On Sunday, 1 November 2026, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the United Kingdom and Ireland, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St Sarkis Church in London and delivered a message on holiness, responsibility for the life of the Church, and solidarity with persecuted Christians.
Following the Armenian Church’s celebration of All Saints on 31 October, Bishop Hovakim reflected on the feast’s title, “All Saints, Old and New, Known and Unknown”. Drawing on the examples of St Sarkis and St Nerses the Great, he reminded the congregation that holiness continues to bear fruit through steadfast faith, compassion and daily service.
Sharing memories of growing up in Soviet Armenia, Bishop Hovakim recalled a classmate being questioned and discouraged from attending church after saying that he went there to pray. He also spoke of his family’s evening Scripture gatherings and of baptisms and church weddings held discreetly at home because participants feared consequences at work if their religious commitment became known.
“These memories remind me that the freedom to practise our faith is precious,” he said. “We honour those who preserved that faith by taking responsibility for living it and passing it on.”
Bishop Hovakim encouraged more regular participation in worship and parish life, observing that even monthly attendance by a greater proportion of London’s Armenian community would transform the life of its churches.
Reflecting on Christ’s words, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it,” he called on the faithful to express their belonging to Christ’s family through worship, service and care for others.
He also highlighted Aid to the Church in Need’s Red Wednesday initiative and announced that he would run the Battersea Park Half Marathon on 14 November in support of its work with persecuted Christians.
“The path of holiness is open to each of us,” he said. “It begins when we hear God’s word and put it into practice.”