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;
October 8, 2004
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BISHOP GALSTANIAN MET WITH WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SECRETARY GENERAL REV.
DR. SAMUEL KOBIA
On Sunday October 3, 2004 His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada, attended an ecumenical service
held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the
Canadian Council of Churches (CCC). Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, Secretary General of the
World Council of Churches (WCC) was specially invited from Geneva on this
occasion.
The ecumenical service was held in Ottawa’s South Minster United Church.
Attending the service were representatives and leaders of Canadian Churches and
the president of CCC Dr. Richard Schneider as well as Secretary General of CCC
Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton.
His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian offered the commissioning and
benediction then delivered his word. “Glory to You, Lord Jesus, for having granted me
this great moment of fellowship, with my brothers and sisters from various
denominations, in our common search for communion with you and obedience to your
will.” Addressing his words to the Secretary General of the WCC, the Primate
said, “Dear Dr. Kobia, I am graciously honored to convey to you the love and
blessings of our Spiritual Father and Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness
Karekin II from the spiritual birthplace and center of our nation and the church
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia. May Almighty God guides your
steps in the realization of your highly responsible mission.” The Primate also
congratulated Dr. Schneider and Rev. Dr. Hamilton on the occasion of the 60th
anniversary of the CCC, and assured them that the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of Canada will engage more fervently in the activities of the CCC.
The same evening Bishop Galstanian hosted Dr. Samuel Kobia, Dr. Elizabeth
Ferris, Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton and Rev Dr. Taylor Christie for dinner in Ottawa.
The Primate and Dr. Kobia had the opportunity to discuss in detail the
current state of the WCC, the issues and challenges it faces and the achievements it
has accomplished. The Primate listened intently to the explanations of the
Secretary General and expressed his opinions for the WCC to become a stronger
and a more broad-based presence in the Christian World. Dr. Kobia thanked the
Primate, and the two leaders agreed to contact frequently and to explore further
means of cooperation.
Accompanying the Primate were Rev. Fr. Hayrig Apegha Hovhannisian and Deacon
Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate.
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PRIMATES OF NORTH AMERICAN AND CANADIAN DIOCESES MEET IN TORONTO AT HOLY
TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH
On Thursday, September 30, 2004 the Primates of Eastern and Western USA and
Canada met at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Toronto. This is the
third meeting of the Primates.
His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian (Diocese of Canada), His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian (US Eastern Diocese) and His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian (US Western Diocese) had discussions over various issues concerning
the role and the mission of the Armenian Church in North America and Canada.
The Primates agreed to further organize and cooperate in making the mission
of the Armenian Church more vibrant. Discussions focused on Christian
Education, Youth, the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, 1600th anniversary of
the creation of Armenian Alphabet as well as pilgrimages both Inter-Diocesan
and to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
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CATHOLICOS MEETS WITH BULGARIAN PRESIDENT
On Wednesday (10/6), His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, met at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with President
of Bulgaria Georgi Parvanov. The two spoke of the good relations between the
Armenian and Bulgarian people, and the ties between the Armenian Church and the
Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The Catholicos thanked President Parvanov for the
Bulgarian people’s continued friendship to the local Armenian community in
Bulgaria. There is a large historic Armenian community in Bulgaria.
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FUNERAL SERVICES HELD AT HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH FOR VEHAMAYR OVSANNA
SARKISSIAN
On Monday October 4, 2004 the viewing (Dangark) service for the late Vehamayr
Ovsanna Sarkissian was held at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church at 7:00
pm. The late Vehamayr Ovsanna Sarkissian was the mother of Karekin I of
Blessed Memory, Catholicos of All Armenians. The following bishops and clergy
participated in the service, which began at 8:00 p.m.:
His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Armenian Church Canadian
Diocese
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), His Eminence Archbishop Khajak Hakopian, His
Eminence Archbishop Souren Gataroian, Most Rev. Fr. Maghrik Barikian, Very Rev. Fr.
Hairig Hovhannesian, Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Rev. Arch. Fr. Armen
Ishkhanian, Rev. Fr. Datev Menengichian, Rev. Arch. Fr. Sarkis Gulian, Rev. Fr.
Vazgen Boyajian, Rev. Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanian, Rev.Fr. Hrayr Nicolian, Very
Rev. Fr.Yeghia Kiredjian (Armenian Catholic Church), Rev. Yesai Sarmazian
(Armenian Protestant Church).
During the services letters were read from: His Holiness Karekin II
Catholicos of all Armenians, Holy See of Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of Holy See of Cilicia, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate,
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Western), His Eminence Archbishop
Mushegh Mardirosian, His Eminence Archbishop Datev Sargissian, His Grace Bishop
Movses Movsissian (Primate of Southern Russia), His Grace Bishop Vasgen
Mirzakhanian (Primate of Georgia), Very Rev. Fr. Artak Digranian (Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin), Very Rev. Fr. Zaven Arzoumanian, Rev. Fr. Hrant Yeretsian
(California.
Following the services those in attendance took part in a coffee service
organized by the Parish Council of Holy Trinity Armenian Church.
On Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. the funeral service for the late
Vehamayr Ovsanna Sarkissian was held in the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic
Church. Following the funeral service the burial service was held at York Cemetery
in Toronto after which family and friends returned to Holy Trinity Armenian
Church to take part in the Hokedjash luncheon organized by the Parish Council,
Women’s Guild and Bible Study Groups of Holy Trinity Armenian Church The
luncheon was held in the Margaros Artinian Hall of the church.
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EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS DEDICATED TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF CANADIAN ARMENIAN DIOCESE
Paintings and art works of Montreal Armenian Artists Bedros Aslanian, Arto
Yuzbasiyan, Joseph Mandalian, Armand Tatossian, Berdj Missakian and Yeghia
Bekmezjian were exhibited at Marie Manoogian Hall of St Gregory the Illuminator
Armenian Cathedral in Montreal under the auspices of the Primate His Eminence
Bishop Bagrat Galstanian. This event was one of the series to mark the 20th
anniversary of the establishment of Canadian Armenian Diocese.
Mrs. Aida Karibian welcomed the dignitaries and guests of the evening that
included Honorable Senator Marcel Prudhome, the Montreal City Councilors Mrs.
Noushig Eloyan, Mrs. Hasmig Belleli and Mrs. Mary Deros as well as Diocesan
Council representatives and parishioners.
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GREEN SUNDAY (Sunday of the World Church) PROCLAIMED THE DAY OF C.F.F.A IN
THE CANADIAN DIOCESE
Upon the directive and instruction of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Primate, the Green Sunday (April 10, 2005) is proclaimed the day of Childrens
Fund for Armenia C.F.F.A. With this, a new feast day will be added to the list
of the feast days of the Diocese that will be marked every year, during which
the CFFA Annual Report and new projects will be presented to the sponsors.