The official online publication of the Primate’s Office of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland Issue 29 (Volume 4), 18 July 2013

E-NEWSLETTER...............Է-ԹԵՐԹԻԿ

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The official online publication of the Primate’s Office of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Great Britain and Ireland Issue 29 (Volume 4), 18 July 2013

SUCCESSFUL THIRD ANNUAL ARMENIAN STREET FESTIVAL

Thank God we had a very successful third annual Armenian Street Festival in London, last Sunday, 14 July sponsored by the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland. The splendid weather was only the beautiful background of a six-hour celebration filled with song, dance, delicious food, friendship and fun. Sixteen stalls, an impressive entertaining programme, Raffle with extraordinary prizes, Tavli/Nardi tournament, face- painting for children, were the icing on the “cake” of the fun-filled and warm fellowship of Armenians and their friends proudly celebrating their identity, history and culture under the shadow of the Armenian Church. The Primate and the Primate’s Office staff as well as the Armenian Street Festival committee would like to thank all the volunteers who worked very hard before, during and after the Festival, for the success of the Festival. My words of appreciation and gratitude to all who contributed to the Festival programme, the artists, “DJ” Tchilingirian!, the performers, the dance groups, and the four schools (Saturday School and Sunday School in London, Holy Trinity School in Manchester, and the Dublin Sunday School). Thanks to all the Armenian organisations and benefactors who contributed to the financing of the Festival. Thank you to all who visited and participated in the Festival. Most importantly, thank God for all the blessings enjoyed. Thanks to the chairmen and ... Click here to read more

THE PRIMATE ATTENDS GRADUATION CEREMONIES

On Sunday, 7 July, 2013, following the celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord at St Yeghiche Church, HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian attended the graduation ceremonies of the London K Tahta Armenian School which took place at Twyford Anglican School. His Grace handed the diplomas and congratulated the graduates for this turning point in their life, and thanked the parents for their sacrifice on persevering to bring their children to the Armenian School to make sure that our youth are equipped with the language, culture and traditions of our people. The Primate thanked also the faculty and board of directors as well as MrsRuzannaTatulyan for their efforts in maintaining the mission of the School. A week later, on Saturday, 13 July, His Grace visited Twyford School again this time to participate in the graduation ceremonies of the Saturday Armenian Schools. Both schools have prepared a very impressive graduation programme by the students. Despite the very hot weather on both days, the auditorium where the graduation ceremonies took place was filled with proud parents, family members, friends and community leaders who had come to celebrate this milestone in the life of our community. Congratulations to all and God bless our schools with their Board of Directors, headmasters, teachers, studetns and their parents.

FRGAREGIN CHAIRS AN SBL SESSION

On Wednesday, 10 July, 2013, the Very RevdFrGareginHambardzumyan, chaired a session of the International meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) which took place in St Andrew’s University in Scotland, UK. The session was sponsored by the “Bible in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Traditions” unit in the SBL. Presenting in the session, which was titled “Orthodox Church Readings of the Bible,” were FrGaregin himself who offered a paper titled: “The Book of Sirach in Armenian Biblical LIterature” in addition to other scholars CosminPricop, “The Specificity of the Patristic Exegesis Compared to the Historical Critical Method,” and TeodorBrasoveanu, “First Corinthians 1:24 and the Voices of Tradition.”Each presentation was followed by a period of Question and Answer moderated by FrGaregin. At the conclusion of the session FrGaregin led a general discussion exploring the potential and possibilities of the research within the unit “Bible in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Traditions.” Congratulations FrGaregin and God bless you as you continue your research to complete your PhD in Biblical Studies at Sheffield University.

PACKED AUDIENCE FOR JIRAYRCHOLAKIAN’S LECTURE

What was meant to be a small round-table discussion on Tuesday, 15 July 2013, ended up being a garden interview filled with over 25 people who attended to hear Mr. JirayrCholakian, Chief Editor of the Nor Haratch Armenian Newspaper in France.Moderating the discussion was DrHratchTchilingirian, Oxford University. MrCholakian started first by narrating the history of Haratch newspaper and how it evolved into the Nor Haratch. Through the questions and comments of DrTchilingirian and of the people present, MrCholakian elaborated on various issues related to Armenian journalism in Europe including the media (printed or online), language and dialect, contents, targeted audience and relevance of journalism in strengthening and uniting the Armenian communities in the diaspora. The evening started and concluded with remarks by His Grace Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, under whose auspices the event took place. Nor Haratch is one of the very few Armenian newspapers published in Armenian in Europe. You can subscribe to this tri-weekly Newsletter for an annual subscription fee of £230, by writing to «Nor Haratch» 77, rue Lafayette, 75009 Paris. Click here for a sample of the Nor Haratch Newspaper.

ACYF READY FOR ITS SECOND ANNUAL SUMMER PROJECT

Fourteen young Armenian men and women have signed up for the second annual Service Project of the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) in the UK and Ireland. As in last year, this year also the group will be the guest of the Mekhitarist Armenian Monastery of San Lazzaro, in Venice, Italy. There the group will participate in the daily church services of the monastery, participate in Bible study and discussion sessions led by the Primate, HG Bp Vahan, and volunteer in organizing the library collection of the Monastery. This year’s ACYF Service Project is scheduled for 8-11 August 2013. During this church based mission, the youth will get to tour the historic sites and touristic attractions in Venice, and meet with the Abbot and monks of the San LazzaroMekhitarist Monastery. The beautiful Island will also offer an inspiring forum for reflection, prayer and meditation. You may still be able to join the group this year. For further information, please write to the ACYF vie e-mail at: ACYF@armenianchurch.co.uk. You can also visit their Facebook page by clicking here.

HEAT-WAVE DRIVES BIBLE STUDY GROUP OUTDOOR!

One of the earliest programmes launched by HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian over three years ago when he first assumed the office of the Primate of the Diocese was the Bible Study group. Since then the group continues meeting in Nevart Gulbenkian Hall non-stop, except when there is a scheduling conflict, to read and discuss the books of the Bible explaining its contents and teachings within the tradition of the Armenian Church. Last two weeks, and because of the heat-wave that has covered the greater London area, members of the group had to move their discussion to outdoors. The group gathered around a long table in the garden of the Vicarage, and continued reading and discussing until sunset, when it became challenging to read. The group continues meeting on Thursdays at 7:00pm. Please note that there will be no Bible Study session this Thursday, 18 July, due to Bp Vahan’s visit to Nice, France. For more information about the Bible Study please contact the Primate’s Office at: 02081278364 or E-Mail.

IMAGINARY THEATRE: KRIKORBELDIAN’S NARRATIVE ARMENIAN COURSE

Third Annual Armenian Street Festival in London Sunday, 14 July, 2013

Sunday School Graduation

The “Programme of Armenian Studies” is delighted to announce the next talk by DrSiranoushTvoyan, which is titled Imaginary Theatre: KrikorBeldian's Narrative. This event, moderated by DrKrikorMoskofian, is scheduled to take place in Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG, on Sunday 21 July, at 2pm. For details pleaseclick here. Meanwhile, click here for courses in the Armenian Language offered by DrMoskofian.

INTENSIVE ARMENIAN COURSE IN VENICE

This lecture will be delivered in Armenian

The intensive summer course of Armenian Language and Culture of the Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Department of Asian and of Mediterranean African Studies), in collaboration with the Cultural Association “Padus-Araxes” and ESU (Student Homes Administration of Venice) of Venice will take place from August 1st to August 20th. ARRIVALS: on July 30th and 31st. DEPARTURES: on August 22nd and 23rd.To apply, please click here. At least of eighteen years of age.The course has four basic levels from the Absolute beginners to the Advanced. Lessons take place from Monday to Friday in the morning. Various cultural initiatives will accompany the course.

DO YOU KNOW ARMENIAN OWNED RESTAURANTS?

In an effort by the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church to support local Armenian business, we intend to prepare a list of the various Armenian businesses and service providers in the UK, and publish the list in our E-Newsletter. We hope that this will help support these businesses and introduces our people to Armenians in their cities who offer these services. If you own, or know of an Armenian who ownsa restaurant, please send the contact info to: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk, or call: 0208127 8364.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  NO BIBLE STUDY: Please note that there will be no Bible study session this Thursday, 18 July.  The St Sarkis Church Parish Council are pleased to announce that the next date of the monthly Games Club will be Tuesday 30th July

from 7pm – 10:30pm at the London Visitors Hotel, 42-44 Holland Road, Kensington, London W14 8BB. Please reserve your place by

emailingstsarkisparish@armenianchurch.co.uk, as spaces are limited. Entry is for free.  FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY: This year, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary and the service of the Blessing of the Grapes will

take place on Sunday, 18 August, 2013.  PRIMATE TO CDELEBRATEBADARAK IN NICE:This weekend, 20-21 July, HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, will visit the Armenian Church

community in Nice, France. On Saturday he will meet with the members of the ACYF-France and on Sunday he will be the guest celebrant of Badarakat the Eglise Saint Philippe Armenian Church Parish in Nice, France.

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