Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 9 (Volume 4)

E-NEWSLETTER...............Է-ԹԵՐԹԻԿ . ` The official online publication of the Primate’s Office of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland Issue 9 (Volume 4), 2-March 2013 PRIMATE ATTENDS A MASS IN THANKSGIVING OF THE POPE On Sunday, 24 February, His Grace Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, joined the Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, Vincent Nichols at a special Thanksgiving Mass in Westminster Cathedral, praying for Pope Benedict and for the whole church, as the Roman Catholics prepare to elect a new successor of St Peter. In his sermon, Abp Nichols elaborated on the example of commitment and service demonstrated by the Pope, even through his resignation, recalling the Pope’s role as a great leader and teacher of the faith.....................................................Read more. Meanwhile, Bp Vahan has published a statement on the eve of the resignation of the Pope, which can be read by clicking here. Also, DrHaryHagopian, Advisor to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales, London and consultant to the Primate of Armenian Church in UK & Ireland, has offered several interviews and published articles including: “What Sort of a Pope”; “Pope Benedict’s impact on the Middle East and North Africa”,and “ Pope Benedict XVI & MENA.”.................................................................................Photo courtesy: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk HISTORIC-BADARAK IN-OXFORD The Very RevdFr Garegin Hambardzumyan, PhDin progress, was the celebrant of the historic Badarak at Pembroke College Chapel on Wednesday, 27 February. This was the first time that an Armenian Badarak was offered in Oxford. The beautiful church building was filled with Armenian students, their parents, and faculty of the Armenian programme. HG Bp Vahan presided over the service and delivered the homily. Assisting Fr. Garegin at the altar were Senior Deacon StepanOvanessoff and members of the Deacons’Training Programme. Singing the Choir parts were Messo Soprano Anais Heghoian and a group of students of Oxford University and their parents. Following the Badaraka reception was offered at one of the halls of the Pembroke College Chapel building, courtesy of the Armenian Studies and the Armenian Society of Oxford University. Present at the Badarak and reception was Professor Theo M. van Lint, Calouste Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian Studies; Fellow of Pembroke College, Oxford University. Almost all present requested that regular Badarak services be organized in Oxford. Thank you Fr Garegin! SUCCESSFUL TEKEYAN FORUM: “WHO IS-ARMENIAN?” Last Friday evening, 22 February, the Kensington Library Lecture Theatre, Phillimore Walk, London, was packed with Armenians and their friends including a noticeable segment of young Armenian men and women and students to be part of the panel discussion: “Who Is Armenian.” HG Bishop VahanHovhanessian, Primate, was one of the panelists who elaborated on the Armenian Church’s view of theArmenian Identity, emphasizing the essential role that the Armenian culture, common history and the Christian faith played during the past two thousand years in shaping and nurturing the Armenian Identity. HE Ambassador Dr. Manuel Hassassian, Palestinian Diplomatic Mission, spoke about the Armenian identity in the Middle East. Dr. Bert Vaux, King’s College, Cambridge University, offered an interesting presentation on the wide range of socio-cultural parameters that contribute to the definition of who is Armenian. Mr. HovannSimonian, University of Southern California (Zurich), offered a review of how the Ottoman Empire viewed the Armenian Identity. The panel was impressively moderated by Dr. SossieKasbarian, Lancaster University. The evening begun with a welcome remark by Dr. HratchKouyoumjian, Chairman, Tekeyan Cultural Association, & concluded with his words of thanks & gratitude to the panelists and those present. MAESTRO ARIS-NADIRIAN JOINS THE DEACONS TRAINING The Primate’s Office announced that ArisNadirian, the Director of the St. Yeghiche Church Choir, has joined the training team of the Deacons’ Training Programme of the Primate’s Office. Maestro Nadirian will be coaching the participants of the Deacons’ Training Prgoramme in voice training and vocal coaching. He will train the group in learning the various hymns of the Armenian Church (Sharagan) and the set of petitions and litanies of the night and morning services. The group meets with the Primate on a weekly basis on Mondays at the Vicarage, and proceed to the St. Sarkis Church for the singing part of the training programme. All of them serve every Sunday at St. Yeghiche and St. Sarkis Churches in London, and assist the Primate during his pastoral visits to the Mission Parishes in Birmingham, Cardiff and Dublin. Four of the participants of the Programme were ordained Acolytes in Manchester,Sunday, 2 September, 2012. Those interested to learn about serving at the Altar and assist in the celebration of the Badarak, are encouraged to contact Bp Vahan: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. For further information click here. SECOND ANNUAL ARMENIAN CHURCH ASSEMBLY The Primate’s Office has confirmed Sunday, 17 March, 2013, to be the date of the second Annual Armenian Church Assembly. The Assembly will take place at St. Sarkis Church at 2:00PM following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy (Badarak). As in the first annual Armenian Church assembly which took place at St.Yeghiche Church last year, on 1st April, so also in this year’s assembly reports will be offered by the Primate and all the organisations and programmes that are directly under the supervision of the Primate, including the Primate’s Office, Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF), the Armenian Church Trust of the UnitedKingdom (ACTUK), the Annual Pilgrimages and the Annual Armenian Street Festival. The assembly is called bythe Primate in an effort to engage the faithful of the Armenian Church in all the aspects of the programming and administration of the Armenian Church. The Armenian Church is the Church of theArmenians and the people must have a voice in every aspect of the church’s life and government. So, mark your calendar and join the Primate on Sunday 17 March, 2013 at the Badarak and the Assembly to follow. PRAYING FOR THE VICTIMS AND PROTESTING THE MASSACRES OF SUMGAIT By the orders of His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, a special requiem service (Hokehankisd) will be offered in all the Armenian Churches in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland this Sunday, 3 March, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Massacres of Sumgait. Twenty five years ago the organized murder and beatings of the Armenian citizens of Sumgait, which is a town 30-minute drive from Baku, took place in broad daylight as gangs kept looting Armenian stores and business. These crimes committed by Azeri thugs reached their climax on February 27-28, which marks the anniversary of the Sumgait Massacres. Meanwhile, the world and media continue ignoring these crimes against humanity for over a quarter of a century. To voice your protest join the crowds on Sunday, 3 March at Trafalgar Square, 12:00-4:00PM. May the Lord rest the souls of the Sumgait victims in peace. GREAT LENT: SUNDAY OF THE STEWARD As we continue our Lenten journey, the Armenian Church leads us through the themes of the Lenten Sundays, which are meant to be spiritual guideposts for us. With the theme of Last Sunday, the Prodigal Son, the Church reminded us that our expulsion from Paradise as a consequence of our sin is not eternal. Rather our Heavenly Father is awaiting us to turn back to Him. The theme of this Sunday, 3 March, is based on Luke 16:1-13. Through the theme of this Parable, the Church reminds us that we have been entrusted by God with many blessings of which we are the custodians. This includes our bodies, talents, health, and the various financial and social benefits that we enjoy. It is our duty, not only to preserve and nurture these blessings of which we are the custodians. We should, moreover, do whatever we can to use these divine gifts to strengthen our faith and be agents of promoting the Gospel. ANNOUNCEMENTS:  ACYF LENTEN PROJECT: The ACYF has launched a programme of visiting Armenians who live alone or are home or hospital boundon or after Easter with an Easter package. The package will include colored eggs, Easter bread (Choreg), chocolate, Communion Wafer (Nushkhar) and a prayer book. You can donate any of the package items by contacting the ACYF at: ACYF@armenianchurch.co.uk.You can also support the project financially by donating to the ACYF. Please send donations to: The Armenian Church Trust UK.  BIBLE STUDY: Please note that there will be no Bible lecture this Thursday due to a scheduling conflict; will resume next Thursday. WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS: Click here for a list of the daily Bible readings for the week of 3-9 March. PETITION: Click hereto sign the petition telling the British Museum to stop misrepresenting Armenian Heritage as “Ancient Turkey.” The Primate’s Office c/oHyeDoon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG www.armenianchurch.co.uk information@armenianchurch.co.uk