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;
April 21, 2005
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HISTORIC MEETING ON PARLIAMENT HILL WITH
THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA, THE RIGHT HONORABLE PAUL MARTIN
Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 will forever be marked as a most
significant and memorable day in the lives of all Canadian Armenians.
A year ago to the day, the resolution to recognize the Armenian
Genocide was passed in the House of Commons of Canada. At the same
time on April 24th 2004, the Honorable Jim Karygiannis P.C. M.P.
present at the commemoration ceremony of the 89th anniversary of the
Genocide, organized by the Armenian World Alliance, presented to His
Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms, at which time promised that our community will
soon have this most important document presented to us in Armenian.
The Central Board of the Armenian World Alliance undertook the
onerous task of having this most important document translated,
reflecting the precise and accurate rendition of the fundamental
statutes outlined in the Charter. This immense responsibility was
graciously undertaken by one of the foremost scholars of our country,
Prof. Nurhan Ouzounian from Montreal.
In Parliament Hill the Primate and his entourage were greeted by Jim
Karygianis, also present was Raymoinde Folco, M.P. Laval-les-Iles,
Chair of the Quebec Liberal Caucus & a good friend of Armenians in
Laval.
Afterwards, the Primate, Mr. Karygiannis, Mme. Folco and the
community members were ushered to the Prime Minister’s office, where
they were granted an audience by Right Honorable Paul Martin. The PM
showed keen interest in all aspects of the Armenian Community life,
be it religious, cultural, business and educational. A very cordial
conversation took place between him and our Primate. An informative
half hour was spent with questions from all present. The Prime
Minister signed the first copy of Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms and presented it to His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian.
Another autographed Charter was given to Jim Karygiannis, who will
present it to His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, upon his arrival in Armenia on April
23rd, 2005.
In his turn, Bishop Galstanian thanked the Prime Minister for taking
time out in his busy schedule to see the delegation, and presented
Mr. Martin with an exquisite crystal etched KHATCHKAR, carrying two
small vials, containing earth & Holy water from Armenia on either
side of the KHATCHKAR, which can also be illuminated through its
bronze base. A commemorative silver medal of the 1700th anniversary
of the proclamation of Christianity as the official state Religion in
Armenia, was presented to Jima Karygiannis and Raymonde Folco.
A very special letter of commendation and thanks from the Vehapar,
Catholicos Karekin II was also presented to the Prime Minister. We,
as Canadian Armenians, are extremely proud that Canada as one of the
first countries, bestowed upon us, through the Primate, the
translation of the most important document outlining the laws of the
Government of Canada. This audience by the Prime Minister and the
gift of the translation of the Charter was special emotional and
moving as it also comes on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the
commemoration of the Armenian Genocide and the 1600th anniversary of
the invention of the Armenian Alphabet.
Accompanying the Primate were V. Rev. Father Ararat Kaltakjian-Vicar
of the Diocese, Rev. Archpriest Zareh Zargarian-Pastor of the Holy
Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto, Hratch Boyadjian-Diocesan
Delegate, Central Board of Directors, AWA & Vice Chair ADL Eastern
District & Canada, Armen Kurkjian-Central Board of Directors of AWA,
Mike Kharabian-ARCA member & Treasures Central Board of ADL, Arto
Basmadjian-Secretary of the Diocesan Council, Lilian Sevadjian-member
of the Diocesan Council and of Parish Council Saint Vartan Armenian
Church of Mississauga, Prof. Nourhan Ouzounian-translator of the
Charter, Sossy Boyadjian-Chairperson Primate’s Appeal of Ontario,
Sevag Sagherian-member of the Parish Council of Holy Trinity Armenian
Church of Toronto.
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