Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 47

17 NOVEMBER 2012

ISSUE 47 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

DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVES MEETING CONCLUDES ITS SESSIONS

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided over all 9 sessions of the Fourth Diocesan Representatives Assembly held in Holy Etchmiadzin, 1-3 November. On the Agenda of the Assembly were the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; the Canonisation and Sanctification of the Martyrs of the Genocide; the Diocesan Bylaws proposed by Holy Etchmiadzin; the Syrian-relief fundraising; and other administrative matters. Representatives from the Armenian Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Constantinople, 32 Primates from the Armenian Dioceses in Armenia and Diaspora, Pontifical Delegations, Diocesan lay representative, and members of the Supreme Spiritual Council were in the attendance as delegates to the Assembly. The Assembly discussed the 100th Anniversary commemoration of the Genocide, and reported about several events to be pursued. The gathered bishops and diocesan lay representatives endorsed the idea of sanctifying the martyrs of the Genocide and discussed the liturgical ritual for their canonization by the 100th anniversary. The Representatives’ Assembly discussed also in detail the proposed Diocesan Bylaws by Holy Etchmiadzin. It is interesting to note that very few comments were made in discussing the details of the Bylaws. Soon it became evident that the representatives at the Assembly had no serious issues adopting the bylaws. Each bishop reported about the state of the discussion of the bylaws in their own dioceses in their countries. Next, His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Church in Syria, reported on the situation of the Armenian community in Syria today. The Assembly was honored to welcome His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, who attended the 3rd session of the Assembly and addressed the Assembly answering the questions raised by the Bishops and Diocesan Council chairmen. The weekend culminated with the celebration of Badarak in the Mother Cathedral marking the 13th Anniversary of the consecration and enthronement of Archbishop Karekin II as Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians.

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 PRIMATE’S OFFICE Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG

17 November 2012

Issue 47, Volume 3

PRIMATE OF SYRIA THANKS THE REPRESENTATIVES

SECOND ANNUAL ASSEMBLY - DUBLIN ARMENIAN CHURCH

Copies of the impressive reports of the Dublin Parish Council Chairman and Treasurer were distributed to all participants of the Assembly. The reports will be published and made available to the public. Thank you Armenian Church Mission Parish Council of Dublin, Ireland for a job well done!

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

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

His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Syria in

Damascus, addressed the Assembly of the Representatives of the Armenian Churches in Holy

Etchmiadzin on Saturday 3rd November. In his comments Bishop Nalbandian thanked His

Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and the Bishops and

representatives of the Armenian churches around the world, gathered at the meeting, for their

support and prayers for the Armenian community in Syria. He added that the situation in Syria

was getting worse for the Armenians, some of whom had already left the country. Many

Armenian shops, factories, schools and houses were targeted and destroyed. Several Armenians

were kidnapped for a ransom, and others lost their lives. His Grace answered the questions of

the Bishops & representatives present, emphasizing that all monies received were distributed to

all Armenian communities in Syria, be it in Damascus, Aleppo or elsewhere. At the conclusion,

His Grace Bp Armash urged the representatives to continue praying for the Armenians in Syria and to continue their financial support.

His Holiness the Catholicos thanked Bp Armash for the presentation and the representatives of the churches for having helped the

Mother See raise $300,000 in Syrian relief aid. It is interesting to note the Primate’s Office with the help of the following Armenian

churches has already forwarded the $15,000 raised toward the Syrian relief to the Mother See: Holy Trinity Church in Manchester, St.

Sarkis Church in London and the mission parishes in Birmingham, Cardiff and Dublin.

The Mission Parish of the Armenian Church in Ireland had its Second Annual Assembly last

Sunday, 11th November 2012, following the Divine Liturgy (Badarak) celebrated by His

Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate. Assisting Bishop Vahan in the service were

Tubir Hovik Hovhannisyan, and Dr. Paul Manook, as well as members of the local choir of

the Dublin Armenian Church. Prior to the assembly a registration desk confirmed the names

and signatures of the dues-paying members who participated in the meeting and the

subsequent voting procedures. The Assembly started with a prayer by His Grace Bishop

Vahan Hovhanessiasn followed by discussion and approval of the Agenda as proposed by the

Mission Parish Council. The minutes of the previous Assembly were read, and following

certain corrections the minutes were approved & received by the Assembly. This was followed

by the reports of the MPC Chairman and Treasurer. Both reports were discussed at length

prior to being approved by the Assembly. Among the various activities of the MPC for the past years were celebrations of Badarak,

commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, Bible Study sessions, lectures and video presentations. Chairman Ayda Lundon

highlighted the importance of participation in meetings of the Primate’s Advisory Council (PAC) and the experience and knowledge

gained by meeting with other Armenian Church leaders in London, Manchester , Cardiff and Birmingham. Dr. Paul Manook, on behalf

of the MPC offered a petition to adopt the Diocesan Bylaws proposed by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Following his

encouraging introductory remarks, Dr. Manook invited the Bishop to explain the reasons and importance of adopting the Diocesan

Bylaws. The Primate elaborated on the traditional and sacred administrative structure of the church in the Armenian tradition which go

back to the time of the Apostles and the Fathers of the Armenian Church. According to the centuries-old Armenian Church canons a

group of churches defined by a geographical region are supervised by a Bishop. Each church has its own administrative Council

elected by the faithful of that community. The councils, combined, form the Diocesan Assembly which, with the Bishop, supervise the

operation of all the churches in the Diocese. Following the Primate’s explanation, the Assembly unanimously voted on adopting the

Diocesan Bylaws. At the conclusion of the very successful Annual Parish Assembly, a motion was made to petition the Primate to

establish Dublin, Ireland as a permanent Parish in the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland. The motion was confirmed by a

unanimous vote and applaud. Lunch was served following the conclusion of the Assembly.

17 November 2012

Issue 47, Volume 3

CHRISTMAS CONCERT – ACYF MANCHESTER

11 November 2012

Issue 46, Volume 3

The Armenian Church Youth Fellowship of Manchester (ACYF-Manchester) 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 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!

BADARAK AND SECOND ANNUAL ASSEMBLY IN BIRMINGHAM PARISH

The Parish Council of the Armenian Church in Birmingham has announced the date of its second annual Assembly which will take place next Sunday, 18th November 2012, at the St. John’s Church in Birmingham B11 4RG, at 4:00pm. The Assembly will follow the celebration of the Divine Liturgy (Patarag) by His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, scheduled at 2:00pm. The agenda of the Assembly will include a discussion of the annual reports by the Chairman and Treasurer of the Council, the Sunday School, bank account and fundraising efforts, election of new Parish Council members, as well as the discussion of several future programmes and activities for the Armenian community in Birmingham. Armenians living in Birmingham and its vicinities are encouraged to attend this important Assembly. There will be a registration session, prior to the Assembly, for new members to joinj. For more information, please contact the Primate’s Office at 02081278364, or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.

“ARMENO-TURKISH RELATIONS AND THE ARTSAKH QUESTION

On Tuesday, 20th November Journalist Tatul Hagopian from Armenia will offer a talk in Armenian titled “The Armeno-Turkish Relations and the Artsakh Question.” The talk will be delivered in Hye Doon at 7:00pm. All are welcome. Mr. Hakobyan will be in London to participate in a discussion on the question of Kharabakh at Chatham House and offer a talk in SOAS. Mr. Hakobyan’s books will be available for purchase during his talk at Hye Doon.

Երեքշաբթի, 20 Նոյեմբեր, զեկուցում՝ «Արցախեան հարցը եւ Հայ-Թրքական յարաբերութիւնները այսօր», Հայ Տուն սրահ՝ զեկուցող հայրենի լրագրող Թաթուլ Յակոբեան: Ներկաները կարող են ձեռք բերել նաեւ Թաթուլ Յակոբեանի գիրքերը՝ «Կանաչ ու սեւ» եւ «Հայերը եւ թուրքերը»: Թաթուլ Յակոբեան հրավիրուած է Լոնտոն՝ Չեթեմ Հաուս, որտեղ արցախեան հարցով նա պիտի բանավեճ ունեայ ադրբեջանցի Թապիպ Հուսեյնովին հետ նոյեմբեր 21-ին: Նոյն օրը երեկոյեան նա ելոյթ պիտի ունենա SOAS-ում:

London parishioner, ACYF active member and St Sarkis Church Parish Council member, Stepan Yeghiazarian, is participating in this year’s Movember campaign. Movember is the yearly campaign where men are encouraged to grow a moustache in the month of November to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically for porstate cancer and testicular cancer. To help Stepan raise funds for this good cause, you can make a donation at . God bless you Stepan!

http://mobro.co/stepheny

17 November 2012 Issue 47 Volume 3

2794TH ANNIVERSARY OF YEREVAN IN LONDON THIS SUNDAY

The Anahid Association takes immense pleasure in inviting you to the Celebrations of the 2794th ANNIVERSARY of the Founding of the Armenian Capital EREBOUNI-YEREVAN which will take place on SUNDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2012 , from 2.30 to 6.00pm SUDBURY GOLF CLUB Bridgewater Rd Wembley Middx HAO 1AL ( one mile from Hanger Lane and Alperton). Buses: Number H17 and Number 487. Ample parking spaces available. Three course hot meal, Coffee or Tea, Singalong, pleasant surprises, dance, music, fun and NO raffles. Tickets: £24.00 per person (payable at the door) and £12.00 for children under 12. For reservations, please call: Mona: 0208 567 9319, Flora: 0208 997 2946, Anna: 0208 997 7563, Sylva: 0208 864 9216, Ani: 0208 876 2836, Socie: 0208 847 2014, Odette : 01494 816 757. Awaiting to welcome and greet you with much affection.

- The Anahid Association GALA OPERA CELEBRATION AT THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC

FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF EPISCOPAL ORDINATION

On Sunday, 4th November, 2012, Mezzo-Soprano Anaïs Heghoyan a graduate of the Royal College of Music's (RCM) International Opera School with a graduate and postgraduate diploma studying with Ryland Davies, who has participated in masterclasses in Nice, Copenhagen, The City Literary Institute and at the RCM with Philip Langridge, James Oxley, Robin Bowman and Patricia McMahon, had planned an Opera Gala at the RCM in celebration of the first anniversary of the ordination of the Rt Revd Vahan Hovhanessian as Bishop last year on 6th November. An impressive group of professional Opera singers joined Anaïs in offering a beautifully compiled anthology of opera pieces. At the conclusion of the programme, His Grace Bishop Vahan thanked Anaïs and the singers as well as those who attended the Gala. He expressed his initial reluctance in accepting the suggestion by Anaïs. “First anniversary,” said the Bishop, “is only the beginning,

and not a milestone to celebrate.” However, the Primate added that he accepted the idea at the end because for him it is a celebration of the church and community. “After all,” concluded the His Grace, “a bishop is a servant of the community in the mission of the Church. As such, his ministry is relevant to the people only if they engage with him and work together on realising the sacred objectives of the Church.”Present at the Gala were

His Eminence Elisey of Sorozh, Archbishop of United Kingdom, Her Excellency Mrs. Karin Kazinyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia, Cllr Christopher Buckmaster, Worshipful Mayor of the

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, Honoray President of the St. Sarkis Trust and Chairman of the St. Sarkis Parish Assembly, and many other dignitaries and church benefactors. The event was so successful that those who attended it suggested that it becomes an annual tradition. Click here to watch a video clip of the event. Thank you Anaïs and all for a beautifully inspiring evening.

the Russian Orthodox Church in the

Click here to read a reflection by Dr. Harry Hagopian a qualified lawyer who holds a Doctorate in Public International Law and an LL.M in Alternative Dispute (Conflict) Resolution. He is also the Middle East Consultant for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in England & Wales, as well as the Ecumenical Consultant to the Primate of the Armenian Church in Great Britain and Ireland (Click here for the full article).

17 November 2012

Issue 47 Volume 3

NEW COPTIC POPE ELECTED

HH Tawadros Coptic Pope-Elect

On 4 November 2012, the Coptic Orthodox Church elected Anba

(Bishop) Tawadros as the new Coptic Pope to succeed the late

Pope Shenouda III, who passed away on 17 March 2012. Anba

Tawadros, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All

Africa in the Holy See of St Mark the Apostle has been the

auxiliary bishop for the coastal governorate of El-Beheira in Egypt

as well as auxiliary to Archbishop Bachomious who was the

acting pope in this interim period. His Grace Bishop Vahan

Hovhanessian, Primate, sent a letter of congratulation to HH the

newly elected Pope, on behalf of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland as well

as the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches of Great Britain (COOC), of which Bishop

Vahan is the President. Click here to read a reflection by Dr. Harry Hagopian, the

Ecumenical Consultant to the Primate of the Armenian Church in Great Britain and Ireland,

on the occasion of the election of the new Pope of Alexandria.

SCRIPTURE READINGS According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday – 18 November

Isaiah 25:9-26:7 Philippians 1:1-11 Luke 9:44-506

Monday – 19 November Colossians 1:1-11 Luke 11:14-23

Tuesday – 20 November Colossians 1:12-23 Luke 11:27-32

Wednesday – 21 November Song of Solomon 1:1-11 Proverbs 11:30-12:4 Isaiah 52:7-10

Zechariah 2:10-13 Malachi 3:1-2 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 Luke 1:39-56

Thursday – 22 November Colossians 3:15-4:4 Luke 11:49-54

Friday – 23 November Colossians 4:5-18 Luke 12:1-12

Saturday – 24 November Wisdom 10:9-12 Malachi 2:5-7 1 Peter 5:1-7

John 10:11-16

The Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) has announced the date of this year’s “Christmas Carols” to be on Saturday, 15th December at St. Sarkis Church. So, please mark your calendar and join us 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.

THIS MONDAY COURSE IN CLASSICAL ARMENIAN

The Continuing Education Ministry of the Primate’s Office continues offering of course in reading and translating Classical Armenian, the language of the Badarak (Patarag) and Armenian Church Liturgy. The course is offered by Bishop Vahan, and meets in the Vicarage. No knowledge of any Armenian is required. Classes will meet on Mondays in the evening at 6:30pm. It is never too late to join in. A donation of £50 will help defray the cost of the handout to be distributed to the students. To sign up or for further information please contact the Primate’s Office: 0208 127 8364.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS – SATURDAY, 15 DECEMBER

BIBLE STUDY THIS THURSDAY – BOOK OF REVELATION

The Bible Study group will meet this Thursday, 22nd November, in the Nevart Gulbenkian

Hall of the St. Sarkis Church at 7:00pm. The group continues reading the Book of

Revelation. You are welcome to join in, even if you missed an earlier session or two.

PRIMATE’S OFFICE

The Primate’s Office is open during weekdays Monday through Friday 9:00am-2:00pm. To

make an appointment with the Primate please contact he Primate’s Office in advance via

telephone: 02081278364, or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.