Armenian Church News

great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his The Feast of is one of the major feasts kingdom will never end.” in the Armenian Church. It is based on the story of The Armenian Church teaches that at the time of the the Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary while she was at the Annunciation, the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and she house of Elizabeth, the Mother of John the Baptist. The was cleansed of the original sin, as she was to be the bearer feast is celebrated by the Armenian Church on April 7th. of God’s Word incarnate. In the (1:26-) we read: “God sent the St. Mary’s is our role model to follow, to live our angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin lives through her mediation that so that we are ready to pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a become vessels of God’s will. As St. Paul says in his descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The second letter to the Corinthians: "For we are the temple of angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly the living God”. God has reaffirmed this: “I will live with favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might they will be my people” (2 Cor. 6:16.). be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give In Armenia, April 7th is Mother's Day. On this birth to a son, and you are to call him . He will be occasion, we pray for all mothers and sisters and extend our congratulations to all of them. The Western and Byzantine Churches celebrate the Feast of Annunciation on March 25th.

The weekly Vigil service was held at St Sarkis Church on Friday 5th April and Lenten dinner was served at Gulbenkian hall hosted by Ladies Committee of the Primates Office. At the end of the service, the Primate delivered a message about the meaning of the last Sunday of the Great Lent. Summary of the Homily “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40). These verses from the are widely raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where known as the “Golden Rule” of the . It is Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds very simple; Firstly, Jesus invites us to love God, our on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and neighbours, and fellow human beings at the same time. Yet your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, it forms another meaning during the Great Lent and on the who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with last Sunday of the Great lent, in which the Armenian him in glory” (Col. 3.1-4). tradition is called the Sunday of Advent or (Գալստեան Կիրակի). As we prepare to celebrate the and Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem and enter the holy week, the last Sunday concludes the teachings of Great lent with an eschatological message. We read about this in the 21st chapter of the Gospel of Luke. At the last stage of his earthly ministry, in His Jesus foretells the coming devastation of Jerusalem in a language that makes use of several Old Testament images. His words were confirmed a generation later when the Romans destroyed the city and Temple in 70 AD. However, the catastrophe was a historical preview of the end of the word, showing how God’s judgment upon the one nation of Israel at the end of the Old Testament era prefigures the judgment of all nations at the end of the new. But interestingly Church fathers offer another two important texts on that day. The first one is from letters of Paul to Colossians (2:8-3:17) and the second one is the Commemoration of the suffering of St. Gospel of Matthew 22.34-23.39. Gregory the Illuminator and entry to Whilst Christ teaches that his second coming is an the pit (Khor Virap) imminent reality and encourages the faithful to be strong, perseverant and resilient during the persecutions that the Christians had to face, He emphasises the importance of Saturday, April 6th the Armenian Church celebrates the life within this world and the more specifically the and dedicates the feast of St. Gregory’s torments that he suffered during imprisonment. This feast is the first one among the three commemoration days dedicated to the memory of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of All Armenians. According to the Armenian Church Calendar, it is celebrated on the eve of the 6th Sunday during the period of Great Lent. According to historical sources, St. Gregory the Illuminator was the son of Anak Partev, a knight and nobleman, who killed the Armenian King Khosrov Arshakouni. In retaliation, Anak was executed by the Armenians. His son, Gregory, lived and studied in Caesarea, and was brought up as a pious Christian. Gregory returns to Armenia as an adult and becomes a member of the royal court. King Tiridates (Trdat), the son of King Khosrov and heir to the throne, appoints Gregory as the Chancellor of the Armenian Kingdom. Tiridates, learning that Gregory is a Christian and the son of Anak, subjects him to severe tortures and sentences Gregory to death, by imprisoning him in a deep ethical dimension of our life. Christianity is not alone with underground pit. respect to the things that will come, and the heavenly In 301 A.D., after spending 13 years in the pit, St. kingdom is not far away from us. It is here and present. Gregory the Illuminator is freed from the dungeon and The Gospel teaches us that man cannot love God if they do emerges to spread the Light of Christ in Armenia. He thus not love their fellow human beings. Our Christian practice becomes the first pontiff of the Armenian Church, baptizes is far more important. This serves as a warning to be the royal family, and evangelizes the whole of the mindful and not to fall into the trap of hypocrisy of Armenian Nation. Armenia becomes the first nation in the Pharisees. Moreover, Christ invites us to change world to officially proclaim Christianity as her state completely. St. Paul says “since, then, you have been religion. St. Gregory the Illuminator is recognized by all of Christendom as a Saint, and he is commemorated in all Holy Tuesday 16th, April - Ավագ Երեքշաբթի traditional Christian Churches. It is symbolical that this Տաս կոյսերի յիշատակութեան օր feast is celebrated on the eve of the 6th Sunday of Great Lent, the Sunday of the second coming of the Christ. First The Service of the Ten Virgins will take place only Christians had a strong faith and they ardently believed the at St. Yeghiche Church at 6:30 pm. words of Jesus that says “everyone will hate you because The parable of the Ten Virgins will be presented at the end of me but not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, of the service, which is traditionally part of the Holy Week and you will win life” (Luke 21:17-19). St. Gregory is an celebrations in the Armenian rite. example among the countless Saints. He stood firm and We expect participation of young members of the lived in the pit for 13 years but did not abandon His faith. community along with their parents. Those who wish to He is an example to us and a source of aspiration. Jesus bring their Children to participate in the service are most also said, “truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not welcome to contact St. Yeghiche Parish or the Primates’ pass away until all these things have happened”. (Luke office at primatesoffice@ armeniandiocese.org.uk. 21:32).

The feast of St. Gregory is an invitation to us; are we able to show the same perseverance if we found ourselves Commemorating Armenian Genocide in St in similar circumstances? As for torture and imprisonments David’s Cathedral, Wales - Sunday 28th April are not only physical sufferings but also there are other An open invitation is extended to all members of the forms of sufferings that we as human beings endure Armenian community to embark on a visit to St Davis through our lifetime. Church in Wales to commemorate the Armenian Genocide with the local community. Bishop Hovakim will attend the event along with anyone who wants to join. During the

commemoration service Rev. Dr. Canon Thomas Patrick will be awarded with special recognition from The Catholicos of all Armenians (Գիր Հայրապետական UPCOMING Օրհնութեան). Services & Events

Sunday, 14th April, Palm Sunday – Ծաղկազարդ Morning Service 10:30 AM Divine Liturgy 11:00 AM Blessings of Children 1:00 PM Opening of the Doors Դռնբացէք Palm Sunday Children’s Blessing ceremony * Those who wish to bring their Children for the blessing Those who would like to join please contact are most welcome to contact their local parish or pastor. [email protected] by 16th of April. Departure will commence at 7 am from Bishop’s House * Donations of flowers and branches for Palm Sunday are with arrival back to London scheduled for 8 pm. welcomed.

Friday 3rd May – ACYO Social Gathering A social and networking event, including cultural program. Venue: Bishop’s House at 6:30 pm. (By invitation)

Sunday 19th May – ACYO Delivery of Baskets ACYO London will be deliver Easter basket to the secluded elderly in the community. Anyone who wishes to volunteer for this wonderful ministry, please do let us know. Contact us at: [email protected]. Any donation for this programme are welcome to ACT UK.

Friday Evening Vigil to be held at St. Children's club Yeghiche Church Saturday, 4th May, 2 -3:30 pm On Friday, April 12th, the weekly Vigil services will take place at St Yeghiche Church. At the end of the Children can attend with their parents and service, the Lenten dinner will be served. learn Biblical Stories. They also learn how to pray before the meal. The children’s club meets These are unique interactive services, during which fortnightly on 1st and 3rd Saturday of each congregation participates actively, not only in singing the month. It is led by Mrs Anna Henden and her beautiful Armenian hymns (Շարականներ) but also assistant Miss Vanuhi Petrossian. Pastoral prayers of Confession written by Catholicos Nerces the counselling is provided by Rev. Fr. Nshan Gracious (XII). Alaverdyan. “Jesus said, "Let the little children Church Service starts at 6:30 pm come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Lenten dinner at 7.30 pm When he had placed his hands on them, he went Entrance fees: £5 on from there." (Mathew 19:14-15). Venue: St. Yeghiche Church Those who would like to bring their 13b Cranley Gardens Children please contact primatesoffice@ armeniandiocese.org.uk by 21th April with the Kensington, London SW7 3BB names of the children.

Sunrise Service during Great Lent Sunrise services will be held at the small chapel in Arachnortaran every Wednesday morning at 10:30 am. Faithful are welcome to join. Venue: Bishop’s House, 27 Haven Green, W5 2NZ. Nearest tube station: Ealing Broadway

7-day Pilgrimage to Italy and audience with His Holiness Pope Francis

Travel dates: 5th to 11th May 2019 (Naples, Rome, Vatican, Florence and Venice) The visit will include a general audience with Pope Francis, meeting with Church dignitaries, ecumenical prayers, visit different Churches and shrines, catacombs as well as an excursion into the Armenian monastery of St. Lazaro. BA Flights from London Heathrow to Rome Fiumicino Airport BA 546 G 05MAY LHRFCO Departure Time: 10.45am Arrival to Rome 14.25pm Please contact Ms Hrachik Sarian via email: [email protected] or Tel: 020 8998 Returning to London Heathrow from Venice Airport 9210 for all inquiries related to the Pilgrimage BA 597 G 11MAY VCELHR Departure Time: 20.40pm Arrival to London 22.00pm

Armenian Easter Cuisine Spiritual Reflections Easter cuisine consists of coloured eggs, fish, rice, herbs and traditional Armenian pastry. They also have bread, salt and water so that the priest blesses them and Palm Sunday shares the good tidings of Resurrection. The eggs and fish are symbolic foods. The Church fathers have a lot of interpretations about them. St. Gregory of Datev (15th century) said that “we dye the egg & Holy Week with red colour, because the egg symbolises the world, the Ծաղկազարդ եւ Ավագ Շաբաթ shell resembles heaven, skin symbolises the air, whiteness is water and the yellow is the earth.’’ This means that the world is saved by the blood of Christ, which He spilled for Palm Sunday marks Christ's triumphant entry into the love of humanity. Jerusalem. When Jesus entered Jerusalem “they took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Celebrating Easter together Blessed is the King of Israel!” (John 12:13). Please note that the Ladies Committee of the Palm Sunday is referred to as Advent, in reference to Primate’s Office is organising an Easter Luncheon at Christ's coming as the Messiah to Jerusalem and to His Copthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington. You can join that Passion. For that reason, it is connected with Christ's event and enjoy festive Armenian Easter celebrations with Second or Final Coming and is celebrated in the Armenian Primates. There will be surprises as well as Armenian Church in the evening with the special "Opening of the music and dancing. Those who have interest in joining Doors" (Դռնբացէք) ritual; a foreshadowing of the Second please register now at this click: Coming of Christ, the End of Days and the Last Judgment. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/armenianchurch/24711 On Palm Sunday in the Armenian Churches, there is 6/# also a special service of blessing for the children. The Lord Jesus Christ said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone, who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10.13-16). Both rites will be celebrated immediately after the Divine Liturgy.

Holy Week

Holy Monday is in remembrance of Creation day, and of Jerusalem. It reminds us to preserve and care for our creation.

Holy Tuesday is in Remembrance Day of the 10 wise virgins. As wise virgins we have to be attentive and have to keep the torches of faith lit as we do not know when the groom will come at the end of times.

Holy Wednesday symbolises the and betrayal by Judas. It was on this day that a women anointed Jesus with expensive oil at Simeon the Lepers’ house in Bethania, predicting Jesus’ death. It was here when Judas made his decision to betray Jesus.

Holy Thursday symbolises the and the establishment of the sacrament of Eucharist or Holy Communion. The faithful prepare themselves through penance and by receiving absolution and receive Holy called Ճրագալույց (Candlemass), because it was at that Communion. time that in all homes every lamp was lit to signify the beginning of a new day. During this liturgy Christians around the world exchange the Easter greeting: Christ is Washing of the Feet- (Ոտնլվա) On Holy Thursday the risen from the dead! Blessed is the resurrection of Christ! ritual of the washing of the feet is celebrated in the (Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց, օրհնեալ է յարութիւնն Churches. The ritual is based on the accounts of the Gospel Քրիստոսի․) of John (13:1-17). The washing of feet was a gesture of hospitality normally performed by a household slave, not the presiding host. Jesus thus shows himself a model of Easter Sunday is the greatest Christian feast. During the humility (1 Tim 5:10) and, at the same time, gives a Easter Sunday, Christians all over the world celebrate the preview of the historic service he will render when he glorious Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ and His victory accepts the humiliation of the cross (Mk 10:45, Phil 2:5-8). over the death. Again exchanging the Easter greeting: Christ is risen from the dead! Blessed is the resurrection of Grand Vigil or Betrayal Service (Խաւարում) Christ! (Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց, օրհնեալ է In the Armenian Church originally it was practiced in more յարութիւնն Քրիստոսի) Easter Sunday, April 21st . simple fashion. The priest would wash and bless with oil Easter Sunday is followed by a period of 40 days, the feet of all the faithful in the vestibule (narthex) of the during which time there are no saints' days or fasting days. church. Later, this ritual became more elaborate enriched This period is dedicated to the glory of Christ's with special hymns and is performed on the altar. Though Resurrection and to the 40 days He spent on earth after His there is not a fixed number, the clergymen usually wash Resurrection. The 40th day after the Resurrection is the feet of 12 people. Holy Thursday It symbolises Jesus’s Ascension Day, commemorating our Lord's entry into Betrayal, Crucifixion and Burial. During the services the heaven. Gospel readings describe the last hours of Jesus’s earthly life; betrayal, arrest, denial of Peter, trial of , the decision of death, sufferings, agony, crucifixion on Golgotha, eclipse, death and burial. No liturgy is celebrated on Holy Thursday with the services being divided into three parts. To remember these events, the Church has services on Thursday evening, Friday afternoon and Friday evening.

The Evening Service (Խավարման գիշեր) is performed in remembrance of Christ's betrayal and suffering. It is called Passion Evening. Jesus was arrested by the Temple guards of the Sanhedrin in the Garden of , immediately after the of Judas, which is traditionally said to have been an act of betrayal. The arrest led immediately to his trial before the Sanhedrin, during which they condemned him to death.

Holy Friday, The Burial of Christ Service symbolises the Christ. It is conducted on Friday evening. It can also be considered as the Rite of the . The Trisagion (Սուրբ Աստված) is sung on bended knees and is traditionally dedicated to , who, according to tradition, sang it as Christ's body was taken down from the Cross. The symbolical coffin is decorated with followers and there is a procession around the Church. During the procession passages from Gospel are read.

Holy Saturday is dedicated to the Saviour’s burial and the sealing of the tomb. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated at the end of the day. "Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week" (Matt. 28:1). For that reason it is

London: Services are held every Sunday Manchester: Services are held on the 1st Sunday of the month.

For further details, please contact the parish nearest to you:

Holy Trinity Armenian Church St. Sarkis Church St. Yeghiche Church 229 Upper Brook Street Iverna Gardens 13b Cranley Gardens Manchester, M13 0FY Kensington, London, W8 6TP Kensington, London SW7 3BB Tel: 0161 273 1074 Tel: 020 7937 0152 Tel: 020 7373 8133 www.armenianchurchmanchester.org st www.stsarkisparish.co.uk www.styeghiche.org.uk 1 SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

Birmingham: St. Peter Church, 208, High St, Walsall, WS3 3LA

Republic of Ireland Dublin: [email protected]; Tel. +353 1 451 5087, www.armenians.ie

Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom & the Republic of Ireland His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate

Diocesan Office Tel. 0208 998 9210 [email protected] http://armeniandiocese.org.uk/

ACT UK Trustees Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Ayda Lundon, Viken Haladjian, Hovnan Hampartsoumian, Alan Simonian

Registered office address: Kemp House 152-160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX

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