E-NEWSLETTER - Է-ԹԵՐԹԻԿ of the Armenian Church of the - Հայց Առաքելական Եկեղեցւոյ United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland - Մեծն Բրիդանիոյ եւ Իրլանդայի Issue 1, Volume 5 Official Publication of the Primate’s Office of the Armenian Church 4 January, 2014

THEOPHANY MESSAGE OF HH CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II

occasion

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, welcomed the New Year

2014 and offered prayers that it would usher inpeace, and hope.“By God’s will, 2013 was a year of

benevolent results,” said His Holiness. Adding, however that “We are facing deep-rooted problems such as

making our country prosperous, defending our rights, reinforcing our statehood, and improving our

national and religious life.”In the face of such concerns, Vehaparexpressed his strong confidence in the

Armenian people, who have “bravely endured hardship, shown tolerance when in distress, and lived with

the determination to forge a bright future.” Click to read the message, &here to readit in English.

On this

HH directed a special message to the Syrian-Armenians exhorting the Almighty to reinforce and

support the Armenian community in Syria. Click here to read the message. A video message of HH can be

viewed by clicking here. Finally, in a letter addressed to our Primate, His Holiness congratulated Bp Vahan

andthe Armenian community in the UK and Ireland, paying that for a successful ministry &prosperity of

the Church &people. Click here to read the letter.Ամենհայիսրտիցբխած, Լսիրայսձայն, ովԱստված.

ԵրկարկյանքտուրՀայրապետին, ԵրկարօրերՀայոցՀոր.

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR WITH CANDLE-LIGHT VIGILS

As soon as the fireworks, cheerful shouts and countdowns announced the arrival of the New Year in London, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, and Fr Garegin Hambardzumyan were busy opening the doors of St Sarkis Church and lighting the candles in preparation for the first New Year’s Midnight Vigil. The Vigil was almost a last minute decision! It was announced on Facebook and the online media only. By 1:30am the St Sarkis Church sanctuary was in full darkness except for the candles adorning the main altar an the icons around the church. As the faithful entered the sanctuary they were given a candle each with a one-page church service to follow. The Vigil started with the Lord’s prayer followed by the recitation of psalms and singing of popular hymns such as SoorpAsdvadz an KrisdosEeMechMerHaydnetsav. Fr Garegin chanted the Gospel passage followed by the singing of the penitential hymn Der Vohgormya while most of those present were kneeling in meditation. Bp Vahan then read the main prayer of the Vigil, in which he remembered our brothers and sisters in his prayer, Bishop Vahan Asked for God’s peace to be on the world and especially on those in Syria and the Midlle East. The Vigils ended with the Bishop’s brief reflection and New Year’s wishes and blessings followed by the singing of Hayr Mer.

Midnight Vigil Welcoming the New Year

THE CLOCK IS TICKING AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT

With a New Year 2014 now officially upon us and as we count the final hours of the Advent Season the Primate’s Office is making a final and urgent plea for support of the 2013 Annual Advent Appeal. Please help us continue offering the various programmes of the Church including the Bible Study sessions, Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF), Deacons’ Training Programme, Annual Pilgrimages, Lectures, Pastoral visitations, the Primate’s Office, the use of new communication technologies (E-Newsletter, online outreach, website, ... etc) and support our clergies’ salaries. You can be a partner with the church in all the above and more by sending your donation payable to “The Armenian Church Trust UK” to the Primate’s Office, c/o HyeDoon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG. The Annual Advent Appeal is the only fundraiser conducted each year by the Primate’s Office to help the Church undertake the many ministries, programs, and resources and create new ones, that enrich life in our Church parishes and people here in the UK an Ireland. You can donate online as well by clicking here. The Armenian Church Trust UK, is a charity registered at the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Click here for the Gift Aid form. As always we are grateful to our supporters.

DUBLIN ARMENIAN CHURCH PARISH CELEBRATES THE NEW YEAR

A New Year’s and English Christmas celebration was organised by the Mission Parish Council members of the Armenian Church in Dublin at Dundrum Methodist Church on 29th December 2013. Adults and children all together attended the party. A program was organised which included welcoming remarks in Armenian and English, an Bible reading (also two Languages). The choir sang Christmas carols and hymns. Following the singing of carols, dinner was served which was cooked and prepared by MPC members in addition to LouseenSarafian and Looseen Adam. An entertainment programme of singing and dancing followed the meal and dessert. Singing on the stage was singer Armen and his brother, Avo, who played the drums. The people enjoyed dancing and spending a lovely time together. Raffle tickets were on sale for thee prizes. Before closing the party the raffle drawing was done. At the conclusion of the evening Dr Paul Manook gave away gifts to all children. The Dublin community is looking forward to welcoming HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, who will lead the Theophany Church services on Sunday, 12 January. Please join us if you are in Dublin or in the surroundings. ShnorhavorNor Dari yevSoorpDzunoont.

- KevorkMalkhasian

New Year’s Celebration

PRIMATE’S YEAREND REPORT AND THEOPHANY MESSAGE

As has become customary in our Diocese the Primate’s Office has published a detailed report of the various activities of His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, during the past year (2013). The report can be viewed on the official Church website or by clicking here. The Primate has published his Theophany messages in English and Armenian in which he reflects upon the Feast of Theophany as a gift from God, adding “However, as in the case of any gift, it has no value or meaning unless it is accepted, opened and learned how to use. To enjoy this gift, we need to extend our arm, accept the divine gift, and work with Him on realising its terms and promises.” His reflects also upon the successes and challenges faced by our people during the past year, especially our brothers and sisters in Syria and the Middle East. Click here to read the message in English and here to read the message in Armenian. Meanwhile, His Grace has shared a video message with the faithful on the eve of the New Year which can be viewed in English by clicking here and in Armenian by clicking here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 THEOPHANY CHURCH SERVICES: His Grace Bp Vahan will be celebrating the Eve of Theophany Badarak on Thursday evening, 5 January in St Sarkis Church at 5:00pm,and the Feast of Theophany on Monday 6 January in St Yeghiche Church, at 10:30. Click here to read a detailed schedule of the celebrations of Badarak in the various parishes of the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland.

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: One of the main and ongoing emphases in Bishop Vahan’s episcopal ministry was the organisation and administration of the Churches in the UK and Ireland into a diocesan organisation with a traditional Armenian Church structure. During the past four-year ministry, several questions were asked as to the purpose or objective of these organizational steps. Some people were confused others upset! The Primate’s Office has prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions (collected from different people and parish council members), which is published in a document accessible by clicking here. If you have any questions or comments about the administrative process, please send your questions or comments to the Primate’s Office.

 BIBLE STUDY: The Bible Study group will resume its discussion and fellowship sessions this Thursday, 9 January at 7:00PM in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall. You do not need to be a theologian to join us. Atheists and sinners are very welcome No admission fees.

 ST SARKIS BRICCAKE SALE AND BRIC-A-BRAC: The St Sakirs Parish Council will hold a Cake and Bric-a-Brac sale in aid of the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund some time following Armenian Christmas. Please put aside all your unwanted good quality bric-a-brac and unwanted Christmas gifts for us until we announce the date. Thank you.

 ST YEGHICHE WOMEN’S GUILD: St Yeghiche Armenian Church Parish Council is in the process of setting up a Women’s Guild. Those interested in take part and be members of the newly to be formed Women’s Guild please contact Parish Council member Mrs ArshalouysBabayan by calling 020 85792129

 ONLINE DONATION: Please support the Armenian Church in preparing and offering the various ministries and programmes to our faithful in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Dublin by donating online.

 UNDERSTANDING OUR BADARAK: As part of the Continuing Education Ministry of the Primate’s Office HG Bp Vahan

Hovhanessian will be offering a course on the theology and spirituality of our Divine Liturgy, Badarak, on Monday evenings in February-

The Primate’s Office

March. Those interested to sign up for the course are requested to contact the Primate’s Office via e-mail or telephone: 0208 127 8364. _____c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG

The course will be offered free of charge. Registered members will receive handouts of the notes discussed each session. www.armenianchurch.co.uk

information@armenianchurch.co.uk

________________________________________________________________________________ The Primate’s Office, c/o HyeDoon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG www.armenianchurch.co.uk E-mail: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk