London’s St. Yeghiche Church Celebrates 25th Anniversary and Feast of Holy Translators

Recalling the consecration ceremony in 2001, the Catholicos gave thanks to God that a vibrant and faithful community had grown around the church. He encouraged the congregation to mark the anniversary through new achievements in church life and initiatives serving the Armenian people, with particular care for the spiritual education and formation of the younger generation.

His Holiness extended his blessing and appreciation to the Manoukian family, the Diocesan Primate, the parish priest, the Parish Council and the community. He prayed that the Lord would preserve St. Yeghiche Church under the protection of His Holy Right Hand and bless the Armenian faithful of Great Britain.

Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England, also addressed the congregation during the Divine Liturgy, offering congratulations on the anniversary.

Following the Liturgy, Bishop Hovakim conducted the blessing of schoolchildren and students, with the participation of pupils from Armenian community schools and young Armenians studying at higher education institutions. The Rt. Revd. Dr. Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon and Acting Bishop of Southwark, also addressed those present, speaking particularly to the children.

Royal and Church Messages of Congratulations

King Charles III and Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, sent congratulatory messages, which were read during the evening celebration by the Rt. Revd. Dr. Christopher Cocksworth, Dean of Windsor.

The King paid tribute to the riches of the Armenian Church’s history, liturgical life and poetry, and to the Armenian people’s centuries of Christian witness. He recalled his visits to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and St. Yeghiche Church, thanking the community for its example of faith, hope and love over the past quarter of a century. Referring to St. Gregory of Narek’s words on faith, he expressed the hope that the light of God’s love would continue to guide the community in its care for all people.

The Archbishop of Canterbury described St. Yeghiche Church as a place of prayer, worship and Christian witness. She highlighted the friendship between the two Churches and Bishop Hovakim’s dedication to Christian unity, referring also to their shared service as Presidents of Churches Together in England. She expressed the hope that the church would continue to nurture faith, renew hope and share Christ’s love with generations to come.

Deacon Vahan read the messages from Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian during the evening celebration.

Congratulatory addresses were delivered by Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London; Councillor Janet Evans, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; and the Rt. Revd. James (Jim) Curry, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, who spoke on behalf of the Archbishop of Westminster.

An Evening of Sacred Music

The evening celebration began with a prayer offered by Bishop Hovakim. Shakeh Major Tchilingirian introduced the program and served as master of ceremonies.

The choir of St. Yeghiche Church performed under the direction of Aris Nadirian. The program drew on the rich heritage of Armenian sacred music, featuring works by St Gregory of Narek and St Nerses Shnorhali, alongside compositions and arrangements by Yekmalian, Komitas, Mekhanjian and Atayan.

The program included Amen Hayr Sourp, Sayn Ayn Ijaner, Etchmiadzin, Havik, Yes Dzayn Zaryutsun Asem, Havun, Khorhurd Khorin, Norahrash, Tiramayr, Orhnyal e Astvats and Hayr Mer.

Solo performances were given by soprano Hasmik Harutyunyan and tenor Davit Karapetyan. Lusine Musayelyan participated as both a soprano soloist and a viola da gamba player. Polina Sharafyan accompanied on the violin and Razmik Melkonyan on the organ. The quartet comprised Marianna Asatryan, Anaïs Hekoyan, Hamo Grigoryan and Aris Nadirian.

Awards for Devoted Service

During the awards ceremony, interspersed with musical performances, Mr. and Mrs. Viken Haladjian received the St. Nerses Shnorhali Pontifical Award of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in recognition of their devoted service.

The evening also saw the first presentation and conferral of the St. Yeghiche Medal, the inaugural medal of the Armenian Diocese of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its first recipients were honored for their longstanding dedication and contributions to the life of the church, diocese and community: Zabel Malas, Hranoush Atanosian, Sonig Jojaghaian, Zaza Balian, Suzy Boghossian, Dr. Setrag Karanfilian, Jaqueline Karanfilian, Archdeacon Sarkis Kalaydjian, Choirmaster Aris Nadirian, Razmik Mejlumian, Tamara Stepan, Artour Tovmasyan, Camilo Vartan Azzouz, and Keghvart Vartanian.

Azzouz spoke on behalf of the medal recipients and conveyed congratulations on behalf of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).

Gratitude and a Welcome for Future Generations

In his closing remarks, Bishop Hovakim thanked the ecclesiastical and civic guests, representatives of sister Churches, the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea and members of the Borough Council. He also expressed his gratitude to those who had been unable to attend but had shared in the celebration through their congratulations and prayers.

Special thanks were extended to Mr. and Mrs. Vatche and Tamar Manoukian and the entire Manoukian family for making the establishment of the church possible and for their continuing support.

The Bishop paid tribute to the Parish Council, the young people, Rev. Father Nshan Alaverdian, the choir and musicians, and everyone whose work and service had made the celebration possible. He also thanked the evening’s master of ceremonies and all those who support the church materially and morally.

Looking towards the years ahead, Bishop Hovakim expressed the hope that children growing up in the church, families seeking comfort and those entering its doors for the first time would find a warm welcome, a living faith and a caring community.

The evening concluded with blessings offered by Bishop Hovakim and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop in the United Kingdom Mor Athanasius Toma Dawod, who gave the benediction in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus Christ.