Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 17, Volume 3

21 APRIL 2012 ISSUE 17, VOLUME 3

E-NEWSLETTER H- J:RJIK A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION OF THE PRIMATE’S OFFICE OF THE DIOCESE OF THE

ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND

Primate’s Issues STATEMENT ON THE EVE OF

GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION

The Primate’s Office has published a message by His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, on the occasion of the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. In his recollection His Grace reflects on the atrocities committed against our people and calls on all to work together to overcome the consequences of that horrible chapter in the history of humanity. “Once again we find ourselves challenged with the memory of those courageous martyrs and victims of the Genocide, to come together and work on strengthening our people all over the world as one nation. Our revenge is to make sure that Armenians continue living united and strong, and that every Armenian value, for which the martyrs sacrificed their lives, remains alive, and strong in our own lives. If the Ottomans wanted to annihilate the Armenian nation by destroying Armenian Church, burning Bible manuscripts and humiliating Armenian clergy, let’s come together around our spiritual mother, the Armenian Church, to strengthen her and make sure that the Armenian Church remains a pillar of our national identity. If the Turks killed without questioning the political identity and philosophical beliefs of the martyrs and victims, let’s make sure we ascend above our differences that can easily divide us, and think, talk and act as one strongly united nation. If the intent of the Genocide was to silence the Armenian people, let us work hard to make sure that the intelligent, bright and forward- thinking Armenian mind continues today to think, talk and interact in our

beautiful Armenian language, strengthened by the faith of our martyrs, immersed in our culture, equipped with our history and optimistically looking forward to a brighter future for our children and grand-children.” You can read the message in its entirety on the official Church website (armenianchurch.co.uk) or by Clicking Here. The Primate will participate in the Genocide March, Saturday 21st April, Requiem in St. Yeghiche 22nd April, Memorial Programme in Cardiff, 23rd April, & Commemorative programme 24th April at St. Yeghiche Church.

Read the Primate’s Genocide Commemoration Message

Click Here

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

E-mail

primatesoffice

@armenianchurch.co.uk

Telephone

0208 127 8364

21 APRIL 2012

ISSUE 17 VOLUME 3

FROM CAMARTHEN TO KARABAGH: A WELSH DISCOVERY OF ARMENIA

On Monday, the launch of Canon Patrick Thomas’ new book “From Carmarthen to Karabagh, a Welsh discovery of Armenia” will take place at the Temple of Peace, Cardiff. This thoughtful and informative book focuses on the similarity and affinity between the two nations. The author is a well-known and respected Canon and Priest of the Church of England and broadcaster who lives in Carmarthen and travelled extensively in Armenia. All are

welcome. Those attending the event will gather at the Genocide Monument, Khachkar, in the garden of the Temple of Peace. Present at the event will be the Archbishop of Wales, His Grace Bp. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, and Her Excellency Karine Ghazinian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia. Displays will highlight the country, history and culture of

Armenia. The Canon will sign copies of his book and interviews have been arranged with the press.

1st Parish Council in St. Sarkis Church

On Sunday, 15th April, the newly elected members of the St. Sarkis Parish Council met in the Vicarage with the Primate presiding. Present at the meeting was Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, Parish Assembly Chairman. The purpose of the meeting, according to the parish bylaws, presented by the Primate, H.G. Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian (as approved by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and adopted by the first Parish Assembly on 1st April 2012), was to elect the officers of the Parish Council and finalise the day of the regular monthly Parish Council meeting. The meeting started with a prayer led by the Primate, following which His Grace welcomed all and congratulated the newly elected St. Sarkis Parish Council members for the historic and monumental task that the people of St. Sarkis parish have entrusted in their hands. After brief remarks by Dr. Tchilingirian and Fr. Shnork Bagdasarian, Pastor, the floor was opened for nomination for the various officers of the Parish Council. The election ceremonies, as stated in the bylaws, were conducted by the Pastor. The following were elected as the officers of the Parish Council 2012-2013: Dr. Arman Sarvarian, Chairman, Hovik Hovhannisyan, Vice Chairman, A. Violetta Bazankian- Kaydan, Secretary, and Patricia Setrakian, Treasurer. To contact the Parish Council, please e-mail: stsarkisparish@armenianchurch.co.uk.

AN ENGLISHMAN IN ARMENIAN LANDS

The Continuing Education Ministry (CEM) of the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland hosted a very interesting afternoon lecture last Sunday, the 15th April, at 2:30pm, in Nevard Gulbankian Hall. The animating talk was a photographic journey through Armenia and Artsakh by the speaker, Russell Pollard, an Englishman! During his talk Russel vividly and sometimes passionately discussed his several trips to Armenia and Artsakh and through the accompanied slides of photographs captured by the speaker himself, he explained the reasons for his love and affection toward Armenia and the Armenians. You can browse Russell’s beautiful pictures of Armenia and Artsakh and his comments by visiting his blog: http://russellpollard.wordpress.com/category/armenia-2/

Second Annual Armenian Street Festival in the UK

Sunday 29th July, 12:00-18:00hrs. Admission Free Armenian food, entertainment, vendors and stalls, church concert, and celebrities Volunteers Needed. Contact he Primate’s Office. Admission free.

21 April 2012

Issue 17, Volume 3

COURSE IN CONVERSATIONAL ARMENIAN

The Continuing Education Ministry (CEM) of the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland is happy to announce the start of an adult course in Conversational Modern Armenian (Western dialect). In addition to learning the Armenian Alphabet and how to read and write, participants in the course will learn how to express themselves in practical situations. The course will meet once a week on Tuesdays at 7:00pm, beginning on Tuesday, 15th May. All are welcome at all ages. The instructor, Kevork Hagopjian will distribute handouts during each session which will include the lesson plan, vocabulary and main points in grammar and syntax discussed during the session. Registration is required. You can register directly by contacting the Primate’s

Office at 0208 127 8364, or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. A donation of £50 made to the Armenian Church Trust UK, will help defray the cost of the material distributed during the course. The registration donation can be paid in advance by mailing your cheque to the Primate’s Office: c/o Armenian House, 25 CHeniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TP. So, be part of our national response to the Genocide by learning the beautiful language of the martyrs and keeping it alive!

25 VOICES: HOPES AND DREAMS ARMENIAN DAY AT MIRFIELD

FROM NAGORNO KARABAKH

Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) is pleased to announce the creation of their new exhibition 25 Voices: Hopes and Dreams from Nagorno Karabakh. This exhibition features photographs and stories celebrating the hopes and dreams of 25 ordinary people in Karabakh, accessible online at www.thekarabakhconversation.com. The 25 Voices project presents a glimpse into the lives of those at the centre of a “frozen conflict”. Undeterred by economic and political isolation, and the fragile nature of peace in the region, they are developing their country and attempting to build bridges to the rest of the world. This exhibition is a platform for their stories to be told and their hopes voiced to the wider world; and a reminder that no-one can be forgotten. HART will also be hosting an exhibition of 25 Voices in London: April 29, 6.30 pm onwards. Gallery on the Corner in Battersea, 155 Battersea Park Road, SW8 4BU.

Baroness Cox, Chief Executive of HART, has worked in the Armenian region of Nagorno Karabakh since 1991 and witnessed first-hand the suffering and devastation of the Karabakh War of the early 1990's. Today HART is working in Nagorno Karabakh to support a groundbreaking Rehabilitation Centre which gives treatment to people with disabilities.

IT has already become a tradition to celebrate an Armenian Day in Mirfield monastery, West Yorkshire which is a beautiful place where the Anglican Community of the Resurrection and the College of the Resurrection are situated. We are glad to announce that the upcoming Armenian Day in Mirfield organized by Fr. Garegin Hambardzumyan will take place on 8th May according to the following schedule:

Browse the official website of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland: www.armenianchurch.co.uk

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• • • •

2:30p.m. Lesson of the Armenian Language (30-45 minutes of learning of the basic expressions in Armenian) Tutorial Room 1.

4p.m. Short concert of the Armenian Medieval Sacred Music by Arthur Bobikyan (Upper Church)

6:00p.m. Armenian Evensong (Yeregoyan zhamergutyun)in the Upper Church

6:40p.m. Dinner- comprising of dishes from the delicious Armenian Cuisine (College Refectory)

8:15p.m. “Mayrig” “Mother” movie screening in the Tutorial Room 1 (1st Part- 55 min., 2nd Part- 65 min.)

Those interested to visit Mirfield for the Armenian Day can contact Father Garegin for further information: ghambardzumyan@mirfield.org.uk. All are welcome!!!

21 APRIL, 2012

ISSUE 17, VOLUME 3

SCRIPTURE READINGS

According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday –22 April Acts 9:23-31

1 Peter 2:1-10 John 2:23-3:12

Monday –23 April Acts 9:32-43

1 Peter 2:11-17 John 3:13-21

Tuesday –24 April

Acts 10:1-23 1 Peter 2:18-25 John 3:22-36

Wednesday –25 April Acts 10:24-48 1 Peter 3:1-9 John 4:1-23

Thursday –26 April Acts 11:1-26

1 Peter 3:10-22 John 4:24-42

Friday – 27 April Acts 11:27-12:24 1 Peter 4:1-11 John 4:43-54

Saturday – 28 April Acts 12:25-13:15 1 Peter 4:12-19 John 5:1-18

OBJET D’ART: ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBITION On Sunday, April 29, 2012, the Armenian Relief Society invites you to an Arts and Crafts exhibition at Navasartian Centre (223 Northfield Avenue, London W13 9QU) starting at 14:30. Free admission

AREV CHILDREN’S PLAY GROUP AT ST. SARKIS

The St. Sarkis Parish Council is happy to invite young parents to a day of fun and games through Armenian songs, storytelling and other exciting activities on Sunday 29 April 2012. Parents’ participation is essential. This is a monthly gathering for children, according to the following schedule: 11:00 AM Programme & refreshments in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall; 12:00-12:30 PM Children and parents attend Badarak.

SHUSHI ANNIVERSARY Commemoration &

Celebration

The Friends of Artsakh, under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, invite you to an evening of commemoration celebrating the liberation of Shushi, Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh), to take place on Saturday, 19th May, 2012 at 19:00 hrs in the Twyford Church of England High School (Twyford Crescent, Acton, London W3 9PP). The programme will include the screening of the documentary “Legends of Shushi” by Samvel Tadevosyan, and performances of music and poetry by UK Armenian talents. For further information please contact he Primate’s Office at 0208 127 8364, or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk

BIBLE STUDY GROUP RESUMPTION

There will be no Bible Study in English this week, due to the various events associated with the commemoration of the Genocide. The group will resume its study session on Thursday 17th May. If you are interested to join the Bible Study group in Armenian, please contact the St. Sarkis Church Office.

AMBASSADOR CALLS A MEETING FOR THE

COMMEMORATION OF THE GENOCIDE - 2015

Her Excellency Karine Kazinian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia is calling a meeting to deliver and discuss the Presidential Decree, calling on all Armenian organisations to establish a Committee for preparing and planning for the 100th Anniversary of the Genocide of the Armenians in 1915, which will be commemorated in 2015. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 25th April 2012 at 7:30pm in the Armenian House.

SHAKESPEARE’S “KING JOHN” IN ARMENIAN

For the first time in the United Kingdom, the Gabriel Sundukyan Academic Theatrical Group from Armenia, will be performing Shakespeare’s “King John” in the Globe on the 16th and 17th of May, 2012. Click Here for more info!

97th Anniversary of the 1915 Genocide

“May the memory of our martyrs be

eternally blessed.”

CHECK OUT THE ARMENIAN CHURCH TRUST – UK WEBSITE (ACT-UK)

WWW.ARMENIANCHURCHTRUST.ORG.UK

for “Evidence for Genocide of Armenians”, thanks to Mr. Alex Boghosian

Tuesday, 24 April at 8:00pm, for the Annual Genocide Commemoration At St. Yeghiche Church