Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 48

22 NOVEMBER 2012

ISSUE 48 VOLUME 3

E-NEWSLETTER H- J:RJIK THE OFFICIAL ONLINE PUBLICATION OF THE PRIMATE’S OFFICE OF THE

DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND

THE BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL

This Sunday, 25th November, is the first Sunday of Advent, a season of preparation for Christmas and the Feast of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Armenians around the world enter this holy season of celebration, fellowship and exchange of gifts—as expressions of our love and appreciation for each other—and as we approach the end of yet another year, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, published an appeal to the Armenian community in Great Britain and Ireland. During the past two years and a half, since Bishop Vahan was elected the Primate of the Armenian Church, the Primate’s Office has developed many new programmes and promoted several ongoing others, with the objective of promoting the Armenian Church sacred mission and strengthening the Armenian community. 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) which established Armenian Church communities in Birmingham, Cardiff and Dublin; the Deacons’ Training Programme, which already resulted in the ordination of four young Acolytes; and several more altar servers serving at the churches in London and Manchester, the Continuing Education Ministry (CEM) with its monthly lectures and weekly Bible Study sessions, in addition to the weekly E-Newsletter, Sunday Bulletin and website. All the above was accomplished thanks to a team of committed and dedicated volunteers who helped, and continue helping, the Primate in planning and promoting these programmes. Two years later, it has become a challenge for the Primate’s Office to maintain these programmes and develop new ones, without a hired office assistant. Appointments need to be made, telephone calls and messages answered, donations need to be acknowledged, and financial records kept professionally. Ironically, no Armenian church trust or community council in the UK contributes to any of the above mentioned programmes and activities of the Primate’s Office. Furthermore, the Primate has no office nor a budget for office staff. Rather, thanks to the generosity of the Hye Doon Trust, he is allowed to use the fourth floor of the facility on a monthly–based lease. It is because of the above situation that the Primate is publishing 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 in creating an annual budget for these programmes and much needed staff members. You can read the full text of the Appeal on the official website of the Armenian Church, by clicking here. During this blessed and final season of Advent, can the Bishop depend on you to help us maintain our programme and introduce new ones during the coming New Year? Kindly donate online by clicking here, or send your donation payable to “Armenian Church Trust UK” to the mailing address of the Primate’s Office (see address below).

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

22 November 2012

Issue 48, Volume 3

2ND ANNUAL ASSEMBLY – BIRMINGHAM CHURCH COMMUNITY

AGBU YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GENERAL NETWORKING EVENT

AGBU YP London is pleased to announce the 2012 General Networking Event with guest speaker Dr. Armen Sarkissian, the patron for building Global Bridges in industry, business, politics and higher education. A philanthropist and successful entrepreneur, Dr. Sarkissian has served as Prime Minister of Armenia, Ambassador of Armenia in London. Dr. Armen Sarkissian initated a historic charity event in support of Armenian and British charities. The event was hosted by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and took place at the Windsor Castle on 10 February, 2010. Dr. Sarkissian is the founding President of Eurasia House International, the founder of the Eurasia Centre at the Judge Business School, Cambridge University. He is a member of the Global Council on Energy Security, World Economic Forum, and served as its first chairman. Dr. Sarkissian is a frequent speaker (since 2002) at the Annual forum in Davos, WEF regional meetings and Munich Security Conference. Please read more about Dr. Armen Sarkissian here. Our professional Networking Events are focused on the insights of the achievements and the professional progress of our guest speakers. The Events do not provide talks built around specific topics, issues and questions, the latter being more typical of seminars and conferences. There will be Q&A session after the key note’s speech where attendees are encouraged to participate.

Last Sunday, 18th November 2012, the Mission Parish of the Armenian Church in

Armenian teacher, Nina Poghpsyan, reporting about progress in Saturday School

Birmingham, had its Second Annual Assembly following the Divine Liturgy (Badarak)

celebrated by His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate. The episcopal Badarak was

celebrated at the St. John’s Church in Birmingham B11 4RG, at 2:00pm, with Deacon Artur

Bobikyan , from Holy Trinity church in Manchester, and Acolyte Hovik Hovhannisyan, from

St. Sarkis Church in London, assisting His Grace during the Liturgy. The Assembly

commenced immediately following the Divine Liturgy, at the Church Hall, presided over by

the Primate. The agenda of the Assembly, suggested by the Mission Parish Council, was

approved by the Assembly, whose members have registered at the welcome desk prior to their

admission to the Assembly. The Assembly heard updates from the Primate regarding the

diocesan bylaws and the proposed structure of the diocese, discussed at the Representatives

Meeting in Holy Etchmiadzin. Vice Chairman Varuzh Davtyan, presented an oral report of the past year’s activities and urged people

to be actively involved in the growing church community of Birmingham. The Treasurer of the Council, Masis Amirkhanyan,

discussed updates about the financial status of the Parish Council and a report about the Council’s bank account. The last item on the

Agenda, prior to the election of the new council, was the report of the Saturday School, which was launched at the beginning of this

year. Teacher Nina Ghougasyan, presented a very optimistic report regarding the growth in the school’s student body and new classes,

urging all parents to register their children in the school. The Assembly, finished its order of the day, by electing the following as the

new Mission Parish Council members: Varuzhan Davtyan, Arkadi Poghosyan, Garik Barseghyan, Larisa Ghougasyan, Dr. Shahe

Boghosian and Masis Amirkhanyan. Thank you Birmingham Armenian Church Mission Parish Cojncil For more information, please

contact the Primate’s Office at 02081278364, or e-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.

When

Friday, 23rd November 2012, 7.00PM Please arrive on time.

Where

The elegant York Suite of the Royal Garden Hotel 2-24 Kensington High St London, W8 4PT

Dress Code

Tickets

Tickets include wine and canapés Early Bird tickets*: £17, inclusive of wine and canapés

November 19, 00:00 - November 23, 17:00: £20 (On the door: £25) Entrance fee is charged to cover the expenses of the Event. Please note that to avoid overcrowding the venue, we may stop the sale of tickets. Please make sure to purchase your tickets as soon as possible. Please follow the link to reserve your space http://yproyalgarden.eventbrite.com/

Email us: yp@agbu.co.uk; Call us: 07791138842; Please bring business cards for the prize draw and the networking session. London Committee

.

THIS WEEK’S VIDEO CLIP – “ARMENIAN MEN SERVING THE LORD AT HIS ALTAR”

 Click here to watch the video clip prepared by the Information Centre of the Primate’s Office

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

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

22 November 2012

Issue 48, Volume 3

CHRISTMAS CAROLS – SATURDAY, 15 DECEMBER

Issue 46, Volume 3

For the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) in London, a candle-light evening of Christmas Carols has already become an annual tradition associated with the holy season of Advent. For the third year now, 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! On 2010, it was offered in St. Sarkis Church, and then traveled to Manchester and Cardiff. On 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 welcome.

PREPARATIONS FOR PILGRIMAGE 2013 – FULL THRUST

Last Wednesday, 14 November, 2012, participants in the 2013 Annual Pilgrimage of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland joined several of those who had participated in the 2012 and 2011 Annual Pilgrimages in attending an orientation session led by H.G. Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate. The programme included a slide presentation of the key shrines and biblical sites to be visited; general information about travel and lodging; and instructions about organizational matters. A wine reception followed, which gave all an opportunity to meet each other and discuss beautiful memories from the previous pilgrimages. This will be the third pilgrimage organized by the Primate’s Office, pursuant of the Biblical teachings and centuries-old and sacred Armenian traditions of visiting Jerusalem for prayer and renewal of faith commitment.

CONTINUING EDUCATION MINISTRY – LECTURE BY LOUIS NAJARIAN, MD

On Sunday, 28th October, following the Divine Liturgy the Continuing Education Ministry (CEM) of the Primate’s Office offered a very interesting lecture by Louis Najarian, MD, which discussed highlights from sites of historic Armenian villages and cities in Eastern Turkey. With the aid of a digital projector, Dr. Najarian elaborated on the various Armenian buildings, including churches, schools, houses, and neighborhoods in several cities of Historic Armenia where he had travelled four times during the past several years. Following the lecture and presentation, Dr. Najarian, a Psychiatrist and Professor at the School of Medicine of the New York University, USA, answered the questions of the participants which filled the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall of the St. Sarkis Church. The event was followed by a light lunch and reception. The CEM scheduled the offering of this lecture as an initial step in the preparations for a Pilgrimage to Historic Western Armenia. If you or someone you know is interested to join the Pilgrimage please contact the Primate’s Office at 0208 127 8374.

ECHOES OF THE PRIMATE’S EPISCOPAL ORDINATION’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATION

“Your Grace, I must write and thank you most sincerely for the wonderful Opera Gala on Sunday night. Both I and my Mayoress were enthralled. It was such a good evening as the singers were all so good. ...”

Cllr Christopher Buckmaster, The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

 Click here to watch the video clip of the Gala Opera celebration  Click here to read a reflection by Dr. Harry Hagopian

22 November 2012

Issue 48 Volume 3

SCRIPTURE READINGS According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday – 25 November Isaiah 36:1-9

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Luke 12:13-31

Monday – 26 November Song of Solomon 8:14 Hosea 14:6-8 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 Luke 8:1-3

Tuesday – 27 November Wisdom 9:9-12

Isaiah 41:15-19 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 Luke 6:13-20

Wednesday – 28 November Ephesians 6:1-9 Luke 9:10-17

Thursday – 29 November 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Luke 12:41-48

Friday – 30 November Proverbs 8:33-36 Isaiah 66:18-21 Philippians 4:1-7 Luke 9:1-6

Saturday – 1 December Wisdom 9:13-10:2 Jeremiah 16:16-19 1 Corinthians 12:26-13:10 Matthew 9:35-10:7

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 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!

THIS MONDAY COURSE IN CLASSICAL ARMENIAN

The Continuing Education Ministry of the Primate’s Office continues offering of a 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.

NO BIBLE STUDY THIS THURSDAY

The Bible Study group will NOT meet this Thursday, 29nd November. The group will

continue reading the Book of Revelation in the following weeks. Please note that all

schedule changes are indicated on our online calendar: www.armenianchurch.co.uk.

Kindly inform your friends, who have no access to the Internet, about the change in the

Bible Study schedule. Hope to see you 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).