Volume 1, Issue 12 Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland 30 October 2015
Armenian Church News
Service at Westminster Abbey to Celebrate the Lives of the Newly-Sainted Martyrs of 1915
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the
service at Westminster Abbey on th 28 October, 2015 celebrating the lives of the Armenian Martyrs of In this issue: 1915. Historic Ecumenical Service at Westminster Abbey The event was attended by His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan, the A Voice from the Choir Chartres, Bishop of London, blessed President of the Republic of those present and delivered their Meeting with the Archbishop Armenia and H.R.H. the Prince of messages to the faithful. of Canterbury Wales. The ecumenical
The Feast of the Discovery celebration was initiated and During the service His Eminence of the Holy Cross organized by the Armenian Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Ambassador, His Excellency Dr. New Publication and Book Director of the External Relations Armen Sarkissian. Reading in Cardiff and Protocol Department of Mother
See, His Grace Bishop Hovakim His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Manukyan, Primate of the Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenian Church in the United Armenians, along with The Rt. Kingdom and Ireland, Rev. Fr. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Dr. Richard Garegin Hambarzumyan, Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Diocese of the Armenian Seminary, Rev. Fr. Movses Sargsyan, Church of the United Kingdom and the Republic visiting pastor at St. Yeghiche of Ireland Church and Rev. Fr. Shnork
His Grace Bishop Hovakim Baghdassarian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Manukyan, Primate Church were part of the entourage of His Holiness. Diocesan Office Tel. 0208 127 8364 primatesoffice@ armenianchurch.co.uk The solemn celebration was also
attended by Primates and Armenian Church News Page 2
representatives of sister Oriental and His Excellency Dr Armen Eastern Orthodox Churches and the Sarkissian, Ambassador of the Roman Catholic Church. Amongst Republic of Armenia to the Court those attending were His Eminence of St. James’s, former Prime Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Minister of Armenia (1996-1997) Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster, grandson of survivors from His Eminence Archbishop Elisey of Erzerum and Alashkert; and the Sourozh of the Russian Orthodox Reverend Professor Vernon Church and His Grace Bishop White, Canon in Residence. Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the Along with the Anglican clergy, United Kingdom. the deacons of the Armenian Church, Stepan Ovanessoff and There were more than 2,300 faithful Hovik Hovhannisyan chanted of the Armenian Church from the psalms in Armenian United Kingdom and Ireland, (Սաղմոսասաց). Deacons Sarkis Armenia and other Diaspora Kalaydjian and Deacon Arman communities present at the historic Harutiunian incensed the solemn service. procession (Բուրավառակիր).
The Dean of Westminster, the Very The service was sung by the St. Reverend Dr. John Hall started the Yeghiche Armenian Church service with his words of bidding. Choir, directed by Aris Nadirian. The Reverend Professor Vernon Music during the service was White, Canon in Residence, read accompanied by Arthur Hebrews 4:14-16 and His Grace Bobikyan, Organist. At the Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate beginning of procession soloist of the Armenian Church in the Anais Hegoyan sung “Deep United Kingdom and Ireland, read St. Mystery” (Խորհուրդ Խորին), Mark 10:35-45. the song from Armenian Divine Liturgy, often sung during the During the service prayers were led Patriarchal Liturgies. The choir by the Reverend Christopher Stoltz, sung the Armenian hymns Minor Canon and Precentor of “Wondrous and Ever-Provident Westminster, and read by Asadour God” (Հրաշափառ Աստուած), Guzelian, son of survivors from “Astonished and Appalled” Cilicia and himself born in Cilicia; (Հրաշացան պակուցմամբ) from Baroness Cox; Shakeh Major the Rite of Canon of the Holy Tchilingirian, mother of a great- Martyrs of the Armenian grandchild of survivors from Cilicia; Genocide and “Hear the Voice Ellen Adamian, great-granddaughter that Pours from Every Armenian’s of survivors from Moush and Sassoun; Heart, O God” (Ամեն Հայի Page 3 Armenian Church News
սրտից բխած), the Anthem of the .jsp?sid=3&nid=3013&y=2015&m=9&d Catholicos of All Armenians. =290
“The ecumenical The ecumenical prayer symbolized the The address of the Right Reverend and prayer symbolized the victory of life, righteousness and Right Honourable Dr. Richard fraternity over death, injustice and Chartres KCVO, Bishop of London can victory of life, enmity. It was a unique event to give be found at: righteousness and tribute and to respect the memories of http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/10/2 fraternity over death, those - especially our Anglican sisters 9/service-at-westminster-abbey- injustice and enmity” and brothers - who helped Armenian remembers-the-lives-of-armenian- refugees giving them shelter in their martyrs-of-1915-photos/ churches in the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century during the aftermath of WWI.
The message of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians can be found on the website of the Armenian Church: http://www.armenianchurch.org/index
Armenian Sacred Music at Westminster Abbey A Voice from the Choir
Anais Heghoyan (mezzo-soprano), sang the Armenian Hymn ‘’Deep Mystery’’ during the precession of the Catholicos of All Armenians at Westminster Abbey. She shares her impressions of this special service with us. She is also the Chair of the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship, London Chapter.
It was a great honour to sing and be part of the musical representation for the Ecumenical Service dedicated to the centenary of the Armenian Genocide and the Celebration of the Lives of the Newly- Sainted Armenian Martyrs of 1915. The presence of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, His Excellency PagePage 44 ArmenianArmenian ChurchChurch NewsNews
Serzh Sargsyan - President of the Republic of Armenia, The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dr. Richard Chartres KCVO - Bishop of London, His Excellency Dr. Armen Sarkissian, His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian, The Very Reverend Dr. John Hall – The Dean of Westminster, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan - Primate of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland - amongst many other dignitaries and clergy - transformed this highly meaningful service in to an historic event that will not be forgotten by the 2,300 strong congregation who were present. “Komitas’s masterpiece “Khorhourt Komitas’s masterpiece “Khorhourt Khorin” was played on the Harrison Khorin” was played on and Harrison organ (that was installed for the Coronation of King George the organ that was VI in 1937) by pianist and composer Artur Bobikyan. Aris Nadirian, St.
installed for the Yeghiche’s Choir Master and I sang two solo verses as His Holiness Coronation of King approached with his cortege up the aisle. George VI” In his address the Bishop of London mentioned that the architects of the Abbey consulted the engineers of King Leon II of Armenia during its construction. The acoustics of the Abbey enhanced the hauntingly beautiful tones of the Sacred Armenian music.
H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, His Holiness Karekin II and The Very Reverend Dr. John Hall – The Dean of Westminster were each extremely
complimentary towards Aris Nadirian, Artur Bobikyan and myself. The choir and I felt extremely proud to have sung at this special service and to
have represented the voices, musically, of the 1.5 million Holy Martyrs who were massacred during the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
Page 5 Armenian Church News
Ecumenical Meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury
On 26th October, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, along with Mr. Haig Didizian, had a private audience with the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury. During the fraternal meeting, The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dr. Richard Chartres KCVO, Bishop of London and The Right Reverend Nigel Stock, Bishop of Lambeth, were also present.
His Grace conveyed to the Archbishop the fraternal greetings of His Holiness Karekin II and informed about the visit of His Holiness to London. The Archbishop reciprocated the greetings and conveyed His best wishes to His Holiness. In the course of the friendly discussion, Mr. Haig Didizian spoke
about the legacy of Karekin I of blessed memory and the recently inaugurated Karekin I Theological Centre in Holy Etchmiadzin for the higher education of the clergy. They also spoke about the good bilateral relations that exist between the Armenian and Anglican Churches and about the blessing of the Holy Muron. The Bishop of London mentioned to the Archbishop that Mr. Didizian was the Godfather of the ceremony which took place on 27th September this year at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin under the auspices of H.H. Karekin II, H.E. the President of the Republic of Armenia, the members of his government and the hierarchy of the Armenian Church as well as the representatives of all sister churches from all over the world, including the representatives of the Anglican Church. The participants also spoke of the importance of organizing mutual visits between the heads of the two Churches.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Didizian presented the Archbishop of Canterbury with the book entitled "100 1915-2015" by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian for the Archbishop’s private collection.
Page 6 Armenian Church News
Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
On Sunday 25th October, the Feast Day of the Discovery of the Holy Cross, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Sarkis Church and explained the meaning and importance of the Holy Cross in every Christian’s life. He said “When we see the cross we should remember the one who was crucified for our redemption.” He spoke about Christian life as an imitation of the life of Jesus Christ. He also urged the faithful to participate in church singing more actively and bring their
children to the church.
Page 7 Armenian Church News
In the Shadow of the Sultan An Historical Coming of Age Novel This is the story of a boy in his early teens, who leaves his home and journeys 200 miles to his grandmother’s town. He makes the 21 day journey in the company of his beloved dog (Kaylo) and a mule (Vartoug). The story is set in the late summer of 1896, during the height of the Hamidiyan Massacres in Asia Minor. These were a prelude to the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and the story shows that the seeds of Genocide were sown long before then. The story is written in the hope that it will be read by teenagers, young adults and those who have little or no familiarity with Armenian history of the period.
The narrator grows from a happy, pampered boy into a mature youngster who can make hard decisions for himself. It is a coming of age story, and a story about “The story is set in the irredeemable loss. His old life ends, and he is pushed by events into taking a certain late summer of 1896, path in his life. Circumstances shape our destiny. This is an adventure story of during the height of the survival and self-discovery. Hamidiyan Massacres in Asia Minor” Anyone reading this book should be able to visualise themselves as the boy, even though the events take place more than a hundred years ago. The narrator is the embodiment of what it means to be a Western Armenian: forever cast out of his homeland. The point is not laboured, after all it is the same for all displaced persons; the boy’s story could be happening right now in parts of the Near/Middle East.
The politics have been kept to a minimum as a young teenager probably would not have been discussing it in detail. Hopefully, the story will provide an insight into the way of life for Armenians at the time. Details of distances, phases of the moon, days of the week etc. bring the story to life. Foreign words have been footnoted and a glossary provided, as well as a list of personal names and their meanings. There are also short historical notes to guide the reader.
The book has been written as a continuous narrative, without chapter headings. However it clearly falls into two parts: before and after the event that changed the boy’s life.
The maturing of the boy is shown through his actions when he meets various people on his journey; kind people, bad people, helpless people. An elderly adventurer called Baron Garabed, who helps him early in his journey, provides some more background to the story.
The psychological implications of violence - graphically described in the narrative - often results in trauma. This, in certain types of behaviour, is hinted at in the text: a coldness, false bravery, survivor's guilt, haunting and recurring nightmares.
Page 8 Armenian Church News
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: R. P. Sevadjian is a third generation Diasporan Armenian, whose family left Asia Minor in the 1800s and were scattered across the world, with no members remaining in their ancestral homelands. Born and raised in Africa, she now lives in the UK.
For further information, please write to [email protected]
DISTRIBUTOR: Moufflon Bookshop 38 Sofouli Street 1096 Nicosia, Cyprus Tel. 22 665 155 www.moufflon.com.cy [email protected]
AND AVAILABLE FROM: amazon.co.uk & amazon.com
Page 9 PagePage 9 8 ArmenianArmenian ChurchChurch NewsNews
Dear friends,
AGBU London Branch is pleased to present “Together for Armenia” concert dedicated to the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide and the 24th 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 7th November at 19.30 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, 2015 - 19:30
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.
Page 10 Armenian Church News
London Armenian Opera “Davit Bek”
London Armenian Opera will be Performing Armen Tigranian's Opera "Davit Bek" on the 18th and 19th of December 2015 at 7.30pm at the Benjamin Britten Theatre at the Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BS.
Ticket prices: £35, £25, £15 Concessions (under 16 & disabled) = 20% (Not suitable for children below 8 years of age)
To book tickets please contact: 01923 773 277 or 07867 672 787 Or email:[email protected] Cheques made payable to London Armenian Opera to: 10 Beacon Way, Rickmansworth, WD3 7PG www.londonarmenianopera.com
Page 11 Armenian Church News
Upcoming Events
DIOCESAN PROGRAMMES Forthcoming Events in November and December
Bible Studies Every Thursday, at St. Sarkis Church Gulbenkian Hall led by the Primate and the clergy of the Diocese. 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.
Forthcoming dates: November: 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th December: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
Deacons’ Training Deacons’ training takes place every Sunday at 5:00pm in the Vicarage, St. Sarkis Church. In November and December rehearsals are taking place for special hymns of the Midday Prayer - Ճաշու շարական, which are sung during the Divine Liturgy. For more details please contact the Diocesan Office.
International Conference “Building Inclusive Societies Together” visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Conference by the Council of Europe Sunday to Tuesday 1st-3rd November Bishop Hovakim Manukyan will represent the Armenian Church at this important conference. For more details, please contact the Primate.
Lecture: “Challenges Facing Eastern Christianity Caught in Extremism and Destruction in the Middle East” Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, the Oriental Institute, University of Oxford. Monday, 30th November, 7:00pm at Armenian House The Middle East is the cradle of Christianity and multi-ethnic Christian communities are amongst the most ancient natives in the region. Four of the five most important hierarchical centres in Christianity are in the Middle East today whose roots go back two millennia (namely, the Patriarchates of Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Constantinople). While small in numbers relative to global Christianity, communities in the Middle East, especially the Levant, have ecclesial significance for the wider Christian world. This talk will discuss the many challenges that Eastern Christians face in the Middle East today, including war, militant extremism, interreligious conflicts, exile, socio-economic decline and migration. Page 12 Armenian Church News
Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian is a sociologist of religion and associate faculty member of the Oriental Institute, University of Oxford. From 2002 to 2012 he taught and held various positions at University of Cambridge and has published and lectured extensively on inter-ethnic conflicts in the Caucasus, the Armenian Church, minorities in the Middle East, and Diaspora (www.hratch.info).
Workshop: Being a Christian in a Secular World Wednesday, 9th December, 7:00pm at Armenian House Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate, PhD, Church History, will lead this workshop on being a Christian in the modern world and challenges of evangelism on the occasion of the feast of St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew, the first evangelizers of Armenia. The discussions will be facilitated by Dr Hratch Tchilingirian.
An evangelizing church needs to open up to the people and not be timid to enter the public realm. Such a presence could become possible through the Church’s engagement with the world, as well as the testimony and example Christians provide in their working and living environment. What are the opportunities for the Church to engage with the secular world? How could the Church function in the secular world of media, education and culture and find ways of collaboration in these spheres? How do the diaconal, charitable activities of the Christian faith become realities in the world today? These are some of the questions that will be explored by the Primate.
Cardiff Parish Special Prayer Service at the Genocide Memorial - Temple of Peace 8th Anniversary Remembrance Service at Genocide Memorial Saturday, 7th November, Cardiff (10: 00am Poppy laying; 11:00am Welcome by the Cardiff Parish at Ararat Church (Whitchurch); 11:30am Divine Liturgy & Hokehankist; 2:00pm presentation of two books on the genocides of 1896 and 1915: “In the Shadow of the Sultan” by R.P. Sevadjian and “Memoire” by Delphine Jacquart.
Pontifical Prayer Հայրապետական Մաղթանք and Divine Liturgy Sunday, 8th November, 11:00am at St. Yeghiche Church His Grace Bishop Hovakim, the Primate, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the pontificate of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Armenian Church Trust (UK) Donors Meeting Saturday, 14th November For more details, please contact the Diocesan Office.
Youth Meeting in Manchester Wednesday, 18th November Meeting with the Armenian Church Youth Fellowship (ACYF) Manchester Chapter. For more details, please contact Mr. Zareh Nersessian (Chairman) on 07813 864 697.
Page 13 Armenian Church News
Lecture: “St. Gregory of Narek, Doctor of the Universal Church, with the Canonised Armenian Martyrs” Tuesday, 24th November, 7:30pm By the invitation of the Society of St. John Chrysostom, the Primate will pay a visit to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral and speak about the centenary of the Genocide and canonisation of the victims.
Dublin – Dedication of Memorial Khachkar (Cross stone) Saturday, 5th December, 2:00pm in Christ Church Cathedral, Christchurch Place, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland. The dedication of specially sculpted Khachkar Memorial, service and concert on the occasion of the opening of the first ever memorial dedicated to the Armenian Genocide in the Republic of Ireland, thanks to the efforts of the Armenian Church Parish in Dublin.
Dublin – Divine Liturgy Sunday, 6th December, 12:30pm at Taney Parish Church, Taney Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14, Ireland.
Pembrokeshire – Divine Liturgy Saturday, 19th December, 1:00pm Following the Divine Liturgy in St. David’s Cathedral, St. David’s, Pembrokeshire, the unveiling ceremony of a full size bronze statue will take place. The statue is a gift from all Armenians to the Church in Wales in gratitude for their recognition of 24th April as Armenian Genocide Day.
Prayer intentions for November:
We invite our faithful to pray for justice and Editorial: peace in the world, especially for the refugees The main objective of the diocesan e-newsletter from the Middle East who are trying to find is to serve and reach out to Armenians shelter in Europe. We ask for the intercessions throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide The community members and organizations are for the refugees and for having God’s mercy and welcome to send their announcements for the grace pour forth wherever justice is shaken, e-newsletter, including information not only about public events but also about important wherever tranquility is disturbed, wherever family events such as christening, matrimony or security is violated, wherever human rights are passing away. trampled, wherever social welfare is threatened, wherever faith and identity are fanaticised.
Armenian Church News
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:
St. Sarkis Church St. Yeghiche Cathedral Holy Trinity Armenian Church Iverna Gardens 13b Cranley Gardens
229 Upper Brook Street Kensington, London, W8 6TP Kensington, London SW7 3BB Manchester, M13 0FY Tel: 020 7937 0152 Tel: 020 7373 8133 Tel: 0161 273 1074 http://www.stsarkisparish.co.uk http://www.styeghiche.org.uk/ www.armenianchurchmanchester.org/
Parishes of our Diocese:
Cardiff - Tel: + 44 771 279 2304, +44 2920779248. [email protected]
Dublin - Tel: +44 2891 863559. http://www.armenians.ie/
Mission Parish of Birmingham – Tel: +44 121 675 1469. St John’s Church, Stratford Road, Birmingham, B11 4EA Oxford Campus Ministry: Oxford - Tel: +44 7810 490242. [email protected]
Editorial Board: We invite those who have questions or wish to gain deeper understanding
His Grace Bishop Hovakim of the faith, moral discernment, teachings and traditions of the Armenian Manukyan, Primate Church to contact the Office of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in United Kingdom and Ireland: Garen Arevian The Primate’s Office Hovik Hovhanissyan The Armenian Vicarage Iverna Gardens Aznive Simon London, W8 6TP or email: [email protected] Gagik Stepan-Sarkissian
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