The official online publication of the Primate’s Office of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland Issue 16 (Volume 4), 19 April 2013

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 16 (Volume 4), 19 April 2013

PRIMATE TO CELEBRATE GENOCIDE BADARAK AT ST YEGHICHE

On Sunday, 21st April, 2013, Hi Grace Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, will celebratethe Divine Liturgy (Badarak) commemorating the martyrs of the 1915 Genocide at St. Yeghiche Church. His Grace will offer the homily of the day reflecting on the martyrdom of 1.5 million Armenians during the 1915 Genocide. Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the distribution of the Holy Communion, His Grace will preside over a procession to the Churchyard, where a requiem (Hokehankisd) service will be offered for the souls of the martyrs. Meanwhile, the Armenian Community and Church Council(ACCC) has planned the following activities: 20th April, Saturday, Annual March starting from Old Cavendish Street, gather at 11:00 am and start 11:30 sharp; 24th AprilGenocide Commemoration Evening in Remembrance of April 24th 1915, at St Yeghiche church, featuring a recital by renowned pianist Sarkis Zakarian, starting at 7:30pm ; 27th April, Commemorative Pilgrimage to Remembrance Tree, at the corner of Bond Street and High Street, Ealing, starting at 11:00 am. Please check the ACCC website for details. Several events are also planned in commemoration of the Genocide in Birmingham, Cardiff and Dublin Church communities. See below. May the memory of our martyrs be eternally blessed. Amen.

THE PILGRIMAGE TO HISTORIC ARMENIA - EXTENDED DEADLINE

The Primate’s Office has been receiving several enquiries a day following the initial deadline announced several weeks ago for those interested to register for the first Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia (Eastern Turkey). Obliging to the requests of our faithful, we negotiated with British Airways and succeeded in extending the deadline to 25 April, 2013. So, if you or someone you know is interested to join in the pilgrimage but have missed the initial deadline, please send your deposit chequeof £500payable to: “The Armenian Church Trust UK” and mail it to: The Primate’s Office, c/o HyeDoon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG, no later than 25 April. The pilgrims, 3-13 October, 2013, will include a visit the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul, the Island of Akhtamar, Van, Mount Ararat, Kars,Ani, and many other historically Armenian-inhabited villages and cities. If joining us at the pilgrimage please let the Primate’s Office know where your ancestors were from so we can include a visit to that village or city on our itinerary. The total cost of the pilgrimage is £2,500 which will cover everything including round trip London-Istanbul, lodging in hotels in Istanbul and wherever needed, local transportation to and from the villages, breakfast and dinner every day during the pilgrimage and tour guide.

HAS PICTURES

“THE PASTOR” FILM TO LAUNCH THE YEARLONG CELEBRATION

As announced in the previous issues of our E-Newsletter, and on the official website of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland, His Grace Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, has proclaimed the year 2013 to be the year of St KrikorNaregatsi (Gregory of Narek) as the Armenian Church commemorated the 1010th anniversary of the death of the Saint. An impressive list of activities and events are being planned including an international academic conference. The yearlong celebrations will be launched on Sunday, 28 April, in the Gulbenkian Hall with the opening remarks of His Grace BpVahanHohvanessian, Primate, followed by the debut screening of the recently produced film “The Pastor” which is woven around the biography and works of this pillar of Armenian Church theology and spirituality of the 11th century. Admission is free. Join usafter Badarak on that day to learn more about the life, works and spirituality of Naregatsi and enjoy watching the movie “The Pastor” produced in Armenia by ArtakAvdalyan (2013). Popcorn and drinks will be served courtesy of the Continuing Education Ministry. For further information about the yearlong celebration please contact the Primate’s Office: 0208 127 8364.

SECOND ANNUAL “SERVICE PROJECT”– SAN LAZZARO ISLAND

The Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) is happy to announce its second annual “Service Project.” As in last year, the group will continue its services, helping in the Library of the Armenian Mekhitarist Monastery of San Lazzaro, Venice. The group is scheduled to depart to Venice via British Airways, on Thursday, 8 August at 6:30pm, and return to London on Sunday at 10:00pm. The cost of the Service Project is £450 per person, which will cover the airfare, lodging in Venice, local transport and group dinner for two nights. Those interested to join the Service Project and help are requested to mail their deposit of £100 payable to “The Armenian Church Trust UK” to: The Primate’s Office, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG, the latest by Sunday 28 April. Space is limited. Please make sure your deposit cheque of £100 is received at the Primate’s Office by Sunday, 28th April. The “Service Project” is a great opportunity for Armenian young men and women to help Armenian communities, churches and causes around the world. Join us and be part of the solution for a stronger and brighter Armenian future.

ASF 2013: STALLS AND BOOKLET

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The Primate’s Office is busy pursuing the decisions made, and consensus reached, at the first meeting of the representatives of the Armenian organisations of the “2013 Armenian Festival” held last Tuesday, at Gulbenkian Hall.We are happy to announce that “Stall Booking” forms are already available on the official website of the Church. Click here to download a copy. Those interested to reserve a stall are kindly requested to read the booking form carefully, sign and mail it with their deposit to the Primate’s Office, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG. The Primate’s Office will also be publishing a Festival Booklet which will be distributed free-of-charge to all the guests, visitors and dignitaries attending the Festival. We encourage our friends and the faithful to support the Festival by sponsoring a space in the Booklet, with their wishes. For more information about the Booklet and to sponsor a space please download the Booklet Form by clicking here. Most importantly, mark your calendar and inform your Armenian organisation (if they have not announced it yet in their publication and website) and join us at the Armenian Festival on Sunday, 14 April, 2013. Let’s move on, united in celebrating our identity, history, culture and heritage.

AKHTAMAR DANCE GROUP RESUMES ITS REHEARSALS

The Armenian Performance Group, Akhtamr, has announced its highly anticipated return. Join the group for a friendly catch up at their re-launch eventon Sunday, 21st April, at 6:00pm at Ruskin Hall, 10 Church Road, Acton, W3 8PP. There will, of course, be dancing accompanied by live music. Men and women are welcome and encouraged to join the group. Lessons and dance instruction will begin on Sunday, 28th April, and continue every Sunday thereafter at 5-8pm. Instructions will be by the highly respected Baron ArsenZakaryan. For more information please contact MaralBaghdjian at 07552 983 859.

The Primate’s Office is grateful to the members and coordinators of the Akhtamar Dance group who have always accepted our invitation and enhanced the Annual Armenian Street Festivals by their participation with impressive dances and costumes. We wish them God’s blessing and all the success in their new venture.

EASTER ORATORIO – SMASHING SUCCESS!

The magnificent nave of the Armenian Church of St Yegthiche was almost packed with Armenians and their friends who came in to enjoy an evening of Bach’s Easter Ontario. The event was organised by AnaisHeghoyan, who put together an impressive group of singers and a small orchestra with Harpsichord. Miss Heghoyan, Messo Soprano, was one of the soloists of the Oratorio, playing the role of Mary Magdalene. Maestro ArisNadirian, Bass, choir director of the Armenian Church of St Yeghiche played the role of the Evangelist John, while Soprano TerezaGevorkyan played the role of Maria Jacobi. Singing the role of the Apostle Peter was Andrew Bain. The orchestra was under the very capable guidance of Bridget Cunningham, who also played the Harpsichord. At the end of the impressive 50-minute performance, HGBpVahan was invited to the stage to offer the closing remarks, in which he reflected upon the theme of the Oratorio, the miracle of miracles, the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Primate also thanked the Tekeyan Cultural Association for sponsoring the event and working hard for its success, and all the artists for their role in the success of the evening. Special thanks were expressed to Anais for her leading role in making the Oratorio a reality. Congratulations to all!

Bach’s Easter Oratorio at St Yeghiche Church

UPDATES FROM THE BRITISH ARMENIAN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (BALA)

The British Armenian Lawyers Association (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 Linkedin page: uk.linkedin.com/pub/britishLarmenianLlawyersLassociation/63/382/468

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 SCRIPTURE READINGS OF THE WEEK: Click here.for a list of this week’s Bible readings according to the Armenian Church lectionary.  Support the Armenian Church programmes of the Primate’s Office by becoming a steward of the Armenian Church Trust UK,

through regularly, weekly, monthly or annual donations. Click here for more information.  Join us in Cardiff, as the Armenian Church hosts a Genocide programme with the Archbishop of Wales and our Primate presiding.  Join us in Dublin, as the Armenian Church hosts a Genocide lecture by Dr. Harry Hagopian next Monday, 29th April. Read more...

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