Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 16

14 APRIL 2012

ISSUE 16 VOLUME 3

VOLUNTEERS FOR THE SECOND

ARMENIAN STREET FESTIVAL:

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help the Primate’s Office prepare for and organize the second annual Armenian Street Festival, Sunday, 29th July, 2012. If you are interested to join a team of enthusiastic volunteers to help make the 2012-Armenian Street Festival in London a great success for all, please e-mail your name to: festival@armenianchurch.co.uk. For donations to support the Street Festival, please contact the Primate’s Office at: 0208 127 8364, or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. Help us make this year’s Festival once again a true celebration of our Armenian heritage, culture, and identity.

FIRST EASTER IN BIRMINGHAM

FOR the first time in the history of the Armenian community in Great Britain, the Easter Badarak on the Feast of the Resurrection was celebrated in Birmingham on Saturday, 7th April, 2012. The visiting celebrant was Fr. Garegin Hambartsumyan. Assisting him during the celebration were Deacon Artur Bobikyan. Following Badarak, the faithful were invited to a luncheon programme prepared by the Birmingham MPC. Participating in the programme where the children of the newly found Sunday School which operates under the direct supervision of the MPC.

Holy Week & Easter in Manchester

A full schedule of Holy Week services and Easter was organised by the Manchester Church Trust and Board of Wardens for the 2012 Easter celebrations. The Very Revd Fr. Garegin Hambar- tsumyan presided over the service of the Washing of the Feet and the Burial Service and celebrated the Easter Badarak on the 8th April. The historic Holy Trinity church, which in several years will celebrate its 150th anniversary, was packed to full capacity with people standing in the back, throughout the Holy Week services.

Easter Celebrations in Dublin

THE Armenian community in Dublin celebrated the Feast of the Resurrection of Christ on Monday, 9th April. Assisting the Primate at the altar were Sub- Deacon Richard Cherkerzian & Tubir

Hovik Hovhannisyan. Folowing the celebration of the Badarak and the sermon, the Dublin MPC invited all present, over 100 people, to an Easter Luncheon programme which included delicious Armenian food and an entertainment by local talents. Toward the end of the programme those present joined the members of the MPC in singing several of the popular Armenian songs. For information about forthcoming events by the Dublin MPC visit their website at: or e-mail the MPC chairman:

Objet d'art - Arts & Crafts Exhibition. SUNDAY 29th APRIL 2012 AT 2:30 PM Free entrance. 223 Navasartian Centre, Northfield Road, W13 9QU.

For more information please contact; Silva 0778963667614 April 2012

Issue 16, Volume 3

25 VOICES: HOPES AND DREAMS ARMENIAN DAY AT MIRFIELD

FROM NAGORNO KARABAKH

Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) is pleased to announce the creation of our 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.

COMMEMORATION OF THE 1915 GENOCIDE

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:

•

• • • •

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!!!

The Armenian Community and Church Council of Great Britain (ACCC) has recently informed the Primate’s Office of the following full schedule of events commemorating the Armenian martyrs of the 1915 Genocide:

Saturday 21st April Assembly at 10:30am, March at 11:00am, starting at Cavendish Square, off Oxford Street, gathering point between John Lewis and House of Fraser. March to the Cenotaph for wreath laying & prayers

Sunday 22nd April, 11:00am, Commemorative Requiem Eucharist and prayers at Khachkar in St Yeghiche Church.

Tuesday 24th April Evening 7:30pm, Commemorative Evening at St. Yeghich Church. Saturday 28th April, Noon 12:30, Commemorative Prayer at the Remembrance Tree, the corner of

Bond Street and High Street, Ealing.

May the memory of the martyrs be eternally blessed. For the online flyer, please

You can’t make it to the Bible Study sessions in English because you live outside London or the UK?

You can still be part of our Bible Study group,

join the discussion and ask your questions live is the Primate’s Office live broadcast. Simply click Here.

14 April 2012

Issue 16, Volume 3

NEW EPISCOPAL VESTMENTS DONATED

BY DEACON & MRS. STEPAN OVANESSOFF

ON Holy Thursday, following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the institution of the sacrament of Eucharist, a new set of full episcopal vestments, with its Mitre, Alb and slippers was blessed by His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate. The new vestment, which was especially sewn for the Primate’s measurements in Allepo, Syria, where donated by Deacon and Mrs. Stepan Ovanessoff, as a gift on the occasion of the Primate’s consecration as bishop on Sunday, 6th November 2011. At the beginning of the blessing ceremony, Bishop Vahan invited the benefactors to approach the altar where the vestment was laid on a table. Participating in the blessing was Fr. Shnork Bagdasarian, Pastor, St. Sarkis Parish. At the conclusion of the vestment blessing ceremony, His Grace thanked Mr. and Mrs. Ovenessoff for their generous gift and for their continuous support of the Armenian Church in the UK as well as the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Thank you STepan and Rita and God bless you and your family.

Fr. Garegin preaching in Manchester Bp. Preaching In Dublin The faithful at Easter Badarak in Manchester Bp. Vahan Easter Celebrant in St. Yeghiche

Easter Lunch-reception, Birmingham MPC Birmingham MPC Sunday School Easter Act St. Yeghiche Church Easter Badarak Dublin group sInging

Support the programmes of the Armenian Church in Great Britain and Ireland by donating to “The Armenian Church Trust – UK”. For further information please visit our website at: www.armenianchurchtrust.org.uk

14 April 2012

Issue 16, Volume 3

FIRST ANNUAL CHURCH ASSEMBLY:

FEEDBACK AND ENQUIRIES

THE Primate’s Office has gratefully received many e-mails following the first Annual Armenian Church Assembly which took place Sunday, 11th March, 2012, as well as after the publication of the minutes of the Assembly. Most of the messages simply congratulate the Primate and the Primate’s Office for such an important step in organising the Armenian Church and inviting the public to be an integral part of the administration of the Armenian Church, expressing their satisfaction at the proceedings of the Assembly. The Primate’s Office received enquiries as well, which were forwarded to the Primate’s attention. One of these questions enquired about the association of the Armenian Church Trust-UK (ACT-UK) as a charity with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and if parts of the funds are being transferred to the Mother See from this charity. The Primate stated that there is no financial association between ACT-UK and Etchmiadzin whatsoever. Obviously, ACT-UK, as in any other diocese around the world, has been established with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The Primate regularly updates His Holiness about the activities of ACT-UK. The annual report, including the financial report are sent to His Holiness for his ratification. Having said that, the funds raised by ACT-UK are for the sole and exclusive use of the pogrammes, activities and needs of the Armenian Church in Great Britain and Ireland. In fact, as a charity approved by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, and as the constitution of ACT-UK clearly stipulates, no funds of ACT-UK can be spent anywhere outside GB and Ireland, nor for any project other than those of the Armenian Church of GB and Ireland under the direct supervision of the Primate of the Diocese. You can learn more about ACT-UK by Clicking Here.

EASTER HOUSE BLESSING

One of the beautiful Armenian traditions associated with major feast days, such as Easter, is the house blessing which takes about 10 minutes. Help us maintain and promote this ancient Armenian tradition here in Great Britain and Ireland. Call any of the Armenian Churches or the Primate’s Office to schedule a house blessing. You do not have to prepare anything, other than three items to be used during the blessing service: a glass of water, a loaf of bread and some salt. The house blessing can be anytime during the day or evening, weekdays or weekends.

LUNCHTIME WITH

SHAKESPEAR-IAN! NEW APPROACH TO ART

In mid-May, Shakespear’s King John will be performed in Armenian as part of the Globe to Globe festival – all thirty seven of Shakespeare’s plays performed by theatrical groups from 37 countries in their native tongues. To celebrate Shakespeare’s links with the Armenian experience, there will be a

lunch, followed by speakers on the play and its relationship with truth, fiction and the Armenian experience of oppression. The play starts with a fairy tale wedding, is full of power games and at the end ushers a new beginning. There will be writers, creators and directors, followed by group discussion: “For I am I, howe’er I was begot.”

Date: Sunday 22nd April, 2012 Location: The Waterman’s Art Centre,

40 High Street

Brentford, TW8 0DS Price: £10, including lunch

Should you be interested in attending, please contact Nyriee Tanielian at: nyree@tanielian.com to put your name on the guest list and to arrange prepayment as places are limited.

Meanwhile, as we have been announcing in the previous issues of the E-Newsletter, 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, or visit the official website of the Shakespeare’s Festival by Clicking Here!

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

14 APRIL, 2012

ISSUE 16, VOLUME 3

SCRIPTURE READINGS

According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday –15 April Acts 5:34-6:7 James 3:1-12 John 1:1-17

Monday –16 April Acts 6:8-7:29 James 3:13-4:6 John 1:18-28

Tuesday –17 April Acts 7:30-8:2 James 4:7-17

John 1:29-34

Wednesday –18 April Acts 8:3-13

James 5:1-11 John 1:35-42

Thursday –19 April Acts 8:14-25

James 5:12-20 John 1:43-51

Friday – 20 April Acts 8:26-40. 1 Peter 1:1-12 John 2:1-11

Saturday – 21 April Acts 9:1-22. 1 Peter 1:13-25 John 2:12-22

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 The Bible Study group in English has resumed its weekly Thursday evening meetings, at 6:45pm. We are reading a new book: St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. This is a good time to join us. The Bible Study group in Armenian will resume this Tuesday, 17th April, at 7:00pm. Both groups met at the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall of the St. Sarkis Church, and offer beautiful opportunities to meet with each other and learn about our faith in a very casual and friendly atmosphere. All are welcome. You do not have to be a devout Christian, or a theologian to join us. Parking free after 6:30pm.

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. Present at the meeting will be His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate.

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!

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

WWW.ARMENIANCHURCHTRUST.ORG.UK