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Rev. Nersessian to lecture on Armenian Christian tradition in London
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2013-01-26-rev--nersessian-to-lecture-on-armenian-christian-tradition-in-london
Published: Saturday January 26, 2013
An Armenian bible part of an exhibit at British Library through the
end of January. British Library at www.bl.uk
LONDON - Centre for Eastern Christianity at the Heythrop College,
University of London will host a series of Lent term lectures on "The
Armenian Christian Tradition: History, Doctrine, Spirituality and
Liturgy" given by Revd Dr Nerses Nersessian.
The Rev Dr Nerses (Vrej) Nersessian was born in Tehran in 1948. He was
educated at the Armenian College in Calcutta, the Gevorgian
Theological Academy in Holy Etchmiadzin (Armenia) and King's College,
University of London. He has a Bachelor's degree in Theology and a
Doctorate in Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies.
His doctoral thesis on The Tondrakian Movement, a religious movements
in the Armenian Church from the fourth to the fifth centuries was
published in 1987 in London and reprinted in the Princeton Theological
Monograph series 15, in Pennsylvania a year later. In 1975 he joined
the British Library curatorial staff as curator responsible for the
manuscripts and printed books of the Christian Middle East section, a
post which he held until his retirement in August 2011.
Among his British Library publications are: Catalogue of Early
Armenian Printed Books. A history of Armenian Printing
(1512-1850),(1980), Armenian Illuminated Gospel Books(1987), Treasures
from the Ark,1700 years of Armenian Christian Art, a catalogue of an
exhibition of the same name held at the British Library to mark the
1700th anniversary of the conversion of Armenia to Christianity, The
Bible in the Armenian Tradition (2001) and most recently A Catalogue
of the Armenian Manuscripts in the British Library acquired since the
year 1913 and of collections in other libraries in the United Kingdom
(2012) described as `a fitting culmination to the long and
distinguished career '.
He is the author of the articles on the Armenian Church Tradition in
Jesus in History, Thought, and Culture. An Encyclopedia
(ABC/CLIO2003), In the Beginning. Bibles before the year 1000 (Arthur
M.Sackler Gallery, 2006), The Blackwell Companion to Eastern
Christianity (Blackwell, 2007), Sacred Books of the Three Faiths:
Judaism, Christianity,Islam (The British Library, 2007), Byzantium
330- 1453 (Royal Academy of Art, 2009), The Orthodox Christian World
(Routledge 2012).
He was ordained a priest in 1983, elevated to the rank of archpriest
in 1991 by Vazgen I Catholicos of All Armenians of Blessed memory, and
in October of this year he was awarded the distinguished medal of
Saint Nerses Shnorhali by His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, for his distinguished career in the British Library and
devoted services to the Armenian Church. Presently he is the Priest-in
-charge of the Armenian church of Saint Eghishe, Cranley Gardens,
London. He is married to Leyla Nersessian, has two sons and two
grandchildren.
Schedule lectures are as follows:
30 January 2013 4.30pm-6.00pm in the Marie Eugenie Room
The emergence of Armenia as a Christian state in the first half of the
fourth century and the founding of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox
Church.
A brief introduction to the country and its people before its
conversion to Christianity during the reign of King Trdat in the first
half of the fourth century. The conclusion of the formative period,
with the invention of the Armenian alphabet, the work of the
`Translators', the joy of having the words of God in Armenian finally
leading to the founding of an Armenian literary tradition. Koriwn the
biographer of St Mesrop Mashtots, Eghishe the historian of the Battle
of Avarayr and Eznik's work `Against the Sects' a treatise on God and
the nature of evil.
6 February 2013 4.30pm-6.00pm in the Marie Eugenie Room
The Christology of the Armenian Orthodox Church. The attitude of the
Armenian Church to the first eight Ecumenical Councils, 325 - 787AD.
In the History of the Armenians of Agathangelos, which has an account
of the conversion of Armenia, and a distinct section called The
Teaching of St Gregory the Illuminator the basic doctrinal tenets of
the Christian faith are expounded: belief in the Trinity: the Father
who created us, the Son who saved us, and the Spirit by whom the world
was made and who acts in the world. The History also testifies that
Gregory's son Aristakes, and whose name does appear in the list of
signatories, attended the Council of Nicaea in 325. He brought the
Nicene creed back to Armenia, to which St Gregory added the doxology
`As for us, we shall glorify him who was before the ages, worshipping
the Holy Trinity and the one Godhead the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen'. This simple
but precise declaration has been the core element of the doctrinal
position of the Armenian Church which has remained intact throughout
the centuries.
20 February 2013 4.30pm-6.00pm in the Marie Eugenie Room
Contacts and initiatives for reunion between the Armenian, Greek, and
Roman Churches. The Ecumenical approaches of Nerses IV Klayetsi,
called Shnorhali (1102-1173) and Nerses Lambronatis (1152-1198).
The establishment of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in about 1199
brought the Armenian Church into direct contact with the Roman
Catholic and Greek Churches. The chance meeting in 1165 of St Nerses
with Alexious, the Byzantine duke of Mamistra, became the starting
point of Armeno-Greek ecclesiastical relations. These contacts
continued until almost the end of the century in 1193. The
Chalcedonian question in all its dimensions and complications
dominated discussion at every level and stage. The two doctrinal works
produced by Nerses called The Confession of Faith (Gir hawatoy
khostovanout'ean Hayastaneayts ekeghetswoy) and the Definition of
faith of the Armenian Church (Sahmank' Hawatoy) found positive
acceptance in both Churches, but Greeks and the Latins were not
prepared to discuss the problem of church unity officially.
27 February 2013 4.30pm-6.00pm in the Marie Eugenie Room
The Armenian Church under the political authority of Ottoman Turkey,
Tsarist Russia, and the Soviet Union
The demise of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in 1375 and the return
of the See of the Catholicate from Cilicia to Holy Etchmiadzin, left
isolated colonies within the empires controlled by Safavid Iran, the
Ottoman Empire, and Tsarist Russia. With the removal of the political
forces that had shaped and sustained Armenian society, the continuity
and direction of the nation henceforth depended exclusively on the
leadership of the Armenian Church under its four jurisdictions: the
Holy See of Etchmiadzin, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the
Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Catholicate of Cilicia.
6 March 2013 4.30pm-5.30pm in the Marie Eugenie Room, followed by a
celebration of the Armenian Divine Liturgy in the chapel of Maria
Assumpta convent (by kind permission of the Sisters) and reception
hosted by the Centre for Eastern Christianity and the Armenian
community
The meaning of the Divine Liturgy for the Armenian worshipper. What
impression should the service have upon the worshipper?
A brief commentary on the structure and content of the Armenian Divine
Liturgy. Its distinctive theological and doctrinal features,
reflecting the Christological position of the Armenian Church.
Followed by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the chapel of the
Convent of the Assumption in Kensington Square, by kind permission of
the Sisters. A reception organised by the Armenian Community and
Church Council will take place in the Marie Eugenie Room after the
Divine
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2013-01-26-rev--nersessian-to-lecture-on-armenian-christian-tradition-in-london
Published: Saturday January 26, 2013
An Armenian bible part of an exhibit at British Library through the
end of January. British Library at www.bl.uk
LONDON - Centre for Eastern Christianity at the Heythrop College,
University of London will host a series of Lent term lectures on "The
Armenian Christian Tradition: History, Doctrine, Spirituality and
Liturgy" given by Revd Dr Nerses Nersessian.
The Rev Dr Nerses (Vrej) Nersessian was born in Tehran in 1948. He was
educated at the Armenian College in Calcutta, the Gevorgian
Theological Academy in Holy Etchmiadzin (Armenia) and King's College,
University of London. He has a Bachelor's degree in Theology and a
Doctorate in Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies.
His doctoral thesis on The Tondrakian Movement, a religious movements
in the Armenian Church from the fourth to the fifth centuries was
published in 1987 in London and reprinted in the Princeton Theological
Monograph series 15, in Pennsylvania a year later. In 1975 he joined
the British Library curatorial staff as curator responsible for the
manuscripts and printed books of the Christian Middle East section, a
post which he held until his retirement in August 2011.
Among his British Library publications are: Catalogue of Early
Armenian Printed Books. A history of Armenian Printing
(1512-1850),(1980), Armenian Illuminated Gospel Books(1987), Treasures
from the Ark,1700 years of Armenian Christian Art, a catalogue of an
exhibition of the same name held at the British Library to mark the
1700th anniversary of the conversion of Armenia to Christianity, The
Bible in the Armenian Tradition (2001) and most recently A Catalogue
of the Armenian Manuscripts in the British Library acquired since the
year 1913 and of collections in other libraries in the United Kingdom
(2012) described as `a fitting culmination to the long and
distinguished career '.
He is the author of the articles on the Armenian Church Tradition in
Jesus in History, Thought, and Culture. An Encyclopedia
(ABC/CLIO2003), In the Beginning. Bibles before the year 1000 (Arthur
M.Sackler Gallery, 2006), The Blackwell Companion to Eastern
Christianity (Blackwell, 2007), Sacred Books of the Three Faiths:
Judaism, Christianity,Islam (The British Library, 2007), Byzantium
330- 1453 (Royal Academy of Art, 2009), The Orthodox Christian World
(Routledge 2012).
He was ordained a priest in 1983, elevated to the rank of archpriest
in 1991 by Vazgen I Catholicos of All Armenians of Blessed memory, and
in October of this year he was awarded the distinguished medal of
Saint Nerses Shnorhali by His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, for his distinguished career in the British Library and
devoted services to the Armenian Church. Presently he is the Priest-in
-charge of the Armenian church of Saint Eghishe, Cranley Gardens,
London. He is married to Leyla Nersessian, has two sons and two
grandchildren.
Schedule lectures are as follows:
30 January 2013 4.30pm-6.00pm in the Marie Eugenie Room
The emergence of Armenia as a Christian state in the first half of the
fourth century and the founding of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox
Church.
A brief introduction to the country and its people before its
conversion to Christianity during the reign of King Trdat in the first
half of the fourth century. The conclusion of the formative period,
with the invention of the Armenian alphabet, the work of the
`Translators', the joy of having the words of God in Armenian finally
leading to the founding of an Armenian literary tradition. Koriwn the
biographer of St Mesrop Mashtots, Eghishe the historian of the Battle
of Avarayr and Eznik's work `Against the Sects' a treatise on God and
the nature of evil.
6 February 2013 4.30pm-6.00pm in the Marie Eugenie Room
The Christology of the Armenian Orthodox Church. The attitude of the
Armenian Church to the first eight Ecumenical Councils, 325 - 787AD.
In the History of the Armenians of Agathangelos, which has an account
of the conversion of Armenia, and a distinct section called The
Teaching of St Gregory the Illuminator the basic doctrinal tenets of
the Christian faith are expounded: belief in the Trinity: the Father
who created us, the Son who saved us, and the Spirit by whom the world
was made and who acts in the world. The History also testifies that
Gregory's son Aristakes, and whose name does appear in the list of
signatories, attended the Council of Nicaea in 325. He brought the
Nicene creed back to Armenia, to which St Gregory added the doxology
`As for us, we shall glorify him who was before the ages, worshipping
the Holy Trinity and the one Godhead the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen'. This simple
but precise declaration has been the core element of the doctrinal
position of the Armenian Church which has remained intact throughout
the centuries.
20 February 2013 4.30pm-6.00pm in the Marie Eugenie Room
Contacts and initiatives for reunion between the Armenian, Greek, and
Roman Churches. The Ecumenical approaches of Nerses IV Klayetsi,
called Shnorhali (1102-1173) and Nerses Lambronatis (1152-1198).
The establishment of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in about 1199
brought the Armenian Church into direct contact with the Roman
Catholic and Greek Churches. The chance meeting in 1165 of St Nerses
with Alexious, the Byzantine duke of Mamistra, became the starting
point of Armeno-Greek ecclesiastical relations. These contacts
continued until almost the end of the century in 1193. The
Chalcedonian question in all its dimensions and complications
dominated discussion at every level and stage. The two doctrinal works
produced by Nerses called The Confession of Faith (Gir hawatoy
khostovanout'ean Hayastaneayts ekeghetswoy) and the Definition of
faith of the Armenian Church (Sahmank' Hawatoy) found positive
acceptance in both Churches, but Greeks and the Latins were not
prepared to discuss the problem of church unity officially.
27 February 2013 4.30pm-6.00pm in the Marie Eugenie Room
The Armenian Church under the political authority of Ottoman Turkey,
Tsarist Russia, and the Soviet Union
The demise of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in 1375 and the return
of the See of the Catholicate from Cilicia to Holy Etchmiadzin, left
isolated colonies within the empires controlled by Safavid Iran, the
Ottoman Empire, and Tsarist Russia. With the removal of the political
forces that had shaped and sustained Armenian society, the continuity
and direction of the nation henceforth depended exclusively on the
leadership of the Armenian Church under its four jurisdictions: the
Holy See of Etchmiadzin, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the
Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Catholicate of Cilicia.
6 March 2013 4.30pm-5.30pm in the Marie Eugenie Room, followed by a
celebration of the Armenian Divine Liturgy in the chapel of Maria
Assumpta convent (by kind permission of the Sisters) and reception
hosted by the Centre for Eastern Christianity and the Armenian
community
The meaning of the Divine Liturgy for the Armenian worshipper. What
impression should the service have upon the worshipper?
A brief commentary on the structure and content of the Armenian Divine
Liturgy. Its distinctive theological and doctrinal features,
reflecting the Christological position of the Armenian Church.
Followed by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the chapel of the
Convent of the Assumption in Kensington Square, by kind permission of
the Sisters. A reception organised by the Armenian Community and
Church Council will take place in the Marie Eugenie Room after the
Divine
From: Baghdasarian