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Canadian Diocese: Meeting of the Department of Christian Education

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  • Canadian Diocese: Meeting of the Department of Christian Education

    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



    Meeting of the Department of Christian Education


    The fifth meeting of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian
    Diocese, Department of Christian Education took place in Hamilton,
    Ontario on June 24th, 2004. His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian
    attended the meeting. Rev. Fr. Datev Melenguitchian, Pastor and
    Mrs. Georgina Sarkisian attended as representatives from St. Gregory
    the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Catherines.
    Mrs. Taline Gumusdjian attended as representative from Holy Trinity
    Armenian Apostolic Church of Toronto. Miss Alexia Citak as
    representative from St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church of Hamilton and
    Mrs. Ashken Malkhasian attended as secretary. The meeting was called
    upon in the efforts to assess the needs and challenges facing the
    Sunday Schools in Canada.

    The Department of Christian Education began from "the ground up", as
    His Grace Bishop told those attending; since the summer of last year,
    all members of the council have worked hard to provide a solid
    foundation for which all Sunday Schools can grow. Through the past
    meetings the department has come a long way; Sunday Schools have been
    started in churches that before now had never had one. By creating a
    mission and vision supported by calendars and a new curriculum, Sunday
    Schools have flourished into true learning facilities for Christian
    Armenian youth. The department has worked hard to provide student
    interaction, most recently by the development of an annual Christmas
    event, and a summer camp.

    During the meeting, a major point was made on communication, this
    being what all members saw as the key to instilling all further
    developments by the council. In response to this point, a link from
    the diocesan website to a site for the Sunday School will be
    created. This way a format where anyone can find out, and understand
    the goings on within the council and individual Sunday Schools at any
    time, just by accessing the site. This opens the door to different
    learning methods and exciting teaching styles, as all teachers and
    eventually all students will have the opportunity to 'chat' with one
    another. With regular meetings and a good communication base there
    would be the longevity and support needed to establish all the
    different areas of the department.

    It was addressed that there was a need for not only financial support
    within the department but administrative support in order to entrench
    all areas of the department into the diocese. Administrative
    assistance was considered to be a crucial formality, this way all
    schools could have uniform polices and could deal with issues in the
    same way. This would alleviate difficulties and challenges made toward
    individual Sunday Schools. The idea of a small fee given to the
    Department from each Sunday school was offered. Thus, by creating a
    financial base, others could donate to the department in order for
    more activities and events to take place. This topic was suggested to
    be further discussed at the next meeting taking place in Montreal on
    August 6th, 2004.

    Overall the meeting was very efficient and helped to bring out valid
    points in order for the growth of Sunday Schools to be possible. The
    Department as a whole is making important steps to benefit Sunday
    Schools throughout Canada. It is expected that by this time next year
    it will advance further and be an even more influential branch of the
    Armenian Holy Apostolic Canadian Diocese.

    Communication Office of the Christian Education Department


    100th Anniversary Celebration of Vehamayr Ovsanna Sarkissian

    On Saturday June 26, the 100th Anniversary of Vehamayr Ovsanna
    Sarkissian, the mother of H.H. Karekin I of blessed memory, was held
    in the Cummer Lodge in Toronto.

    The Sarkissian family members, relatives and friends who bear fond
    memories of Vehamayr Ovsanna Sarkissian, had gathered to congratulate
    the centenarian mother and to wish her good health. Also present at
    the celebration was His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate,
    accompanied by Rev. Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of Toronto's Holy
    Trinity Church, Yeretsgin Nayira and Assistant Pastor Deacon Vrej
    Berberian.

    During the celebration, a surprise announcement was made by Bishop
    Galstanian, that His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
    has bestowed the Pontifical Order of St. Nerses Shnorhali upon
    Vehamayr Ovsanna Sarkissian. The Pontifical Gontag was read by
    Rev. Fr. Zareh Zargarian, following which the Primate announced that
    the medal will be formally handed to Vehamayr in the Holy Trinity
    Church on Sunday, August 8.

    A reception was held, hosted by the Sarkissian Family, and prayers
    were said for the good health of Vehamayr. Serpazan congratulated
    Vehamayr Ovsanna on behalf of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
    Canada, the clergy, the Diocesan Council, the Parish Councils and the
    entire faithful, wishing her and the Sarkissian Family God's
    blessings.


    The Primate's Lecture in Holy Trinity Church of Toronto

    On June 25, His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian lectured on the
    Armenian Holy Apostolic Church to an international audience of over
    300 people. The lecture was organized by St. Marc's Eastern Orthodox
    Church.

    Bishop Galstanian talked about the role of the Armenian Church in the
    life of the Armenian nation, and about the Church's losses and martyrs
    in the long and tragic march along the Armenian people in her almost
    2000-year history. Serpazan's presentation, which lasted about an
    hour and a half, deeply impressed and moved the audience that
    consisted of Armenians and non-Armenians alike. Many among the
    audience posed questions that were answered by the Primate.

    The second lecture was about the Coptic Orthodox Church, presented by
    Bishop Ankelos, who was invited from England. The lecture evolved
    around the brotherly relations between the Coptic and Armenian
    Churches, and the common theology shared by both churches. Bishop
    Ankelos said that he had visited Armenia on three occasions and has
    been enriched with many memorable impressions of the country. A period
    of questions and answers followed the lecture. The audience then moved
    to the church hall, where coffee was served, hosted by the British
    Consulate. The evening was concluded by the blessings of the bishops.

    The Year-end Hantes of AGBU Zarougian Daily School

    On Friday June 25, 2004 the AGBU Zarougian school year-end hantes was
    held under the auspices and in the presence of His Eminence Bishop
    Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of the Armenian Church Canadian Diocese,
    accompanied by Reverend Archpriest Father Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of
    Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto.

    The attendees, consisting of parents and former students of the
    school, cheered a high quality cultural program staged by the school's
    students. Graduation certificates were then handed to the students who
    had successfully accomplished their schooling. The Principal of the
    school Ms Hasmig Kurdian read her annual report and then invited the
    Primate His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian to speak. "There is no
    victory without sacrifice; there is no freedom without suffering" said
    His Eminence addressing the students. He then congratulated the
    graduates, the executive and auxiliary bodies of the school as well as
    the parents.

    The year-end Hantes was concluded by the Prayer and blessing of His
    Eminence Bishop Galstanian.

    Women's Guild Central Council Meeting was held in Toronto

    On June 26, 2004 the Women's Guild Central Council meeting was held
    under the auspices and presence of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat
    Galstanian. During the meeting, discussions focused on the role and
    the mission of Women in the Armenian Church. Upon the instruction of
    His Eminence future plans and projects were formulated to revitalize
    the Women's Guilds of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada.

    Regional representatives were appointed as follows: Mrs. Rima
    Derderian, Mrs. Verjin Assadourian (Ottawa, Montreal, Laval). Mrs
    Sofi Kuzuian, Mrs Diana Boghossian (Ontario), Mrs. Rita Mushluyan, Mrs
    Aida Bardekjian (Vancouver).

    Eelection of the executive was held and the results were as follows:
    Mrs. Louisa Kerim (Honorary Chairperson)
    Mrs. Sofi Kuzuyan (Chairperson)
    Mrs. Hasmig Met (Vice Chairperson)
    Mrs Rita Mushluyan (Secretary)
    Mrs Ani Chavoushian (Vice Secretary)
    Mrs Diana Boghossian (Communications Secretary)
    Mrs Rosemary Tanielian (Treasurer)
    Mrs Pergrouhi Meremetci (Vice Treasurer)

    Divan of the Diocese
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