Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

News From Canadian Armenian Diocese

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • News From Canadian Armenian Diocese

    PRESS OFFICE
    Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
    Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
    615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
    Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
    Email; [email protected] Website; www.armenianchurch.ca

    NEWS FROM CANADIAN ARMENIAN DIOCESE

    A) His Eminence Archbishop Bargev Martirossian visits Armenian Church
    Canadian Diocese

    Upon the invitation of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate
    of the Armenian Church Canadian Diocese, the Primate of the Diocese of
    Artsakh His Eminence Archbishop Bargev Martirossian will be visiting
    Canada from the 22nd to 29th April 2004.

    On Friday night, 23rd April 2004 Abp. Martirossian participated in the
    Martyrs' Prayer and Ecumenical service to be held at St Gregory the
    Illuminator Armenian Cathedral commemorating the 89th anniversary of
    the Armenian Genocide. Present were the Montreal Church leaders and
    eminent politicians.

    On April 24, Abp Martirossian celebrated the Holy Divine Liturgy at
    Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto, where regional Church Leaders
    and ecumenical representatives attended the special requiem service
    dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

    On Monday April 26, both Serpazans accompanied by Rev. Fr. Zareh
    Zargarian, Pastor of the church and his assistant Deacon Vrej
    Berberian visited the Armenian schools in Toronto, starting with the
    new and old buildings of Kololian School, then to Holy Asdvadzadzin
    Church school, followed by Holy Cross School and the AGBU Zaroukian
    School. His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Martirossian and Bishop Bagrat
    Galstanian returned to Montreal the same afternoon.

    In the evening, AGBU Montreal chapter hosted a reception in honor of
    His Eminence Archbishop Bargev Martirossian, giving an opportunity to
    Armenian Community members to meet with His Eminence Archbishop
    Martirossian.

    On the 27th of April, 2004 a meeting with the Youth of Greater
    Montreal Area was organized. His Eminence Abp. Martirossian is the
    spiritual leader of Artsakh. His Eminence was one of the first
    Armenians to enter Shoushi, the strategic stronghold that was held by
    the Azerbaijani forces. Shoushi's conquest became the turning point of
    liberation of Artsakh. Abp. Martirossian immediately cleaned up the
    All Saints (Amenapergitch) Armenian Church of the city and celebrated
    the Divine Liturgy, giving thanks to the Lord for the liberation of
    the once vibrant Armenian city of Shoushi.

    B) Divine Liturgy Celebration in Toronto's Holy Trinity Church in
    Commemoration of Victims of the Armenian Genocide

    On Saturday 24 April at 7:30 pm Abp. Barkev Martirossian, Primate of
    the Diocese of Artsakh, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in commemoration
    of the victims of the Armenian genocide. Abp. Martirossian had been
    invited by the Primate of the Canadian Diocese Bishop Bagrat
    Galstanian.

    Along with a capacity crowd present to honor the memory of the
    Armenian victims, were heads and representatives of sister churches,
    including the Catholic Church Cardinal of Toronto Aloysius Ambrozic,
    Bishop of Toronto Terrence Finley, Fr. Peter Avgeropoulos
    (representing the Greek Metropolitan Abp. Satirios), Fr. Ammonius
    Guirguis from the Coptic Orthodox Church, Fr. Stephanos Issan of the
    Assyrian Church, Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches
    Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, Fr. William Osbern of the Memorial Church,
    Fr. Damian McPherson from the Catholic Church Diocese of Toronto, and
    Fr. Canon Harold Nahabedian of St. Mary of Magdalene Church. In
    attendance were also political personalities who were present both to
    honor the memory of the victims and to congratulate the Armenian
    community on the occasion of the Canadian Parliament's recognition on
    April 21 of the Armenian Genocide. Among the politicians present were
    Ara Papian, Ambassador of Armenia, Members of Parliament Sarkis
    Assadourian, John Cannis, Gary Phillips and Jim Karigiannis.

    In his sermon the Primate of Artsakh told the faithful not to bear any
    hatred toward the perpetrator, for they will face God's judgment.

    Following the Divine Liturgy, a commemoration program was organized in
    the church's "Magaros Artinian" Hall by the World Alliance. The
    premiere of BBC's documentary on the Armenian Genocide was screened
    and addresses were delivered by the politicians who once again
    denounced the act of genocide as a solution to social issues. At the
    end of his speech, MP Karigiannis invited the Primate of the Canadian
    Diocese and the Ambassador of Armenia to receive a copy of the
    Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and wished that one day it
    will be translated into Armenian, alongside other languages. The
    commemoration ended by a midnight ceremony and laying of flowers in
    front of the memorial in the church courtyard.

    On Sunday April 25, following the Divine Liturgy, opening ceremony was
    conducted of the newly established Family Help Unit of the Holy
    Trinity Church. Both Serpazans blessed the members of the new
    Committee before the Altar, then proceeded by a procession to the
    premises of the unit where they cut the ribbon, formally inaugurating
    the new office. A reception was then held in the Magaros Artinian Hall
    in honor of Abp. Barkev Martirossian, who related to the faithful the
    current situation in Nagorno Karabakh and the progress achieved since
    its liberation.


    C) Sun Youth and Children's Hospital

    On Thursday, 22 April 2004, Rev Father Hayrig Hovhannissian
    accompanied with the members of Diocesan Youth Council visited
    children at the Montreal Children's Hospital. During the whole month
    of April the Diocesan Youth Council organized selfless acts in order
    to give back to the Montreal Community in memory of 1.5 million
    victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, honoring the slogan "BEYOND
    OUR LOSS WE HELP".

    Children's Hospital Administration Staff welcomed the Diocesan Youth
    Council at the main entrance of the hospital. During their visit at
    the Montreal Children's Hospital Rev. Father Hayrig Hovhannissian
    along with members from the Diocesan Youth Council visited children in
    the wards and handed them toys. They were accompanied by the Hospital
    mascot Caramel who added a greater atmosphere of joy to the sick
    kids. This event was covered by CTV news on the spot and shown on the
    same evening in the news.

    Prior to this event, on Monday April 12th 2004, Primate of the
    Armenian Diocese of Canada His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian and
    members of the Diocesan Youth Council distributed food to needy
    families at the Montreal Sun Youth Community Center. His Eminence
    along with some members of the Diocesan Youth Council helped local Sun
    Youth workers and volunteers prepare the provisions and food bags, and
    distributed them to the families at the center. Local Sun Youth
    workers were very thankful to see such an unselfish act from our youth
    commemorating the 1.5 million victims of the Genocide.

    Overall the Diocesan Youth Council under the auspices of His Grace
    Bishop Bagrat Galstanian organized three main events throughout the
    month of April. The first was a blood drive for HEMA Quebec, the
    second a food drive for the Sun Youth and the third a toy collection
    and distribution for Montreal Children's Hospital. These were new
    concepts for the Armenian community in Canada and they were marked
    with great success. Through their grievance, the Armenians gave back
    to the community.

    D) Junior Choir & Nazeli Dance Group

    On Saturday April 17th 2004, under the auspices of His Eminence Bishop
    Galstanian, Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada, the Junior Choir
    and Nazeli Dance Group of St Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church of
    Providence performed at AGBU Armen Quebec Alex Manoogian School. The
    Junior Choir, organized by Maestro Konstantin Petrossian, performed
    hymns and music of the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Church and songs
    by Armenian and American composers. The Cultural Committee's Arts
    Education program had organized the Nazeli Dance group in October
    2000. Girls between 8-16 years old, dressed in beautiful Armenian
    costumes, danced many Armenian folk dances, and were highly
    appreciated by the audience.

    Very Reverend Father Vazgen Boyajyan welcomed the audience and thanked
    His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian for sponsoring this event. In
    his closing words, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian congratulated and highly
    appreciated the Junior Choir and Nazeli Dance Group of Saint Sahag and
    St Mesrob Armenian Church of Providence. His Eminence said "you have
    proved once more that this nation shall never die''. He then wished
    the members of the Choir continued success in their future endeavors.


    E) Meeting with Anahit Bayandour

    On Wednesday April 14, Montreal Armenian community representatives and
    intellectuals met with Ms. Anahid Bayandour, one of Armenia's leading
    political, intellectual and literary figures. She was invited by
    Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of the Canadian
    Diocese. Rev. Fr. Vazken Boyadjian introduced the guest as the author
    of many books. Ms. Bayandour has translated many literary pieces from
    Armenian to Russian and vice-versa. As a member of independent
    Armenia's Parliament she has extended her services in the political
    and social life of Armenia. Currently she has been conducting some
    studies in the US upon the invitation by the National Endowment Fund
    in Washington.

    Ms. Bayandour discussed in detail and analyzed the sociopolitical
    conditions in Armenia in particular and in the Caucasus in general
    since the collapse of the Soviet Union, when the newly independent
    nations faced a vacuum and struggled to institute the democratic
    system in their countries. Following her presentation, a long question
    and answer period was held during which Bishop Galstanian also
    expressed his views as a witness of those turbulent years.

    Ms. Bayandour thanked the Primate for the invitation and for
    organizing this meeting, as well as appreciated the Primate's serious
    and objective assessment of the situation in Armenia.


    F) New Sunday, Blessing Day of Armenian Schools

    On Sunday April 18, 2004 St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian cathedral
    was filled up with hundreds of student of AGBU Armen-Quebec Alex
    Manougian Armenian Day school of Montreal.

    As New Sunday was declared "Day of Armenian School" by the Primate,
    His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, a unique ceremony was designed to
    celebrate the feast and bless the students of Armenian Day School.

    The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Pastor of St Gregory the
    Illuminator Armenian Cathedral Rev. Fr Vazgen Boyadjian. The Choir of
    St Sahag and St Mesrob Armenian Church of Providence conducted by
    Maestro Konstantin Petrossian participated in the ceremonies and was
    highly appreciated by the faithful.

    During the celebration of Holy Liturgy students from AGBU Armen-Quebec
    Alex Manougian school approached the altar as a sign of devotion to
    their mother church.

    His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian highlighted the mission of the
    Armenian School and praised its more than three decades of providing a
    high standard of education our new generations. Bishop Galstanian also
    appreciated the current administration and the principal of the school
    Mr. Robert Kechayan. He then blessed the students of Armenian Day
    School and wished them success in their endeavors.


    DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE
Working...
X