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; adiocese@aol.com Website;
Bishop Galstanian meets the Mayor of Vancouver
On May 25, Bishop Galstanyan the Primate of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of Canada met with the Mayor of Vancouver, Mr. Larry Campbell
in Vancouver’s City Hall.
Mr. Campbell has had a remarkable career in public service. First as
an RCMP officer, then as the city’s Chief Coroner. The popular CBC
TV show, Da Vinci’s Inquest is loosely based on that time in his life.
The Mayor recalled the Armenian classmates he befriended during his
youth in Brantford, Ontario. His Grace and the Mayor also had a frank
discussion on the innovative yet controversial approaches the city
has taken to combat Vancouver East Side’s drug abuse problems.
Bishop Galstanian was accompanied by Fr. Keghart Garabedian, Pastor
of St. Vartan Armenian Church, Fr Hairig Hovhannessian, guest priest
from the Diocese, Parish Council member Mr. Arto Tavoukchian and
community member Ms. Rosin Tokatlian.
The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts. The Mayor stating that
there should be more Armenians in Vancouver, jokingly offering anyone
from Montreal and Toronto accommodations if they chose to move to
his beautiful city.
Bishop Bagrat Galstanian in Vancouver
On Friday, May 21 2004 His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian arrived
in Vancouver, British Columbia where the 21st Diocesan Annual Assembly
will be held on the weekend of May 28-30.
This Assembly is of particular significance since it marks the 20th
anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese. The Pontifical Letter
of Blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
will be read in the first session of the Assembly as well as the
Words of Greeting of Premier of British Columbia, Honorable Gordon
Campbell and the Mayor of Vancouver Larry Campbell. The second session
of the Assembly will deliberate on re-organizational issues within
the Diocese and the third session will discuss new projects in Canada
and in Armenia.
On the 22nd of May, 2004 Bishop Galstanian met with representatives
of Vancouver Armenian community. During the cordial meeting,
discussions were focused on the future of St. Vartan Armenian
Church, the reorganization of the Vancouver Armenian community and
strengthening of relations between the Parish of Saint Vartan Armenian
Church and the Diocese of Canada. His Eminence expressed his joy and
praised the members of Vancouver Armenian community whose efforts and
contributions are aimed at restructuring a new and dynamic Armenian
Community in Vancouver.
We are delighted to announce that during the gathering, community
members and families responded positively to the appeal of His Eminence
and made generous donations that amount to 52.000 (fifty two thousand
Canadian dollars) to be allocated towards closing of the mortgage
of Saint Vartan Armenian Church. This is the first phase of a plan
designed by His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian to reorganize the
Vancouver Armenian community. A similar meeting is scheduled to be
held on the 19th of June, 2004.
The 30th of May 2004 will mark the first anniversary of the election
of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian. Since his election as
Primate Bishop Galstanian has given special attention to spiritual
revival and to reorganization of the Diocesan structures towards the
strengthening of Parishes all across Canada.
DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE