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Volume 1, Issue 18 Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland 11 December 2015 Armenian Church News Khachkar Consecrated in Christ Church, Dublin A New Cross-Stone Erected on the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide Manukyan, Primate of Great Britain and Ireland, during a ceremony held in Dublin. The Khachkar is erected in the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral - one of the most In this issue: iconic places in Ireland. The area dedicated for the Khachkar, New Khachkar Memorial entitled the “Garden of Peace”, Consecrated in Dublin will serve as a place to Bishop Hovakim’s Speech in remember and pray for all of Christ Church Cathedral the holy martyrs of the Design and Symbolism of Armenian Genocide. the Dublin Khachkar A Search for Long-Lost The memorial, designed in Relatives Ireland by community member Aram Hakhumyan and carved Advent Party by the young master carver Artak Hambardzumyan in Armenia, is unique in that it displays both Armenian and Irish traditional symbols and Diocese of the Armenian ornaments, combined into a Church of the United single cross-stone. Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland His Grace Bishop Hovakim The service was attended by Manukyan, Primate church leaders of different denominations, the Consul of Diocesan Office On Saturday, 5th December, a Tel. 0208 127 8364 the Armenian Embassy in the Khachkar monument - dedicated to primatesoffice@ United Kingdom (Mr. Hayk armenianchurch.co.uk the Armenian Genocide centennial - Khymchyan) and the Honorary was consecrated by Bishop Hovakim Page 2 Armenian Church News uplifting music. Also playing was Mr. Varazdat Khachatryan (a highly praised Dublin based pianist) who also enriched the service by playing ‘Elegy’, ‘Capriccio’ and other pieces. Before the end of the service, Mrs. Ayda Lundon thanked all of those Consul of Armenia in Ireland (Mr. who were present, who were Ohan Yergainharsian), with the involved in the work and all those faithful of the Armenian Church generous donors without whom and Community in Ireland along this project would not have been with their Irish friends. The possible. installation of the Khachkar was organized at the initiative of the After the service inside the Dublin Parish Council and Cathedral, everybody proceeded especially by the Chair of the outside to the “Garden of Peace” Parish Council Dr. Paul Manook, where the Khachkar Monument who spared no efforts to realize the was unveiled by Rev. Brian project within a short period of Anderson, President of the time. Methodist Church in Ireland and Mr. Hayk Khymchyan. Bishop Before the Consecration Service Hovakim Manukyan then there was an Ecumenical Service consecrated the Khachkar with inside Christ Church Cathedral. prayers which was followed by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of the laying of flowers. The the Catholic Church in Dublin and congregation then proceeded to Archbishop Michael Jackson of the the Christ Church Crypt where a Church of Ireland (Anglican) read reception was held, hosted by the prayers during the ceremony to Dublin Parish Council along with those present. Bishop Hovakim. During the service, the Armenian Choir in Dublin led by Aydah Arshagian performed pieces from Armenian Badarak Liturgy. Mr. Levon Chilingirian (a well-known violinist based in the UK) enriched the prayer service with the playing of ‘Groung’ and ‘Armen Yev Ent Hokvout Kum’ along with other Page 3 Armenian Church News The Speech of His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan The Primate of the Diocese of the UK and Ireland On the Occasion of the Blessing of the Armenian Khachkar (cross-stone) in Christ Church, Dublin, On the Occasion of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide 5th December 2015, Dublin, Ireland Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today we will take part in a service which we call the ‘cross-stone blessing prayer.’ This is a rite which is unique and particular to the Armenian Christian tradition. With the prayers, words and hymns - Armenian ‘sharagans’ - as well as with Holy Muron, we will bless the cross-stone asking God almighty to impart the grace of His life-giving Holy Spirit upon those present and to sanctify this Khachkar, making it a reminder of our common commitment towards justice and peace in the world. The erection of the Armenian cross-stone at the heart of the Irish capital, in the churchyard of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, on the occasion of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, is an expression of the long lasting and strong relations between our Churches and communities. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, The word cross-stone, ‘Khachkar’ in Armenian, is a combination of two words. There is much symbolism in it. The first word is the cross. It symbolizes the cross of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The veneration of the cross by Christians shows their citizenship. This is a citizenship which is a way of life, sometimes leading through narrow doors and suffering, yet full of hope of victory, triumph of resurrection and also that of friendship, love and solidarity. The Armenian philosopher of the 5th century, David the Invincible, in his panegyric on the Holy Cross says “the One who was crucified for our sins has shed His sacred blood on it. Although His body was taken from the cross, His divine blood remained on the cross.” The blood, the mercy and the healing and reconciling power of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ still remains on the cross, making it sacred and precious for us. This understanding of the cross has had a strong impact on shaping Armenian theology and culture. PagePage 44 ArmenianArmenian ChurchChurch NewsNews The theology of the cross in the Armenian tradition is also deeply based on the theology of resurrection. The Armenian cross is the Blossomed Cross - Ծաղկեալ Խաչ. We adore the cross, which is blossomed also with the graces of Resurrection, as “God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” (Acts 2:24). The other word is the stone. This is the stone from my home country, Armenia. Armenia is often referred to as a country of rocks and stones. Armenians have long been carving crosses on the stones because they have shed much blood on them to preserve their faith and identity. They have made the stones holy because they have shed their blood on them, following in the footsteps of Christ. Any cross-stone erected by Armenians is a reminder of the martyrdom of the Armenian people. Alas, the chronology of the martyrdom of the Armenian people is long. The most painful and devastating was at the beginning of the 20th century. Armenians were subjected to genocide in their historical homeland, because they wanted to live in peace, exercise their basic human rights and enjoy their God given freedoms. Unfortunately, the rightful aspirations of our people were met by the Ottoman Turks with brutality, forceful deportations, mass killings and massacres between 1915 and 1923. But again God showed His glory. Armenians have survived and realized their aspirations in the small part of their historical land as well as in the diaspora. Death cannot bind the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide as today they are saints interceding for us and for justice and peace in the world. On this spiritually uplifting occasion I would like to say thank you to you all on behalf of my Church. We are very thankful to you, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and you, Archbishop Michael Jackson. I would like to thank the Dean of Christ Church – the Very Reverend Dermot Dunne; the Honorary President of Dublin Council of Churches - Fr. Damien McNeice; President of the Methodist Church in Ireland - Rev. Brian Anderson; and Canon Robert Warren the Rector of Taney Parish, Dundrum. The realization of this project could not have happened without your support. This is also the expression of your love towards our people. I Page 5 Armenian Church News know that you have very close relations not only with the Armenians here in Ireland, but also on worldwide level as a result of your ecumenical commitments of many years. I would also like to thank the Parish Council of the Armenian Church in Dublin, the Chair of the Parish Council - Dr. Paul Manook, and members the community, and to every single person involved in this historic occasion. May God bless you all. I believe that this cross-stone will remain here forever reminding us of our friendship and also of our mutual commitment to peace, justice and the integrity of humanity. It will remind us that we have a commitment to embrace all those who suffer because of wars, injustice and discrimination, especially our brethren and sisters in the Middle East. The Dublin Khachkar Memorial Design and Symbolism The new Khachkar Memorial in turned into wine, and a small Dublin was designed by Aram part of the already consecrated Hakhumyan and carved by Artak grapes were stored until the next Hambardzumyan. The main blessing ceremony as a symbol of composition consists of the Irish wealth and abundance. Cross frame with an Armenian Cross standing out of it. At the top The bottom part of the Khachkar left and right on each corner of the is carved in traditional Armenian Cross there is the Irish shamrock’s style in the shape of a ‘winged’ three leaves, used by St. Patrick to rosette, symbolising the victory explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish of Christ over evil. The rosette is during his mission to bring partially covered by the cross in Christianity to Ireland. the shape of a ‘hill’, symbolising Calvary’s hill where Christ was At the bottom left and right corners crucified to redeem the world.