DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Տ. The Right Revd Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate and Pontifical Legate

22 November, 2014

HRH PRINCE CHARLES PRAYS WITH THE ARMENIAN FAITHFUL
As part of his agenda to raise worldwide awareness of the suffering of the Christians in the Middle East, and responding to the invitation of HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales joined the Armenian faithful in the UK in an Armenian prayer service at St Yeghiche Church on Wednesday, 19 November at 10:30am. (Watch our video clip) The Church was packed with the faithful who have come to greet the Prince of Wales. Present also were Mr and Mrs Vatche and Tamar Manoukian, benefactors of the St Yegthiche Armenian Church, and Dr and Mrs Armen and Nune Sarkissian, Ambassador of Armenia to the UK. The prayer service started with a procession of the clergy from the main entrance escorting the Bishop to his throne, followed by hymns, petitions and prayers for the Armenians and Christians in the Middle East. The service was followed by a short performance by a joined choir led by Maestro Aris Nadirian. At the end of the service Bishop Vahan thanked His Royal Highness for his visit the Armenian Church, and presented the Prince with a hand-made 14th century ... Read more

 

FOUR DEACONS FOR THE ARMENIAN CHURCH IN UK
Last Sunday, 16 November, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, was the celebrant of the Divine Liturgy at St Sarkis Church where he ordained four deacons of the Armenian Church. The Divine liturgy was interrupted following the singing of Soorp Asdvadz and the Gospel Procession, according to the Armenian Church sacred traditions, in order to commence the ordination service. The four candidates, Arman Haroutiunian, Richard Cherkerzian, Hovik Hovhannisyan and Nayiri Afrikyan were escorted by their sponsoring priest, Fr Garegin Hambardzumyan, from the chancel to the bema of the altar on their knees. After presenting them to the Bishop, the bishop asked the sponsoring priest if they were ready and have enough knowledge to be ordained deacons of the Armenian Church. To this, Fr Garegin responded positively confirming their qualification for the ordination to this, the first of the three major ranks in the Armenian Church. Bishop Vahan then blessed them in ..... Read more

MAY THE LORD BE ALWAYS WITH YOU HAYR GAREGIN
Last Sunday, 16 November, following church services, Shanon Hall of Tara Hotel was full with the faithful and friends of Fr Garegin who came to participate in the Farewell luncheon sponsored by the Primate’s Office in honor of Fr Garegin and celebration of his successful completion of the doctoral studies and earning of the PhD in Biblical Studies. Present at the luncheon were Archbishop Ava Asadourian and members of the faculty of the schools were Fr Garegin studied. Following the saying of the grace the guests were invited to have their lunch which was followed by a brief programme, MC-ed by Deacon Richatrd Cherkerzian, during which a brief speech was given by Fr Peter Allan CR, followed by speeches by the chairmen of the Parish Councils of St Sarkis and Cardiff and representatives from Holy Trinity Manchester all of whom presented Fr Garegin with gifts on behalf of their parishes. Bp Vahan concluded the beautiful afternoon with an emotional speech wishing Fr Garegin all the best and presented him with a gift: a pectoral cross.

FOURTH ANNUAL ARMENIAN CHURCH ASSEMBLY IN DUBLIN
This Sunday, 23 November, the Parish of the Armenian Church in Dublin, Ireland, will convene its fourth annual Parish Assembly. The day programme will start with church services at TAney Parish Church scheduled at 12:30 followed by a coffee/tea fellowship. The Assembly is scheduled to commence at 14:00pm. This year’s Assembly will read and approve the minutes of the previous Assembly, and confirm the agenda proposed by the Parish Council which includes discussion and acceptance of reports by the Parish Council chairman and treasurer, and the budget for the year 2015. The Assembly will also discuss past programmes and future activities as well as questions related to the Parish Council’s decision to seek a pastor for the Dublin Parish. A general discussion period will follow. All dues-paid members of the Dublin Parish are encouraged to attend the Assembly and vote. Those who have not yet registered are welcome to do so at the Assembly. For more information about the Armenian Parish in Dublin please e-mail the Parish Council: armmpc@gmail.com, or visit their website: http://www.armenians.ie

With His Grace Bishop Michael Jackson, Dublin

SEATS ON PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND STILL AVAILABLE
Nineteen people have signed up for the 2015 Pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Holy Land, which will take place 6-14 February, 2015. If you have not registered yet, it is not too late,. You can still join us. The pilgrims will visit Biblical shrines in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth and other cities including the Armenian Patriarcjate. They will sail on the See of Galillee, and climb up Mount of Temptation by cable car. The cost of the pilgrimage-- £1250 for shared room and £1500 for a private room --covers roundtrip airfare via British Airways, transportation from and to Tel Aviv Airport, daily breakfast and dinner, air-conditioned bus transportation with tour guides to all sites, admission fees and tips. To sign up for this inspiring journey to the roots of our faith and the ancient Armenian community in Jerusalem, please send your non-refundable deposit of the amount of £500 payable to the “Armenian Church Trust UK” to the Primate’s Office by Friday, 24 October, 2014. Please Note: price will go up after the deadline. Click here for flyer.

First Pilgrimage2011 With His Beatitude Patriarch Torkom

GIVE SOMEONE THE GIFT OF LIFE: ACYF BLOOD DONATION
The Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) pursuing the objective of the organisation has launched yet another Christian activity that is at the core of the living of the Gospel and the faith of the Armenian Church. The Central Council of the ACYF has announced the organisation of a blood donation activity, and invites you and your family members and friends to join their members and friends in donating blood, the gift of life, to those who are in desperate need of it. The date of the donation is confirmed to be Monday, 1 December, 3:00pm onwards at “West End Donor Centre” Margaret Street, W1. To book your place please contact the ACYF on their Facebook page or e-mail: ACYF@armenianchurch.co.uk. This is one way we can fulfil our Lord’s instructions concerning sharing our blessings with those who are less fortunate than us. Meanwhile, the Central Council is busy planning the details of this year’s Christmas Carol Candlelight Evening and the Elderly’s baskets for the Feast of Nativity. God bless our ACYF.
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PLEASE HELP OUR CHURCH - THIRD ANNUAL PRIMATE’S APPEAL
HG Bp Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate, launched the third Annual Primate’s Appeal. As in the previous two years, the Appeal is the one and only fundraising campaign that the Primate’s Office does to raise funds desperately needed for the various programmes of our Church in UK and Ireland (click here). Annual pilgrimages, the Armenian Street Festival, Bible Study sessions, the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF), Mission Parish Outreach, Educational Ministry and the publications of this E-Newsletter and the weekly Sunday bulletin are all funded by ACTUK. Please help us continue these and many other programmes by positively responding to our Primate’s appeal. Send your donation payable to: The Armenian Church Trust, to the Primate’s Office, c/o Hye Doon, 25 Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG. Click here for the brochure

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

            ·  READ THE SPEECH OF HRH PRINCE CHARLES during his visit to the Armenian Church last Wednesday, click here. 


            ·  ST YEGHICHE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY: on Sunday, 23 November, 2014 following Badarak. All dues-paying 
members are invited and encouraged to attend. 


            ·  DUBLIN ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY: in Taney Parish Church, Sunday, 23 November, 2014 at noon. 


            ·  BIBLE STUDY: There will be a Bible Study session on Thursday, 27 November. All are welcome. 


            ·  ARMENIAN GIFT SHOP: http://www.armeniangiftshop.org 


            ·  READ AND LISTEN TO Bishop Vahan’s interview on the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales, click here. 


            ·  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