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

Issues 32, Volume

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

9 August, 2014

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY: BLESSING OF GRAPES This Monday, 11 August is the first day of the weeklong fasting in preparation for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, which will be celebrated the following Sunday, 17 August. The Feast commemorates the early Christian tradition of the assuming of the body of Mary, following her death, to heaven. It is one of the five annual feasts attributed to the Holy Virgin, in the Armenian Church, and is celebrated on the Sunday closest to 15 August. Among the many biblical symbols for the Virgin Mary, Grapes are the one remembered on this Feast. This is because wine is made of grapes, and wine is one of the symbols of Christ in the Bible. It is because of this symbolism and because grapes ripen in August in Armenia, that the Armenian Church conducts the service of the blessing of the grapes following the divine celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. The Feast is a celebration of the promise of the Lord that those who believe in him shall live eternally, even after death. ‘The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live’ (John 11:29).

ARMENIAN FESTIVAL IN LONDON: ‘A ROARING SUCCESS’

On Sunday, 3rd August, the grounds of St Sarkis Church and Iverna Gardens in Kensington, turned into a beautiful and powerful expression of Armenian life, heritage, identity and faith. Starting with a church procession and the service of the Blessing of the Field, to the official Cutting of the Ribbon by the Primate with the Mayor, Members of the Parliament, Ambassadors and dignitaries, to the delicious food and drinks, the patriotic and enchanting Armenian songs by Arsen Grigoryan from Armenia, the exquisite dances of Akhtamar Dance Group, Tekeyan’s Gomidas Choir’s debut, and over 30 stalls and vendors. Most importantly it was the thousands of Armenians and their friends that made this year’s Festival truly a ‘roaring success’ to use the words of one of those who attended and enjoyed the Festival. In addition to all the above the Festival generated over £20,000 income. Thank you to the Festival Committee of the Primate’s Office and all the volunteers. Click here to watch a video clip of the Festival highlights.

A day of dancing, singing, and celebrating Armenian life

HOLY TRINITY IN MANCHESTER TO CELEBRATE THE ASSUMPTION

On Sunday 17th of August, by the Blessing of HG Bp. Vahan Hovhanessian, the Primate, there will be a festive celebration of Badarak at the Holy Trinity Church, Manchester, which will be followed by one of the beloved ceremonies of the Armenian Chruch, the ‘'Blessing of the Grapes’' led by our visiting pastor, V. Rev. Fr. Garegin Hambardzumyan. We bless the grapes on this day because our Lord compared Himself with true Vine. Also, at the Last Supper he took the cup with wine and said 'Take, drink, this is my Blood of the New Covenant...' Mary became the eternal source of Christ's glorious Incarnation and thus, the Holy Fathers of the Church have set the beautiful ceremony of Blessing of the Grapes on the Feast of her Assumption. Join us if you live in or near Manchester to sing with us the traditional 'Amen, Alleluia, Alleluia...'' at the service of the Blessing of the Grapes! So if you live in or near Manchester area, please make an effort to join us next Sunday. Grape donations are welcome.

PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY ETCHMIADZIN AND ARMENIA

The deadline for registering for this year’s inspiring pilgrimage to Holy Etchmiadizn and Armenia, 15-22 October, 2014 is this Friday 15 August. Several people have enquired and we would like to accommodate them. To register for the pilgrimage, please send a deposit of £300 to the Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG by 15 August. Make your cheque payable to: The Armenian Church Trust UK. The Pilgrimage programme will include visits to the Mother See as well as historic shrines including the monastery in Sevan, Lake Sevan, the monastic complex of Datev, the underground cathedral of Geghart, the shrine of St Mesrob Mashtots and other. The pilgrimage, including airfare, lodging in luxury hotels in Yerevan, breakfast, lunch & dinner, and admission to all facilities including a night at Yerevan Opera House costs: £950.00 for private/single room and £830.00 for shared room/2-in-one room. Price may go up after 15 August. For info, call: 0208 127 8364, or E-mail by clicking here.

The city Yerevan with Mount Ararat in the background

BLESSING OF GRAPES SERVICES IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER

It is a beautiful tradition among Armenians on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary to donate grapes to be used for the Blessing Service or to donate money toward the purchase of grapes. Next Sunday, 17th August, following the celebration of the Badarak of the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Armenian Churches will conduct the service of the Blessing of Grapes. This traditional service will take place in our churches here in the UK in London and Manchester. Please participate in the Badarak and be part of this once-a-year ceremony. Those wishing to make donations of grapes or donations in lieu of grapes please contact the Parish offices of St Yeghiche Church on 0207 373 8133, or St Sarkis Church. 0203 501 4504, Holy Trinity in Manchester on

. Thank you for your continued support to the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland. Meanwhile, the Armenian Church parish in Dubline, Ireland, will have its own blessing of Grapes service on Sunday, 30 August. Its also customary among Armenians to have their homes blessed after this feast. Those interested please contact our reverend clergy or the Primate’s Office.

0161 273 1074

HELP US HELP TWO ARMENIAN BOYS IN ARMENIA BE HEALED

The Primate’s Office received two phone calls from two different parents in Armenia, independent of each other, seeking financial help for their son’s medical treatment: 1) Ohannisyan: 3-year old boy, Yerevan, Armenia diagnosed with diabetes. Hospital treatments

and medical fees in Yerevan amount to $10,000. 2) Hakobjanyan: born 1995 Erebuni/Armenia, has brain tumour. In order for him to have the

correct diagnosis, he has been referred to the Berlin International Health Care hospital and the

cost for the duration of his stay in hospital and all procedures amounts to 30,000 Euros. Please send your donations payable to the Armenian Church Trust UK indicating the person you want to help (Ohannisyan and/or Hakobjanian).

NEW WOODEN CARVED ARMENIAN CROSSES

The Armenian Gift Shop is happy to announce the arrival of a new shipment from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to add to its already impressive collection of Armenian gift items, including the hand-made wooden Armenian crosses (6.5X12.5X2). The beautifully designed traditional Armenian cross stands on a wooden pedestal, can be a great gift idea for a friend or a sacred symbol to adorn your room. The cross can be closely browsed online by clicking here. To purchase your own wooden Armenian cross, please visit the website of the Armenian Gift Shop: www.armeniangiftshop.org. There you can find other items of interest such as books, videos, DVDs, gift items, CDs, including the CD of Arsen Grigorian who was the key entertainer and singer at our fourth annual Armenian Street Festival. For more information please contact he Gift Shop at: giftshop@armenianchurch.co.uk

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 PRAYER FOR CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ: By orders of HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, a special prayer for the Christians of Iraq will be offered this Sunday in all the Churches of the Armenian Diocese in the UK and Ireland.  BIBLE STUDY GROUP: Next session in Gulbenkian Hall this Thursday, 14 August, at 7:00pm. All are welcome.

 ARMENIAN MOVIE NIGHTS: Join the St Sarkis Parish at August Movie Night for the screening of the documentary “From Ararat to Europe”, Friday, 15th August @ 7pm. Donations £ 5, to cover the coast of drinks, popcorn... etc.

 SUPPORT THE ARMENIAN CHURCHES IN UK: by sending your donation payable to ‘the Armenian Church Trust UK’ (ACTUK) to the Primates Office (see below), or click here. Remember the Armenian Church in your will.

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