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

Issues 26, Volume 5

ԱՌԱՋՆՈՐԴՈՒԹԻՒՆ.ՀԱՅՈՑ.ՄԵԾՆ.ԲՐԻԴԱՆԻՈՅ.ԵՒ.ԻՐԼԱՆՏԱՅԻ DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Տ. Վահան.Եպս..Յովհաննէսեան,.Հայրապետական.Պատուիրակ.եւ.Առաջնորդ The Right Revd Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate and Pontifical Legate

29 June, 2014

PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY ETCHMIADZIN: 15-21 OCTOBER, 2014 The Primate’s Office happily announces the organisation of the 2nd pilgrimage to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin 15-21 October 2014. The pilgrims will visit the Mother See and Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin as well as historic sites and shrines in Armenia including the monastery and seminary in Sevan, Lake Sevan, the monastic university and complex of Datev, the underground cathedral of Geghart, and many other places. The cost of the pilgrimage, including airfare, hotel transfer in Yerevan, lodging in luxury hotels in Yerevan, breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as admission to all facilities and programmes including a night at the Opera is: £950.00 for private/single room and £830.00 for shared room/2-in-one room. To register for the pilgrimage, please send a deposit of £500 to the Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG no later 15 August. For more info, please call: 0208 127 8364, or email the Primate’s Office. Make your cheque payable to: Armenian Church Trust UK.

Inside the dome Etchmiadzin Cathedral

THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD – 27 JULY

The Feast of the Transfiguration (Baydzaragerbootiun, Պայծառակերպութիւն or Aylager- bootiun, Այլակերպութիւն ) is one of the 5 annual major feasts of the Armenian Church. The name of the feast is driven from the historical event that is the theme of the Feast recorded in the Bible (Mt 17:1-8; Mk 9:11-17; Lk 9:29-36; & II Pet 1:17-18): Christ changing his figure and appearing with resplendent countenance to three of His disciples, Peter, John, and James. Because the Bible does not date this account, in Armenia St Gregory assigned the Feast to the summer to replace a pagan feast known as Vartavar (the Festival of Roses). This miracle happened on the way back to Jerusalem, as the Lord launched the final phase of His ministry which culminated in His glorious death and resurrection. This was to preamp the Apostles about what is to come: Christ’s miraculous Transfiguration on the Cross. Needless to say, the event confirms the divinity of Jesus. Several church activities are being planned; details to be announced.

Transfiguration

Այլակերպութիւն

ACYF EXECUTIVE TO MEET HIS HOLINESS THE CATHOLICOS HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, left London leading the delegation of the Executive Committee of the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship of the UK and Ireland (ACYF) to participate in a special meeting in Holy Etchmiadzin. Participating in the meeting, 1-5 July, will be representatives of the ACYF councils from Armenian Dioceses around the world, under the auspices of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and the chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United States. This impressive assembly of Armenian Church youth will discuss its activities for the coming year leading to the 100th Anniversary commemoration of the Genocide. Part of the delegation left London earlier to meet their counterpart in Georgia and discuss preliminary issues related to the meeting. The group visited the diocesan offices in Tbilisi and had an audience with the Primate, HG Bp Vazken Mirzakhanyan, and Very Revd Fr Babgen Salbiyan, Vicar General in Javakhk.

Primates and representatives of Georgia and UK/Ireland ACYF meet in Tbilisi

NEW PROGRAMMES BY ST SARKIS PARISH IN LONDON

Please mark your calendar and join parishioners of St Sarkis Church on the following two Parish events open to all: * 18th July 2014 at 7.00 pm in Gulbenkian Hall St. Sarkis Parish Council will inaugurate its

“Armenian Movie Night” programme premiering with the screening of “Lost and Found in Armenia.” Suggested minimum donation of £5.00 per person to include popcorn, nachos, hot dogs and soft drinks.

* 27th July 2014 following Divine Liturgy celebrating The Lord's Transfiguration, the St. Sarkis Parish Ladies Committee will hold a food Bazaar in the Gulbenkian Hall. The customary display of Armenian Food and delicacies are to be on offer.

All are welcome.

PRIMATE JOINS THE ARMENIAN STREET FESTIVAL COMMITTEE

The permanent committee of the Armenian Street Festival met last Wednesday, 25 June, 2014 in the Gulbenkian Hall with the chairmen of the subcommittees and volunteers of the 2014 Armenian Street Festival, under the chairmanship of Mr Dick Bedrossian, to discuss updates about the Festival. The committee discussed and approved the entertainment programme, the food and drinks menu, the list of 17 stalls, the floor plan and the children’s programme. As in the previous year, the committee approved the sale of raffle tickets with thrilling prizes. The committee agreed to have raffle tickets available prior to the date of the Festival. Raffle tickets can be purchased by contacting the Raffle Committee chairman Mimi: or the Primate’s Office: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk. Raffle tickets are available for £2 per ticket or £5 per three tickets. Please make your cheque payable to: ‘The Armenian Church Trust UK’ and post it to The Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG.

neopapyrus@gmail.com,

DUBLIN ALTAR SERVERS JOIN IN CELEBRATING BADARAK

Members of the Mission Parish of the Armenian Church in Dublin joined HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, and Subdeacon Hovik Hovhannisyan in the Badarak celebration last Sunday, 22 July, which took place in Taney Parish Church in Dublin, Ireland. Three young men, participants of the Deacons’ Training Programme in Dublin--recently launched by the Primate’s Office and supervised by Deacon Artur from the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Manchester-- served at the altar assisting the Bishop during Badarak. ‘Who could have even dreamed 3 years ago,’ said Bp Vahan joyfully, ‘that 3 young men from Dublin will be assisting in Badarak.’ The events scheduled for the regular visit of the Primate during that weekend included also the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism, a meeting with the Church Parish Council, house blessings and fellowship after Badarak. For more information about the Dublin Parish & its activities please visit: www.armenians.ie or e-mail Parish Council chairman by clicking here.

Deacons’ Training session in Dublin

OBITUARY OF THE LATE JOHN HAIG EKSERDJIAN (1933-2014)

The Holy Trinity Armenian Church is saddened to announce the passing away of Mr John Haig Ekserdjian, a long-term member of Holy Trinity Church and a board member of the Church Trust in Manchester. Aged 80 years, the very dear husband of Margaret, much loved and loving father of Claire and Sonia, father in law of Gharry and Barry and devoted "Pa" of Isaac, Fausta, Olivia and Sophia, Mr Ekserdjian (Djanik) passed away peacefully in hospital on Friday, 20th June. John was the senior partner of O'Collier, Littler & Kilbeg, Solicitors. Funeral Service will be held at The Holy Trinity Armenian Church (M13 0FY) on Wednesday 2nd July at 12:15PM followed by a private family interment. No Flowers by request and donations if desired to either The Hayastan All Armenian Fund or Parkinson's UK. All donations and enquiries to Albert R Slack Ltd., click here. May the Lord rest John Ekserdjian soul in peace and comfort his family and loved ones.

The Primate and ACYF Visiting the Ekserdjians Eastertide 2014

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 HOMENETMEN GARDEN PARTY: On Sunday afternoon, 6 July, Homenetmen London will celebrate its 35th anniversary in a garden party at Osterley Cricket Club, Middlesex, UB2 4LW, starting at 2:30pm. All are welcome.

 STREET FESTIVAL UPDATES: Click here to visit the 2014 Armenian Street Festival Facebook page. The Armenian Festival needs you!!! Volunteer for the 2014 Armenian Festival by e-mailing: festival@armenianchurch.co.uk. To support the Festival click here, or sponsor a space in the Festival booklet by clicking here.

 BIBLE STUDY: Please note that there will be NO Bible Study sessions the following two weeks. We will resume our study sessions in mid-July.

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