Armenian Church News

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1 Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland Volume 1, Issue October 2015 Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate Diocesan Office Tel armenianchurch.co.uk The Feast of the Holy Translators During the solemn Divine Liturgy in on Sunday, 11 th October, the Armenian Church celebrated the Feast of the Holy Translators. His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan presided over the service at St. Yeghiche Church. The Holy Translators are the Church Fathers who translated the Holy Bible and created the foundation of Armenian national literature. Among them was the 5 th century historian and theologian St. Yeghiche, the patron saint of St. Yeghiche Church in London. At is custom, after major feasts of the Church, the following day was a memorial day in all Armenian Churches, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and especially, here in London. A requiem service was held for the souls Yeghiche and Siranush Manoukian, the parents of the benefactor of the Armenian Church, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian, and for the departed members of the Manoukian family. The Very Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan, a guest clergyman from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, was the celebrant, who was in the UK to participate in theological dialogue between the Anglican and Oriental Orthodox Churches. The Primate, Bishop Hovakim explained the meaning of the day and expressed his sympathies to the Manoukian family, who were in attendance. The V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan delivered the sermon, highlighting the spiritual meaning of the feast.

2 Page 2 Armenian Church Youth Fellowship News On the evening of the 14 th October 2015 the ACYF London Chapter hosted a "meet and greet the new Primate" event at the Vicarage in Iverna Gardens, Kensington. Present were His Grace Bishop Hovakim, Father Shnork, Father Movses, the newly elected ACYF London Chapter committee and their guests. There were over 25 guests who enjoyed dinner and a successful fellowship. With the Primate's blessing the new Chairman Anais Heghoyan welcomed the guests and thanked Alex Adamov for all his hard work and achievements during his leadership of the ACYF London Chapter, and previous leaders Stephen Yeghiazarian and Hovik Hovhannisyan who kindly continue to remain advisors to the new committee. The committee would like to thank all those who attended their event and look forward to hosting future events including their very popular annual Christmas Carols concert that will be held in December (date to be confirmed) where all are welcome. At the end of the meeting His Grace blessed those present, appreciated the work of organizers and encouraged the youth to work harder to integrate more Armenian youth into their work. Please visit our Facebook pages: ACYF London and ACYF Armenian Church Youth fellowship or us on: acyf@armenianchurch.co.uk

3 Page 3 ECUMENICAL NEWS Anglican and Eastern Churches Association Honour Genocide Centennial The Primate, along with the Clergy and Deacons of the Diocese, attended the annual reception organised by the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association on the evening of 12 th October. More than 30 Archbishops, Bishops and Clergy from the Anglican, Eastern and Oriental Churches were present. His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan addressed those present and spoke about the Centennial Commemorations of the Armenian Genocide that have taken place in Armenia and the Diaspora. In particular, His Grace said During 2015, we have had a range of events dedicated to Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, and the final event will take place at Westminster Abbey celebrating the lives of the newly-sainted martyrs of This year began with a Divine Liturgy celebrated in St Peter's Basilica in Rome. In this service, his Holiness Pope Frances, Bishop of Rome and Supreme Head of the Catholic Church celebrated a special mass for Armenians and condemned thoroughly the injustices committed against the Armenian people, proclaiming it as the first genocide of the twentieth century. On 23 rd April, a ceremony took place at the Mother see of Holy Etchmiadzin, which was canonized of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians said Today the holy martyrs of the Armenian genocide, abiding in the radiant mansions of heaven, adorned with the crowns of martyrdom, have become the patron saints of justice, love, and peace, through whose intercession on high, God's mercy and grace pour forth wherever justice is shaken, wherever tranquillity is disturbed, wherever security is violated, wherever human rights are trampled, wherever social welfare is threatened, wherever faith and identity are fanaticised. The Armenian people were not the only ones who were persecuted, killed and forcefully deported from their historical homeland by Ottoman Turks. We remember the victims of Syriac Sayefo (Genocide) and the Genocide of the Greeks of Pontus. We know that at the beginning of the 20 th century Great Britain along with his allies condemned these massacres as crimes against humanity. In conclusion, the Primate said that as Christians we have to unite our efforts not only for the recognition and reparation of the Armenian Genocide but also by making commitments against any future crimes against humanity. The Bishop also thanked the representatives of the Churches present there for their participation in the events. Afterwards, His Grace Bishop Angelos from the Coptic Orthodox Church gave a presentation on the situation of the Christians in the Middle East.

4 Page 4 Primate visits St. Mellitus College Upon the invitation of The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Dr Richard Chartres the Primate visited St. Mellitus College of the Anglican Church, Diocese of London where he got acquainted with the Right Revd Dr. Graham Tomlin on 12 th October. The Primate and those accompanying him were shown around the theological college and introduced to the programmes related to the lay and youth ministries, and exchanged ideas for further co-operation. Primate visits House of Lords His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan visited the House of Lords for a lunch, hosted by The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Dr Richard Chartres, on 15 th October. Canon Robin Ward, Baroness Flather and Ailsa Plain (FCO) joined the bishops for lunch. There was friendly and warm discussion to strengthen bi-lateral relations on various levels. Primate visits Syrian Orthodox Church in London On 13 th October, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan along with Deacon Hovik Hovhannisyan visited the Syrian Orthodox Church in Acton where they were welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Athanasius Touma. The same day His Eminence hosted a lunch for the representatives of different Eastern and Anglican churches. The new Bishop of Kensington the Right Revd Dr. Graham Tomlin was also present at the reception. Amongst the many topics discussed during the reception, much attention was paid to the situation of Christians the Middle East, and ways in which our Churches can help them.

5 Page 5 Meeting of the Representatives of the Anglican-Oriental Orthodox Churches - 4th Session of the Commission on Theological Dialogue The Anglican-Oriental Orthodox International Commission held its fourth meeting from the 5-10th October 2015 at Gladstone s Library, Hawarden, Wales. This fourth session (the first was held in 2002 at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin) was devoted to understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in the Anglican and Oriental Orthodox traditions. A formal document on the subject will be published and released in the near future. The Commission discussed the present situation of Christians in the Middle East and heard reports on the difficulties facing Churches, particularly in Syria and Iraq. There was a consideration of the most practical ways in which the Anglican Communion in its various countries could respond effectively to the refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe. The Commission also marked the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide. The connection between W.E. Gladstone, former Prime Minister, and the Armenians whom he defended during their sufferings in the 1890s, was commemorated in St Deiniol s Church, Hawarden. The Revd Dr. Patrick Thomas gave a presentation on his book, Remembering the Armenian Genocide 1915, which was appreciated by the Commission. The fifth meeting of the Commission will take place in Antelias, Lebanon, from the 24th to 29th October 2016, hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Commission thanked the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for the mutual understanding and friendship that was experienced and shared, and looks forward to continuing its work. The Armenian Apostolic Church participated in the 4th session of the Anglican-Oriental Orthodox Committee. Attending were His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America (Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin); His Eminence Archbishop Nareg Alemezian (Great House of Cilicia); Very Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan, Director of the Ecumenical Relations Department (Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin); Very Rev. Fr. Housig Mardirossian, Director of Ecumenical Relations Office (Great House of Cilicia).

6 Page 6 SPIRITUAL REFLECTION Canonisation of the Genocide Victims: What is the meaning of their sainthood? By Dr Hratch Tchilingirian On the 75th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, in a joint Communiqué issued on April 29, 1989 for the occasion, Their Holiness Vazken I Catholicos of All Armenians and Karekin II Catholicos of Cilicia "propose[d] that the preparatory activities continue for the canonisation of [the Genocide] victims." Indeed, the idea of religious commemoration of the Genocide victims goes back to the early years of the First Republic of Armenia ( ), when the Armenian Government at the time formally applied to Catholicos Gevorg V to include the martyrs in the liturgical calendar of the Armenian Church. In November 2014, the Synod of Bishops, headed by the two Catholicoi of the Armenian Church, announced that the martyrs of the Genocide will be formally declared saints on 23 April The solemn ceremony took place in Holy Etchmiadzin on the centenary of the Genocide, where the newest saints of the Armenian Church were announced and venerated. Canonisation is the final stage of declaration of sainthood the last one in the Armenian Church was done some five hundred years ago whereby a person or a group of persons are considered to share the holiness of God and their lives bear witness to the authenticity and truth of the Christian gospel. Saints are believed to have joined God in an endless sharing of a divine life beyond all corruption and have found the true life with God. As such, with their exemplary lives, the saints are an integral part of Christianity since ancient times and have a significant place in the doctrinal, liturgical and pietistic traditions of the "One, Universal, Apostolic, Holy Church". In the last three decades, the discussions of the canonisation of the Armenian Genocide victims were confined to various committees and a narrow circle of clergymen. The deep theological meaning of sainthood and its relevance to faith and piety have hardly been explained to the ordinary Armenian faithful. The saints are canonized primarily for the faithful. Declaring the Genocide martyrs as saints is not rewarding them the "medal of honour," but to provide role models to emulate and to continue the evangelistic and spiritual mission of the Armenian Church in Armenia and the Diaspora. Were the victims of the Genocide canonized by the Church for its "symbolic value" on the 100th anniversary of the Genocide or will the declaration of these new saints provide a unique opportunity to renew and revitalize the Armenian Apostolic Church in the 21st century? This is an important question that needs serious discernment. >>

7 Page 7 Theological and Political issues Theologically, now that the victims of the Genocide have been canonized, the Armenian Church is under a dogmatic imperative, that is, they are no longer victims, but victors of Christ. Now that the victims of the Genocide are canonized, we can no longer hold Hokehankists (requiem services) to mourn their death, to which we have accustomed ourselves. Instead, we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy invoking their names, asking for their intercession and celebrate their victory over death, in and through Christ. The mournful, dark atmosphere of commemorations of the Genocide will have to be changed into a "festive" atmosphere. The victims are no longer victims, but saints who live in the glory of God, that is, those who have joined God in an endless sharing of a divine life beyond all corruption and have found the true life with God. Hence, the question is whether Armenians are willing to see themselves as witness to the Death and Resurrection of Christ for whom hundreds of thousands of Armenians gave their lives rather than perpetually identify themselves as the victim. Politically, ever since the 50th anniversary of the Genocide, Armenians have been collectively demanding justice for the 1.5 million victims of the Genocide from Turkey in particular and the world in general. While canonising the victims de facto resolves the problem of justice for their lives, the political demand for justice on behalf of saints of the church remain a problematic issue. Furthermore, the territorial question with Turkey might also be complicated. As it is customary with saints, does it mean that the places where Armenians were martyred would be considered shrines or Armenian "holy lands? Still, there are many indirect political implications which need to be carefully examined. The recent canonisation of the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide should not be viewed as an event that added "glitter" to the observance of the 100th anniversary of the Genocide. Even as Turkey and many countries

8 Page 8 around the world continue to deny the fact of the Genocide, canonisation should not be viewed as a response to denial and, in our frustration, as a gesture of bestowing the ultimate honour to our victims by declaring them saints. We would do injustice to the victims without recognising their martyrdom for Christ and its impact on our lives individually and on our nation collectively. The saints in the church are like celebrities today in the secular world figures of admiration and models to emulate. Armenian Christians are called to discern the saints virtues and follow their example in obtaining the "heavenly crown of glory". Canonising the martyrs of the Genocide is to perpetuate their witness to Christ through the Armenian Church s mission and evangelism in this world. (Upon the Primate s request, Dr Hratch Tchilingirian has extensively revised this article, which was originally published in Window view of the Armenian Church, Vol. I, No. 3, January 1990; see The Armenian Church Trust, UK (ACT UK) Meeting of the Donors and Executive Committee on 14 th November The first meeting of ACT UK under the new Primate Bishop Hovakim Manukyan is to be held on the evening of 14 th November at Armenian House in Kensington. We would like to invite donors who have supported ACT UK in the past and those wishing to support ACT UK in the future. We would also like to invite those who have the motivation, time and ability to help ACT UK in a diverse range of fundraising activities and to help in the administration of the Trust. This is to support and help the Armenian Church throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. If you ever wondered what the Armenian Church Trust does, your chance to find out all the details is on 14th November.

9 Page 9 Dear friends, AGBU London Branch is pleased to present Together for Armenia concert dedicated to the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide and the 24 th Anniversary of Armenia s Independence. This concert will be the biggest concert of the AGBU London Chamber Orchestra to date and will introduce five international Armenian soloists: Nairi Azezian - Flute (Finland), Sylvie Zakarian - Marimba (USA), Anais Heghoyan Mezzo (UK), Ani Batikian Violin (Armenia) and Sarkis Zakarian Piano (Bulgaria). The orchestra, whose Patron is the renowned violinist Levon Chilingirian OBE and is itself formed by Armenian and non-armenian professional musicians currently residing in UK, will perform under the baton of conductor Gustavo Ubeda. The programme will comprise pieces by Armenian composers Komitas, Ganatchian, Alan Hovhaness and Kristina Arakelyan, American composer Pasquale Tassone, a specially commissioned work by British composer Roland Roberts and concluding with Beethoven s Emperor Piano Concerto. The concert will be held on Saturday 7 th November at in St. John s Smith Square, London. Tickets are available on-line and at the box office at St. John's Smith Square ( 20, 15, 10). Please follow the link below for online tickets Saturday, 7 November, :30 AGBU London Chamber Orchestra Together for Armenia We hope you will be able to support this memorable event. It promises to be a fitting musical tribute to Armenia as a heroic nation remembering its victims and celebrating its future, while bringing all Armenians together.

10 Page 10 Upcoming Events 18 th October: the Primate will visit the parish in Dublin and celebrate the Divine Liturgy. 28 th October: there will be an Ecumenical Prayer Service celebrating of the lives of the newly-sainted Armenian Martyrs of 1915, Westminster Abbey, at 7:00 pm. 7 th November: the Primate will celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the Armenian Community in Cardiff. Prayer intentions: September and October We pray and ask you to remember in your prayers our brethren and sisters in the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Iraq. We ask the mercy of God for those suffering because of wars and for those who have become refugees. Please, also remember in your prayers that peace and stability may prevail on the borders of Armenia and Kharabakh. Editorial: The main objective of the diocesan e-newsletter is to serve and reach out to Armenians throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. The community members and organizations are welcome to send their announcements for the e-newsletter, including information not only about public events but also about important family events such as christening, matrimony or passing away.

11 Worship Services in the Armenian Churches Services are held in the Armenian Churches every Sunday starting at 11:00 am. For further details, please contact the parish nearest to you: Holy Trinity Armenian Church 229 Upper Brook Street Manchester, M13 0FY Tel: St. Sarkis Church Iverna Gardens Kensington, London, W8 6TP Tel: St. Yeghiche Cathedral 13b Cranley Gardens Kensington, London SW7 3BB Tel: Parishes of our Diocese: Cardiff - Tel: , john@jagproperties.co.uk Dublin - Tel: Mission Parish of Birmingham Tel: St John s Church, Stratford Road, Birmingham, B11 4EA Oxford Campus Ministry: Oxford - Tel: armenian.society@studentsclub.ox.ac.uk Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate Diocesan Office Tel primatesoffice@ armenianchurch.co.uk We invite those who have questions or wish to gain deeper understanding of the faith, moral discernment, teachings and traditions of the Armenian Church to contact the Office of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in United Kingdom and Ireland: The Primate s Office The Armenian Vicarage Iverna Gardens London, W8 6TP or primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk PLEASE NOTE OUR CHANGE OF POSTAL ADDRESS