Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 51

8 DECEMBER 2012

ISSUE 51 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

“WILL MISS YOU DEARLY ... AMBASSADOR KARINE KAZINIAN”

The Armenian community in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and around the world as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps were shocked last Thursday morning to hear the enormously sad news of the passing away of our energetic and beloved Ambassador, Her Excellency Mrs. Karine Kazinian. The death of the late Ambassador was sudden resulting from complications of a surgery she underwent in the United States. On behalf of the Armenian Church in Great Britain and Ireland His Grace Bishop Vahan Hohvanessian, Primate has personally expressed his condolences to Mr. Ara Margaryan, Charge d’Affaires, and to the staff of the Embassy and has been closely working with Mr. Margarian to coordinate the details of the requiem service this Sunday and of the details of other memorials to be announced soon. “Despite the relatively short-period of my acquaintance and work with Mrs. Kazinian,” said His Grace Bishop Hovhanessian in a statement published online, I can genuinely say I lost a dear friend and a great partner in the ministry and the Armenian people around the world have lost a bright and excellent diplomat.” Mrs. Karine Kazinian was appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by Presidential decree on September 8, 2011, and assumed her duties as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Court of St. James’s on September 12, 2011. Before her appointment, the late Ambassador served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia in charge of bilateral and multilateral European Affairs, as well as the Asia-Pacific and Africa Department. Bp. Vahan has ordered that special requiem services be offered in the Armenian Churches in the UK and Ireland in memory of the late Ambassador. Meanwhile, Mr. Ara Margarian and the staff of the Embassy of Armenia have requested a hogehangist service to be offered at St. Yeghiche and St. Sarkis Churches in London. HG Bp Hovhanessian will preside over the service in St. Yeghiche, which will be attended by Mr. Ara Margarian. The newly appointed Consul, Mr. Haik Khemchyan, will be attending the service at St. Sarkis Church. May the Lord rest the soul of Ambassador Karine Kazinian in peace.



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

8 December 2012

Issue 51 Volume 3

VEHAPAR THANKS ARMENIANS IN GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND In a letter addressed to Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, HG Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother Sea of Holy Etchmiadzin, acknowledged the receipt of £9,500 from the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland, as a donation from the Armenian community in Great Britain and Ireland in support of the fundraising by the Mother Sea in responding to the call of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians to aid the Armenians in Syria. His Grace the Chancellor conveyed the blessings and appreciations to the faithful in UK and Ireland for their generous donation, where the Catholicos of All Armenians thanks the Primate, the Armenian Church and the faithful people of Great Britain and Ireland for their “zeal in raising the big contribution which was sent to help the war-trodden Armenians in Syria.” Meanwhile, the Primate’s Office continues its fundraising efforts to help the Armenians in Syria. If you have not made a contribution yet, please consider sending your donation payable to the Armenian Church Trust (UK) and mail it to the Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG, or donate online. To download a copy of the Letter from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, click here.

HYE DOON LADIES HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE AMBASSADOR Thursday afternoon, 6th December, was scheduled to be the annual Christmas Lunch party of the Ladies’ Committee of the Armenian House (Hye Doon). However, as soon as the sad news of the passing of Ambassador Kazinian reached the members of the executive committee and the chairperson, Mrs. Araxi Heghoyan, the committee decided to cancel the party aspect of the Lunch to respect for the memory of the Ambassador. His Grace Bishop Vahan attended the lunch the main theme of which was reflections on the Ambassador and her great achievements within a very short period. Bishop Vahan led the people gathered in a special prayer in memory of Mrs. Kazinian. The ladies were able to raise 500 pounds and donated the entire proceedings to the Armenian Church Trust (UK), to the church’s fundraising effort for Syrian relief in memory of Mr. Karine Kazinian.

CHURCH REGISTRY – NOVEMBER 2012

BAPTISMS  INGO ARMEN, son of Jeremy Southgate and Maral Ovanessoff was baptised on 4 November 2012 at St. Sarkis Church. The Godfather was

Armen Ovanessoff.  PERCY VAHE QUENTIN, son of Henry Quentin Alexander and Talin Warman was baptised on 18 November 2012 at St. Sarkis Church.

The Godfather was Ian Newton.

There were no baptisms at St. Yegiche Church this month.

WEDDINGS  LARA KEVORKIAN daughter of Jirair and Mayda Kevorkian and LAURENCE JACK HOLMES son of Edmund and Christina Holmes

were married on 3 November 2012 at St Yeghiche Church. The best man was Richard Kelleway.

There were no weddings at St. Sarkis Church this month.

FUNERALS  IVY STEPHENS, born in Calcutta, India on 27 December 1921, was deceased on 26 October 2012. The funeral service was held at South

Ealing Cemetery followed by internment in said Cemetery on 2 November 2012.  GARABET ESKICIKASPAROGLU, born in Kayseri, Turkey on 1 May 1941 was deceased on 27 October 2012. The funeral service was

held at All Saints Old Church followed by internment in Chingford Mount Cemetery on 5 November 2012.  ALEK DERHOVANISIAN, born in Julfa, Iran on 9 May 1932 was deceased on 24 October 2012. The funeral Service was held at

Gunnersbury Cemetery Chapel followed by internment in Gunnersbury Cemetery on 9 November 2012.  SERPOUHI BODIKIAN, born in Adana, on 8 January 1915 was deceased on 15 November 2012. The funeral service was held at St. Sarkis

Church followed by cremation at Mortlake Crematorium on 27 November 2012.

There were no funerals in St. Yegiche Church this month.

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

8 December 2012

Issue 51, Volume 3

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER – TEKEYAN AND NOR SEROUNT

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. For our Facebook Event Page click here.

THIS FRIDAY HANDEL’S MESSIAH – HIGHLIGHTS BY CANDLELIGHT Join us at St. Sarkis Church, in Iverna Gardens, Kensington, 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: Anaïs 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.

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. For further information please click here to download a PDF version of our flyer.

- Homenetmen - London Executive Committee.

Have you recently visited the video page of the Information Centre of the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland? If not, please click here.

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. For further

information, please click here to download our flyer.

- TCA Executive Committee

8 December 2012

Issue 51, Volume 3

CHRISTMAS FAIR @ ST. SARKIS - THIS SUNDAY AND NEXT

Join the Parish Council and parishioners of St. Sarkis Church following Badarak this Sunday and next, for the annual Christmas Fair

prepared by the St. Sarkis Church Ladies Committee: a special 90th Anniversary fair and authentic Armenian food. Fun days for the

entire family starting at 1:00pm.

Issue 46, Volume 3

JOIN US FOR CHRISTMAS CAROLING – SATURDAY, 15 DECEMBER

The Candle-Light Christmas Carol service 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 of all ages 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 this 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. The programme will also include a beautiful Nativity scene presentation by the AREV Children of the St. Sarkis Parish. The ACYF took 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. 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. Meanwhile, the Manchester ACYF is planning its own evening of Christmas Carols this Sunday, 9 December!

THE PRIMATE’S ANNUAL ADVENT APPEAL – GET INVOLVED

Last Sunday, 25th November, 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 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.

1 December 2012

Issue 50 Volume 3

SCRIPTURE READINGS According to the Armenian Church Lectionary

Sunday – 2 December

Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday 9 December

Song of Solomon 6:3-8 Malachi 3:1-2 Galatians 3:24-29 Luke 1:39-56

Monday 10 December

Proverbs 15:33-16:7 Isaiah 18:7 Philippians 1:27-2:4 Matthew 10:37-42

Tuesday 11 December

Wisdom 1:1-7 Jeremiah 16:16-21 Acts 1:12-14. Mark 6:6-13

Wednesday 12 December

2 Thessalonians 2:1-16 Luke 14:25-27

Thursday 13 December

Proverbs 1:1-9 Nahum 2:1-7 Romans 5:1-5 Matthew 5:1-12

Friday 14 December

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 Luke 15:1-7

Saturday 15 December

Wisdom 7:12-20 Isaiah 44:1-5 Hebrews 13:17-21 John 9:39-10:10

AGBU NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER-DANCE

The AGBU would like to welcome you to join us for a New Year's Eve Dinner Dance and Live Entertainment at the Holiday Inn, Brentford Lock. With an exclusive live performance by Eurovision star Hayko and guest appearance from comedian Grigor Aghakhanyan. Tickets cost £80 including drink reception and three course meal with wine. To reserve and purchase tickets please contact Noushig on 01494538319 or Armen on 07932024631. Click here to see flyer with full details.

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.

CANONTHOMASPATRICK:CARMARTHENTOKARABAGH

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

BIBLE STUDY THURSDAY–NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

The Bible Study group will meet this Thursday, 13 December in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall at

7:00pm. We continue reading the Book of Revelation. All are welcome to join.

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).

ANNOUNCE YOUR ORGANISATION’S EVENTS HERE

Please send a paragraph describing the event and a flyer (if available) electronically to:

information@armenianchurch.co.uk. We will happily promote your events.