Armenian Church E-Newsletter, Issue 15‏

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 15 (Volume 4), 12 April 2013

YEAR OF ST GREGORY OF NAREK

This year marks the 1010th anniversary of the death of St Gregory of Narek, or Krikor.Naregatsi, (951–1003). On the occasion of this anniversary HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, proclaimed the year April 2013 to April 2014 to be the year of Narekatsi (Naregatsi). This 10th-century saint is well known for his great contribution to the Armenian Church spirituality through his monumental work “Book of Lamentation” (MadyanVoghperkootyan), which is considered the second source of Armenian spirituality only after the Bible. He is also known for his many hymns, prayers and commentaries on the Books of the Bible. During the year several events & activities will be programmed in celebration of this anniversary including lectures, a concert, a conference and others. The year-long celebration will be launched on Sunday, 28 April 2013, by the screening of the film The Pastor. This is the first movie about the saint produced in Armenia, in 2013, which presentsNarekatsi’s life, his writings, as well as prayers, and contemplations. Directed by ArtakAvdalyan, the film will be screened in Gulbenkian Hall, Sunday, 28 April at 2:00pm after light lunch. Admission free.

ACYF LONDON CONTINUES DELIVERING EASTER PACKAGES

Members of the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) completed four trips following the Easter celebration to the various neighbourhoods of London delivering their Easter baskets as part of the annual ACYF Easter Project. As announced in the previous issues of the E-Newsletter, ACYF members in London and Manchester have been preparing their own list of Armenians who live alone and who, for health or other reasons, were unable to attend the Easter Badarak. The project included the preparation of Easter baskets that included coloured eggs, Easter bread, chocolates and a prayer book, which the ACYF members delivered to the homes of the elderly and those home-bound. It was truly a moving experience to see the tears of joy in the eyes of some of the elderly as they answered the doorbell to see the young Armenian men and women of the ACYF standing at their doorsteps wishing them Happy Easter and delivering the Easter baskets to their home. Following the very successful first Easter Project, the ACYF decided to make this an annual tradition. God bless all those who contributed to the success of the project, who helped in packing the Easter baskets, and who helped in delivering them to the elderly. Congratulations ACYF!

GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION IN DUBLIN, IRELAND

The Armenian Church Council in Dublin, Ireland, informed the Primate’s Office of two events it has scheduled in the month of April for commemorating the Armenian Genocide. The first one is a Service of Remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians who were massacred during the 1915 Genocide. The service will take place at Taney Parish Centre, on Sunday, 21st April 2013. A 15-minute video documentary will be shown followed by light refreshments. All are welcome. The second event is a public lecture, hosted by the Armenian Church council in Dublin on 29 April 2013 at 6:30pm in St Werburgh’s Church, Dublin 8, Ireland (353 89 458 2686. The public lecture, titled “The Armenian Genocide: Remembering our sorrows and articulating our hopes?” will be delivered by Dr Harry Hagopian. A light refreshment will be available prior to the lecture (6:30-7:00). The lecture will be under the auspices of HG Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, with the presence of Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia to Ireland, MrOhanYergaynharsian. For more information please click here or visit the official website of the Armenian Church in Dublin, Irelan, by clicking here.

Dr Harry Hagopian,

Middle East Consultant for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, UK andEcumenical Consultant to the Armenian Primate, UK

CARDIFF CHURCH COMMUNITY REMEMBERS THE GENOCIDE

The Mission Parish Council (MPC) of the Armenian Church in Cardiff, Wales, invites the Armenian community in Great Britain to an evening programme on Monday, the 22nd of April, 2013, in remembrance of the Armenian Martyrs of the 1915 Genocide. The programme, which will take place in the Temple of Peace in Cardiff (CF10 3AP) 16:30-18:30, will be chaired by Dr Ara Kanekanian, member of the Cardiff MPC, and will include brief speeches by local government and community leaders, recitations and songs by members of the Cardiff Armenian Church community. HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, will be presiding over the programme, which will be attended by His Grace Dr Barry Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales. There will be a short requiem service in memory of the Armenian martyrs. All are welcome. The faithful will be invited to light one of the 98 candles representing the 98th anniversary of the Genocide.

ALTAR SERVERS EASTER RETREAT

Fourteen participants gathered at St Stephen’s House of Oxford University to be part of the 2-13 Easter Retreat for altar servers which took place the weekend of 5-6 April. The theme of this year’s retreat was: “Challenges of Discipleship in the Armenian Church.” The retreat included three Bible discussion sessions focusing on the theme, daily church services in the beautiful chapel of St Stephen’s House, discussions, and personal reflection time. The retreat included also a qualification test for three candidates for the Armenian Church order of Acolyte (Tubeer, or Dupeer). The Primate’s Office is happy to announce that all three candidates: TigranMkrtchyan, Koko Sabounjian and ArbiValian, have passed the written test and are now candidates for ordination to this sacred order of the Armenian Church. Pending the fulfillment of the other requirements, an ordination date will be announced to the public soon. Assisting in the administration of the retreat were FrGareginHambardzumyan and Deacon ArturBobikyan. Present at the retreat was also DrHratchTchilinigirian, Oxford University, who led the group in an inspiring Bible discussion.

PILGRIMAGE TO HISTORIC ARMENIA–INITIAL DEADLINE MONDAY

Based on the very positive feedback the Primate’s Office received from our faithful, we are happy to confirm that a pilgrimage is being organized by the Primate’s Office to Historic Armenia, Eastern Turkey, departing on 3 October and returning on 13 October. The itinerary will include arrival in Istanbul on Thursday night, 3 October, where we will spend 2 nights. The rest of the pilgrimage will be spent in the interior including trips to Van, Aghtamar, Mount Ararat, Gars and Ani. The rest of the villages to be visited will be planned based on the town and villages where the parents and grandparents of the participants in the pilgrimage came from. The cost of the pilgrimage is £2,500 which will cover everything including round trip via British Airways, London-Istanbul, round-trip Istanbul-Ankara, lodging in hotels in Istanbul and Ankara and wherever needed, local transportation to and from the villages, breakfast and dinner every day during the pilgrimage and tour guide. Space is limited to 20 people. To reserve your place in the pilgrimage please send a non-refundable deposit of £500 payable to: “The Armenian Church Trust UK”. Kindly mail your cheque to the Primate’s Office, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG, to be received no later than 15 April, 2013.

2013 ARMENIAN STREET FESTIVAL – FESTIVAL BOOKLET

On Tuesday, 9th April, HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, presided over the first meeting with representatives of the Armenian organisations in preparation for the 2013 Armenian Street Festival. Those present discussed with the Primate the various aspects of the preparations for the Festival, which is scheduled on Sunday, 14 July, 12:00-6:00pm. HrachikSaryan, from the Primate’s Office, updated those at the meeting with the developments in the applications for the various licenses needed for the Festival. Meanwhile, the Primate’s Office will be publishing a Festival booklet which will include the floor plan of the Festival, food menu, map of the vendors and wishes from the neighbourhood and friends including donations by business in support of the Festival. If you are interested in sponsoring a space in the booklet please click hereor contact the Primate’s Office: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk or call: 0208 127 8364. Finally, volunteers as in the past are always needed. Please contact the Primate’s Office if interested and available to help on the day.

NEWS FROM THE BRITISH ARMENIAN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (BALA)

BALA was re-launched in June 2011 and its primary purpose is to form a network of lawyers, students, academics, professionals and those with an interest in the field of law. In 2012 it started a mentorship scheme for law students, which has proven to be a success and it also hosts social networking events, dinners and regular meetings regarding the future work of BALA. They are continually looking to increase their membership and would encourage anyone who is interested in joining the group to please email them at balarsvp@gmail.com or join their Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/BALA.UK/or connect with them on their linked in page uk.linkedin.com/pub/british-armenian-lawyers-association/63/382/468

ARMENIAN CHURCH YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAM

The Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) is considering the possibility of forming a youth football team for young men, ages 12-14, as the Armenian Youth Football team. If interested please send name and contact info to: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk.

SCREENING “GRANDMA’S TATTOOS” – MARK YOUR CALENDAR The Programme of Armenian Studies is delighted to announce the screening of the documentary Grandma's Tattoos in London on Tuesday 16 April, 7pm, Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS. This event will be followed by a Q&A session with the participation of the director Suzanne Khardalian and the producer PeAHolmquist. For details contact: DrKrikorMoskofian, moskofiank@gmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 SCRIPTURE READINGS OF THE WEEK: Click here for a list of this week’s Bible readings according to the Armenian Church lectionary.  ACYF:The Manchester Chapter of the ACYF is forming a Dance group. For info please contact Dn Artur Bobikyan.

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