DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

ԱՌԱՋՆՈՐԴՈՒԹԻՒՆ.ՀԱՅՈՑ.ՄԵԾՆ.ԲՐԻԴԱՆԻՈՅ.ԵՒ.ԻՐԼԱՆՏԱՅԻ

Տ.Վահան.Եպս..Յովհաննէսեան,.Հայրապետական.Պատուիրակ.եւ.Առաջնորդ The Right Revd Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate and Pontifical Legate

Issue 7, Volume 5 15 February, 2014

HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II IN LONDON

His Holiness Karekin II, was in London for two nights 1-2 February, to participate in a special banquet at the Royal Automobile Club hosted by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), with Mr and Mrs Vatche Manoukian as guests of honor. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss means of strengthening the Armenian communities in Europe. Present at the evening were Mr BerdgeSetrakian, Chairman of AGBU and key benefactors of the Armenian Community in Europe as well as Mr.Jirayr Kevorkian, Chairman and members the Executive Committee and Young Professionals of the UK AGBU. During his brief visit, Vehapar met with Bp Vahan, Primate, several times to discuss matters related to the Armenian Diocese of the UK and Ireland as well as issues in the Armenian Churches in Europe. Bp Vahan reported to His Holiness the progress in the discussions of the diocesan bylaws and the formation of the diocese. His Holiness also had an informal encounter with the clergy serving in our Diocese

AGBU Banquette

THIRD ANNUAL ARMENIAN CHURCH ASSEMBLY

The Primate’s Office happily announces that the third Annual Armenian Church Assembly will take place in the Holy Trinity Church in Manchester, on Sunday, 6 April, 2014. The first ever Annual Church Assembly in the UK took place in St Yeghiche Church (2012), and the second in St Sarkis Church (2013). As in the previous two years, the Assembly will be a forum to present and discuss the various reports of activities of the Primate’s Office, including the Annual Street Festival, Pilgrimages, Educational Ministry, Mission Parish Outreach, Youth Fellowship and others. Participants in the Assembly will also discuss the annual activities of the Primate‟s Office‟s Armenian Church Trust UK (ACTUK), including its annual financial statements. The public is encouraged to participate and scrutinise the reports and ask any questions they may have about any aspect of the Church‟s ministry and programmes.It has become a tradition for the Armenian Church parishes..... Click here to read more.

HB PATRIARCH MANOOGIAN RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE

On Thursday evening, February 6 at 5:30 pm., at a Festive Evensong in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, the General Theological Seminary in Manhattan, New York, honoredits alumnus, His Beatitude Archbishop NourhanManougian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and conferred an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree upon him. A choir from St. Nersess Armenian Seminary joined the congregation during worship, adding aspects of the Armenian tradition to the Festive Evensong.Upon entering the Chapel, His Beatitude was greeted by two dozen bishops, priests, and deacons of the Episcopalian and Armenian Churches. As they progressed to the front of the chapel they conducted the Armenian “Office of Adoration on Entering the Church.” On the following Sunday a special day of remembrance was designated for the late Patriarch Torkom Manoukian, followed by a lunch-reception at the Haig and AlicKavookjian Hall. Present at the festivities and the programme was our Primate, HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian.

BADARAK COURSE IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS - SIGN UP NOW!

HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, will be offering a course on the theology and spirituality of our Divine Liturgy, Badarak, on Monday evenings starting Monday, 17 February. The course will meet in the St Sarkis Church, Monday evenings at 7:00pm, and is offered free of charge. Those interested are encouraged to register as soon as possible, as space is limited. The course will be a great opportunity to discuss questions such as why do we celebrate Badarak every Sunday? Why is an hour or so long? Can two Badaraks be celebrated the same day? Why do I Have to go to Badarak when I can pray anywhere? --and other questions. Registered members will receive printed notes of each session. Make an effort to join us and ask all the questions you wanted to ask about this central celebration of our faith. Those interested to sign up for the course are requested to contact the Primate’s Office via e-mailor telephone: 0208 127 8364. Amazingly, Badarak remains one of the unifying celebrations of our people no matter where you are around the world.

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Fr AnaniaDzadouryan Badarak @ St Sarkis

DEADLINES/PREPARATIONS FOR PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

The final preparations are being made for the fourth annual Pilgrimage t the Holy Land which will take place on 6-14 June, 2014, with HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, leading 34 pilgrims. In order to finalised the reservations of the hotels and local transportation, including the boat and cable-car rides, pilgrims are kindly asked to pay the remainder of their pilgrimage cost by Sunday 23 February. We are grateful to those among the pilgrims who have already paid the full amount. The total cost of the Pilgrimage is: £1,200 for shared-room accommodations, and £1,450 for private room.If you have already paid the deposit of £500, please make sure that the remainder of £700 for a shared-room accommodation and £950 for private roomis received in the Primate‟s Office no later than Sunday, 23 February. Meanwhile, as announced earlier, an orientation session is scheduled in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall onFriday, 21 February in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall at 7:00PM. The orientation is free of charge and op[en to all.

Pilgrims with late Patriarch Torkom

LONDON ARMENIAN OPERA PRESENT: GARINEH

'Garineh' is the first completed operatic work written by an Armenian composer. It was originally performed under the title of 'LebledjiHorHor Agha' in Istanbul in 1875 and has since enjoyed great success. Its plot and the music are within the tradition of European 19th century opera buffas. Take two lovers, add an angry and distraught chickpea seller whose loyalty to traditional customs prevents. Take two lovers, add an angry and distraught chickpea seller whose loyalty to traditional customs prevents him from approving his daughter‟s courtship in high circles, then spice it up with a dash of duplicity. Ingredients for an Armenian rag for riches romance, and the makings of a comic opera. The popularity of the song „MenkKachDohmiZavagnernenk‟ from this opera and its positive influence on the national psyche is such that it has elevated itself to the height of the national song category. To purchase tickets online, click here, call 01923 773 277 / 07867 672 787 / 07850 777 520 or e-mailLondonArmenianOpera@virginmedia.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  BADARAK IN OXFORD NEXT SATURDAY: Join the Primate and the Armenian students in Oxford for the second

celebration of Badarak in Oxford on Saturday, 22 February, 2014. HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian will celebrate the Badarak, at Pembroke College Chapel (Pembroke College, Oxford, OX1 1DW) and deliver the homily. The Badarak is scheduled to commence at 5:00pm. Refreshments after the celebration of Badarak are organised by the volunteers at Oxford and by the Armenian Studies and Armenian Society of Oxford University. Click here for the online flyer.

 PILGRIMAGE ORIENTATION: An orientation session for the 2014 Pilgrimage has been scheduled for Friday, 21 February in the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall at 7:00PM. The orientation will be an opportunity to those participating in the forthcoming pilgrimage to ask questions and enquire about the details of the various aspects of the Pilgrimage. Previous and current pilgrims are encouraged to attend the Orientation. All are welcome to join in the orientation.

 BIBLE STUDY GROUP: The Bible Study group will NOT meet this Thursday. The group will resume its study sessions on Thursday, 20 February, in the Syrian Cathedral at 7:00pm. All are welcome.

 INTERNSHIP:The Primate’s Office is happy to announce the creation of the Summer Internship Program which is designed to provide a practical learning opportunity and experience for college students or recent graduates in different administrative fields. For information please click here. To apply, please contact the Primate’s Office.

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 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.

 ST SARKIS DAY CELEBRATION:Saturday, 15 February of this year is the Feast of St Sarkis, the patron saint of our Church in Iverna Gardens, London, and the saint of Armenian young men and women. On this occasion the London ACYF will coordinate a night vigil at St Sarkis Church at 10:30pm, followed by the traditional blessing of the Salty Cookies. Click here for more information. On the following day, Sunday, HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, will celebrate Badarak at St Sarkis Church.Click here to read more about the saint

YOU CAN SUPPORT THE CHURCH WITHOUT DONATING MONEY: If you shop online, then you can go to the easyfundraising website below and choose “Armenian Church Trust UK” as the cause you want to support. Shop, as you usually do. The website will donate a small percentage of the money spent on the purchahse to our Church. It is very easy: 1) go to easyfundraising.org.uk; 2) sign up for free; 3) Choose the “Armenian Church Trust” as the cause you want to support; 4) shop as much as you want. Nobody will know what you purchased or from where. Easyfundraising will simply transfer a small percentage to the Church. To try it, click here.

The Primate’s Office, HyeDoon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG – 0208 127 8364 – primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk