Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 50

1 DECEMBER 2012

ISSUE 50 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

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

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THE PRIMATE’S 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 WEEK’S VIDEO CLIP

“HIGHLIGHTS OF BISHOP VAHAN’S 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 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: £15, which covers everything. Proceeds of the lunch/party will be forwarded to the Syrian relief efforts of our Church.

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.

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.

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.

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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).