Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 23

1 JUNE 2012 ISSUE 23 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

“IF I FORGET YOU JERUSALEM...” (PS 137:5)

THE SENTIMENTS of the Psalmist in the Bible praising the beauty of Jerusalem and highlighting its importance as the world’s spiritual centre, were the exact sentiments of every pilgrim on Saturday morning, 28th May, as the group concluded its 9-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land and prepared for the return trip to London. The focus of the pilgrimage was the Armenian Badarak celebrated on Mount of Ascension on the Feast of Ascension, as well as the visit to the Armenian Quarter and the Patriarchate. However, the itinerary of the pilgrimage included visits, tours, Bible discussions and free times at many of the important biblical shrines and sites, including the Virgin Mary’s House and the Cathedral of Annunciation in Nazareth, the Bethlehem grotto and the field of Shepherds in Bethlehem, St. Joseph’ s house and workshop, the Church of the Beatitudes, the Sea of Galilee, with an inspiring boat ride and the Bible Study session and discussion aboard the boat in Tiberias. The group visited also and prayed at Mount Tabor, traditionally accepted as the place where Jesus was transfigured according to the Bible, the Mount of Temptation and the Mount of Ascension. One of the many climaxes of the pilgrimage was the group’s visit to the Cathedral of St. Peter of Gallicantu, built on the house of the Temple High Priest Ciaphas where Jesus was arrested and condemned, and a few steps from which Peter denied the Lord. Another highlight was the visit to the Jordan River, where some of the pilgrims got to enter the river and participate in the service of the blessing and renewal of the baptismal vows offered by the Primate. Needless to say visiting the Armenian Patriarchate and the various Armenian shrines in the Holy Land and meeting with His Eminence Abp. Nourhan Manougian, was one of these unforgettable moments of the Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage included daily breakfasts and dinners which served also as great fellowship forums for the pilgrims to recap the events of the previous days and reflect upon their personal spiritual journey of the pilgrimage. Daily transportation to the holy sites and shrines were by deluxe coaches accompanied by Aram Khachadurian, tour guide. If you were unable to join us this year, worieth not! The Primate’s Office plans annual pilgrimages to the Holy Land. To be informed about the next pilgrimage, please contact the Primate’s Office.

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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

1 JUNE 2012 ISSUE 23 VOLUME 3

PICTURES OF THE 2012 PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LADND

On the steps of the Beatitudes Churchyard

Group photo - boat on the Sea of Galilee

Bible Study outside the Church of Beatitudes

Aboard the boat on the Sea of Galilee

Blessing service in the Jordan River

Relaxing ashore the Dead Sea

Aboard the boat on the Sea of Galilee

Discussion in Tiberias Hotel

The Armenian section of Holy Sepulchre

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

1 June 2012

Issue 23 Volume 3

The Armenian reception hall in Bethlehem

Armenian Chapel in Bethlehem

Resting... with Jerusalem in the background

Ascnesion Badarak, H.G. Bp. Vahan, Primate

Theological discussion with their Bishop

1st century synagogue in Capernaum

Procession of the Ascension Badarak

Bible reading/meditation on Mount Tabor

Gethsemane tree, carbon dated +2000 years

1 June 2012

Issue 22, Volume 3

PRIMATE MEETS WITH THE BISHOP OF LONDON

On Wednesday, 30 May, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, met with His Grace Richard Chartres, Bishop of London. During the visit, the two hierarchs emphasized the importance of the cooperation between the two sister churches and of strengthening the the Christian faith in a world where the life-giving and joyful message of the Gospel seems to be ignored. His Grace Bishop Chartres emphasized to Bishop Vahan the great contribution that the Armenian Church has to offer to the strengthening process. Bishop Chartres commended the Primate’s efforts in organizing and solidifying the administration and mission of the Armenian Church in Great Britain and Ireland. As an expression of his appreciation, the Bishop of London awarded Bishop Vahan with the Mellitus Medal of the Order of St. Mellitus “in gratitude for our partnership in the Gospel.” The Order of Mellitus is conferred upon a person who has made a substantial contribution to the Christian life of London and to building up overseas links with the Diocese of London. The Primate then accompanied the Bishop of London to participate in an ecumenical service at the Church of St. Andrew-of-the-Wardrobe.

PILGRIMAGE REUNION – WEDNESDAY 8TH JUNE

The Primate’s Office invites all pilgrims of the 2011 and 2012 pilgrimages as well as all those interested in joining us in future pilgrimages to a wine reception to take place on Friday, 8th June, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Gulbenkian Hall. The reception will include welcoming remarks by H.G. Bishop Vahan followed by a photo slide and video presentation highlighting the main aspects of the 2012 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. All are welcome.

CONGRATULATIONS TO H.E. ARCHBISHOP NATHAN

The Primate’s Office is happy to announce the joyful news that His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, elevated Bishop Nathan to the rank of Archbishop, on the Thursday of the Feast of Ascension, 17th May, 2012. H.G. Bp. Vahan sent a letter of congratulations to Archbishop Nathan on this occasion wishing him a fruitful ministry in the vineyard of the Lord and the Armenian Church. Congratulations Srpazan Hayr!

ASF 2012 - FESTIVAL BOOKLET

ON WEDNESDAY, 30th May, a general meeting was convened for the second annual Armenian Street Festival, to take place on 29th July 2012. Invited to the meeting were representatives of all Armenian organisations in Great Britain. The meeting, chaired by Dick Bedrossian, General Coordinator, discussed every aspect of the preparation for the Festival and incorporated the comments and suggestions of the representatives of the Armenian organisations and of those representing the various sub-committees of the Festival. A booklet will be published for the Festival which will include a basic plan of the programme of the day, a menu of the food to be sold at the Festival as well as a map of the various sections of the Festival. Armenian organisations, business owners and friends of the Armenian Church are welcome to support the Festival by sponsoring a page or half a page in the booklet. You can express your wishes or comments, and publish the name, address and contact info of your business according to the following fees: Full page (inside back cover): £250; Full Page: £200; Half a page: £120; business card: £50. Please send your cheques, payable to The Armenian Church Trust UK, to The Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG. You may send your donation with our GiftAid form, so the church can benefit from the Gift Aid benefits.

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

WWW.ARMENIANCHURCHTRUST.ORG.UK

1 JUNE, 2012

ISSUE 23, VOLUME 3

SCRIPTURE READINGS

According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday – 3 June

Kings 18:29-46 2 Kings 2:1-15 James 5:16-20 Luke 4:25-30

Monday – 4 June

Proverbs 31:29-31 Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Romans 15:30-16:2 Matthew 10:26-33

Tuesday – 5 June

Proverbs 1:20-23 Baruch 4:36-5:4 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 John 16:1-5

Wednesday – 6 June

Fasting Days resume on Wednesdays

Romans 3:19-31 Matthew 9:9-15

Thursday –7 June

Proverbs 15:21-25 Isaiah 22:20-24 1 Peter 5:1-7 Matthew 11:2-14

Friday – 8 June

Fasting Days resume on Fridays

Romans 4:1-12 Matthew 9:27-34

Saturday – 9 June

Wisdom 5:1-8 Isaiah 60:20-61:7 Hebrews 13:17-21 Matthew 19:27-29

PROSPECTS OF PROGRESS IN KARABAKH

The Armenian Studies programme of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London cordially invites all interested to a talk by Mr. Ahot Ghoulian, Chairman of the National Assembly. The talk will take place in the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre if the Brunei Building in SOAS, on Monday, 12th June at 7:00pm. The title of Mr. Ghoulian’s talk is: “Prospects of Progress and Stability in the Caucuses: Peace and Nation-Building in

Nagorno Karabakh.” Chairing the talk will be Professor George Hewitt. For further information please contact Dr. Krikor Moskofian, Director of the Armenian Studies Programme at SOAS: moskofiank@gmail.com. All are welcome.

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY IN ENGLISH - THURSDAYS

The Continuing Education Ministry of the Primate’ Office is happy to announce the continuation of the evening Bible Study sessions in English. The sessions convene every Thursday, at 7:00pm in Gulbenkian Hall, of the St. Sarkis Church. All are welcome to our casual yet inspiring and educational Bible Study sessions.

DUBLIN MISSION PARISH - UPDATE

The Council of the Armenian Church Mission Parish in Dublin is organising a special programme this weekend, 2-3 June, with guest speakers: Dr. Hratch and Shake Tchilingirian. For info contact the Dublin MPC, or visit their website.

ARMENIAN BONE-MARROW REGISTRY

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 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.

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.