Armenian Church News. Fundraising Dinner for the Restoration of the Tomb, Church of the Holy Sepulchre

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1 Volume 2, Issue November 2016 Armenian Church News Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland Fundraising Dinner for the Restoration of the Tomb, Church of the Holy Sepulchre In this issue: Fundraising Dinner Reflections of an Armenian Pilgrim to Jerusalem Armenian-Welsh Concert in Cardiff Armenian Culture Day at Saturday School Lecture by Professor Van Lint Ecumenical Conference in Strasbourg On Friday, 11th November, the Ladies Committee of the Primate s Office hosted a fundraising gala dinner to raise funds for the restoration of Our Lord s Tomb, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. The Church houses both the site of Jesus crucifixion (Calvary) and his burial, and it is shared mainly between three denominations; Armenian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic, and to a lesser extent the Egyptian Coptic, Syriac Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches. It is the responsibility of these Gospel of St. Luke 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

2 denominations to ensure the upkeep of the Church. Christ s Tomb is in need of crucial restoration work. The evening included a keynote speech by Dr. Harry Hagopian, plus special guest speakers; Rev. Fr. John Whooley of the Roman Catholic Church, Rev. Canon Anthony Ball of the Church of England, John Aroutounian student at the University of Oxford, Fr. Bared Yeritsian representative of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem, Professor Manuel Hassassian the Palestinian Authority's diplomatic representative to the United Kingdom, and Hyarpi Drmeyan - Consul at the Armenian Embassy in London. Professor Hassassian presented Bishop Hovakim with an Icon of the Virgin and Child from the Holy Land. A wonderful dinner was enjoyed by 140 people, and a short film by Shoghagat TV was screened ( and a film about the evening can be viewed here: To read an article in Armenian about the event, click here: 2

3 The Primate, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, would like to thank the Primate s Office Ladies Committee; Jeanine Gulvanessian - Chair, Karine Gevorgyan - Vice-Chair, Elba Karapetian Treasurer, Janet Daghlian - Vice-Treasurer, Araxie Heghoyan, Vera Harland, Nicole Simonian, Zaza Balian and Anais Heghoyan. He would also like to thank Mariana Asmirian who subtitled the film, and Seda Grigorian who edited it; Aznive Simon and Antranik Manukyan who compiled and designed a special commemorative booklet for the evening, containing reflections by academics and clergy on the subject of Armenian Jerusalem (to read the booklet, click here: Vahagn Gulakyan for photography, Seda Grigorian for videography, Garen Arevian for arranging the audiovisuals, and all who participated in the evening. An Armenian Pilgrim in Jerusalem By John Aroutiounian For all of us there are memories, once seared into our beings, which never depart. For me, one such memory begins on a hot summer day in Jerusalem s Old City, on a winding road opposite King David s Tower a sweltering sea of hijabs, yarmulkes, burqas, and Franciscan habits. Of ultra-orthodox yeshiva students ducking into the Jewish Quarter, a pair of nuns rushing to make Mass, an imam taking a pause to wipe the sweat off his brow, an Israeli soldier gazing out from Jaffa Gate, machine gun in hand. And then, in this concentrated cesspool of devotion, of hate, of love, of distrust, of power, of sin and holiness, coming down the winding road is an Armenian Apostolic vardabed, in black robes, instantly noticeable by virtue of the distinctive head covering and the Armenian cross hanging around his neck. He is walking up through the crowd, and many heads turn to follow his gait. He is rushing from the Armenian Quarter, the ancient home of Armenian religious and pilgrims in the Holy Land, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, our Lord Jesus Christ s tomb, which Armenians co-administer along with, principally, the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Church. It is time for the weekly Armenian procession at the Holy Sepulchre, as it was the week before and every Sunday before that since time immemorial. I see all this and I think, as I frequently do now each time the memory returns: How did the Armenians survive here? The answer, of course, is precisely how they survived everywhere else. But in this place the most hotly contested stretch of land in the world, and the site of the ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection of the son of God this question takes on a metaphysical significance. 3

4 Why has God, through their unspeakable tragedies and loss, continued to favor the Armenian people and Church, particularly at the sites of his only-begotten Son s life journey? A people so small, so scattered, so alone compared with the other mighty forces wrestling for control of this land. It is a question as mysterious, it often seems, as others surrounding God s various choices of the weak man Peter to be his disciple, or of the relatively unimportant Jewish tribe to be the bearers of His covenant in the Old Testament. Perhaps it has something to do with Armenia s unique history as a Christian people, an identity formed by the holy and sacred Armenian language, whose script was created by the fathers of the Church, by Armenian architecture and literature indeed, all the highest forms of Armenian intellectual expression, which found their manifestations through service to God. And, of course, by the Armenian Genocide, the crucifixion and resurrection of an entire people and culture. An excerpt from Isaiah 53 reads, Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. In the Jewish tradition, this image of the Suffering Servant is understood as the nation of Israel. In the Christian, as the figure of Jesus. Both are correct. But it is hard to read Isaiah 53 and to not also see a reflection of the Armenian nation, a Christian people spread around the world to be a light to the nations, and to intercede for the world: to be my salvation to the ends of the Earth. My pilgrimage to 2014, with a devoted group of student from the Armenian Church in America under Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, opened my eyes to the reality that the trials of the world s oldest Christian people give us a special responsibility to stand up for the dignity of man and proclaim God s name to all we encounter. Perhaps this universal mission is why Armenians survive, and why they ve survived in this of all places Jerusalem. My two weeks living in the Armenian Quarter, attending daily prayer and visiting places like Bethlehem, the garden of Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, and so many others convinced me that this is a trip every Armenian should feel obliged to take at least once in life. For Jerusalem is our Holy City in a way no other Christian people can claim because through suffering and martyrdom of a brutality perhaps no other Christian peoples have ever seen, the Armenians are still there in the one and only Jerusalem, described so beautifully in one of the most haunting of hymns, from the Requiem Service of the Armenian Church: Ee vereenun Yerusaghem, ee pnagaranes hreshdagats, oor Yenovk yev Yegheeas gan dzeratsyal aghavnagerb eetrakhdeen. In the supernal Jerusalem, in the dwellings of the angels, where the prophets Enoch and Elijah live old in age like doves. And one last thing if you re blessed to have the privilege to make this pilgrimage, may I suggest that you choose to stay in the Armenian Quarter. The rooms are small and cramped, and there is no full-service hotel breakfast. But your path will more closely resemble the one taken by our ancestors over the centuries, who trekked from Cilicia, Van, and Ani just to see Jerusalem before they died. And you will be helping to ensure the Armenian footprint and bond with supernal Jerusalem a bond virtually as old as the Christian story of Christ emerging from the tomb we are here to help restore tonight, endures forever. 4 (John Aroutiounian gave this talk at the Gala Dinner, and is a student at the University of Oxford)

5 Cardiff Polyphonic and Komitas Choir Concert On Sunday, 6th November, the Primate, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan visited Cardiff to attend the joint concert of the Cardiff Polyphonic and Armenian Komitas Choirs. The event was organised by the London based Tekeyan Trust in cooperation with Armenian community in Cardiff. The day was started with a morning prayer at the Armenian Khachkar of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide in the garden of the Temple of Peace led by the Primate, who was assisted by the Rev. Fr. Torkom Tonoyan from the Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, currently a student in Cardiff. There was a meeting with community members in Cardiff in the afternoon, which was followed by the joint concert of the Cardiff Polyphonic and Armenian Komitas Choirs singing together in Armenian and Welsh at the Church of St. German s. At the end of the concert, the Primate consecrated a replica of the Icon of the Holy Martyrs of the Genocide for the Church in Carmarthen. Rev. Canon Dr. Patrick Thomas participated in the ecumenical prayer and Rev. Fr. Torkom Tonoyan performed the medieval Armenian song "Ի կոյս գերեզմանէն." 5

6 At the end of the service, the Primate thanked Stephen Thomas, former director of the Temple of Peace for supporting the Armenian cause, and Canon Patrick Thomas, author of the books "From Carmarthen to Karabagh" and "Remembering the Armenian Genocide." The icon will remain in his Church where Armenians gather for worship. The Primate also thanked the Tekeyan Trust and Armenian Parish and Community in Cardiff for organizing and hosting the event, and the Komitas and Cardiff Polyphonic Choirs for their wonderful bilingual performances. The Armenian community of Cardiff was able to raise 1000 for the Syrian Appeal selling their handmade goods thanks to the efforts of John Torosyan, Alice, Ani, Mariam and Manoush. This will help a family to travel from Aleppo to Yerevan. To read an article in the Armenian press about the event, click here: charity concertuelsum- 6

7 Community Life Armenian Culture Day at Saturday School On Saturday, 5th November 2016, the Bishop of Armenian Apostolic Church of Great Britain, His Grace Hovakim Manukyan, with Fr. Arsen Saroyan and St. Yeghiche Church s Parish Committee Chairperson Mr. Viken Haladjian, visited the Armenian Language Saturday School to be present at a celebration of Armenian Culture Day. The celebration was organised by two of the ALSS teachers, Mrs. Khatun Khorozyan and Ashkhen Ovagimyan. It was dedicated to two of the Masters of Armenian heritage; Saint Mesrop Mashtots and Hovhaness Tumanian. The pupils performed delightful pieces of Armenian literature related to St. Mesrop Mashtots and recited poems and unique creations of Hovhannes Tumanian which was presented as a beautiful production. Group and solo songs were sung by children as well. 7

8 It was a very tastefully arranged and performed event, which was down to the hard work of the children and all teachers, especially the organizers. The Head Teacher of the School, Mrs. Ramelia Ghazarian in her closing speech praised the teachers, children and parents for their continuous efforts and endeavours. She emphasised that organizing events like this will give the children the knowledge they need to have to be deeply rooted in their culture and have an understanding of who they are. She then invited Father Arsen Saroyan to convey his blessings and message to the school. Father Arsen blessed the children and the school and wished them every success in educating Armenian children, saying that the church and school together are the pillars of our strength as a nation and it should be valued to its core. He then gave each teacher a magnificent book (St. Grigor Narekatsi - Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart) as a token of appreciation and blessed each and every one of them, as they received their gift. The event had a very positive and joyful impact on all parents and participants. At the end, group photos were taken with His Grace Bishop Hovakim, Fr. Arsen and Mr. Viken Haladjian. 8

9 Community Life Lecture by Professor Theo Van Lint On the evening of Sunday, 6th November, AYF London and Hamazkayin UK held a collaborative event titled "Saving Armenia: its Church, its Culture", featuring Professor Theo Van Lint, the Calouste Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian Studies at the University of Oxford. The lecture covered the life and work of nobleman Grigor Pahlavuni, also known as Grigor Magistros, a central figure in eleventh century Armenian secular and church politics, literature, science, education and patronage of architecture and the arts. The informative presentation was an insightful introduction to an area of our history perhaps less explored, and successfully drew attention to the wealth of Armenian history, much of which is unfamiliar to many of us. Prof. Van Lint's talk was followed by an intriguing question and answer session, and a drinks and canapés reception, giving attendees the opportunity to discuss the topic and approach the Professor with any additional queries. We look forward to discovering more about the history of our nation and our ancestors in the future. At the end of the lecture, Fr. Arsen Saroyan gave a speech and the blessed the participants on behalf of the Primate, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan. 9

10 Ecumenical News Conference: The Role of Education in the Prevention of Extremism On 9-10th November, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, with the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, attended a conference in Strasbourg on the role of education in the prevention of radicalisation leading to terrorism and violent extremism. It was hosted by the Council of Europe as part of the 2016 Exchange on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue. There he spoke about the activities of the Armenian Church and its role in Christian education. Spirituality Biblical Reading for this Sunday: Gospel of Luke 11: 1-13 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. And he said to them, When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him, and he will answer from within, Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! 10

11 The Armenian Church starts advent on November 21st. In the Armenian tradition, it is called Hisnagan (Հիսնական). The lectionary of the Church offers us passages where Jesus taught how to pray and what to say in our prayers. The passage is starting with the Lord s prayer, which you also find in the Gospel of Mathew 9: th century Armenian Church father St. Stepanos of Sunik commenting on the passage says First of all he taught us how to pray and now he gives us the words of prayer. And when he says do not babble as the pagans do (Mt 6:7), he forbids us to pray for worldly concerns and teaches us the prayer which is heavenly and spiritual. Seen with Christian with Trinitarian perspective the Lord s Prayer becomes an invitation to share in the divine life itself. It becomes one of the high roads into the central mystery of Christian salvation and Christian existence: that the baptized and believing Christian is incorporated into the inner life of the triune God and intended not just to believe that this is the case, but actually to experience it. As we start our advent journey it is a time once again to reflect on this passage and start to live 50 days of spirituality at least saying the Lord s prayer once a day in the evenings before going to bed. A Message from the Primate s Office: It was a joyous experience for all of us to be involved with ASF We thank you all volunteers and donors who help us to implement it and carry out our mission and activities. This includes our daily routine work in the office, producing the weekly e-newsletter, maintaining the website, preparing audio and video materials, doing charity work, fostering ecumenical relations and implementing other projects such as mission parish outreach programmes, pilgrimages and day trips organised by Primate s Office Ladies Committee, workshops, and youth ministry, all for the benefit of the UK Armenian community. These projects would not be possible without your kind donations. Your donations are highly appreciated and greatly essential to continue our mission. For more details, please, see the ACT UK website or visit our website armeniandiocese.org.uk. For specific questions please contact the Primates Office at: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk Armenian Church Trust UK Account Sort Code Please remember us in your wills. Thank you. 11

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16 ACYO London Branch introduces their new "Welcome to our New-Borns" Project If you have a new born or know someone who has just had a baby in the community please write to primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk and let us know, we would love to send a gift to them. Kindly send us your baby's full name and your home address. For more information about ACYO London, to donate or to help us with any of our projects please contact us on: primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk Facebook - ACYF London Telephone:

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18 Upcoming Events DIOCESAN PROGRAMMES Forthcoming Events in November, December 2016 and January 2017 Bible Studies Every Thursday at 7pm, in St. Sarkis Church Gulbenkian Hall led by the Primate and the clergy of the Diocese Next dates: November 24 th, December 1 st, 8 th Bible Studies are an important part of the church s ministry as they provide opportunities for the faithful and those who are interested and curious to have a deeper understanding of Christianity and to ask questions about their faith, beliefs and concerns. During Bible studies we make observations (what do passages in the Bible say?), provide interpretation (what do they mean?) and ask how applicable these passages are to our lives today. Open to everyone. Every first Thursday of each month, there will be a lecture series regarding ethical matters and the Armenian Church such as baptism, marriage, mixed-marriages, cremation, the differences between churches, etc. Advent 2016 As we approach Advent, the Armenian Church and all Christian churches prepare to celebrate the mystery of the incarnation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We will enter a period of spiritual contemplation and reflection, and for this reason His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan has invited guest clergy to preach about their Advent experience Deacons Training Programme Every Saturday evening in St. Sarkis Church, starting in January 2017 Dublin Parish Divine Liturgy in Dublin Sunday, 4 th December Lectures by Dr. Tom Samuelian 23 rd and 25 th November, Gulbenkian Hall, 7:30pm Dr. Samuelian, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at the American University of Armenia will be delivering two lectures, entitled: Wednesday, 23 rd November: "Narek: Doctor of the Universal Church" - a talk about the significance of the Pope's designation for Christianity and for the Armenian Church and people. Friday, 25 th November: "The Global Threat of Impunity for Genocide" - a talk about why impunity for the Armenian and other genocides poses a real and present danger to humanity. Consecration of the Icon of the Holy Martyrs in Oxford Saturday, 26 th November, Pembroke College, Oxford Bishop Hovakim will visit Oxford and celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the students, and also consecrate the Icon, a gift to the Chapel at Pembroke College. Oxford is one of our Diocese s Mission Parishes and the Divine Liturgy has been celebrated there in the Chapel at Pembroke College. The University of Oxford has an Armenian Students Society and an Armenian Choir more details can be found at: Prayer Service (Հրաշափառ) and Reception In honour of His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church Sunday, 27 th November 2016 in St. Sarkis Church at 5:00pm Hrashapar: 5:00-5:15 pm 18

19 Reception ends: 6:00 pm Divine Liturgy with guest preacher, His Grace Archbishop Kevin McDonald Sunday, 11 th December in St. Sarkis Church at 11:00am (Archbishop McDonald was born in Stoke on Trent on 18th of August His first degree was from the University of Birmingham after which he went to the English College in Rome and was ordained priest on 20th of July He has a Licentiate from the Gregorian University and a Doctorate from the Angelicum University in Rome. He also has an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the University of Birmingham. He has been Parish Priest in Sparkhill in Birmingham and worked for eight years at the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity in Rome. He also taught at Oscott College in Birmingham, including three years as Rector. He was appointed Bishop of Northampton in 2001 and Archbishop of Southwark in 2003, a post from which he resigned for health reasons in Archbishop McDonald continues to be active and has responsibility for Catholic-Jewish relations and Interreligious Relations within the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. He is a Consultor to the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and is also involved ecumenically, particularly with the Ancient Oriental Churches. He is Grand Prior of the England and Wales Lieutenancy of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, an Order which supports Catholics in the Holy Land. He is also the liaison Bishop for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England and Wales. Archbishop McDonald lives in London.) Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYO) European and American Youth Meeting Wednesday 14 th - Thursday, 15 th December, St. Yeghiche Church Hall (upstairs) For more information, visit Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYO) CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE Tuesday, 20 th December at 6:45pm in St. Yeghiche Church Blessing of Pomegranates Saturday, 31 st December in St. Sarkis Church at midnight Armenian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Panel Discussion Wednesday, 11 th January 2017 in the Gulbenkian Hall at 7:30pm With Dr. Harry Hagopian, Fr. John Whooley and Bishop Hovakim Manukyan More information to follow Cardiff Parish Divine Liturgy in Cardiff Sunday, 15th January 2017 in Christ Church (Eglwys Crist), 4, Penllwyn Park, Carmarthen SA31 3BU at 1:00pm We are delighted to confirm that Bishop Hovakim Manukyan together with Canon Patrick will hold a special service beginning at 1:00pm. This will be followed by a presentation of two special items by the South Wales Armenian Community to Christ Church Carmarthen. Pilgrimage to Holy Land March/April 2017 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 organisations 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. Prayer Intentions for November: That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving. That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope. 19

20 Worship Services in the Armenian Churches Services are held in the Armenian Churches in London every Sunday starting at 11:00 am. In Manchester, there is a service on the 1 st Sunday of the month. For further details, please contact the parish nearest to you: Holy Trinity Armenian Church 229 Upper Brook Street Manchester, M13 0FY Tel: st SUNDAY OF THE MONTH St. Sarkis Church Iverna Gardens Kensington, London, W8 6TP Tel: St. Yeghiche Cathedral 13b Cranley Gardens Kensington, London SW7 3BB Tel: Other Parishes of our Diocese: Cardiff - Tel: , john@jagproperties.co.uk Dublin - Tel: Birmingham Tel: St John s Church, Stratford Road, Birmingham, B11 4EA Oxford - Tel: armenian.society@studentsclub.ox.ac.uk Editorial Committee: His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate Aznive Simon Garen Arevian 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 c/o The Armenian Vicarage Iverna Gardens London, W8 6TP or primatesoffice@armenianchurch.co.uk 20