Friday 30 November 2012

Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 50


1 DECEMBER 2012
ISSUE 50 VOLUME 3
E-NEWSLETTER H- J:RJIK THE OFFICIAL ONLINE PUBLICATION OF THE PRIMATES OFFICE OF THE DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
RECEPTION FOR MINISTER POGHOSYAN
Under the auspices of Her Excellency Mrs. Karine Kazinian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia, and His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, a reception was held in honour of Her Excellency Mrs. Hasmik Poghosyan, Minister of Culture of Armenia in Tara Hotel,Kensingotn. Following the cocktail hour, the guests of honour were invited to the dining hall for a three-course lunch. During the lunch, HG Bp. Hovhanessian welcomed the Minister and thanked her for accepting
the invitation to meet with representatives of the Armenian community of London and emphasized the importance of promoting the Armenian language and culture. “Throughout the centuries,” added the Bishop, “even at times when our people did not have their independent government, it was our faith and culture that safeguarded the identity of our people in Armenia and the diaspora.” The Minster in turn thanked the Bishop for the reception and the opportunity to meet with the Armenian community representatives. As a token of her appreciation, she presented the Bishop with a reproduction of the book Oorpatakirk (Urbatagirk. Arm. Ուրբաթագիրք) or “The Book of Friday”, the first printed Armenian book published in Venice in 1512. Invited to the reception were the chairmen of the Armenian Church councils, leaders of the Armenian organisations, and benefactors of the Armenian Church in the UK
BISHOP LECTURER AT LAMBETH PALACE
On Thursday evening, 22nd November, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, was the guest speaker at Lambeth Palace. Bishop Hovhanessian delivered the Annual Constantinople Lecture titled, “The New Testament Apocrypha and the Canon of the Armenian Version of the Bible.” The evening started with a Vespers prayer at the Chapel followed by the lecture, which was jointly hosted by the Nikean Club and the Association of Anglican-Eastern and Eastern Orthodox Churches. In his lecture, His Grace elaborated on the history of the translation of the Armenian version of the Bible and the association of the non-Canonical writings with the manuscripts and canon-lists of the Armenian New Testament. The Bishop’s notes were heavily based on the writings of the Armenian Church fathers and the early manuscripts of the New Testament in Classical Armenian. A cocktail hour and a dinner reception at the Palace’s Guard’s Hall concluded this enlightening and beautiful evening. Click here, to watch a video-clip of the highlights of the evening. To watch the entire lecture, click here.
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

THE PRIMATES OFFICE Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG
1 December 2012
Issue 50 Volume 3
ARMENIAN EMBASSY, LONDON: ANNOUNCEMENT
Կից ներկայացնում եմ ՀՀ կրթության եւ գիտության նախարարությունից ուսումնական գրականության տրամադրման վերաբերյալ ստացված հայտարարությունը: Դիմումների ներկայացման վերջնաժամկետն է 25 հունվարի 2013թ. (Click here for the flyer)
HUMANITARIAN AID RELIEF TRUST A CHRISTMAS CONCERT Christmas Carol Concert with music from Armenia, Burma and Central Africa, in support of the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) will take place on Thursday, the 6th of December, St. Nicholas Day, at St. Cyprian’s Church, Clarence Gate, Glenworth Street, NW1 6AX (Click here for map). All are welcome. A collection will be taken at the end of the service to support the work of HART with the oppressed and persecuted people around the world. For further information visit: www.hart-uk.org.
MONTHLY CHESS & BACKGAMMON CLUB
The St Sarkis Church Parish Council is pleased to announce that the next date of the monthly “Chess & Backgammon Club” will be Tuesday 11th December: 7pm to 10pm at London Visitors Hotel, 42-44 Holland Road, Kensington, London W14 8BB. Please reserve your place by emailing stsarkisparish@armenianchurch.co.uk, as spaces are limited. Entry is free. For map & transport information, please visit http://bit.ly/Vby505. Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/562911133734930/.
UPDATES AND CHRISTMAS BAZAAR HOMENETMEN LONDON Homenetmen-London held its 34th AGM on Sunday, October 21st. Thanks to all our members who contributed to a lively debate on various topical issues. By way of a circular, we'll be providing an update this week to all our members on our annual programme of events and the make-up of the Executive Committee Members of the Executive Committee for 2012/13: Edmond Abrahamian – Chairman; Melineh Jacob – Secretary; Shiraz Vartanian – Treasurer; Adrienne Khachaturian – Sports and Activities Liaison; Peter Mardirossian - Scouting Activities Liaison; Aline Abramian - Ladies & Social Activities Liaison; Alek Khachaturian - Vice Chairman. We have started the year with great gusto with planning activities for our 34th Scouts Day in March of next year already well in progress. More presently, we have our annual "Christmas Bazaar" on Saturday 8th December at Acton High School. This promises to be a great day with many activities and games for the kids as well as food and art & craft stalls for some last minute Christmas shopping. We'll also be drawing the prizes for our Christmas Raffle. If you haven't already, you'll have an opportunity to buy some tickets on the day before the draw at 4pm. We look forward to welcoming you at this fantastic event.
- Homenetmen - London Executive Committee. PRESIDENTIALELECTIONS-REPUBLICOFARMENIA:INDEPENDENT SEMINAR
An Independent Seminar to take place at “The London Visitors Hotel” 42-44 Holland Road, Kensington, London W14 8BB, on Friday 7 December 2012, 1900-2100hrs titled: “The Presidential Elections of the Republic of Armenia: Problems and Prospects.” Places are strictly limited. Prior registration is required by email to: armansarvarian@yahoo.co.uk. Admission is free of charge with a complimentary wine reception following the seminar.
THIS WEEKS VIDEO CLIP
“HIGHLIGHTS OF BISHOP VAHANS LECTURE AT LAMBETH PALACE
Click here to watch the video clip prepared by the Information Centre of the Primate’s Office
SYRIAN CRISIS: ARMENIAN COMMUNITY CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO FIRES
The Friends of Armenian Society in SOAS presents a discussion of the state of the Armenian Community in Syria Nowadays. Speakers: Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian (University of Oxford) Kevork Hagopjian, Sahag Arslanian, Chair. The panel will discuss an assessment of the current situation, the security and institutional challenges facing the Armenians in particular and Christian communities in general, assistance and humanitarian efforts and future prospects. Thurs., 6 December 2012, 7:00 PM. Room B104, SOAS (nearest tube: Russell Square).
NEW YEARS EVE DINNER – TEKEYAN AND NOR SEROUNT
HYE DOON CHRISTMAS LUNCH PARTY The Ladies’ Committee of the Armenian House, Hye Doon, in London, is having its annual Christmas Lunch/Party on Thursday, 6th December at
1:00pm in Hye Doon (25 Cheniston Gardens, W8 6TG). Join the ladies and their friends for an afternoon of friendship, delicious home-cooked food, fun, and singing. Admission: £15, which covers everything. Proceeds of the lunch/party will be forwarded to the Syrian relief efforts of our Church.
NEW YEARS EVE DINNER – ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY,
HOMENETMEN AND HAMAZKAYIN
On behalf of the Armenian Relief Society, Homenetmen, and Hamazkayin, we would like to welcome you to join us for an evening of dinner and music by Yorgantz and DJ Alex to welcome in the New Year! Information about booking tickets can be found on the flyer. Further inquiries can be sent to Janet Mardirossian. Click here to download the flyer.
HANDELS MESSIAH – HIGHLIGHTS BY CANDLELIGHT
Join us at St. Sarkis Church, in Iverna Gardens, Kensingon, London, on Friday evening, 14th December, at 7:30pm for a great opportunity to hear Handel’s Messiah in a refreshingly different way; one voice per part. Pianist/Director: Bridget Cunningham; Alto: Anais Heghoyan, Baritone: Aris Nadirian, Soprano: Jassy Husk, Tenor: Gitai Fisher; and Violinists: Orpheus Papafilippou. Bridget Cunningham directs the harmonies as the professional singers perform highlights from Handel’s Messiah that was composed in his house in London, 1741. Tickets £12 can be obtained by e-mailing: office@stsarkislondon.org, or calling Anais at 07931377539.
Under the auspices of His Holiness Karekin II, Dr. Hratch Tchilinigirian, Chairman of the St. Sarkis Parish Assembly and Honorary President of the St. Sarkis Church Trust participates in an International Round Table discussion of “Diakonia and the Church” at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Click here for a video clip
For the first time Tekeyan Cultural Association & Nor Serount Cultural Association, jointly are organizing New Year’s Eve Dinner and
Dance at London’s Tara hotel. The three-course meal Dinner will be served to the tables and there is going to be an excellent entertaining
programme of music and dancing. There will be raffle as well, and part of the income will be dedicated to the Syrian Armenians who are
under tremendous problems due to current state in Syria. The location of the Tara hotel and ticket prices make this an excellent New Year’s
Eve party, particularly for the younger members of our community. Tickets for adults are £60 and for Students £50. For tickets please
contact: Rosette Ouzounian 07957 268 534; Sossi Yerissian 07815 633 628 and Silva Yeghiazarian 020 8864 9216. Those families who are
prepared to come with their children, please contact any of the names on the flyer, and they will be able to take the matter with the hotel and
arrange a special rate or even arrange a children room with a nanny there. We very much appreciate your support to our associations and look
forward for an enjoyable evening. Book your table through contacting any person on the flyer or by emailing us. Click her for the flyer.
- TCA Executive Committee
1 December 2012
Issue 50, Volume 3
GET INVOLVED: OUR CHURCH PROGRAMMES NEED YOU
Last Sunday, 25th November, on the first Sunday of Advent in the Armenian Church calendar, His Grace Bishop Vahan
Hovhanessian, Primate, published an appeal to the Armenian community in Great Britain and Ireland seeking their support of the
Primate’s Office and its various programmes. During the past two years and a half, the Primate’s Office has developed many new Issue 46, Volume 3
programmes and promoted several ongoing others, with the objective of strengthening the sacred mission of the Armenian Church and the bonds of the Armenian community in United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Among these programmes we mention the annual pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF), the Mission Parish Outreach (MPO), the Deacons’ Training Programme, the Continuing Education Ministry (CEM), the weekly online E-Newsletter, Sunday Bulletin, website and others. Today, almost two years after the programmes mentioned above were launched, and some of which have already entered their third year of operation, it has become a serious financial challenge for the Primate’s Office to maintain these programmes and develop new ones, without a budget and a hired office assistant. No Armenian church-trust or community church council, or mission parish in the UK contributes to any of the above-mentioned programmes of the Primate’s Office. Needless to say the Armenian Church in the UK does not own a church office, archives, library, ... etc. Thanks to the generosity of the Hye Doon (Armenian House) the Primate is allowed to use the fourth floor temporarily as his office, on a leasing basis. It is because of the above situation that the Primate has issued the “Annual Advent Appeal” in an effort to engage the Armenian people in financially supporting the ministry of the Armenian Church and helping the Primate’s Office. You can read the full text of the Appeal on the official website of the Armenian Church, by clicking here. You can donate online by clicking here, or send your donation payable to “Armenian Church Trust UK” to the mailing address of the Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG. During this blessed and beautiful season of Advent, please remember the Armenian Church and pray for her. Our Primate and thousands of Armenian children, teenagers, young adults, and seniors who benefitted from our Church programmes will be grateful to you.
The Candle-Light evening of Christmas Carols of the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) has already become an annual tradition associated with the holy season of Advent. For the third consecutive year, the ACYF invites our faithful in London to join them in an evening of worship, meditation and singing along of the traditional Christmas carols. The date of this year’s “ACYF Christmas Carols” is Saturday, 15th December at St. Sarkis Church. The evening will include a reflection service in Armenian and English, enhanced with the singing of traditional Christmas Carols in English and Armenian. While all will be encouraged to sing-along the Christmas carols, guest appearances by professional singers will augment the programme with inspiring solo performance. The programme will also include a beautiful Nativity scene presentation by
the AREV Children of the St. Sarkis Parish. The ACYF take this beautiful worship and fellowship programme on the road! In 2010, it was offered in St. Sarkis Church, and then traveled to Manchester and Cardiff. In 2011, it was offered at St. Yeghiche Church in London. This year, the ACYF will offer it at St. Sarkis Church and then take it to Dublin. Meanwhile, the Manchester ACYF is planning its own evening of Christmas Carols! So, please mark your calendar and join our Primate and the ACYF for this ever popular, annual Christmas church celebration. The Carol-singing is scheduled in St. Sarkis Church at 7:00pm followed by a wine reception at 8:00pm in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall of the St. Sarkis Church. Celebrate the spirit of the season with what has become a traditional annual Armenian celebration in London. Admission is free and all are welcome.
.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS, 15 DECEMBER - ACYF
1 December 2012
Issue 50 Volume 3
SCRIPTURE READINGS According to the Armenian Church Lectionary
Sunday – 2 December
Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 36:22-37:11 1 Thessalonians 4:1-11 Luke 13:1-9
Monday – 3 December Isaiah 36:22-37:11 1 Thessalonians 4:1-11 Luke 13:1-9
Tuesday – 4 December
Feast of King Abgar
Wisdom 6:2-10 Isaiah 45:1-2 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 7:1-10
Wednesday – 5 December 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Luke 13:10-17
Thursday – 6 December 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Luke 13:10-17
Friday – 7 December 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 Luke 14:1-11
Saturday – 8 December
Feast of St. Nicholas the miracle-worker Ezekiel 3:16-19
2 Timothy 3:10-15 John 10:11-16
MANCHESTER PLANS CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Manchester chapter of the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship of Manchester (ACYF) cordially invites you to a Christmas Carol singing event which will take place on Sunday, December 9th commencing at 3 p.m. in the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Manchester The programme of the day will include a short concert by the pupils of The Sunday school (4 p.m.), refreshments (5 p.m.) and an Evening Vespers service with carols and prayers in Armenian and in English (6 p.m.). On this joyful day joining us and presiding over the service will be the Primate of our Diocese, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian. Members of ACYF of London will also come to support the first activity of their fellow brothers and sisters of Manchester. The ACYF team will lead the singing but all are welcome to sing along. Mark your calendar for Dec. 9th and join us to share the joy of anticipation of Christ’s birth!
CANON THOMAS PATRICK: CARMARTHEN TO KARABAGH
The Mission Parish Council (MPC) of the Armenian Church in Cardiff invites you to a very interesting talk about similarities between the Armenian and Welsh people to be offered by the Very Revd Canon Patrick Thomas. The lecture will take place at the St Josephs Catholic Church, New Zealand Rd, off Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff at 19.30. For further information please contact John: john@jmpropertiesltd.co.uk
DUBLIN PARISH CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Dublin Mission Parish Council is planning a Church/Community & School Christmas Celebration on Sunday, 23rd December 2012 at Taney Parish Centre – Dublin in the Minor Hall, 13:00-16:00. There will be the opportunity to meet friends, sing a few Armenian/English Christmas carols, listen to some readings from the Christmas story and hear the school children singing and reciting poetry. As usually, we plan to have some delicious food to eat... so we request that each family/individual brings enough HOT FOOD and sweets for themselves plus a little bit extra for visitors. There will be a SURPRISE VISITOR at the end of the proceedings. All are welcome. If you have visitors ... Please bring them with you. For further information please contact : Dr. Paul Manook E-mail : pmanook@hotmail.com , or call: +44 2891 863559
BIBLE STUDY THURSDAY–NEW MEMBERS WELCOME
The Bible Study group will meet this Thursday in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall at 7:0pm. We
continue reading the Book of Revelation. All are welcome to join the group.
CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTION
A beautifully packaged CD including a selection of inspiring
religious and popular Christmas Carols, played by the world-
renowned pianist Artur Bobikyan. The organist at Holy Trinity
Armenian Church in Manchester, Bobikyan has prepared this CD
with his own piano interpretation of carols such as “Hark the Herald
Angels Sing,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” and Artur’s “Nutty”
Tchaikovsky. The CD includes also “The Christmas Song” with
Sandra Afeyan. To obtain your copy please call St. Sarkis
Office 0207 937 9049, or e-mail: office@stsarkislondon.org. Donations: £10 to pick it up
from church office; and £12 to have it posted (please send address).

Dikran Abrahamian at Keghart - 6/4, 30 November 2012

Did You Know?  "The first Armenian settlers in Fresno were Evangelicals who mainly came from Marzvan, Armenia. Mardiros Yanukian, a native of Marzvan, made his home in Fresno in 1878. Escaping the horrors of Ottoman Turkish misrule, he changed his name to “Normart” (“new man” in Armenian). By 1890 there were some 1,000 Armenians in Fresno." Read more...
Content:


  • First time visitors please click on Mission on the horizontal bar at the top.
  • To remove your address from the mailing list please click www.keghart.com/keghartlist , fill and submit the form. If you have more than one email address, tell us which addresses you would like to see removed.
Thank you!

Keghart is an enormously important link... Here is some of the information taken from the above links!




Berlin Mosque Honors Genocide Perpetrators
PrintPrintSendSendPDFPDF
An interview with Dr. Tessa Hofmann
The below interview with Dr. Tessa Hofmann was conducted  by Hamo Moskofian for Keghart.com on October 2, 2012 in Berlin.  Dr. Hofmann is a  long-time scholar of Genocide.
HM.- You recently published an important book that was presented in Greece.Hoffman-Book Genocide of Ottoman Greeks
TH.-  It is the first academic collective mo­­nograph in English dealing with the Genocide of the Ottoman Greeks. I had always felt, when I began to study the Armenian Genocide 40 years ago, that it was the tip of the iceberg, that the real dimension of this state crime was much larger than against the 2.5 million Armenians of the Ottoman Empire. It was a genocide against the Christian nationals of the Ottoman Empire. This holistic approach is necessary to understand that the Young Turk perpetrators of the Genocide of the Armenians, their Kemalist successors, and the serial perpetrators committed this crime to rid the Ottoman Empire of a quarter of its population, every resident who was Christian. Now the percentage of the Christian population in Turkey is less than one percent! The Greek-Orthodox community has 1,200 members only. The Armenian community is the largest, with 40,000 to 60, 000. So what the Young Turk perpetrators planned after the revolution of 1908 materialized in the extermination of the Christians in their second homeland in the Middle East, after Palestine which is the first homeland of Christianity.
HM.- What are your plans regarding further academic studies and in publishing books in various languages?
TH.- Besides Genocide studies, I have done related Armenian studies, including migration studies. It was conducted in an Dr. Tessa Hofmanninternational research project, which took place in Armenia, Russia and Georgia. It was a comparative research about migration from Armenia and neighboring Georgia. This is an urgent issue...the loss of people and why?
Second, I published in Armenia a long essay on identity. The Armenian identity is unique and diversified, depending where Armenians are living and to which generation they belong to. The Armenian identity in the U.S or France differs from that of Armenians in Moscow, Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. Of course, it differs from the identity ofHayasdantsinerKarabaghtsiner also. I did research on the Armenian identity. Usually there are five and are differently focused in different communities: religion, language, Genocide awareness, culture. In Turkey we have a slightly different, but unique, picture.
Third, I certainly will continue my studies in philology and in migration issues.
Regarding the Genocide, I am focusing on four groups of participants, plus the cult of the perpetrators which is acute in Turkey. Imagine, for comparison, in Germany the main street would be named after Hitler or Goebbels; or the churches be named after Holocaust perpetrators. In Ankara a mosque is named after Tal'aat Pasha. Likewise schools and kindergartens. There's a regional and nationwide cult of Genocide perpetrators in Turkey. In the Turkish diaspora, in Berlin for example, you can visit the “Shehidlik Jami” (Martyrs' Mosque), where two of the Genocide perpetrators--Jemal Azmi and Dr.Behaedin Shakir--are buried. The Turkish community, with the support of a Berlin Azeri organization “donated” richly-decorated tombs with marble and golden inscriptions in three languages which say: “Here are the martyrs ('shehids') that the Armenian terrorists shot”. They present these Genocide criminals as martyrs killed by Armenian “criminals”.
Berlin authorities have not responded to complaints about the Turkish glorification of these mass murderers. The authorities have told journalists that the mosque is extraterritorial land, like an embassy! This is the background to the situation: Long ago the Prussians gave the land, as a gift, to the Ottomans. We have no way of stopping the cult of these two mass murderers. We don’t have a memorial for the Christian victims of the Ottoman Genocide. We are working on it, but it seems it is much easier in Berlin to build a memorial for the Genocide perpetrators.
A second focus will be on the "Oscar Schindlers of the Ottoman Genocide"-- civilians or administrators, who tried to save victims, sometimes, successfully. Their names must be commemorated as the true heroes of Ottoman history...so as to give positive role models for young people in Turkey and outside.

Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 49


24 NOVEMBER 2012 ISSUE 49 VOLUME 3
E-NEWSLETTER H- J:RJIK THE OFFICIAL ONLINE PUBLICATION OF THE PRIMATES OFFICE OF THE DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
YOU ARE INVITED TO A TABLE FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST
About a week or so ago Bp. Vahan was invited to talk about the reason why we go to church as opposed to stay home and pray. After all, the Bible clearly emphasizes that God is everywhere (the technical theological jargon for this reality is “Omnipresent). In this reflection we would like to briefly summarise His Grace’s notes from his talk in response to several e-mails and requests we and the Primate’s Office received regarding the talk. First and foremost, as our Lord Himself commanded in the Bible (1 Cor 11:24), Badarak is the assembly of the faithful in any given neighbourhood, town, village or city, in remembrance of the Lord. Our gathering at the Church has a purpose and objective: to participate in a memorial celebration for Christ. We remember Him in the Badarak collectively by publicly chanting His Words (the Bible), singing hymns to Him and about Him, and doing what He asked us to do (by breaking bread and sharing wine with each other). The second reason why we go to church is because our Lord promised us saying “where two or three come together in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20. Therefore, we go to church to be part of the fellowship with Christ. That is why in the middle of the Badarak we sing, Krisdos ee mech mer haydnetsav, “Christ is revealed in our midst”. More importantly, we go to church to receive Christ and be one with Him, thus the English word “Communion.” During the Badarak we receive Christ and become one with Him first when we hear the Gospel (His words) chanted to us. That is why when the Gospel Book is carried around and brought forth to be read, we all stand up and the choir reminds us of the sanctity of the experience by chanting Aseh Asdvadz, “God is speaking.” The climax of the Badarak, however, is when we are invited to approach the altar and partake of the body and blood of the Lord, as He invites us in the Gospels saying, “Take eat,” and “take and drink” (Mat 26:26-27). The Badarak, in fact, is our fellowship with the Lord. Knowing our vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and limitations Christ grants us the honour of sharing the communion table with Him. If God invites me to His table, who am I to say, “No thanks!” So, next Saturday before going to bed, or Sunday morning when you wake up, remember you have an open invitation from Christ who loves you and who died for your sins, to join your fellow Armenians at St. Sarkis or St. Yeghiche (London), Holy Trinity Church (Manchester), or any of our Church communities, to welcome Christ, be with Him and be united with Him. If we go prepared, and keep reminding ourselves of the purpose and objective of Badarak, every Sunday will be a renewing and uplifting experience for us.
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
I \i,ataki Imoum

THE PRIMATES OFFICE Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG
24 November 2012
Issue 49, Volume 3
NEW YEARS EVE DINNER – ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY,
HOMENETMEN AND HAMAZKAYIN
On behalf of the Armenian Relief Society, Homenetmen, and Hamazkayin, we would like to welcome you to join us for an evening of dinner and music by Yorgantz and DJ Alex to welcome in the New Year! Information about booking tickets can be found on the flyer. Further inquiries can be sent to Janet Mardirossian. Click here to download the flyer.
NEW YEARS EVE DINNER – TEKEYAN AND NOR SEROUNT
HYE DOON CHRISTMAS LUNCH PARTY The Ladies’ Committee of the Armenian House, Hye Doon, in London, is having its annual Christmas Lunch/Party on Thursday, 6th December at
1:00pm in Hye Doon (25 Cheniston Gardens, W8 6TG). Join the ladies and their friends for an afternoon of friendship, delicious home-cooked food, fun, and singing. Admission: £10, which covers everything. Proceeds of the lunch/party will be forwarded to the Syrian relief efforts of our Church.
HANDELS MESSIAH – HIGHLIGHTS BY CANDLELIGHT
Join us at St. Sarkis Church, in Iverna Gardens, Kensingon, London, on Friday evening, 14th December, at 7:30pm for a great opportunity to hear Handel’s Messiah in a refreshingly different way; one voice per part. Pianist/Director: Bridget Cunningham; Alto: Anais Heghoyan, Baritone: Aris Nadirian, Soprano: Jassy Husk, Tenor: Gitai Fisher; and Violinists: Orpheus Papafilippou. Bridget Cunningham directs the harmonies as the professional singers perform highlights from Handel’s Messiah that was composed in his house in London, 1741. Tickets £12 can be obtained by e-mailing: office@stsarkislondon.org, or calling Anais at 07931377539.
WINTER FESTIVAL & VERNISSAGE THE ARMENIAN INSTITUTE
The popular Winter Festival and Vernissage organised annually by the Armenian Institute will take place this Saturday, 1 December, from 1 to 5 pm at the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall, Iverna Gardens (W8 6TP). Come and choose your Christmas gifts from amongst unique creations, handmade crafts, original paintings, etc. Tasty Armenian homemade delicacies and Middle Eastern specialities will be available from 1 pm. There will also be a workshop for children where they can make presents for their parents and friends. Click here to download the flyer. For future events of the Armenian Institute please visit their website at: http://www.armenianinstitute.org.uk/
THIS WEEKS VIDEO CLIP – “STRING QUARTET CONCERT – ST. SARKIS 90TH ANNIVERSARY
For the first time Tekeyan Cultural Association & Nor Serount Cultural Association, jointly are organizing New Year’s Eve Dinner and
Dance at London’s Tara hotel. The three-course meal Dinner will be served to the tables and there is going to be an excellent entertaining
programme of music and dancing. There will be raffle as well, and part of the income will be dedicated to the Syrian Armenians who are
under tremendous problems due to current state in Syria. The location of the Tara hotel and ticket prices make this an excellent New Year’s
Eve party, particularly for the younger members of our community. Tickets for adults are £60 and for Students £50. For tickets please
contact: Rosette Ouzounian 07957 268 534; Sossi Yerissian 07815 633 628 and Silva Yeghiazarian 020 8864 9216. Those families who are
prepared to come with their children, please contact any of the names on the flyer, and they will be able to take the matter with the hotel and
arrange a special rate or even arrange a children room with a nanny there. We very much appreciate your support to our associations and look
forward for an enjoyable evening. Book your table through contacting any person on the flyer or by emailing us. Click her for the flyer.
- TCA Executive Committee
Click here to watch the video clip prepared by the Information Centre of the Primate’s Office
24 November 2012
Issue 49, Volume 3
GET INVOLVED: OUR CHURCH PROGRAMMES NEED YOU
Last Sunday, 25th November, on the first Sunday of Advent in the Armenian Church calendar, His Grace Bishop Vahan
Issue 46, Volume 3
Hovhanessian, Primate, published an appeal to the Armenian community in Great Britain and Ireland seeking their support of the Primate’s Office and its various programmes. During the past two years and a half, the Primate’s Office has developed many new programmes and promoted several ongoing others, with the objective of strengthening the sacred mission of the Armenian Church and the bonds of the Armenian community in United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Among these programmes we mention the annual pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF), the Mission Parish Outreach (MPO), the Deacons’ Training Programme, the Continuing Education Ministry (CEM), the weekly online E-Newsletter, Sunday Bulletin, website and others. Today, almost two years after the programmes mentioned above were launched, and some of which have already entered their third year of operation, it has become a serious financial challenge for the Primate’s Office to maintain these programmes and develop new ones, without a budget and a hired office assistant. No Armenian church-trust or community church council, or mission parish in the UK contributes to any of the above-mentioned programmes of the Primate’s Office. Needless to say the Armenian Church in the UK does not own a church office, archives, library, ... etc. Thanks to the generosity of the Hye Doon (Armenian House) the Primate is allowed to use the fourth floor temporarily as his office, on a leasing basis. It is because of the above situation that the Primate has issued the “Annual Advent Appeal” in an effort to engage the Armenian people in financially supporting the ministry of the Armenian Church and helping the Primate’s Office. You can read the full text of the Appeal on the official website of the Armenian Church, by clicking here. You can donate online by clicking here, or send your donation payable to “Armenian Church Trust UK” to the mailing address of the Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG. During this blessed and beautiful season of Advent, please remember the Armenian Church and pray for her. Our Primate and thousands of Armenian children, teenagers, young adults, and seniors who benefitted from our Church programmes will be gratefully to you.
The Candle-Light evening of Christmas Carols of the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) has already become an annual tradition associated with the holy season of Advent. For the third consecutive year, the ACYF invites our faithful in London to join them in an evening of worship, meditation and singing along of the traditional Christmas carols. The date of this year’s “ACYF Christmas Carols” is Saturday, 15th December at St. Sarkis Church. The evening will include a reflection service in Armenian and English, enhanced with the singing of traditional Christmas Carols in English and Armenians. While all will be encouraged to sing-along the Christmas carols, guest appearances by professional singers will augment the programme with inspiring solo performance. The programme will also include a beautiful Nativity scene presentation by
the AREV Children of the St. Sarkis Parish. The ACYF take this beautiful worship and fellowship programme on the road! In 2010, it was offered in St. Sarkis Church, and then traveled to Manchester and Cardiff. In 2011, it was offered at St. Yeghiche Church in London. This year, the ACYF will offer it at St. Sarkis Church and then take it to Dublin. Meanwhile, the Manchester ACYF is planning its own evening of Christmas Carols! So, please mark your calendar and join our Primate and the ACYF for this ever popular, annual Christmas church celebration. The Carol-singing is scheduled in St. Sarkis Church at 7:00pm followed by a wine reception at 8:00pm in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall of the St. Sarkis Church. Celebrate the spirit of the season with what has become a traditional annual Armenian celebration in London. Admission is free and all are welcome.
.
SUPPORT OUR CHURCH YOUTH - CHRISTMAS CAROLS, 15 DECEMBER
Merry Christmas
A.C.Y.F.
24 November 2012
Issue 49 Volume 3
SCRIPTURE READINGS According to the Armenian Church Lectionary
Sunday – 2 December Isaiah 36:22-37:11 1 Thessalonians 4:1-11 Luke 13:1-9
Monday – 3 December Isaiah 36:22-37:11 1 Thessalonians 4:1-11 Luke 13:1-9
Tuesday – 4 December Wisdom 6:2-10 Isaiah 45:1-2 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 7:1-10
Wednesday – 5 December 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Luke 13:10-17
Thursday – 6 December 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Luke 13:10-17
Friday – 7 December 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 Luke 14:1-11
Saturday – 8 December Ezekiel 3:16-19 2 Timothy 3:10-15 John 10:11-16
DUBLIN PARISH CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Dublin Mission Parish Council is planning a Church/Community & School Christmas Celebration on Sunday, 23rd December 2012 at Taney Parish Centre – Dublin in the Minor Hall, 13:00-16:00. There will be the opportunity to meet friends, sing a few Armenian/English Christmas carols, listen to some readings from the Christmas story and hear the school children singing and reciting poetry. As normal we plan to have some delicious food to eat... so we request that each family/individual brings enough HOT FOOD and sweet for themselves plus a little bit extra for visitors. There will be a SURPRISE VISITOR at the end of the proceedings. All are welcome. If you have visitors ... Please bring them with you. For further information please contact : Dr. Paul Manook E-mail : pmanook@hotmail.com , or call: +44 2891 863559
MANCHESTER PLANS CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Manchester chapter of the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship of Manchester (ACYF) cordially invites you to a Christmas Carol singing event which will take place on Sunday, December 9th commencing at 3 p.m. in the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Manchester The programme of the day will include a short concert by the pupils of The Sunday school (3 p.m.), refreshments (4 p.m.) and an Evening Vespers service with carols and prayers in Armenian and in English (5 p.m.). On this joyful day joining us and presiding over the service will be the Primate of our Diocese, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian. Members of ACYF of London will also come to support the first activity of their fellow brothers and sisters of Manchester. The ACYF team will lead the singing but all are welcome to sing along. Mark your calendar for Dec. 9th and join us to share the joy of anticipation of Christ’s birth!
CANON THOMAS PATRICK: CARMARTHEN TO KARABAGH
The Mission Parish Council of the Armenian Church in Cardiff invites you to a very interesting talk about similarities between the Armenian and Welsh people to be offered by the Very Revd Canon Patrick Thomas. The lecture will take place at the St Josephs Catholic Church, New Zealand Rd, off Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff at 19.30. For further information please contact John: john@jmpropertiesltd.co.uk
NO BIBLE STUDY THIS THURSDAY
The Bible Study group will NOT meet this Thursday, 29nd November. The group will resume its
study session, next Thursday 6th December. Hope to see you all on the following Thursday.
CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTION
A beautifully packaged CD including a selection of inspiring
religious and popular Christmas Carols, played by the world-
renowned organist Artur Bobikyan. A deacon at Holy Trinity
Armenian Church in Manchester, Bobikyan has prepared this CD
with his own organ interpretation of carols such as “Hark the
Herald Angels Sing,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” and Artur’s
“Nutty” Tchaikovsky. The CD includes also “The Christmas Song”
with Sandra Afeyan. To obtain your copy please call St. Sarkis
Office 0207 937 9049, or e-mail: office@stsarkislondon.org. Donations: £10 to pick it up
from church office; and £12 to have it posted (please send address).