Year 2025 Reviewed in ACT UK Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Armenian Church Trust Ltd (ACT UK) charity took place last Friday, May 29 2026, at the Armenian Diocesan Centre in Brentford. It offered an opportunity for an in-depth report and review of the charity’s work through the year 2025: the achievements, setbacks, lessons learned, and hopes and plans for the future. Members of the community were invited to lend their voices to the discussions and offer suggestions.
His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland, started the meeting with a presentation of his Annual Report. Emphasis was drawn to last year’s focus on promoting advocacy causes, such as the #FreeArmenianHostages movement, working closely with ecumenical bodies such as Churches Together in England and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, encouraging more Armenian youth to participate in the life of the church, and improving the facilities at the Armenian Diocesan Centre with a new chapel altar, library, and conference room.
Further attention was given to improving the church’s online presence and fundraising strategies, culminating in this year’s launch of a new, modern, mobile-friendly website, thanks to the hard work of the Kaizen Dale design and communications agency.
Following the Bishop’s report, Matthew Ward, head of ACYO “Avetis” London, delivered an overview of the youth group’s activities, as well as their plans and ambitions for the next year. A financial report was presented by Arby Chek, detailing the charity’s expenses against its allocated budgets and donations and noting areas needing improvement.
Bedros Aslanyan, chair of St Sarkis Parish Council and former head of the ASF committee, reviewed the outcomes of the festival’s 15th anniversary, while Anastasiia Shahknazaryan introduced the attendees to the chosen guest performers for ASF 2026. Furthermore, Deacon Vatche Hisarlian gave a brief talk about his series of online theological talks on Christianity.
The meeting concluded with a short reception and refreshments while the attendees discussed the presented reports. Though the year 2025 was challenging, we closed it with gratitude and pride, taking the lessons learned and milestones achieved forward.
May God bless our community and guide our mission as we work together to achieve a positive impact in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the world.
