On April 24, 2024, for the first time in history, Armenian Vespers took place at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford. The event was organized by the Church Administration together with the White Cross Foundation and the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland. The University Church of St Mary the Virgin is the central Church of Oxford, and Oxford University was founded on its basis in the 11th century. Later, the University began to form semi-autonomous colleges.
With the blessing of Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, the Armenian priest Father Nshan Alaverdyan came from London to conduct the Vespers in Oxford. Many guests came to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin to take part in the prayer to the Holy Martyrs and glorify the victims of the Armenian Genocide, which took place in 1915. Among the guests were prominent theologians, clergy, professors, and Oxford University students from various colleges. The Oxford University Armenian Society actively participated in organizing the event. Members of the Society formed a choir that accompanied Vespers with hymns and spiritual songs.
Vicar of the Church, The Revd Canon Dr William Lamb welcomed the guests, said words of support on the day of remembrance of the Holy Martyrs, and proposed holding this Service annually.
Director of the White Cross Foundation Grachia Margarian, who is also a postgraduate student at the Faculty of Theology at Oxford, outlined the significance of this event for the Armenian Community. He also indicated the symbolism of this event on the path to Christian unity.
Vespers ended with Father Nshan’s words about the participation of every Christian in each other’s lives through prayer, acts of mercy, and love.
Many of the guests attended the Armenian Vespers for the first time, marking this occasion as an important historical event in the life of the Oxford University Armenian Society. Guests noted the value of their participation in the commemoration of the 109th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the glorification of the Holy Martyrs.
Press release submitted by Grachia Margarian
