Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 49

24 NOVEMBER 2012 ISSUE 49 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

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 PRIMATE’S 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 YEAR’S 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 YEAR’S 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.

HANDEL’S 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 WEEK’S 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.

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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).