Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 39

22 SEPTEMBER 2012

ISSUE 39 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

N1S1&1T1T GAR:GIN B1 AM:NAZN FA|OZ KAJO{IKOSI OUJ:AN OROUA| A%IJOW

THE ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II ON THE OCCASION OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF

THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

(Click Here)

The Chancellery of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has published the address of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on the occasion of the celebration of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia. The complete statement can be read on the official website of the Armenian Church of Great BritainandIreland:http://armenianchurch.co.uk. LongliveArmenia!

LAUNCHING YEAR-LONG CELEBRATIONS

THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, together with the St. Sarkis Trust and the St. Sarkis Parish Council launched last Sunday, 18th September the year-long celebration programme of the 90th anniversary of the consecration of St. Sarkis Church in London. The inaugural event included a light lunch offered by the St. Sarkis Ladies Guild followed by Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian’s lecture - “The Holy Bible and the Armenian Church.” Following lunch and before the lecture, Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian welcomed all to the first event of the celebratory programme and thanked them for their continuous support of the St. Sarkis Parish. Dr. Tchilingirian’s remarks were followed by the introduction of the speaker by Dr. Arman Sarvarian, Chairman of the St. Sarkis Parish Council. Srpazan highlighted key aspects in the influence of the Bible on the Armenian identity, worship, literature and art. Simultaneously, on the same day, the Primate’s Office released what will be the first of a series of video clips focusing on the mission and ministry of the Armenian Church in Great Britain and Ireland. The first clip announces the 90 the anniversary celebration programme. CLICK HERE to watch the clip, and HERE to download the anniversary programme.

We at the Primate’s Office would love to hear from you. Please send your comments, feedback and observations to: The Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, 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

22 September 2012

Issue 39, Volume 3

Statement Issued By The British-Armenian

All-Party Parliamentary Group (BAAPPG)

“The British-Armenian All-Party Parliamentary Group condemns the actions of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev for setting free the Azeri officer Lt Ramil Sahib Safarov who, sentenced to life imprisonment in Hungary for hacking to death -on 19th February 2004 – an Armenian officer , Lt Gourguen Margaryan in his sleep, was extradited to his homeland on Friday 31st August 2012 to serve the remaining of his sentence ; but despite assurances given to the Hungarian government , was set free by President Ilham Aliyev and given a hero’s welcome .” Since the return of Ramil Safarov to a hero’s welcome in Baku, the Vice-Chairman of the BAAPPG , Mr John Whittingdale MP , has spoken to the Rt Hon William Hague MP , Foreign Minister of UK , has tabled an Urgent Question in the House of Commons regarding the events and writes in his letter : “ I understand the distress and anger in Armenia at the release of Safarov and the welcome he received on his return to Azerbaijan. I know that Rt Hon David Lidington MP , Minister of State for Europe , is to visit Yerevan shortly and this should allow him to give greater reassurance to the Armenians “

- Odette Bazil

Co-Founder and Executive Secretary BAAPPG, “Upper Haik” Hammersley Lane Tylers Green BUCKS HP13 7BY

DUBLIN MPC CELEBRATES BADARAK AND SPONSORS LECTURE

The Mission Parish Council (MPC) of the Armenian Church in Dublin, Ireland, celebrated Badarak on Sunday, 9th September, 2012 at the Taney Parish Church in Dundrum, Ireland. The celebrant of the day was Revd Fr. Shnork Bagdasarian, Pastor of the St. Sarkis Armenian Church in London, UK. Following Badarak, Fr. Shnork offered a very interesting talk about the meaning of Badarak and ways of effective participation in this beautiful Armenian Liturgy. Fr. Shnork made some time to visit the Armenian School students and converse with them as well. Following lunch, prepared and offered by the MPC, Fr. Shnork presided over a meeting of the Mission Parish Council in Dublin. Ayda Lundon, Chairman of MPC, informed Fr. Shnork that responding to the Primate’s Call to help the Armenians in Syria, the Armenian Church Mission in Dublin has raised £625. Thank you Dublin MPC for coordinating such a successful and inspiring Sunday celebration.

BADARAK IN BIRMINGHAM – THIS SUNDAY

The Mission Parish Council (MPC) of the Armenian Church in Birmingham has scheduled a Badarak to be celebrated this Sunday, 23rd September. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, assisted by Dn Artur Bobikyan and members of the Deacons’ Training Programme at 4:00pm in the St. John’s Church in Birmingham B11 4RG. Following Badarak, a special service of blessing for the Independence of Republic of Armenia will be offered. A meeting of the Birmingham MPC will take place following Church Services.

ARMENIANS CELEBRATE THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS:

ARMENIANS AROUND THE WORLD celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the fifth and final annual Major Feast of the Armenian Church, last Sunday, 16 September. Here in London traditional processions of the Cross were formed in the two Armenian Churches: St. Yeghiche and St. Sarkis. His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, presided over the Church services in St. Sarkis delivering the homily, which reflected on the meaning of the cross as a symbol of our salvation and God’s love for us, and a reminder of the price that God paid for delivering us from sin and death. His Grace joined the Revd Fr. Shnork Bagdasarian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Church in leading the Procession of the Cross outside St. Sarkis Church, carrying the basil decorated cross; a reminder of the field of Basil in which the cross was found by Queen Helena. The Information Centre of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland has prepared a video clip on this occasion which reports about the event and narrates the history of the feast. You can download the video clip from our church website armenianchurch.co.uk, or Click Here.

DID YOU KNOW that all funding for the programmes offered by the Primate’s Office including the annual pilgrimages, Annual Armenian Street Festivals, Bible Study sessions and lectures, E-Newsletter and Sunday Bulletin, Mission Parish programmes in Birmingham, Cardiff and Dublin are funded exclusively by the Armenian Church Trust UK (ACT-UK). Help us maintain these and other programmes

by supporting ACT-UK: Visit WWW.ARMENIANCHURCHTRUST.ORG.UK

22 September 2012 Issue 39 Volume 3

POPE BENEDICT XVI PRAYS: “MAY GOD BLESS THE ARMENIAN

COMMUNITY, SO SORELY TRIED DOWN THE AGES.” During his visit to Lebanon on Sept. 14 to 16 His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI attended the Memorial in the Armenian Monastery of

Bzommar. There His Holiness consecrated the monument of Hagop Meghapart, set up in connection with the 500th anniversary of the Armenian typography. The Pope invited the faithful to pray on the occasion saying

THE CHILTREN-ARMENIAN SOCIETY PRAYS FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE – THIS SUNDAY

The Chiltern-Armenian Society (CAS), in cooperation with the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland, the Rector of St Mary’s and All Saints Church and the Armenian Embassy in UK will hold a “Eucharist Joint-Service in memory of the Victims of the Armenian genocide” on Sunday 23RD SEPTEMBER 2012, 10.30 am at St Mary’s and All Saints Church Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 2JW. (Windsor End Old Town Beaconsfield). Reverend Jeremy Brooks, Rector of St Mary’s and All Saints Church will be the celebrant and His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian will preside and deliver the Sermon and the Blessing. In addition to the regular hymns sung by the St Mary’s Choir, Hymns will also be sung by Anais Heghoyan (Mezzo Soprano) and Nikita Bazil (Soprano). This memorable and special occasion will be followed by a gathering in the adjacent Fitzwilliam Hall , where coffee, biscuits and Armenian Brandy will be served. Local and Armenian Dignitaries will attend. All are welcome to attend.

Transport: Car ( parking behind the Church ) . Public transport : British Rail to Beaconsfield. If sufficient number of bookings will be received, then a Buffet-Luncheon will be organised at Leigh House (Chinese restaurant near the Church ) at £18.00 per person (refreshments and drinks not included). For further details and bookings for Lunch, please call: CAS at 01494 816 757.

DID YOU MISS THE GREAT PERFORMANCE OF ANOUSH OPERA IN LONDON?

No Worries! The Primate’s Office was informed by the London Armenian Opera that its members are already in full swing rehearsal mode in preparation for the repeat performance of Anoush Opera scheduled which is scheduled on the 27 and 28 of October 2012. As in the previous time, the Opera will be performed at The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W11 2AY. So, don’t miss this opportunity as well! Because of the limited space available, the Company urges people to buy their tickets in advance and secure their seats by calling 01923 773277, or e-mail: LondonArmenianOpera@virginmedia.com. You can read more about the Opera by browsing the FLYER posted on our CHURCH WEBSITE

The Primate’s Office is considering the possibility of publishing the E-Newsletter in Armenian. If interested in receiving the Armenian version of the E-Newsletter, please send your name and e-mail address to: primatoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk

OU

Ցանկանում ենք տեղեկացնել, որ հաջորդ շաբաթվանից թողարկվելու է Է-թերթիկի հայերեն տարբերակը: Եթե կամենում եք ստանալ այն, խնդրում ենք այդ մասին տեղեկացնել primatoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk հասցեով:

, "through the intercession of the Apostles

Bartholomew and Thaddeus, and of St. Gregory the Illuminator, let us ask the Lord to bless the Armenian community, so sorely tried

down through the ages, and to send to its harvest numerous saintly workers who, because of Christ, are enabled to change the face of

our societies, to heal hearts that are broken and to offer courage, strength and hope to those who despair. Thank you!"

22 September 2012

Issue 39 Volume 3

Scripture Readings According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday – 23 September Isaiah 14:3-17 2 Corinthians 10:18-11:10 Mark 10:1-12

Monday – 24 September Proverbs 8:9-11 Isaiah 55:10-13 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 Luke 21:12-19

Tuesday – 25 September Proverbs 23:15-25 Hosea 14:6-8 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 Luke 6:20-23

Wednesday – 26 September 2 Corinthians 11:10-23 Mark 10:17-23

Thursday – 27 September Wisdom 10:9-12 Malachi 2:5-7 1 Peter 5:1-7

John 10:11-16

Friday – 28 September Corinthians 11:30-12:9 Mark 10:28-34

Saturday – 29 September Wisdom 8:19-9:5 Isaiah 42:1-8 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Luke 12:2-9

HAVE YOU RESERVED YOUR PLACE FOR THE FORTHCOMING

DINNER AND TALK AT LAMBETH PALACE?

THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP OF LONDON has informed our Primate’s Office that in an unprecedented situation, a large number of tickets for the “Annual Constantinople Lecture” are already sold. This year’s guest lecturer, as announced earlier in this publication, will be His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate. The title of the lecture is: “The New Testament Apocrypha and the Armenian Church Canon of the Bible.” The lecture, which is sponsored by the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association in conjunction with the Nikean Club, is scheduled on Thursday 22nd November 2012. And will take place at Lambeth Palace, London SE1 7JU, by special permission of His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. The evening will start at 5:30 with Evensong followed by Bishop Vahan’s lecture and 7:00pm Buffet supper, carriages at 9:00pm. Tickets for the event, including buffet supper, are £23 per person. For tickets please write to The General Secretary, Anglican and Eastern Churches Association, c/o The Old Deanery, Dean’s Court, London EC4V 5AA, or e-mail: janet.laws@btopenworld.com. Closing date for booking tickets is: Friday, 9th November 2012. Places are limited and will be allocated to AECA & Nikaean members first. For further information, Click Here.

HELP US SUPPORT THE ARMENIANS IN SYRIA

AS ANNOUNCED BY THE ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS ON THE 12TH OF AUGUST, and reiterated in the statement by His. Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, the Armenian Church worldwide is raising funds to support of our brothers and sisters in Syria during these times of war, uncertainty and lack of security and peace. Following the call of our Catholicos and Primate, we in the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland are continuing our efforts to raise funds from our faithful in support of this relief mission. All the funds raised by our church will be forwarded entirely to the Armenian Church in Syria, and a copy of the list of donours and funds raised will be For further information or to register please click here, or e-mail: moskofiank@hotmail.co.uk

CLASSES IN WESTERN ARMENIAN

COURSES IN WESTERN ARMENIAN will be offered for beginners, intermediates and advanced students in Hye Doon by Professor Krikor Moskofian of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS, University of London). Courses will start the first week in October. For further information or to register please click here, or e-mail: moskofiank@hotmail.co.uk

SAHAK-MESROP CHOIR OF MARSEILLE IN LONDON

Tickets for over 300 seats have already been sold for the Tekeyan Cultural Association sponsored choral concert by the 50-member, award winning and internationally renowned “Sahak-Mesrop Armenian Choir of Marseille.” The programme will include popular Armenian choral songs, under the direction of Khatchig Yilmazian. Please make sure to reserve your seat ASAP. The concert will take place in St. Yeghiche Armenian Church, Cranley Gardens SW7 3DB, on Saturday, 6th October, 2012, at 7:30pm. Tickets: £25, £20 and £10. For tickets, please e-mail tca@tekeyantrust.org.uk, or telephone: 0208 879 0758, or 0208 544 8034.

The Primate’s Office c/o Hye Doon 25 Cheniston Gardens Kensington, London W8 6TG