Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 13 - Holy Week

Please find Issue 13 (Volume 4) of our weekly Armenian Church E-Newsletter. We greatly appreciate hearing from you regarding the contents and layout of our E-Newsletter.
Today is Maundy Thursday. Please check the Holy Week schedule online and try to attend one or all of the services in an Armenian Church near you.
Have a blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter 

hyeenewsletter@yahoo.com

E-NE W S L E T T E R ...............Է-ԹԵՐԹԻԿ

The official online publication of the Primate’s  Office of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland Issue 13 (Volume 4), 28-March 2013

“IT IS FINISHED!”

It   is   very   interesting   to   note   that   the   final   words   of   our   Lord   on   the   cross   were   “it   is   finished”   obviously   without any further elaboration. The Evangelist John in His gospel narrates  Jesus’  final  minutes  on  the  Cross   adding,  “When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit”  (John  19:30).  Crucifixion  for  Jesus  was  the  final  stage  of  His  ministry,  which  he  accomplish  perfectly.   Offering Himself as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of humanity, and by doing so removing the curse of sin and death, was His objective of His mission on earth. He knew that the only way to reconcile the sin-infested man with God, was to destroy its shackles by offering His own life as a ransom for us. It is only in this context that the   crucifixion   of   Christ   can   be   understood   as   the   accomplishment   of   his   mission.   “It   is   finished”   is   truly   a   cry of victory for a man who courageously succeeded in obeying God and fulfilling His commandments out of love. How many of us at the end  of  our  life  journey  can  proudly  tell  the  Lord:  “It  is  finished”.  ...    Have a blessed Holy Week

PALM SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE UK

Last Sunday, Armenian Churches around the United Kingdom, joined the rest of the Armenian Church worldwide in celebrating the Feast of Palm Sunday (Dzaghgazart). The Feast commemorates the voluntary return of our Lord to Jerusalem, which unfolded the final chapter in His life and in the history of our salvation. According to the Bible, when our Lord entered Jerusalem the citizens of the city welcomed Him with branches of Palm and Olive trees, acknowledging Him as a King. Based on this biblical event, branches of Palm and Olive trees were blessed and distributed to the faithful during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. At the conclusion of the Badarak, a special service of the Opening of the Door service was conducted. The service celebrates the biblical teaching of the Day of Judgment. The curtain is drawn and the priest kneels in front of the curtain with the deacons. A dialogue between the priest and a deacon on the other side of the curtain highlights the fact that on the Day of Judgment only those who remained faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be allowed to enter. HG Bp Vahan celebrated the Badarak in Manchester, while Fr. Shnork was the Celebrant in St Sarkis, and Fr Garegin in St Yeghiche.

ST SARKIS ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

Palm Sunday, 2013 was yet another turning point in the 90-year history of the St Sarkis Church. The 1st St. Sarkis Parish Assembly took place at the Church last Sunday, 24th Marh 2013 at 3.00 pm following a meal organized by the St. Sarkis Ladies Committee at the conclusion of Badarak. Registered dues-paid members filled the St. Sarkis Church. There were also observers with no voting rights. The Assembly first established a quorum, under the presidency of Revd Fr Shnork Bagdasarian, Pastor, and then proceeded with the agenda, voting for a Chairman of the Assembly, Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian and the Secretary, Ms Annie Khenian. The Assembly  elected  an  Auditing  Committee  of  3  members,  to  audit  the  Parish  Council’s  Accounts  at  the  end  of   the financial year and a Nominating Committee of 3 members, to nominate future delegates and Council members for election. Agenda items included reports from the Pastor, the Parish Council the Treasure the 90th Anniversary celebrations, and membership dues rates, which the Assembly confirmed as £60 per person, £90 per couple and £24 for students and pensioners. Each registered member of the Parish received a copy of the printed report.

Dr Hratch Tchilingirian, Chairman of the Assembly

HOLY WEEK SERVICES: WHAT TO EXPECT - DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

This Thursday, 28 March, is Maundy Thursday. The Armenian Church services start focusing on the final hours of our Lord. On Thursday morning, at 11:00am, the Armenian Church commemorates the Last Supper of the Lord with His Apostles, followed by the Service of the Washing of the Feet at 5:00pm, and concluding the evening with the inspiring Night Vigil remembering the Betrayal and condemnation of the Lord by the Temple authorities at 8:00pm. For an explanation of what happens and when in the Armenian Church during the Holy Week services, and for a schedule of these services please click here. Meanwhile, please remember that this Sunday, Easter, clocks are turned forward one hour at early morning. On Sunday 31 March, time will change from 1:00am to 2:00am local daylight time.

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE REUNION

The   Primate’s   Office   announced   the   date   of   the   reunion   of   the   2013   Holy   Land   Pilgrimage   to   be   on   Friday,   the   12th   of   April.   The reunion will take place at the Gulbenkian Hall at 7:00pm. The evening will start with a video presentation of the pilgrimage and a slide presentation of previous pilgrimages. Participants will be invited to share their personal impressions and feedback over a glass of wine and nibbles.  A  surprise  awaits  this  year’s  pilgrims.    For  any  information  please  ring  the  Pilgrimage  coordinator Violetta at St Sarkis Church Office: 0207 937 0152. Bring your family and friends.

ARMENIAN CHURCH YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAM

The Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) is seriously considering the possibility of organizing an Armenian Church youth football team. We will announce the details of the project as soon as the training schedule and location has been finalized. The team will be for boys ages 12-14. When ready, the team will participate in similar age-group football teams of the sisters Churches (Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox). If you know of young boys, ages 12-14 who are interested to join the Church Youth football team, please send their names and contact information to the ACYF by e-mail: ACYF@armenianchurch.co.uk,  or  by  calling  the  Primate’s  Office  at:  0208  127  8364.    

EASTER ORATORIO AT ST. YEGHICHE CHURCH

The Tekeyan Cultural Association cordially invites the Armenian Community to the first Easter Oratorio by J.S. Bach to be performed at the magnificent St. Yeghiche Armenian Church, Cranley Gardens, London SW7 3BB, on Saturday, 13 April, 2013 at 7:30pm. Performing in the Oratorio will be our own Anais Heghoyan, Alto, and Aris Nadirian, Bass, as well as Bridget Cunningham Harpsichord (and director), Tereza Gevorgyan, Soprano and Tyler Clarke, Tenor. Click here for the flyer. Tickets are for £10 per person, and can be purchased by calling Rosette Ouzounian – 0208 544 8034; Sossi Yeretsian – 0208 748 7967 and Anais – 0793 137 7539.

MONTHLY GAMES CLUB – NEXT TUESDAY

The St Sarkis Church Parish Council is pleased to announce that the next date of the monthly Games Club (formerly Chess & Backgammon Club) will be Tuesday-2nd-April from 7pm at the London Visitors Hotel, 42-44 Holland Road, Kensington, London W14 8BB. We are also pleased to announce that starting from this month we will be introducing card games to the club. Please reserve your place by emailing stsarkisparish@armenianchurch.co.uk, as spaces are limited. Entry is for free and open to all. For further information about future Parish Council programmes and activities please e-mail: stsarkisparish@armenianchurch.co.uk. For map and public transport information, please visit http://bit.ly/Vby505. F Event Page:https://www.facebook.com/events/483632601693484

THANK YOU GARY AND MARIAM TOROSYAN

The  Primate’s  Office  thanks  Gary  and  Mariam  Torosyan  for  designating  The  Armenian  Church  Trust  of  the  United  Kingdom  in  lieu  of their wedding gifts. HG Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian congratulates them and the Torosyan family for this kind gesture. In a message to the editorial committee of the E-Newsletter, Mr and Mrs John Torosyan, benefactors of the Armenian Church and supporters of the programmes  and  activities  of  the  Primate’s  Office,  have  asked  the  their  thanks  and  gratitude  to  those  who  have  kindly  donated to ACT- UK for the wedding of their son Gary and Mariam, be made public. Thank you Torosyan family and God bless you all.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 PLEASE mark your calendar and join us on Sunday, 14 July, 2013 for our third Annual Armenian Street Festival. As in the previous two years,  the  Festival  will  take  place  in  Iverna  Gardens  and  on  the  grounds  of  St  Sarkis  Church.  The  Primate’s  Office  has  sent a letter inviting all Armenian organisations, and published an invitation for those interested to volunteer in the planning and executing of the Festival, to join the Primate in a discussion meeting on Tuesday, 9 April, 2013 at 7:00pm in Gulbenkian Hall. Please contact the Primate’s  Office  to confirm your participation in the meeting: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk, or call: 0208 127 8364.

 HOLY WEEK: Click here to browse the Holy Week calendar.  SCRIPTURE READINGS OF THE WEEK: Click here for  a  list  of  this  week’s  Bible  readings

 Easter Greeting: Քրիստոս-Յարեաւ-ի-Մեռելոց:--Օրհնեալ-է-Յարութիւնն-Քրիստոսի:

KrisdosHaryavEeMerelots. Response: Orhnyal E HarootyoonunKrisdosi Christ Is Risen! Response: Blessed Is the Resurrection of Christ.

Best wishes for a happy and blessed Easter to our readers and friends and their families from

the  Primate’s  Office  and  the   Editorial Committee of the E-Newsletter.

The  Primate’s  Office c/o HyeDoon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG www.armenianchurch.co.uk information@armenianchurch.co.uk