Archive for category: Latest News

Thursday Ladies’ Bible Study Group took on special meaning on 27 October with the morning devoted to Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), an annual international health campaign organised by major breast cancer charities every October.

The purpose of BCAM is to raise awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also aims to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection.

The theme of the morning tea was to ‘wear something pink’ and the subject matter of the day’s Bible study was on the hope and comfort that comes from God alone as we depend on Him even during times of adversity,

In an endeavour to learn more about breast cancer and its effects, ladies joined in a Breast Cancer Awareness quiz which gave everyone greater insight on the disease and the importance of regular testing for early diagnosis and risk prevention.

The ladies enjoyed a sumptuous morning tea which started with plates of ‘ful medames’ (fava beans) followed by sweets and cakes. In a wonderful atmosphere of socialising, conversation and friendship, the small group of women raised $500. A further $220 was raised the following day through the generosity of participants of the ACWC aged day care program.

Though fundraising was not the intended purpose of the event, it was to raise awareness, the heartfelt donations amounting to $720 were transferred to Breast Cancer Australia Network.

In the afternoon of Sunday 11 September, His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand accompanied by Reverend Father Bartev Karakashian attended an Interfaith Memorial Service at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney to remember those killed in the 9/11 attacks. The 10^th anniversary commemoration was co-organised by the Consul-General of the United States in Sydney, Mr Niels Marquardt and former Consul-General of Australia in New York, Mr Ken Allen.

The service was attended by heads of churches united with interfaith brethren of Islam and Jewish faiths. Representatives from each of the faith communities addressed the congregation with words of solace and tributes to the victims of the most significant terror attack the world has ever seen.

The tragedy of 9/11 shook the entire world and affected countless families in many nations with the loss of loved ones. Australia was not immune from this pain with ten Australians losing their lives on that fateful day. The names of the ten victims were solemnly read in memoriam. Family members of these victims were among the invited guests attending the service.

On Sunday 28 August, the Loosavorich children’s choir of the Church of Holy Resurrection led by choirmaster, Deacon Vartan Elmasian participated in the Ryde Christian Heritage concert singing hymns from the Divine Liturgy. The concert was held at St Anne’s Church in Ryde. It followed the annual Ryde Christian Heritage Walk, an event which commemorates the first Christian service held in the area by Rev William Henry on August 26, 1796.

Photographed with the choir & Deacon Elmasian are Reverend Father Avetis Hambardzumyan and Mayor of Ryde, Councillor Artin Etmekdjian.

The Armenian Church Council of Australia in NSW, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia, welcomed Reverend Father Mesrop Aramian, writer and producer of the award-winning documentary film ‘From Ararat to Zion’ to Sydney accompanied by his wife on 27 July 2011.

The Reverend Father was invited as a guest of the parish for the premiere screening of the film which took place on Friday 29 July to a capacity filled theatre of 400 people that included dignitaries and members of the Armenian Community of Sydney.  The film was so highly anticipated a second screening was held on Sunday 31 July to another sell out crowd.

‘From Ararat to Zion’ traces the footprints of Armenian pilgrims to the Holy Land from the earliest times of Christianity. The film was first screened in Armenia in 2010 and has subsequently been hosted in cinemas worldwide.

During Father Aramian’s visit to Sydney, he has had the opportunity to meet with community groups and schools, celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Holy Resurrection and present talks on his various projects in Armenia.

Father Aramian will conclude his Sydney visit on Thursday 4 August and will stopover in Singapore on return to Armenia to be met by members of the small Armenian Community there.