, Vol. 3
28 JANUARY 2012 ISSUE 4, VOLUME 3
Commemorating the Saint of Lovers
Captain St. Sarkis (or Sergius as he is known in the non-Armenian sources) was a fourth century Roman soldier, and later a Captain who was held in high esteem. He is commemorated as a martyr by the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox churches. According to the Armenian Church sources, together with his 14 soldiers and companions, St. Sarkis was martyred for the sake of the Christian faith. He is one of the most beloved saints among the Armenians although he himself was not Armenian. During the reign of Constantinus the Great, St. Sarkis was appointed the General in Chief of the region of Cappadocia bordering Armenia. When Emperor Julianos-the-Betrayer started the persecutions against Christians, St. Sarkis and his only son Mardiros fled the Roman Empire, seeking refuge in Armenia. The Armenian king Tiran, grandson of King Drtad (Tiridates), received them cordially. From Armenia, St. Sarkis went to Persia and joined the army of king Shapouh as a Captain. However, learning about the saint’s Christian faith, the king ordered him to denounce it and to worship the pagan gods of Persia. St. Sarkis refused and in his rage, destroyed the temple. The annoyed crowd of pagans fell on the saint and his son killing the son, and arrested St. Sarkis to be imprisoned. St. Sarkis remained unshaken in his faith and was ultimately beheaded. Years later, St. Mesrop Mashtots brought the relics of the saint to the village of Ushi where the Church of St. Sarkis was built. According to one of the Armenian folk tales, upon return from one of his victorious battles with his companions and going to sleep, the king ordered forty young women to kill the brave soldiers. One of the women,
seeing the handsome and peaceful face of the sleeping St. Sarkis, fell in love with him and instead of killing him, kissed him. Awakening from sleep and seeing what had happened, St. Sarkis smashed the gates of the city, and taking the young woman with him, escaped from the king. It is because of this folk story that young people in love consider St. Sarkis as their intercessor, helping and supporting them. This year, the Feast of St. Sarkis will be celebrated on Saturday, 4th February. It is preceded by a three-day fasting period. Congratulations to all who carry the name Sarkis, Sargis, Sako, and Serge. Click Here for the flyer about our celebration of this patron saint of St. Sarkis Church in London.
Click Here for St. Sarkis Church Ecumenical Service Click Here for St. Sarkis Church Badarak & Harissa
The Primate’s Office c/o Hye Doon (Armenian House) 25 Cheniston Gardens Kensington, London W8 6TG
The Primate’s Office
c/o Hye Doon 25 Cheniston Gardens Kensington London, W8 6TG
Church Website
armenianchurch.co.uk
primatesoffice
@armenianchurch.co.uk
Telephone
0208 127 8364
Armenian miniature of St. Sarkis and his son Mardiros28 JANUARY 2012
ISSUE 4 VOLUME 3
Help us strengthen the Armenian Church ministry and programmes in the UK and Ireland and perpetuate it for future generations to come. Learn about the Armenian Church Trust -UK by visiting our website: www.armenianchurchtrust.org.uk
PLEASE NOTE that funds raised for ACT-UK directly support the programmes and events of the Primate’s Office and are not for the ACCC.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR ACT-UK MANAGING BOARD ELECTED
On Wednesday, 11 January 2012, the Primate presided over the first meeting of the Managing Board (MB) of the Armenian Church Trust of the United Kingdom (ACT-UK), to discuss the constitution of the Managing Board of ACT UK and elect its Executive Board. Invited to join the MB were a group of leaders of the Armenian community, including representatives from the Armenian Church communities in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Dublin as well as benefactors who have contributed to the Charity.
The meeting began with a prayer followed by an introduction to the objectives of ACT-UK and its administrative structure, by the Primate. A financial report of the income and expenses of the ACT-UK for the year 2011 and a projected budget for the year 2012, were then discussed. Those present then elected the following as the Executive Committee of the Managing Board of ACT-UK: Hagop Mouradian, Chairman; Anoushka Kourkjian, Treasurer; and Tanya Harmandian, Secretary.
According to the ACT-UK constitution, the MB will be the body that makes the final decisions regarding the expenses and investment of funds.
Meeting the Russian Orthodox Bishop
On Friday, 20th January, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, visited the Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh, in London, His Grace Bishop Elisey. This was the first meeting between the two hierarchs since the consecration of Primate Vahan as the Bishop of the Armenian Diocese of the UK. Bishop Vahan, accompanied by the Revd Fr. Shnork Baghdasarian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Church, was greeted by His Grace Bishop Elisey at the gate of the Dormitian Cathedral in London. The Russian Bishop gave the Armenian clergy a tour of the cathedral and elaborated on the details of their forthcoming plans of renovations. The clergy were then invited to the Bishop’s residence where they discussed the relation between the two sister churches and dioceses as well as issues and programmes of mutual interest to the two sister Christian peoples, such as church charities and diocesan constitutions. Fr. Shnork’s knowledge of Russian helped in conducting some of the conversation in Russian! The two hierarchs committed themselves to meeting regularly to organize jointly the mission and programmes of their dioceses. Bishop Vahan thanked His Grace for his gracious welcome, and hospitality and presented him with several books about the Armenian Church theology. Bishop Elisey reciprocated the gesture.
Bishop Vahan meeting with H.G. Elisey, Russian Bishop of the United KIngdom
HAVE YOU VISITED OUR DIOCESAN WEBSITE RECENTLY?
www.armenianchurch.co.uk
“Our clergy will be happy to visit and bless your home. Call your local Armenian Church office.”
28 JANUARY 2012
ISSUE 4, VOLUME 3
His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
CATHOLICOS THANKS FRANCE
On Tuesday, January 24, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, sent a letter of gratitude to French President Nicolas Sarkozy on the occasion of the adoption by the French Parliament of a law criminalizing the denial of Armenian Genocide. “From the spiritual center of all Armenians, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, we convey our patriarchal blessing to you, the President and the government officials, and people of France,” His Holiness wrote.
“The French Senate stood up for justice and human rights, and today the friendship between the Armenian and French nations is warmer with this new milestone ... It sheds light on the memory of the Armenian martyrs, and strengthens our confidence that the Armenian Genocide will be condemned among nations.”
Meanwhile, locally in the UK, Bishop Vahan in his turn sent a letter of thanks and gratitude on behalf of the Armenian Church and people in UK and Ireland to the French president and Senate. CLICK HERE to read our Primate’s letter.
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST
AND/OR CALL-OUTS
Prayers for Patriarch Torkom Manougian
His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian has called on Armenians in the United Kingdom and Ireland to join him in praying for the health and recovery of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem.
According to the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, His Beatitude was admitted to a hospital in Jerusalem, on 19th January, where he has been drifting in and out of consciousness. Patriarch Torkom will turn 93 on the 16th of this February.
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian is the 96th in a succession of Armenian Patriarchs of Jerusalem, since Patriarch Abraham in the middle of the 7th century. .
Patriarch Torkom was born on 16 February 1919, in a refugee camp near the Iraqi town of Ba’quba, north of Baghdad. He joined the St. James Armenian Seminary in his early teens, and was ordained a deacon on August 2, 1936, by Patriarch Torkom Koushagian. Three years later on 23rd July, 1939, he was ordained a celibate priest and given the name Torkom. He was elected the 96th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem on March 22, 1990 and enthroned on 1st November of the same year. Pilgrims from the UK and Ireland led by Primate Vahan Hovhanessian, had the honour of meeting His Beatitude and receiving his blessings last January. May Our Lord, the Heavenly Physician, grant our Patriarch a speedy recovery and the fullness of health, according to His will.
Abp. Torkom Manoogian, Patriarch
PLEASE VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THE ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE
Click Here (choose the first option)
28 January 2012
ISSUE 4, VOLUME 3
SCRIPTURE READINGS
According to the Armenian Church Lectionary
Sunday – 29 January
Isaiah 61:10-62:9 2 Timothy 2:15-26 John 6:15-21
Monday – 30 January
No assigned reading
Tuesday – 31 January
No assigned reading
Wednesday – 1 February
No assigned reading
Thursday – 2 February
No assigned reading
Friday – 3 February
John 1:1-4:11
Saturday – 4 February
Proverbs 3:13-17 Isaiah 41:1-3 Ephesians 6:10-17 Luke 21:10-19
BIRMINGHAM ELECTS MPC FOR THE 2ND YEAR
Last Sunday, 23rd January, His Grace Bishop Vahan visited the Armenian community in Birmingham to celebrate Badarak and preside over the first Church Assembly organized by the Mission Parish Council (MPC). This also happened to be the Sunday the Birmingham MPC launched its Sunday School programme for children. Fifteen children have already signed up and were in attendance actively participating in this new educational ministry of the Birmingham Armenian Church MPC. At the conclusion of the church services, His Grace reflected on the parable of the mustard seed, (Matt 13:31-33), asserting the importance of Christians remaining faithful to their values even when threatened by death and martyrdom. “Our martyrs of the 1915 Genocide knew that very well, and demonstrated their commitment to their faith and people by their martyrdom” said Srpazan Hayr. Referring to the life, courage, leadership and martyrdom of Hrant Dink—who was shot and martyred on 19th January 2007—as an example of living the parable and demonstrating its meaning, Bishop Vahan added: “Hrant Dink’s martyrdom gave birth to a powerful grass-root movement of reformation and renewal not only in Turkey, but around the world, which honoured the memory of the martyrs of the Genocide, and brought the issues of human rights’ abuse and genocides into the vanguard of the world media and politics, in a way that no other man-made programme or strategy could have created.” The faithful were then invited for lunch and fellowship in the church hall, courtesy of the MPC, with the Primate and Revd Fr. Robert Murphy, Pastor of the Saint Peter Romn Catholic Church in Walsall. Following lunch the first Annjual Parish Assembly started with the Bishop presiding. The session commenced with Bishop‘s prayer, following which Chairman Silva Petros offered her annual report which listed the various meetings the MPC had had with the Primate, the various celebrations of Badarak at two different churches, the Primate’s visitations and house blessings during the year 2011, as well as the MPC’s financial report. A lengthy discussion followed concerning the various projects proposed by the MPC for the year 2012. New ideas and programmes were made from the floor. The Bishop then introduced the candidates for election for the Mission Parish Council for the year 2012.The following were elected: Silva Petros, Vardkes is Yepremian, Klara is Bradley and Dr. Shahe Boghosian.
28 JANUARY 2012
ISSUE 4, VOLUME 3
DUBLIN MISSION PARISH TO HAVE ITS ANNUAL ASSEMBLY AND ELECT MPC
The Mission Parish Council of the Armenian Church in Dublin and its surroundings, is preparing for its first annual meeting, which will take place this Sunday, 29th January, 2012 in Taney Parish Church, Dublin. His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian will celebrate the Badarak and preside over the Annual Assembly of the Mission Parish. The Assembly’s agenda will include a report by the Chairman of the MPC, Mrs. Ayda Lundon, a financial report of the expenses and the budget of the MPC, discussion of forthcoming projects and new ideas, including the possibility of obtaining a Church property in Dublin. The last item on the Agenda, before adjourning will be the election of the new Mission Parish Council members to serve for the year 2012. If you live in Dublin or its surroundings, please make every effort to join us this Sunday and register as a member of the Parish. The Mission Parish was established by His Grace Bishop Vahan, with the blessings of His Holiness. It was officially recognized by the Republic of Ireland in September 2010. Following the first general meeting in November 2010, His Holiness officially acknowledged the establishment of the church community in Dublin as a Parish of the Armenian Church of the UK and Ireland.
BISHOP OPENS GENOCIDE SEMINAR IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS
Human rights figures representing many forgotten minorities met to debate international persecution affecting a number of nations. The event itself was set the day before the anniversary assassination of Hrant Dink (19th January 2007), the former editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos. Baroness Randerson welcomed all to the House of Lords and invited Mr. Eilian Williams a welsh Christian to chair the evening, who in turn invited Bishop Vahan to start the evening with a prayer. Following the opening remarks, the programme included a pper by Desmond Fernandes on the current persecution in Turkey followed by Mr. Elian William’s summary of Dr Suran Cam’s paper on the crypto-Armenians in Turkey. Hiarbir Mari spoke on the persecution of Baluchis and Wilson Chowdhry spoke on the abuses of Christians in Pakistan respectively. The evening concluded with a lengthy discussion and several suggestions for concrete steps to make the voices of the victims more audible in the media and the political chambers. .
PRAYER COURSE – BIBLE STUDY
This Thursday, 2nd February, will be the fourth and final session of the four-session course on
Write captions for the selected photos.
Prayer in the Armenian Church Traditions. The session will include a summary of the main points discussed in the previous three sessions, followed by a discussion of how to plan a personal prayer discipline, that works!
The end of the four-session course, marks the resumption of the weekly Bible Study sessions in English. The Bible Study group will resume meeting on Thursdays at 7:00 PM in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall. All Are welcome.
DEACONS’ TRAINING SESSIONS
The Deacons’ Training Programme, of the Primate’s Office, will resume its weekly sessions this Monday, 30th January at 6:35pm in the St. Sarkis Church. Members of the Deacons’ Training Programme help in the various churches on Sundays and travel with the Bishop for the celebration of Badarak at the Mission Parishes in the UK and Ireland. New participants are always welcome.
HAVE YOU VISITED OUR DIOCESAN WEBSITE RECENTLY?
www.armenianchurch.co.uk
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