Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 31

27 JULY 2012

ISSUE 31 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

ACOLYTES’ ORDINATION IN MANCHESTER

THE PRIMATE’S OFFICE is happy to announce that His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, will be ordaining four members of the Deacons’ Training Programme, to the “Minor Orders” of Tubir (Dupir) or Acolytes of the Armenian Church. This is the first liturgical rank bestowed upon those who wish to serve the Lord through the ministry and liturgy of the Armenian Church. The ordination ceremony, which is the first one to be celebrated by His

Grace Bp. Vahan, will take place on Sunday, 1st September 2012, at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Manchester. “We chose the Holy Trinity Church in Manchester as the church of our first ordination ceremony,” said Bishop Vahan, “because it is the mother Church for Armenians in England, Western Europe and the Western Hemisphere. It was in Manchester where Armenians built their first community church in the UK.” The ordination ceremony will start at the end of the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, which is scheduled to start at 11:15. A lunch reception will follow. For further information about the programme or to reserve for lunch, please contact the Manchester Vicarage. The celebrant of the day will be Bishop Vahan. Assisting him during the liturgy and sponsoring the four candidates for the ordination ceremony will be the Very Revd Fr. Garegin Hambartsumyan. The ordination candidates are: Alex Adamov, Nairy Afrikian, Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and Arman Sarvanian. All four candidates are members of the Deacons’ Training Programe (DTP) launched by the Primate two years ago, which as of today has eight registered members. Participants in the Programme meet regularly with the Primate to study and discuss the beautiful liturgy, spirituality and theology of the Armenian Church, and to practise the deacons’ parts in the liturgical services of the Armenian Church such as the Badarak, Baptisms and Weddings. If interested to join the DTP, please contact the Primate’s Office by calling 02081278463, or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. No knowledge of reading Armenian is required for beginners to join the programme.

The Primate’s Office c/o Hye Doon 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

27 July 2012

Issue 31, Volume 3

PRIMATE TO MEET WITH ARMENIAN YOUTH

THE ARMENIAN CHURCH YOUTH FELLOWSHIP (ACYF) is planning a meeting of young men and women with His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, on Monday, 6th August, at 8:00pm in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall. A fellowship will follow. During the meeting, the Primate will share with the youth his vision of the concept of a UK-wide programme engaging young Armenians in various cultural, social and church programmes and activities. During the meeting with the Primate those present will discuss several activities for young Armenians in London and Great Britain in the forthcoming months, including a pilgrimage to the Armenian monastery of San Lazzaro in October 2012. The ACYF is a group of Armenians who are proud of their Armenian identity and comfortable with their ancestral Christian faith who want to work with the Armenian Church in creating a strong and unified Armenian community cognizant and proud of its past and unified and ready to conquer all obstacles and shape its future as the British Armenian Community. All young Armenian men and women are invited to the meeting. Join us! To receive updates about future other events from the ACYF, kindly send your contact info to: acyf@armenianchurch.co.uk.

A DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE ARMENIANS OF SYRIA

HIS GRACE BISHOP Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, has declared Wednesday, 1st August, as a day of fasting and prayer in solidarity with the Armenian community in Syria. The country and the surrounding areas have often served as a refuge for Armenians who fled from wars and persecutions such as the Armenian Genocide. There are roughly 100,000 Armenians in Syria, most of whom live in Aleppo (Haleb). The capital Damascus also has a large Armenian population. Meanwhile, the Syrian town of Kesab, which is the birthplace of the previous Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin I of blessed memory has an Armenian majority. The stability and security in the Armenian populated areas have been targeted in the recent weeks. Already four Armenians have been killed as a result of the political unrest in the region. To help the Armenians of the region, the government of Armenia has recently identified Syria as one of the countries whose citizens of Armenian origin can receive the Armenian passport in the Armenian diplomatic representations and consulates. May the Lord be with our brothers and sisters in Syria and protect them from visible and invisible evil.

LECTURE: “FORGIVENESS AND HEALING: INTRIGUING PARALLELS”

LAST THURSDAY, 19 July, Dr. George Piligian, MD, Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, was the guest speaker for the Continuing Education Ministry (CEM) of the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church. His lecture “Forgiveness & Healing: Intriguing Parallels between the Physical and Spiritual Effects”, at 7:00pm in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall of the St. Sarkis Church, examined and explored the intriguing parallels between healing processes in the body and the spiritual healing of Christ. The lecture was followed by a question and answer period, engaging the audience, which filled Gulbenkian Hall, with the speaker about the lecture’s exciting subject. A wine reception followed, during which people continued their discussions with Dr. Piligian in a more relaxed and casual atmosphere. If you, or someone you know, would like to be informed about forthcoming lectures and educational programmes of the Primate’s Office, please send your e-mail address to: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SUPPORT THE ARMENIAN CHURCH TRUST – UK

(ACT-UK) WWW.ARMENIANCHURCHTRUST.ORG.UK

27 July 2012 Issue 31 Volume 3

SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 3RD PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

THE PRIMATE’S OFFICE is happy to confirm the following as the dates for the third annual Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Departure, Heathrow Airport, London Sunday, 6th January, 22:55, Return to Heathrow from Tel Aviv on Sunday 13th January, arriving London at 20:15. Please note that arrangements have changed since our first announcement. The cost of the pilgrimage is £1,100 each, for sharing a twin room, and £1,400 each for single room occupancy. The cost includes airfare, lodging, local transportation, daily breakfast and dinner. To reserve your seat in our Pilgrimage with the prices mentioned above, please send your deposit of £500 by Sunday 12th August, 2012. An extra processing fee (charged by British Airways) will be added to applicants who send their deposit after the 12th of August. As in the previous years, the 2013 Pilgrimage will include visits and discussion sessions at the important shrines such as Nazareth, the Church of the Annunciation, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, the Sepulcher, Mount Tabor, the Mount of Temptation, and the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem. Pilgrims will travel to the sites and shrines via luxury coaches. Special arrangements have been made for those who are interested in the Pilgrimage but prefer flying from Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, or other country. The cost of the pilgrimage, without the airfare, will be £700 for sharing a twin room, and £1,000 each for single room occupancy.

FR. GAREGIN @ ST. SARKIS BADARAK BASICS

The Very Revd Fr. Garegin Hambartsumyan was the guest celebrant at St. Sarkis Church in London last Sunday, 22nd July. Per the invitation of the Pastor of the Parish, Fr. Shnork Bagdassarian, Fr. Garegin was also the guest speaker of the monthly “Badarak Basics”, an educational programme at the Badarak. Fr. Garegin offered a very enlightening introduction to the meaning of Badarak and focused on the liturgical act of the Kiss of Peace, tracing its origin in the pages of the Bible and elaborating on its function and meaning through the early patristic commentaries to our contemporary times. He emphasized that the Kiss of Peace in the Badarak serves as an expression of the unity among the faithful gathered to celebrate in remembrance of the Lord.

BP. VAHAN @ THE ARMENIAN YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB SUNDAYAFTERNOON, 8TH JULY, Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian was the guest of the Armenian Youth Football Club. His Grace attended the football match,

met with the players and their families and addressed the players and their families. The programme of the day included speeches by Nick Nicolaou and Dick Bedrossian, raffle prizes and lunch. The Armenian Youth Football Club is always looking for new members, players and supporters. If interested please contact he Club secretary Nick Nicolaou

Tell your friends and join us on Sunday, 29th July, at the Second Annual Armenian Street Festival

27 July 2012

Issue 31 Volume 3

Scripture Readings According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday – 29 July Isaiah 5:1-10

1 Corinthians 6:18-7:11 Matthew 19:3-12

Monday – 30 July Proverbs 29:2-7 2 Maccabees 6:18-7:42 Hebrews 11:32-40 Matthew 5:17-20

Tuesday – 31 July Hosea 10:12; Amos 5:10-14; Micah 7:7-9; Joel 2:12-13; Obadiah 1:21; Jonah 4:2; Nahum 1:7-9; Habakkuk 1:2-3; Zephaniah 1:7-8; Haggai 2:10; Zechariah 7:9-10; Malachi 1:6; Romans 11:2-5 Luke 13:31-358

Wednesday – 1 August

Primate proclaimed fasting and prayer day for our brothers and sisters in Syria

1 Corinthians 7:25-35 Matthew 19:13-26

Thursday – 2 August

Proverbs 11:30-12:4 Hosea 14:6-9 2 Corinthians 4:6-14 Luke 12:2-10

Friday – 3 August 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Mark 1:35-45

Saturday – 4 August Ezekiel 3:16-19 2 Timothy 1:6-14 Luke 10:16-20

STREET FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY

It is finally here! The second annual Armenian Street Festival in London will take place at Iverna Gardens and the grounds of the St. Sarkis Armenian Church, 12:00-18:00hrs.  ADMISSION TO THE FESTIVAL IS FREE.  Sign up for the backgammon tournament in advance. A corner has been designated for it.

See online flyer for details. You can sign up for the tournament NOW by contacting Anais (07931 377 539). Have not volunteered yet, but are interested to help, please send an e-mail to the Primate’s Office or call Socie (0208 127 8364).

 If interested in supporting the Festival financially, please send your donation payable to “The Armenian Church Trust UK” and post it to: The Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston, Kensington, London W8 6TG. DONATIONS RECEIVED BY MONDAY, 23RD JULY WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE FESTIVAL BOOKLET.

 Check out our ONLINE CLIP and FACEBOOK PAGE for more information.  Finally, join us Sunday, on 29th July, and bring all your Facebook friends with you, in

celebrating our pride in our Armenian heritage in the heart of London!

RAISING OF ARMENIAN FLAG IN OLYMPIC VILLAGE

HG Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, and HE Mrs. Karine Gazinyan, Ambassador of Armenia, joined Armenia’s minister of Sports and Youth, Mr. Hrachya Rostomyan and a delegation of leaders of the Armenian community, to the Olympic Village on Sunday, 22nd July, to participate in the raising of the flag of the Republic of Armenia. The ceremony was the official welcome to the Olympic Village of the athletes from Armenia. Following the programme the Ambassador and the Primate attended a reception hosted by the Olympic Committee of Armenia.

ARMENIAN FILM MAKER

Hasmik, a young Armenian Filmmaker living in the UK contacted the Primate’s Office asking as to help her contact any 100 year old Armenian living in the UK. Your assistance can be very valuable at this stage of her project. If you know of such a person, please contact Hasmik directly by writing to: hasmikgasparyan.art@gmail.com.

HELP US HELP ARMENIAN GRADUATES

Armenian graduates of UK universities contact the Primate’s Office refsgularly seeking employment in the UK. If you or someone you know can help these bright Armenians find a job please contact the Primate’s Office by Clicking Here or telephoning: 0208 127 8364..