Our Beloved Primate Enters His Eternal Rest

It is with deep sorrow that we convey the difficult news that our dearly beloved spiritual leader, His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand entered his eternal rest this morning, Saturday 22 September 2012 at 9.45 a.m. having suffered a heart attack.

At age 66 his Eminence succumbed to join our Lord after a long battle with illness.

The Clergy and diaconate, Diocesan Council, Church Councils of Sydney, Melbourne and Sydney West together with all other Church Committees and members of the parish are in deep mourning.

At this sorrowful time the Diocese will observe a period of mourning until Sunday 28 October and Armenian community organisations are requested to respect this period.

Expressions of condolence will be accepted in the Diocesan office from Monday to Friday evening between 7.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m.

Details of the funeral service and interment of our beloved late Primate will be announced through the Church and on Armenian Radio in due course.

 Issued on Behalf of the Diocesan Council

An Evening with Baroness Caroline Cox – CANCELLED

Baroness Caroline Cox, a friend and strong advocate of the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabagh will visit Sydney to raise awareness for HART (Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust) of which she is the founder and CEO.

On Saturday 29 September a dinner will be held in the Edgarian Hall for the Baroness to meet with the Armenian Community to raise awareness of her humanitarian causes and most specifically the valuable work HART undertakes in Nagorno-Karabakh with the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Centre in Stepanakert.

Click on the Pamphlet for information on the fundraising dinner.

Protest Hungarian Embassy in Canberra

On Friday 14 September, a protest will be held at the Hungarian Embassy in Canberra with the united voice of the Armenian Community of Sydney denouncing Hungary’s extradition of Azeri Lieutenant Ramil Safarov who was serving a 25 year jail sentence in Budapest for the axe murder of an Armenian officer Lieutenant Gurgen Markarian in 2004 during a NATO training program. Subsequent to his extradition and arrival in his homeland, the Azeri officer was pardoned and set free by the President of Azerbaijan receiving the accolade of a national hero.

Buses to and from Canberra have been organised for the day departing from two locations – Willoughby and Ryde.

Click here on Pamphlet for information.

Community Appeal for Syrian-Armenians

By the directive of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, an Appeal has been launched to raise funds to aid Armenian communities in Syria that have been severely impacted by the  conflicts in Homs, Aleppo and Damascus.

 With families displaced from their homes and community infrastructures such as schools badly affected, rebuilding hope and optimism through a helping hand is now the priority. So please donate generously to this humanitarian effort.

Donations to the Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund can be made directly to the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection. All proceeds raised will be transferred under the directive of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

RA Foreign Minister in Australia

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian paid an official to Australia from 12-13 August.

On Sunday 12 August, the Minister attended the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Holy Resurrection on the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. In the evening, he held a public meeting where he presented the main directions of Armenia’s foreign policy to more than 400 members of the Armenian Community.

On Monday 13 August he met with his Australian counterpart, The Hon Bob Carr MP at Parliament House, Canberra as well as other parliamentarians.

For more, read the official Press Release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

A Night to be Applauded

On Saturday 30 June 2012, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, a Classical Musical Recital took place at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney, showcasing a wonderful group of talented youth. The concert raised $12,000 towards the building of the new Armenian Apostolic Church of Sydney West.

The programme included both classical pieces as well as some well known Armenian songs. The highlight of the evening was the stirring Armenian Rhapsody piano duet that was performed by Alex Sahagian and Saro Karadanian. The audience was left breathless with an appreciation of the depth of talent within our Armenian youth.

Classical Music Concert

The Armenian Church Council of Sydney West will host a Classical Music Concert presented by talented young Armenians. The evening will feature works by European and Armenian composers.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Armenian Apostolic Church Sydney West development.

Date: Saturday 30 June 2012

Time: 7.00 p.m.

Venue: Independent Theatre – 269 Miller Street, North Sydney

For ticket details see Pamphlet

ACYA Discussion Night – Marriage, Family Life & Values

On Sunday, 20 May an interesting youth discussion night was held as part of the monthly ACYA program on the topic of Marriage, Family Life and Values. Guest presenter on the night was psychologist, Ida Soghomonian who presented key characteristics of effective relationships focussing on communication skills, values and habits exploring other types of relationships as well. Youth thoroughly engaged in the presentation which made for lively and edifying discussion.

Youth discussion nights are held each month with guest presenters from time to time. The sessions are led by Reverend Fathe Avetis Hambardzumyan. For further information contact Father Avetis at teravetis@yahoo.com

See the Photo Gallery

Exhibition of Armenian Art

An exhibition of paintings by Yerevan-based painters will be on display in the Edgarian Hall of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection, 10 Macquarie Street, Chatswood.

Viewing Times:

Saturday 21 April – 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday 22 April – 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday 23 April – 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Curator: Aris Petrosyan from Armenia

Admission to the exhibit is free and open to the public – Click on Pamphlet

2012 Church Family Gathering

On Sunday 18 March the annual gathering of church servants took place with an evening thanksgiving service presided by His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian accompanied by the priests and deacons. The congregation consisted of the many volunteers who give their devoted service to the Church including the diaconate, choir members, organists, ladies auxiliary, leaders and facilitators of Bible study, scripture and Sunday School, Church radio team, youth group, the faithful women who prepare the holy bread (mas) and other dedicated church helpers.

At the conclusion of the Evening (Matin) service, the encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians was read by Reverend Father Avetis Hambardzumyan bestowing the St Nerses Shnorhali Medal upon Church Council Chairman Mr Bedros Zorlu (see news item below).

In his address, the Primate commended the selfless contribution of every church servant and acknowledged the central role of the Church Council led admirably by the honoured Chairman for many years.

Following the church service, a light supper was held in the Edgarian hall with a number of tributes presented. A visual presentation on the establishment of the Armenian Church in Australia marked the 55th anniversary in 2012; the four longest serving deacons – Deacons Kevork Janoyan and Hovannes Kharadjian for 50 years of service and Deacons Noubar Yangoyan and Haroutiun Hanimian for 40 years – were honoured with commemorative plaques; Ms Haigan Ishkhanian  was recognised on her milestone 80th birthday for her devoutness to the needs of the Church and welfare centre.

The evening was hosted by the Church Council and in the intimate, joyous atmosphere of the church family, Diocesan Councillor Dr Peter Ansourian paid homage to Archbishop Baliozian on the occasion of his 30th anniversary of Episcopal consecration.

For photos of the event see the Photo Gallery