Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 22, Volume 3

26 MAY 2012 ISSUE 22 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 FEAST OF PENTECOST

ACCORDING to the Bible, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to many of His followers and those who doubted Him for 40 days after His resurrection. On the 40th day, He ascended to heaven promising His Apostles and followers to send them the comforting Holy Spirit of God, to guide and comfort those who believe in Him. It was on the 50th day (thus Pentecost in Greek) following His Resurrection that the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles. According to Acts 2:1-20, the Decent of the Holy Spirit gace the Apostles the wisdom to understand tne interpret the gospel of salvation preached and fulfilled by the Lord and gave them the courage to go out and preach the same gospel It is because of this that the Feast of Pentecost is celebrated as the birthday of the universal church.

PILGRIMAGE STARTS FROM TIBERIAS

SATURDAY early morning, 17th May, the participants of the second annual Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, started their inspiring pilgrimage journey from N azareth and Tiberias. Nazareth is where the Virgin Mary’s house is and where she received the angelic annunciation of her conception of Jesus. Tiberias is around the See of Glilee where our Lord preached with His Apostles and performed the miracles of the calming of the storm and the walking over the water. The Armenian pilgrims visited also the grotto where the angel appeared to the Virgin Mary and the beautiful cathedral built on it, as well as the chapels in the area built on several biblical shrines such as the house and the workshop of Joseph, the husband of Mary. In Tiberias, the participants of the pilgrimage—organised by the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland—visited the house of the St. Peter and took a boat ride on the sea of Galilee. At almost every shrine visited, the pilgrims had a brief Bible Study session and a reflection on the meaning of the event to us and its function in the history of our salvation. More on the pilgrimage and photos in the next issues of our E-Newsletter.

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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

26 MAY 2012

ISSUE 22 VOLUME 3

PRIMATE VISITS KENSINGTON FAIR

HIS GRACE Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, visited the International Spring Fair CFAB (Children and families across borders), organized annually by the Royal Borough of Kensignton and Chelsea on 16 May, 2012. Thanks to the Ladies Committee of the Armenian House (Hye Doon), an impressive stall for Armenian food, drinks, art and crafts has always been an important component of this annual fair for many years. Welcoming the Primate at the entrance of the Borough building was Mrs. Araxi Heghoian, chairman of the Ladies Committee. The Primate visited the Armenian stall and blessed its volunteers, thanking them for their efforts in making Armenia and the Armenian culture and heritage beautifully represented in this international celebration. Visiting the Fair at the same time were Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent and Her Excellency Inaam Osseiran, Ambassador of Lebanon, whom Bishop Vahan had the honour and pleasure to greet and converse with. Meanwhile, Her Excellency Karine Kazinian, Ambassador of Armenia, had also visited the Fair the day before, for the opening ceremonies.

CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS OF YOUNG ARMENIAN PAINTERS

THE Tekeyan Cultural Association in London is happy to invite Armenians 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 exhibition, under the auspices of Her Excellency Karine Kazinian, Ambassador of Armenia in the UK, and His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, will open on Monday 28 May. For further information please contact the London Tekeyan Cultural Association of London. You can CLICK HERE to download a PDF catalogue that includes the flyer announcing the exhibition as well as a list of the contributing painters and electronic images of the paintings displayed. (Nearest Tube: Ravenscourt Park).

ARMENIAN BIBLES FOR THE ARMENIAN CHURCH IN GEORGIA

The maltreatment of the Armenian Churches in Georgia by the Georgian government, unfortunately, continues to be a painful reality for the Armenians in Georgia. Churches are dilapidated and collapsing in Tbilisi and other cities in Georgia, which once were major Armenian centres, while the government refuses to allow the Armenian Church to renovate and maintain them. More than once had the head of the Armenian Church in Georgia, H.G. Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, written letters to the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili asking to take measures on preserving the Armenian cultural monuments and the returning of several churches to the diocese in Tbilisi. During his last visit to Armenia, H.G. Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, had the opportunity to meet with the Bishop and several clergy from the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. The bishop and clergy shared with bishop Vahan the many challenges facing the mission and ministry of the Armenian Church in Georgia. Many churches are in desperate need of Bibles in Armenian, which is very difficult to purchase or print in Georgia. The clergy have asked Bishop Vahan if the Armenians in Great Britain and Ireland can be of help in raising the £2000 needed for ordering and hand delivering 500 Bibles in Armenian to the churches in Georgia. If you would like to help our church help Armenians in Georgia please send your donation payable to the “Armenian Church Trust – UK” to: the Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington W8 6TG. Your donation will be transferred directly to the Armenian Diocese of Georgia and will be used in its entirety to purchase the Armenian Bibles. Please help us help our brothers and sisters in need in Georgia maintain and strengthen their church.

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

26 May 2012

Issue 22, Volume 3

BISHOP DELIVERS GONTAK TO THE AGBU

A CATHOLICAL decree (Gontak) congratulating the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) in Great Britain on its 100th anniversary was officially handed over to the members of the Executive Committee of the AGBU in Great Britain, by H.G. Bishop Vahan, primate. The recitation and delivery of the Gontak took place at a reception in the residence of Noushig Setrakian on Sunday 13th May. Present at the reception were members of the AGBU as well as friends and supporters. Last year marked the centennial of the AGBU London Chapter. Throughout the year, a number of events were organized to celebrate the long-standing organizational values and traditions of the chapter. The culminating celebration of the centennial was held on December 31, 2010, when 300 AGBU members and friends attended a festive New Year's Eve celebration. That night, His Grace Bishop Vahan verbally conveyed the blessings and congratulations of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians to AGBU London

HELP YOUNG ARMENIAN-PROFESSIONALS FIND JOBS IN UK

Young Armenian men and women, non-UK citizens, who have completed their graduate studies in various fields of science, humanities and arts in the UK, have been contacting the Primate’s Office seeking advice to 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 own business and are able to employ promising young Armenians, 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.

ANNUAL STREET FESTIVAL – UPDATES ?

THIS WEDNESDAY, 30th May, H.G. Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian will be presiding over a general meeting of the second annual Armenian Street Festival, which is organized by the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland. The various subcommittees have been working hard on pursuing their part of the preparation for the Festival. The subcommittees will report about the progress in their work. All Armenian organisations are invited to participate in this meeting, which serves as a general Armenian forum to guide the Festival committee. In addition to the fact that it is the only Armenian Festival in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which is a powerful celebration of our beautiful culture, inspiring history and pride-filled identity, the Annual Street Festival planned and administered by the Primate’s Office is also the main annual fundraising event for the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland. Please help the church by financially supporting the Festival. Donations will be acknowledged in the Festival’s booklet and this E-Newsletter. You can use this Gift Aid Form, to make your donation a GifAid and further benefit the Armenian Church. Please make your checques payable to: The Armenian Church Trust UK, and mail it to: The Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG. Meanwhile, the Primate’s Office has sent invitations to all Armenian organisations inviting them to a follow-up meeting which is scheduled on Wednesday, 30th May, at 7:00p. All volunteers are welcome to join in the meeting. For more information please contact he Primate’s Office at: 0208 127 8364.

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

WWW.ARMENIANCHURCHTRUST.ORG.UK

26 MAY, 2012

ISSUE 21, VOLUME 3

SCRIPTURE READINGS

According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday – 27 May Feast of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-21 John 14:25-31

Monday – 28 May Romans 1:1-17 Matthew 7:28-8:4

Tuesday – 29 May Romans 1:18-25 Matthew 8:5-13

Wednesday – 30 May Romans 2:2-11 Matthew 8:18-27

Thursday –31 May Romans 2:12-24 Matthew 8:28-34

Friday – 1 June Romans 2:25-3:9 Matthew 9:1-8

Saturday – 2 June Jeremiah 1:1-10 Jeremiah 38:1-13 2 Peter 2:9-22 Matthew 2:16-18

RESUMPTION OF BIBLE STUDY IN ENGLISH

The Continuing Education Ministry of the Primate’ Office is happy to announce the resumption of the evening Bible Study sessions in English. The next session is scheduled this Thursday, 31st May at 6:35pm in Gulbenkian Hall. All are welcome to our casual yet inspiring and educational Bible Study sessions.

DEACONS’ TRAINING PROGRAMME

Following his return from the annual Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Primate will resume his Deacons’ Training sessions on Mondays at 7:00pm. The next session is scheduled on Monday, 28th May in St. Sarkis Church at 7:00pm. New candidates interested in learning about our church’s beautiful liturgy and how to serve the Lord through the Armenian Church are welcome to contact the Primate directly via e-mail: primate@armenianchurch.co.uk

DO YOU KNOW “ANAHID” AND “LYDIA”

If you know the whereabouts of Anahid BOGHOSIAN & Lydia MARANJIAN, please ask them to contact their friend at the details below: - Sundus Elias Hasso (my name at school) but now I am called Mrs Sundus Henderson. Tel: 01912599939, mobile : 07436014930

ARMENIAN BONE-MARROW REGISTRY

On the occasion of the 26th European Federation of Immunogenetics Conference and Workshop, the Armenian Medical Association of Great Britain is coordinating an informal forum presented by the board of directors of The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. On Saturday, 2nd June, 2012, at 700pm Dr. Frieda Jordan, President, and Dr. Sevak Avagyan, Executive Director, will discuss the Registry’s accomplishments in the past decade as well as its goals and future projects. All are welcome to the Forum which will take place at Navasartian Centre Hall, 223 Northfield Avenue, London W13 9QU.

MATH’S TUTOR?

A young Armenian is offering tutoring classes in mathematics in London. If interested, please visit the website: HTTP://WWW.WESTKENSINGTONTUTORS.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.

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Be a sponsor of the only Armenian Street Festival in Great Britain and Ireland by sending your cheques, 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.