Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland Armenian Church News E-newsletter Latest E-Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 29 31 December 2017

View in browser       Click to view the full PDF of the newsletter   NEWS     NEW YEAR GREETING FROM PRIMATE   "As we approach the joyous and uplifting celebration of welcoming in the New Year, I wholeheartedly wish you and your loved ones a happy 2018! Let us embrace the New Year with renewed hope, faith and love and continue our journey with the Lord who will protect us, encourage us, guide us and help us".   Read the rest in the newsletter     CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR WISHES FROM THE PRIMATE AND ACYO MEMBERS – WATCH ON YOUTUBE       IN ARMENIAN     IN ENGLISH   SPIRITUALITY: Is There a Recommended Way to Celebrate Christmas on December 25 and January 6 in an Armenian Household Today?   If possible, the faithful should fast during the seven-day period preceding January 6 and should inform their children that they are fasting as a way of preparation for Christmas.   Read more   BLESSING OF POMEGRANATES AND HOUSE BLESSING     BLESSING OF POMEGRANATES (ՆՈՒՌՕՐՀՆԷՔ)   The blessing of the pomegranate is a new rite in the Armenian Church. The ceremony is like the tradition of the blessing of the grapes (Խաղողօրհնէք), which symbolises a ritual of blessing for the harvest. The blessing of the pomegranate was introduced in 2015 by a decree of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II to take place on the first day of the new year as a prayer for prosperity and a good start to the year.     HOUSE BLESSING (ՏՆՕՐՀՆԵՔ)   One of the traditions of the Armenian Church is the Home Blessing Service. Priests and bishops visit the homes of the faithful on the occasions of Christmas (Theophany) and Easter (Holy Resurrection) to bring the good news of our Lord's Nativity and Resurrection.   CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SERVICES AND EVENTS   31 December, 11:00 am - Divine Liturgy, St. Sarkis and St. Yeghiche churches Followed by the Blessing of the Pomegranates at St. Yeghiche Church 1 January, 00:30 am - Midnight Thanksgiving Prayer and Blessings of the Pomegranates St. Sarkis Church 1 January, 11:00 am - Divine Liturgy, followed by  Special Thanksgiving Prayer St. Sarkis Church 5 January, 17:30 pm - Candlelight Divine Liturgy St. Sarkis and St. Yeghiche churches 6 January, 11:00 am - Divine Liturgy followed by the blessings of water St. Sarkis, St. Yeghiche churches and Holy Trinity church in Manchester 7 January, 11:00 am - Divine Liturgy on memorial day St. Sarkis and St. Yeghiche churches 7 January, 14:00 – 15:00 pm Blessing of the Graves at Gunnersbury Cemetery Clergy Will be available to conduct individual prayers 7 January, 13:00 pm Episcopal Liturgy in Birmingham mission Parish St Peters R C Church, 208 High St, Walsall WS3 3LA 14 January, 17:00 -19:00 pm - ACT UK AGM evening Navasartian Centre, 223 Northfield Ave, W13 9QU     GO TO OUR ASK THE BISHOP SECTION ON THE WEBSITE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCERNS     Read about these topics in detail, learn about upcoming events and more in our newsletter     Registered office address: Kemp House 152-160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX Correspondence address: The Armenian Vicarage Iverna Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TP   0208 127 8364   primatesoffice@armeniandiocese.org.uk   Website : armeniandiocese.org.uk     This email was sent to tr8seta@gmail.com You received this email because you are registered with the Armenian Diocese of the UK and Ireland to receive our newsletters   Unsubscribe here     © 2016 Armenian Diocese of the UK and Ireland