E-NEWSLETTER HH - J:RJIK AArmenian Church of The United Kingdom and The Republic of Ireland 44th January 2012, Issue 1, Volume 3 The Right Revd Bishop

E-NEWSLETTER

HH - J:RJIK

AArmenian Church of The United Kingdom and The Republic of Ireland

44th January 2012, Issue 1, Volume 3

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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PRIMATE’S MESSAGE FOR THE FEAST OF NATIVITY

The Primate’s Office has posted online the message of His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, on the occasion of the Feast of Nativity and Theophany: the Birth of Jesus Christ and the New Year. You can download the entire text of the message in ARMENIAN and ENGLISH from the official diocesan website. Below are excerpts of the message in Armenian and English.

“Once again, with God’s blessing, we finish a year filled with all its successes, challenges happiness, sadness as well as difficulties, and surrender it to the eternal treasures of our memories. Soon Armenians around the world will welcome the great feast of the Nativity and Theophany: the Birth of Jesus, and the bells of the Armenian Churches will once again joyfully resound bringing to Armenians in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora the biblical good tidings, “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and good will among men.” However, years after this miraculous and turning-point event, and the Divine promise of peace on earth, we find ourselves in a world that is in pain, overburdened with wars and disagreements, as well as political, financial and moral crises. In fact peace seems to be the most desperately needed gift on earth today! Yet, every year around this time, humanity turns its gaze once again at the tidings of the Divine Star of the manger in Bethlehem. But, are we truly following the Star, and listening to its Divine message?”

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TH WHY WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS ON 6 JANUARY

To begin with, the Biblical narratives of the birth of Jesus in the Gospels do not mention the date of the birth of Jesus. The earliest Christian writings confirm that the birth of Jesus was celebrated as part of a broader feast known as the revelation of God (Armenian: Asdvadzahaydnootyoon, Greek: Theophany): The eternal God becoming man in the person of Jesus inviting man to become God-like, living eternally! This feast was celebrated on the 6th of January as early as the second century. Many early Church fathers, Armenian and non-Armenians, confirm this practice. Armenians continue adhering to this ancient Christian tradition, and celebrate the birth of Jesus as Theophany on the 6th of January. In the West, however, during the fourth century, the birth of Jesus was separated from Theophany and celebrated on the 25th of December to replace two pagan feasts celebrated on the same date among the Romans: the “birth of the unconquered sun” and the birth of Mithras, the “Sun of Righteousness” whose worship was popular among Roman soldiers. This gave birth to the Western practice of Christmas on the 25th December. However, Churches in the West still celebrate January 6 as Epiphany, separating it from the Birth of Jesus, Christmas, with what is known as the 12 days of Christmas.

H.G. BISHOP VAHAN TO OFFER A FOUR-SESSION COURSE ON PRAYER

For four consecutive Thursdays, 12, 19, 26 January and 2nd February, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, will be offering a course entitled “Prayer: What Is It? Does God Answer?” The course will explore the biblical definition of

prayer as the duty of every Christian, and examine the different aspects of praying, tackling questions such as “When and how often should we pray?” “How should we pray?” and “Does God answer our prayers?” The sessions will meet inside St. Sarkis Church at 7:00pm. Participants will receive samples of payers from our own Armenian Church traditions, handouts of the notes discussed in each of the sessions, and a proposed “recipe” for daily prayer. Admission to the lectures is free, but registration is required. For further information about the course and to register please call the Primate’s Office at: 020 8127 8364, or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. All are welcome.

CARDIFF MISSION PARISH: BADARAK, LUNCHEON-RECEPTION AND VESPERS

The Cardiff Mission Parish Council (MPC) will be celebrating the Armenian Christmas with a 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 Cardiff 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. Meanwhile, on Monday, 16th January, the Mission Parish Council will be hosting a luncheon in honour of Her Excellency Karine Kazinian, Ambassador of the of Republic of Armenia to the UK. The same afternoon at beautiful and historic Llandaff Cathedral a special Armenian Vespers and Requiem service will be offered, under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, by the kind permission of the Dean and Chapter. The service is scheduled to start at 3:00pm. All are welcome. Please RSVP by contacting Mr. John Torossyan, Chairman of Cardiff MPC: john@jagproperties.co.uk.

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), celebrated by His Grace Bishop Vahan at St. Sarkis Church, London

Feast of the Nativity and Divine Revelation Badarak (Divine Liturgy), celebrated by His Grace Bishop Vahan at St. Yeghiche Church, London

HHoly Trinity Church in Manchester:

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

LET US MAINTAIN AND PROMOTE OUR BEAUTIFUL TRADITIONS

Armenians have beautiful traditions associated with major feast-days of the Church, especially Nativity (Christmas) and Easter. One of these traditions is the visit of the local parish pastor to the homes in his neighbourhood 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. 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 CANON OF THE BIBLE AND APOCRYPHA IN THE CHURCHES OF THE EAST

NEW BOOK EDITED BY RT. REVD DR. VAHAN HOVHANESSIAN, PRIMATE

The Peter Lang International Academic Publishers has recently released the newly published book, “The Canon of the Bible and Apocrypha in the Churches of the East,” edited by His Grace Bishop Vahan

Hovhanessian, Primate. The collection of articles in the book by various scholars in the field, discuss the issues related to the concept of the canon and the non-canonical books associated with the Bible in the Churches of the East, including the Armenian Church. Bishop Vahan has contributed an article to the book titled, “The New Testament Apocrypha and the Armenian Version of the Bible.” Copies of the book can be purchased from a bookstore near you or online. Click Here, for more information about the book.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

(According to the Armenian Church Lectionary)

Sunday 8/8

Hebrews 1:1-12 Matthew 2:13-23

Monday 9/1

Galatians 4:1-7 Luke 1:26-38

Tuesday 10/1

Hebrews 12:18-27 Luke 1:39-56

Wednesday 11/1

1 Thess 4:12-17 John 11:1-46

Thursday 12/1

Romans 1:1-7 Luke 2:1-7

Friday 13/1

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

Saturday 14/1

Colossian 2:8-15 Luke 2:21

Qristos ?nau ;u |a\tn;zau

2012

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The Right Reverend Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, and the volunteer staff of the Primate’s Office

Christ Is Born and Revealed Blessed Is the Revelation of Christ

JOIN US AT OUR 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 has been rescheduled to take place at St. Yeghiche Church on Sunday, 4th March, 2:00- 4:00pm. The Assembly will include presentations 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: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk, or call at: 020 8127 8364.

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/

PRINTED COPY OF THE E-NEWSLETTER?

The Primate’s Office is finalizing its budget for the year 2012. We would like to know if there is a need for making printed copies of the E-Newsletter available at the entrances of the churches in the UK, or be mailed out to people with no internet access. If you, or someone you know, prefers having a printed copy of the E-Newsletter, please e-mail the person’s address and contact info to: information@armenianchurch.co.uk. Meanwhile, if you want to receive the E-Newsletter online, please send us your e-mail address.

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS - UPDATE

The Continuing Education Ministry (CEM) of the Primate’s Office is happy to announce the continuation of the Bible Study groups during the year 2012. The two groups, Armenian and English, regularly meet at Nevart Gulbenkain Hall to read, discuss and interpret the Bible according to the Armenian Church traditions. Because of the New Year and Advent season with family gatherings and celebrations the study sessions were suspended till January 2012. The study group in Armenian will resume its sessions on the Tuesday, 17th January, 2012. Meanwhile, the English sessions will be temporarily replaced by a four- session course on prayer offered by the Primate, starting on Thursday, 12th January at 7:00pm, and followed by sessions on 19th and 26th January and 2nd February. The Bible study group in English will resume on Thursday 9th February. All are welcome.

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

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