Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 20, Volume 3

13 MAY 2012 ISSUE 20 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

THE FINAL AND VICTORIOUS CHAPTER OF GOD’S PLAN FOR OUR REDEMPTION

This Thursday, 17 May is the fortieth day of Resurrection of Christ. According to the Bible, the Risen-Jesus, continued appearing to His followers & those who doubted Him as well as those who opposed His preaching, for 40 days after His rising from the dead. On the fortieth day Jesus met with His Apostles one final time. He blessed them and charged them to go out and preach the gospel. During His final encounter with His Apostles the Lord encouraged them to remain firm in their faith and reminded them of all that He had taught them. The Evangelist Luke elaborates on this final meeting: “Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (24:46-47; see also Acts 1:9-11). The Evangelist concludes, “And it came to pass, while Jesus blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven” (24:51). Ascension is the victorious conclusion of the redemptive ministry of the Divine Saviour who descended to this fallen world, because of His love for us and His will to redeem and save us. It is the home-coming of the victorious hero who conquered death, the ultimate enemy of life, and destroyed the shackles of sin which, for centuries since Adam and Eve, had enslaved humanity and trapped it in the dungeons of mortality. Ascension is the celebration of the victory of every Armenian martyr, and of those who lived in faith thousands of years before us as well as those who will live after us, and of our loved ones who have passed away. In the Armenian Church, the Feast of Ascension is important for a historical reason as well. On this Feast day in 1441, the See of the Catholicosate of All Armenians was returned to its historical origins. Following a resolution of the National Ecclesiastical Assembly in Vagharshabad, the Catholicos and the Patriarchal See of All Armenians was relocated from the city of Sis in Western Armenia to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Christ promised His followers to be with Him wherever He is. Ascension is the assurance of heaven as our final destination!

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

13 MAY 2012 ISSUE 20 VOLUME 3

AGBU YOUNG ARMENIAN TALENTS CONCERT SERIES

The UK has been a place that attracts musical talents from all around the world for centuries. And since Armenians are no strangers to the world scene of classical music it comes to no surprise that every year there are several talented musicians of Armenian descent who come to the established UK musical institutions to further graduate and postgraduate studies. Unfortunately it is not easy for everyone in our community to keep track of those young talents during every step of their development, support them by attending their concerts and feel the pride of yet another Armenian success. AGBU London started a concert series as part of the celebration for the organisation's centenary in 2010 and together with the AGBU London Young Professionals are determined to continue this tradition in an attempt to introduce those musicians to the Armenian public in London. On the 26th of May from 7pm the second of the concert series will take place in the magnificent St. Yeghishe church hall in London. The programme is prepared in such a way as to present to the audience the genius of some famous and some less known Armenian composers by our piano, flute and violin soloists. The tenor and soprano singers in turn will help to make the concert an unforgettable experience. As the minimal donation for entry is less than the cheapest BBC Proms concert ticket, we expect that many of you will come to hear these young Armenian musical talents. For those musicians who would like to take part in next year's concerts please contact us on yp@agbu.otg.uk

ARMENIAN STREET FESTIVAL

STALLS SUB-COMMITTEE

THE Primate’s Office continues receiving confirmation from politicians and leaders of religious and local communities to attend the second annual Armenian Street Festival, coordinated by the Primate’s Office of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland. Meanwhile, Dick Bedrosian, General Coordinator of the Festival, continues meeting regularly with the various sub-committees of the Festival to finalise arrangements of the various aspects of the Festival. The stalls committee has finalized the details of securing a stall at the Festival. This year, there will be only one stall for the Armenian Church in GB and Ireland. No separate stalls will be allocated for individual churches. Parish clergy and church councils have been informed by the Primate to contact the Primate’s Office to coordinate and manage this one church stall. Stalls will be available for Armenian charitable organisations for 75 while non-chritable and non- Armenian organisations are required to pay 100 to defray the cost involved in licensing and designating the spot for the stalls. For further information please contact Susan Pattie (07943 135 250) or email: levonsusan@btinternet.com or primatesoffice@ armenianchurch.co.uk, or CLICK HERE to download the Stall Application Form.

ARTSAKH:

GARDEN OF ARMENIAN

ARTS AND TRADITIONS

A new book is published at the initiative of the Association de Soutien au Haut-Karabagh to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Artsakh. It offers to the reader a visit through the history of Karabakh, its archaeological treasures, its sacred architecture represented by numerous churches, monasteries and chapels, its "khachkars" (cross-stone) of a great refinement, the typical colours and style of its manuscript illuminations, and finally the art of carpet. Numerous photos and maps illustrate the bilingual French and English texts. The Authors, renowned scholars, world experts in history and civilization of Karabakh, have contributed to the writing of the book with a clear objective to make it accessible to everyone: George Bournoutian (Iona College, USA), François Djindjian (Professeur, Université de Nantes), Patrick Donabedian (Université d’Aix en Provence), Dickran Kouymjian ( Professor Emeritus, California State University, Fresno, USA) Claude Mutafian (Docteur en Histoire, Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne). To purchase a copy, CLICK HERE.

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

13 May 2012

Issue 20, Volume 3

HELP YOUNG ARMENIAN-PROFESSIONALS FIND JOBS IN UK

IN the past several months, the Primate’s Office has received several phone calls and e-mails from bright young Armenian men and women, non-UK citizens, who have completed their graduate studies in various fields of science, humanities and art in the UK. These young men and women contact the Primate’s Office for seeking advice to help them find a job in the UK. They need a job with a minimum salary of £21,000 annual salary, which will secure for them the immigration status needed to stay and work in the UK for two more years following their graduation. The Primate calls on all Armenians in the UK who have their business and are able to hire a promising young Armenian, or who know someone who may be able to do so, to do their best to help these young Armenian brothers and sisters. If you, or someone you know can help, please contact he Primate’s Office: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk, or call: 0208 127 8364. All information shared with the Primate will remain confidential. Per the businessman’s approval, only certain contact info of the business may be conveyed to the young Armenian man or woman seeking jobs.

COUNCILLOR ARA ISKANDERIAN CHAIRS A PANEL AT L.S.E.

ON Friday, May 4th, the London School of Economics (LSE) hosted an interactive panel event entitled “The Role of Civil Society & Diaspora in Addressing Poverty and Injustice in Armenia – a New International Development Perspective” the discussion sought to engage members of the British-Armenian Community in Oxfam’s ongoing development projects within Armenia. Panelists included Ms. Olga Ghazaryan, Oxfam Regional Director for the Middle East and East Europe, providing an overview of Oxfam’s work in the republic, Dr. Armine Ishkanian from LSE’s department of Social Policy talking about the role of Diaspora and Civil Society in development, and Her Excellency Kathy Leach, the current joint British ambassador to Armenia providing the benefit of her experiences and ample knowledge. The Panel was chaired by Councillor Ara Iskanderian (Labour) who has previously worked on several civil society initiatives and was fresh from Mayoral campaigning ahead of his own 2014 bid for re-election. The event was a huge success with the room packed out. Councillor Iskanderian expressed the regrets of H.G. Bishop Vahan Hovhanissian who was unable to attend the event but has personally expressed to Cllr Ara the continued willingness of the Church to cooperate with Oxfam on development projects. Throughout the event several recurring themes emerged including: the better utilisation and sharing of connections and networks, greater transparency and above all better synergy between the UK Diaspora and British-born initiatives. The debate continued as to how to progress further as a possible working group. Oxfam has expressed a willingness to organise a photographic exhibition of their work in Armenia in collaboration with the Armenian Church in Great Britain and Ireland.

ARMENIAN CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS IN LONDON

THE London Tekeyan Cultural Association is happy to invite the Armenian community in London and the UK to an exhibition of “contemporary Paintings from Armenia” on Monday 28th May to Friday 8th June 2012, Noon to 8:00pm at POSK Galeria, Polish Social and Cultural Association, 238-246 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RF. The event will be under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, and Her Excellency Karine Kazinian, Ambassador of Armenia in the UK. For further information please contact the London Tekeyan Cultural Association of London or CLICK HERE for the online flyer.

PILGRIMS’ ORIENTATION AT GULBENKIAN THIS MONDAY

PILGRIMS, participating in the second Annual Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and all interested, will be attending the orientation session which is scheduled this Monday, 14th May in Gulbenkian Hall, at 7:00pm. The orientation will include information about the various places to be visited during the pilgrimage, the hotels, emergency contact numbers and airline information. Participants will receive a copy of the detailed itinerary of the pilgrimage and necessary information. The Pilgrimage will take place 18-26 May, 2012.

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

WWW.ARMENIANCHURCHTRUST.ORG.UK

13 MAY, 2012

ISSUE 20, VOLUME 3

SCRIPTURE READINGS

According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday –13 May Acts 20:17-38 1 John 3:2-6 John 9:39-10:10

Monday –14 May Acts 21:1-14

1 John 3:7-10 John 10:11-21

Tuesday –15 May Acts 21:15-26 1 John 3:10-20 John 10:22-42

Wednesday –16 May Acts 21:27-36 1 John 3:21-4:6 John 11:1-46

Thursday –17 May Acts 1:1-14

Matthew 28:16-20

Friday – 18 May Acts 21:37-22:29 1 John 4:7-21 John 11:47-54

Saturday – 19 May Acts 22:30-23:11 1 John 5:1-12 John 11:55-12:11

ARMEN TIGRANIAN’S ANOUSH OPERA

An Armenian folk opera based on Hovhaness Toumanian’s epic poem which vividly portrays village life at the start of the 20th century, will be performed on 6th and 7th July, 2012, at the Tabernacle. For tickets and further information please e-mail: LondonArmenianOpera@virginmedia.com.

KEEP THE DATE

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund GB Charity Concert. Young Talented Artists, including prize-winning vocalists and instrumentalists from Armenia. Saturday 10th November 2012 at St. John's Smith Square, London.

SHUSHI ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

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

HELP ELLA RE-CONNECT WITH HER FATHER

“My name is Katharine Ariella Holden. Most people know me as Ella. I am 19 (my birthday is on 28th July 1992). I was christened at St. Sarkis Church in London. My father’s name is James Reid and his surname is Hyarapetian, born on 4th July 1944. I was last in contact with him just over 12 years ago. I visited my Godmother Elizabeth, 2 years ago. However she was unable to give any concrete information but she did mention he had visited the church a couple of years ago. If you could in any way help me on my search I would be very grateful. My e-mail is: ells.holden@gmail.com

BIBLE STUDY GROUP RESUMPTION

Due to the Primate’s participation in meetings in Holy Etchmiadzin (4-11 May) and because of Shakespeare’s “King John” in Armenian scheduled on Thursday 17 May, and the forthcoming Annual Pilgrimage, 18-26 May, the Primate’s Office has postponed all Bible Study sessions in the month of May. We’ll resume in June.

SHAKESPEARE’S “KING JOHN” – THIS WEEK!

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 (this week). Click Here for more info!

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Be a sponsor of the only Armenian Street Festival in Great Britain and Ireland

by sending your cheque (payable to: The Armenian Church Trust UK) to: The Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TP. All donations and sponsors will be acknowledged and published in the Festival Booklet and the weekly E-Newsletter.